Chemotherapy-naive Elderly Patients Research Articles

Docetaxel Plus RAmucirumab With Primary Prophylactic Pegylated Granulocyte-ColONy Stimulating Factor Support for Elderly Patients With Advanced Non–small-cell Lung Cancer: A Multicenter Prospective Single Arm Phase II Trial: DRAGON Study (WJOG9416L)

We exhibit our ongoing multicenter, prospective, single-arm, phase II trial of docetaxel plus ramucirumab with primary prophylactic pegylated-granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (PEG-G-CSF) support for chemotherapy-naive elderly patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (University Hospital Medical Information Network database: UMIN000030598). Docetaxel monotherapy is the Japanese standard of care for chemotherapy-naive elderly patients with advanced NSCLC. Docetaxel plus ramucirumab showed superior survival benefit over docetaxel monotherapy in the second-line setting for NSCLC. A Japanese phase II study comparing docetaxel plus ramucirumab and docetaxel monotherapy in the second-line setting showed febrile neutropenia (FN) incidence of approximately one-third in the docetaxel plus ramucirumab arm. Docetaxel plus ramucirumab could be a promising candidate for elderly patients with NSCLC, but such high FN incidence is a clinically critical concern. To overcome this problem, we adopt a routine primary prophylactic PEG-G-CSF with docetaxel plus ramucirumab therapy. We hypothesize that primary prophylactic PEG-G-CSF reduces FN and maximizes the efficacy of docetaxel plus ramucirumab in Japanese elderly patients with NSCLC. Intravenous docetaxel (60 mg/m2, day 1) plus ramucirumab (10 mg/kg, day 1) with subcutaneous PEG-G-CSF (3.6 mg, day 2) every 3 weeks is administered until progression. The primary endpoint is overall response rate (ORR). We decided the threshold ORR to be 20%, and the expected ORR 35%. Taking statistical points (α/β errors: 0.05/0.80) and ineligible patients into account, the sample size was set at 65. When the study results are promising, we will conduct a phase III trial to compare docetaxel plus ramucirumab with PEG-G-CSF support versus docetaxel monotherapy for chemotherapy-naive elderly patients with NSCLC.

Open-label, multicenter, randomized phase III trial of pemetrexed/carboplatin doublet vs pemetrexed singlet in chemotherapy-naïve elderly patients aged 70 or more with advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer and good performance status.

9081Background: We aimed to compare pemetrexed/carboplatin doublet (PC) versus pemetrexed singlet (P) in chemotherapy-naive elderly patients aged 70 or more with advanced non-squamous non–small-cel...

A Phase II Study of Pemetrexed in Chemotherapy-naive Elderly Patients Aged >=75 years with Advanced Non-squamous Non-small-cell Lung Cancer (HANSHIN Oncology Group 003)

Pemetrexed has relatively mild toxicity and possibly can be administered long term to patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. We conducted a Phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed in chemotherapy-naïve elderly patients with advanced non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer. In this multicenter Phase II trial, we recruited elderly patients with non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer. Patients with previously untreated Stage IIIB or IV non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer, ≥75 years, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-1 and adequate organ functions were eligible. Patients received pemetrexed (500 mg/m(2)) intravenously on Day 1 every 3 weeks until disease progression. The primary endpoint was objective response rate. Forty-seven patients were enrolled from August 2009 to July 2011, and 46 patients were eligible. The median age was 79 years (range 75-91 years), 57% were males, 37% had never smoked, 87% had adenocarcinoma, 74% had Stage IV and 33% had epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase-activating mutation. The median number of cycles was 4 (1-20). The objective response rate was 13.3% (95% confidence interval; 5.1-26.8%), the disease control rate was 66.7% (95% confidence interval 51.0-80.0%), the median progression-free survival was 4.9 months (95% confidence interval 3.0-6.1 months) and the median overall survival was 18.2 months (95% confidence interval 13.2-23.5 months). One Grade 5 infection (pneumonia) was observed. This study did not meet the primary endpoint. Pemetrexed monotherapy is not recommended in chemotherapy-naïve elderly patients aged ≥75 years with advanced non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer.

Phase I dose escalation study of pemetrexed and carboplatin in chemotherapy-naive elderly patients with advanced nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer.

