First-line Chemotherapy Regimen For Patients Research Articles

Efficacy of adding levofloxacin to gemcitabine and nanoparticle-albumin-binding paclitaxel combination therapy in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer: study protocol for a multicenter, randomized phase 2 trial (T-CORE2201)

BackgroundAdvanced pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. For patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, gemcitabine and nanoparticle albumin-binding paclitaxel (nabPTX) combination (GEM/nabPTX) therapy is one of the recommended first-line treatments. Several retrospective studies have suggested that the addition of levofloxacin improves the efficacy of GEM/nabPTX therapy in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. This prospective study aims to evaluate whether the addition of antibiotics improves the treatment efficacy of GEM/nabPTX as a first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.MethodsThis multicenter, prospective, randomized, phase 2 trial will included 140 patients. Patients with advanced pancreatic cancer will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either the GEM/nabPTX therapy group or the GEM/nabPTX plus levofloxacin group. The primary endpoint for the two groups is median progression-free survival time (mPFS) for the full analysis set (FAS). The secondary endpoints for the two groups are median overall survival (mOS), response rate (RR), disease control rate (DCR), and adverse event (AE) for the FAS and mPFS, mOS, RR, DCR, and AE for the per-protocol set. This study will enroll patients treated with GEM/nabPTX as the first-line chemotherapy for stage IV pancreatic adenocarcinoma.DiscussionGEM/nabPTX is a standard first-line chemotherapy regimen for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Recently, the superiority of 5-fluorouracil, liposomal irinotecan, and oxaliplatin combination therapy (NALIRIFOX) to GEM/nabPTX as first-line therapy for pancreatic cancer has been reported. However, the efficacy of NALIRIFOX is inadequate. Based on previous retrospective studies, it is hypothesized that treatment efficacy will improve when levofloxacin is added to GEM/nabPTX therapy. If the AEs (such as leukopenia, neutropenia, and peripheral neuropathy) that occur at an increased rate with levofloxacin and GEM/nabPTX combination therapy can be carefully monitored and properly managed, this simple intervention can be expected to improve the prognosis of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.Trial registrationThis study was registered with the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT; registry number: jRCTs021230005).

Prognostic factors for renal function deterioration during palliative first-line chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer: a retrospective study.

PurposeFirst-line choice of therapy is critical as it affects treatment decisions in later lines in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We assessed changes in renal function for 1 year among patients diagnosed with mCRC who received first-line chemotherapy. We aimed to analyze the prognostic factors and effect of each chemotherapy regimen on the renal function of the patients.MethodsWe retrospectively investigated patients with mCRC who were treated with a standard triplet regimen (FOLFOX/FOLFIRI with bevacizumab/cetuximab) in the first-line setting at Korea University Anam Hospital from 2015 to 2020. We checked renal function at 3-month intervals for 12 months. We calculated changes in eGFR (△eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate) and compared them with clinical factors such as age, sex, chronic disease, body mass index (BMI), disease status, baseline proteinuria, and first-line chemotherapy regimen.ResultsAmong 472 patients with mCRC, the median eGFR at baseline was 90.9 mL/min/1.73 m2; it was significantly lower (80.1 mL/min/1.73 m2, p < 0.001) at 12 months after chemotherapy initiation. Particularly, the eGFR of patients treated with FOLFIRI + bevacizumab was 74.9 mL/min/1.73 m2. The 1-year incidence rate of acute kidney injury (AKI) was 9.1%, with the lowest occurrence in patients receiving FOLFOX/cetuximab (2.1%) and the highest in those receiving FOLFIRI + bevacizumab (19.2%). Renal dysfunction was more frequent with FOLFIRI + bevacizumab as compared to the other regimens. Additionally, old age, low BMI, and proteinuria at baseline were also associated with a decreased eGFR.ConclusionsThese findings can serve as important factors when selecting the first-line chemotherapy regimen for patients with mCRC.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00520-022-07249-2.

Clinical information and management status of de novo stage IV breast cancer patients: a Chinese multicenter investigation (CSBrS-002).

