A Randomized Phase 2 Study of Ixabepilone Plus Carboplatin and Paclitaxel Plus Carboplatin in Advanced Nonsmall-Cell Lung Cancer

Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)(squamous cell, adenocarcinoma, large cell, or bronchoalveolar carcinoma)
* Stage IIIB NSCLC with pleural effusion, Stage IV NSCLC, or recurrent disease following surgery with or without radiation therapy
* Available paraffin-embedded tissue to measure the expression levels of βIII tubulin
* Disease measurable by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, with at least 1 target lesion situated outside any previous radiotherapy field
* Karnofsky performance status of 70-100
* Life expectancy of at least 3 months
* Men and women, ages 18 years and older

Exclusion Criteria:

* Uncontrolled brain metastases
* Peripheral neuropathy greater than Grade 1
* Fewer than 4 weeks from prior radiation therapy or locoregional surgeries to randomization date (less than 1 week from focal/palliative radiotherapy or minor surgery)
* Any concurrent malignancy other than nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
* Known HIV-positive status
* Absolute neutrophil count lower than 1500 cells mm\^3
* Total bilirubin level higher than upper limit of normal (ULN) as defined by the institution (with the exception of elevation due to Gilbert's syndrome)
* Aspartate transaminase or alanine transaminase level higher than 2.5\*ULN
* Serum creatine level of 1.5 mg/dL or higher
* Renal function with a creatinine clearance of less than 50 mL/min (as calculated with the Cockcroft and Gault equation)
* Any prior antineoplastic systemic regimens.