Biomedical subjects

B Jeremic

Publications and source records attributed to B Jeremic.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

Hyperfractionated radiotherapy for clinical stage II non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients with stage II non-small cell lung cancer who are not suitable for or refuse surgery are treated with radiotherapy, but the results reported so far are not satisfactory. To improve the prognosis of such patients, we have used hyperfractionated radiotherapy. In this paper, we retrospectively analyzed results of the treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1988 and 1993, 67 patients were treated with hyperfractionated radiotherapy with 1.2 Gy twice daily to a total dose of 69.6 Gy. All patients were technically operable, but 43 had medical problems and 24 refused surgery. The median age and Karnofsky performance status score was 60 and 90 years, respectively. No patient received chemotherapy or immunotherapy. The median follow-up period was 61 months. RESULTS: The median survival time and the 5-year survival rate were 27 months and 25% (standard error, SE, 6%), respectively. The 5-year local control rate was 44% (SE,7%). Univariate analysis of prognostic factors revealed that a higher Karnofsky performance status score, weight loss of < or =5% before treatment, and T1 stage were associated with better prognosis, and peripheral location was of borderline significance (P = 0.053). There were two bronchopulmonary and two esophageal acute grade 3 toxicities, and one bronchopulmonary and two esophageal late grade 3 toxicities. No grade 4 or 5 toxicity was observed. CONCLUSION: These results are encouraging and further studies on the use of hyperfractionation seem to be warranted for stage II non-small cell lung cancer.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Single 4 Gy re-irradiation for painful bone metastasis following single fraction radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: to investigate effectiveness of a single-fraction of 4 Gy given for re-treatment of bone metastasis after previous single-fraction radiotherapy (RT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Of 135 patients retreated, 109 patients were retreated because of pain relapsing after 4 Gy (group I, n = 34), 6 Gy (group II, n = 39), or 8 Gy (group III, n = 36), while 26 patients were re-irradiated after initial non-response (group I, n = 12; group II, n = 8; group III, n = 6). RESULTS: Of the 109 patients that were re-irradiated for pain relapse, 80 (74%) patients responded (complete response (CR) = 31%; partial response PR) = 42%). Among the 26 patients that initially did not respond, there were 12 (46%) responses. Patients with previous CR were more likely to achieve CR than were patients with previous PR (P = 0.042). No such finding was observed for obtaining PR, which was achieved in 45% each of patients previously having either CR or PR (P = 0.99). Patients with previous CR had similar chance to obtain either CR or PR (P = 0.65), while previous PR influenced subsequent response in the way of achieving more PRs than CRs (P = 0.00054). Combined, these data showed that patients with initial CR were more likely to respond than those with previous PR (85% vs. 67%, P = 0.037). There were no difference between the three initial treatment groups regarding the efficiency (CR or CR + PR) of second RT. Toxicity was low and only gastrointestinal. CONCLUSIONS: Single-fraction RT consisting of 4 Gy was effective and little toxic treatment that could be administered after previous single-fraction RT.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

External beam radiation therapy alone for loco-regional recurrence of non-small-cell lung cancer after complete resection.

Between January 1982 and June 1993, a total of 61 patients with post-surgical loco-regional recurrence only were treated with external beam radiation therapy only at our institution. Patients were treated with either curative intent [tumor dose (TD) 55-60 Gy in 26-30 fractions] or palliative intent (TD 30 Gy in ten fractions). Median survival time (MST) for all 61 patients is 13 months, and 1-5-year survival rates are 61, 28, 16, 9.8 and 9.8%, respectively. There was a significant difference between high-dose and low-dose RT groups regarding both MST (18 vs. 7 months, respectively) and 1-5-year survival rates (74, 36, 24, 14 and 14% vs. 32, 11, 0, 0 and 0%, respectively) (P = 0.0000). Age, extent of initial surgery, time from initial surgery to documented recurrence were not found to influence survival in the high-dose group and influence of performance status, weight loss and histology were only marginally insignificant. Females did better than males and patients with bronchial stump recurrence only did better than those with non-stump recurrence only. Initial and recurrent staging significantly influenced survival, with patients in early stages doing better than those in advanced stages. External beam RT is an effective tool in the treatment of loco-regional recurrent NSCLC after curative resection. Identification of a favorable subset of patients that may fare better may help optimize treatment in the future by using high-dose, curative RT. Otherwise, unfavorable patients may appropriately be treated with palliative RT.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Short-term chemotherapy and palliative radiotherapy for elderly patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer: a phase II study.

