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.