Phase I Cetuximab and Concurrent Radio-chemotherapy

Determination of the Toxicity of Standard Dose Cetuximab Together With Concurrent Individualised, Isotoxic Accelerated Radiotherapy and Cisplatin-vinorelbine for Patients With Stage III Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Phase I Study

To determine the MTD toxicity of standard dose cetuximab together with concurrent individualized, isotoxic accelerated radiotherapy and cisplatin-vinorelbine

Phase I trial with escalating doses of vinorelbine and standard doses of radiotherapy, cisplatin and cetuximab. Eligible patients receive 2 cycles of carboplatin (AUC 5) day 1 and gemcitabine (1250 mg/m2) days 1,8. One cycle duration is 21 days. Patients without progressive disease (PD) according to the RECIST criteria (appendix 1) will be entered in the phase I dose-escalation part of the study. Chest radiation is given concurrently with cetuximab, cisplatin and vinorelbine. The latter drug will be escalated in three steps until dose-limiting toxicity occurs. On day 43, i.e. 14 days after the last gemcitabine delivery, radiotherapy is started. Radiotherapy: In all patients in every dose-step, the radiation will be given as follows: first 3 weeks: 1.5 Gy BID to a dose of 45 Gy in 30 fractions, then 2 Gy QD to a mean lung dose (MLD, this is related to radiation-induced lung damage) of 19 Gy. Maximum dose: 69 Gy given in 5.5 weeks. Maximum dose to the spinal cord: 50 Gy. Cetuximab: All patients will receive a starting dose 400 mg/ m2 7 days before the beginning of radiotherapy (i.e. day 36), thereafter a weekly dose 250 mg/ m2 during the course of radiotherapy for 5 consecutive weeks. Cetuximab will be delivered at the same days as chemotherapy. Cisplatin: In all patients in every dose-step, cisplatin will be given as follows: Step 1, 2 and 3: 50 mg/ m2 days 43, 50; 40 mg/m2 day 64. Vinorelbine will be escalated in three steps: Step 1: 10 mg/ m2 days 43, 50; 8 mg/m2 days 66 and 73. Step 2: 20 mg/ m2 days 43, 50; 8 mg/m2 days 66 and 73. Step 3: 20 mg/ m2 days 43, 50; 15 mg/m2 days 66 and 73.

Eligible patients will be given 2 cycles(of 21 days) of carboplatin (AUC 5) day 1 and gemcitabine (1250 mg/m2) days 1,8. Patients without progressive disease will be entered in the phase I dose-escalation part of the study. Chest radiation will be given concurrently with cetuximab, cisplatin and vinorelbine, which will be escalated in 3 steps until dose-limiting toxicity occurs. 14 days after the last gemcitabine (=day 43), radiotherapy is started : First 3 weeks: 1.5 Gy BID to a dose of 45 Gy in 30 fractions, then 2 Gy QD to a mean lung dose of 19 Gy. Cetuximab: 400 mg/m2 7 days before radiotherapy (= day 36) and during the course of radiotherapy a weekly dose 250 mg/m2. Cetuximab will be delivered at the same days as chemotherapy. Cisplatin(all steps): 50 mg/m2 days 43, 50; 40 mg/m2 day 64. Vinorelbine: Step 1: 10 mg/ m2 days 43, 50; 8 mg/m2 days 66 and 73. Step 2: 20 mg/ m2 days 43, 50; 8 mg/m2 days 66 and 73. Step 3: 20 mg/ m2 days 43, 50; 15 mg/m2 days 66 and 73.

During and after chemo-radiation: (CTC 3.0) Dysphagia, Cough, Dyspnea, Skin rash, Myelitis, Neuropathy, Neutrophiles, Platelets, Hemoglobin, Diarrhea, Renal failure, Liver dysfunction, Tumour response 3 m. after end chemo-radiation and Survival

Inclusion Criteria: Histologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer Inoperable stage III (UICC 2002; sixth edition) (no pleural effusion) WHO performance status 0 or 1 Less than 10% weight loss in the last 6 months Lung function: FEV1 at least 50% and DLCO at least 50% of the predicted value No recent severe cardiac disease Adequate bone marrow function Adequate renal function Adequate hepatic function Life expectancy more than 6 months Measurable cancer Willing and able to comply with study prescriptions 18 years or older Not pregnant or breast feeding Written informed consent No previous radiotherapy to the chest Exclusion Criteria: Not non-small cell lung cancer histology Mixed pathology History of prior chest radiotherapy Recent (<3 months) myocardial infarction Uncontrolled infectious disease Less than 18 years old Inadequate pulmonary function Other active malignancy