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. 1999 Aug;80(11):1792–1796. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6690599

Concurrent conventionally factionated radiotherapy and weekly docetaxel in the treatment of stage IIIb non-small-cell lung carcinoma

M I Koukourakis 1, N Bahlitzanakis 2, M Froudarakis 1, A Giatromanolaki 1, V Georgoulias 1, S Koumiotaki 2, M Christodoulou 2, G Kyrias 3, J Skarlatos 3, J Kostantelos 3, K Beroukas 3
PMCID: PMC2363119  PMID: 10468298

Abstract

Docetaxel has shown remarkable radiosensitizing in vitro properties. In a previous phase I/II dose escalation study in non- small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) we observed a high response rate after concomitant boost radiotherapy and weekly docetaxel. The maximum tolerated dose was 30 mg m−2 week−1. In the present phase II study we evaluated whether weekly docetaxel and conventionally fractionated radiotherapy could be better tolerated and equally effective in the treatment of locally advanced NSCLC. Thirty-five patients with T3, T4/N2, T3/M0-staged disease were recruited. Docetaxel (30 mg m−2) was given as a 30 min infusion once a week. Asthenia and radiation-induced oesophagitis were the main side-effects of the regimen enforcing 2-week treatment delay in 6/35 (17%) patients and minor delay (3–7 days) in another 11/35 (31%) patients. Neutrophil, platelet and haemoglobin toxicity was minimal, but pronounced lymphocytopenia was observed. Complete response (CR) of the chest disease was observed in 12/35 (34%) patients and partial response in 16/35 (46%). Although not statistically significant (P = 0.19), a higher CR rate (8/18; 44%) was observed in patients who accomplished their therapy within the scheduled treatment time (44–47 days) as compared to patients that interrupted their treatment for several days due to treatment-related toxicity (CR 4/17; 23%). The overall survival and the local progression-free survival at 1 year was 48% and 60% respectively. We conclude that docetaxel combination with radiotherapy is a promising approach for the management of locally advanced NSCLC that results in high CR rate. Further trials with docetaxel-based radiochemotherapy should integrate accelerated radiotherapy together with cytoprotection. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaign

Keywords: docetaxel, radiotherapy, lung cancer

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Selected References

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