Phase II trial of the novel taxane BMS-184476 as second-line in non-small-cell lung cancer

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of BMS-184476, an analog of paclitaxel, in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progressing or relapsing following at least one prior chemotherapy regimen. Patients and methods: Fifty-six previously treated advanced NSCLC patients received BMS-184476 at a dose of 60 mg/m(2) administered intravenously over 1 h every 21 days. Results: The median number of cycles delivered per patient was five (range one to 17). Dose reduction was required in only 3.8% of cycles. Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 19.6% of patients, but no grade 4 thrombocytopenia or anemia was reported. Febrile neutropenia was observed in only two (3.6%) patients and there were no life-threatening events. Grade 3/4 peripheral sensory-motor neuropathy was reported in 9% of patients. Other non-hematological toxicities, such as nausea and vomiting, myalgia and arthralgia, diarrhea, and mucositis, were uncommon. Partial responses were observed in eight (14.3%) patients and stable disease in 33 (58.9%). Median progression-free survival was 3.7 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.7-5.4] and median overall survival was 10 months (95% CI 6-13.4). Conclusions: BMS-184476 was well tolerated at the dose of 60 mg/m(2) and showed evidence of antitumor activity in previously treated NSCLC.