A Randomized Phase III Study Comparing Carboplatin With Nab-Paclitaxel Versus Docetaxel for Elderly Patients With Squamous-Cell Lung Cancer: Study Protocol

Background

Treatment with carboplatin (CBDCA) with weekly paclitaxel (PTX) has shown survival benefits compared with vinorelbine or gemcitabine in elderly patients with non-small-cell carcinoma (NSCLC). Docetaxel (DOC), however, remains a standard treatment in NSCLC. The 130-nm albumin-bound formulation of PTX (nab-PTX) has shown activity in NSCLC. Treatment with CBDCA with weekly nab-PTX showed significantly higher efficacy than CBDCA with PTX in patients with squamous histology and significantly increased overall survival (OS) in patients aged 70 years and older.

Phase II study of weekly chemotherapy with paclitaxel and gemcitabine as second-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer after treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy

Purpose We evaluated the tolerability and activity of the combination of weekly paclitaxel (PTX) and gemcitabine (GEM) in second-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients and methods PTX (100 mg/m²) and GEM (1,000 mg/m²) were administered to patients with previous treated NSCLC on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks. Results A total of 40 patients (performance status 0/1/2, 7/27/6 pts) were enrolled. The response rate was 32.5% (95% confidence interval: 18.0–47.0%). The median survival time was 41.7 weeks (95% confidence interval: 28.5–54.7 weeks). The median time to disease progression was 19 weeks. Hematological toxicities (grade 3 or 4) observed included neutropenia in 60%, anemia in 15%, and thrombocytopenia in 12.5% of patients. Non-hematological toxicities were mild, with the exception of grade 3 diarrhea, pneumonitis, and rash in one patient each. There were no deaths due to toxicity. Conclusion The combination of weekly PTX and GEM is a feasible, well-tolerated, and active means of second-line treatment of advanced NSCLC.     

A phase I study of palliative chemoradiation therapy with paclitaxel and cisplatin for local symptoms due to an unresectable primary advanced or locally recurrent gastric adenocarcinoma

Purpose  To establish the maximum tolerated dose and dose-limiting toxicity of chemoradiation with paclitaxel (PTX) and cisplatin (CDDP) for patients with local symptoms due to unresectable primary advanced or locally recurrent gastric adenocarcinoma located at left-upper abdomen. Methods  Chemotherapy consisted of PTX at escalating doses of 40–80 mg/m² per day and CDDP at escalating doses of 20–25 mg/m² per day on days 1, 15, and 29. Concurrent radiation was administered up to a dose of 45 Gy for 5 weeks. Results  A total of nine patients were enrolled, of which six were into level 1 (PTX 60 mg/m² and CDDP 20 mg/m²) and three into level −1 (PTX 50 mg/m² and CDDP 20 mg/m²). At level 1, one patient developed grade 3 fatigue, and the other experienced grade 5 DIC, grade 5 pneumonia, grade 4 thrombocytopenia, grade 3 hyponatremia, and grade 3 esophagitis as dose-limiting toxicities. A palliative effect was observed in eight of nine patients; six of six patients at level 1 and two of three at level −1. Conclusion  PTX 50 mg/m² and CDDP 20 mg/m² given biweekly with concurrent radiation therapy of 45 Gy were well tolerated.     

A phase I study of irinotecan and infusional cisplatin for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

 A phase I study was performed to establish the optimum dose for combination therapy with infusional cisplatin and irinotecan (CPT-11) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The subjects were 20 patients with a performance score of 0–2 with untreated advanced NSCLC. Cisplatin was administered by 5-day continuous intravenous infusion at 20–25 mg/m² per day. CPT-11 was administered by bolus infusion at a starting dose of 20 mg/m² on days 1 and 8 or 60 mg/m² per day on day 1 alone, followed by serial increments of 20 mg/m². Since grade 4 granulocytopenia was observed in two of the five patients receiving 20 mg/m² per day cisplatin (days 1–5) and 100 mg/m² CPT-11 (day 1), and since one of them developed severe pneumonia and sepsis associated with the granulocytopenia, the regimen was considered to be intolerable. In the same patient, grade 4 thrombocytopenia and grade 3 diarrhea were observed. Therefore, the optimum dose appeared to be 20 mg/m² per day (days 1–5) for cisplatin and 80 mg/m² (day 1) for CPT-11. The side effects were grade 2 diarrhea in one of three patients, and grade 2 vomiting in three patients, but grade ≥2 hemotoxicity was not observed. This combined regimen resulted in a partial response in 9 out of 19 assessable patients. The dose-limiting factor in this combination therapy was granulocytopenia, and a high efficacy rate was obtained. Received: 14 August 1995 / Accepted: 3 June 1996     