e19137 Background: The subgroup analyses in several phase III trials have suggested that overall survival after platinum-doublet chemotherapy in elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can be similar to those in younger patients. The combination of carboplatin (CBDCA) with pemetrexed (PEM) is expected as a suitable treatment for carefully selected elderly patients with advanced non-squamous (non-Sq) NSCLC. Methods: Patients with ≥75 years, PS of 0-1, chemotherapy-naïve advanced non-Sq NSCLC were enrolled in this study. They received escalated doses of CBDCA at AUC 4 (cohort 1) or AUC 5 (cohort 2) and PEM 500 mg/m2 every 3 weeks for six cycles. Dose escalation was decided by dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) occurred in the first cycle of chemotherapy. Study protocol stipulated that additional number of patients, up to maximum of 20 patients, was enrolled to receive the recommended dose of study treatment. The primary objectives were to evaluate feasibility and determine the recommended dose of this combination. Results: A total of 20 patients (6 patients in cohort 1, 14 patients in cohort 2) were enrolled in this study. Median age was 77 (range 75-83). No DLTs were observed in the patients with cohort 1 and the first 6 patients of cohort 2 during the first cycle of chemotherapy, thus the combination of PEM 500 mg/m2 plus CBDCA at AUC 5 was determined as the recommended dose. Median number of cycles was 4 (range 1-6). The major toxicities were neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia. During the entire period of study, 2 and 5 patients needed to have platelet transfusion and RBC transfusion, respectively. Liver dysfunction, fatigue and anorexia were also common, but these were generally manageable. Six partial responses and 9 stable diseases were observed, giving an overall response rate of 30% and a disease control rate of 75%. Median progression-free survival time was 4.8 months (95% CI, 4.1 – 5.4 months). Conclusions: The combination of PEM 500 mg/m2 plus CBDCA at AUC 5 was determined as the recommended dose. This combination therapy is generally tolerable, and may have encouraging antitumor activity in chemotherapy-naïve elderly patients with advanced non-Sq NSCLC. Clinical trial information: UMIN000003231.

WS4-4 - A Phase II Study of Pemetrexed in Chemotherapy-Naive Elderly Patients with Advanced Non-Squamous Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Hanshin Oncology Group 003

ABSTRACT Background Single-agent chemotherapy (i.e. doxetaxel, gemcitabine or vinorelbine) is one of the standard treatments for elderly patients with advanced NSCLC. Pemetrexed has clinically equivalent efficacy, but with less toxicity compared with doxetaxel in the second-line setting of patients with advanced NSCLC. We conducted a phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of frontline pemetrexed in elderly patients with advanced non-squamous (non-Sq) NSCLC. Methods In this multicenter phase II trial, we recruited elderly patients with non-Sq NSCLC. Eligibility criteria were as follows: chemonaive; locally advanced or metastatic non-Sq NSCLC; age 75 or older; ECOG performance status 0-1; adequate organ function. Patients received pemetrexed (500 mg/m2) intravenously on day 1 every 3 weeks until disease progression had been confirmed. The primary end point was response rate (RR). The secondary end points included progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), disease control rate (DCR) and safety. The planned sample size was 45 patients. Results Between August 2009 and July 2011, 47 patients were enrolled. Median age was 79 years (range: 75–91), 57% (20 of 47) were male, 36% (17 of 47) had never smoked, 85% (40 of 47) had adenocarcinoma, 72% (34 of 47) had stage IV and 41% (16 of 39) had EGFR tyrosine kinase activating mutation. Median number of cycles was 4 (1 to 15). RR was 13.3% (95% CI: 5.1, 26.8), DCR was 66.7% (95% CI: 51.0, 80.0), PFS was 4.9 months (95% CI: 3.0, 6.2 months), median OS was not reached. The most frequent treatment-related AEs were anemia, fatigue, hypocalcemia, mostly grade 1/2. Treatment-related grade 3/4 AEs were reported in 17.8% of patients (mostly neutropenia and fatigue). No treatment-related death occurred. Conclusions The efficacy and limited side-effects of pemetrexed are promising in elderly patients with non-Sq NSCLC.

Biweekly combination therapy with gemcitabine and carboplatin compared with gemcitabine monotherapy in elderly patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: A randomized, phase-II study

IntroductionThe strategy of chemotherapy in the elderly is controversial. We wanted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of biweekly gemcitabine and low-dose carboplatin combination therapy in elderly patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MethodsIn this phase-II trial, chemotherapy-naive elderly patients (aged ≥76 years) with NSCLC were randomly treated with biweekly combination therapy with gemcitabine and carboplatin (1000mg/m2 gemcitabine and carboplatin at an area under the curve (AUC) of 3 on days 1 and 15, every 4 weeks) or gemcitabine monotherapy (1000mg/m2 on days 1, 8 and 15, every 4 weeks). The primary endpoint was overall response rate and analysis was based on intention-to-treat. ResultsThirty-one patients were randomly assigned combination therapy and 30 were assigned monotherapy. The median age was 79.0 years. Response rate was 22.6% (95% confidence interval (CI): 11.4–39.8%) for biweekly combination therapy and 10.0% (95% CI: 3.5–25.6%) for monotherapy. Median progression-free survival in combination chemotherapy was 3.9 months (95% CI: 0.5–8.5 months), which was significantly longer that that in monotherapy (2.4 months, 95% CI: 0.5–6.7 months). The prevalence of hematological and non-hematological adverse events reaching grade 3/4 was not significantly different between combination therapy and monotherapy. ConclusionsBiweekly gemcitabine and low-dose carboplatin combination chemotherapy showed acceptable efficacy, toxicity, and tolerability in those aged ≥76 years with NSCLC. Further investigations with a large population are required to confirm our results.

