Radiotherapy and weekly gemcitabine as radiosenstizer in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

ABSTRACT

About 30-40% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer [NSCLC] have locally advanced unresectable tumors at the time of diagnosis. This work included 18 patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. These patients were subjected to concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Radiotherapy lasted six weeks with a total dose of 50.4 Gy with daily fraction 1.8 Gy administered five days a week. Gemcitabine was administered at dose 200 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and 36 of radiotherapy. Response toxicity and response duration was calculated. The use of this regimen of gemcitabine and radiation appears to be active and well tolerated. The maximum tolerated dose and related toxicity of weekly gemcitabine and concurrent radiotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer must be evaluated