Metronomic Chemotherapy Regimens Research Articles

Metronomic chemotherapy in pediatric neurooncology: insight the problem. A review

Metronomic chemotherapy (MCT) is a promising direction of anticancer therapy, as well as in pediatric oncology, and its administration in patients with refractory and recurrent tumors of the central nervous system becomes increasingly relevant. Being a regimen of low doses of antitumor agents with different mechanisms of action in a continuous mode for a long time, it allows to overcome the resistance of tumor cells and to minimize the toxic effects of treatment. Today, the issues of rational choice of MCT regimens, which are dependent on the type of tumor, and the application of biomarkers of its effectiveness, remain controversial. The article discusses in detail the biological effects of MCT with an accent on antiangiogenic one, as well as the possibilities and limitations of MCT application in pediatric practice and the results of studies in tumors of the central nervous system.

Real world effectiveness and safety of low dose nivolumab with metronomic chemotherapy in patients with advanced platinum-resistant head and neck cancer: An Indian institutional experience.

6050 Background: Triple Metronomic chemotherapy (TMC) regimen of low-dose methotrexate, erlotinib, and celecoxib has been proven to improve overall survival (OS) of advanced platinum-resistant head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. The addition of low-dose nivolumab to metronomic chemotherapy is an alternative standard of care for those patients, who cannot access full-dose checkpoint inhibitors. In the present study, we aimed to assess the real world effectiveness and safety of low-dose nivolumab along with TMC. Methods: We performed a prospective analysis of advanced platinum-resistant HNC patients treated at our institute from June 2021 to June 2023 with TMC and low-dose immunotherapy consisting of capsule celecoxib (200 mg twice daily), tablet methotrexate (9 mg/m2/week), and erlotinib (150 mg once daily), along with intravenous nivolumab 20 mg (once every 2 weeks). Data was analysed descriptively and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate OS, progression-free survival (PFS), and duration of response (DOR). Results: Overall, 85 patients of advanced platinum-resistant HNC were enrolled in this study. The median age of the patients was 54 years with male predominance. The most common primary sites were buccal mucosa (54%) and tongue (32%). The median follow-up was 6.5 months with 5 months of DOR to therapy. Median number of nivolumab doses received were 8 (IQR 2–48). The termination of therapy in the majority of patients was due to disease progression (55%). Most common adverse events reported were acneiform rash (62%), mucositis (52%), and fatigue (34%). Dose reduction for triple metronomic chemotherapy was required in 42% of patients for grade 3 and above adverse events. No grade 3/4 immune-related adverse events were reported throughout the study period. The median PFS and OS of the study population were observed to be 4.3 months and 8.8 months, respectively. Overall, 8 of 85 patients survived for ≥30 months and 20 (24%) patients were on treatment at the time of data analysis. Conclusions: Low-dose immunotherapy along with triple metronomic chemotherapy is a safe treatment option in real world advanced platinum-resistant HNC patients with acceptable outcomes.

Immune modulation of the liver metastatic colorectal cancer microenvironment via the oral CAPOX-mediated cGAS-STING pathway

We evaluated modulation of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in both local and liver metastatic colorectal cancer (LMCC), focusing on tumor-associated macrophages, which are the predominant immunosuppressive cells in LMCC. We developed an orally administered metronomic chemotherapy regimen, oral CAPOX. This regimen combines capecitabine and a nano-micelle encapsulated, lysine-linked deoxycholate and oxaliplatin complex (OPt/LDC-NM). The treatment effectively modulated immune cells within the tumor microenvironment by activating the cGAS-STING pathway and inducing immunogenic cell death. This therapy modulated immune cells more effectively than did capecitabine monotherapy, the current standard maintenance chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. The macrophage-modifying effect of oral CAPOX was mediated via the cGAS-STING pathway. This is a newly identified mode of immune cell activation induced by metronomic chemotherapy. Moreover, oral CAPOX synergized with anti-PD-1 antibody (αPD-1) to enhance the T-cell–mediated antitumor immune response. In the CT26. CL25 subcutaneous model, combination therapy achieved a 91 % complete response rate with a confirmed memory effect against the tumor. This combination also altered the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in LMCC, which αPD-1 monotherapy could not achieve. Oral CAPOX and αPD-1 combination therapy outperformed the maximum tolerated dose for treating LMCC, suggesting metronomic therapy as a promising strategy.

