A phase II trial of induction chemotherapy followed by continuous hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy in locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Background and purposeWe conducted a phase II study combining induction chemotherapy with continuous hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy (CHART) in locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Materials and methodsA total of 40 patients with stage III NSCLC were enrolled. All patients received 3 cycles of chemotherapy followed by CHART (56 Gy in 36 fractions over 12 days). The primary outcome measure was radiation toxicity. Secondary endpoints were response rate, overall survival, disease-free survival and loco-regional progression-free survival.ResultsAcute radiation toxicity was minimal and there were no significant late toxicities. The response rate after completion of chemoradiation was 65%. The median and 2-year overall survival, progression-free survival and loco-regional progression-free survivals were 15.7 months, 28%; 12.1 months, 23%; and 26.4 months, 51%, respectively.ConclusionsInduction chemotherapy can be safely combined with CHART. The survival results are consistent with previous studies of chemotherapy followed by accelerated radiotherapy. This approach should be compared with synchronous chemoradiation to determine if it represents a less toxic alternative.