Upcoming Strategies In The Treatment Of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Stage Iiib/Wet And Iv

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common malign lung tumour. It is diagnosed in the majority of patients at an advanced stage without a chance for cure despite substantial progress in the therapeutic armamentarium. The therapeutic goals in this situation are prolongation of life and symptom palliation. Both the classical chemotherapy as well as modern therapeutic strategies (tyrosinkinase inhibitors, bevacizumab) are able to achieve these goals. It is currently unclear how to incorporate the new strategies into first line therapy. At the ASCO congress 2007 numerous studies were presented for first line therapy of advanced NSCLC. A large phase III study with bevacizumab and a study with Docetaxel maintenance therapy are to be discussed in detail, followed by a short presentation of a study with platinumfree combinations, a new platinum combination with pemetrexed/carboplatin, the chemotherapy of patients with PS (2/3), and interesting studies with cetuximab.