S-1 and Gemcitabine as an Outpatient-based Regimen in Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

Objective: The standard beneficial chemotherapy proved for patients withpancreatic cancer is a regimen containing gemcitabine. Noveloral fluoropyrimidine, S-1, can be added to gemcitabine to improvethe efficacy of chemotherapy and to provide better conveniencefor patients. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety ofS-1 plus gemcitabine combination chemotherapy as a first-linetreatment in patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreaticcancer. Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed, bidimensionally measurableadvanced/metastatic pancreatic cancer were eligible for thestudy. Chemotherapy consisted of S-1 (30 mg/m² p.o. bid fromDay 1 to 14) and gemcitabine (1000 mg/m² on Days 8 and 15) every3 weeks based on the results of a previously reported PhaseI trial. Treatment was repeated until disease progression orunacceptable toxicity occurred. Results: From January 2005 to August 2007, 22 patients were enrolled.Median age was 62 years (range, 50–73). Nineteen patients(86.3%) had metastases and of these, 11 patients (57.9%) hadmultiple liver metastases. The overall response rate was 27.3%(95% CI, 8.7–45.9), with a partial response in six patients,stable disease in nine (40.9%) and progressive disease in seven(31.8%). With a median follow-up of 25.4 months, the mediantime to progression and overall survival were 4.6 (95% CI, 2–7.2months) and 8.5 months (95% CI, 6.8–10.1 months), respectively,and 1-year survival rate was 27.3%. S-1 plus gemcitabine waswell tolerated. Grade 3/4 hematological adverse events wereneutropenia (9.1/9.1%) and anemia (4.5/0%). Non-hematologicaladverse events were mainly gastrointestinal events. Twenty patients(91%) received chemotherapy on an outpatient basis. Conclusions: Combination chemotherapy of S-1 plus gemcitabine appears tobe active and well tolerated as first-line treatment in patientswith advanced/metastatic pancreatic cancer.     

Capecitabine combined with gemcitabine (CapGem) as first-line treatment in patients with advanced/metastatic biliary tract carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Biliary tract carcinoma is an aggressive cancer, with median survival rarely exceeding 6 months. There is currently no established palliative standard of care. A Phase II trial was conducted to study a combination of oral capecitabine and gemcitabine (CapGem) as first-line therapy in patients with advanced and/or metastatic biliary carcinoma. METHODS: Patients with unresectable or metastatic intrahepatic or extrahepatic biliary duct carcinoma and gallbladder carcinoma were enrolled. Eligible patients had histologically or cytologically confirmed, measurable adenocarcinoma and had not received prior therapy with capecitabine or gemcitabine. Treatment consisted of intravenous (i.v.) gemcitabine (1000 mg/m(2) on Days 1 and 8) plus oral capecitabine (650 mg/m(2) twice daily on Days 1-14) every 3 weeks for up to 6 cycles. Tumor response, survival, and safety were determined. RESULTS: A total of 44 patients were evaluable. Primary tumor sites were: intrahepatic (n = 14) and extrahepatic biliary duct (n = 16); gallbladder (n = 7); and ampulla (n = 7). Fourteen (32%) patients had a partial response and 15 (34%) patients had stable disease. Median time to disease progression and overall survival were 6.0 (range, 3.8-8.1) and 14 (range, 11.4-16.6) months, respectively. The 1-year survival rate was 58%. No Grade 4 adverse events were seen. Transient Grade 3 neutropenia/thrombocytopenia and manageable (almost invariably Grade 2) nausea, diarrhea, and hand-foot syndrome were the most common adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: CapGem is an active and well tolerated first-line combination chemotherapy regimen for patients with advanced/metastatic biliary tract carcinoma that offers a convenient home-based therapy.     

Gemcitabine as first-line therapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer: a phase II trial.