Optimal treatment in elderly (> 70 years) with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is not known. In order to define it, concurrent short-term chemotherapy (CHT) and palliative radiotherapy (RT) was evaluated in this patient population. Between January 1988 and June 1993, a total of 50 patients entered into a study that used two cycles of carboplatin (CBDCA), 300 mg/m2, days 1 and 29 and oral etoposide, 50 mg/m2, days 1-21 and 29-42. RT was administered with dose of 14 Gy in two fractions given with 1 week split, days 1 and 8. Of 47 patients evaluable for the response, there were three (6%) complete response (CR), and ten (21%) partial response (PR), making the overall response rate of 13 (28%). Response duration ranged 2-8 months (median, 5 months; mean, 5 months). Median survival time (MST) for all 50 patients was 7 months and 1-3 year survival rates were 31, 4.1, and 2%, respectively. There were only nine (19%) patients experiencing hematological grade 3 toxicity, all other CHT-induced toxicity being grade 1 or 2. Of RT-induced high-grade toxicity, grade 3 esophageal was observed in nine (19%) patients while only four (9%) patients experienced grade 3 bronchopulmonary toxicity. No grade 4 or 5 toxicity occurred during this study. Short-course CHT and palliative RT in elderly patients with stage IV NSCLC was well tolerated with mild to moderate toxicity. Together with results obtained this way, they warrant further studies evaluating the effectiveness of this approach and possible CHT- and/or RT-dose escalation in elderly patients with stage IV NSCLC.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Prolonged oral versus high-dose intravenous etoposide in combination with carboplatin for stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): a randomized trial.

In order to investigate whether dose-intensive intravenous (i.v.) etoposide offers an advantage over prolonged oral administration of etoposide when combined with carboplatin (CBDCA), between January, 1991 and December, 1994, 171 patients with metastatic (stage IV) non-small cell lung cancer were randomized to receive CBDCA, 400 mg/m2, day 1 with either oral etoposide, 50 mg/m2, days 1-21 (group I) or i.v. etoposide, 200 mg/m2, days 1-3 (group II), every 4 weeks for up to six cycles or until tumour progression. Of the patients 168 were fully assessable for response, survival and toxicity. There were three (4%) CR and 16 (19%) PR in group 1, and the overall response rate was 23%. There were four (5%) CR and 12 (14%) PR in group II, and the overall response rate was 19% (P = 0.82). The median survival time (MST) in group I was 8 months, and 1- and 2-year survival rates were 35 and 9.5%, respectively, while the corresponding figures for group II were 7 months, and 31 and 7.1%, respectively (P = 0.40). Both haematological and non-haematological toxicity was significantly more frequent in group II with six (7%) patients in that group dying of treatment-related infection. Intensive i.v. etoposide combined with CBDCA was similar in efficacy to but more toxic than prolonged oral etoposide plus carboplatin and we do not recommend it for further investigation.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1999

Combined treatment modality for anaplastic oligodendroglioma: a phase II study.

