To determine the maximum tolerated dose of the drug temsirolimus given with radiation therapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Temsirolimus has demonstrated anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic activity in multiple epithelial cancers, is well-tolerated, has non-overlapping toxicities with radiation, and has been shown to potentiate the effects of radiation in vitro. Locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer is cured in a minority of patients with concurrent chemoradiation but newer agents are needed. In this study temsirolimus will be studied in combination with radiation in a phase I setting to establish safety.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients must have a histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of NSCLC.

• Patients must have an indication for thoracic radiation.

• Because all patients will be receiving radiation therapy to a thoracic mass, they must have radiographically measurable disease to participate.

• Patients may not be candidates for definitive chemoradiation with curative intent.

• Prior treatment of lung cancer (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery) are allowed if completed at least 4 weeks prior and if all treatment related toxicities are resolved.

• At least 18 years of age.

• Life expectancy of > 12 weeks.

• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-2.

• Patients must have adequate organ and marrow function as defined below:

  • leukocytes ≥3,000/mcL
  • absolute neutrophil count ≥1,500/mcL
  • platelets ≥100,000/mcL
  • total bilirubin < 1.5
  • AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT) ≤2.5 X institutional upper limit of normal
  • creatinine within normal institutional limits OR
  • creatinine clearance ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2 for patients with creatinine levels above institutional normal

• The effects of temsirolimus on the developing human fetus at the recommended therapeutic dose are unknown. For this reason, women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately.

• Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who have had prior treatment with temsirolimus.
• Patients may not be receiving any other investigational agents.
• Patients with symptomatic brain metastases. Known brain metastases are allowed if asymptomatic and previously treated.
• Patients may not be receiving enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (EIAEDs; e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital) nor any other CYP3A4 inducer such as rifampin or St. John's wort, as these may decrease temsirolimus levels. A partial list of agents which interact with cytochrome P450 (CYP3A) is found in Appendix B. Use of agents that potently inhibit CYP3A (and hence may raise temsirolimus levels), such as ketoconazole, is discouraged, but not specifically prohibited. Temsirolimus can inhibit CYP2D6, and may decrease metabolism (and increase drug levels) of drugs that are substrates for CYP2D6, such as codeine. The appropriateness of use of such agents is left to physician discretion. A list of drugs that may have potential interactions with CYP2D6 is found in Appendix B. If there is any doubt about eligibility based on concomitant medication, the Principal Investigator should be contacted. All concomitant medications must be recorded.
• Patients with known hypersensitivity reactions to macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin).
• Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
• Known HIV-positive patients on combination antiretroviral therapy are ineligible because of the potential for pharmacokinetic interactions. In addition, these patients are at increased risk of lethal infections when treated with marrow-suppressive therapy. Appropriate studies will be undertaken in patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy when indicated.
• Patients having received prior thoracic radiation therapy directed to the tumor volume to be treated with radiotherapy on this protocol.