Cisplatin/Irinotecan With Concurrent Radiation for Inoperable NSCLC

This is a prospective, single institution phase II study, whose primary objective is to estimate the median and three year survival rate of non-small lung cancer patients with Stage IIIA and IIIB intra-thoracic disease which is referred to as "locally advanced" non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients with histological documented non-small cell lung cancer, that are considered to be inoperable, meet all the eligibility criteria, and sign informed consent will be treated with one cycle of irinotecan and cisplatin, followed by three additional cycles of chemotherapy with 60 - 70 Gy of concurrent radiation therapy.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Histological or cytological documented NSCLC, including squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma including large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma adenosquamous and sarcomatoid carcinomas.
* Patients with Pancoast tumors adjacent to a vertebral body are eligible as long as all gross disease can be encompassed in the radiation boost field. Pancoast tumor patients will be so-noted in the registry.
* Patients must be ≥ 18 years of age.
* Patients with Zubrod (ECOG) performance status ≤ 2.
* Adequate hematologic function defined as: 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.
* 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 and for four weeks after completion of treatment.
* Pretreatment evaluations required for eligibility include:

  * A medical history, physical examination, and assessment of Zubrod performance status within 4 weeks prior to study entry.
  * CBC with differential and platelet count, and laboratory profile must be completed within 4 weeks prior to study entry.
  * 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 (minimum sensitivity 25 IU/L or equivalent units of HCG) must be performed 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:

* Small cell carcinomas or carcinoid histology.
* History of any 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.
* Prior systemic chemotherapy or radiotherapy that would interfere with delivery of treatment as outlined above as judged by the clinician.
* Cytologically malignant effusions.
* Radiographic evidence of metastatic disease.
* Active pulmonary infection not responsive to antimicrobial therapy.
* History of significant or symptomatic interstitial pneumonitis.
* Significant symptomatic cardiac disease, for example, unstable angina, uncompensated congestive heart failure, or uncontrolled cardiac ventricular arrhythmias.
* Patients with \> grade 2 neuropathy.
* Women who are pregnant or breast feeding, as treatment involves unforeseeable risks to the participant, embryo, fetus, or nursing infant; women with a positive pregnancy test on enrollment or prior to study drug administration.
* Women of childbearing potential who are unwilling to practice effective contraception throughout the study and for four weeks after completion of treatment.
* Patients who currently are participating in other clinical trials and/or who have participated in other clinical trials in the previous 30 days.