OBJECTIVES: This phase II study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). METHODS: Women with histologically or cytologically confirmed bidimensionally measurable MBC not amendable to curative surgery or radiation were eligible. Prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease was not permitted. Patients received gemcitabine 1,200 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8 and 15 for 3 weeks every 28 days for a maximum of 8 cycles. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients, with a median age of 58 years, were enrolled. The overall response rate for the 35 evaluable patients was 37.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 21.5-55.1%), with 2 complete responses and 11 partial responses. Median time to progression and survival were 5.1 months (95% CI, 3.5-8.8 months) and 21.1 months (95% CI, 11.0-26.9 months), respectively. Chemotherapy was well tolerated, with a median of 4 cycles completed. Grade 4 toxicities were 1 infection and 1 abnormal pulmonary function. Grade 3 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 30.3% and 6.3% of patients, respectively. The most common grade 3 non-hematologic toxicity was nausea/vomiting (10.3%). Five of 21 patients had improved Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scores. CONCLUSION: Single-agent gemcitabine is active and well tolerated as first-line treatment in patients with MBC.     

Phase II study of capecitabine in combination with paclitaxel in patients with anthracycline-pretreated advanced/metastatic breast cancer

The addition of oral capecitabine to docetaxel improves response rate, time to progression (TTP) and overall survival in anthracycline-pretreated metastatic breast cancer (MBC). This phase II study evaluates the efficacy and safety of a 21-day cycle of oral capecitabine (1000 mg m(-2) twice daily, days 1-14) plus i.v. paclitaxel (175 mg m(-2), day 1) in anthracycline-pretreated advanced/MBC. In all, 73 patients were enrolled at 13 Swedish and Spanish centres. The objective response rate was 52% (95% confidence interval (CI): 40-63%) in the intent-to-treat population, including complete responses in 11%. Disease was stabilised in a further 29%. The median time to disease progression (TTP) was 8.1 months and the median overall survival was 16.5 months. The combination was generally well tolerated with a predictable safety profile. The most common treatment-related nonhaematological adverse events were hand-foot syndrome (42%), alopecia (30%) and diarrhoea (26%). The only treatment-related Grade 3/4 adverse events occurring in >5% of patients were alopecia (22%) and hand-foot syndrome (11%). Grade 3/4 neutropenia and lymphocytopenia were reported in 12 and 14% of patients, respectively. Capecitabine plus paclitaxel is highly active with a favourable safety profile in anthracycline-pretreated MBC.     

Phase II study of docetaxel and capecitabine in patients with metastatic or recurrent gastric cancer

OBJECTIVES: A phase II study was conducted to evaluate the response rate and safety of a combination regimen of docetaxel plus capecitabine in patients with advanced gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with previously untreated metastatic or recurrent measurable gastric cancer received i.v. docetaxel 75 mg/m2 on day 1 and oral capecitabine 1,000 mg/m2 twice daily from day 1 to 14 every 3-week cycle. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were enrolled in the current study. Of these, 30 patients were assessable for efficacy and 31 assessable for toxicity. One complete response and 13 partial responses were confirmed, giving an overall response rate of 43.8% (95% CI; 25.6-61.9%). The median time to progression and median overall survival for all patients was 5.07 months and 8.4 months, respectively. Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 3 patients (9.7%) and febrile neutropenia was observed in 2 patients (6.3%). Grade 1/2 nausea was observed in 45.2% of patients. Grade 2-3 hand-foot syndrome occurred in 4 patients (12.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of docetaxel and capectabine was found to be well tolerated and effective in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Accordingly, this regimen can be regarded as an important first-line treatment option for advanced gastric cancer.     

