Thirty-eight per cent of those in the cisplatin group, compared with 33% of those on carboplatin, survived for a year.

BBC: Older lung cancer drug 'more effective'

But, on average, those who were taking cisplatin and paclitaxel survived for 9.8 months, compared to 8.5 months in those taking carboplatin.

BBC: Older lung cancer drug 'more effective'

The team, based at the University's School of Medicine, found the gene called FGF1 was found at higher levels in cancer cells that are resistant to platinum chemotherapy treatments, such as carboplatin and cisplatin.

BBC: Dundee researchers find chemotherapy efficacy gene

Dr Rafael Rosell from the Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol in Barcelona, Spain, who led the research, said the findings suggested cisplatin-based chemotherapy should be the first treatment option, although paclitaxel and carboplatin was still a viable alternative.

BBC: Older lung cancer drug 'more effective'