Phase II study of nedaplatin and docetaxel in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the lung

BackgroundThe treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung has not advanced sufficiently. Nedaplatin is a second-generation platinum compound that is active against squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, with a response rate of ∼40%.Patients and methodsEligible patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the lung were treated with docetaxel (60 mg/m²) and nedaplatin (100 mg/m²) administered i.v. on day 1; these doses were determined in an earlier phase I study. The treatment cycles were repeated every 3 weeks. The primary end point was the response rate, and the secondary end points were overall survival, progression-free survival, and toxicity.ResultsTwenty-one patients were enrolled. Eighteen of the patients were male, and the median age was 67 years. The objective response rate was 62%. The median progression-free survival time was 7.4 months. The median survival time was 16.1 months, and the 1-year survival rate was 66.7% (95% confidence interval 46.5% to 86.8%). The most common adverse event was neutropenia (grade 3/4, 86%). Non-hematological toxic effects were relatively mild. One patient died of sepsis.ConclusionsCombination chemotherapy with nedaplatin and docetaxel is highly active and has an acceptable toxicity. Further investigation of nedaplatin and docetaxel is warranted.     

Retrospective Study of Gemcitabine Based Chemotherapy for Unresectable or Recurrent Esophagus Squamous Cell Carcinoma Refractory to First Line Chemotherapy

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy and toxicity of a combination of gemcitabine with nedaplatin (GN)or cisplatin (GC) for patients with unresectable or recurrent esophagus squamous cell carcinoma. Methods:Gemcitabine was administered at 1 g/m2 intravenously on days 1 and 8; and nedaplatin or cisplatin wereadministered at 80 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1. We analyzed the response rate, overall survival time,progression-free survival time, and toxicity in 21 patients treated with GN and 27 patients treated with GC.Results: In patients treated with gemcitabine plus nedaplatin, the ORR was 47.6%, the median progression-freesurvival time was 4.1 months, and the median survival time was 9.3 months. In patients treated with gemcitabineplus cisplatin, the ORR was 48.2%, the median progression-free survival time was 3.9 months, and the mediansurvival time was 9.1 months, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in ORR, PFS andOS between the two groups. In both, the most commonly observed toxicities were thrombocytopenia and fatigue.Nausea and vomiting was more frequent in the GC group than in the GN group. Conclusion: Gemcitabine basedchemotherapy was effective and tolerable for patients with unresectable or recurrent esophagus squamous cellcarcinoma refractory to first line chemotherapy.     

The Breast Avastin Trial: phase II study of bevacizumab maintenance therapy after induction chemotherapy with docetaxel and capecitabine for the first-line treatment of patients with locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer

Background

Therapeutic approach for patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is still controversial. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab in combination with docetaxel plus capecitabine as first-line treatment for MBC. The feasibility of bevacizumab maintenance therapy in this setting was also evaluated.

Patients and methods

In this single-arm, multicenter phase II study, patients received bevacizumab 15 mg/kg and docetaxel 60 mg/m² on day 1, plus capecitabine 900 mg/m² twice daily on days 1–14 every 21 days. Treatment was administered for up to 6 cycles, then bevacizumab continued until progressive disease. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS); secondary end points were tumor response rate, overall survival, and toxicity.

Results

Seventy-nine eligible patients were treated with bevacizumab in combination with docetaxel plus capecitabine. The overall response rate was 61 %, with a complete response rate of 8 % and a median duration of response of 10 months. At a median follow-up of 28 months, the median PFS was 11 months. Fifty-two (65 %) patients received bevacizumab maintenance therapy for a median duration of 7 months (range 1 to 33+). Neutropenia was the most common grade 3–4 toxicity (28.1 % of patients), and two fatal adverse events occurred (septic shock and gastrointestinal perforation).

Conclusions

Bevacizumab in combination with docetaxel and capecitabine demonstrates significant activity and quite acceptable toxicity profile as first-line treatment of MBC. Subsequent maintenance therapy with bevacizumab is feasible for a long period of stable disease. Results deserve confirmation.     