XELOX (capecitabine plus oxaliplatin) as first-line treatment for elderly patients over 70 years of age with advanced colorectal cancer

The purpose of this phase II trial was to determine the efficacy and safety of the XELOX (capecitabine/oxaliplatin) regimen as first-line therapy in the elderly patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC). A total of 50 patients with MCRC aged > or = 70 years received oxaliplatin 130 mg m(-2) on day 1 followed by oral capecitabine 1000 mg m(-2) twice daily on days 1-14 every 3 weeks. Patients with creatinine clearance 30-50 ml min(-1) received a reduced dose of capecitabine (750 mg m(-2) twice daily). By intent-to-treat analysis, the overall response rate was 36% (95% CI, 28-49%), with three (6%) complete and 15 (30%) partial responses. In total, 18 patients (36%) had stable disease and 14 (28%) progressed. The median times to disease progression and overall survival were 5.8 months (95% CI, 3.9-7.8 months) and 13.2 months (95% CI, 7.6-16.9 months), respectively. Capecitabine was well tolerated: grade 3/4 adverse events were observed in 14 (28%) patients: 11 (22%) diarrhoea, eight (16%) asthenia, seven (14%) nausea/vomiting, three (6%) neutropenia, three (6%) thrombocytopenia, and two (4%) hand-foot syndrome. There was one treatment-related death from diarrhoea and sepsis. In conclusion, XELOX is well tolerated in elderly patients, with respectable efficacy and a meaningful clinical benefit response. Given its ease of administration compared with combinations of oxaliplatin with 5-FU/LV, it represents a good therapeutic option in the elderly.     

Multicenter phase II study of oral capecitabine plus irinotecan as first-line chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer: a Korean Cancer Study Group trial

A phase II study was conducted to assess the efficacy and tolerability of capecitabine in combination with irinotecan (CAPIRI) in advanced colorectal cancer. Forty-seven patients with previously untreated metastatic or unresectable colorectal adenocarcinoma received capecitabine 1000 mg/m² twice daily on days 2-15 and intravenous irinotecan 100 mg/m² on days 1 and 8, every 21 days. A total of 268 cycles of chemotherapy (median 6: range 1-11) were administered. According to an intent-to-treat analysis, the overall response rate was 49% (95% CI, 35-63%). Median time to progression and overall survival were 7.5 months (95% CI, 4.8-10.2) and 19.5 months (95% CI, 15.7-23.8), respectively. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were diarrhea (24%) and neutropenia (11%). There were no treatment-related deaths. These results indicate that CAPIRI has comparable activity and tolerability to FOLFIRI as first-line treatment for advanced colorectal cancer.     

Randomized phase II trial of gemcitabine plus irinotecan or docetaxel in stage IIIB or stage IV NSCLC.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the activity and tolerability of gemcitabine plus irinotecan or docetaxel as first-line chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients with chemotherapy-na?ve stage IIIB or IV NSCLC were randomized to receive gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8, plus either irinotecan 100 mg/m2 or docetaxel 40 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8. Treatment was administered every 3 weeks. RESULTS: Of the 80 enrolled patients with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC, 78 were evaluable for activity and safety. Overall response rates, consisting of partial responses, were 12.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 4% to 35%] for gemcitabine-irinotecan and 23.1% (95% CI 10% to 42%) for gemcitabine-docetaxel. Median overall survival was 7.95 months (95% CI 5.2-10.2) and 12.8 months (95% CI 7.9-17.1) for gemcitabine-irinotecan and gemcitabine-docetaxel, respectively. The corresponding estimated 1-year survivals were 23% and 51%, respectively. The 2-year survival rate in arm A (gemcitabine-irinotecan) is not currently estimable. The 2-year survival rate for arm B (gemcitabine-docetaxel) is 22% (95% CI 6% to 37%). Both combinations were well tolerated; the most common hematological toxicity was neutropenia, which occurred in 26% of patients in each treatment arm. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that gemcitabine plus docetaxel or irinotecan is well tolerated in patients with chemotherapy-na?ve advanced NSCLC. The survival data with the combination gemcitabine-docetaxel are promising. Gemcitabine-docetaxel combination therapy may be particularly useful for patients who have experienced toxicities with a platinum regimen or in patients who may be more susceptible to platinum-related toxicity.     

