Concurrent radiochemotherapy for patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Long-term results of a phase II study

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility and activity of concurrent radioche motherapy in patients with Stage III nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: Forty-one patients were treated with hyperfractionat ed radiation therapy (HfxRT) using 1.2 Gy bid, to a total of 69.6 Gy and co ncurrent low-dose daily chemotherapy (CHT) consisting of 30 mg of carboplat in (CBDCA) and 30 mg of etoposide (VP-16) given Mondays to Fridays during t he RT course. On Saturdays and Sundays during the RT course, CBDCA and VP-1 6 were both given in a daily dose of 100 mg each. Results: Median survival time was 25 months, and 3- and 5-year survival rat es were 34% and 29%, respectively. Median relapse-free survival time was 22 months, and 3- and 5-year relapse-free survival rates were 32%, and 29%, r espectively. Median time to local recurrence was 24 months and 3- and 5-yea r local recurrence-free survival rates were 41% and 38%, respectively. Medi an time to distant metastasis was 28 months, and 3- and 5-year distant meta stasis-free survival rates were 44% and 44%, respectively. Acute high-grade (greater than or equal to 3) toxicity was mostly hematological (30%), esop hageal (15%), and bronchopulmonary (12%). Late high-grade toxicity was infr equent. Conclusion: This combined radiochemotherapy regimen produced promising resu lts and warrants further studies with more patients before testing it in a prospective randomized fashion. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.