Margriet Kwint

Chapter 5 86 Introduction The aim of this study was to identify subgroups of locally advanced NSCLC patients with a distinct treatment response during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Subsequently, we investigated the association of subgroup membership with treatment outcomes. Methods Three hundred and ninety four NSCLC-patients treated with CCRT between 2007- 2013 were included. Gross Tumor Volume (GTV) during treatment was determined and relative GTV-volume change from the planning-CT was subsequently calculated. Latent Class Mixed Modeling (LCMM) was used to identify subgroups with distinct volume changes during CCRT. The association of subgroup membership with overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) and local regional control (LRC) was assessed using cox regression analyses. Results Three subgroups of GTV-volume change during treatment were identified, with each subsequent subgroup showing a more profound reduction of GTV during treatment. Surprisingly, no associations between subgroup membership and OS, PFS nor LRC were observed. Nonetheless, baseline GTV (HR 1.42; 95%CI 1.06–1.91) was significantly associated with OS. Conclusions Three different subgroups of GTV-volume change during treatment were identified. Surprisingly, these subgroups did not differ in their risk of treatment outcomes. Only patients with a larger GTV at baseline had a significantly worse OS. Therefore, risk stratification at baseline might already be accurate in identifying the best treatment strategy for most patients.