A Randomized Phase III Double Blind Trial Evaluating Selective COX-2 Inhibition in COX-2 Expressing Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as gemcitabine hydrochloride and carboplatin,
work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by
stopping them from dividing. Pemetrexed disodium and celecoxib may stop the growth of tumor
cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. It is not yet known whether
giving gemcitabine hydrochloride or pemetrexed disodium together with carboplatin is more
effective with or without celecoxib in treating non-small cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying gemcitabine hydrochloride, pemetrexed
disodium, and carboplatin to compare how well they work when given together with celecoxib or
a placebo in treating patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.