Background:Although de novo stage IV breast cancer is so far incurable, it has entered an era of individualized treatment and chronic disease management. Based on systemic treatment, whether the surgical resection of primary or metastatic foci of de novo stage IV breast cancer can bring survival benefits is currently controversial. We aimed to explore the clinicopathological factors and current status of the management of de novo stage IV breast cancer in China to provide a reference for clinical decisions.Methods:Based on the assistance of Chinese Society of Breast Surgery, a retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of patients with de novo stage IV breast cancer in 33 centers from January 2017 to December 2018. The relationship between basic characteristic (age, menstrual status, family history, reproductive history, pathological type, estrogen receptor [ER] status, progesterone receptor [PR] status, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 [HER2] status, Ki-67 percentage, and molecular subtype), and metastasis sites (lung metastasis, liver metastasis, and bone metastasis) was examined by Pearson Chi-square tests.Results:A total of 468 patients with de novo stage IV breast cancer were enrolled. The median age of the enrolled patients was 51.5 years. The most common pathological type of primary lesion was invasive carcinoma (97.1%). Luminal A, luminal B, HER2 overexpressing, and triple-negative subtypes accounted for 14.3%, 51.8%, 22.1%, and 11.8% of all cases, respectively. Age, PR status, and HER2 status were correlated with lung metastasis (χ2 = 6.576, 4.117, and 8.643 and P = 0.037, 0.043, and 0.003, respectively). Pathological type, ER status, PR status, and molecular subtype were correlated with bone metastasis (χ2 = 5.117, 37.511, 5.224, and 11.603 and P = 0.024, <0.001, 0.022, and 0.009, respectively). Age, PR status, HER2 status, Ki-67 percentage, and molecular subtype were correlated with liver metastasis (χ2 = 11.153, 13.378, 10.692, 21.206, and 17.684 and P = 0.004, <0.001, 0.001, <0.001, and 0.001, respectively). Combined treatment with paclitaxel and anthracycline was the most common first-line chemotherapy regimen for patients with de novo stage IV breast cancer (51.7%). Overall, 91.5% of patients used paclitaxel-containing regimens. Moreover, 59.3% of hormone receptor-positive patients underwent endocrine therapy.Conclusions:In 2018, 1.07% of patients from all studied centers were diagnosed with de novo stage IV breast cancer. This study indicated that 95.1% of patients received systemic therapy and 54.2% of patients underwent surgical removal of the primary lesion in China.

Randomized phase III study comparing the first-line chemotherapy regimens in patients with driver mutation-negative advanced non-small cell lung cancer and poor performance status complicated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BackgroundPatients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) complicated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with poor performance status (PS) are common in clinical practice with few related studies. Present studies have found that weekly low-dose docetaxel or gemcitabine combined with platinum is suitable for elderly or poor PS patients with advanced NSCLC.MethodsUntreated advanced driver mutation-negative NSCLC patients with COPD and PS ≥2 were enrolled in this double-blind randomized trial. Both groups controlled their COPD symptoms according to the GOLD guidelines. The anti-tumor regimens included docetaxel (37.5 mg/m2, D1, D8)/carboplatin (AUC 5.0) (DC group) and gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m2, D1, D8)/carboplatin (AUC 5.0) (GC group) were used every 3 weeks with continuous chemotherapy for 4–6 cycles or until disease progression. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).ResultsAmong the 52 patients (DC, n=25; GC, n=27), the median follow-up time was 12.3 months. There was no significant difference in tumor overall response rate (ORR; DC, 20.0% vs. GC, 22.2%, P=0.845) and disease control rate (DCR; DC, 72.0% vs. GC, 74.1%, P=0.064) between the 2 groups. The median PFS (GC, 6.5 vs. DC, 5.5 months; P=0.296) and the median OS (GC, 14.9 vs. DC, 12.3 months; P=0.548) of the GC group was slightly longer than the DC group. The main adverse reactions were myelosuppression and there were few adverse reactions of grade 3–4. Compared with the anti-tumor therapy only group in previous literature, the median PFS in this study was longer (6.2 months, 95% CI: 3.533–6.733 vs. 3.5 months, 95% CI: 2.432–4.568; P=0.589). There was also no significant difference in median OS and median PFS between the 2 groups (14.0 vs. 15.0 months, P=0.718). Chemotherapy cycle (P<0.001) was an independent prognostic factor for PFS, while chemotherapy cycle (P=0.011) and PS (P=0.041) were independent prognostic factors for OS.ConclusionsWeekly low-dose docetaxel or gemcitabine combined with carboplatin chemotherapy regimens can yield survival benefits and a tolerable safety profile in patients with driver mutation-negative advanced NSCLC and poor PS complicated with COPD, with no significant difference between the two regimens.Trial RegistrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-IPR-15006164.

