COMBINED BETASERON-R (RECOMBINANT HUMAN INTERFERON-BETA) AND RADIATION FOR INOPERABLE NON-SMALL-CELL LUNG-CANCER

Purpose: Based on in vitro evidence of radiosensitization by Betaseron (R) (beta-IFN), a Phase I/II study was undertaken to determine toxicit y and response using combined radiation (RT) and B-IFN in patients wit h unresectable Stage III and nonsmall cell lung cancer. Methods and Ma terials: Varying doses of beta-IFN(10 to 90 X 10(6) IU) were administe red IV immediately preceding RT on the first three days of weeks 1, 3, and 5. The RT dose was 1.8 Gy/day, 5 days/week for a total of 54 or 5 9.4 Gy. Results: Thirty-nine patients were entered, 32 of whom were ev aluable. The median follow-up time at time of analysis was 60 months. Responses were based on CT scan. The response rate for the total group was 81% with 44% achieving complete response. Seventy-eight percent o f patients with complete response survived a minimum of 21 months. Twe nty-six patients had Stage III A/B disease with a median tumor size of 6.5 cm. and median survival was 19.7 months. The 5-year actuarial sur vival for this group was 31%, with a plateau persisting after 3 years. There were no treatment related deaths nor any event of life threaten ing toxicity. Of eight patients surviving 3-5 years, no long-term toxi city has been observed. Karnofsky indices were 90-100 and respiratory symptoms were minimal. Conclusion: Beta-IFN is well-tolerated. Respons e and survival rates are sufficiently encouraging to warrant further i nvestigation in a randomized trial which has been accepted as an RTOG study awaiting drug availability.