VATS lobectomy facilitates the delivery of adjuvant docetaxel-carboplatin chemotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

This study analyzes the ability to deliver adjuvant chemotherapy in patients after lobectomy, comparing the thoracoscopic (VATS) to the open approach (1). The study was performed as a sub-group analysis of an openlabel, single arm study designed to assess the safety and tolerability of docetaxel (75 mg/kg) and carboplatin (AUC 5.5) administered for 3 cycles after resection for curative intent in 133 patients with stage Ib–IIIa non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The trial is remarkable in its inclusion of 10 centers in China and 1 center in the US, as well as its rapid accrual (<6 months).