Long-term survival of patients with advanced/recurrent carcinoma of cervix and vagina after neoadjuvant treatment with methotrexate,vinblastine, doxorubicin,and cisplatin with or without the addition of molgramostim,and review of the literature

A randomized phase III study was conducted to assess the addition of molgramostim (GM-CSF) to the combination of methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MVAC) in terms of response rate, progression-free survival, and survival in women with advanced, recurrent, or metastatic carcinoma of the cervix or vagina. Patients received four 4-week cycles of methotrexate 30 mg/m2 IV days 1, 15, 22; vinblastine 3 mg/m2 IV days 2, 15, 22; doxorubicin 30 mg/m2 IV day 2; and cisplatin 70 mg/m2 IV day 2 with or without GM-CSF 5 microg/kg every 12 hours subcutaneously days 3 to 12. They were then reevaluated for operability. Those who were not surgical candidates were offered additional chemotherapy until progression or toxicity. Those who were surgical candidates were offered surgical resection of remaining tumor followed by involved-field external beam irradiation to sites of no prior irradiation and intraoperative irradiation to sites of prior external beam irradiation. This trial closed after 36 eligible patients were entered because of poor accrual. Although more than 40% of patients on each arm received fewer than four cycles of MVAC, the clinical response rate was 78% (95% CI: 52-94%) and 50% (95% CI: 26-74%) for MVAC and MVAC + GM-CSF, respectively; the median time to progression was 10.2 and 11.8 months, respectively; and median survival was 13.8 and 16.0 months, respectively. Toxicity was substantial, with more than 40% experiencing grade III to IV leukopenia, and nearly 40% experiencing grade III to IV stomatitis. MVAC with or without GM-CSF support achieves high response rates in patients with advanced, recurrent, or metastatic cervical carcinoma despite dose reductions and deletions. Its progression-free survival and overall survival rates appear promising. These results need to be confirmed within a large randomized phase III clinical trial.     

Escalated therapy for refractory urothelial tumors: methotrexate-vinblastine-doxorubicin-cisplatin plus unglycosylated recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor

Thirty-two assessable patients with metastatic urothelial tumors refractory to standard chemotherapy with methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MVAC) were treated with escalated doses of MVAC plus unglycosylated recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF). Results of this phase I trial revealed that escalated MVAC (30 mg of methotrexate/m2, 4 mg of vinblastine/m2, 60 mg of doxorubicin/m2, and 100 mg of cisplatin/m2) can be tolerated by heavily pretreated patients. The side effects of rhGM-CSF are dose- and schedule-dependent. The maximum tolerated dose is 250 micrograms/m2 per day as a single dose administered subcutaneously (SC) for 10 consecutive days. This dose is well tolerated in outpatients, resulting in only modest fever and few side effects. The same dose delivered as a continuous infusion or a higher dose delivered either as a continuous infusion or SC caused significant side effects. For phase II trials, the starting dose of rhGM-CSF when combined with escalated MVAC is 120 micrograms/m2 per day SC for 10 consecutive days. forty percent of the treated patients responded, seven (23%) with complete remission and five (17%) with partial remission. This response rate is higher than anticipated from such a modest dosage escalation in chemotherapy-refractory patients.     

A randomized comparison of cisplatin alone or in combination with methotrexate, vinblastine, and doxorubicin in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma: a cooperative group study.

PURPOSE: A prospective randomized trial was performed to determine if the addition of methotrexate, vinblastine, and doxorubicin to cisplatin (M-VAC) imparted a response rate or a survival advantage over single-agent cisplatin in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From October 1984 through May 1989, 269 patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma were entered onto this international intergroup trial and randomized to receive intravenous (IV) cisplatin (70 mg/m2) alone or with methotrexate (30 mg/m2 on days 1, 15, 22), vinblastine (3 mg/m2 on days 2, 15, 22) plus doxorubicin (30 mg/m2 on day 2). Cycles were repeated every 28 days until tumor progression or a maximum of six cycles. There were 246 fully assessable patients of whom 126 were randomized to cisplatin alone and 120 were randomized to the M-VAC regimen. RESULTS: As expected, the M-VAC regimen was associated with a greater toxicity, especially leukopenia, mucositis, granulocytopenic fever, and drug-related mortality. Response rates were superior for the M-VAC regimen compared with single-agent cisplatin (39% v 12%; P less than .0001). Similarly, the progression-free survival (10.0 v 4.3 months) and overall survival (12.5 v 8.2 months) were significantly greater for the combined therapy arm. CONCLUSION: Although a more toxic regimen, we found M-VAC to be superior to single-agent cisplatin with respect to response rate, duration of remission, and overall survival in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma.     