METRO-PD1: Phase 1 study of nivolumab in combination with metronomic chemotherapy in children and adolescents with relapsing/refractory solid tumors

BackgroundThis multicenter Phase I study (NCT03585465) evaluated nivolumab in combination with 3 metronomic chemotherapy (MC) regimens in children with refractory/relapsing solid tumors. Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of the three regimens MethodsPatients aged < 18 years were enrolled. Nivolumab was combined with cyclophosphamide and vinblastine (arm A), capecitabine (arm B), or cyclophosphamide, vinblastine and capecitabine (arm C). Arm A and B were allocated sequentially. Arm C opened only if A and B were deemed safe. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were evaluated over the first two cycles. Patients were evaluable if they received > 2 cycles and > 70% of the planned dose. PopulationSixteen patients were enrolled, 3 in arm A, 6 in arm B, and 7 in arm C. Median age was 11.5 years (range, 5–19). Patients previously received a median of 3.5 (range, 1–4) lines of systemic treatment, 14 patients had surgery and 11 had radiotherapy. ResultsMedian number of cycles was 2 (1−24), median treatment duration was 56 days (18−714). In arm C, median number of cycles was 4 with median treatment duration of 95 days. No DLT was observed. Grade 3 adverse events (AE) and serious AE were observed in 8 patients (50%) and 1 patient (6%), respectively, over the first 2 cycles. No grade 4 AE occurred. The 6-month PFS and OS were 12% and 44%, respectively, in the whole population. Prolonged stable disease was observed in a high-grade glioma and an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor. ConclusionArm C appears safe. A randomized phase II trial evaluating the addition of nivolumab to the triple MC is ongoing.

Promotion of tumor angiogenesis and growth induced by low-dose antineoplastic agents via bone-marrow-derived cells in tumor tissues.

More research is needed to solidify the basis for reasonable metronomic chemotherapy regimens due to the inconsistent clinical outcomes from studies on metronomic chemotherapy with antineoplastic agents, along with signs of a nonlinear dose-response relationship at low doses. The present study therefore explored the dose-response relationships of representative antineoplastic agents in low dose ranges and their underlying mechanisms. Cyclophosphamide (CPA) and 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) were employed to observe the effects of the frequent administration of low-dose antineoplastic agents on tumor growth, tumor angiogenesis, and bone-marrow-derived cell (BMDC) mobilization in mouse models. The effects of antineoplastic agents on tumor and endothelial cell functions with or without BMDCs were analyzed in vitro. Tumor growth and metastasis were significantly promoted after the administration of CPA or 5-Fu at certain low dose ranges, and were accompanied by enhanced tumor angiogenesis and proangiogenic factor expression in tumor tissues, increased proangiogenic BMDC release in the circulating blood, and augmented proangiogenic BMDC retention in tumor tissues. Low concentrations of CPA or 5-Fu were found to significantly promote tumor cell migration and invasion, and enhance BMDC adhesion to endothelial cells in vitro. These results suggest that there are risks in empirical metronomic chemotherapy using low-dose antineoplastic agents and the optimal dosage and administration schedule of antineoplastic agents need to be determined through further research.

Dual‑directional effect of vinorelbine combined with cisplatin or fluorouracil on tumor growth and metastasis in metronomic chemotherapy in breast cancer

Dual‑directional effect of vinorelbine combined with cisplatin or fluorouracil on tumor growth and metastasis in metronomic chemotherapy in breast cancer

A phase 2 study of sirolimus in combination with metronomic chemotherapy (CHOAnome) in children with recurrent and/or refractory solid and CNS tumors.

