Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with vinorelbine and a platinum compound followed by consolidation chemotherapy for unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer: preliminary results of a phase II study.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy, toxicity and survival of concurrent therapy with vinorelbine and a platinum compound with radiotherapy (RT), followed by consolidation chemotherapy with the same drugs, for locally advanced non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with stage III NSCLC were included in this phase II study median age 56 years (range 44-71), males / females 49/8, ECOG performance status (PS) 1/2=27/30, stage IIIA/ IIIB 11/46, squamous cell carcinoma 44, adenocarcinoma 7, adenoid cystic carcinoma 1 and large cell carcinoma 5. Treatment consisted of 2 cycles of chemotherapy with vinorelbine and cisplatin or carboplatin, given concurrently with RT, followed by 2-4 more cycles of consolidation chemotherapy with the same drugs. Twenty-two patients received amifostine for radio- and chemoprotection. RESULTS: Grade 3 or 4 toxicities were neutropenia and esophagitis in 19% of the patients each, and gastrointestinal toxicity in 17% of the patients. Of the 55 patients evaluable for response, 23.64% achieved complete response (CR) and 40% partial response (PR) (overall response rate 63.64%). Progression-free survival curves showed 1- and 2-year values of 42% and 21%, respectively, and median time to progression 10.5 months. The 1- and 2- year disease-specific survival was 58% and 29%, and the median overall survival 15 months. CONCLUSION: Preliminary analysis indicates that concurrent vinorelbine and a platinum compound with RT followed by consolidation chemotherapy with the same drugs for advanced stage III NSCLC is well tolerated, has considerable activity and positive impact on survival.