Randomized phase III trial of standard timed doxorubicin plus cisplatin versus circadian timed doxorubicin plus cisplatin in stage III and IV or recurrent endometrial carcinoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group Study.

PURPOSE: To determine if circadian timed (CT) chemotherapy results in improved response, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and lower toxicity, when compared with standard timed (ST) chemotherapy. Materials and METHODS: Eligibility criteria were stage III, IV, or recurrent endometrial cancer with poor potential for cure by radiation therapy or surgery; measurable disease; and no prior chemotherapy. Therapy was randomized to schedules of ST doxorubicin 60 mg/m2 plus cisplatin 60 mg/m2, or CT doxorubicin 60 mg/m2 at 6:00 am plus cisplatin 60 mg/m2 at 6:00 pm. Cycles were repeated every 3 weeks to a maximum of eight cycles. RESULTS: The ST arm included 169 patients, and the CT arm included 173 patients. The objective response rate (complete responses plus partial responses) was 46% in the ST group compared with 49% in the CT group (P =.26, one tail). Median PFS and OS were 6.5 and 11.2 months, respectively, in the ST group; and 5.9 and 13.2 months, respectively, in the CT group (PFS: P =.31; OS: P =.21, one tail). Median total doses were 209 mg/m2 doxorubicin and 349 mg/m2 cisplatin in the ST group, versus 246 mg/m2 doxorubicin and 354 mg/m2 cisplatin in the CT group. Grade 3 or 4 leukopenia occurred in 73% of patients in the ST arm and in 63% of patients in the CT arm. There were eight treatment-related deaths. CONCLUSION: In this trial, no significant benefit in terms of response rate, PFS or OS, or toxicity profile was observed with CT doxorubicin plus cisplatin in patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma.     

Phase II trial of intermediate dose methotrexate in combination with vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin in patients with unresectable or metastatic transitional cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to determine whether the use of intermediate dose methotrexate in combination with vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin as first-line therapy increases the proportion of major responders and overall survival in patients with unresectable or metastatic transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urothelial tract. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with histologically confirmed TCC received methotrexate at a dose of 1000 mg/m2 on Day 1 followed by leucovorin calcium rescue on Day 2 and vinblastine (3 mg/m2), doxorubicin (30 mg/m2), and cisplatin (70 mg/m2) (VAC) on Day 2. Therapy was recycled at 28-day intervals. RESULTS: Fourteen of 28 patients (50%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 31-69%) achieved a major response, including 6 pathologic or clinical complete responses (CR) and 8 partial responses (PR). Nine patients were rendered disease free after postchemotherapy surgical resection of residual disease (surgical CR), including five patients who had PR and four nonresponders to chemotherapy alone. Five of 18 patients with disease limited to lymph nodes attained CR, in contrast to only 1 of 10 patients with visceral metastatic disease. The median survival for the entire population was 13.6 months. CONCLUSIONS: The escalation of methotrexate to 1000 mg/m2 in combination with vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin did not result in a response proportion or median survival superior to that observed with standard dose M-VAC. As previously observed in a Phase II trial of M-VAC, only the attainment of CR was associated with prolongation of survival.     

Docetaxel and cisplatin with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) versus MVAC with G-CSF in advanced urothelial carcinoma: a multicenter, randomized, phase III study from the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group.