Phase I study of daily S-1 combined with weekly irinotecan in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Background  S-1 is a novel oral fluorouracil prodrug active against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To determine the feasibility of S-1 combined with weekly irinotecan for patients with advanced NSCLC, we performed a phase I study to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the recommended dose (RD) of irinotecan. Methods  Patients with advanced NSCLC received S-1 (80 mg/m²) on days 1–14 and irinotecan (50–80 mg/m²) on days 1, 8, and 15 of each 28-day cycle. Three to six patients were treated with each dose of irinotecan, with the MTD defined as the dose at which dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) appeared in 33% of patients. Results  At doses of 50–70 mg/m², no patients experienced any DLT, whereas, at a dose of 80 mg/m², two of four patients experienced DLTs. Two patients experienced grade 3 toxicities — neutropenia and diarrhea. Conclusion  The MTD of weekly irinotecan was 80 mg/m², making its RD for phase II trials 70 mg/m².     

Cisplatin plus continuous infusion vinorelbine for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a phase I-II study

Backbround In this Phase I/II trial, the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) and activity of cisplatin plus vinorelbine (VRL) administered in continuous in-fusion as first-line treatment of advanced non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was determined in 12 consecutive chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced NSCLC. Patients and methods The dose of cisplatin was 100 mg/m² in all patients, and vinorelbine was administered as an initial intravenous (iv) bolus of 8 mg/m² on day 1 followed by a 4-day continuous iv infusion at 4 different 24 h dose levels (DLs) to be repeated every 21 days. All 12 patients (47 cycles) were evaluable for response and toxicity. Results The MTD was 8 mg/m² bolus followed by a continuous iv infusion of 8 mg/m² per day over 4 days. The dose limiting toxicities (DLT) were febrile neutropenia in 4 patients and grade 3 mucositis in 1 patient. There was less neuro-toxicity and compared to the weekly bolus scheme. There was no significant cumulative toxicity after 3 cycles. Partial responses were observed in 6 patients; an overall response rate of 50% (95% CI: 30–65%). Median time to progression was 5,5 months (95% CI: 1,5–11 months) and median survival was 11 months (95% CI: 5–20 months). Conclusions The results demonstrate that, in this setting of first-line treatment of NSCLC, cisplatin plus vinorelbine at 8 mg/m² bolus followed by a continuous infusion of 8 mg/m² per day over 4 days is the recommended schedule. Further trials would be useful to establish activity of this combination.     

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.     

Combination chemotherapy of biweekly irinotecan (CPT-11) plus tegafur/uracil (UFT) and leucovorin (LV) for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: phase I/II study in Japanese patients

Purpose  We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of combination chemotherapy with biweekly irinotecan (CPT-11) plus oral tegafur/uracil (UFT) and leucovorin (LV) in patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma in phase I/II setting. Patients and methods  We recruited 37 patients with histologically proven metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma. UFT (300 mg/m² per day) and LV (75 mg/day) were administered orally on days 1–21. CPT-11 was administered intravenously on day 1 and 15, at an initial dose of 60 mg/m², stepping up to 150 mg/m² in a traditional phase I fashion. The treatment was repeated every 4 weeks. After patients enrolled into a phase II portion, the efficacy and toxicity of this regimen were also assessed. Results  The recommended dose of CPT-11 was determined to be 150 mg/m². Although one patient had a pulmonary embolism after 60 mg/m² of CPT-11, the treatment was well tolerated in general. The overall objective response rate was 37.8% (14/37; 95% CI, 22.5–55.2) in all patients. Median progression-free survival was 226 days (95% CI, 133–276). Conclusions  Biweekly CPT-11 plus UFT and LV had a reasonable safety profile with manageable toxicity, and had a promising activity in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Further trials are indicated based on the promising results observed in this study.     

