Published in the Green Journal, this study by MD Anderson reported disease control, survival, and toxicity in patients with advanced inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving concurrent chemotherapy and intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT). Fifty-one patients were enrolled with a median follow-up time of 23.0 months. Median OS and DFS (disease free survival) times were 33.9 months and 12.6 months.

The 3-year local control rate was 78.3%. Grade 3 toxicity rate of 18% (9 events: 4 esophagitis, 3 dermatitis, 1 esophageal stricture, and 1 fatigue) and no grade 4 or 5 toxicity. The most common grade 2 toxic effects were esophagitis (22 [43%]), dermatitis (16 [31%]), pain (15 [29%]), and fatigue (14 [27%]). The authors concluded that treatment of inoperable NSCLC with IMPT and concurrent chemotherapy achievesd excellent disease control with tolerable toxicity.