PURPOSE: To investigate feasibility, toxicity and antitumor activity of combined surgery, postoperative radiation therapy (RT) and adjuvant chemotherapy (CHT) in adult patients with pure anaplastic oligodendroglioma (PAO) or mixed anaplastic oligoastrocytoma (MAO). METHODS: Between January 1988, and June 1993, 23 patients entered into a phase II study. After surgery, postoperative RT was administered with 60 Gy in 30 daily fractions in 30 treatment days in 6 weeks. Two weeks after RT, adjuvant 'modified' PCV (mPCV) (Procarbazine, 60 mg/m2, days 1-14; CCNU, 100 mg/m2, day 1; and vincristine, 1.4 mg/m2 (max. 2 mg), days 1 and 8) was administered every six weeks up to six cycles or until progression occurred. RESULTS: Median survival time is not attained yet, while 1-5 year survival rates are 100%, 100%, 78%, 61%, and 52%, respectively. Median time to tumor progression is not attained yet, while 1-5 year progression-free survival rates are 100%, 100%, 70%, 52%, and 52%, respectively. On univariate analysis of potential prognostic factors, sex, tumor location (frontal versus other), and histology (pure versus mixed anaplastic oligodendroglioma) were not found to influence survival. Age of < 50 years carried improved prognosis as well as Karnofsky performance status (KPS) 90-100 when compared to KPS of 70-80. Patients having tumors < or = 4 cm did better than those with tumors > 4 cm as well as those with total tumor resection when compared to those with subtotal tumor resection or biopsy only. Acute high-grade (> or = 3) CHT-related toxicity was mainly hematological with only 3 (13%) patients experiencing acute grade 4 toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Combined treatment modality consisting of surgery, postoperative high-dose RT and mPCV chemotherapy for patients with anaplastic oligodendroglioma was effective with acceptable toxicity. Further studies are needed with more patients and longer follow-up to verify these results in this rare disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Short-course radiotherapy in elderly and frail patients with glioblastoma multiforme. A phase II study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate efficacy of short-course radiotherapy (RT) in elderly (> or = 60 years) and frail [Karnofsky performance status (KPS) 50-70] patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1987 and June 1993, a total of 47 elderly and frail patients with histological diagnosis of GBM entered into a phase II study. RT alone was administered with tumor dose of 45 Gy in 15 daily fractions in 15 treatment days in 3 weeks to a target volume described as tumor visible on CT scan and a 2-cm margin. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were evaluable for this analysis. There were 15 (34%) CR and 11 (25%) PR, making the overall response rate of 60%. Median duration of response was 9 months (range, 2-36 months). Improvement in pretreatment performance status was observed in 20/44 (45%) patients, 5 of which improved their KPS for 20%. Median survival time is 9 months, and 1-4 year survival rates are 39%, 6.8%, 4.5%, and 0, respectively, while median time to tumor progression is 8 months, and 1-4 year progression-free survival rates are 30%, 4.5%, 4.5%, and 0, respectively. Females did significantly better than males, patients with KPS 60-70 did significantly better than those with KPS 50, patients having tumors 4-5 cm did significantly better than those with tumors 6-8 cm as well as did those with more radical surgery when compared to those with biopsy only. On multivariate analysis, only tumor size and extent of surgery were found to independently influence survival. Acute toxicity was generally assessed as mild. One of the 12 (8%) autopsied patients had RT-induced brain necrosis. CONCLUSION: This shortened RT appears to be an effective tool in palliation of elderly and frail patients with GBM. Further studies with more patients are needed before testing it against more aggressive treatment approaches in this patient population.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Role of radiation therapy in the combined-modality treatment of patients with extensive disease small-cell lung cancer: A randomized study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and toxicity of cisplatin/etoposide (PE) chemotherapy (CHT) with or without accelerated hyperfractionated radiation therapy (ACC HFX RT) and concurrent daily carboplatin/etoposide (CE) in patients with extensive-disease small-cell lung cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 210 patients were treated with three cycles of standard PE. Patients with a complete response (CR) at both the local and distant levels (CR/CR) or a partial response (PR) at the local level and CR at the distant level (PR/CR) received either thoracic ACC HFX RT with 54 Gy in 36 fractions over 18 treatment days in combination with CE followed by two cycles of PE (group 1, n = 55) or an additional four cycles of PE (group 2, n = 54). Patients who experienced less response were treated nonrandomly (groups 3, 4, and 5). All patients with a CR at the distant level received prophylactic cranial irradiation. RESULTS: For 206 assessable patients, the median survival time (MST) was 9 months and the 5-year survival rate was 3.4%. Patients in group 1 had significantly better survival rates than those in group 2 (MST, 17 v 11 months; 5-year survival rate, 9.1% v 3.7%, respectively; P =.041). Local control was also better in group 1, but the difference was only marginally not significant (P =.062). There was no difference in distant metastasis-free survival between groups 1 and 2. Acute high-grade toxicity was higher in group 2 than in group 1. CONCLUSION: The addition of ACC HFX RT to the treatment of the most favorable subset of patients led to improved survival over that obtained with CHT alone.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Concurrent radiochemotherapy for patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): long-term results of a phase II study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility and activity of concurrent radiochemotherapy in patients with Stage III nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one patients were treated with hyperfractionated radiation therapy (HfxRT) using 1.2 Gy bid, to a total of 69.6 Gy and concurrent low-dose daily chemotherapy (CHT) consisting of 30 mg of carboplatin (CBDCA) and 30 mg of etoposide (VP-16) given Mondays to Fridays during the RT course. On Saturdays and Sundays during the RT course, CBDCA and VP-16 were both given in a daily dose of 100 mg each. RESULTS: Median survival time was 25 months, and 3- and 5-year survival rates were 34% and 29%, respectively. Median relapse-free survival time was 22 months, and 3- and 5-year relapse-free survival rates were 32%, and 29%, respectively. Median time to local recurrence was 24 months and 3- and 5-year local recurrence-free survival rates were 41% and 38%, respectively. Median time to distant metastasis was 28 months, and 3- and 5-year distant metastasis-free survival rates were 44% and 44%, respectively. Acute high-grade (> or = 3) toxicity was mostly hematological (30%), esophageal (15%), and bronchopulmonary (12%). Late high-grade toxicity was infrequent. CONCLUSION: This combined radiochemotherapy regimen produced promising results and warrants further studies with more patients before testing it in a prospective randomized fashion.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1998

A randomized trial of three single-dose radiation therapy regimens in the treatment of metastatic bone pain.

