The combination of cisplatin and vinorelbine with concurrent thoracic radiation therapy for locally advanced stage IIIA or IIIB non-small-cell lung cancer

Aims: The aims of this study were to assess the efficacy and toxicity of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with divided schedule of cisplatin and vinorelbine in patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Patients with previously untreated, unresectable, and stage IIIA or IIIB NSCLC were eligible if they had a performance status of 0 or 1, were 75 years or younger, and had adequate organ function. Twenty-six patients (24 men and 2 women; median age, 66 years; age range, 42–75 years) were enrolled. Both cisplatin (40 mg/m²) and vinorelbine (20 mg/m²) were given on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks. Beginning on day 2 of chemotherapy, thoracic radiotherapy was given for approximately 6 weeks (2 Gy per fraction; total dose, 60 Gy). Results: Five of the 26 patients achieved a complete response, and 16 achieved a partial response for an overall response rate of 80.8% (95% confidence interval, 60.6–93.4%). The median survival time was 23 months (range, 4–43 months). Overall survival rates at 1 and 2 years were 80 and 56%, respectively. Hematologic toxicities included grade 3–4 neutropenia in 84.6% of patients, grade 3–4 thrombocytopenia in 3.8%, and grade 3–4 anemia in 61.5%. Two patients (7.7%) had grade 3 radiation esophagitis that resolved completely without dilation. Grade 3–4 radiation pneumonitis occurred in two patients (7.7%) and was treated with corticosteroids. Both patients had a good partial resolution of symptoms and radiographic abnormalities. There were no treatment-related deaths. The actual delivered dose intensities for both cisplatin and vinorelbine were 79.5%. Radiotherapy was completed in 96% of patients. Conclusion: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin and vinorelbine administered on a divided schedule is effective and well tolerated in patients with locally advanced NSCLC.