A phase II study of doxifluridine and docetaxel combination chemotherapy for advanced or recurrent gastric cancer

Background

The aim of this study was to establish the efficacy and safety of doxifluridine and docetaxel for patients with advanced or recurrent gastric cancer.

Methods

The regimen consisted of oral administration of doxifluridine 533 mg/m² per day on days 1–14 and an intravenous infusion of docetaxel 50 mg/m² on day 8. The primary endpoint was the overall response rate. The secondary endpoints were overall survival, progression-free survival, and toxicities.

Results

Between June 2004 and December 2006, a total of 40 eligible patients were enrolled in this study. Seven of them showed a partial response, with an overall response rate of 17.5%. The response rate was 18.8% in 32 patients with refractory tumors. The median progression-free survival time and the median overall survival time were 2.6 months and 12.7 months, respectively, in all 40 patients; and 2.6 months and 14.0 months, respectively, in the 32 patients with refractory tumors. Grade 3/4 hematological toxicity included neutropenia in 52.5%, leukocytopenia in 17.5%, and febrile neutropenia in 7.5%. Grade 3 or more nonhematological toxicities were infrequent.

Conclusion

The combination chemotherapy of doxifluridine and docetaxel was well tolerated and relatively effective when used as a second-line chemotherapy for advanced or recurrent gastric cancer.     

Experience with combination of docetaxel, cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy, and intensity-modulated radiotherapy for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Background

Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of cisplatin, fluorouracil, and docetaxel chemotherapy plus intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods

Sixty patients with locoregionally advanced NPC were enrolled. Patients received IMRT plus three courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and two courses of adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of docetaxel (60 mg/m²/day on day 1), cisplatin (25 mg/m²/day on days 1–3), and 5-fluorouracil (500 mg/m²/day on days 1–3).

Results

The overall response rate to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was 89 %. Three months after the completion of radiotherapy, 53 (93 %) patients achieved complete regression, 3 (5 %) achieved partial response (PR), and 1 experienced liver metastasis. However, among the 3 PR patients, 2 patients had no evidence of relapse in the follow-up. With a median follow-up of 27 months (range, 6–43), the 2-year estimated locoregional failure-free survival, distant failure-free survival, progression-free survival, and overall survival were 96.6, 93.3, 89.9, and 98.3 %, respectively. Leukopenia was the main adverse effect in chemotherapy; 14 patients experienced grade 3 or grade 4 neutropenia, and 1 patient developed febrile neutropenia. The nonhematological adverse events included alopecia, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and diarrhea. The incidence of grade 3 acute radiotherapy-related mucositis was 28.3 %; no grade 4 acute mucositis was observed. No grade 3 or grade 4 hematological toxicity occurred during radiotherapy. None of the patients had interrupted radiotherapy. The common late adverse effects included xerostomia and hearing impairment.

Conclusions

Neoadjuvant–adjuvant chemotherapy using cisplatin, fluorouracil, plus docetaxel combined with IMRT was an effective and well-tolerated alternative for advanced NPC.     

Second-line chemotherapy with docetaxel and carboplatin in paclitaxel and platinum-pretreated ovarian,fallopian tube,and peritoneal cancer

We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel and carboplatin in patients with platinum and paclitaxel-pretreated recurrent ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancer. Forty-two women (38 with ovarian cancer, 1 with fallopian tube cancer, 3 with peritoneal cancer) whose cancer had progressed within 12 months of their last treatment with both a platinum agent and paclitaxel were treated with docetaxel (70 mg/m², day 1) and carboplatin (area under the curve of 4–6, day 1). Thirty-four patients had measurable disease. The objective response rate was 23% within 0–6 months of the progression-free interval, 50% within 6–12 months, and 32% (11 of 34 patients) for both groups. The median time to tumor progression was 28, 49, 34 weeks, and the median overall survival time was 94, 224, 111 weeks, respectively. The most common toxicity was grade 3/4 neutropenia (98% of patients), with 15 episodes (8.4% of courses) of neutropenic fever. The main nonhematologic toxicity was hypersensitivity; 7 patients (17%) required discontinuation of the therapy. The results of our study indicate that the combination of docetaxel and carboplatin is effective against recurrent ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancer with progression-free interval of 6–12 months from previous treatment by paclitaxel and platinum. On the other hand, single-agent chemotherapy would be better than this regimen considering its low response rate and severe hematological toxicity for patients with progression-free interval less than 6 months.     

