Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in Brazil: treatment heterogeneity in routine clinical practice.

UNLABELLED: Lung cancer is one of the main causes of cancer related deaths. Approximately three quarters of these tumors are non-small cell carcinomas. When diagnosed the majority of patients show the disease locally advanced or metastatic. The chemotherapy is the chosen therapy for patients with advanced lung cancer. The majority of published studies with chemotherapy are performed in academic centers under a strict control of research protocols. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the usual management of metastatic NSCLC patients outside of a clinical trial setting in three different oncologic centers in Brazil. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer admitted for treatment in three different Cancer Centers in Brazil. 564 patients from Brazilian public heath system and private/health insurance system were considered for the present study. RESULTS: Among 564 patients in this study, 335 (59.4%) received chemotherapy. For all patients, 47 different regimens of chemotherapy were identified. The median follow-up time was eight months and the overall median survival of all patient population submitted to chemotherapy was 9.7 months. DISCUSSION: There was a great heterogeneity in the regimens of drugs to treat metastatic NSCLC patients. The overall survival was significantly better for patients treated with first line chemotherapy compared to patients that only received best supportive care. Results of prospective randomized clinical trials should be carefully analyzed before transferred to the daily clinical practice.

Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in Brazil: treatment heterogeneity in routine clinical practice

ABSTRACT: Lung cancer is one of the main causes of cancer related deaths. Approximately three quarters of these tumors are non-small cell carcinomas. When diagnosed the majority of patients show the disease locally advanced or metastatic. The chemotherapy is the chosen therapy for patients with advanced lung cancer. The majority of published studies with chemotherapy are performed in academic centers under a strict control of research protocols. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the usual management of metastatic NSCLC patients outside of a clinical trial setting in three different oncologic centers in Brazil. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer admitted for treatment in three different Cancer Centers in Brazil. 564 patients from Brazilian public heath system and private/health insurance system were considered for the present study. RESULTS: Among 564 patients in this study, 335 (59.4 percent) received chemotherapy. For all patients, 47 different regimens of chemotherapy were identified. The median follow-up time was eight months and the overall median survival of all patient population submitted to chemotherapy was 9.7 months. DISCUSSION: There was a great heterogeneity in the regimens of drugs to treat metastatic NSCLC patients. The overall survival was significantly better for patients treated with first line chemotherapy compared to patients that only received best supportive care. Results of prospective randomized clinical trials should be carefully analyzed before transferred to the daily clinical practice.

INTRODUÇÃO: O câncer de pulmão é uma das principais causas de morte relacionadas ao câncer. Aproximadamente três quartos destes tumores são carcinoma não pequenas células. Ao diagnóstico, a maioria dos pacientes se apresenta com doença avançada localmente ou metastática. A quimioterapia é o tratamento de escolha para pacientes com câncer de pulmão em estadiamento avançado. A maioria dos estudos publicados com quimioterapia é realizada em centros acadêmicos sob controle rígido de protocolos de pesquisa. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar os resultados do tratamento rotineiro de pacientes com carcinoma de pulmão não pequenas células metastático, fora de protocolos de pesquisa clínica em três centros oncológicos brasileiros. MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo de pacientes com câncer de pulmão não pequenas células metastático, admitidos para tratamento em três diferentes centros oncológicos no Brasil. Foram avaliados 564 pacientes neste estudo provenientes do sistema de saúde público e privado. RESULTADOS: Dentre os 564 pacientes deste estudo, 335 (59,4 por cento) receberam quimioterapia. Considerando todos os pacientes, foram identificados 47 esquemas diferentes de quimioterapia. O tempo médio de seguimento foi de oito meses e a sobrevida global mediana de todos os pacientes submetidos à quimioterapia foi de 9,7 meses. DISCUSSÃO: Havia uma grande heterogeneidade de esquemas de drogas para o tratamento de pacientes com câncer de pulmão não pequenas células metastático. A sobrevida global foi significativamente melhor para pacientes tratados com quimioterapia de primeira linha comparado com pacientes que receberam somente tratamento de suporte clínico. Resultados de estudos clínicos prospectivos randomizados deverão ser cuidadosamente analisados antes de serem transferidos para a prática clínica diária.