• Phase III study (N = 1,052) of 1^st-line carboplatin/nab paclitaxel vs carboplatin/paclitaxel
• Superior ORR (33% vs 25%), particularly for squamous NSCLC (41% vs 24%), in favor of the nab paclitaxel-based doublet
• Nab paclitaxel associated with less neuropathy and myalgia/arthralgia and more thrombocytopenia and anemia than paclitaxel

Interpretation of this trial is made more difficult because nab paclitaxel — although it resulted in improved short-term outcomes — was dosed with the more favorable weekly schedule while paclitaxel was administered every 3 weeks. As in breast cancer, nab paclitaxel retains the advantage of a shorter infusion time and lack of need for corticosteroids but brings with it a higher financial price. Apparent activity in squamous cell tumors provides a much needed alternative for patients in this subset who otherwise have limited options. One intriguing factor that may or may not come into play is that with the rapid emergence of immune-based strategies, if and when chemotherapy is added, nab paclitaxel offers the advantage of no immune suppression from corticosteroids, which are not required for premedication.