Gemcitabine and vinorelbine followed by weekly docetaxel in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase II trial of sequential chemotherapy

Objective We conducted this phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the sequential nonplatinum combination chemotherapy consisting of gemcitabine (GEM) and vinorelbine (VNR) followed by weekly docetaxel (DOC) in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and methods Eligibility criteria: stage IV NSCLC, Performance status ≤2, adequate renal, hepatic and bone marrow function. Treatment consisted on: VNR 25 mg/m² plus gemcitabine 1000 mg/m², on days 1 and 8 of each 21-day cycle, followed by docetaxel 36 mg/m² weekly until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Results 21 stage IV patients were enrolled. All patients are evaluable for treatment response and toxicity profile. The mean age of the patients was 63 years (range: 51 to 72) with 18 (86%) males and 3 (14%) females. Histology types were: adenocarcinoma in 8 patients (38%), large cell carcinoma in 1 patients (5%) and squamous cell carcinoma in 12 patients (57%). The majority of the patients had and ECOG PS of 1. Eight patients (38%) did not complete six cycles of gemcitabine-navelbine. The median number of cycles of gemcitabine-navelbine was 4 (range 2–6). Of the 13 patients (61%) who completed six cycles of gemcitabine-navelbine, all of them went on to receive weekly docetaxel and received at least 3 cycles, with a median number of 8 cycles (range 3–16). The overall response rate was 33%. Respect survival, the minimum follow-up was 6 months (range, 6–25 months). The median survival time (MST) was 7.9 months, and the 1-year survival was 30%, and the median progression-free survival was 4.7 months. Toxicity was mild, well tolerated and mostly hematologic. In the GEM/VNR cycle, grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 14%, two patients with febrile neutropenia. Grade 3 anaemia in 1 patients (5%) and grade 3 thrombocytopenia in 1 patient (5%). Nonhematologic toxicity was also mild: 1 patient with Grade 3 skin toxicity with docetaxel, 1 patient with grade 3 infection, 2 patients with grade 3 astenia and 1 patient with a mild allergic reaction postchemotherapy treatment with docetaxel. Conclusion The sequential triplet nonplatinum chemotherapy consisted of GEM/VNR followed by weekly DOC is active and can be administered safely in advanced NSCLC. Our results are similar with other sequential regimens and did not represent a significant improvement in the treatment of this disease.     

Docetaxel plus cisplatin as second-line therapy in metastatic or recurrent advanced gastric cancer progressing on 5-fluorouracil-based regimen

The purpose of this study was to determine the activity and safety of docetaxel plus cisplatin as second-line chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer. This trial included patients who had failed first-line chemotherapy with a 5-fluorouracil regimen within 1 year before their enrollment. After registration, patients were treated with docetaxel intravenously at a dose of 60 mg/m2 given over 1 hour followed by cisplatin 60 mg/m2 given over 2 hours. The treatment was continued every 3 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity was detected. Forty-three patients were registered and 41 were assessable for response. Seven partial responses were observed (17.1% of the "evaluable" patients; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0-29) with a median response duration of 3.9 months. Stable disease was documented in 2 cases (4.9%). The median survival was 5.8 months (95% CI, 3.4-8.3), resulting in a 1-year survival rate of 23%. Tolerance was acceptable, with the main toxicity being neutropenia. The authors conclude that second-line chemotherapy with docetaxel plus cisplatin for advanced gastric cancer is feasible with an acceptable toxicity level.     

