RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Combining more than one chemotherapy drug with radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells.

PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of radiation therapy and chemotherapy consisting of carboplatin, etoposide and paclitaxel in treating patients with newly diagnosed stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

Condition	Treatment or Intervention	Phase
stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer	Drug: carboplatin  Drug: etoposide  Drug: paclitaxel	Phase II

Further Study Details: 

OBJECTIVES: I. Assess the survival and failure-free survival in poor risk patients with stage IIIA or IIIB non-small cell lung carcinoma treated with concurrent radiation, carboplatin, and etoposide followed by consolidation with paclitaxel.

II. Evaluate the response and toxicities associated with this regimen in this group of poor risk patients.

PROTOCOL OUTLINE: This is nonrandomized study.

Chemotherapy on cycle 1 starts on day 1 with concurrent initiation of radiotherapy. Chemotherapy is given prior to radiotherapy on those days when both treatments are given. Cycle 2 begins on day 29. Carboplatin is administered by 15 minute IV infusions on days 1, 3, 29, and 31. Etoposide (VP-16) is administered after carboplatin by 30 minute IV infusions on days 1-4, and 29-32.

Radiation therapy begins within 24 hours of day 1, cycle 1 of chemotherapy. The primary tumor, the adjacent mediastinum, and other targeted lymph nodes are administered radiotherapy daily 5 days a week for 6.5 weeks.

After the 2 cycles of chemotherapy and chest radiotherapy, patients who have stable disease, partial response, or complete response receive 3 cycles of paclitaxel. Paclitaxel is administered by 3 hour IV infusions starting 4 weeks after completion of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and repeated every 3-4 weeks (approximately days 71, 92, and 103) for a total of 3 cycles.

Patients are followed every month for the first year, every 3 months for the second year, every 6 months for the third year, and then annually thereafter while on treatment. After treatment, patients are followed every 6 months for 2 years and then annually thereafter.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: There will be 80 patients accrued in this study over 16 months.

Ages Eligible for Study:  18 Years and above

Criteria

PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA:

--Disease Characteristics--

• Histologically confirmed newly diagnosed single primary bronchogenic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); Stage IIIA (T1-2 N2 M0; T3 N0-2 M0) or IIIB (T4 or N3 M0, excluding malignant pleural effusion)
• Following NSCLC cellular types are eligible: adenocarcinoma; large cell carcinoma; squamous cell carcinoma; unspecified
• Histology or cytology from involved mediastinal or supraclavicular nodes are sufficient for diagnosis if a separate primary lesion of the lung parenchyma is clearly evident on radiographs
• Radiographic evidence of mediastinal lymph nodes of at least 1.5 cm in the largest diameter is sufficient to stage N2 or N3; If the largest mediastinal nodes are less than 1.5 cm in diameter and this is the basis for stage III disease, then at least one of the nodes has to be proven positive cytologically or histologically
• No bronchioloalveolar carcinoma or stage IIIB tumor involving the superior sulcus
• Patients must meet at least one of the following conditions: FEV1 less than 2 liters and predicted FEV1 of the contralateral lung no greater than 800 mL based on the quantitative split function testing; Creatinine clearance less than 50 mL/min; Significant clinical hearing loss and unwilling to accept the potential for worsening due to cisplatin; Controlled congestive heart failure that, in the opinion of the investigator, may become decompensated due to excessive hydration prior to cisplatin administration; SWOG performance status 2 and either albumin less than 0.85 times upper limit of normal or weight loss of greater than 10% due to tumor
• Measurable or evaluable disease
• Patients with pleural effusion are eligible only if: pleural fluid must be a transudate with negative cytology if present before mediastinoscopy or exploratory thoracotomy; pleural fluid can be either transudate or exudate with negative cytology if present only after exploratory or staging thoracotomy but not before; in any case, pleural effusion is present only on CT scan but not on decubitus chest x-ray, and it is deemed too small to tap under either CT or ultrasound guidance

--Prior/Concurrent Therapy--

• Biologic therapy: Not specified
• Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy
• Endocrine therapy: Not specified
• Radiotherapy: No prior radiation for lung cancer
• Surgery: No prior surgery for lung cancer

--Patient Characteristics--

• Age: 18 and over
• Performance status: SWOG 0-2
• Life expectancy: Not specified
• Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,500/mm3; Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,200/mm3; Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3
• Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal; SGOT no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal
• Renal: Creatinine clearance at least 20 mL/min
• Cardiovascular: No unstable congestive heart failure; No active angina; No unstable cardiac arrhythmias
• Pulmonary: FEV1 at least 1.0 liter; Also See Disease Characteristics
• Other: No uncontrolled peptic ulcer disease; No active infection; No prior malignancy except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, in situ cervical cancer, or other cancer for which the patient has been disease free for 5 years; Not pregnant or nursing; Adequate contraception required of all fertile patients

