Induction chemotherapy followed by concomitant chemoradiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer

Multiple concepts of combined modality therapy for locoregionally advanced inoperable non-small cell lung cancer have been investigated. These include induction chemotherapy, concomitant chemoradiotherapy, and intensified radiation therapy schedules. To date, induction chemotherapy has been validated in randomized prospective trials versus radiotherapy alone. Concomitant chemoradiotherapy has led to promising results when combination chemotherapy regimens were used in the phase II setting. In addition, concomitant chemoradiotherapy has been shown to be superior to induction chemotherapy in direct comparison. Finally, accelerated radiotherapy has been shown to lead to improved locoregional control and survival in one randomized study. Based on these observations, the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB study 9431) investigated the addition of either vinorelbine, paclitaxel, or gemcitabine to cisplatin. In this trial, patients with locally advanced and inoperable non-small cell lung cancer received two cycles of induction chemotherapy with an additional two cycles of concomitant chemoradiotherapy utilizing the same agents accompanied by standard radiation to a total dose of 66 Gy. One hundred eighty-seven patients were entered on this study. An early analysis showed the median survival time was 17 months for all patients entered on the trial. In the context of other CALGB studies, the data from this trial are encouraging, and the regimens used warrant further study.