Chemotherapy for advanced disease. How to raise enthusiasm.

Abstract

Over the last 5 years, the newer chemotherapeutic agents (cisplatin, vindesine, vinorelbine tartrate [Navelbine], taxoids, and gemcitabine) have given greater hope in the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Despite this, it has proved very difficult to organize trials large enough to show significant differences. Reasons for this include negative physician attitudes, the high cost of entering patients in trials, lack of cooperation between research organizations, and the perception of a self-imposed disease. To overcome this, communication with lung physicians, surgeons, and patients as well as oncologists is needed, and they must be involved through an appropriate choice of journals for publishing results, interaction between organizations, an information network linking hospitals, general physicians, and patients, and briefing of local and national media experts.