Alabama
      MBCCOP - University of South Alabama, Mobile,  Alabama,  36688,  United States
Arizona
      Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson,  Arizona,  85724,  United States
      CCOP - Greater Phoenix, Phoenix,  Arizona,  85006-2726,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Phoenix (Hayden), Phoenix,  Arizona,  85012,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Tucson, Tucson,  Arizona,  85723,  United States
Arkansas
      University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock,  Arkansas,  72205,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Little Rock (McClellan), Little Rock,  Arkansas,  72205,  United States
California
      Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte,  California,  91010,  United States
      CCOP - Bay Area Tumor Institute, Oakland,  California,  94609-3305,  United States
      CCOP - Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, Santa Rosa,  California,  95403,  United States
      Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Orange,  California,  92868,  United States
      David Grant Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base,  California,  94535,  United States
      Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, Los Angeles,  California,  90095-1781,  United States
      UCSF Cancer Center and Cancer Research Institute, San Francisco,  California,  94115-0128,  United States
      University of California Davis Cancer Center, Sacramento,  California,  95817,  United States
      University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento,  California,  95817,  United States
      USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles,  California,  90033-0800,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Long Beach, Long Beach,  California,  90822,  United States
Colorado
      University of Colorado Cancer Center, Denver,  Colorado,  80262,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Denver, Denver,  Colorado,  80220,  United States
Georgia
      CCOP - Atlanta Regional, Atlanta,  Georgia,  30342-1701,  United States
      Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon,  Georgia,  30905-5650,  United States
Hawaii
      Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, Honolulu,  Hawaii,  96813,  United States
      Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu,  Hawaii,  96859-5000,  United States
Illinois
      CCOP - Central Illinois, Springfield,  Illinois,  62526,  United States
      Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood,  Illinois,  60153,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Hines (Hines Junior VA Hospital), Hines,  Illinois,  60141,  United States
Kansas
      CCOP - Wichita, Wichita,  Kansas,  67214-3882,  United States
      University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City,  Kansas,  66160-7357,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Wichita, Wichita,  Kansas,  67218,  United States
Kentucky
      Albert B. Chandler Medical Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington,  Kentucky,  40536-0084,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Lexington, Lexington,  Kentucky,  40511-1093,  United States
Louisiana
      Louisiana State University Hospital - Shreveport, Shreveport,  Louisiana,  71130-3932,  United States
      MBCCOP - LSU Medical Center, New Orleans,  Louisiana,  70112,  United States
      Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans,  Louisiana,  70112,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - New Orleans, New Orleans,  Louisiana,  70112,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Shreveport, Shreveport,  Louisiana,  71130,  United States
Massachusetts
      Boston Medical Center, Boston,  Massachusetts,  02118,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Boston (Jamaica Plain), Jamaica Plain,  Massachusetts,  02130,  United States
Michigan
      Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit,  Michigan,  48201,  United States
      CCOP - Grand Rapids Clinical Oncology Program, Grand Rapids,  Michigan,  49503,  United States
      Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit,  Michigan,  48202,  United States
      Providence Hospital - Southfield, Southfield,  Michigan,  48075-9975,  United States
      University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor,  Michigan,  48109-0752,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor,  Michigan,  48105,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Detroit, Detroit,  Michigan,  48201-1932,  United States
Mississippi
      Keesler Medical Center - Keesler AFB, Keesler AFB,  Mississippi,  39534-2576,  United States
      University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson,  Mississippi,  39216-4505,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Biloxi, Biloxi,  Mississippi,  39531-2410,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Jackson, Jackson,  Mississippi,  39216,  United States
Missouri
      CCOP - Cancer Research for the Ozarks, Springfield,  Missouri,  65807,  United States
      CCOP - Kansas City, Kansas City,  Missouri,  64131,  United States
      CCOP - St. Louis-Cape Girardeau, Saint Louis,  Missouri,  63141,  United States
      St. Louis University Health Sciences Center, Saint Louis,  Missouri,  63110-0250,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Kansas City, Kansas City,  Missouri,  64128,  United States
Montana
      CCOP - Montana Cancer Consortium, Billings,  Montana,  59101,  United States
New Mexico
      University of New Mexico Cancer Research & Treatment Center, Albuquerque,  New Mexico,  87131,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Albuquerque, Albuquerque,  New Mexico,  87108-5138,  United States
New York
      Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York,  New York,  10032,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Brooklyn, Brooklyn,  New York,  11209,  United States
Ohio
      Barrett Cancer Center, The University Hospital, Cincinnati,  Ohio,  45219,  United States
      CCOP - Columbus, Columbus,  Ohio,  43206,  United States
      CCOP - Dayton, Kettering,  Ohio,  45429,  United States
      Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, Cleveland,  Ohio,  44195,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Cincinnati, Cincinnati,  Ohio,  45220-2288,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Dayton, Dayton,  Ohio,  45428,  United States
Oklahoma
      Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City,  Oklahoma,  73104,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City,  Oklahoma,  73104,  United States
Oregon
      CCOP - Columbia River Program, Portland,  Oregon,  97213,  United States
      Oregon Cancer Center at Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland,  Oregon,  97201-3098,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Portland, Portland,  Oregon,  97207,  United States
South Carolina
      CCOP - Greenville, Greenville,  South Carolina,  29615,  United States
      CCOP - Upstate Carolina, Spartanburg,  South Carolina,  29303,  United States
Texas
      Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston,  Texas,  78234,  United States
      CCOP - Scott and White Hospital, Temple,  Texas,  76508,  United States
      Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Lubbock,  Texas,  79423,  United States
      University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio,  Texas,  78284,  United States
      University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston,  Texas,  77555-1329,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - San Antonio (Murphy), San Antonio,  Texas,  78284,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Temple, Temple,  Texas,  76504,  United States
Utah
      Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City,  Utah,  84132,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City,  Utah,  84148,  United States
Washington
      CCOP - Northwest, Tacoma,  Washington,  98405-0986,  United States
      CCOP - Virginia Mason Research Center, Seattle,  Washington,  98101,  United States
      Swedish Cancer Institute, Seattle,  Washington,  98104,  United States
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Seattle, Seattle,  Washington,  98108,  United States

Study chairs or principal investigators

Derick H. Lau,  Study Chair,  Southwest Oncology Group   

Study ID Numbers:  CDR0000065951; SWOG-9712
Record last reviewed:  July 2004
Last Updated:  October 13, 2004
Record first received:  November 1, 1999
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00003158
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2005-04-08