PRODIGE 59-DURIGAST trial: A randomised phase II study evaluating FOLFIRI + Durvalumab ± Tremelimumab in second-line of patients with advanced gastric cancer

Gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinomas present poor overall survival (OS). First-line chemotherapy regimen for patients with HER2-negative tumours is based on a doublet or triplet of fluoropyrimidine plus platinum salt ± taxane. Second-line chemotherapy (Docetaxel or Irinotecan) improves OS which nonetheless remains poor (around 5 months). The first results of immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD-1) combined with chemotherapy in metastatic gastric and GEJ cancers were discordant in recent phase III trials. Data on dual-blockade (anti-PD-L1 or anti-PD-1 plus anti-CTLA-4) plus chemotherapy are lacking.DURIGAST is a randomised, multicenter, non-comparative, phase II study, evaluating safety and efficacy of FOLFIRI plus Durvalumab (anti-PD-L1) versus FOLFIRI plus Durvalumab and Tremelimumab (anti-CTLA-4) as second-line treatment of advanced gastric and GEJ adenocarcinoma. The primary objective is the rate of patients alive and without progression at 4 months. The main inclusion criteria are: patients with advanced gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma, pre-treated with fluoropyrimidine + platinum salt ± taxane. Due to a lack of data on FOLFIRI, Durvalumab and Tremelimumab combination, a 2-step safety run-in phase has been performed before the randomised phase II. The safety run-in phase did not show any safety issue and the randomised phase II starts in September 2020.

EP1.01-27 Preliminary Study on Immune Checkpoint and EMT Feature of CTCs in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality. Platinum-containing chemotherapy is the standard first-line chemotherapy regimen for patients with advanced NSCLC. However, 65-75% patients would progress after a few weeks of chemotherapy treatment. The programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/PD-1 ligand 1(PD-L1) has become the rising star of cancer research only because their development of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors has bring cancer patient new hope and changed the landscape of NSCLC therapy. Nevertheless, the high degree of non-responders demonstrates that we are still far from completely understanding the events underlying tumor immune resistance. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), as an accessible source of tumor for biologic characterization that can be serially obtained with minimally invasive procedure. Studies have shown that presence of PD-L1 on CTC might predict resistance to anti-PD-1 therapy, and PD-L1 positive CTCs usually present an elongated morphology, which was associated with epithelia-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Those research provided evidence that CTC might be a promising object to predict whether the patient could be benefit from the second-line checkpoint inhibitor treatment. In this prospective cohort study, we aimed to describe the molecular background of CTCs from patients with disease progress after first-line chemotherapy. We consecutive enroll patients who have been treated with platinum-containing chemotherapy in our hospital from May 2018 to the present, and have been assessed for disease progression (PD) by RECIST version 1.1. 6.5ml of peripheral blood was collected before further treatment. Then we enriched the CTCs and performed in situ co-detection of PD-L1 and EMT marker (Vimentin) using SE-iFISH technology. To date we have recruited 13 eligible patients. Detectable CTCs counts range from 1 to 22 in 6.5ml blood. Among them, 4 samples presented PD-L1 positive, 4 samples presented Vimentin positive. Only 1 sample has co-expression of PD-L1 and Vimentin. Above results proved that SE-iFISH method could be used for CTC enrichment and detection. Next step, we will wait for those patients’ checkpoint inhibitor treatment outcome, analysis the correlation between PD-L1 and Vimentin co-expression and patient response. At the same time, we will continue to include cases, collect CTC samples and evaluate the expression of PD-L1 and Vimentin on CTCs.

Network meta-analysis of the efficacy of first-line chemotherapy regimens in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