PURPOSE: The combination of methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MVAC) represents the standard regimen for inoperable or metastatic urothelial cancer, but its toxicity is significant. We previously reported a 52% response rate (RR) using a docetaxel and cisplatin (DC) combination. The toxicity of this regimen compared favorably with that reported for MVAC. We thus designed a randomized phase III trial to compare DC with MVAC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with inoperable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma; adequate bone marrow, renal, liver, and cardiac function; and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status < or = 2 were randomly assigned to receive MVAC at standard doses or docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) and cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks. All patients received prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) support. RESULT: Two hundred twenty patients were randomly assigned (MVAC, 109 patients; DC, 111 patients). Treatment with MVAC resulted in superior RR (54.2% v 37.4%; P =.017), median time to progression (TTP; 9.4 v 6.1 months; P =.003) and median survival (14.2 v 9.3 months; P =.026). After adjusting for prognostic factors, difference in TTP remained significant (hazard ratio [HR], 1.61; P =.005), whereas survival difference was nonsignificant at the 5% level (HR, 1.31; P =.089). MVAC caused more frequent grade 3 or 4 neutropenia (35.4% v 19.2%; P =.006), thrombocytopenia (5.7% v 0.9%; P =.046), and neutropenic sepsis (11.6% v 3.8%; P =.001). Toxicity of MVAC was considerably lower than that previously reported for MVAC administered without G-CSF. CONCLUSION: MVAC is more effective than DC in advanced urothelial cancer. G-CSF-supported MVAC is well tolerated and could be used instead of classic MVAC as first-line treatment in advanced urothelial carcinoma.     

Phase III study of cisplatin with or without paclitaxel in stage IVB, recurrent, or persistent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix: a gynecologic oncology group study.

PURPOSE: To determine whether cisplatin plus paclitaxel (C+P) improved response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), or survival compared with cisplatin alone in patients with stage IVB, recurrent, or persistent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eligible: patients with measurable disease, performance status (PS) 0 to 2, and adequate hematologic, hepatic, and renal function received either cisplatin 50 mg/m2 or C+P (cisplatin 50 mg/m2 plus paclitaxel 135 mg/m2) every 3 weeks for six cycles. Tumor measurements and quality-of-life (QOL) assessments were obtained before each treatment cycle. RESULTS: Of 280 patients entered, 6% were ineligible. Among 264 eligible patients, 134 received cisplatin and 130 received C+P. Groups were well matched with respect to age, ethnicity, PS, tumor grade, disease site, and number of cycles received. The majority of all patients had prior radiation therapy (cisplatin, 92%; C+P, 91%). Objective responses occurred in 19% (6% complete plus 13% partial) of patients receiving cisplatin versus 36% (15% complete plus 21% partial) receiving C+P (P = .002). The median PFS was 2.8 and 4.8 months, respectively, for cisplatin versus C+P (P < .001). There was no difference in median survival (8.8 months v 9.7 months). Grade 3 to 4 anemia and neutropenia were more common in the combination arm. There was no significant difference in QOL scores, although a disproportionate number of patients (cisplatin, n = 50; C+P, n = 33) dropped out of the QOL component, presumably because of increasing disease, deteriorating health status, or early death. CONCLUSION C+P is superior to cisplatin alone with respect to response rate and PFS with sustained QOL.     

Phase II study of methotrexate,vinblastine, doxorubicin,and cisplatin in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the upper respiratory or alimentary passages of the head and neck

BACKGROUND: The chemotherapy drugs methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin have shown activity in patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma arising from the upper respiratory or alimentary passages of the head and neck. This study was undertaken to assess the antitumor activity and toxicity profile of the drug combination methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MVAC) in this patient population. METHODS: Patients with histologically confirmed unresectable, recurrent, or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma arising from the upper respiratory or alimentary passages of the head and neck were treated with MVAC over a 4-week cycle. The doses were as follows: 30 mg/m2 of methotrexate on Days 1, 15, and 22; 3 mg/m2 of vinblastine on Days 2, 15, and 22; 30 mg/m2 of doxorubicin on Day 2; and 70 mg/m2 of cisplatin on Day 2. The total cumulative dose of doxorubicin was not to exceed 450 mg/m2. Treatment was discontinued after four cycles for those whose disease remained stable. Patients were evaluated for chemotherapy response, progression free survival, and survival. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were accrued onto this study between April 1993 and February 1996. One patient (3%) with a history of cardiac heart failure was declared ineligible. Severe leukopenia (leukocyte count < 2000 cells/m3) was observed in 55% of the patients during the first cycle of treatment and in 81% of the patients during the entire course of their treatment. The overall objective response rate over the first 4 cycles of treatment was 46% (90% confidence interval [CI], 33-60%). Two of the 18 patients who responded had a complete response. The median time to progression was 19 weeks, and 1-year progression free survival rate was 17% (95% CI, 8-36%). The median survival was 49 weeks, and the 1-year survival rate was 43% (95% CI, 29-63%). Among the 22 patients with unresected residual or recurrent disease, the median time to progression was 11 weeks, and 1-year progression free survival rate was 14% (95% CI, 5-39%), and median survival was 24 weeks, and the 1-year survival rate was 36% (95% CI, 21-63%). Among the 13 patients with metastatic disease, the median time to progression was 26 weeks, and the 1-year progression free survival rate was 23% (95% CI, 9-62%), the median survival was 54 weeks, and the 1-year survival rate was 54% (95% CI, 33-89%). CONCLUSIONS: Methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin is an active chemotherapy regimen in patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell cancer arising from the upper respiratory or alimentary passages of the head and neck.     

