Concomitant chemoradiotherapy for inoperable non-small cell carcinoma of the lung: results of continuous infusion Cisplatin in 85 patients

Abstract

Despite the fact that radiation therapy is widely accepted as the standard treatment of locally advanced and/or inoperable non-small cell carcinoma of the lung, long term results are disappointing. Two-year survival after radiation therapy alone remains around 15 % due to early distant metastasis and poor local control. Previous experimental and clinical data support the concept of radiosensitization by Cisplatin while continuous infusion provides better tolerance and possibly enhanced interactions. On the other hand, Cisplatin is the most effective drug and is an essential component of chemotherapy regimens in non-small cell carcinoma of the lung. It may have an impact on subclinical dissemination at a dose level of 60–100 mg/sqm. Based on these data, we initiated a pilot study in which concomitant radiation therapy and high-dose continuous infusion Cisplatin were evaluated in terms of tolerance, local control and survival.