Open AccessOutcomes treating stage III non‐small cell lung carcinoma with curative‐intent radiotherapy and concurrent carboplatin‐paclitaxel chemotherapy
Author(s) -
Trinh Hon,
Pinkham Mark Blayne,
Lehman Margot,
Zarate Dannie,
Dauth Margaret,
McGrath Margaret,
McCaffrey Elizabeth,
Mai Gang Tao,
Horwood Keith
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the clinical respiratory journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.789
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 1752-699X
pISSN - 1752-6981
DOI - 10.1111/crj.12233
Subject(s) - medicine , carboplatin , radiation therapy , lung cancer , chemotherapy , regimen , pneumonitis , surgery , stage (stratigraphy) , paclitaxel , chemotherapy regimen , gastroenterology , oncology , lung , cisplatin , paleontology , biology
Background and Aim Thoracic radiotherapy administered concurrently with chemotherapy is the standard of care for patients with inoperable stage III non‐small cell lung cancer, but the optimal chemotherapy regimen is not clearly established. The objective of this study was to assess outcomes in a large cohort of patients treated with curative‐intent using carboplatin and paclitaxel. Methods Consecutive patients undergoing curative‐intent radiotherapy to 60–66 Gy in 30–33 daily fractions with concurrent weekly carboplatin ( AUC = 2) and paclitaxel (45 mg/m 2 /week) between M arch 2004 and M ay 2012 were identified from a prospective database and reviewed individually. A minimum follow‐up of 3 months was required unless death occurred sooner. Response to treatment was defined according to established guidelines on re‐staging computed tomography scan at 3 months. Toxicities were assessed using a standardised scoring system. Results One hundred and seven patients were analysed. The median follow‐up was 43.5 months. Three months after treatment, a complete or partial response was observed in 72 patients (68%), and nine patients (8%) had already died. The overall locoregional failure rate was 47%, and failure eventually occurred at any site in 75 patients (70%). Median progression‐free survival, and median survival were 15 and 22 months, respectively. Grade 3–4 neutropaenia, thrombocytopaenia, nephrotoxicity, oesophagitis and pneumonitis were observed in 15%, 1%, 3%, 11% and 9% of patients during treatment, respectively. There was one episode of fatal radiation pneumonitis. Conclusion Treatment with thoracic radiotherapy and concurrent carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy is feasible. Survival and toxicity outcomes compare favorably to those reported using cisplatin‐based regimens.