Enhancement of chemotherapeutic effects by recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on implanted mouse bladder cancer cells (MBT-2).

Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) was administered intraperitoneally in combination with multidrug chemotherapy using methotrexate (M), vinblastine (V), doxorubicin (A), and cisplatin (C, or for the combination, MVAC) to C3H/He mice (5-week-old females) after experimental carcinoma, MBT-2, a transplantable transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder had been implanted. The effects of therapy were studied. The animal groups consisted of: (1) control (no drug administration), (2) rhG-CSF (100 micrograms/kg/d, from days 8 through 42 after MBT-2 implantation, except for the days when MVAC was administered), (3) high-dose MVAC (2 mg/kg of M, 0.2 mg/kg of V, 2 mg/kg of A, and 4 mg/kg of C once a week for 3 weeks), (4) low-dose MVAC (one-quarter of the high dose), (5) high-dose MVAC with rhG-CSF, and (6) low-dose MVAC with rhG-CSF. In an in vitro system, rhG-CSF did not show any effect on the proliferation of MBT-2 cells or exert any influences on A's tumor proliferation-suppressing action on MBT-2. However, in an in vivo system, concomitant administration of rhG-CSF significantly enhanced the tumor-suppressing effect of the MVAC therapy, as did rhG-CSF alone. The greatest effect was observed in the group receiving high-dose MVAC plus rhG-CSF. These result suggested that rhG-CSF-stimulated granulocytes may exert antitumor activity on tumor cells severely damaged by chemotherapeutic agents at a relatively high concentration. The survival rate was improved to some degree even by administration of rhG-CSF alone. Although further study is required to elucidate the action mechanism of rhG-CSF, these results suggest that rhG-CSF may be useful clinically to enhance the activity of antitumor agents and not only through its ability to alleviate granulocytopenia or prevent its development.     

Gemcitabine and cisplatin versus methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin in advanced or metastatic bladder cancer: results of a large, randomized, multinational, multicenter, phase III study.

PURPOSE: Gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC) and methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MVAC) were compared in patients with locally advanced or metastatic transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urothelium. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with stage IV TCC and no prior systemic chemotherapy were randomized to GC (gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 days 1, 8 and 15; cisplatin 70 mg/m2 day 2) or standard MVAC every 28 days for a maximum of six cycles. RESULTS: Four hundred five patients were randomized (GC, n = 203; MVAC, n = 202). The groups were well-balanced with respect to prognostic factors. Overall survival was similar on both arms (hazards ratio [HR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82 to 1.32; P = .75), as were time to progressive disease (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.30), time to treatment failure (HR, 0.89; 95% CI 0.72 to 1.10), and response rate (GC, 49%; MVAC, 46%). More GC patients completed six cycles of therapy, with fewer dose adjustments. The toxic death rate was 1% on the GC arm and 3% on the MVAC arm. More GC than MVAC patients had grade 3/4 anemia (27% v 18%, respectively), and thrombocytopenia (57% v 21%, respectively). On both arms, the RBC transfusion rate was 13 of 100 cycles and grade 3/4 hemorrhage or hematuria was 2%; the platelet transfusion rate was four patients per 100 cycles and two patients per 100 cycles on GC and MVAC, respectively. More MVAC patients, compared with GC patients, had grade 3/4 neutropenia (82% v 71%, respectively), neutropenic fever (14% v 2%, respectively), neutropenic sepsis (12% v 1%, respectively), and grade 3/4 mucositis (22% v 1%, respectively) and alopecia (55% v 11%, respectively). Quality of life was maintained during treatment on both arms; however, more patients on GC fared better regarding weight, performance status, and fatigue. CONCLUSION: GC provides a similar survival advantage to MVAC with a better safety profile and tolerability. This better-risk benefit ratio should change the standard of care for patients with locally advanced and metastatic TCC from MVAC to GC.     

