The emerging role of paclitaxel plus carboplatin in non-small-cell lung cancer

The activity and toxicity profiles of carboplatin (Paraplatin) and paclitax el (Taxol) used as single agents in non-small-cell lung cancer made them lo gical agents for study in combination therapy. Once preliminary trials demo nstrated that both agents could be combined safely in full doses, phase II and III trials of the combination were started. The authors review the resu lts of these trials of paclitaxel plus carboplatin in advanced nonsmall-cel l lung cancer, in combination with chest radiotherapy in stage III disease, and as neoadjuvant therapy in stage I and II non-small-cell lung cancer.