J Lung Cancer.  2003 Dec;2(2):104-109.

Paclitaxel and Cisplatin with Concurrent Radiotherapy for Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

• Chai GY
• Kang KM
• Lee GW
• Lee WS
• Jang JS

Abstract

PURPOSE: The prognosis of stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with radiotherapy alone has been disappointing. Combined therapy including chemotherapy and radiotherapy has potential of improving both local and distant metastatic control. Paclitaxel and cisplatin have demonstrated activity as radiation sensitizers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of paclitaxel and cisplatin with concurrent radiotherapy for stage III NSCLC.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between April 2000 and July 2002, twenty-four previously untreated patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC received paclitaxel (60 mg/m2) and cisplatin (20 mg/m2) with concurrent radiotherapy. Chemotherapy was given on the first day of each week during radiotherapy. Concurrent radiotherapy was performed in 1.8 Gy daily fractions to a total dose of 54~59.4 Gy in 6~7 weeks (median: 59.4 Gy).
RESULTS
Among 24 evaluable patients, the overall response was 83.3%, with four complete responses and 16 partial responses. Median survival was 16 months, with survival rates of 62.5% at 1 year and 28.7% at 2 years. Serious side effect was generally limited to grade 3 pulmonary toxicity in 37.5% of patients.
CONCLUSION
Paclitaxel and cisplatin with concurrent radiotherapy has acceptable response with manageable toxicity in patients with stage III NSCLC. More randomized studies with a larger group of patients are required to improve the true efficacy

Keyword

NSCLC; Chemotherapy; Radiotherapy

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung*
Cisplatin*
Drug Therapy
Humans
Paclitaxel*
Prognosis
Radiation-Sensitizing Agents
Radiotherapy*
Survival Rate
Cisplatin
Paclitaxel
Radiation-Sensitizing Agents