Gemcitabine plus docetaxel as first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a lung cancer Galician group phase II study

Background Numerous phase II and III clinical trials have demonstrated a higher activity of combined gemcitabine plus docetaxel schedules against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) than that of both agents in monotherapy. Methods This phase II study evaluated a 3-week based schedule of docetaxel 85 mg/m² (1-h i.v. infusion, d8) combined with gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m² (30-min i.v. infusion; d1,8) as first-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced NSCLC. Results Forty-one patients with non-resectable, stage IIIB/IV, and bidimensionally measurable disease were enrolled. A total of 182 chemotherapy cycles (median 6, range 1–6) was administered to 40 patients during the study; one patient did not receive chemotherapy due to a protocol deviation. Two patients were not evaluable for treatment efficacy. The overall response rate found was 44% (95% CI, 29–59%): three patients (7%) had a complete response and 15 patients (37%) had a partial response (median duration of response = 4.0 months). With a median follow-up of 8.7 months, the median time to disease progression was 4.4 months and the median overall survival was 7.3 months. The combined gemcitabine plus docetaxel chemotherapy was well tolerated except for pulmonary toxicity. The main grade 3–4 hematological toxicity was neutropenia (28% of patients, 9% of cycles). Two cases of febrile neutropenia were reported. The main grade 3–4 non-hematological toxicity was pulmonary toxicity (23% of patients, 6% of cycles). Conclusion Gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m² on days 1 and 8 in combination with docetaxel 85 mg/m² on day 8 given in 3-week cycles is an active and well-tolerated first-line chemotherapeutic regimen for advanced NSCLC.     

Phase II study of S-1 and docetaxel for previously treated patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer

Purpose

The purpose of the present phase II study was to evaluate both the efficacy and toxicity of the combination of S-1 and docetaxel in previously treated patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

Methods

Thirty-eight previously treated patients with non-small cell lung cancer were treated with S-1 (80 mg/m², days 1–14, oral) and docetaxel (40 mg/m², day 1, intravenous) every 3 weeks.

Results

No complete response was observed, and seven patients had a partial response, yielding an overall response rate of 18.4% (95% CI, 7.7–34.3%). The median overall survival time and 1-year overall survival rate were 16.1 months and 60%, respectively. The median progression-free survival time was 4.4 months. Myelosuppression was the main toxicity with grade 3 or 4 neutropenia and leukopenia in 50 and 21%, respectively. There was no irreversible toxicity in this study.

Conclusions

The combination of S-1 and docetaxel is well tolerable and has substantial activity for patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. A phase III trial comparing docetaxel with or without S-1 would warrant further investigation.     

Induction chemotherapy with docetaxel,cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil followed by radiotherapy with cetuximab for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

PurposeTo determine the efficacy and feasibility of induction chemotherapy (ICT) with docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil followed by radiotherapy and cetuximab (C) in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.Patients and methodsForty-nine previously untreated patients with local advanced stage III and IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) received three courses of ICT consisting of docetaxel 75 mg/m² day 1, cisplatin 75 mg/m² day 1 and infusional 5-fluorouracil 750 mg/m²/day on days 1–5 followed by radiotherapy plus C at 250 mg/m²/week (after an initial loading dose of 400 mg/m²).ResultsAfter completion of ICT 44 of 49 patients received radiotherapy plus C. Three months after therapy completion tumour response was observed in 33 patients and after two years, 25 patients were in complete remission (CR). The most common grade 4 toxicity during the whole treatment period was dermatitis (30%), followed by mucositis (27%) and neutropenia (17%) without fever. One toxic related death was observed during ICT. Two-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 59% and two-year overall survival (OS) rate was 63%, respectively.ConclusionConcurrent radiotherapy plus C after three courses of ICT was feasible and was associated with promising CR, PFS and OS rates. Further optimisation of dose and sequence is warranted.     

Docetaxel,cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil-based induction chemotherapy followed by intensity-modulated radiotherapy concurrent with cisplatin in locally advanced EBV-related nasopharyngeal cancer