10024 Background: Multiple low-dose, anti-angiogenic (metronomic) chemotherapy regimens have demonstrated activity in pediatric solid and central nervous system (CNS) tumors. The mTOR pathway is activated in many human cancers and provides an attractive therapeutic target. We previously conducted a phase 1 trial establishing the dose (2 mg/m2), safety and tolerability of sirolimus in combination with metronomic chemotherapy. In the current study, we conducted a prospective, multi-institutional phase 2 trial to determine the objective response rate (ORR) in pediatric patients with recurrent and/or refractory (R/R) solid and CNS tumors treated with this regimen (NCT02574728); herein we report the results of the CNS tumor stratum. Methods: Patients aged 12 months to 30 years with R/R CNS tumors of all world health organization (WHO) grades were eligible. After completion of the trial’s first stage, patients with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) were excluded due to lack of efficacy. Patients were required to have measurable disease and no known curative therapeutic options. Treatment consisted of continuous sirolimus (2 mg/m2/dose PO daily), celecoxib (100 mg PO BID), and oral etoposide (50 mg/m2/day; max dose: 100 mg) alternating every 21 days with oral cyclophosphamide (2.5 mg/kg/day; max dose: 100 mg) in 42-day cycles. Sirolimus was dose-adjusted to maintain a serum trough concentration of 10-15 ng/ml. Response was determined using a modified Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) criteria. Enrollment proceeded using a Fleming’s two-stage design based on best overall response (BOR), which required two objective disease status determinations. Results: Twenty-two CNS tumor patients were enrolled; 20/22 were evaluable for response. Median age was 11.2 years (range: 5.9 – 18.1); 6 (30%) were female. Diagnoses included DIPG (N = 5), medulloblastoma (N = 3), high-grade (HG) glioma (N = 5), HG/malignant neuroepithelial tumor (N = 3) and one each of diffuse midline glioma, atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (ATRT), choroid plexus carcinoma, and pineoblastoma. Median number of cycles was 2 (range: 1-6). Best response after any cycle was partial response (PR) in 4 [medulloblastoma (N = 3); pineoblastoma (N = 1)], stable disease (SD) in 4, and progressive disease (PD) in 12 for an ORR of 20%; all patients with DIPG had PD at or before their first disease evaluation. BOR was PR in 3 (15%), SD in 2 (10%), PD in 14 (70%), and unknown in 1 (5%). Four patients had SD or response for ≥ 6 months [medulloblastoma (n = 1), pineoblastoma (N = 1), and HG glioma (N = 2)]. Conclusions: The combination of sirolimus with metronomic chemotherapy showed activity in pediatric patients with some R/R CNS tumors, producing objective responses in medulloblastoma and pineoblastoma. Patients with DIPG did not benefit from this regimen and should be offered alternative treatments. Clinical trial information: NCT02574728 .

Continuous low-dose cyclophosphamide plus prednisone in the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma with severe complications.

We retrospectively analyzed the effective and safety of continuous low-dose cyclophosphamide combined with prednisone (CP) in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients with severe complications. A total of 130 RRMM patients with severe complications were enrolled in this study, among which 41 patients were further given bortezomib, lenalidomide, thalidomide or ixazomib on the basis of CP regimen (CP+X group). The response to therapy, adverse events (AEs), overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were recorded. Among the 130 patients, 128 patients received therapeutic response assessment, with a complete remission rate (CRR) and objective response rate (ORR) of 4.7% and 58.6%, respectively. The median OS and PFS time were (38.0 ± 3.6) and (22.9±5.2) months, respectively. The most common AEs were hyperglycemia (7.7%), pneumonia (6.2%) and Cushing's syndrome (5.4%). In addition, we found the pro-BNP/BNP level was obviously decreased while the LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction) was increased in RRMM patients following CP treatment as compared with those before treatment. Furthermore, CP+X regimen further improved the CRR compared with that before receiving the CP+X regimen (24.4% vs. 2.4%, P=0.007). Also, both the OS and PFS rates were significantly elevated in patients received CP+X regimen following CP regimen as compared with the patients received CP regimen only. This study demonstrates the metronomic chemotherapy regimen of CP is effective to RRMM patients with severe complications.

Cell-free DNA Predicts Prolonged Response to Multi-agent Chemotherapy in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

We report on the association of cfDNA with response durability for patients undergoing treatment with a novel metronomic chemotherapy regimen (gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel, capecitabine, cisplatin, irinotecan; GAX-CI) for metastatic PDAC. This investigation offers encouraging evidence that cfDNA may prove to be a valuable diagnostic tool to guide clinical management.

Fetal Disseminated Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor.

Fetal Disseminated Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor.