Phase II study with a combination of epirubicin, cisplatin, UFT, and leucovorin in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Because HCC usually presents as an advanced disease and occurs in the background of liver cirrhosis, most patients are not suitable for treatment with curative intent, thus effective systemic chemotherapy is required. However, the outcome of systemic chemotherapy has been disappointing in advanced HCC. This study was conducted to test the efficacy and toxicity of the combined regimen of epirubicin, cisplatin, and UFT moderated by leucovorin in advanced or recurrent HCC. Patients and methods: All 53 patients received epirubicin (50 mg/m² i.v.) on day 1 and cisplatin (60 mg/m² i.v.) after epirubicin administration. Oral UFT 400–600 mg/day, determined by body surface area, and leucovorin 75 mg/day were administered for 21 consecutive days, followed by a 7-day drug free interval. Results: Nine had a partial response, representing 16.9% of response rate (95% confidence interval rate; 7.0–26.8%) with median response duration of 17.1 weeks (95% CI; 5.0–29.3 weeks, range; 7.1–51.7 weeks). Fifteen patients had stable disease and the disease progressed in 26 patients. The median overall survival for the patients was 24.6 weeks (95% CI; 17.3–31.9 weeks, range; 3.0–131.3 weeks). The main toxicities were hematologic toxicities including neutropenia, which reached grade 3/4 in 17 patients (38.5%), and grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia in five patients (9.4%). Conclusion: The combination of epirubicin, cisplatin, and UFT moderated by leucovorin showed modest anti-tumor activity with relatively tolerable toxicities. However, a randomized phase III trial based on this regimen is warranted to clarify its survival benefit in patients with advanced HCC. Contract grant sponsor: Brain Korea 21 Project in 2002 and Korea Health 21 R &D Project, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea: 01-PG3-PG6-01GN07-0004.     

A phase I study of carboplatin and etoposide administered in conjunction with dipyridamole, prochlorperazine and cyclosporine A

Purpose: In recognition of the variety of available chemotherapeutic modulating agents and their potential to enhance the efficacy of platinum-based therapy, we embarked upon a phase I study to investigate the feasibility of combining fixed doses of carboplatinum (CBDCA) and etoposide (VP-16) with 24-h concurrent infusions of dipyridamole (DP), prochlorperazine (PCZ) and cyclosporine A (CSA) administered in escalating doses. Methods: Patients received intravenous VP-16 (200 mg/m²) and CBDCA (300 mg/m²), each over 30 min, starting at hour 6 of the modulator infusions. Resistance modulators were escalated sequentially to determine their respective maximally tolerated doses (MTDs). The pharmacokinetics (PK) of VP-16, CBDCA, and the three drug resistance (DR) modifiers were studied in eight patients. Results: A total of 59 patients were entered on study. The MTD was established at DP 5 mg/kg per day, PCZ 24 mg/h, and CSA 9.5 mg/kg per day. Dose-limiting toxicities included hypotension and severe sedation, presumably related to PCZ. No objective responses were seen. PK studies were performed when PCZ and DP doses were 24 mg/h and 3.3 mg/kg, and the CSA dose was either 8.5 mg/kg (five patients) or 9.5 mg/kg (three patients). The median clearance of VP-16 was 0.96 l/h per m² (range 0.8–1.5 l/h per m²), which is lower than for VP-16 alone and similar to previously reported effects of CSA on VP-16 elimination. The median measured CBDCA AUC was 3.0 mg/ml · min (range 2.4–4.8 mg/ml · min). CBDCA AUC predicted by the Calvert formula using measured creatinine clearance underestimated the actual AUC in seven of the eight patients, in one case by as much as twofold. The median end of infusion PCZ and total DP plasma concentrations were 1.2 μM (range 0.5–2.2 μM) and 4.4 μM (range 1.3–5.9 μM), respectively, consistent with in vitro resistance modulatory levels. However, free DP was only 0.02 μM (range 0.004–0.04 μM). The median CSA level at 24 h of 1450 μg/l (range 1075–1640 μg/l) is in agreement with concentrations required for partial DR reversal in vitro, although it is much lower than levels achieved in our previous phase I study of CBDCA + CSA alone using similar doses of CSA. The CSA dose on the current trial was escalated beyond the MTD for the previous phase I study, suggesting that there may be an interaction between CSA and one of the other modulators. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that in vitro DR- reversing levels of two of the three agents used in this study can be achieved in vivo, and that this combination of DR modulators has significant effects on the pharmacokinetics of VP-16. Received: 2 September 1999 / Accepted: 25 April 2000     