BackgroundThis monocentric study evaluates the activity and tolerability of docetaxel (Taxotere), cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (TPF) induction chemotherapy followed by intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) concurrent with high-dose cisplatin in Epstein–Barr virus -related locally advanced undifferentiated nasopharyngeal cancer.Patients and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who received induction docetaxel 75 mg/m² and cisplatin 75 mg/m² on day 1, and 5-FU 750 mg/m²/day (96-h continuous infusion). Following induction, patients received full doses of IMRT concurrently with cisplatin 100 mg/m² every 21 days for three cycles.ResultsThirty patients received three TPF cycles (median). Induction was well tolerated; the main toxicity was neutropenia (33%, grade 3–4). During chemoradiotherapy, neutropenia (40%) and mucositis (43%) were the most frequent grade 3–4 adverse events. Mean dose of IMRT was 68.8 Gy. Worst late toxicity was xerostomia. Complete response rate was 93%. At 35 months, two patients had locoregional recurrence, three had distant metastases, and one had both. Three-year progression-free survival and overall survival were 79% [95% confidence interval (CI) 64% to 94%] and 87% (95% CI 74%– to 100%), respectively.ConclusionsIn this high-stage nonendemic cancer population, TPF followed by high-dose cisplatin IMRT was promising; this treatment approach deserves evaluation in randomized trials.     

Docetaxel plus epirubicin is a highly active, well-tolerated, first-line chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer: results of a large, multicentre phase II study

Purpose In this multicentre phase II study, the efficacy and safety profile of the combination of docetaxel and epirubicin as first-line chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) were evaluated.Methods Epirubicin (75 mg/m²) and docetaxel (75 mg/m²) were given intravenously once every 3 weeks for six cycles to 133 patients with MBC.Results The overall clinical response rate was 67% (complete and partial responses were 23% and 44%, respectively). The median time to progression was 10.8 months (95% CI 9.7–12.6) and the median overall survival was 19.5 months. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support was administered to 32% of patients and in 22% of cycles. Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 35% of patients and febrile neutropenia in 19%. The most frequent grade 3/4 non-haematological toxicities (as percent of patients) were asthenia (6%), vomiting (5%) and nausea (5%). No patients developed congestive heart failure.Conclusions The combination of docetaxel and epirubicin was highly active as first-line treatment for MBC and showed a manageable toxicity profile.     

Docetaxel plus vinorelbine as salvage chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer: a phase II study

Précis Administration of a combined regimen of docetaxel plus vinorelbine every 4 weeks is feasible and shows activity in heavily pretreated patients with advanced breast cancer. Purpose. To determine the activity and tolerance of docetaxel plus vinorelbine in heavily pretreated patients with advanced breast cancer. Methods. Thirty-five metastatic breast cancer patients with ECOG performance status of 0–2 received docetaxel (80 mg/m² given intravenously) on day 1 and vinorelbine (30 mg/m² given intravenously) on days 1 and 14, every 4 weeks. The median number of prior chemotherapy regimens was 2 (range: 1–4). Twenty-five patients (71.4%) had been treated previously using intensive therapy approaches with peripheral blood-derived stem cell (PBSC) support, including high-dose chemotherapy (11 patients), multicyclic dose-intensive chemotherapy supported with repeated PBSC infusions (seven patients), or both (seven patients). Twenty-eight patients (80%) received previous chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Adjuvant therapy in the remaining seven patients consisted of high-dose chemotherapy and PBSC support or an anthracycline-containing regimen. Results. The total number of courses was 229, and the median number of courses per patient was 6 (range: 1–16). There was one toxic death (2.8%). Grade 3–4 toxicities included mucositis (17.1%), neutropenia (37.1%), anemia (5.7%), vomiting (2.9%), and asthenia (14.3%). Eighteen patients (58%; 95% CI: 40.6–75.4%) achieved an objective response, including four complete responses (12.9%) and 14 partial responses (45.1%). Overall response rate was 51.4% (95% CI: 34.8–67.9%). After a median follow-up of 20 months (range: 2–42), overall survival was 20 months (95% CI: 16–24), and median time to progression was 13 months (95% CI: 7–19). Conclusion. This combination shows activity and an acceptable toxicity profile in patients with advanced breast cancer.     

