Results of induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiation in unresectable locally advanced non-small lung cancer / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the toxicity and efficacy of induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy and three dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) for inoperable locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC). Methods Totally 76 patients with LA-NSCLC received two cycles induction chemotherapy followed by 3DCRT with a median dose of 68 Gy (64 to 74 Gy).During the 3DCRT, cisplatin (25 mg/m2, weekly) was given intravenously for 6-7 times. Results The CR rate, PR rate and overall response rate of induction chemotherapy were 3% ,42% and 45%. After the concurrent chemoradiation, the corresponding figures were 10%, 62% and 72%. The median survival time (MST) and median progression-free survival (PFS) of all patients were 16.6 months and 10.3 months. The 1-, 2- and 3-year overall survival (OS) and PFS rates were 67% , 35% , 21% and 42% , 15%, 6%. Of patients with stage ⅢA and stage ⅢB disease,the MST were 19.7 months and 15.6 months, the PFS were 10.8 months and 9.4 months. The major treatment-related toxicities included radiation esophagitis, radiation pneumonitis, nausea ( or vomiting) and leukopenia. The major pattern of treatment failure was distant metastasis. Forty-five patients (59%) experienced the local recurrence or/and distant metastasis, including 4 (9%) with in-field failure, 38 (84%) distant metastasis and 3 (7%) malignant pleural effusion. Conclusions Induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent weekly cisplatin and 3DCRT for inoperable locally advanced NSCLC results in encouraging outcomes and acceptable tolerance.