Gemcitabine plus radiation therapy in the treatment of locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

For stage III non-small-cell lung cancer, there is a need for better systemic, as well as locoregional, control of the tumor. In an attempt to enhance this locoregional control, systemic chemotherapy has been given currently with radiation therapy. Gemcitabine, a novel deoxycytidine analogue, has been shown to be a potent radiosensitizer. This review focuses on the studies using gemcitabine concurrently with radiation therapy in the treatment of locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.