Combination therapy consisting of gemcitabine, carboplatin, and docetaxel as an active treatment for advanced urothelial carcinoma

Background

To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a combination chemotherapy consisting of gemcitabine, carboplatin, and docetaxel (GCD) in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC) as a phase II trial.

Materials and methods

Patients with metastatic or locally advanced unresectable UC were eligible for this trial. All enrolled patients were considered to be “unfit??for cisplatin-based chemotherapy, or to have methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, cisplatin (MVAC)-refractory UC. The chemotherapy regimen consisted of gemcitabine 1000?mg/m² on days 1 and 8, and carboplatin (with a target area under the curve of 5) and docetaxel 70?mg/m² on day 1; this was repeated every 21?days.

Results

Thirty-five patients were enrolled, with a median age of 68?years. A total of 89 cycles were administered (median, 2 cycles). Major toxicities were Grade 3/4 neutropenia in 28 (80.0%) patients and Grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia in 18 (51.5%). An objective response rate (ORR) was 11 of 21 patients (52.4%), including a complete response in 1 (4.8%). The median overall survival (OS) was 13.1?months (1-year survival rate, 60%) and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.0?months. Among 16 patients who had previously received MVAC, the ORR, the median PFS, the median OS and 1-year survival rate was 56.3%, 5.0?months, 12.6?months and 54%, respectively.

Conclusions

GCD chemotherapy is active and well tolerated as a first- or second-line therapy for patients with advanced UC. Response rate, duration and survival did not differ between those with and without a history of MVAC treatment.     

Phase I pharmacologic study of oral topotecan and intravenous cisplatin: sequence-dependent hematologic side effects.

PURPOSE: In in vitro studies, synergism and sequence-dependent effects were reported for the combination of topotecan and cisplatin. Recently, an oral formulation of topotecan became available. This phase I study was performed to assess the feasibility of the combination of oral topotecan and cisplatin, the pharmacokinetic interaction, and sequence-dependent effects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Topotecan was administered orally (PO) daily for 5 days in escalating doses and cisplatin was given intravenously (IV) at a fixed dose of 75 mg/m(2) either before topotecan administration on day 1 (sequence CT) or after topotecan administration on day 5 (sequence TC) once every 3 weeks. Patients were treated in a randomized cross-over design. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were entered onto the study; one patient was not eligible. Sequence CT induced significantly more severe myelosuppression than did sequence TC, and the maximum-tolerated dosage of topotecan in sequence CT was 1.25 mg/m(2)/d x 5. In sequence TC, the maximum-tolerated dosage of topotecan was 2.0 mg/m(2)/d x 5. Dose-limiting toxicity consisted of myelosuppression and diarrhea. Pharmacokinetics of topotecan and cisplatin were linear over the dose range studied; no sequence-dependent effects were observed. In addition, topotecan did not influence the protein binding of cisplatin or the platinum-DNA adduct formation in peripheral leukocytes in either sequence. CONCLUSION: The recommended dosages for phase II studies involving patients like the patients in our study are topotecan 1.25 mg/m(2)/d PO x 5 preceded by cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) IV day 1 once every 3 weeks, and topotecan 2.0 mg/m(2)/d PO followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) IV day 5. No pharmacokinetic interaction could be discerned in our study. The antitumor efficacy of both schedules should be evaluated in a randomized phase II study.     

