gemcitabine + carboplatin + radiation therapy

This entry refers to the gemcitabine-based chemoradiotherapy regimens evaluated by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) for the treatment of inoperable stage IIIA/B non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Specifically, in the RTOG 9801 trial, gemcitabine was investigated as a potent radiosensitizer in combination with either carboplatin or paclitaxel and concurrent thoracic radiation therapy. Gemcitabine, a pyrimidine nucleoside analog, enhances the efficacy of ionizing radiation by depleting intracellular deoxyribonucleotide pools and inhibiting DNA repair mechanisms. The regimen was designed to improve local-regional control and overall survival in patients with locally advanced, favorable-prognosis NSCLC by leveraging the synergistic effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

Brand names

GemzarParaplatinTaxol

Other names

gemcitabine + paclitaxel + radiation therapygemcitabine-Radiation Therapy Oncology Group-non-small cell lung cancer