%0 Journal Article %T Paclitaxel for treatment of advanced small cell lung cancer (SCLC): a retrospective study of 185 patients %A von Eiff, Damian %A Bozorgmehr, Farastuk %A Chung, Inn %A Bernhardt, Denise %A Rieken, Stefan %A Liersch, Stephan %A Muley, Thomas %A Kobinger, Sonja %A Thomas, Michael %A Christopoulos, Petros %A Steins, Martin %J Journal of Thoracic Disease %D 2020 %B 2020 %9 %! Paclitaxel for treatment of advanced small cell lung cancer (SCLC): a retrospective study of 185 patients %K %X Background: Etoposide-/platinum-based chemotherapy is the standard first-line treatment for extensive- disease small cell lung cancer (SCLC), but responses are short-lived and subsequent options limited. Here, we present our experience with paclitaxel in advanced treatment lines. Methods: We retrospectively studied the clinical course of all paclitaxel-treated SCLC patients between 2005 and 2015 in our institution. Prognostic and predictive factors were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. Results: A total of 185 patients [119 men, median age 65 years, median ECOG performance status (PS) 1] were identified. One hundred and sixty-eight patients had extensive disease (ED) at the time of paclitaxel therapy. Paclitaxel was mainly given as third- or fourth-line therapy (93%). The response rate (RR) was 17% and disease control rate (DCR) 28%. Patients reached a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 1.6 (95% CI: 1.4–1.8) months and median overall survival (OS) of 3.3 (95% CI: 2.8–3.9) months. Main toxicities were fatigue (25%) and polyneuropathy (17%). Dose reduction of ≥25% was associated with shorter PFS [1.9 (95% CI: 1.5–2.3) vs . 1.4 (95% CI: 1.3–1.5) months; P=0.004]. Further independent predictive factors for PFS were gender, age, and hepatic/brain metastases (P vs . 62%), as well as a comparable DCR (29% vs . 28%), which was associated with prolonged survival (4.5 vs . 3.2 months for refractory cases, P=0.034). Conclusions: Paclitaxel has clinically relevant activity in heavily pretreated SCLC. While patients with good PS and no cerebral/hepatic metastases derive the greatest benefit, ECOG PS 2 per se should not be used as a criterion to exclude patients. %U https://jtd.amegroups.org/article/view/35170 %V 12 %N 3 %P 782-793 %@ 2077-6624