Quality of life in patients with advanced gastroesophageal (GE) adenocarcinoma treated with modified docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil (mDCF).

Abstract

92 Background: Although DCF is a standard first line chemotherapy option for advanced GE adenocarcinoma, the regimen is associated with significant toxicity. Even so, time to detriment in quality of life (QoL) was significantly better with parent DCF than CF (Ajani, JCO 2007). Modified DCF (mDCF) has demonstrated less toxicity than parent DCF without compromising efficacy in two phase II studies (Shah, GI ASCO 2010; Kelsen, ASCO 2009). We report the quality of life (QoL) over time of patients receiving mDCF on these two clinical trials. Methods: Patients (pts) treated on two protocols utilizing the mDCF regimen, either alone or in combination with bevacizumab, were administered standard EORTC QoL questionnaires (QLC –C30 version 3), at baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months (m). Chemotherapy and QoL assessment continued until disease progression. Mean score change from baseline was assessed using Wilcoxon test. Results: 94 eligible pts have been enrolled on both studies; QoL questionnaires are available on 87 pts. 74% are male, median age 58 years (range 28-78), with baseline Karnofsky performance status of 80% (range 70-100). Patient compliance with QoL assessment was high at baseline but diminished with time; 89% of pts completed the questionnaire at baseline and 41% at 12m. There was no significant detriment in EORTC QOL scores (including global health, physical and social functioning and fatigue) during treatment with mDCF (Table). Conclusions: In patients with advanced GE cancer, we observed no detriment in QoL scores in patients receiving mDCF therapy. Specifically, physical and social functioning, fatigue, appetite, and global heath QoL scores were maintained at baseline levels during the first 6 months of therapy, and appear to improve in patients who remained on protocol therapy during the next 6 months of treatment. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.