Abstract 2730: Metronomic dose-finding approach of oral chemotherapy by experimentally-driven integrated mathematical modeling

Abstract Conventional chemotherapy with maximum tolerated dose (MTD) has shown confident anti-cancer effect and when combined with targeted therapy, immunotherapy. Yet, understanding about how the MTD regimen is optimized has lacked due to its high tumor burdens. In this study, the oral doxorubicin (DOX) formulation was shown to improve oral bioavailability by 12.1% and sustain the metronomic concentration through the flexible protocol. Since the optimizing dose and schedules of DOX in metronomic chemotherapy (MCT) is essential to maximize efficacy and minimize toxicity, which is determined by the exposure of drugs based on pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) correlation, we developed an integrated systemic mathematical model that can evaluate the anti-tumor effect and the toxicity of oral DOX formulation simultaneously. Oral physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models were established with dose dependency, and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and tumor growth profiles were assessed as markers for toxicodynamic (TD) and PD models, respectively. Each model was validated and then integrated into the PK-TD/PD model and the effects of various oral metronomic regimens were predicted. In conclusion, the finalized oral metronomic dosing regimen (10 mg/kg, QD) showed 83.3% tumor growth inhibition without cardiotoxicity. In this study, we defined the MCT regimen using a mathematical model and suggested a dose selection method for developing oral drugs from injections, to efficiently utilize the preclinical results and apply to clinical practice. Citation Format: Seho Kweon, Yoo-Seong Jeong, Yoon Gun Ko, Seung Woo Chung, Ha Kyeong Lee, Suk-Jae Chung, Youngro Byun, Sang Yoon Kim. Metronomic dose-finding approach of oral chemotherapy by experimentally-driven integrated mathematical modeling [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 2730.

Metronomic dose-finding approach in oral chemotherapy by experimentally-driven integrative mathematical modeling

In conventional chemotherapy, maximum tolerated dose approach is considered as a first-line medication for cancer treatment in clinics. In contrast to the conventional chemotherapy which has heavy tumor burdens arising from high dose treatment, metronomic chemotherapy (MCT) engages relatively low dose without drug-free breaks, and is recognized as a promising strategy for a long-term management of the disease. Although doxorubicin (DOX), an anthracycline anti-cancer drug, showed a potential of maintenance effect in vitro, further study on in vivo-relevant concentration to achieve tumor suppression with no toxicity is required to apply the MCT in clinicals. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify an optimal MCT regimen of DOX by determining concentration-response relationships of tumor suppression (pharmacodynamic; PD) and cardiac toxicity (toxicodynamic; TD). Utilizing an oral DOX formulation complexed with deoxycholic acid (DOX/DOCA complex) which has enhanced bioavailability, physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was linked to TD and PD models to generate drug profiles from the combined PK, TD, and PD parameters. The integrated model was validated for various scenarios of administration route, formulation, dose, and frequency. The established mathematical model facilitated calculations of adequate in vivo-relevant dosages and intervals, suggesting the optimum oral metronomic regimen of DOX. It is expected to serve as a useful guideline for the design and evaluation of oral DOX formulations in future preclinical/clinical studies.

Metronomic Chemotherapy in Prostate Cancer.

Despite the significant expansion of the therapeutic armamentarium associated with the introduction of novel endocrine therapies, cytotoxic agents, radiopharmaceuticals, and PARP inhibitors, progression of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) beyond treatment options remains the leading cause of death in advanced prostate cancer patients. Metronomic chemotherapy (MC) is an old concept of wise utilization of cytotoxic agents administered continuously and at low doses. The metronomic is unique due to its multidimensional mechanisms of action involving: (i) inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, (ii) inhibition of angiogenesis, (iii) mitigation of tumor-related immunosuppression, (iv) impairment of cancer stem cell functions, and (v) modulation of tumor and host microbiome. MC has been extensively studied in advanced prostate cancer before the advent of novel therapies, and its actual activity in contemporary, heavily pretreated mCRPC patients is unknown. We have conducted a prospective analysis of consecutive cases of mCRPC patients who failed all available standard therapies to find the optimal MC regimen for phase II studies. The metronomic combination of weekly paclitaxel 60 mg/m2 i.v. with capecitabine 1500 mg/d p.o. and cyclophosphamide 50 mg/d p.o. was selected as the preferred regimen for a planned phase II study in heavily pretreated mCRPC patients.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Breast Cancer Management in Portugal: A Cross-Sectional Survey-Based Study of Medical Oncologists.

