Analysis of Phase III Study on Prophylactic Cranial Radiation for NSCLC Finds Treatment Significantly Reduces Metastases

An analysis of the phase III RTOG 0214 trial secondary objectives involving how patients with non-small cell lung cancer fared after cranial radiation reveal a significant decrease in metastases, according to a study published in the Red Journal.

“There are scant data from randomized trials regarding the effects of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) on neurocognitive function (NF) and quality of life (QOL),” noted Benjamin Movsas, M.D., et al in the Nov. 1, 2009, article.

They point out that the primary endpoint of this study showed no overall survival benefit from prophylactic radiation for the participants who received 30 Gy at 2 Gy/fraction q/day rather than observation.

However, this analysis found that the incidence of CNS mets at one year was 7.7 percent versus 18 percent for radiation compared to observation (p = 0.004). In addition, the analysis found a significant reduction in immediate and delayed recall, as assessed by the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test.

“This study provides prospective data regarding the relative benefits and risks of PCI in this setting and the need to use sensitive cognitive assessments,” concluded the researchers.