title: N-acetylcysteine in combination with radiotherapy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer: a feasibility study.
abstract: N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is a free radical scavenger and could therefore act as a radioprotector. To test the feasibility of administering NAC in combination with radiotherapy, we studied 10 patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer who were receiving hyperfractionated radiotherapy (RT) of 1.25 Gy B.I.D. (6-h interval) up to a total dose of 60 Gy/48 fractions/32 days. They were given NAC concomitantly with RT: 100 mg/kg i.v. 30 min before the first RT session followed by 30 mg/kg as an i.v. infusion over 7 h; and 600 mg inhaled 30 min before and after each RT session. The patients were assessed by serial CT scans and lung function studies during a 1-year follow-up period. The treatment regime was feasible, but expensive in time and resources. Normal tissue reactions and tumour responses were similar to those in a control group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maasilta
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Holsti
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Blomqvist
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kivisaari
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mattson
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000528:radiation effects; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D000111:Acetylcysteine