IntroductionCancer care providers have faced many challenges in delivering safe care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional survey-based study investigated the impact of the pandemic on clinical practices of Portuguese medical oncologists caring for patients with breast cancer.MethodsAn anonymous online survey comprising 42 questions gathered information regarding COVID-19 testing, treatment in (neo)adjuvant and metastatic settings, and other aspects of breast cancer management. Practices before and during the pandemic were compared, and potential differences in outcomes according to respondents’ regions, case volumes, and practice type were explored.ResultsOf 129 respondents, 108 worked in the public health system, giving a representative national picture of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer management. Seventy-one percent of respondents reported a reduction in visits for new cases of breast cancer, and there was a shift towards increased use of telemedicine. Clinical decision-making was largely unaffected in the most aggressive indications (i.e., triple-negative, HER2-positive, visceral crisis). The use of neoadjuvant therapy increased when access to surgery was difficult, whereas dose-dense regimens decreased, and cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor treatment decreased for less aggressive disease and increased for more aggressive disease. The use of oral formulations and metronomic chemotherapy regimens increased, and clinical trial participation decreased. Some differences by respondents’ region and case volume were noted.ConclusionMedical oncologists in Portugal implemented many changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, most of which were logical and reasonable responses to the current healthcare emergency; however, the true impact on patient outcomes remains unknown.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40487-022-00191-7.

Metronomic chemotherapy regimens and targeted therapies in non-Hodgkin lymphoma: The best of two worlds.

Novel drugs are rapidly moving forward the treatment-paradigm of non-Hodgkin-lymphomas (NHLs). Notwithstanding, especially in aggressive subtypes, chemotherapy remains the pillar of treatment. Indeed, the combination of highly effective Maximum-Tolerated-Dose Chemotherapy (MTD-CHEMO)+"novel drugs", has so far, fallen short from expectations, often because it caused excessive toxicity. Metronomic chemotherapy (mCHEMO), which is the frequent, long-term administration of low dose cytotoxic drugs, may allow more effective and tolerable combinations. mCHEMO pharmacodynamics, has been described as pleiotropic. In fact, it may have different cellular and molecular targets, when drugs or their schedules are modified. Although mCHEMO has been little explored in NHLs, pre-clinical studies - in lymphoma models - which addressed the activity of mCHEMO in combination with novel drugs, have shown very promising results. These included inhibitors of histone deacetylase, mTOR and PI3K/mTOR, as well as the immune checkpoint inhibitor anti-PD-L1. Moreover, a few impressive reports have recently shown all-oral mCHEMO schedules, with or without rituximab, can effectively shrink both B and T-cell aggressive NHLs. Indeed, these regimens allowed elderly-frail patients to achieve sustained remission, while toxicity proved manageable. In our opinion, all-oral mCHEMO, is an active, easy-to start, well-tolerated, and inexpensive therapeutic approach, which deserves further investigation. Most importantly, mCHEMO, holds promise to empower the activity of novel targeted therapies, without causing excessive toxicity.

Optimizing Cancer Hospital Services in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic

The public sector cancer hospitals in Pakistan adopted a resource constrained approach to optimize cancer care delivery to their patients owing to the challenges imposed by COVID-19 pandemic. The cancer patients are immune-deficient, with lymphopenia and neutropenia, either due to the disease process or treatment induced (chemotherapy or radiotherapy). This makes them more vulnerable to all sorts of infections including COVID-19. The smart lockdown approach and transport restrictions enforced by the government remained very effective in controlling the spread of COVID-19, however these brought numerous logistic hurdles both to the cancer patients as well as to the cancer care providers. To prevent overcrowding at the workplace and maintain social distancing, the entire hospital staff was put on staggered duties and patients’ appointments were limited and curtailed. A triage was set at hospital entry point where COVID-19 risk scoring was carried out to filter out patients as well as hospital staff suspected of COVID-19. A pass “COVID-19 risk score” of less than 3 was set to allow entry into the hospital. Awareness posters were displayed at hospital entry point, reception, registration, and waiting areas to guide patients and public about COVID-19 and the importance of adopting the preventive measures such as wearing of facemasks, hand sanitation and social distancing. The education and training of hospital staff regarding COVID-19 prevention, infection control, sanitization and disinfection of hospital building and equipment, donning and doffing of personnel protective equipment (PPEs) was carried out side by side. The cancer care services in nuclear medicine department were curtailed. All non-urgent nuclear medicine scans and aerosol generating procedures such as lung ventilation scan, cardiac stress testing and I-131 nuclear medicine therapy were cancelled or delayed. Alternate testing measures and other supportive therapies were prescribed, and patients were counseled to remain in contact with the hospital through teleconsultation. In oncology department all indoor admissions were closed and patients were put on faster “day-care metronomic chemotherapy regimens” or oral maintenance therapies. In radiotherapy department radiotherapy start (RT-Start) prioritization was adopted, after a detailed peer review of each individual patient keeping in mind the urgent or emergent clinical state of the patient without compromising the treatment outcome. During the COVID-19 pandemic, out of the 2091 cancer patients who underwent radiation treatment 27.6% were treated under priority-1 (RT-start within a week), 29.3% were treated under priority-2 (RT-start between 1-4 weeks) and 43.1% were treated under priority-3 (RT-start after 4 weeks). The radiotherapy workload volume was reduced by changing the standard of care radiation treatment protocols to quicker “hypofractionantion protocols” with similar treatment outcome, approved for pandemic situations by national and international radiation oncology societies. We found that this multifaceted optimization applied at various levels in our hospital helped in mitigating COVID-19 spread to the cancer patients along with continued and uninterrupted delivery of services by the hospital, during the era of COVID-19 pandemic.