This network meta-analysis compared the short-term and long-term efficacies of first-line chemotherapy regimens in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). The 10 regimens included folinic acid + 5-fluorouracil + oxaliplatin (FOLFOX), folinic acid + 5-fluorouracil + irinotecan (FOLFIRI), folinic acid + 5-fluorouracil + gemcitabine (FFG), folinic acid + 5-fluorouracil + trimetrexate (FFT), folinic acid + 5-fluorouracil (FF), irinotecan + oxaliplatin (IROX), raltitrexed + oxaliplatin (TOMOX), folinic acid + tegafur-uracil (FTU), raltitrexed, and capecitabine. Electronic searches were performed in the Cochrane Library, PubMed and Embase databases from inception to June 2017. Network meta-analysis combined direct and indirect evidence to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and surface under the cumulative ranking curves (SUCRA) of different chemotherapy regimens for advanced CRC. Fourteen randomized controlled trails (RCTs) covering 4,383 patients with advanced CRC were included. The results revealed that FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, IROX, and TOMOX all showed higher overall response rates (ORRs) than FF or raltitrexed. Compared with raltitrexed, the aforementioned four regimens also had higher 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates. In addition, FOLFOX and FOLFIRI exhibited higher disease control rates (DCRs) and 1-year PFS rates than FF or raltitrexed. Cluster analysis revealed that FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, and TOMOX had better short-term and long-term efficacies. These findings suggest FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, and TOMOX are superior to other regimens for advanced CRC. These three regimens are therefore recommended for clinical treatment of advanced CRC.

Cediranib or placebo in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine chemotherapy for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (ABC-03): a randomised phase 2 trial

SummaryBackgroundCisplatin and gemcitabine is the standard first-line chemotherapy regimen for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer; expression of VEGF and its receptors is associated with adverse outcomes. We aimed to assess the effect of the addition of cediranib (an oral inhibitor of VEGF receptor 1, 2, and 3) to cisplatin and gemcitabine on progression-free survival.MethodsIn this multicentre, placebo-controlled, randomised phase 2 study, we recruited patients aged 18 years or older with histologically confirmed or cytologically confirmed advanced biliary tract cancer from hepatobiliary oncology referral centres in the UK. Patients were eligible if they had an ECOG performance status of 0–1 and an estimated life expectancy of longer than 3 months. Patients were given first-line cisplatin and gemcitabine chemotherapy (25 mg/m2 cisplatin and 1000 mg/m2 gemcitabine [on days 1 and 8 every 21 days, for up to eight cycles]) with either 20 mg oral cediranib or placebo once a day until disease progression. We randomly assigned patients (1:1) with a minimisation algorithm, incorporating the stratification factors: extent of disease, primary disease site, previous treatment, ECOG performance status, and centre. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival in the intention-to-treat population. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00939848, and was closed on Sept 30, 2014; results of the final analysis for the primary endpoint are presented.FindingsBetween April 5, 2011, and Sept 28, 2012, we enrolled 124 patients (62 in each group). With a median follow-up of 12·2 months (IQR 7·3–18·5), median progression-free survival was 8·0 months (95% CI 6·5–9·3) in the cediranib group and 7·4 months (5·7–8·5) in the placebo group (HR 0·93, 80% CI 0·74–1·19, 95% CI 0·65–1·35; p=0·72). Patients who received cediranib had more grade 3–4 toxic effects than did patients who received placebo: hypertension (23 [37%] vs 13 [21%]; p=0·05), diarrhoea (eight [13%] vs two [3%]; p=0·05); platelet count decreased (ten [16%] vs four [6%]; p=0·09), white blood cell decreased (15 [24%] vs seven [11%]; p=0·06) and fatigue (16 [24%] vs seven [11%]; p=0·04).InterpretationCediranib did not improve the progression-free survival of patients with advanced biliary tract cancer in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine, which remains the standard of care. Although patients in the cediranib group had more adverse events, we recorded no unexpected toxic effects. The role of VEGF inhibition in addition to chemotherapy for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer remains investigational.FundingCancer Research UK and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.

Temporal and Regional Trends in Use of Chemotherapy Regimens in Advanced Colorectal Cancer

