INCH

Induction chemotherapy and CHART in non-small cell lung cancer

Is it more effective to give chemotherapy as well as CHART (a type of radiotherapy) to people with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer?

What was this study about?

Continuous Hyperfractionated Accelerated Radiotherapy (CHART) is a way of giving radiotherapy 3 times a day over 12 continuous days rather than the usual practice of once a day over 6 or 7 weeks. It is often used for patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer, and locally advanced means that the tumour is inoperable but the cancer has not spread ouside the lung. This trial aimed to find out whether giving people induction chemotherapy, before they have CHART is more effective than just giving them CHART. Patients were given CHART alone, or induction chemotherapy and CHART.

 

What difference did this study make?

This small randomised trial indicated that induction chemotherapy followed by CHART was feasible and well tolerated.  Despite closing early because of poor accrual and so failing to show clear evidence of a survival benefit for the additional chemotherapy, the results suggest that CHART, and induction chemotherapy before CHART, remain important options for the treatment of inoperable NSCLC and deserve further study. 

Type of study

Randomised trial

Contact details

mrcctu.ctuenquiries@ucl.ac.uk

Who funded the study?

The charity Cancer Research UK.

When did it take place?

INCH closed in December 2007.

Where did it take place?

The 10 hospitals in the UK that routinely treat patients with CHART.

Who was included?

People with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).