PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) delivered within 6 weeks in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The impact of tumor volume and delivered dose on failure-free interval (FFI) and overall survival (OS) were also studied.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A Phase I/II trial was performed including inoperable NSCLC patients. According to the relative mean lung dose (rMLD), five risk groups with different starting doses were defined: Group 1, rMLD 0.0 to 0.12; Group 2, rMLD 0.12 to 0.18; Group 3, rMLD 0.18 to 0.24; Group 4, rMLD 0.24 to 0.31; and Group 5, rMLD 0.31 to 0.40. Patients underwent irradiation with 2.25 Gy per fraction and a fixed overall treatment time of 6 weeks. The dose was escalated with 6.75 Gy after 6 months follow-up without dose-limiting toxicity. If more than 30 fractions were prescribed, twice-daily irradiation was performed with at least a 6-h interval.

RESULTS

A total of 88 patients were included. Tumor Stage I or II was found in 53%, IIIA in 31%, and IIIB in 17%. The MTD was not achieved in risk Group 1 (reached dose, 94.5 Gy). For risk Groups 2 and 3 the MTD was 81 Gy. The 74.3-Gy dose was determined to be safe for Group 4 and the 60.8-Gy dose for Group 5. In 2 patients (5%) an isolated nodal relapse occurred. Based on multivariable analysis, higher doses significantly increased the FFI (p = 0.02) for the total group. The OS was increased in the lower risk groups (p = 0.05) but not in the higher risk groups (p = 0.4).

CONCLUSION

Dose escalation is safe up to 94.5 Gy in 42 fractions in 6 weeks in patients with an MLD 13.6 Gy or less. Higher doses are associated with a better FFI and OS for smaller tumor volumes. Involved-field irradiation results in a low percentage of isolated nodal relapses.