Gemcitabine, ifosfamide and paclitaxel in advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer patients: a phase II study

Although platinum-based two-drug combinations represent the elective therapeutic approach for advanced/metastatic NSCLC, there is still interest in exploring the efficacy and tolerability of platinum-free combinations including third generation agents in selected NSCLC population. Based on the satisfying activity of gemcitabine (G), ifosfamide (I) and paclitaxel (T) as single agents in NSCLC, we have designed a phase II study to explore an alternative approach to platinum-containing regimens using a combination of these three drugs. To investigate the activity/toxicity of T 175 mg/m² on day 1, I 3 g/m² on day 1 (with Mesna uroprotection) and G 1,000 mg/m² on day 1–8, every 3 weeks in the treatment of advanced/metastatic NSCLC, 46 patients (38 male, 8 female) with NSCLC were enrolled: mean age 58 (range 33–70); Stage IIIB/IV = 15/31; ECOG PS 0-1/2 = 31/15; Histology: adenocarcinoma = 20, squamous = 14, large cell = 3, NSCLC = 8, adenosquamous = 1. A total of 221 cycles have been administered (median number 4.8 for patients). In intent-to-treat analysis, partial response was achieved in 17 patients (36.95%), stable disease and progressive disease was detected in 16 (34.78%) and 10 (21.73%) patients, respectively. Time to progression was 30.9 weeks; median survival time was 42.7 weeks; the survival rates at 12 and 18 months were 34.79 and 15.21%, respectively. No toxic deaths occurred. No patients experienced grade 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Neutropenia grade 3 occurred in 10 patients (21.7%); Anemia grade 3 in 1 (2.1%); Thrombocytopenia grade 2 in two patients (4.3%) and grade 3 in one (2.1%). Peripheral neuropathy grade 1 occurred in ten (21.7%) and grade 2 in two patients (4.3%). Additional non-haematological toxicities were mild nausea, emesis and fatigue. GIT is well tolerated and active regimen in both advanced and metastatic NSCLC. These data suggest future investigations for GIT schedule as a possible alternative to platinum-based regimens in selected advanced/metastatic NSCLC patients where survival, tolerability and quality of life are the primary goals.     

A pilot phase I trial of continuous hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion with high-dose carboplatin as primary treatment of patients with small-volume residual ovarian cancer

Purpose: Because intraperitoneal (i.p.) therapy may provide a therapeutic advantage and because hyperthermia enhances carboplatin (CBDCA) cytotoxicity, we evaluated the feasibility, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics of CBDCA given via continuous hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion (CHPP) in patients with small-volume residual ovarian cancer. Patients and Methods: Six patients underwent optimal cytoreductive procedures (residual disease ≤5 mm) as initial treatment of stages II and III epithelial ovarian adenocarcinoma. All patients received a 90-min CHPP at a CBDCA dose of 800–1200 mg/m², with the perfusate being recirculated rapidly from a reservoir through a heat exchanger, resulting in i.p. temperatures of 41–43 °C. Plasma, perfusate, and urine samples were collected and platinum was quantified by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results: At no time did any patient's core temperature exceed 40 °C. Peak perfusate platinum concentrations were 8- to 15-fold higher than peak ultrafilterable plasma concentrations. The permeability-area product was extremely high and variable (14–90 ml/min), resulting in a regional advantage of 1.9–5.3. The percentage of the dose absorbed ranged widely from 27% to 77%. Dose-limiting hematologic toxicity was observed at a dose of 1200 mg/m² and this was associated with a CBDCA AUC in plasma of 11 mg min ml⁻¹. Conclusions: CHPP with CBDCA was safely given to three patients at a dose of 800 mg/m², and dose-limiting hematologic toxicities observed at 1200 mg/m², correlated with the plasma CBDCA exposure established when lower doses of CBDCA are given systemically. The pharmacokinetic data are consistent with the expected effect of vigorous mixing on the exposed peritoneal surface area. Variable drug absorption and clearance make the prediction of systemic exposure highly uncertain. These findings may have important implications for novel therapies given i.p. Received: 9 March 1998 / Accepted: 11 June 1998     