Minimal PK/PD model for simultaneous description of the maximal tolerated dose and metronomic treatment outcomes in mouse tumor models.

Metronomic chemotherapy (MC) is a promising approach where, in contrast to the conventional maximal tolerated dose (MTD) strategy, regular fractionated doses of the drug are used. This approach has proven its efficacy, although drug dosing and scheduling are often chosen empirically. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) models provide a way to choose optimal protocols with computational methods. Existing models are usually too complicated and are valid for only a subset of drug schedules. To address this issue, we propose herein a simple model that can describe MC and MTD regimens simultaneously. The minimal model comprises tumor suppression due to antiangiogenic drug effect together with a cell-kill term, responsible for its cytotoxicity. The model was tested on data obtained on tumor-bearing mice treated with gemcitabine in ether MTD, MC, or combined (MTD + MC) regimens. We conducted a number of tests in which data were divided in various ways into training and validation sets. The model successfully described different trends in the MTD and MC regimens. With parameters obtained by fitting the model to MTD data, the simulations correctly predicted trends in both the MC and combined therapy groups. Our results demonstrate that the proposed model presents a minimal yet efficient tool for modeling outcomes in different treatment regimens in mice. We hope that this model has the potential for use in clinical practice in the development of patient-specific chemotherapy scheduling protocols based on observed treatment response.

Suppressive impact of metronomic chemotherapy using UFT and/or cyclophosphamide on mediators of breast cancer dissemination and invasion.

Metronomic chemotherapy using the 5-FU prodrug uracil-tegafur (UFT) and cyclophosphamide (CTX) was previously shown to only modestly delay primary tumor growth, but nevertheless markedly suppressed the development of micro-metastasis in an orthotopic breast cancer xenograft model, using the metastatic variant of the MDA-MB-231 cell line, 231/LM2-4. Furthermore, a remarkable prolongation of survival, with no toxicity, was observed in a model of postsurgical advanced metastatic disease. A question that has remained unanswered is the seemingly selective anti-metastatic mechanisms of action responsible for this treatment. We assessed the in vivo effect of metronomic UFT, CTX or their combination, on vascular density, collagen deposition and c-Met (cell mediators or modulators of tumor cell invasion or dissemination) via histochemistry/immunohistochemistry of primary tumor sections. We also assessed the effect of continuous exposure to low and non-toxic doses of active drug metabolites 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4-HC) or their combination, on 231/LM2-4 cell invasiveness in vitro. In the in vivo studies, a significant reduction in vascular density and p-Met[Y1003] levels was associated with UFT+CTX treatment. All treatments reduced intratumoral collagen deposition. In the in vitro studies, a significant reduction of collagen IV invasion by all treatments was observed. The 3D structures formed by 231/LM2-4 on Matrigel showed a predominantly Mass phenotype under treated conditions and Stellate phenotype in untreated cultures. Taken together, the results suggest the low-dose metronomic chemotherapy regimens tested can suppress several mediators of tumor invasiveness highlighting a new perspective for the anti-metastatic efficacy of metronomic chemotherapy.

