[A meta analysis of doublets versus single-agent chemotherapy for elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

It remains disputed whether doublets are more effective than single-agent chemotherapy for elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of doublets and single-agent chemotherapy for elderly patients with NSCLC.

METHODS

Data from all published, randomized trials that compared doublets and single-agent chemotherapy in elderly patients were collected from electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI and the CBMdice). Meta-analysis was completed using software Stata 11.0.

RESULTS

The results of the meta-analysis, including 12 eligible trials (2,306 patients), showed that the doublets significantly increased the overall response rate (OR=1.80, 95%CI:1.50-2.17, P<0.000,1) and one-year survival rate (OR=1.45, 95%CI: 1.22-1.72, P<0.000,1) compared with single-agent chemotherapy. The results of one-year survival rate in platinum-based doublet chemotherapy arms (OR=1.55, 95%CI: 1.18-2.03, P=0.001) and non platinum-based ones (OR=1.38, 95%CI: 1.10-1.73, P=0.006) were both significantly higher than that of single-agent chemotherapy. However, grade 3/4 anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and neurotoxicity (P<0.05) were significantly associated with doublet chemotherapy. The incidence of toxicity effect in non platinum-based chemotherapy was similar to that of single-agent chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with single-agent chemotherapy, doublet chemotherapy could increase the overall response rate and one-year survival rate significantly. Therefore, doublet chemotherapy would be more appropriate for elderly patients with advanced NSCLC as the first-line chemotherapy regimen. However, further prospective randomized controlled trials in elderly NSCLC patients is needed to verify the findings in this study.