Phase I study of the combination of nedaplatin and weekly paclitaxel in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Purpose This trial was conducted to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), principal toxicity, and recommended dose for phase II study of the combination of nedaplatin and weekly paclitaxel in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Patients with previously untreated NSCLC, either stage IIIB with pleural effusion or stage IV, were eligible if they had a performance status of 0–2, were 75 years or younger, and had adequate organ function. The respective doses of nedaplatin (day 1) and weekly paclitaxel (days 1, 8, and 15) studied were 80/60, 80/70, 80/80, 80/90, and 100/90 (mg m⁻²), repeated every 4 weeks. Results From May 2004 through June 2005, 21 patients (18 men and 3 women; median age, 63 years; age range, 53–75 years) were enrolled. The MTD was determined to be 100 mg m⁻² of nedaplatin and 90 mg m⁻² of weekly paclitaxel. Dose-limiting toxicities at the MTD were neutropenic fever and hepatic dysfunction. We recommend doses of 80 mg m⁻² of nedaplatin and 90 mg m⁻² of weekly paclitaxel for phase II study. Grade 3–4 hematologic toxicities included neutropenia in 29% of patients, thrombocytopenia in 0%, and anemia in 5%. Although the most frequent non-hematologic toxicity was hepatic dysfunction, all cases were only mildly to moderately severe. Although two patients had grade 3 or 4 pulmonary toxicity due to Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, these patients recovered after receiving trimetoprim-sulfamethoxazole, steroid therapy, and supplemental oxygen. There were no treatment-related deaths. The overall response rate was 19.0% (95% confidence interval, 5.4–41.9%), and all responses were in patients receiving the recommended doses. The median dose-intensities for nedaplatin and paclitaxel were 91.6 and 87.1%, respectively, of the planned doses. Conclusion This combination chemotherapy is active and well tolerated and warrants phase II study.     

Phase I/II study of S-1 plus carboplatin in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

The objective of this phase I/II study was to determine the recommended dose (RD) of S-1 and carboplatin (CBDCA), and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this combination in the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Chemotherapy-naïve patients were treated with S-1 given orally on days 1–14, and CBDCA infused intravenously on day 1, repeated every 3 weeks. RD was AUC5 of CBDCA and 80 mg/m² of S-1. Nineteen patients were treated at the RD. The overall response was 30.8% (95% confidence interval: 17.1–58.3%). The response rate in the RD was 36.8% (95% CI: 16.3–61.6%). The median overall survival time was 11.1 months (95% CI: 8.1–15.3 months) and the median progression-free survival time was 5.0 months (95% CI: 3.6–6.0 months). Major grades 3–4 toxicities were thrombocytopaenia (47%), anaemia (26%) and infection (16%). This is the first report to show promising activity of this combination in phase II, including survival data and manageable toxicity, especially in outpatients receiving treatment for advanced NSCLC.     

Phase I study of amrubicin and vinorelbine in non-small cell lung cancer previously treated with platinum-based chemotherapy

Background  Combination chemotherapy comprising amrubicin and vinorelbine as a second-line therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been fully evaluated. To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended dose (RD), the present phase I study examined patients with advanced NSCLC. Methods  The subjects were nine patients with histologically confirmed advanced NSCLC, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0–1, prior platinum-based first-line chemotherapy, and measurable or evaluable lesions. Treatment consisted of five dose levels, with amrubicin 35–45 mg/m² administered as a 5-min intravenous infusion on days 1–3 and vinorelbine 15–25 mg/m² given as a 1-h intravenous infusion on days 1 and 8, every 3 weeks. Results  All patients had received carboplatin and paclitaxel as first-line therapy. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was seen in two of six patients (febrile neutropenia and deep vein thrombosis ) at level 1, allowing us to conduct level 2. At level 2, all three patients experienced DLT (leucopenia ≥4 days in one patient; febrile neutropenia in three patients; and infection in two patients), and this level was determined as the MTD. Subsequently, level 1 (amrubicin 35 mg/m² and vinorelbine 15 mg/m²) was defined as the RD. Responses in the nine patients included a partial response in one patient and stable disease in four patients. Conclusion  As second-line therapy, the RD of the combination of amrubicin and vinorelbine is 35 mg/m² and 15 mg/m², respectively. Further study should proceed to clarify the efficacy of this regimen.     

