title: ARCON: accelerated radiotherapy with carbogen and nicotinamide in non small cell lung cancer: a phase I/II study by the EORTC.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Non small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) are rapidly proliferating tumours, which are characterized by the presence of extensive hypoxic components, especially in patients with advanced loco-regional disease. Previous studies suggest a deleterious impact of acute (perfusion-limited) hypoxia on the outcome of radiotherapy for these tumours.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This pilot study was aimed at determining the feasibility and tumour response rates that can be achieved with an ARCON regime in patients with locally advanced, staged IIIA or B, NSCLC tumours.
  
  
  METHODS
  The phase I/II study included three steps: accelerated fractionation (AF) combined with carbogen (ten analysable patients), AF together with the daily administration of nicotinamide (n = 11 ) and AF with both carbon and nicotinamide (n = 14). Radiotherapy was based on a large daily dose per fraction (2.75 Gy up to 55 Gy in 4 weeks). Nicotinamide was administered at a dose of 6 g per patient per treatment day and carbogen was inhaled for 5 min before and during radiotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of grade 3 + acute toxicity during the irradiation did not exceed 10%, neither in the lung parenchyma nor in the mediastinum. No significant difference was found in loco-regional, radio-induced toxicity among the three study steps. Although a similar fraction of patients showed grade 2 or 3 emesis in all the steps, of the 25 patients entered in the two Nicotinamide containing steps 10 (40%) developed grade 2 or greater reactions which significantly detracted from their quality of life. There was no significant difference in tumour clearance rate among the three steps. The percentage of objective responses at 2 months was 60, 54 and 57% in steps 1, 2 and 3, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The feasibility of this ARCON protocol, using 2.75 Gy doses per fraction over 4 weeks, is good as regards radiotherapy-related side effects but it appears necessary in future to reduce the dose of Nicotinamide to reduce the incidence of nausea and vomiting. There was no significant difference in time to progression among the three study steps.
authors.affiliation: Cantonal Departrlent of Radiation Oncology, San Giovanni Hospital, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bernier
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Denekamp
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trovò
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Horiot
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hamers
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Antognoni
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Dahl
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Richaud
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaanders
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Glabbeke
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piérart
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009536:Niacinamide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D009536:Niacinamide; C011700:carbogen; D010100:Oxygen