A phase II trial of accelerated hypofractionated three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of accelerated hypofractionated radiotherapy (HypoRT) combined with sequential chemotherapy in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and methods: A total of 34 patients with stage III NSCLC were enrolled. All patients received accelerated HypoRT (initially 50 Gy/20 fractions, then a fraction dose of 3 Gy) using three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT), omitting elective nodal irradiation (EN!), to a total dose of 6568 Gy. All patients received two cycles of induction chemotherapy; 1-2 cycles of consolidation chemotherapy were given to 31 patients. The primary outcome measure was a profile of radiation toxicity. The secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional PFS (LR-PFS) and the pattern of initial failure. Results: Radiation toxicity was minimal. The median and 3-year OS, PFS were 19.0 months, 32.1%; 10.0 months, 29.8%, respectively. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year LR-PFS were 69.6%, 60.9% and 60.9%, respectively. No patient experienced isolated elective nodal failure as the first site of failure. Conclusion: This study suggests that accelerated HypoRT using 3D-CRT omitting ENI can be used in combination with sequential chemotherapy in locally advanced NSCLC. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. Radiotherapy and Oncology 98 (2011) 304-308