Phase II study of gemcitabine, UFT and leucovorin in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer

The combination of gemcitabine with protracted 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer has shown activity with tolerable toxicity. The administration of UFT may simulate the effects of a protracted infusion of 5-FU. Patients with previously untreated metastatic or unresectable measurable pancreatic adenocarcinoma received gemcitabine (800 mg/m2 i.v., administered as an 80-min infusion on days 1, 8 and 15), UFT (200 mg/m2/day, on days 1 to 21), and oral leucovorin (90 mg/day, on days 1 to 21). Thirty patients were enrolled in this study. Five patients had partial responses, with an overall response rate of 17% (5/30), using the intent-to-treat principle (95% confidence interval (CI), 3-30%). Nine out of 25 (36%) patients experienced clinical benefit responses (95% CI; 17-55%). The median time to progression was 3.0 months, and the median overall survival was 7.2 months. The principal adverse event was neutropenia. The combination of gemcitabine, UFT, plus oral leucovorin shows significant antitumor activity and a beneficial clinical effect with an acceptable level of toxicity.     

Phase II Study of Gemcitabine, UFT and Leucovorin in Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

The combination of gemcitabine with protracted 5-fluorouracil(5-FU) in the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer has shown activity with tolerable toxicity. The administration of UFT may simulate the effects of a protracted infusion of 5-FU. Patients with previously untreated metastatic or unresectable measurable pancreatic adenocarcinoma received gemcitabine (800 mg/m2 i.v., administered as an 80-min infusion on days 1, 8 and 15), UFT (200 mg/m2/day, on days 1 to 21), and oral leucovorin (90 mg/day, on days 1 to 21). Thirty patients were enrolled in this study. Five patients had partial responses, with an overall response rate of 17% (5/30), using the intent-to-treat principle (95% confidence interval (CI), 3-30%). Nine out of 25 (36%) patients experienced clinical benefit responses (95% CI; 17-55%). The median time to progression was 3.0 months, and the median overall survival was 7.2 months. The principal adverse event was neutropenia. The combination of gemcitabine, UFT, plus oral leucovorin shows significant antitumor activity and a beneficial clinical effect with an acceptable level of toxicity.     

Phase II trial of carboplatin, gemcitabine, and capecitabine in patients with carcinoma of unknown primary site

BACKGROUND: The purposes of this study were to evaluate efficacy and toxicity of the combination of carboplatin, gemcitabine, and capecitabine in patients with carcinoma of unknown primary site (CUP). METHODS: Patients with CUP received carboplatin AUC 5 mg/mL a minute intravenously Day 1, gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) intravenously Days 1 and 8, and capecitabine 1600 mg/m(2) orally in divided doses, Days 1-14 of a 21-day cycle for up to 8 cycles. The primary endpoint of the study was objective response rate by intent-to-treat analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were treated (median age, 58 years; men:women ratio, 19:14). Most patients had a baseline performance status of 1. The objective response rate was 39.4% (95% CI, 22.9%-57.9%) in all patients, 36.4% in 22 patients with well to moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, and 40.0% in 20 patients with liver metastases. Median progression-free survival time was 6.2 months (95% CI, 5.4%-8.0%), and median survival time was 7.6 months (95% CI, 6.3-14.1). One and 2-year survival rates were 35.6% and 14.2%, respectively. The most frequent grade > or =3 adverse events were neutropenia (67%), thrombocytopenia (48%), and anemia (33%). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of carboplatin, gemcitabine, and capecitabine is active in CUP, especially in patients with liver metastases. This regimen may be a potential therapy for CUP patients with good performance status, particularly those with a suspected origin below the diaphragm.     

