A new Australian study has found that extending the use of chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer better controls the disease, as well as providing a modest improvement in survival. The study will be reported today (18/11) to the Clinical Oncolgoical Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting in Sydney.

Associate Professor Michael Boyer, from the Sydney Cancer Centre, said a meta-analysis of international randomised trials showed a significant improvement in progression free survival and a modest improvement in overall survival in patients given extended 3rd generation chemotherapy.

"One of the big questions we are trying to answer is: What is the optimal duration of chemotherapy for maximising survival and quality of life?" Professor Boyer said. "While this doesn't answer that question, it does tell us that there is a clear benefit to continuing chemotherapy if it is controlling the cancer and not causing bad side-effects.

"Unfortunately, there is a downside in terms of more adverse events and impaired quality of life. This demonstrates the need for future trials to test extending treatment with more effective and better tolerated agents."

Presentation: 4.15pm, Room 103
Australia's leading meeting of cancer experts
Clinical Oncological Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting
Sydney Convention Centre - November 18-20, 2008

Source
Cancer Council, Australia
cancer.au