[A phase I clinical trial of combination chemotherapy of paclitaxel with carboplatin and concurrent radiation therapy in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer].
BACKGROUND
Based on superior results with combined-modality therapy in patients with advanced,unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC),to evaluate the activity and toxicity of combination of paclitaxel with carboplatin and concurrent radiation therapy.


METHODS
Fifteen previously untreated patients with inoperable locally advanced NSCLC (7 with stage IIIA and 8 with IIIB; 14 with squamous and 1 with adenocarcinoma) were entered into this study from July,1996 to June,1998.Patients received paclitaxel 40mg/m² over 1 hour and carboplatin 150mg/m²,in day 1,15,29 during the radiation therapy of 60-65Gy in 30-33 fractions during 6-7 weeks.


RESULTS
The response was evaluated two months after radiotherapy.Two patients achieved a complete response (CR) (13%),and 9 patients (60%) achieved a partial response (PR),for an overall response rate of 73%.Three patients had stable disease,and one patient progressed during the therapy.1-year overall survival rate was 53.3%(8/15).Esophagitis and leukopenia were the principal toxicity.Grade 2 esophagitis occurred in 6 patients (40%),grade 2 and 3 leukopenia in 2 patients (13.3%) and 1 patient (6.7%) respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Combined modality therapy with paclitaxel,carboplatin chemotherapy and concurrent radiation is a promising treatment for locally advanced NSCLC,which has a high response rate and acceptable toxicity.A randomized trial will be necessary to further evaluate the usefulness of these findings.
Zhu
Y
Y
Department of Radiation Oncology,Zhejiang Cancer Hospital,Hangzhou,Zhejiang 310022,P.R.China.
Zhang
H
H
Hu
F
F