Phase III randomized trial of doxorubicin + cisplatin versus doxorubicin + 24-h paclitaxel + filgrastim in endometrial carcinoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to determine whether 24-h paclitaxel plus doxorubicin and filgrastim was superior to cisplatin plus doxorubicin in patients with endometrial cancer with respect to response, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible chemotherapy-na?ve patients were randomly assigned to doxorubicin 60 mg/m2 intravenously (i.v.) followed by cisplatin 50 mg/m2 i.v. (arm 1, n=157) or doxorubicin 50 mg/m2 i.v. followed 4 h later by paclitaxel 150 mg/m2 i.v. over 24 h plus filgrastim 5 microg/kg on days 3-12 (arm 2, n=160). Starting doses were reduced for prior pelvic radiotherapy and age > 65 years. Both regimens were to be repeated every 3 weeks for a maximum of seven cycles. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in response rate (40% versus 43%), PFS (median 7.2 versus 6 months) or OS (median 12.6 versus 13.6 months) for arm 1 and arm 2, respectively. Toxicities were primarily hematological, with 54% (arm 1) and 50% (arm 2) of patients experiencing grade 4 granulocytopenia. Gastrointestinal toxicities were similar in both arms. CONCLUSIONS: Doxorubicin and 24-h paclitaxel plus filgrastim was not superior to doxorubicin and cisplatin in terms of response, PFS or survival in advanced endometrial cancer.     

Combination chemotherapy of docetaxel, ifosfamide and cisplatin (DIP) in patients with metastatic urothelial cancer: a preliminary report

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a new combination chemotherapy of docetaxel, ifosfamide and cisplatin (DIP) in the treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer. METHODS: Fourteen patients (nine male and five female; aged 59-82 years) with metastatic urothelial carcinoma, including five patients who have a history of methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin (MVAC) chemotherapies, received the combination of docetaxel 60 mg/m(2) on day 1, and ifosfamide 1.0 g/m(2) and cisplatin 20 mg/m(2) on days 2-6 and repeated every 21 days, to a maximum of six cycles. Eligibility criteria included performance status (World Health Organization) 0-3; normal bone marrow and liver function; and no symptomatic peripheral neuropathy. RESULTS: Ten of the 14 patients (72%) demonstrated a partial response (PR), with durations of response ranging from 3 to 12 months [median 6.5 months; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.1-8.7 months]. The response rate of the five patients with MVAC-refractory cancer was 80% with median duration of response 5.5 months, comparable with that of the cases without previous MVAC therapies. Grade 3-4 granulocytopenia occurred in 10 cases (71%), resulting in three episodes (21%) of febrile neutropenia. Grade 3 thrombocytopenia was observed in five cases (36%). No toxic death was observed. Grade 2 peripheral neuropathy was identified in one case. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study demonstrated that DIP is an effective regimen for the treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer, and warrants further investigation.     

三药联合化疗和单药拓扑替康二线治疗小细胞肺癌的疗效和安全性比较

  目的  比较顺铂、依托泊苷、伊立替康联合化疗方案和单药拓扑替康二线治疗敏感复发型小细胞肺癌(smalll cell lung cancer, SCLC)的疗效和安全性。  方法  收集2014年9月至2017年9月吉林省肿瘤医院就诊78例患者资料, 筛选敏感复发型小细胞肺癌患者, 其中36例患者给予顺铂、依托泊苷、伊立替康联合化疗方案, 42例患者给予单药拓扑替康化疗。联合化疗组药物用法:顺铂25 mg/m2, 第1天、第8天静脉滴注; 依托泊苷60 mg/m2, 第1、2、3天静脉滴注; 伊立替康90 mg/m2, 第8天静脉滴注, 连续给予5个2周方案的化疗。单药拓扑替康组药物用法:拓扑替康1.5 mg/m2, 第1~5天静脉滴注, 每3周1个周期。评价两组治疗方案的无进展生存时间(progressionfree survival, PFS)、总生存时间(overall survival, OS)及安全性。  结果  联合化疗组中位无进展生存时间(mPFS)5.3个月(95% CI:4.3~ 5.8), 拓扑替康组mPFS 3.2个月(95% CI:2.7~4.0), 差异具有统计学意义(P=0.003 0);联合化疗组中位总生存时间(mOS)16.3个月(95% CI:13.8~19.1), 拓扑替康组mOS 13.1个月, 差异具有统计学意义(P=0.009 7)。联合化疗组和单药拓扑替康组常见的3/4级不良事件主要有中性粒细胞下降[31例(86.1%) vs.28例(66.7%)]、白细胞下降[29例(80.6%) vs.21例(50.0%)]、贫血[26例(72.2%) vs.10例(23.8%)]、血小板下降[13(36.1%) vs.11(26.2%)]。联合化疗组发生1例治疗相关死亡(发热性中性粒细胞下降合并肺部感染), 拓扑替康组无治疗相关的死亡发生。  结论  顺铂、依托泊苷、伊立替康联合化疗方案比单药拓扑替康疗效更好, 可考虑作为敏感复发型SCLC患者二线化疗的备选方案之一。两种化疗方案毒性均可耐受, 但联合化疗组不良事件发生率更高, 应进一步探索更为合适的化疗剂量。      

