A Study of Nimotuzumab in Combination With External Radiotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Patients must have histologically or cytologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer. Patients must be suitable for palliative radiation therapy as per institutional standards. Stage IIB, III or IV (patients off steroids with treated, stable brain metastases are eligible). Patients may be symptomatic or asymptomatic from disease Age >18 years ECOG 0-1-2 Patients who received previous chemotherapy are allowed Haemoglobin >9g/dL (blood transfusion to increase Hb level is acceptable) Stage II/III patients must be considered unsuitable for radical (standard full dose curative intent) chemoradiation in the opinion of either the radiotherapist or medical oncologist. Patients must have measurable disease in the planned radiation field. Women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception. Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document Exclusion criteria - Phase I and Phase II: Patients receiving any other investigational agents Previous treatment with anti-EGF-R drug(s) History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to nimotuzumab or other agents used in study. Prior thoracic radiotherapy for this condition Prior chemotherapy within 4 weeks of enrolment Lesions not suitable for radiotherapy Patients with known sero positive HIV Patients with uncontrolled hypercalcemia Patients with progressive or untreated brain metastases or treated brain metastases but unable to discontinue steroids Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, severe cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements in the opinion of the investigator Pregnant or breast-feeding women Any concurrent active malignancy other than non-melanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix; patients with other prior malignancies are eligible providing prior malignancy cannot be clinically confused with the diagnosis of NSCLC in the opinion of the treating oncologist; in particular, there should be no evidence of current disease activity with respect to the prior malignancy Life expectancy of less than 8 weeks