Treating NSCLC Minimal Stage IV With Curative Intent

It is the hypothesis of this protocol that a subset of NSCLC patients with stage IVa disease can benefit from curative therapy and extends beyond the very limited subset of oligometastatic patients that have already been studied.

In this study, patiently will be aggressively treated with 4 cycles of full dose platinum-based chemotherapy with concurrent radiation therapy to the primary tumor and identified mediastinal lymph nodal metastatic drainage. Local curative radiation will then target the oligometastatic tumor sites.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Histological or cytological documented NSCLC, including squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma including large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and poorly differentiated (not otherwise specified - NOS) non-small cell lung cancer. Bronchial alveolar adenocarcinoma and totally resected tumors are excluded. All histology is to be reviewed at East Carolina University or designated participating center.
* Patients with Stage II-IIIB intra-thoracic disease with oligometastatic disease (hereafter referred to as "Stage IVa" disease) are eligible. Definition of Stage IVa:

Metastatic disease; either biopsy proven or with strong radiographic evidence suggesting its existence.

As determined by CT, MRI or PET no more than five distinct metastatic sites. All metastatic disease must be anatomically located in such a way as to permit a reasonable attempt at permanent ablation. Ablative measures may include surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, and external beam therapy. Patients who meet the minimal metastatic disease requirement and who would otherwise have been staged II, IIIA or IIIB.

* Patients with tumors adjacent to a vertebral body are eligible as long as all gross disease can be encompassed in the radiation boost field.
* Patients must be ≥ 18 years of age.
* Patients with Zubrod (ECOG) performance status ≤ 2.
* Adequate hematologic function defined as: absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1000/mm3, platelets ≥ 75,000/mm3, and hemoglobin ≥ 8 g/dL (prior to transfusions); adequate hepatic function defined as: total bilirubin ≤ 3.0 mg/dl, and adequate renal function defined as a serum creatinine level ≤ 2.0 mg/dl.
* Forced expiratory volume (FEV1) ≥ 800ml.
* Patients with weight loss \< 20% over the past 3 months.
* Patients with a pleural effusion that is proven cytologically negative or is too small to tap.
* Women of childbearing potential must agree to practice effective contraception throughout the study plus four weeks.
* Pretreatment evaluations required for eligibility include:

A medical history, physical exam, and Zubrod performance status within 3 weeks prior to study entry.

Complete blodd count (CBC) with differential and platelet count, and laboratory profile must be completed within 3 weeks prior to study entry.

FEV1, CT scan of the chest or whole body PET (preferred), and a CT scan or MRI (preferred) of the brain within 4 weeks prior to study entry.

For women of childbearing potential, a serum or urine pregnancy test within a week prior to the start of protocol treatment.

Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology consultation and approval.

* Patients must sign a study-specific consent form prior to study entry.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Prior systemic chemotherapy or radiotherapy that would interfere with delivery of treatment as outlined above as judged by the clinician.
* Cytologically malignant effusions.
* Metastatic disease beyond what is described in section 3.1.2.
* Active pulmonary infection not responsive to antimicrobial therapy.
* History of symptomatic interstitial pneumonitis.
* Significant symptomatic cardiac disease, i.e., unstable angina, uncompensated congestive heart failure, or uncontrolled cardiac ventricular arrhythmias.
* Patients with \> grade 2 neuropathy.
* Evidence of malignancy in the past 2 years except for adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, in situ cervical cancer, or other in situ cancers.
* Women who are pregnant or breast feeding.
* Women of childbearing potential who are unwilling to practice effective contraception.
* Patients who currently are participating in other clinical trials and/or who have participated in other clinical trials in the previous 30 days.