title: Paclitaxel plus carboplatin and concurrent radiation therapy for patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: Previously untreated patients with stages IIIA or IIIB non-small cell lung cancer entered this phase II study to evaluate the activity and toxicity of combined paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) and carboplatin and concurrent radiation. Patients received paclitaxel 50 mg/m2/wk as a 1-hour infusion and carboplatin area under the concentration-time curve of 2/wk for 7 weeks with radiation to the primary tumor and regional lymph nodes (44 Gy) followed by a boost to the tumor (22 Gy). In addition, patients received two additional cycles of paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 and carboplatin (area under the concentration-time curve of 6) 3 weeks apart. From March 1995 to February 1996, 23 patients entered the study and their overall response rate (complete plus partial responses) was 82%. The major toxicity was esophagitis. Nine patients (45%) had experienced grades 3 or 4 esophagitis by the end of the 7-week concurrent phase. Seven of the nine patients recovered from the esophagitis within 2 weeks and received the additional two cycles of paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 and carboplatin (area under the concentration-time curve of 6). Only one patient (4%) had grade 4 pneumonitis; this patient also recovered within 2 weeks and received the final two doses of combined chemotherapy. Therapy with paclitaxel, carboplatin, and concurrent radiation is a promising treatment for patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer; it has a high response rate and acceptable toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Center for Radiation Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical School, Nashville, TN 37232-5671, USA.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Choy
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Akerley
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Safran
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Graziano
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000139:chemically induced; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel