Radiation combined with Pemetrexed chemotherapy and Erlotinib hydrochloride for maintenance treatment of local advanced non-squamous cell lung cancer

Objective To evaluate the short-term curative effect and adverse reactions of the three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy(3DCRT) combined with Pemetrexed chemotherapy and Erlotinib hydrochloride for maintenance treatment of local advanced non-squamous cell lung cancer. Methods All 58 cases of patients with local advanced non-squamous cell lung cancer diagnosed in our hospital were enrolled and randomly divided into treatment group(30 cases) and control group(28 cases). In the control group, one cycle of TP protocol(Paclitaxel 175 mg/m2, d1;Cisplatin 20 mg/m2d1~4) started from the 1stday, which was repeated at the third week. Another cycle was performed every 21 days after the last cycle(totally 4 cycles). In the treatment group, one cycle of DP protocol(Pemetrexed 500 mg/m2, Cisplatin 20 mg/m2, both d1~4) started on the 1stday, which was also repeated at the third week. Totally 4 cycles were performed, and Erlotinib hydrochloride was given at the end of 3DCRT according to disease progression. Results All patients underwent the entire treatment duration. The median time of duration was 21.3months. For the treatment group, the complete remission rate(CR), partial remission rate(PR), the residual tumor rate(RR) and CBR were 23.3%(7 cases), 63.3%(19 cases), 86.7% and 93.3% respectively. And for the control group, CR,PR, RR and CBR were 10.7%(3 cases), 46.4%(13 cases), 57.1% and 67.9% respectively. CR, PR, RR and CBR in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group with statistical differences(P0.05). Meanwhile, incidences of leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, nausea and vomiting in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P0.05). All adverse reactions after treatment can be successfully controlled. Conclusion With distinct short-term curative effect and less adverse reactions, 3DCRT combined with Pemetrexed chemotherapy and Erlotinib hydrochloride is regarded to be a safe and effective treatment forlocal advanced non-squamous cell lung cancer.