A Phase II Trial of Docetaxel With Bevacizumab as First-line Therapy for HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer (TORI B01)

IntroductionAddition of the antiangiogenic agent bevacizumab to paclitaxel significantly improves response rates and progression-free survival for metastatic breast cancer (MBC). To assess the activity of docetaxel plus bevacizumab, a multicenter phase II trial was conducted.Patients and MethodsPatients with measurable first-line HER2/neu—negative MBC were eligible. This trial began as a 2-arm study with a docetaxel-alone arm. When bevacizumab became widely available, it was converted to a 1-arm open-label trial of docetaxel/bevacizumab. Patients enrolled in the docetaxel-alone arm were permitted to cross over to docetaxel/bevacizumab. Patients received bevacizumab 15 mg/kg and docetaxel 75 mg/m² intravenously (I.V.) every 3 weeks until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or consent withdrawal.ResultsFrom March 2005 to September 2006, 76 patients were enrolled. Of the 7 patients who were randomized to docetaxel alone, 6 crossed over to docetaxel/bevacizumab (included in the safety analysis only). Two patients were found to be ineligible before receiving drug. Efficacy data are based on the 67 patients who were originally enrolled in the docetaxel/bevacizumab arm and received at least 1 dose of study medication. The confirmed objective response rate is 51% (34 of 67) with 9% complete responses (6 of 67) and 42% partial responses (28 of 67). Nine additional patients (13%) had stable disease lasting ≥ 6 months. With a median follow-up of 21.7 months, the median time to progression is 9.3 months, and median overall survival is 26.3 months. Common grade 3/4 adverse events included neutropenia (33%), leukopenia/lymphopenia (25%), fatigue (22%), infection (17%), pain (16%), and hypertension (9%).ConclusionDocetaxel/bevacizumab was generally well tolerated with manageable toxicity and promising efficacy results.     

Docetaxel and Oxaliplatin as First-Line Therapy for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Phase II Trial

Abstract

We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of docetaxel and oxaliplatin combination as first-line therapy for patients with stage IV or wet III_B non small cell lung cancer. Patients received oxaliplatin at 85 mg/m² intravenously over 2 hours on days 1 and 15 along with docetaxel at 30 mg/m² intravenously on days 1 and 8; both given every 28 days. Cycles were repeated every 4 weeks for a maximum of 6. Fifteen patients were enrolled for an overall response rate of 50% (95% CI 21-74%). Median progression-free survival was 2.4 months with a 1-year progression free survival of 10%. Median overall survival was 7.9 months with 49% of patients alive at 1 year. Most common toxicities were nausea, vomiting, and dehydration. This combination has notable activity in advanced non-small cell lung cancer with a favorable toxicity profile.     

Phase III randomized trial of docetaxel plus cisplatin versus vindesine plus cisplatin in patients with stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer: the Japanese Taxotere Lung Cancer Study Group.

PURPOSE: Few randomized trials have demonstrated survival benefit of combination chemotherapy involving new agents plus cisplatin compared with classic combination chemotherapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The primary aim of this study was to test whether docetaxel plus cisplatin (DC) improves survival compared with vindesine plus cisplatin (VdsC) in patients with previously untreated stage IV NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible, stage IV, chemotherapy-naive patients (n = 311) were randomly assigned to receive docetaxel 60 mg/m(2) intravenously on day 1 plus cisplatin 80 mg/m(2) intravenously on day 1 of a 3- or 4-week cycle, or vindesine 3 mg/m(2) intravenously on days 1, 8, and 15 plus cisplatin 80 mg/m(2) intravenously on day 1 of a 4-week cycle. Cross-over administration of docetaxel and vindesine was prohibited for both treatment groups. RESULTS: Overall, 302 patients were eligible for evaluation. The DC arm demonstrated significant improvements compared with the VdsC arm in overall response rates (37% v 21%, respectively; P <.01) and median survival times (11.3 v 9.6 months, respectively; P =.014). Two-year survival rates were 24% for the DC arm compared with 12% for the VdsC arm. The physical domain of the Quality of Life for Cancer Patients Treated with Anticancer Drugs measure was significantly better in the DC arm than in the VdsC arm (P =.020). Toxicity was predominantly hematologic and was more severe in the VdsC arm. CONCLUSION: As first-line treatment for stage IV NSCLC, DC resulted in greater clinical benefit in terms of response rate (with marked improvements in overall and 2-year survival rates) and quality of life than did treatment with VdsC.     

