Gemcitabine Plus Oxaliplatin in Advanced Stage IIIB/IV Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Oxaliplatin is a diaminocyclohexane platinum compound, with a mechanism of action similar to that of cisplatin. Oxaliplatin has a more manageable toxicity profile than cisplatin, with no renal toxicity and a lower incidence of hematological and gastrointestinal toxicities. Gemcitabine and oxaliplatin are both active in NSCLC with no overlapping toxicity. Preclinical studies show a synergistic effect of the gemcitabine-oxaliplatin combination. The combination of gemcitabine-oxaliplatin is attractive in NSCLC patients as it may improve the therapeutic index.