Palliative Chemotherapy Of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (Nsclc): Baseline Data Analysis Of The Action Observational Study In 5 European Countries.

7216 Background: ACTION (Assessment of Cost and ouTcomes of chemotherapy In an Observational setting in patients with advanced NSCLC) is an on-going observational study in routine clinical practice. Methods: Between 4/2003 and 6/2004, 993 patients (pts) were recruited; 967 were evaluable, in Germany (D,571), UK (193), Finland (F,99), Netherlands (NL,69), and Portugal (P,35). Pts were ≥18 years old and receiving first-line chemotherapy for stage IIIB/IV NSCLC. Chemotherapy regimen was at discretion of the treating physician. Baseline data were collected on pt characteristics, diagnostic tests/pre-treatment interventions within 4 weeks of enrollment, and reasons for chemotherapy choice. Results: Median pt age was 64 years (range 31–90); 71% were male. WHO performance status was 0 in 21%, 1 in 65%, 2 in 10%, and 3/4 in 4%. There were inter-country differences in percent of pts with >10% weight loss (range F19%-P41%; mean 35%), and in percent with IIIB disease (range D27%-UK55%; mean 35%). Median times from current diagnosis ranged in days from D14 to UK28. Pre-chemotherapy staging investigations also showed regional differences: bronchoscopy (D87%, UK51%); bone scan (D72%, F11%); ultrasound (D91%, UK10%); and CT (D96%, UK67%). Third generation agents (gemcitabine, taxanes, vinorelbine) were used in 859 pts. Platinum was used in combination with a third generation agent in 693 pts: carboplatin 490 pts or cisplatin 203 pts. Efficacy of regimen was most common factor influencing treatment choice, Conclusions: Almost 1000 pts were recruited into this observational study within 15 months. There were inter-country variations in patient characteristics and in staging investigations prior to enrollment (possibly reflecting staging practice or system capacity). Most patients received third generation agents. Author Disclosure Employment or Leadership Consultant or Advisory Role Stock Ownership Honoraria Research Funding Expert Testimony Other Remuneration Eli Lilly Eli Lilly Eli Lilly Amgen, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Lilly Oncology, Pierre Fabre Eli Lilly