Introduction: Chemotherapeutic management of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) has evolved with the availability of biologic agents. However, the pattern of use of these agents in the United States is unclear. Hence, we studied the temporal and regional trend in first-line chemotherapy regimens in patients with stage III/IV CRC between 1997-2007, in a nationally representative database. Methods: We used surveillance, epidemiology, and end results-Medicare (SEER-Medicare) linked database to identify first-line chemotherapy in 29,714 elderly patients (≥66 years) with stage III/IV CRC. Chemotherapy regimens were divided into: biologic-based including bevacizumab, cetuximab, and/or panitumumab; 5-fluorouracil/ leucovorin-based; irinotecan-based; oxaliplatin-based; others; no chemotherapy. Risk-standardized treatment rates and temporal (1997-2002, 2003-05 and 2006-07) and regional trend (based on quintiles of hospital referral regions) in use of these regimens was estimated using a logistic hierarchical generalized linear model. Results: Over time, we observed a progressive increase in the use of biologic (1997-2002: 0%; 2003-05: 2.8%; 2006-07: 7.3%) and oxaliplatin-based (1997-2002: 0%; 2003-05: 10.1%; 2006-07: 18.2%) chemotherapy for first-line treatment of advanced CRC, both on unadjusted (Figure 1) and adjusted analysis. Concomitantly, there was decline in the use of 5-FU (1997-2002: 41.0%; 2006-07: 19.2%) and irinotecan-based therapy (1997-2002: 5.4%; 2006-07: <1%). The proportion of patients opting against any chemotherapy remained the same (52.6-52.9%). This temporal trend was seen across all hospital referral regions across all therapies, with no significant regional variation; 6.7-8.0% of patients across all regions were receiving first-line biologic-based chemotherapy in 2006-07.Figure 1: Temporal trend in first-line chemotherapy regimens in patients with stage III/IV colorectal cancer.Conclusion: Based on analysis of the SEER-Medicare database, there has been a shift towards biologicand oxaliplatin-based regimens as first-line chemotherapy for advanced CRC from 1997 to 2007, across all regions in the United States, without significant geographic variability. Effect on treatment outcomes as well as financial implications merit further evaluation.

A phase I study of gemcitabine, carboplatin, and lenalidomide for treatment of patients with advanced/metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) and other solid tumors.

e15527 Background: Gemcitabine plus carboplatin is an accepted first-line chemotherapy regimen for patients with either metastatic UC unfit for cisplatin or other solid tumors. Lenalidomide has both anti-angiogenic and potent immunomodulatory properties, enhances the antiproliferative properties of standard chemotherapy in preclinical studies (Apolo, ASCO 2011), and has been safely co-administered with cytotoxic therapy. Methods: Previously untreated patients with UC unfit for cisplatin or with other advanced solid tumors and no more than 1 prior regimen were eligible. Patients received gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 IV days 1 and 8, carboplatin AUC 5 IV day 1 and lenalidomide PO days 1-14 at three dose levels (5, 10, and 20 mg) for 6 21-day cycles. Patients with stable disease (SD), partial response (PR), or complete response (CR) after 6 cycles received lenalidomide alone as maintenance until disease progression. Restaging evaluations were performed every 3 cycles. The primary objective was to establish the dos...

Secondary resection in a general mCRC population with cetuximab-based first-line treatment: Interim analysis of the German noninterventional study ERBITAG.

e14532 Background: Resection of liver and/or lung metastases (LM) are a potentially curative option for patients with mCRC. Cetuximab in combination with irinotecan- or oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy has shown to increase the resection rate of primarily unresectable LM in mCRC patients. After approval of cetuximab in Germany for first-line treatment of pts with unresectable mCRC, this noninterventional study was initiated to evaluate safety and efficacy of cetuximab in combination with various first-line chemotherapy regimens in patients with unresectable mCRC. Methods: We conducted an interim analysis of the first 124 fully documented pts to evaluate the response rate (RR) and resection rate of LM. Enrolment was restricted to pts with mCRC with proven KRAS wildtype mutation status without prior systemic treatment in the metastatic stage. Predefined endpoints were amongst others RR, LM resection rate, TTF, PFS, OS, and safety. Results: From May 2010 to May 2012 360 eligible pts were enrolled at 109 sites (75% office-based physicians), documentation for 124 was finalised (data cut-off for this analysis 03 May 2012) and evaluated. The median age was 68 [range 34-84] years, ECOG performance status was 0, 1, 2 in 29%, 60%, and 9% of pts, respectively, in 2% of pts ECOG performance status was missing. Resection rate was 18.5% (n=23) performed at 18 sites with 16.9% R0 resections (n=21). 42% of pts (n=52) had liver-limited disease (LLD). Resection rate in pts with LLD was 34.6% (n=18) with a 30.6% R0-resection rate (n=16). Median treatment duration from start of cetuximab-based therapy to resection of LM was 3.7 months [0.7-12.0]. Objective response rate was 46.8% (CR 4.8%, PR 41.9%) and 59.6% (CR 5.8%, PR 53.8%) for pts with LLD. Conclusions: In a clinical practice setting cetuximab-based first-line treatment of an unselected population with KRAS wildtype mCRC resulted in an R0-resection rate of 16.9% overall, and 30.6% for LLD pts. These data compare fairly well with data from clinical trials: CRYSTAL, OPUS, and CELIM.

