title: Hypofractionated/accelerated radiotherapy with cytoprotection (HypoARC) combined with vinorelbine and liposomal doxorubicin for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Combined radiochemotherapy is the gold standard for patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC). In the present study, the feasibility of hypofractionated accelerated radiotherapy with cytoprotection (HypoARC) in combination with vinorelbine and liposomal doxorubicin was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen patients (pts) with LA-NSCLC (PS 0-2) were recruited. Patients received 15 fractions for 3.5 Gy within four consecutive weeks (1 week split after the 10th fraction), supported with subcutaneously administered amifostine (500-1000 mg/day). Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin was administered at a standard dose of 20 mg/m2 every two weeks, for 3 consecutive cycles. Vinorelbine was administered at 3 dose levels: a) 20 mg/m2 every week (5 pts), b) 25 mg/m2 thrice every two weeks (5 pts) and c) 30 mg/m2 thrice every two weeks (4 pts).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Grade 3 neutropenia enforcing chemotherapy delays was noted in 2/5 and 2/4 patients in the groups b and c respectively. Fatigue was a common but not dose-defining feature. Radiation grade 2 esophagitis was noted in 6/14 patients. No case of severe radiation pneumonitis was noted. Partial response was documented in 9/14 patients, minimal response in 3/14 and stable disease in 2/14. The median local progression-free survival was 12 months and the median overall survival was 8 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is concluded that the administration of 25 mg/m2 of vinorelbine thrice a week together with liposomal doxorubicin and thoracic radiotherapy is feasible for patients with LA-NSCLC, providing high response rates. Further studies are required to better assess benefits in terms of local and distant control of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, University of Thrace Medical School, Alexandroupolis 68100, Greece.
authors.forename: Pelagia G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Tsoutsou
authors.forename: Marios E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Froudarakis
authors.forename: Demosthenes
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bouros
authors.forename: Michael I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Koukourakis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004999:Amifostine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000077235:Vinorelbine
chemical_list: D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D014747:Vinblastine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D004999:Amifostine; D000077235:Vinorelbine