title: Simultaneous paclitaxel and radiotherapy: initial clinical experience in lung cancer and other malignancies.
abstract: This report summarizes results from a series of pilot trials using combined-modality chemoradiotherapy with paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) as a radiosensitizing agent in patients with cancers of the lung, cervix, and bladder. In a phase I study of paclitaxel/radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer, five paclitaxel dose levels were evaluated in conjunction with simultaneous radiation (total dose, 59.4 Gy). A minimum of five patients were treated at each dose level; paclitaxel doses ranged from 45 mg/m2 over 3 weeks (level 1) to 65 mg/m2 for 7 weeks. Of 34 enrolled patients, 25 are evaluable for toxicity and response. Side effects were generally moderate for this combined-modality therapy, although two patients at level 5 developed dose-limiting toxicities (grade 4 esophagitis and grade 3 pneumonitis). Among 25 evaluable patients, complete and partial response rates were 4% (one patient) and 64% (16 patients), respectively; eight patients had a minor response. Median survival was 6 months (range, 1 to 20 months). Therapy was well tolerated, suggesting that the combined modalities offer a practical, effective therapy for patients with non-small cell disease. A paclitaxel dose of 55 mg/m2 is recommended for further study of combined-modality chemoradiotherapy in this clinical setting. In another trial, 33 women with inoperable, locally advanced cervical cancer received carboplatin 50 mg/m2 via intravenous infusion simultaneously with external-beam radiation therapy and vaginal brachytherapy, to define the regimen's toxicity and safety. Among the 33 women, 78% achieved a complete response to therapy. The investigators next conducted a trial of paclitaxel 50 mg/m2 given weekly over 3 hours with the previous carboplatin/radiotherapy regimen in four women and documented two partial responses, one near-complete response, and one minor response, with moderate, manageable toxicity. In a final case report on a patient with recurrent bladder cancer, simultaneous radiotherapy and weekly paclitaxel 50 mg/m2 intravenously over 3 hours yielded a partial remission, prompting the investigators to plan a phase I study to confirm the regimen's efficacy and safety. Additional planned studies include a phase I trial of simultaneous chemoradiotherapy in patients with cancer of the head and neck.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Medicine, Städtische Kliniken Offenbach, Germany.
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Vogt
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kolotas
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Strassmann
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zamboglou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel