OBJECTIVES:
Primary
* Compare the progression-free survival rate of older patients with stage IIIB or IV non-small cell lung cancer treated with gemcitabine hydrochloride vs erlotinib hydrochloride vs gemcitabine hydrochloride and erlotinib hydrochloride as first-line therapy.
Secondary
* Determine the response rate in patients receiving these regimens.
* Determine the overall survival rate in patients receiving these regimens.
* Determine the toxicity profile of these regimens in these patients.
* Determine the quality of life of patients receiving these regimens.
OUTLINE: This is a randomized, open-label, controlled, parallel group, multicenter study. Patients are stratified by gender, smoking status (never or light vs current or former), and ECOG performance status (0-1 vs 2). Patients are randomized to 1 of 3 treatment arms.
* Arm I: Patients receive gemcitabine hydrochloride IV on days 1 and 8. Patients with progressive disease may cross over to arm II.
* Arm II: Patients receive oral erlotinib hydrochloride daily on days 1-21.
* Arm III: Patients receive gemcitabine hydrochloride as in arm I and erlotinib hydrochloride as in arm II.
In all arms, treatment repeats every 21 days for 4 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
After completion of study therapy, patients are followed every 2 months for 3 years.