The outcome of elderly patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma after platinum-based combination chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The majority of patients with advanced urothelial cancer are elderly, but data regarding this specific age group are limited. We compared the tolerability and efficacy of first-line platinum (cisplatin or carboplatin)-based chemotherapy in elderly patients (> or =70 years) with those in younger patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 381 patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma received CIMV (cisplatin, ifosphamide, methotrexate, vinblastine) (n=32), MVAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, cisplatin) (n=105), DC (docetaxel, cisplatin) (n=174), CaG (carboplatin, gemcitabine) (n=64) or other regimes (n=6) and were included in this analysis. RESULTS: A total of 116 patients were > or =70 years. Elderly patients experienced more frequent neutropenia grade 3/4 (55% versus 37%, P=0.087) and renal toxicity (28% versus 10%, P=0.033) among patients treated with CIMV/MVAC, and neutropenic infections (4% versus 0%, P=0.019) among patients treated with DC. Median survival did not differ significantly between elderly and younger patients (9.3 versus 10.5 months, P=0.16). Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (PS) and haemoglobin were independently associated with prognosis. Patients with PS <2 and haemoglobin > or =10 g/dl had a median survival of 14 months as opposed to 5 months for patients with PS > or =2 or haemoglobin <10 g/dl (P <0.001). CONCLUSION: Elderly patients with advanced urothelial cancer tolerate platinum-based chemotherapy well and derive the same benefit as their younger counterparts.     

Phase III trial of doxorubicin with or without cisplatin in advanced endometrial carcinoma: a gynecologic oncology group study.

PURPOSE: Doxorubicin and cisplatin have activity in endometrial carcinoma and at initiation of this study ranked as the most active agents. This trial of stage III, IV, or recurrent disease evaluated whether combining these agents increases response rate (RR) and prolongs progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) over doxorubicin alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of 299 patients registered, 281 (94%) were eligible. Regimens were doxorubicin 60 mg/m(2) intravenously or doxorubicin 60 mg/m(2) plus cisplatin 50 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or a total of 500 mg/m(2) doxorubicin. RESULTS: There were 12 (8%) complete (CR) and 26 (17%) partial responses (PR) among 150 patients receiving doxorubicin versus 25 (19%) CRs and 30 (23%) PRs among patients receiving the combination. The overall response rate was higher among patients receiving the combination (42%) compared with patients receiving doxorubicin (25%; P =.004). Median PFS was 5.7 and 3.8 months, respectively, for the combination and single agent. The PFS hazard ratio was 0.736 (95% CI, 0.577 to 0.939; P =.014). Median OS was 9.0 and 9.2 months, respectively, for the combination and single agent. Overall death rates were similar in the two groups (hazard ratio, 0.928; 95% CI, 0.727 to 1.185). Nausea, vomiting, and hematologic toxicities were common. The combination produced more grade 3 to 4 leukopenia (62% v 40%), thrombocytopenia (14% v 2%), anemia (22% v 4%), and nausea/vomiting (13% v 3%). CONCLUSION: Adding cisplatin to doxorubicin in advanced endometrial carcinoma improves RR and PFS with a negligible impact on OS and produces increased toxicity. These results have served as a building block for subsequent phase III trials in patients with disseminated and high-risk limited endometrial carcinoma.     

