BACKGROUNDTo evaluate the effects and toxicities of combination therapy of chemotherapy with hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT)+5-fluorouracil (5-FU)+cisplatin (DDP) and concurrent radiotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSFrom September 1999 to May 2001, 31 patients with advanced NSCLC were enrolled in this study. They were given chemotherapy with HCPT 6mg/m² on days 1-5, 5-FU 300mg/m² on days 1-5, DDP 30mg/m² on days 1-3 and concurrent radiotherapy. The chemotherapy was repeated every 28 days as a cycle. Each patient should receive at least two cycles. The total dose of primary tumors varied up to DT 50-70 Gy/25-35f, and that of metastatic tumors up to DT 30-60 Gy/10-30f .

RESULTSAmong the 31 patients, 6 got complete response, 18 got partial response, 5 had stable disease and 2 had progressive disease, with an overall response rate of 77.4% (24/31). The median survival duration was 16.7 months. The 1- and 2- year survival rates were 54.7% and 30.2%, and 1- and 2- year local control rates were 61% and 40%, respectively. The main toxicities were marrow suppression and gastrointestinal symptoms.

CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest that HCPT-based chemotherapy combined with concurrent radiotherapy is effective for NSCLC and can improve the survival rate and life quality of the patients with lung cancer.