Chemotherapy Plus Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Stage III Non-small Cell Lung Cancer That Cannot Be Surgically Removed
Lung Cancer

About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Lung Cancer focused on measuring stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer, stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer
Eligibility Criteria
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed locally advanced, unresectable non- small cell lung cancer Stage IIIA or IIIB Local, unresectable recurrence after primary surgery allowed Measurable or evaluable disease No contralateral pleural effusion(s) or noncontiguous pleural implants T4 tumors with small ipsilateral pleural effusions allowed PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL SGOT or SGPT no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: No prior myocardial infarction within the past 6 months No congestive heart failure No uncontrolled arrhythmias Pulmonary: FEV1 greater than 800 mL Other: Not pregnant Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No history of hypersensitivity to drugs formulated in Cremophor EL No other malignancy within the past 5 years, except: Nonmelanomatous skin cancer Carcinoma in situ of the cervix No overt psychosis or other major debilitating disorder that would preclude compliance PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics
Sites / Locations
- University of Alabama Comprehensive Cancer Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
Arm 5
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
Dose 1 Gemcitabine
Dose 2 Gemcitabine
Dose 3 Gemcitabine
Dose 4 Gemcitabine
Dose 5 Gemcitabine
Patients receive paclitaxel IV over 1 hour and gemcitabine IV over 30 minutes beginning 2 hours into paclitaxel infusion on day 1 of weeks 6, 9, and 12.
Patients receive paclitaxel IV over 1 hour and gemcitabine IV over 30 minutes beginning 2 hours into paclitaxel infusion on day 1 of weeks 6, 9, and 12.
Patients receive paclitaxel IV over 1 hour and gemcitabine IV over 30 minutes beginning 2 hours into paclitaxel infusion on day 1 of weeks 6, 9, and 12.
Patients receive paclitaxel IV over 1 hour and gemcitabine IV over 30 minutes beginning 2 hours into paclitaxel infusion on day 1 of weeks 6, 9, and 12.
Patients receive paclitaxel IV over 1 hour and gemcitabine IV over 30 minutes beginning 2 hours into paclitaxel infusion on day 1 of weeks 6, 9, and 12.