Phase II trial of sequential chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation, surgery, and postoperative chemotherapy for the treatment of stage IIIA/IIIB non-small-cell lung cancer (original) (raw)

2006, Clinical lung cancer

The optimal treatment of locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer remains a challenge. Although the benefit of combined chemoradiation has been established, the optimal chemotherapy regimen, timing of full-dose chemotherapy, and how best to combine chemotherapy with radiation to maximize systemic and radiosensitizing effects remain unclear. Twenty-nine patients with pathologically confirmed stage IIIA/IIIB non-small-cell lung cancer were included in a phase II trial of sequential carboplatin/paclitaxel followed by chemoradiation, surgery, and postoperative gemcitabine. Twenty-five patients (86%) completed the concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy phase and were eligible for surgery. At restaging, 7 patients (21%) showed disease progression. Seventeen patients (59%) went on to surgery. Few were able to tolerate full postoperative chemotherapy. The 1-year overall survival rate was 61%, with a 2-year survival rate of 56%. Median overall survival was 25.2 months. Seven of the...