Concurrent radiochemotherapy for patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): long-term results of a phase II study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility and activity of concurrent radiochemotherapy in patients with Stage III nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).


METHODS
Forty-one patients were treated with hyperfractionated radiation therapy (HfxRT) using 1.2 Gy bid, to a total of 69.6 Gy and concurrent low-dose daily chemotherapy (CHT) consisting of 30 mg of carboplatin (CBDCA) and 30 mg of etoposide (VP-16) given Mondays to Fridays during the RT course. On Saturdays and Sundays during the RT course, CBDCA and VP-16 were both given in a daily dose of 100 mg each.


RESULTS
Median survival time was 25 months, and 3- and 5-year survival rates were 34% and 29%, respectively. Median relapse-free survival time was 22 months, and 3- and 5-year relapse-free survival rates were 32%, and 29%, respectively. Median time to local recurrence was 24 months and 3- and 5-year local recurrence-free survival rates were 41% and 38%, respectively. Median time to distant metastasis was 28 months, and 3- and 5-year distant metastasis-free survival rates were 44% and 44%, respectively. Acute high-grade (> or = 3) toxicity was mostly hematological (30%), esophageal (15%), and bronchopulmonary (12%). Late high-grade toxicity was infrequent.


CONCLUSIONS
This combined radiochemotherapy regimen produced promising results and warrants further studies with more patients before testing it in a prospective randomized fashion.
Jeremic
B
B
University Hospital, Department of Oncology, Kragujevac, Yugoslavia.
Shibamoto
Y
Y
Milicic
B
B
Nikolic
N
N
Dagovic
A
A
Milisavljevic
S
S
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D013997:Time Factors