Combined chemo-radiotherapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer: current status and future development

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2008 Dec;68(3):222-32. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2008.05.007. Epub 2008 Jul 15.

Abstract

Currently, combinations of chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the standard treatment approach for locally advanced NSCLC patients. Concomitant chemo-radiotherapy, although associated with increased acute toxicity, has demonstrated to be the better strategy over sequential chemoradiotherapy, and it is to be considered a standard approach in patients with good performance status (0-1). However, the approach to locally advanced NSCLC and to chemo-radiotherapy regimens remains heterogeneous among oncologists, and clinical outcomes are yet disappointing. Thus, the search of new strategies is mandatory. The main fields of research aiming at improving the survival of locally advanced NSCLC patients are: the addition of further combination chemotherapy as induction or consolidation to concurrent chemo-radiotherapy, and the integration of molecularly targeted therapies into conventional chemo-radiotherapy regimens.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / radiotherapy*
  • Combined Modality Therapy / methods
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / mortality
  • Lung Neoplasms / radiotherapy*