PURPOSE: To investigate efficacy of three single dose radiation therapy (RT) regimens in the treatment of painful bone metastasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patient self-assessment by using pain chart enabled evaluation of response to treatment that consisted of either one of the three single fractions of 4 Gy (group I; n=109), 6 Gy (group II; n=108), or 8 Gy (group III; n=110). RESULTS: Patients in groups II and III had higher complete response rate than those in group I, but not significantly, and with no difference between group II and III. However, both patients in group II (73%) and group III (78%) had significantly higher overall response rates when compared to those observed in group I (59%) (I vs II, p=0.025; I vs III, p=0.0019), and with no difference between groups II and III (p=0.39). Patients in group III had shortest time to the occurrence of any pain relief which was significantly better than those observed in group I (Welch's t-test, p=0.012), with no difference between group I and II and group II and III, respectively. There was no difference between the three treatment groups in duration of response and retreatment rate. No effect of histology or metastatic site treated was found. No pathological fractures or spinal cord compressions were observed during the 8 weeks post-RT. CONCLUSION: Results of this study seem to confirm that 8 Gy could be considered as probably "lowest" optimal single fraction RT in the treatment of painful bone metastasis, although single fraction RT of 4 Gy should not be easily discarded due to its applicability in specific cases. Since single fraction RT of 6 Gy achieved results not different from that obtained with 8 Gy, further studies are warranted in order to get more informations about "lowest" optimal single fraction RT in the treatment of painful bone metastasis.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Accelerated hyperfractionated radiation therapy and concurrent 5-fluorouracil/cisplatin chemotherapy for locoregional squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus: a phase II study.

PURPOSE: To improve the poor prognosis of patients with locoregional esophageal squamous cell cancer, we used concurrent accelerated hyperfractionated radiation therapy (ACC HFX RT) and chemotherapy (CHT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 1988 and June 1993, 28 patients were treated with ACC HFX RT with 1.5 Gy twice daily, to a total dose of 54 Gy concurrently with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (300 mg/m2, days 1-5) and cisplatin (CDDP) (10 mg/m2, days 1-5), both given during weeks 1 and 4 of the ACC HFX RT course. Following the ACC HFX RT/CHT, two additional courses of 5-FU (500 mg/m2, days 1-5) and CDDP (20 mg/m2, days 1-5) were both given during weeks 7 and 10. The median age and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status were 62 and 1, respectively. The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage was I in 12 patients, II in 10, and III in 6. RESULTS: The median survival time was 26 months, and the 5-year survival rate was 29%. The rates at 5 years for freedom from relapse, locoregional recurrence, and distant metastasis were 29%, 61%, and 45%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that performance status, stage, weight loss, tumor length, and tumor location influenced survival, while age and sex did not. The most frequent acute high-grade (3 or 4) toxicities were esophagitis and leukopenia, seen in 50% and 39% of patients, respectively. Late high-grade toxicity was infrequent. There were no treatment-related deaths. CONCLUSION: The results of this study compare favorably with those of previous studies, albeit of relatively high incidence of acute high-grade toxicity. Further studies are warranted to compare its efficacy with other approaches.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Carboplatin, etoposide, and accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy for elderly patients with limited small cell lung carcinoma: a phase II study.

BACKGROUND: It is not clear how well elderly patients with limited small cell lung carcinoma tolerate intensive chemotherapy, and they have often been treated with palliative intent. As an alternative strategy, the authors designed and employed a short term combination regimen consisting of carboplatin and etoposide with accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy. METHODS: Seventy-five patients ages > or = 70 years with a Karnofsky performance status of > or = 60 and no other major medical problems, were enrolled in this study and 72 were evaluable. The protocol consisted of intravenous carboplatin (400 mg/m2) given on Days 1 and 29, oral etoposide (50 mg/m2) given on Days 1-21 and 29-49, and accelerated hyperfractionated radiation at a dose of 1.5 gray (Gy) administered twice daily (total dose, 45 Gy) starting on Day 1. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 61 months. The response rate was 75%, and complete response was observed in 57% of the patients. The median survival time was 15 months, and the 2- and 5-year survival rates were 32% and 13%, respectively. Acute Grade 3 leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and esophagitis were observed in 8.3%, 11%, and 2.8% of the patients, respectively. Only one patient experienced Grade 4 acute toxicity (thrombocytopenia). No late toxicity of Grade 3 or higher was observed. CONCLUSIONS: This combined treatment program was tolerable and produced promising long term results. Elderly patients should not universally be treated with palliative intent. Further studies exploring a potentially more effective regimen are warranted.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1998

