RATIONALE

Adjuvant chemotherapy is standard for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after surgical resection. In this context, the tolerance of the treatment is an essential criterion in the choice of chemotherapy. This exploratory study evaluated, in the situation of adjuvant chemotherapy, the tolerance of combined cisplatin-pemetrexed. The study analyzed a cohort of non-squamous NSCLC patients treated in an adjuvant setting by combined cisplatin (75 mg/m(2)) and pemetrexed (500 mg/m(2)), under vitamin B12 and folic acid cover, 4 cycles at 21-day intervals.

RESULTS

The analysis included 23 patients (age: 58.7 ± 5 years, men: 56%, average creatinin clearance (Clea): 94 ± 22 mL/min, average haemoglobin: 13.8 ± 1.6g/dL). Over 92 planned courses, 7.6% are postponed (neutropenia), 4.3% were not given (asthenia). We noted 7 episodes of vomiting (4 grade 3), with two hospitalizations in the same patient; 5 episodes of anaemia grade 1-2 not requiring EPO prescription or transfusion and no febrile neutropenia. At the end of the treatment, three patients had a Clea<50 mL/mn and 5 a haemoglobin between 9 and 11 g/dL.

CONCLUSION

Combined cisplatin-pemetrexed in an adjuvant situation has a satisfactory tolerance.