A phase II study of epirubicin, cisplatin and capecitabine combination chemotherapy in patients with metastatic or advanced gastric cancer

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antitumor activity and safety of an epirubicin, cisplatin, and capecitabine (ECX) combination in patients with metastatic or advanced gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with metastatic or advanced measurable gastric adenocarcinoma received ECX combination chemotherapy. Epirubicin 50 mg/m2 and cisplatin 60 mg/m2 were administered on day 1 by intravenous injection. Capecitabine 1,000 mg/m2 twice daily was administered orally on day 1-14. The cycle was repeated every 3 weeks. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were enrolled in this study. Fifty patients were assessable for responses and 53 for toxicity. A total of 250 cycles were administered. The overall best response rate by intent-to-treat analysis was 59% including 52% partial responses and 7% complete responses. Median response duration and time to progression was 5.8 and 6 months, respectively. Median survival for all patients was 9.6 months (95% CI, 8.7-10.5 months). The most common grade 3/4 hematological adverse event was neutropenia in 31% (76 cycles) including febrile neutropenia in 4.8% (11 cycles). Non-hematological toxicity was generally mild and reversible. Grade 3/4 nausea, vomiting and stomatitis occurred in 8, 9, and 8% of the patients, respectively. Hand-foot skin reactions developed in 51% of patients, but most were self-limited. Grade 3 occurred in only 4%. One patient died of neutropenic sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: ECX combination regimen showed high anti-tumor activity with a tolerable toxicity pattern as a front-line chemotherapy for patients with metastatic or advanced gastric cancer.     

吉西他滨联合卡培他滨治疗难治性乳腺癌的临床观察

目的观察吉西他滨联合卡培他滨（GX方案）治疗术后复发的乳腺癌患者的疗效和不良反应。方法50例患者分别接受GX方案化疗3～6个周期,按世界卫生组织（WHO）标准评价疗效及不良反应。结果50例患者均可评价,其中完全缓解（CR）4例（8．0％）,部分缓解（PR）22例（44．0％）,稳定（SD）18例（36．0％）,进展（PD）6例（12．0％）。中位肿瘤进展时间（mTTP）为8．3个月（95％CI：6．55—10．89）,中位总生存时间（mOS）为18．0个月（95％CI：14．34～21．98）。主要不良反应为骨髓抑制和皮疹。结论GX方案治疗晚期乳腺癌安全有效,不良反应较轻,值得临床推广应用。     

曲妥珠单抗联合紫杉醇脂质体和卡培他滨治疗HER-2阳性复发转移性乳腺癌

目的：评估曲妥珠单抗（trastuzumab,H）与紫杉醇脂质体（paclitaxel liposome,P）、卡培他滨（capecit-abine,X）的联合方案HPX方案治疗人表皮生长因子受体-2（human epidermal growth factor receptor-2,HER-2）阳性复发转移性乳腺癌的疗效与安全性。方法筛选HER-2阳性复发转移性乳腺癌患者32例,给予HPX方案治疗：曲妥珠单抗首次8 mg／kg,后6 mg／kg维持,d1;紫杉醇脂质体175 mg／m2,d1;卡培他滨825 mg／m2,2次／d,d1－14,21天为1周期。结果32例患者中位无进展生存时间（progression-free survival,PFS）为12．7月（95％CI：5．7－19.7月）,客观缓解率（objective response rate,ORR）为53．2％,临床获益率（clinical benefit rate,CBR）为84．5％。一线治疗患者的PFS达15．3月（95％ CI：2．5－28．1月）,ORR达68．4％,CBR达84．2％。Ⅲ～Ⅳ级不良反应主要为血液学毒性,包括中性粒细胞减少（46．9％）、白细胞减少（37．5％）、血小板减少（6．3％）,Ⅲ～Ⅳ级非血液学不良反应主要为手足综合征（9．4％）和腹泻（3．1％）。结论曲妥珠单抗联合紫杉醇脂质体和卡培他滨是治疗HER-2阳性复发转移性乳腺癌的有效治疗方案,且安全性良好。     

Phase II study of capecitabine and cisplatin combination as first-line chemotherapy in Chinese patients with metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma

