Efficacy and safety of recombinant human endostatin during peri-radiotherapy period in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Background: This study aimed to retrospectively investigate the efficacy and safety of recombinant human endostatin (Rh-endostatin) combined with radiotherapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Patients with unresectable stage III and IV NSCLC who treated with radiotherapy were enrolled. Patients who received Rh-endostatin infusion throughout the whole peri-radiotherapy period formed the Endostar group, and those who received no Rh-endostatin infusion were the control group. Results: The median progression-free survival was 8.0 and 4.4 months (hazard ratio: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.32-0.90; p = 0.019) and median overall survival was 40.0 and 13.1 months (hazard ratio: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.28-0.98; p = 0.045) for the Endostar and control groups, respectively. The Endostar group exhibited a numerically lower rate of radiation pneumonitis relapse, radiation pneumonitis death and pulmonary fibrosis. Conclusion: Rh-endostatin infusion throughout the peri-radiotherapy period enhanced radiosensitivity and showed better survival outcomes and a tendency toward fewer radiation-related pulmonary events in patients with NSCLC. Lay abstract Recombinant human endostatin (Rh-endostatin/Endostar) combined with chemotherapy has been approved as first-line standard treatment in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in China. This study aimed to retrospectively investigate the efficacy and safety of Rh-endostatin combined with radiotherapy in advanced NSCLC. Patients with unresectable stage III and IV NSCLC who treated with radiotherapy were enrolled. Patients who received Rh-endostatin infusion throughout the whole peri-radiotherapy period were the Endostar group, and those receiving no Rh-endostatin infusion were the control group. Results showed that the median progression-free survival was 8.0 and 4.4 months, and median overall survival was 40.0 and 13.1 months, for the Endostar and control groups, respectively. The Endostar group had a lower rate of radiation pneumonitis relapse, radiation pneumonitis death and pulmonary fibrosis. In conclusion, Rh-endostatin infusion throughout the peri-radiotherapy period enhanced radiosensitivity and showed better survival outcomes and a tendency toward fewer radiation-related pulmonary events in patients with NSCLC.