Effectiveness, Safety of Radiation Plus Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer

New Clinical Trial Evaluates Effectiveness, Safety Of Radiation Plus Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer

A new national clinical study will help evaluate the best manner in which to give patients radiation and chemotherapy to treat locally advanced, non-small cell lung cancer. The clinical trial, conducted by the American College of Radiology (ACR), is using the chemotherapy agents Taxol (paclitaxel) injection and Paraplatin (carboplatin for injections) in combination with radiation therapy.

"A number of studies of patients with stage III (locally advanced) lung cancer show that many patients benefit from chemotherapy and radiation together," according to Walter J. Curran, Jr., M.D., one of the chairs for the Locally Advanced Multi-modality Protocol (LAMP). "Now we are seeking to refine the manner in which to give the agents to improve their effectiveness and safety."

Dr. Curran noted that Taxol and Paraplatin have recently been combined with radiation to treat this form of lung cancer.

The key question to be answered in this clinical trial, he explained, is how best to integrate the radiation and chemotherapy. The options include giving the two therapies at the same time, to give them one after the other, or to administer the chemotherapy both before and during radiation therapy, Dr. Curran said.

In addition to evaluating the relapse-free survival rate and actual survival rates of the various treatments, the LAMP study will look at their safety and toxicity.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in men and women in the United States, with more than 160,000 deaths a year. Since the 1970s a number of researchers have worked to improve the survival rates of locally advanced, non-small cell lung cancers using chemotherapy in combination with radiation.

To obtain more information about the ACR's LAMP studies, call Elaine Pakuris at 215-574-3195.

##