Comparison of Radical Cystectomy and Chemoradiotherapy in Patients with Locally Advanced Bladder Cancer

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of radical cystectomy (RC) and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MVAC) in patients with locally advanced bladder cancer (BC). From December 2000 to February 2012, 72 patients with locally advanced BC (T3-4a, N0 or N+, M0) received either RC or CRT. RC with bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection including the common iliac region as the standard procedure. Patients in the CRT group received one cycle of MVAC followedby radiotherapy with a half dose of MVAC and then two more cycles of MVAC. Standard fractionation at a daily dose of 1.8-2.0 Gy was used, with a median total dose of 50 Gy (range, 45-60 Gy). The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates in the RC and CRT groups were 56.2% and 25.6%, respectively (p=-0.015) and the 3-year overall survival (OS) rates were 63.5% and 48.1% (p=0.272). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis with application of a propensity score indicated that RC was a significant predictor of PFS (p=0.033)but not of OS (p=0.291). Among patients with locally advanced BC, PFS was significantly prolonged in the RC group compared with the CRT group. However, RC was not a significant predictor of OS. Although the sample size in this study was small, the results suggest that patient background and postoperative quality of life should be considered when choosing treatment strategy for locally advanced BC.     

吉西他滨联合顺铂三周方案治疗复发和转移性膀胱癌的临床观察

目的评价吉西他滨联合顺铂三周方案治疗复发和转移性膀胱癌的疗效和安全性。方法GC组25例,吉西他滨1000mg/m2,静脉滴注,第1、8天;顺铂25mg/m2,静脉滴注,第1～3天,21d为1周期。MVAC组24例,甲氨蝶呤30mg/m2,静脉滴注,第1、15、22天;长春花碱3mg/m2,静脉滴注,第2、15、22天;阿霉素30mg/m2,静脉滴注,第2天;顺铂25mg/m2,静脉滴注,第1～3天,28d为1周期。至少化疗4个周期。结果GC组CR3例（12.0%）,PR9例（36.0%）,总有效率为48.0%。其中,初治组18例中CR2例（11.1%）,PR7例（38.9%）,有效率为50.0%;复治组7例中CR1例（14.3%）,PR2例（28.6%）,有效率为42.9%。MVAC组CR2例（8.3%）,PR8例（33.3%）,总有效率为41.7%。其中,初治组16例中CR2例（12.5%）,PR6例（37.5%）,有效率为50.0%;复治组8例中无CR,PR2例,有效率为25.0%。两组比较差异无统计学意义（χ2=0.199,P=0.656）。GC组1,2年生存率分别为76.0%和16.0%;MVAC组1,2年生存率分别为75.0%和8.3%。GC、MVAC组中位生存期分别为16个月（95%CI13.55～18.45）和16个月（95%CI14.11～17.89）。Ⅲ/Ⅳ度血小板减少症、皮疹、疲乏GC组高于MVAC组;Ⅲ/Ⅳ度中性粒细胞减少、中性粒细胞减少性发热,恶心、呕吐等毒副反应MVAC组高于GC组,两组比较差异无显著性（P〉0.05）。结论吉西他滨联合顺铂三周方案化疗治疗复发和转移性膀胱癌具有与标准MVAC方案相似的疗效,且更安全。     

Outcomes of advanced and recurrent cervical cancer treated with cisplatin and generic topotecan: retrospective analysis in a tertiary care hospital in Thailand

Objective

Retrospective evaluation of the outcome of stage IVB, recurrent or persistent cervical cancer treated with cisplatin and generic topotecan (CT) in a tertiary care hospital in Thailand.

Methods

The medical records of patients treated with CT regimen at Chiang Mai University Hospital between January 2005 and December 2007 were reviewed and analyzed. The treatment protocol consisted of IV topotecan 0.75 mg/m² on days 1, 2, and 3; combined with cisplatin 50 mg/m² IV on day 1 and repeated every 21 days until progression or unacceptable toxicity for a maximum of 6 cycles. The outcomes were evaluated based on the response rate, progression free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) by using the World Health Organization criteria. The adverse effects of the treatments were also determined.

Results

Twenty-one cervical cancer patients received the CT regimen. The tumor response rate was 28.6%. The median PFS and OS was 4 and 11 months, respectively. With 87 cycles of chemotherapy, the most common grade 3 & 4 hematologic toxicity was neutropenia (57.9%).

Conclusion

Advanced and recurrent cervical cancer patients treated with cisplatin and generic topotecan had a favorable outcome with manageable toxicity.