Randomized phase II trial of docetaxel/irinotecan and gemcitabine/irinotecan with or without celecoxib in the second-line treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer.

Purpose: Trials combining irinotecan/docetaxel and irinotecan/gemcitabine in second-line treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have yielded promising results. Preliminary data suggested that the selective cyclooxygenase -2 inhibitor celecoxib (CBX) might enhance efficacy of chemotherapeutic regimens. This multicenter, phase II, randomized trial investigated efficacy and safety of irinotecan and docetaxel and irinotecan and gemcitabine, with or without CBX, in second-line treatment of NSCLC.