Secondary resection in a general mCRC population with cetuximab-based first-line treatment: Interim analysis of the German noninterventional study ERBITAG.

590 Background: Resection of liver and/or lung metastases (LM) are a potentially curative option for patients with mCRC. Cetuximab in combination with irinotecan- or oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy has shown to increase the resection rate of primarily unresectable LM in mCRC patients. After approval of cetuximab in Germany for first-line treatment of pts with unresectable mCRC, this noninterventional study was initiated to evaluate safety and efficacy of cetuximab in combination with various first-line chemotherapy regimens in patients with unresectable mCRC. Methods: We conducted an interim analysis of the first 124 fully documented pts to evaluate the response rate (RR) and resection rate of LM. Enrolment was restricted to pts with mCRC with proven KRAS wildtype mutation status without prior systemic treatment in the metastatic stage. Predefined endpoints were amongst others RR, LM resection rate, TTF, PFS, OS, and safety. Results: From May 2010 to May 2012 360 eligible pts were enrolled at 109 sites (75% office-based physicians), documentation for 124 was finalised (data cut-off for this analysis 03 May 2012) and evaluated. The median age was 68 [range 34-84] years, ECOG performance status was 0, 1, 2 in 29%, 60%, and 9% of pts, respectively, in 2% of pts ECOG performance status was missing. Resection rate was 18.5% (n=23) performed at 18 sites with 16.9% R0 resections (n=21). 42% of pts (n=52) had liver-limited disease (LLD). Resection rate in pts with LLD was 34.6% (n=18) with a 30.6% R0-resection rate (n=16). Median treatment duration from start of cetuximab-based therapy to resection of LM was 3.7 months [0.7-12.0]. Objective response rate was 46.8% (CR 4.8%, PR 41.9%) and 59.6% (CR 5.8%, PR 53.8%) for pts with LLD. Conclusions: In a clinical practice setting cetuximab-based first-line treatment of an unselected population with KRAS wildtype mCRC resulted in an R0-resection rate of 16.9% overall, and 30.6% for LLD pts. These data compare fairly well with data from clinical trials: CRYSTAL, OPUS, and CELIM.

Metastatic esophagogastric adenocarcinoma: trends in first-line treatment and predictive factors for the implementation of HER2 testing in clinical practice during the first year after trastuzumab market approval

Little is known about the use of first-line chemotherapy in clinical practice in patients with advanced esophagogastric adenocarcinoma, and no data have been published regarding potential obstacles for the implementation of molecular testing for targeted agents in this patient group. Here, we sought to evaluate factors influencing treatment decisions with special focus on the implementation of HER2 testing during the first year after trastuzumab market approval in Germany. A total of 754 patients undergoing treatment decisions for palliative first-line therapy in 2010 were documented using Therapiemonitor(®). Drug use and intensity of first-line treatment were analyzed. Data on HER2 testing and test algorithm are described, and variables influencing HER2 testing were selected using bivariate analysis. Significant factors were included in a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Compared with previous years, treatment intensity has further increased. The use of chemotherapy triplets rose from 10.1 % in 2006 to 60.3 % in 2010. In 2010, 49.1 % of patients were tested for HER2 and in 52.2 % of these patients the currently proposed test algorithm was used. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis age ≥67 years and "initiating institution: practice" were found to negatively impact the likelihood of HER2 testing, while treatment goal "prevention of progression", multiple metastases and a Karnofsky status >80 % showed positive correlation with HER2 testing. The tendency to use more intensive first-line chemotherapy regimens in patients with advanced esophagogastric adenocarcinoma continued in 2010. Only a minority of patients had an access to the appropriate molecular diagnostics and therefore to treatment with trastuzumab. The access was limited due to the preselection following individual, clinical and institutional factors.

Less than ideal: how oncologists practice with limited drug access.

