Results of a preliminary study using hypofractionated involved-field radiation therapy and concurrent carboplatin/paclitaxel in the treatment of locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.
BACKGROUND
We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of hypofractionated involved-field radiation therapy (IFRT) omitting elective nodal irradiation (ENI) with concurrent chemotherapy for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).


METHODS
Between July 2004 and July 2006, ten patients with locally advanced NSCLC were included in this study. One had stage IIIA and 9 had stage IIIB disease. The treatment consisted of IFRT in fractions of 2.5 Gy and weekly carboplatin (CBDCA)/paclitaxel (PTX). Hypofractionated IFRT with a median total dose of 65 Gy with median percent total lung volume exceeding 20 Gy (V20) of 20.2%, and a median of five courses of chemotherapy with weekly CBDCA (area under the curve, 1.5-2.0)/PTX (30-35 mg/m(2)) were given to all patients.


RESULTS
The median survival time and the 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival rates were 29.5 months and 90.0%, 58.3%, and 43.8%, respectively. No elective nodal failure was encountered during the median follow up of 18.2 months. No acute or late toxicities of grade 3 or worse were observed. No in-field recurrence occurred in the group with a total dose of 67.5 Gy or more, but there was such recurrence in 83.3% of those in the group with less than 67.5 Gy.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypofractionated IFRT with weekly CBDCA/PTX was a feasible treatment regimen. Hypofractionated IFRT with a total dose of 67.5 Gy or more could be a promising modality to improve the treatment results in patients with locally advanced NSCLC.
Matsuura
Kanji
K
Department of Radiology, Hiroshima Red Cross and Atomic-Bomb Survivors Hospital, Naka-ku, Hiroshima, Japan. mkanji@fg8.so-net.ne.jp
Kimura
Tomoki
T
Kashiwado
Kozo
K
Fujita
Kazushi
K
Akagi
Yukio
Y
Yuki
Shintarou
S
Murakami
Yuji
Y
Wadasaki
Koichi
K
Monzen
Yoshio
Y
Ito
Atsushi
A
Kagemoto
Masayuki
M
Mori
Masaki
M
Ito
Katsuhide
K
Nagata
Yasushi
Y
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel