A randomized prospective study comparing concomitant chemoradiotherapy using paclitaxel-carboplatin with concomitant chemoradiotherapy using etoposide-cisplatin in inoperable or nonresectable locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Context: Several randomized trials have established that the best survival can be achieved in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with concurrent chemoradiation (CRT). In this study, we have compared different chemotherapy regime along with radiation in locally advanced NSCLC. Aims: Compare the disease response, toxicity, quality of life (QoL) and overall survival in concomitant CRT using paclitaxel-carboplatin versus cisplatin-etoposide for the radical treatment of NSCLC. Subjects and Methods: In this randomized study, 36 patients were enrolled. In study arm, patients were treated with injection cisplatin-etoposide along with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) to a total dose of 60 Gy, using CO-60 machine. In study arm, patients were treated with injection paclitaxel-carboplatin along with EBRT. QoL was evaluated using QLQ–LC13 questionnaire. Results: The median age of patients was 65 years. Complete response was obtained in two patients in control and two patients in the study arm. Partial response was obtained in 11 patients in the control arm and 13 patients in the study arm. The observation was statistically insignificant. When Grade ≥III toxicities are analyzed, the total number of events in the control arm were three (16.7%) and in the study arm were five (27.8%) which is statistically insignificant. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analyzed using Chi-square and t-test, and P values were calculated. Conclusion: The response rates and disease progression are similar between the two arms. The other endpoints are also similar between the two arms. However, larger studies are needed to establish comparability.