Use of a multi-drug regimen gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, cisplatin, bevacizumab, docetaxel, and cyclophosphamide (GFIP/BDC) for heavily pretreated relapsed epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancer

BackgroundEpithelial ovarian cancer has the highest fatality rate of all gynecologic malignancies. Although the majority of patients achieve complete clinical response after initial cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy, most recur and almost all will eventually acquire platinum-resistance for which treatment options become limited. The objective of the study was to describe response and tolerability of metronomic chemotherapy regimen GFIP/BDC, a modification of the G-FLIP regimen, in patients with persistent or recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer.MethodsA retrospective descriptive analysis of 20 patients from a single academic institution who received combination GFIP/BDC therapy from January 1, 2011 to August 31, 2016 for persistent or recurrent EOC/FT/PP. Treatment consisted of a 2-day combination of gemcitabine 300 mg, 5-fluorouracil 500 mg/m2, irinotecan 20-30 mg/m2, cisplatin 20 mg/m2, bevacizumab 4 mg/kg, docetaxel 20 mg/m2, and cyclophosphamide 200 mg/m2 administered every 14 days. Toxicities were retrospectively graded using CTCAE v4.0.ResultsTwenty patients were identified with a median age 57.5 years (range 32–71). A total of 85% of patients were non-Hispanic white, 90% had cancer of high-grade serous histology, and all had a GOG performance status of 0–1. Patients had received a median of 3 prior regimens and 95% were platinum-resistant. Median number of cycles of GFIP/BDC administered was 9 (range 3–48) and patients remained on treatment for a median of 5.1 months (range 1.5–24). Eleven patients (55%) experienced a partial clinical response with a median duration of 6 months (range 1.5–20). Six patients (30%) survived progression free for at least 6 months.Ten patients (50%) experienced at least one grade 3/4 adverse event. Grade 3 adverse events were hematologic (n = 5), constitutional (n = 3), gastrointestinal (n = 3), neurologic (n = 2), and vascular (n = 1). There was only one grade 4 adverse event which was severe neutropenia. Patients discontinued treatment due to disease progression 65% (n = 13), toxicity 20% (n = 4), patient preference 10% (n = 2), and 5% (n = 1) is currently on treatment.ConclusionsSelected patients with epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who have failed multiple lines of conventional cytotoxic treatment may benefit from GFIP/BDC. Toxicity might be a limiting factor for administration.

Sequential gemcitabine (G), oxaliplatin (O), and irinotecan (I) based weekly metronomic chemotherapy (MC) regimens for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC): A community cancer clinic experience.

284 Background: mPC has a poor prognosis with a median overall survival (mOS) ranging from 8.5 to 11.1 months (mo) with standard treatment, outlining the need for new innovative treatments. MC regimens utilize lower doses of chemotherapy that are administered more frequently which can maintain dose intensity while reducing toxicity. MC with paclitaxel (P) or nab-paclitaxel (N) may have effects on the tumor microenvironment. Methods: A retrospective analysis of treatment regimens and survival of patients (pts) with biopsy proven mPC who received treatment between August 2004 and August 2018 was performed. Results: 30 pts with biopsy proven mPC were identified. 14 pts received prior chemotherapy. mOS of this cohort was 18.9 mo after diagnosis and 14.2 mo after beginning MC. 70% of pts (21/30) survived longer than 12 mo, 37% (11/30) greater than 24 mo, and 27% (8/30) greater than 30 mo. All MC regimens were given on a weekly basis and included: P 60 mg/m² and G 600 mg/m² (PaG); P 60 mg/m², O 50 mg/m², folinic acid (L) 20 mg/m², and 5-fluorouracil (F) 425 mg/m² (POLF); P 60 mg/m², I 100 mg/m², and cisplatin (C) 20 mg/m² (PIC) or P 60 mg/m², I 100 mg/m², L 20 mg/m², and F 425 mg/m² (PILF). 21 pts received N instead of P at some point during their treatment. PaG, POLF, and PIC or PILF were purposely switched before disease progression after a median length of 13, 11 and 13 weeks respectively. 16 pts received PaG as their first regimen. 12 of these 16 pts then received POLF as their second regimen, and 7 of these 12 pts subsequently received PIC or PILF as their third regimen. These 7 pts had a mOS of 21.7 mo after diagnosis and 19.1 mo after beginning MC. 10 pts were successfully able to receive PaG, POLF, or PIC/PILF more than once. Conclusions: Weekly MC regimens such as PaG, POLF, and PIC/PILF that are given sequentially are an effective treatment for mPC. Switching regimens may prevent the development of chemotherapy resistance, allowing for chemotherapy regimens to be used again in the future. There are limitations of retrospective studies so further investigation of this treatment strategy should be done with a large randomized clinical trial.