Single-agent versus combination chemotherapy as first-line treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and performance status 2: a literature-based meta-analysis of randomized studies

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of first-line treatment with combination versus single agent chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and performance status (PS) 2.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed to identify randomized trials comparing combination versus single agent chemotherapy in patients with advanced NCSLC. Both trials dedicated to PS 2 patients and trials that performed a subset analysis according to PS were included in the meta-analysis. Standard meta-analytic procedures were used to analyze the study outcomes.

Results: Twelve trials were considered eligible and were further analyzed. The use of combination chemotherapy resulted in a statistically significant better overall survival compared to single agent chemotherapy (11 trials, 1114 patients; hazard ratio (HR), 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71-0.88). The survival benefit was pronounced when platinum-based combination was used (HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.61-0.81) while no survival benefit was observed in non-platinum based combinations (HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.80-1.15). Grade 3/4 anemia (OR: 3.12, 95% CI: 1.55-6.27), thrombocytopenia (OR: 12.81, 95% CI: 4.65-33.10), and neutropenia (OR: 7.91, 95% CI: 3.97-15.78) but not febrile neutropenia were significantly more frequent with combination chemotherapy.

Conclusion: This meta-analysis provides evidence supporting the use of combination chemotherapy in patients with NSCLC and PS 2. However, the patients should be informed about the higher risk for toxicity with the combination chemotherapy and the final treatment strategy should be individualized.