The purpose of this study is to evaluate clinical, dosimetrical, functional, biological and genetic factors in predicting chemo-radiotherapy induced lung and esophagus injury.

We propose a prospective study to investigate the combinational effect of radiotherapeutic dosimetric parameters [mean lung dose and percentage of lung volume receiving at least XGy (Vx)] and biological parameters [interleukin-1α(IL1α),interleukin-1β(IL1β),interleukin-6(IL6),interleukin-7(IL7),transforming growth factor beta (TGFB)] and manganese superoxide dismutase(MnSOD) in predicting radiation pneumonitis, fibrosis, and radiation esophageal injury. Eligibility included pathological or cytological proven thoracic cancer,ECOG performance status [PS] 0-2, no prior thoracic RT or chemotherapy,no distant metastasis and signed informed consent prior to study entry.

Basic pre-treatment information will be collected, which included ECOG PS, UICC/AJCC stage,primary lesion site, history of smoking/coexisting lung disease/surgical resection, and pulmonary function test of FEV1/VC/DLCO. Computed tomography [CT] of the whole lung in treatment position. Blood test of IL1α,IL1β,IL6,IL7,TGFB and MnSOD by ELISA will be done before and weekly during RT. RT must be given by photon energies >=6MV. Radiation lung and esophageal injury will be assessed according to common toxicity criteria adverse effect version3.0 [CTCAE-3.0] during RT and in every follow up visits. Genomic DNA is obtained from the blood drawn during RT. Chi-square test, T test, analysis of variance, logistic regression, and proportional hazard ratio method will be used to investigate whether the parameter(s) can be effective in predicting radiation related sequelae.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Non-pregnant adults (18<= age <= 75 y/o)

• Chinese ethnicity

• Pathological or cytological proven thoracic neoplasms (of note,sputum cytology alone is not acceptable.Cytological specimens obtained by brushing,washing and needle aspiration of a defined lesion are acceptable)

• Initially treated

• No distant metastasis

• ECOG PS 0-2 (Karnofsky>60%)

• Understand and willing to sign the consent

• Normal organ and marrow function as defined below:

  • Leukocytes >=3,000/µL
  • Haemoglobin >=9 g/dL (prior to transfusions)
  • Absolute neutrophil count >=1,500/µL
  • Platelets >=100,000/µL
  • Total bilirubin < 1.5 x upper limit of normal
  • AST (SGOT)/ALT (SGPT) ≤2.5 X institutional upper limit of normal
  • Creatinine <=2.5 mg/dl.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Prior thoracic radiotherapy
• Distant metastasis
• Allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to platinum-based drugs.
• Pre-existed non-oncological pulmonary or esophageal disease that may put the patient at high risk of severe toxicities.
• Other uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection and psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirement
• pregnancy or lactating
• Receiving other investigational agents or devices

Patients enrolled are Chinese with thoracic neoplasms, no distant metastasis and initially treated.