Effect of paclitaxel-carboplatin (PC) consolidation chemotherapy after weekly PC concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CCR) for patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC): 3-year definitive results of the B001-phase III GERCOR-study

Abstract

7112 Background: Local control rate of LA-NSCLC seems better after concurrent CCR than after sequential schedule; the role of additional chemotherapy is not clearly defined. A multi-institutional phase-III trial was conducted to evaluate the role of chemotherapy consolidation after CCR Methods: Eligibility criteria included mediastinoscopy-controlled unresectable NSCLC stage IIIA (27%) - IIIB (59%) and inoperable mediastinal recurrence after surgery (14%), PS < 3, clinical target volume compatible with a minimal 60 Gy dose radiation. After registration, patients (pts) were treated with combination of weekly P (45 mg/m2), C (AUC 2), and radiotherapy 60–66 Gy (5 × 2 Gy per week). The pts with response or stable disease were randomized either to receive 3 cycles of P (175 mg/m2) and C (AUC 5) consolidation on days 1–22–43 or observation. Primary endpoint was OS (log-rank test), planned sample was 122 pts. Results: Actually, 71 pts were enrolled. Thirty pts (42%) were not randomized because of progression (22%) and disease-related death (22%), toxicity (26%), refusal (9%), protocol violation (21%). Toxicity grade 3–4 per patient: for the PC-TRT sequence; neutropenia 5%, febrile neutropenia 5%, thrombopenia 5%, pneumonitis 5%, oesophagitis 19%. For the PC consolidation sequence; neutropenia 24%, febrile neutropenia 6%, thrombopenia 0% (no treatment-related death). After a minimal follow-up of 3 years, despite poor inclusion rate, OS and PFS were greater in the PC consolidation group with 3-year OS: 29.9% vs 10% (HR = 0.45; CI 0.95: 0.22–0.91) (p = 0.002) and 3-year PFS: 27.8% vs 10% (HR = 0.6; CI 0.95: 0.3–1.3) (p = 0.17). Nine pts developed metastasis in each treatment arm. Conclusions: The addition of PC consolidation to PC-CCR is not easily feasible for all LA-NSCLC. For selected pts (only 58% of pts in this trial), despite premature ending of the trial because of slow accrual, PC consolidation significantly improved the 3-year OS and probably PFS. Because no difference in the metastatic incidence was observed, the effect of chemotherapy dosage in the consolidation arm could be explained by delaying metastasis. No significant financial relationships to disclose.