To evaluate Canadian medical oncologists' perspectives on how barriers to accessing new expensive cancer drugs have affected their practice and their opinions on the drug approval and funding processes. Canadian medical oncologists treating colorectal cancer (CRC) were surveyed by means of a self-administered, cross-sectional survey. Of the 164 eligible oncologists, there were 68 respondents (41.4% response rate). Only 29.4% of physicians felt they had been using the ideal first-line chemotherapy regimen for patients with metastatic CRC. Although all considered bevacizumab to be a component of the ideal first-line regimen, only 18% could use bevacizumab routinely, and less than half (44.8%) always discussed its role with their patients. In terms of accessing unfunded drugs, most physicians agreed that private payment should be allowed for drugs to be delivered at their own centers (76.1%) or private infusion clinics (52.2%). Ninety-seven percent of physicians reported major concerns about the drug approval and funding processes, and 85% of physicians supported the establishment of a national drug formulary. Canadian medical oncologists are struggling to provide optimal cancer care for their patients with metastatic CRC as a result of nonuniform access to preferred therapeutic drugs. In face of these challenges, physicians have had to use clinical trials and private infusion clinics and, at times, may avoid discussing drugs with limited access. Many oncologists are dissatisfied with the existing funding mechanism and approval processes and support private payment for unfunded drugs.

Outcomes of Modified FOLFOX-6 as First Line Treatment in Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer in a Single Institution; Retrospective Analysis

Treatment options for patients with advanced gastric cancer remain limited. Few studies have investigated the efficacy and tolerability of the combination regimen of oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil with leucovorin for patients with advanced gastric cancer. The goal of this study was to examine the efficacy and toxicity of a modified FOLFOX-6 (mFOLFOX-6) regimen as a first-line chemotherapy regimen for patients with advanced gastric cancer. From March, 2006, to December, 2007, 82 patients with advanced gastric cancer received 100 mg/m² oxaliplatin and 100 mg/m² leucovorin on the first day of treatment, followed by 2,400 mg/m² of 5-fluorouracil on the first and second days of treatment every 2 weeks as a first-line treatment. The median age of the enrolled patients was 62 years (range; 30~75). Out of 82 patients, 34 cases (41.5%) were recurrent cases after curative resection, and the other 48 cases were unresectable or non-curative resectable cases. Their response was evaluated every 6 weeks. The overall response rate was 40.2%, with 2 (2.4%) complete response and 31 (37.8%) partial responses. The median time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) time were 6.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.69~7.31) and 13.0 months (7.99~18.0), respectively. The grade 3~4 hematologic toxicities observed included neutropenia (34.1%), thrombocytopenia (7.3%), and anemia (1.2%). The gastrointestinal toxicities observed included grade 3~4 nausea (9.8%) and vomiting (7.3%). Six patients (7.3%) experienced grade 3 neuropathy. No treatment-related deaths were recorded. The modified FOLFOX-6 regimen is effective and well tolerated as a first-line chemotherapy regimen for patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Cost impact of oral capecitabine compared to intravenous taxane-based chemotherapy in first-line metastatic breast cancer

Objective: Few studies have examined the costs associated with differing first-line chemotherapy regimens in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). This study compares the relative cost impact of women starting first-line chemotherapy with capecitabine versus taxanes.Methods: Women receiving first-line chemotherapy for MBC from 1998 to 2002 were identified from a hybrid North Carolina Medicaid-claims-tumour registry linked database and Medicare records, and were followed through to 2005 with claims data. Statistical t- and chi-square tests were used to compare baseline characteristics between patients who received first-line chemotherapy with capecitabine versus taxanes. Projected mean costs for 12 months continuous eligibility were estimated using an ordinary least squares linear regression. Overall cost impact of capecitabine after start of therapy was then examined using a multivariate log-linear regression model.Results: While patients starting taxanes had significantly lower total costs in the pre-index year than patients starting capecitabine (mean: $20,042 vs. $35,538, p<0.001), in the post-index year, the patients on taxanes experienced significantly higher healthcare utilisation and associated costs compared to patients on capecitabine (mean: $43,353 vs. $35,842, p=0.0089). The differences were primarily attributable to lower expenses in chemotherapy related claims and fewer visit days to outpatient settings for patients on capecitabine. After adjustment with propensity scores and other confounders, the capecitabine group was associated with 32% lower healthcare costs compared to the taxane group (p=0.0001).Conclusions: In this population-based study, women who received capecitabine as first-line treatment for MBC had significantly lower costs compared to women starting taxane therapy.

