title: Concurrent Paclitaxel and Radiation Therapy for Solid Tumors.
abstract: BACKGROUND: Combination radiation and chemotherapy has an intuitive appeal for improving cancer treatment. Experimental results suggest that paclitaxel plus radiation might produce additive or synergistic effects. METHODS: A series of phase I and II trials to test tolerance and begin to evaluate effectiveness were performed on patients with non-small cell lung cancer, high-grade astrocytic brain tumors, and pancreatic and gastric cancers. RESULTS: Tolerance of the combined drug and radiation programs was generally good. Esophagitis was dose-limiting for the intrathoracic tumors. Hematologic toxicity was mild, but peripheral neuritis and cutaneous reactions were common. CONCLUSIONS: These trials show that paclitaxel plus concurrent radiation is feasible at the dose levels and schedules tested. Antitumor responses have been observed.
authors.affiliation: Center for Radiation Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA.
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Choy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Akerley
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Glantz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Safran
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Graziano
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chung