title: Rapidly alternating radiotherapy and high dose cisplatin chemotherapy in stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer: results of a phase I/II study.
abstract: Alternating radiotherapy and chemotherapy increases tumor cure rates in some animal models with reduced normal tissue damage compared to sequential use of these modalities. To test this concept in non-small cell lung cancer, 23 patients with predominantly Stage IIIB disease were treated on a Northern California Oncology Group pilot study of alternating radiotherapy and high dose cisplatin. Radiotherapy consisted of 6000 cGy delivered in three separate 10-day courses of 200 cGy/fraction/day during weeks 1 and 2, 5 and 6, and 9 and 10. High dose cisplatin, 100 mg/m2 in 3% saline, was administered on weeks 3 and 4, 7 and 8, 11 and 12, and 15 and 16. The response rate in 22 eligible patients is 73% (16/22) with four complete responses and 12 partial responses. Feasibility of this approach is demonstrated by 20/22 patients completing radiotherapy and a median of 2.5 courses of chemotherapy administered. Median survival time is 14.2 months (range 2-40+ months). One- and 2-year survival rates are 64% (14/22) and 41% (9/22), respectively. Hematologic, renal, and radiation-related toxicities were significant but manageable. We conclude that rapid alternation of radiotherapy and a high dose intensity cisplatin regimen is feasible in Stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer, with a high response rate and acceptable toxicity. The long-term impact on local control and survival remains unclear, although preliminary survival data are encouraging in this poor prognosis population. Further studies of this concept are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Northern California Oncology Group (NCOG), Belmont.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Gandara
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Valone
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Deisseroth
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roach
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D002945:Cisplatin