Combined modality therapy in non-small cell lung and esophageal cancer: a phase I dose-escalation study of docetaxel with concurrent radiotherapy.

The effective treatment of non-small cell lung cancer requires both locoregional and systemic therapy. Outcome in intermediate-stage malignancies of the chest may be improved by combining chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Several combined-modality trials involving the platinum compounds, vinorelbine, gemcitabine, and the taxanes have been recently conducted. In one such phase I dose-escalation study of 29 patients with non-small cell lung cancer or esophageal cancer, the concurrent administration of docetaxel and radiotherapy at a dose of 2 Gy/d for 6 weeks was shown to be feasible. Objective tumor responses were observed, and further studies of docetaxel in combination with radiotherapy are indicated.