Combination chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil in previously treated patients with advanced/recurrent head and neck cancer: a phase II feasibility study

The purpose of this phase II feasibility trial was to determine the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel combined with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil in patients with locally advanced and/or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Nineteen patients entered the study. The majority had received prior radiotherapy but were chemotherapy naive. Treatment consisted of docetaxel 80 mg/m2 day 1, cisplatin 40 mg/m2 days 2 and 3, and 5-fluorouracil 1,000 mg/m2 by continuous infusion days 1 to 3. The cycle was repeated every 28 days. Most patients received granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, 150 microg/m2/day subcutaneously between days 4 and 8. The median number of chemotherapy cycles per patient was four. Dose reduction was done in three patients with no treatment delays. Of the 16 evaluable for response, seven patients (44%) demonstrated an objective response, including two complete and five partial ones; eight patients (50%) had stable disease; and one patient had progressive disease. The median time to progression was 7.5 months (range: 4-17.5 months). The median survival was 11 months (range: 1-18 months) and 1-year survival was 49%. Febrile neutropenia was recorded in 15% of courses. There were no toxic deaths. In conclusion, the combination of docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil is an active regimen against previously treated squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with acceptable toxicity.     

DCF (docetaxel,cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil) chemotherapy is a promising treatment for recurrent advanced squamous cell anal carcinoma

BackgroundSquamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCCA) is a rare disease, mostly diagnosed at early stage. After concurrent chemoradiation (CRT) with mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil (5FU), local or metastatic recurrences occur in >20% of the patients. After treatment failure, cisplatin (CDDP)-based chemotherapy is the standard option, but complete response (CR) is a rare event and the prognosis remains poor.Patients and methodsEight consecutive patients with advanced recurrent SCCA after CRT were treated with DCF regimen (docetaxel 75 mg/m² day 1, CDDP 75 mg/m² day 1 and 5FU at 750 mg/m²/day for 5 days every 3 weeks). Tumour samples were analysed for human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping, as well as p16 and p53 expression.ResultsAfter a median follow-up of 41 months, the overall survival rate at 12 months was 62.5% (95% CI 22.9–86.1 months). Four patients achieved a complete remission and remain relapse-free at the time of analysis with a progression-free survival of 19, 33, 43 and 88 months. Three of these patients underwent surgery for all involved metastatic sites. For all of them, pathological CR was confirmed. DCF regimen appeared feasible in these patients previously exposed to pelvic CRT, and no grade IV toxicity occurred. All patients in complete remission had HPV-16-positive SCCA, while HPV could only be detected among 50% of the non-responding patients. Of interest, immunohistochemical study revealed a p16⁺/p53^- phenotype in these patients, while none of non-responders expressed p16.ConclusionThe high level of complete and long-lasting remission among SCCA patients treated with DCF regimen supports the assessment of this strategy in prospective cohorts.     

Retrospective analysis of 27 consecutive patients treated with docetaxel/nedaplatin combination therapy as a second-line regimen for advanced esophageal cancer

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with docetaxel and nedaplatin in advanced esophageal cancer as a second-line regimen in an outpatient setting. Methods Twenty-seven consecutive patients with advanced esophageal cancer who received docetaxel/nedaplatin combination therapy as a second-line regimen were retrospectively evaluated. The combination therapy consisted of intravenous administration of docetaxel 30 mg/m² and nedaplatin 40 mg/m² every 2 weeks. Results The patients received a median of 7.4 cycles of treatment (range, 2–25 cycles ). No complete response was observed, and 3 of the 27 patients (11%) achieved partial responses. The disease control rate (partial response + stable disease) was 52%. The median survival time (MST) was 11.4 months. Severe hematological adverse events (grade 3–4) were: neutropenia (n = 10; 37%) and anemia (n = 5; 19%); there was neither febrile neutropenia nor grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia. Furthermore, no severe nonhematological adverse events or treatment-related deaths were observed. Conclusion Combination therapy of docetaxel with nedaplatin was safe and well tolerated; however, the development of more effective therapy is warranted to improve the prognosis of esophageal cancer.