In a nutshell
This trial examined the effectiveness of combining brachytherapy (a type of radiation) and chemotherapy for the treatment of locally recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has already been treated. The trial concluded that the combination of treatments was more effective than chemotherapy alone.
Some background
Locally recurrent NSCLC (cancer that returns at the site of the original tumor) following treatment with chemotherapy and radiation can be difficult to treat. Further chemotherapy and radiation can lead to tissue damage and other severe complications. In brachytherapy, radiation seeds are placed in or near the tumor. This gives high-dose radiation to the cancer cells, and low-dose radiation to the surrounding tissue. This can lower damage to healthy tissue.
Docetaxel (Taxotere) and cisplatin (Platinol) are both chemotherapy drugs that can be used with radiation therapy. It is not clear whether combining brachytherapy with docetaxel and cisplatin is more effective than the chemotherapies alone.
Methods & findings
This study examined the effectiveness of combining brachytherapy with docetaxel and cisplatin (DP) chemotherapy. 52 patients with stage 3 (spread to the lymph nodes), locally recurrent NSCLC who had already undergone chemotherapy and radiation were selected. They were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group 1 received brachytherapy and DP treatment. Group 2 received DP treatment alone. Progression free survival (PFS, time from treatment until disease progression), time of local control (no cancer growth at the original site) and overall response rate (ORR, number of patients whose tumors decreased by at least 30%) were measured. Patients were followed for an average of 11 months.
The rate of local control was 10 months for group 1 and 6.2 months for group 2. PFS was 8 months for group 1 and 5.5 months for group 2. The ORR was not significantly different between the two treatment groups.
No patient had a severe complication during this study.
The bottom line
The study concluded that combining brachytherapy with docetaxel and cisplatin was more effective than chemotherapy alone in treating stage 3 locally recurrent NSCLC.
The fine print
While the study mentioned that there were no severe complications, it did not provide details of adverse effects of both the chemotherapy drugs and the brachytherapy.
What’s next?
Discuss with your doctor whether brachytherapy is an appropriate treatment for you.
Published By :
BMC cancer
Date :
Oct 09, 2015