Absence of thoracic radiation myelitis after hyperfractionated radiation therapy with and without concurrent chemotherapy for Stage III nonsmall-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether thoracic spinal cord dose of 50.4 Gy given via 1.2 Gy b.i.d. fractionation carries a risk of developing radiation myelitis during studies using hyperfractionated radiation therapy (HFX RT) with and without concurrent chemotherapy (CHT). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Of 300 patients with Stage III nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who were treated on two consecutive Phase III studies, 158 patients received 50.4 Gy to a portion of their spinal cord and survived > 1 year after the beginning of the therapy. RESULTS: None of these 158 patients developed thoracic radiation myelitis. Therefore, influence of potentially contributing factors on the occurrence of radiation myelitis, such as interfraction interval, or those unproven yet, such as cord length or administration of concurrent CHT, was not possible to investigate. CONCLUSION: Given the continuing interest in HFX RT and encouraging results obtained in studies in lung cancer, further investigation is needed to get more informations about risks of developing thoracic radiation myelitis with this cord dose.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Hyperfractionated radiation therapy for incompletely resected supratentorial low-grade glioma. A phase II study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In order to investigate the feasibility, toxicity and antitumor efficacy of hyperfractionated radiation therapy, 37 adult patients with incompletely resected supratentorial low-grade glioma were entered into a phase II study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The radiation therapy dose was 55 Gy in 50 fractions in 25 treatment days over 5 weeks to the tumor plus a 2-cm margin, with an additional 17.6 Gy given in 16 fractions in 8 treatment days over 1.5 weeks to the tumor plus a 1.5 cm margin, using 1. Gy b.i.d. fractionation with a 6 h interfraction interval. The total tumor dose was 72.6 Gy in 66 fractions in 33 treatment days over 6.5 weeks. RESULTS: The median survival time (MST) for all 37 patients has not yet been attained, while 5- and 7-year survival rates were 75% and 69%, respectively, The median time to tumor progression (MTP) has also not yet been attained, while 5- and 7-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were both 70%. There was no difference in survival or PFS regarding histology, although patients with oligodendroglioma and mixed glioma had similar survival, both being higher than that of ordinary astrocytoma. On univariate analysis of potential prognostic factors, age, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), neurologic status and extent of surgery were found to influence survival. The toxicity of HFX RT was generally assessed as mild to moderate. CONCLUSION: HFX RT is feasible with mild to moderate toxicity. Further studies are warranted with more patients and longer follow-up before testing it against standard fractionation RT in this patient population.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Hyperfractionated radiotherapy alone for clinical stage I nonsmall cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: Among patients with Stage I nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), those treated with conventional radiotherapy show poorer prognosis than those treated by surgery. To improve the prognosis of such patients, we have used hyperfractionated radiation therapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between 1988 and 1993, 49 patients were treated with hyperfractionated radiotherapy with 1.2 Gy twice daily to a total dose of 69.6 Gy. All patients were technically operable, but 29 had medical problems and 20 refused surgery. The median age and Karnofsky Performance Status was 63 years and 90, respectively. No patient received chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Prophylactic mediastinal irradiation was not given. RESULTS: The median survival time was 33 months, and the 5-year survival rate was 30%. The rate at 5 years for freedom from each of relapse, local recurrence, mediastinal lymphnode metastasis, and distant metastasis was 41%, 55%, 89%, and 75%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that higher Karnofsky Performance Status score, absence of weight loss before treatment, and T1 stage were associated with better survival, although the T stage became insignificant on multivariate analysis. There were two Grade 3 acute toxicities and three Grade 3 late toxicities, but there was no Grade 4-5 toxicity. CONCLUSION: The results of this study compare favorably with those of most previous studies employing conventional fractionation. Further studies on hyperfractionation seem to be warranted for Stage I NSCLC.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Radiation therapy alone or with concurrent low-dose daily either cisplatin or carboplatin in locally advanced unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a prospective randomized trial.

