Background/purposeThe circadian clock governs the expression of genes related to immunity and DNA repair. We investigated whether the time of day of radiotherapy and/or systemic therapy infusions (chemotherapy or anti-PD-L1) are associated with disease control and survival in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC). Materials/methods178 consecutive patients with inoperable LA-NSCLC who received definitive chemoradiotherapy followed by durvalumab between 5/2017–8/2022 were reviewed. Outcomes evaluated included progression-free survival (PFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), locoregional control (LRC), and overall survival (OS). ResultsAt a median follow up of 48.0mo from durvalumab initiation, median PFS and OS were 26.2mo and 50.0mo, respectively. Median LRC and DMFS were not reached and 41.0mo, respectively. Receiving > 50 % (N = 23) versus ≤ 50 % (N = 155) of radiotherapy treatments within 3hr of sunset was associated with younger age; otherwise, there were no other differences between cohorts. There were no significant differences in characteristics between patients who received > 50 % (N = 23) versus ≤ 50 % (N = 155) of durvalumab infusions within 3hr of sunset. On multivariable analysis, receiving > 50 % of radiotherapy treatments within 3hr of sunset was independently associated with reduced risk for progression (HR 0.39, p = 0.017) and distant metastasis (HR 0.27, p = 0.007); conversely, receiving > 50 % of durvalumab infusions within 3hr of sunset was independently associated with increased risk for distant metastasis (HR 2.13, p = 0.025). The timing of chemotherapy was not associated with disease outcomes. ConclusionThe time of day of radiotherapy and durvalumab infusion may be associated with disease control in LA-NSCLC, and the optimal time of treatment depends on the treatment modality.
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