Impact of hemoglobin level on the outcome of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with cisplatin and gemcitabine

17010 Background: Negative impact of anemia on survival has been described in NSCLC patients (pts) treated with radiotherapy (RT) or concurrent radiochemotherapy, but scarcely data exist in NSCLC treated with chemotherapy (CT). PURPOUSE: To evaluate the prognosis value of baseline hemoglobin (Hb) among pts with advanced NSCLC treated with cisplatin and gemcitabine. Methods: 433 pts included in two trials conducted by the Spanish Lung Cancer Group (176 pts from the arm A of a randomized phase III trial comparing 3 regimens of CT and 257 pts from a phase II trial) were included in this analysis. No significant differences in baseline characteristics, response and survival (median 8.73 and 9.87 months, p=0.46) were observed between pts of the two trials. The baseline Hb and other potential risk factors for survival were analyzed with Cox Proportional Hazards model in an univariate an multivariate analysis. Results: Stage IIIB with positive pleural effusion (25%), stage IV (75%). 85% had ECOG PS 0–1. Median age: 60 years (range 31–82). 89% male. Histology: 41% adenocarcinoma, 39% squamous cell, 6.5% large cell, 14.5% NSCLC not otherwise specified. Median number of cycles received was 4 (range 1–8). Mean Hb level prior CT was 13.2 g/dl (range 8 to 19.6 g/dl). Response rate was 41% and median survival was 9.57 months (95% CI: 8.57–11–57). No statistically differences in survival were observed by stage (IIIB vs IV), age and gender. In the univariate analysis, number of cycles received (≤3 vs. >3 cycles), ECOG (2 vs 0–1), response (SD+PD vs CR+PR), baseline Hb (≤11 vs >11 gr/dl); minimum Hb during the CT (<10 vs ≥10) and second line CT (No vs Yes) emerged as prognostic factors for survival and were introduced in the multivariate model (see Table ). Conclusions: Hb level at the initiation of CT is an independent prognostic factor of survival this homogenous group of advanced NSCLC treated with cisplatin and gemcitabine. Baseline Hb should be considered as prognosis factor for survival in addition to ECOG. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.