The survival benefit associated with first-line chemotherapy in lung cancer has led to the need for second-line chemotherapy, for which Docetaxel (Taxotere®) has proven efficacy in both settings. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of docetaxel in patients with non-small cell lung cancer who had failed first-line platinum-based chemotherapy.

Thirty one patients with non-small-cell lung cancer, who had failed first-line platinum-based chemotherapy, between March 1999 and August 2003, were enrolled in this study. Patients received intravenous docetaxel, either 75 mg/m² or 100 mg/m², with routine premedication every three weeks.

Fourteen patients (45.2%) had a partial response. The median survival and progression-free survival times were 12.5 months (95% CI 7.3-17.6) and 3.0 months (95% CI 1.6-4.5), respectively. This study showed 2 factors gave different survival benefits; the age (< 60 years: 20.1 months vs. ≥ 60 years: 6.6 months, p = 0.0105) and the histological type (adenocarcinoma: 25.6 months vs. others: 7.9 months, p=0.0055). The predominant toxicity was neutropenia, which occurred as WHO grade 3 or 4 in 38.7 % of patients. One treatment-related death was also reported. Non-hematological toxicity was minor and easily controlled. There were no significant statistical differences in the survival benefit and toxicity between the two doses.

Docetaxel, as second-line monotherapy, was well tolerated and effective in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer who failed first-line platinum-based chemotherapy.