Phase III Randomized Trial of Docetaxel-Carboplatin Versus Paclitaxel-Carboplatin as First-line Chemotherapy for Ovarian Carcinoma

Chemotherapy with a platinum agent and a taxane (paclitaxel) is considered the standard of care for treatment of ovarian carcinoma. We compared the combination of docetaxel-carboplatin with the combination of paclitaxel-carboplatin as first-line chemotherapy for stage Ic-IV epithelial ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer. We randomly assigned 1077 patients to receive docetaxel at 75 mg/m2 of body surface area (1-hour intravenous infusion) or paclitaxel at 175 mg/m2 (3-hour intravenous infusion). Both treatments then were followed by carboplatin to an area under the plasma concentration-time curve of 5. The treatments were repeated every 3 weeks for six cycles; in responding patients, an additional three cycles of single-agent carboplatin was permitted. Survival curves were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and hazard ratios were estimated with the Cox proportional hazards model. All statistical tests were two-sided. After a median follow-up of 23 months, both groups had similar progression-free survival (medians of 15.0 months for docetaxel-carboplatin and 14.8 months for paclitaxel-carboplatin; hazard ratio [HR] docetaxel-paclitaxel = 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.83 to 1.13; P = .707), overall survival rates at 2 years (64.2% and 68.9%, respectively; HR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.92 to 1.39; P = .238), and objective tumor (58.7% and 59.5%, respectively; difference between docetaxel and paclitaxel = -0.8%, 95% CI = -8.6% to 7.1%; P = .868) and CA-125 (75.8% and 76.8%, respectively; difference docetaxel-paclitaxel = -1.0%, 95% CI = -7.2% to 5.1%; P = .794) response rates. However, docetaxel-carboplatin was associated with substantially less overall and grade 2 or higher neurotoxicity than paclitaxel-carboplatin (grade > or =2 neurosensory toxicity in 11% versus 30%, difference = 19%, 95% CI = 15% to 24%; P<.001; grade > or =2 neuromotor toxicity in 3% versus 7%, difference = 4%, 95% CI = 1% to 7%; P<.001). Treatment with docetaxel-carboplatin was associated with statistically significantly more grade 3-4 neutropenia (94% versus 84%, difference = 11%, 95% CI = 7% to 14%; P<.001) and neutropenic complications than treatment with paclitaxel-carboplatin, although myelosuppression did not influence dose delivery or patient safety. Global quality of life was similar in both arms, but substantive differences in many symptom scores favored docetaxel. Docetaxel-carboplatin appears to be similar to paclitaxel-carboplatin in terms of progression-free survival and response, although longer follow-up is required for a definitive statement on survival. Thus, docetaxel-carboplatin represents an alternative first-line chemotherapy regimen for patients with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer.

Phase II study of irinotecan as first-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma

The objective of this multicenter, open-labeled, Phase II study performed in Spain was to assess the efficacy and safety of irinotecan (CPT-11) as first-line chemotherapy for patients suffering from advanced colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Patients with histologically proven CRC and at least one bidimensionally measurable lesion, ages 18-70 years, with a performance status < or = 2, normal analytical values, and no prior chemotherapy or only adjuvant chemotherapy completed before study entry were selected. The treatment schedule was CPT-11 350 mg/m(2) intravenously administered once every 3 weeks. Both tumor response and toxicity were assessed using the World Health Organization and National Cancer Institute common toxicity criteria. Changes in performance status, weight, and symptoms also were measured. Sixty-five patients (44 chemotherapy-naïve patients and 21 patients who completed prior adjuvant treatment) were enrolled. Of these, 24.7% of patients responded to the treatment, and 41.5% of patients had stable disease. Patients who had not received prior adjuvant chemotherapy had a lower rate of progression on therapy (27.3%) compared with those who had received prior adjuvant chemotherapy (42.9%). The median survival was 19.9 months (range, 0.3-29.3 months). No significant differences were found in the median survival between chemotherapy-naïve patients and patients who had received previous chemotherapy. Grade 3-4 diarrhea and neutropenia were the most frequent severe toxic events, which were observed in 23.1% and 30.8% of patients and in 5.9% and 10.9% of the cycles, respectively. The current antitumor efficacy results show that 350 mg/m(2) of CPT-11 administered every 3 weeks is an active and feasible first-line chemotherapy regimen for patients with CRC. Finally, the overall safety data confirmed that CPT-11 is a well tolerated treatment.