ABSTRACT
Background and purpose:Lung cancer is the one with the highest incidence tumors, is mainly appeared to be non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). The main treatment method is chemotherapy. However, it is controversial whether using chemotherapy in the patients of advanced NSCLC. The present study aimed to observe the efifcacy and toxicity of pemetrexed contrast to the best supportive care in the NSCLC patients of ECOG=2 and older than 70.Methods:A total number of 84 patients of ECOG=2 and older than 70 with advanced NSCLC were randomly assigned into two groups. The study group accepted pemetrexed, 500 mg/m2,every 3 weeks as a cycle, and the control group was given 200 g glucose supply and protein according to patients’ weight every day. Evaluation of the study group was performed at end of 2 cycles and the control group was evaluated after 2 months.Results:There was no CR patient in 2 groups. In the study group there were 6 patients of PR (14.3%), 21 patients of SD (50%) and 13 patients of PD (30.9%), the effective rate was 14.3%, and the disease control rate was 64.3%. There were 1 patient of PR (2.4%), 15 patients of SD (35.7%), 25 patients of PD (60.9%), 1 patient of death, the effective rate was 2.4% and the disease control rate was 39.0% in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion:The study group has better treatment effect and adverse reaction in patients of ECOG=2 and older than 70 with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer and the toxicity could be tolerated.