Irinotecan (CPT-11) in combination with weekly administration of cisplatin (CDDP) for non-small-cell lung cancer

Purpose: CPT-11 (60 mg/m² on days 1, 8 and 15) in combination with CDDP (80 mg/m² on day 1) has shown promising antitumor activity for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) are leukopenia and diarrhea, with a wide variation among patients. To estimate weekly CDDP administration in combination with CPT-11, a phase I study for patients with advanced NSCLC was conducted. Methods: Patients were treated with CPT-11 at a fixed dose of 60 mg/m² together with CDDP at 27 mg/m² (level 1, 6 patients), 33 mg/m² (level 2, 12 patients), and 40 mg/m² (level 3, 6 patients) with 1600 ml hydration on days 1, 8 and 15 over 4 weeks. During the treatment course, drug was not administered on the day it was due in the presence of leukopenia (<3000/ml) and/or diarrhea. Results: The planned administration was completed in 5 of 6 patients at level 1, 6 of 12 patients at level 2, and 2 of 6 patients at level 3. The most common toxicity observed was leukopenia (five patients with grade 3 and one patient with grade 4). Leukopenia was considered to be a DLT, and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was level 2. Although there were patients who suffered from diarrhea (four patients with higher than grade 2), diarrhea was judged not to be a DLT with this weekly regimen. Nausea and vomiting were mild. Pharmacokinetic analysis of free platinum from CDDP demonstrated that the area under the curve (AUC) from 33 mg/m² CDDP was 0.92 ± 0.29 g/ml h. In 13 patients evaluated for response, the response rate was 54%. Conclusion: The value of weekly administration of CDDP in combination with CPT-11 was shown by (1) diarrhea not being dose-limiting, (2) mild nausea, (3) well-maintained AUC of free platinum, and (4) promising activity. Received: 4 April 1997 / Accepted: 8 October 1997     

A multicenter phase II study of carboplatin and paclitaxel with a biweekly schedule in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: Kyushu thoracic oncology group trial

Purpose: This multicenter phase II study was conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of carboplatin in combination with paclitaxel administered according to a biweekly schedule as a first-line chemotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and methods: Eligibility criteria included histologically or cytologically confirmed NSCLC (stage IIIb or IV), no prior treatment, and measurable or evaluable disease. Paclitaxel (140 mg/m²) was administered intravenously on day 1, in combination with carboplatin at an area under the concentration time curve (AUC) of 3, every 2 weeks. Results: Seventy-four patients (45 men) with a median age of 62 years (range 40–74) and a median ECOG performance status of 1 (range 0–2) were enrolled. The response rate was 35.1% [95% confidence interval (CI): 24.4–47.1%], with 26 partial responses. The median survival was 357 days, and the median time to progression was 218 days. Toxicity was generally mild; National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI-CTC) grades 3 and 4 neutropenia was observeded in 50.0% of the patients, and grades 3 and 4 nausea/vomiting in 4.1%. Conclusions: Biweekly carboplatin combined with paclitaxel demonstrated anti-tumor activity in advanced NSCLC, with response and survival rates similar to those of carboplatin combined with paclitaxel administered every 3 weeks but with a more favorable toxicity profile, and the present data indicate that the regimen is suitable for use on an outpatient basis.     