PURPOSE: Cisplatin combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) is widely used in the management of advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, catheters and pumps are necessary for the continuous infusion of 5-Fu, which add to the cost, immobility and inconvenience of treatment. Capecitabine, an oral fluoropyrimidine, is a potentially more active and more convenient substitute to 5-Fu. A phase II study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a capecitabine and cisplatin combination in metastatic NPC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the multicenter, open-label, single-arm phase II study, patients with metastatic NPC who previously received no palliative chemotherapy were enrolled. Patients received oral capecitabine (1,000 mg/m(2) twice daily from day 1 to 14) and intravenous cisplatin (80 mg/m(2), day 1) every 3 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 48 patients were enrolled and included in the intention-to-treat analysis of efficacy and adverse events. There were 3 patients (6.3%) with complete response and 27 patients (56.3%) with partial response, giving an overall response rate of 62.5% (95% CI, 49.1-76.4%). The median duration of response in the 30 responding patients was 7.5 months (range 1.4-22.4 months). With a median follow-up period of 13.3 months (range 2.3-50 months), the median time to progression and median overall survival for all patients were 7.7 months (95% CI, 6.3-9.2 months) and 13.3 months (95% CI, 9.4-17.2 months), respectively. Toxicities were moderate and manageable. Grade 3/4 toxicities included neutropenia (14.6%), anemia (4.2%) and thrombocytopenia (2.1%), nausea (8.3%), vomiting (10.4%), diarrhea (8.3%), stomatitis (6.3%) and hand-foot syndrome (HFS) (4.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of capecitabine and cisplatin is active and well tolerated as a first-line therapy for patients with metastatic NPC.     

Chemotherapy with an every-2-week regimen of gemcitabine and paclitaxel in patients with transitional cell carcinoma who have received prior cisplatin-based therapy.

BACKGROUND: An every-2-week regimen of gemcitabine and paclitaxel was adapted for patients with advanced transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) who had received prior cisplatin-based chemotherapy. METHODS: Forty-one patients with advanced or metastatic TCC who had received prior cisplatin-based systemic chemotherapy were treated with an outpatient regimen of gemcitabine 2500-3000 mg/m(2) and paclitaxel 150 mg/m(2) every 2 weeks. RESULTS: Forty of 41 patients had measurable disease. Response was observed in 24 patients (60%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 45-75%). Eleven (28%) achieved complete response, and 13 (33%) obtained partial response. Twenty of 25 patients (80%; 95% CI, 64-96%) who had been previously treated in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting responded versus 4 of 15 (27%; 95% CI, 5-49%) in patients who received prior methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, cisplatin (M-VAC) for metastatic disease. The median duration of survival for patients given gemcitabine and paclitaxel after failing neoadjuvant or adjuvant M-VAC was 12 months (range, 2-43+), as compared with only 8 months (range, 2-28) for patients who had been treated after failure of prior therapy for metastatic disease. For all patients, the median duration of response was 6.4 months (range, 2-43.3+ months), and the median survival was 14.4 months (range, 2-43+). Thirteen patients (32%) developed World Health Organization Grade 3-4 neutropenia, with febrile neutropenia in 3 (7%) patients. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was given to 10 (24%) patients. There was no Grade 3-4 anemia or thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of gemcitabine and taxol in previously treated patients with recurrent TCC is highly effective and produces objective durable responses. This every-2-week schedule is a well tolerated outpatient regimen with minimal toxicity.     

Capecitabine/irinotecan or capecitabine/oxaliplatin in combination with bevacizumab is effective and safe as first-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer: a randomized phase II study of the AIO colorectal study group