Between January 1988 and December 1991, 159 patients with Stage III/IV (M0) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were randomized to receive standard fraction RT (70 Gy) (group I) or the same RT plus either 6 mg/m2 of cisplatin (CDPP) (group II) or 25 mg/ m2 of carboplatin (CBDCA) both given daily during RT (group III). Patients in groups II and III had significantly higher overall response rates then those in group I (P = 0.011 and P = 0.0025, respectively) with no difference between groups II and III (P = 0.60). They also had significantly longer median survival time (MST) and higher 5-year survival rates than those in group I (MST, 32 months (32%) and 30 months (29%) versus 16 months (15%), respectively; P = 0.011 and P = 0.019, respectively), with no difference between the two RT/CHT groups. Median time to local recurrence (MTLR) and 5-year local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) were significantly higher for both RT/CHT when compared to RT alone (MTLR, not attained yet and 30 months versus 10 months, respectively; 5-year LRFS, 51% and 48% versus 27%, respectively; P = 0.018 and P = 0.040, respectively) with no difference between the two RT/CHT groups. There was no difference between the three treatment groups regarding regional lymph node and distant metastasis control. Apart from acute high grade (> or =3) hematological toxicity that was significantly more frequent in the two RT/CHT groups and no different between the two RT/CHT groups, other acute high grade toxicity was similar between the three treatment groups. Late high grade toxicity was infrequent and similar between the three treatment groups.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Prolonged administration of oral etoposide alone or with intravenous carboplatin in stage IV non-small cell lung cancer: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: To investigate whether the addition of intravenous carboplatin (CBDCA) to prolonged oral administration of etoposide improves treatment results over that obtained with the same etoposide given alone in patients with Stage IV non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients, 120 were randomized to receive either 400 mg/m2 of CBDCA, day 1 and 50 mg/m2 of etoposide, days 1-21 (Group I) or the same etoposide alone (Group II). Cycles were repeated every 4 weeks for up to 6 cycles or until tumor progression was noted. RESULTS: Patients, 117 were fully evaluable for this report. Patients in Group I achieved better response rate than those in Group II (31 versus 20%, P = 0.19). They also had longer median survival time and higher 1- and 2-year survival rates than those in Group II (9 versus 5 months, respectively; 38 and 12% versus 24 and 5%, respectively; P = 0.015). There were no treatment-related deaths. Leukopenia (P = 0.047) and thrombocytopenia (P = 0.000) were more frequent in Group I, but only 15 (26%) patients in Group and 7 (12%) patients in Group II experienced high-grade (> or = 3) hematological toxicity. Apart from alopecia (P = 0.000), other non-hematological toxicity was not different between the two treatment Groups. CONCLUSION: Results of this study showed improvement in survival for the two-drug regimen. Together with mild to moderate toxicity and low cost, they may warrant further studies comparing it with other approaches in patients with Stage IV NSCLC.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

PubMed1997

Initial versus delayed accelerated hyperfractionated radiation therapy and concurrent chemotherapy in limited small-cell lung cancer: a randomized study.

PURPOSE: To perform a randomized study of the optimal timing of thoracic radiation (RT) as accelerated hyperfractionated radiation therapy (ACC HFX RT) in combination with concurrent chemotherapy (CHT) in limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1988 and 1992, 107 patients were enrolled and 103 were assessable. All patients received ACC HFX RT with 1.5 Gy twice daily to 54 Gy plus concurrent daily carboplatin/etoposide (C/E) (30 mg each) and four sequential cycles of cisplatin/etoposide (PE) (30 mg/m2 and 120 mg/m2, respectively, on days 1 to 3). Group I patients (n = 52) received concurrent chemoradiation at weeks 1 to 4, and group II (n = 51) at weeks 6 to 9. Patients who showed a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) underwent prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) at weeks 16 to 17. RESULTS: The median survival time was 34 months in group I and 26 months in group II, and the Kaplan-Meier 5-year survival rates were 30% and 15%, respectively. The difference was almost significant on univariate analysis (P = .052) and was significant on multivariate analysis (P = .027). Group I patients had a significantly higher local control rate than group II patients, but there was no difference between the two groups in distant metastasis rate. There was no difference in the incidence of acute or late grade 3 to 4 toxicity. CONCLUSION: Initial administration of thoracic ACC HFX RT with concurrent C/E seems to produce better local control and survival rates than delayed administration.

Adult↗