Dr. Sio on Optimal Radiation Therapy Dose in Locally Advanced NSCLC

Terence T. Sio, MD, MS, radiation oncologist and assistant professor of radiation oncology at Mayo Clinic, discusses the standard-of-care dose of radiation therapy in locally advanced, non—small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

In the modern era, the standard-of-care for patients with locally advanced NSCLC who require concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy is 60 gray (Gy), says Sio. This dosage is delivered Monday through Friday, at 2 Gy/day per fraction, for the duration of 6 weeks.

The NRG Oncology RTOG 0617 trial set out to determine whether a higher dose of radiation, 74 Gy, with concurrent chemotherapy would be more beneficial than the standard dose of 60 Gy, in patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC, says Sio. Investigators noted more adverse events in those who received the higher dose, with no improvement in overall survival. As such, 60 Gy continues to be the standard-of-care radiation dose in this patient population, concludes Sio.