Bioavailability and phase II study of oral UFT plus leucovorin in patients with relapsed or refractory colorectal cancer

Purpose: This study was undertaken to address the influence of concurrent administration on the pharmacokinetics of UFT (uracil plus tegafur) and leucovorin (LV), and to measure the antitumor activity of a 28-consecutive-day oral regimen of UFT plus LV in patients with relapsed or refractory colorectal cancer. Methods: Patients with advanced measurable colorectal cancer who had failed previous therapy with intravenous bolus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were eligible. Patients were treated with UFT 300 mg/m² per day plus LV 90 mg per day in three divided doses every 8 h for 28 days, repeated at 35-day intervals. In addition, a three-treatment by three-period crossover bioavailability comparison of oral LV 30 mg plus UFT 200 mg versus either LV or UFT alone was scheduled for the 8 days preceding the first cycle of therapy. Results: Of 19 patients enrolled, 18 were assessable for pharmacokinetics and response. When LV was coadministered with UFT, there were no statistically significant effects on tegafur, uracil, or 5-FU C_max, AUC, or T_max, with the exception of a delayed T_max for tegafur (P = 0.03). No statistically significant differences were found in LV and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate plasma levels when LV was administered alone or with UFT. However, wide interpatient variability was observed for all parameters. There were no antitumor responses seen. Conclusions: Although the T_max for tegafur is delayed with the concurrent administration of LV, there were no differences (P > 0.05) in any pharmacologic parameters that are of likely clinical significance. However, the great interpatient variability observed in UFT and LV pharmacology may have obscured true bioavailability effects in this small patient population. Daily oral UFT plus LV is inactive as second-line therapy in patients who have failed bolus 5-FU. Received: 13 March 1998 / Accepted: 1 June 1998     

Fixed dose-rate infusion of gemcitabine in combination with cisplatin and UFT in advanced carcinoma of the pancreas

Background: Gemcitabine is currently considered the standard treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer (APC). Cisplatin and a fluoropyrimidine have some activity in the treatment of this cancer. The aim of this trial is to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a fixed dose-rate infusion of gemcitabine associated with cisplatin and UFT in patients with APC. Patients and methods: Forty-six chemotherapy-naïve patients with APC that was either unresectable or metastatic were included in this phase II study. All of them had Karnofsky performance status ≥50 and unidimensionally measurable disease. Treatment consisted of gemcitabine 1,200 mg/m² given as a 120-min infusion weekly for three consecutive weeks, cisplatin 50 mg/m² on day 1 and oral UFT 400 mg/m²/day (in two to three daily doses) on days 1 to 21; cycles of treatment were given every 28 days. Results: A total of 208 cycles of chemotherapy were given with a median of 4 per patient. Fourteen patients (30%) achieved partial responses (95% CI 19–48%) and 17 (37%) had stable disease. The median time to progression was 5 months, and the median overall survival 9 months. Nineteen patients (49%; 95% CI 32–64%) had a clinical benefit response. Grade 3–4 WHO toxicities were as follows: neutropaenia in 26 patients (57%), with 5 cases of febrile neutropaenia (11%), thrombocytopaenia in 15 (33%), anaemia in six (13%), diarrhoea in 5 (11%), asthenia in 2 (4%) and mucositis in 1 (2%). Seven patients required hospitalisation for treatment-related complications. Conclusion: A fixed dose-rate infusion of gemcitabine associated with cisplatin and UFT is active in patients with APC, though at the cost of considerable toxicity.     

Phase II Study of Carboplatin in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Forty four patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) were treated with carboplatin (CBDCA; cis-diammine-1,1-cyclobutane dicarboxylate platinum II) at a dose of 400–450mg/m² intravenously every four weeks in a phase II study. Fortythree patients were evaluated for response and toxicity. Twopatients achieved responses resulting in an overall responserate of 4.7% (95% confidence limits: 0.6–15.8%); one ofthese had not been treated previously and the other had beentreated previously with vinblastine. The durations of theirresponses were 5 and 7 months, respectively. The response ratein 28 previously untreated patients was 3.6% (1/28; 95% confidencelimits: 0.1–18.3%). Myelosuppression was the most commonlyfound toxicity, and thrombocytopenia especially was dose-limiting.Thrombocytopenia (<75,000/mm³) was observed in 12 patients(28%). Leukopenia (<3,000/mm³) was observed in 14 patients(33%). No serious infection or bleeding occurred, however. Treatmentwith 400–450 mg CBDCA/m² was well tolerated in the goodrisk patients in this study. Mild to moderate emesis was observedin 28 patients (65%). No renal toxicity, neurotoxicity or ototoxicitywas seen. It was demonstrated that CBDCA had little efficacyin NSCLC at the dose and schedule given in the present study.