Triplet chemotherapy with docetaxel, gemcitabine and liposomal doxorubicin, supported with subcutaneous amifostine and hemopoietic growth factors, in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

The activity of a triplet of chemotherapeutic drugs, namely docetaxel, gemcitabine and liposomal doxorubicin, was investigated in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The regimen was supported with amifostine cytoprotection (1000mg injected subcutaneously) and hemopoietic growth factors (rhuG-CSF and rhuEPO) in an attempt to minimize the substantial toxicity reported in previous studies investigating docetaxel/gemcitabine chemotherapy. Twenty chemotherapy- naïve patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (18 with stage IV and 2 with stage IIIb) were recruited.