Phase II study of docetaxel and carboplatin in elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: Final results

18161 Background: Single-agent chemotherapy has been considered as standard treatment for elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However recent subset analyses suggest that platinum-based combination chemotherapy may be safely administered to the elderly with good performance status (PS). We evaluated the efficacy and safety of carboplatin and docetaxel in a phase II study of elderly patients aged 70 years or older. Methods: Chemotherapy-naive patients aged =70 years with advanced NSCLC (IIIB-IV), ECOG performance status (PS) of 0–2, a measurable lesion, and adequate organ functions were enrolled. Patients received carboplatin (AUC 5) and docetaxel (60 mg/m2) administered on day 1 every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was response rate (RR). This study, with a planned sample size of 25, had 80% power to support the hypothesis that the true RR was >30%, and 5% significance to deny the hypothesis that the true RR was <10%. Results: Between October 2003 and April 2006, 30 elderly patients with NSCLC were enrolled in the study and all patients were treated. Demographics: M/F 20/10; PS 0/1/2 2/23/5; median age 75 (range 70–84). Median number of treatment cycles was 3.5. Responses in the 30 evaluable patients included 1CR; 13PR; for an objective RR of 46.7% (95% CI 28.8–64.6%). By January 4, 2007, 21 (70.0%) of 30 patients had died. Median follow-up for survival was 8.4 months. The median time to tumor progression was 4.4 months, and the median survival was 9.9 months. The 1-year survival rate was 43.3%.Grade 3/4 hematologic toxicities included leukopenia (80.0%), neutropenia (86.7%), anemia (16.7%) and thrombocytopenia (3.3%). Non-hematologic toxicities were mild with no grade 4 toxicities; grade 3 nausea (10.0%), anorexia (30.0%), diarrhea (13.3%), fatigue (6.7%), allergic reaction (6.7%), pneumonitis (3.3%), febril neutropenia (16.7%) and infection (10.0%) were observed. Conclusions: The combination of carboplatin and docetaxel was safe and promising for the treatment of chemotherapy-naive elderly patients with advanced NSCLC. This regimen warrants further evaluation in a phase III trial. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Phase II study of docetaxel and carboplatin in elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

17013 Background: Single-agent chemotherapy has been considered as standard treatment for elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However recent subset analyses suggest that platinum-based combination chemotherapy may be safely administered to the elderly with good performance status (PS). We evaluated the efficacy and safety of carboplatin and docetaxel in a phase II study of elderly patients aged 70 years or older. Methods: Chemotherapy-naive patients aged ≥70 years with advanced NSCLC (IIIB-IV), ECOG performance status (PS) of 0 or 1, a measurable lesion, and adequate organ functions were enrolled. Patients received carboplatin (AUC 5) and docetaxel (60 mg/m2) administered on day 1 every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was response rate (RR). This study, with a planned sample size of 25, had 80% power to support the hypothesis that the true RR was >30%, and 5% significance to deny the hypothesis that the true RR was <10%. Results: Between October 2003 and September 2005, 26 elderly patients with NSCLC were enrolled in the study and all patients were treated. Demographics: M/F 17/9; PS 0/1 2/24; median age 75 (range 70–84). Median number of treatment cycles was 4. Responses in the 26 evaluable patients included 1CR; 12PR; 7SD; for an objective RR of 50% (95% CI 31–69%) and a disease control rate of 77%. Median survival period and 1-year survival rate have not yet been reached. Grade 3/4 hematologic toxicities included leukopenia (82%), neutropenia (86%), thrombocytopenia (5%) and anemia (5%). Non-hematologic toxicities were mild with no grade 4 toxicities; grade 3 nausea (9%), anorexia (23%), diarrhea (14%), fatigue (9%), allergic reaction (9%) and infection (18%) were observed. Conclusions: The combination of carboplatin and docetaxel was safe and promising for the treatment of chemotherapy-naive elderly patients with advanced NSCLC. This regimen warrants further evaluation in a phase III trial. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Treatment options for endometrial cancer: experience with topotecan

Although the prognosis for women with endometrial cancer confined to the uterus is relatively good, with a 5-year survival of approximately 90%, women with advanced or recurrent disease have a much poorer outcome. Systemic hormonal therapy with progestins improves survival in progesterone-receptor-positive tumors but chemotherapy is indicated as front-line therapy for most patients with this disease. Few single chemotherapy agents achieve response rates greater than 20%. The combination of doxorubicin and cisplatin is the first-line treatment of choice but the response and survival rates are still low compared to ovarian cancer treatments and more active regimens are needed. Treatment options for second-line chemotherapy are even more limited because of low response rates and toxicity issues related to prior radiation therapy. The topoisomerase I inhibitor, topotecan, is being investigated for the treatment of endometrial cancer. In previously treated patients, single-agent topotecan achieved a response in 10% of patients and disease stabilized in 55% of patients. The combination of topotecan and cisplatin is being studied in chemotherapy-naive elderly patients. Topotecan is also active in uterine papillary serous carcinoma, an aggressive form of the disease that generally does not respond to chemotherapy.