Pseudomonas aeruginosa preparation (PAP) with chemotherapy may improve response rate in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to a recent study published online ahead of print in Medical Oncology.

In a multicenter phase III trial, Chinese researchers led by Jianhua Chang, MD, PhD, of Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center looked at 72 subjects with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC.

Patients were randomized to PAP or control. Primary endpoint was objective response rate, while secondary endpoints were time to progression, overall survival, safety and quality of life.

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The researchers found that, after two cycles of treatment, a borderline statistically significant improvement was found in objective response rate with PAP. After four cycles, the response rate was 31.25 percent compared to 14.71 in control.

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In addition, the one-year survival rate in PAP was 53.55 percent compared to 50.15 percent with control, and the treatment did not result in increased toxicity or negative impact on quality of life.

“The results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of PAP for advanced NSCLC,” the authors concluded. “Long-term follow-up might help define whether the combination therapy can result in survival benefit.”

Reference

  1. Chang, Jianhua, et al. “Pseudomonas aeruginosa preparation plus chemotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a randomized, multicenter, double-blind phase III study.” Medical Oncology. DOI: 10.1007/s12032-015-0583-1. [epub ahead of print]. March 24, 2015.

Topics:

Chemotherapy Lung Cancer Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer