Cisplatin, Ifosfamide, Oral Etoposide, and Concurrent Accelerated Hyperfractionated Thoracic Radiation for Patients With Limited Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma: Results of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Trial 93-12

Abstract

PURPOSE: The combination of cisplatin, ifosfamide, and oral etoposide (PIEo) given concurrently with accelerated hyperfractionated thoracic radiation was studied in patients with limited small-cell lung cancer in a phase II trial to assess response, survival, and toxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-seven patients were accrued between March 1994 and April 1996. Chemotherapy doses were cisplatin 20 mg/m2 and ifosfamide 1,200 mg/m2 on days 1 to 3 and etoposide 40 mg/m2 administered orally days 1 through 14. Radiation consisted of accelerated hyperfractionated thoracic radiation (AHTRT) 1.5 Gy bid × 30 fractions (total 45 Gy) days 1 through 19, concurrent with cycle 1 of chemotherapy. Three additional cycles of chemotherapy were given every 4 weeks after completion of chemoradiation. Prophylactic cranial radiation (25 Gy in 10 fractions) was offered to patients for whom complete response (CR) after completion of chemotherapy was achieved. RESULTS: An overall objective response rate of 78% (41 CRs [67%] and seven partial responses [11%]) was seen in 61 patients whose disease response could be evaluated. Median progression-free and overall survival estimates were 12.7 and 23.7 months, respectively. Two- and 3-year survival rates were estimated at 50% and 39%, respectively. Major toxic effects included grade 4 granulocytopenia in 34 (55%), grade 4 thrombocytopenia in 16 (26%), grade 3 to 5 fever/infection in six (10%; with one death resulting from sepsis), and grade 3/4 esophagitis in 27 patients (43%). Other nonhematologic toxic greater than grade 2 occurred in 11 patients (18%). CONCLUSION: Relative to conventional etoposide/cisplatin and concurrent AHTRT, chemoradiation with PIEo produced similar median and 2-year survival rates and a higher rate of acute esophageal toxicity. However, the locoregional control rate with a minimum follow-up of 2 years is excellent at 80%. It is conceivable that longer follow-up will prove this regimen more promising. Research efforts should focus on other methods to improve disease control in all potential sites of recurrence.