Seminars in oncology
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Seminars in oncology · Jun 1994
Meta AnalysisThe treatment of non-small cell lung cancer: current perspectives and controversies, future directions.
The projected cure rate for patients who develop lung cancer in 1993 is only 13%. The majority of these patients have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis, and are therefore ineligible for curative surgery. Among the minority of patients who undergo surgical therapy with curative intent, the majority experience relapse in metastatic sites. ⋯ Response rates in excess of 20% were reported for paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ), irinotecan (CPT-11), topotecan, and gemcitabine. Studies in the next few years will help to define the ultimate role of these agents. Further developments in understanding the biology (and molecular biology) of lung cancer are leading to preclinical studies of antigrowth factors and genetic therapy.