High-Dose Radiotherapy combined with Immunotherapy Shows Promise and Safety for Lung Cancer Patients

Recent research from Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences suggests that administering higher-than-standard doses of radiotherapy in the treatment of inoperable lung cancer can be both safe and potentially more effective when combined with immunotherapy. This breakthrough comes from a retrospective analysis involving nearly 40 patients, where a dose of 70 Gy—exceeding the conventional 60 Gy—was used prior to treatment with the immune checkpoint inhibitor durvalumab. Notably, patients receiving the higher dose did not experience an increased incidence of pneumonitis, a common side effect of lung radiotherapy, compared to those on lower doses. In fact, the rate of pneumonitis was slightly lower in the high-dose group, and severe cases remained rare.

The study also revealed promising survival benefits; over 93% of patients in the high-dose group were still alive one year after treatment, with survival rates remaining high at four years, whereas median survival in the lower-dose group was approximately 31 months. Careful treatment planning, with mean lung doses kept below critical thresholds, was essential in avoiding lung damage and side effects.

These findings indicate that, with precise planning, higher radiotherapy doses can be safely employed, potentially leading to improved outcomes for patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer. This research underscores the importance of re-evaluating traditional dose limits in the context of emerging immunotherapy options, paving the way for more personalized and effective treatment strategies.