Outcomes treating stage III non-small cell lung carcinoma with curative-intent radiotherapy and concurrent carboplatin-paclitaxel chemotherapy

Background and Aim: Thoracic radiotherapy administered concurrently with chemotherapy is the standard of care for patients with inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer, but the optimal chemotherapy regimen is not clearly established. The objective of this study was to assess outcomes in a large cohort of patients treated with curative-intent using carboplatin and paclitaxel. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing curative-intent radiotherapy to 60–66 Gy in 30–33 daily fractions with concurrent weekly carboplatin (AUC = 2) and paclitaxel (45 mg/m/week) between March 2004 and May 2012 were identified from a prospective database and reviewed individually. A minimum follow-up of 3 months was required unless death occurred sooner. Response to treatment was defined according to established guidelines on re-staging computed tomography scan at 3 months. Toxicities were assessed using a standardised scoring system. Results: One hundred and seven patients were analysed. The median follow-up was 43.5 months. Three months after treatment, a complete or partial response was observed in 72 patients (68%), and nine patients (8%) had already died. The overall locoregional failure rate was 47%, and failure eventually occurred at any site in 75 patients (70%). Median progression-free survival, and median survival were 15 and 22 months, respectively. Grade 3–4 neutropaenia, thrombocytopaenia, nephrotoxicity, oesophagitis and pneumonitis were observed in 15%, 1%, 3%, 11% and 9% of patients during treatment, respectively. There was one episode of fatal radiation pneumonitis. Conclusion: Treatment with thoracic radiotherapy and concurrent carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy is feasible. Survival and toxicity outcomes compare favorably to those reported using cisplatin-based regimens