Role of taxanes in the combined modality treatment of patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

The plant-derived taxanes have a unique mechanism of cytotoxic action and have shown interesting response and survival data in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Based on these results, taxane-based regimens have been investigated in combination with radiotherapy in unresectable NSCLC. Trials with paclitaxel-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy have shown 50 -100% tumour response rates, 12 - 26 month median survivals and 32 - 52% 2-year survival rates. Trials with concurrent chemoradiotherapy with docetaxel have shown 35 - 92% tumour response rates, 12 - 23 month median survivals, and 41 - 43% 2 year survival rates. Taxane-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy for stage III NSCLC appears promising. Large ongoing randomised trials will define the role of these agents in the treatment of locally advanced NSCLC.