BackgroundThis randomized phase II trial investigated the efficacy and safety of capecitabine/oxaliplatin (CapOx) plus bevacizumab and dose-modified capecitabine/irinotecan (mCapIri) plus bevacizumab as first-line therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).Patients and methodsPatients received bevacizumab 7.5 mg/kg with oxaliplatin 130 mg/m²/day 1 plus capecitabine 1000 mg/m² bid/days 1–14 or with irinotecan 200 mg/m²/day 1 plus capecitabine 800 mg/m² bid/days 1–14 both every 21 days. The primary end point was 6 months progression-free survival (PFS).ResultsA total of 255 patients were enrolled. The intent-to-treat population comprised 247 patients (CapOx–bevacizumab: n = 127; mCapIri–bevacizumab: n = 120). The six-month PFS rates were 76% (95% CI, 69%–84%) and 84% (95% CI, 77%–90%). Median PFS and OS were 10.4 months (95% CI, 9.0–12.0) and 24.4 months (95% CI, 19.3–30.7) with CapOx–bevacizumab, and 12.1 months (95% CI, 10.8–13.2) and 25.5 months (95% CI, 21.0–31.0) with mCapIri–bevacizumab. Grade 3/4 diarrhea as predominant toxic effect occurred in 22% of patients with CapOx–bevacizumab and in 16% with mCapIri–bevacizumab.ConclusionsBoth, CapOx–bevacizumab and mCapIri–bevacizumab, show promising activity and an excellent toxic effect profile. Efficacy is in the range of other bevacizumab-containing combination regimen although lower doses of irinotecan and capecitabine were selected for mCapIri.     

Gemcitabine Plus Paclitaxel as Second-line Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study was to determine response rates, progression-free survival(PFS), overall survival (OS) and toxicity of gemcitabine and paclitaxel combinations with advanced or metastaticnon-small cell lung cancer patients (NSCLC) who have progressive disease after platinum-based first-linechemotherapy. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the file records of patients treated with gemcitabine pluspaclitaxel in advanced or metastatic NSCLC cases in a second-line setting. The chemotherapy schedule was asfollows: gemcitabine 1500 mg/m2 and paclitaxel 150 mg/m2 administered every two weeks. Results: Forty-eightpatients (45 male, 3 female) were evaluated; stage IIIB/IV 6/42; PS0, 8.3%, PS1, 72.9%, PS2, 18.8%; medianage, 56 years old (range 38-76). Six (12.5%) patients showed a partial response (PR), 13 (27.1%) stable disease(SD), and 27 (56.3%) progressive disease (PD). The median OS was 6.63 months (95% CI 4.0-9.2); the medianPFS was 2.7 months (95% CI 1.8-3.6). Grade 3 and 4 hematologic toxicities, including neutropenia (n=4, 8.4%),and anemia (n=3, 6.3%) were encountered, but no grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia. One patient developed febrileneutropenia. There were no interruption for reasons of toxicity and no exitus related to therapy. Conclusion:The combination of two-weekly gemcitabine plus paclitaxel was an effective and well-tolerated second-linechemotherapy regimen for advanced or metastatic NSCLC patients previously treated with platinum-containingchemotherapy. Although the most common and dose limiting toxicities were neutropenia and neuropathy, thisregimen was tolerated well by the patients.     

A phase 3 randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled trial of ganitumab or placebo in combination with gemcitabine as first-line therapy for metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas: the GAMMA trial

This double-blind, phase 3 study assessed the efficacy and safety of ganitumab plus gemcitabine as first-line treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer. The study was stopped after a preplanned futility analysis indicated a positive outcome was unlikely at primary analysis. Ganitumab plus gemcitabine had manageable toxicity but did not improve OS versus gemcitabine alone in unselected patients.BackgroundThis double-blind, phase 3 study assessed the efficacy and safety of ganitumab combined with gemcitabine as first-line treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer.Patients and methodsPatients with previously untreated metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma were randomly assigned 2 : 2 : 1 to receive intravenous gemcitabine 1000 mg/m² (days 1, 8, and 15 of each 28-day cycle) plus placebo, ganitumab 12 mg/kg, or ganitumab 20 mg/kg (days 1 and 15 of each cycle). The primary end point was overall survival (OS). Secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS), safety, and efficacy by levels of circulating biomarkers.ResultsOverall, 322 patients were randomly assigned to placebo, 318 to ganitumab 12 mg/kg, and 160 to ganitumab 20 mg/kg. The study was stopped based on results from a preplanned futility analysis; the final results are reported. Median OS was 7.2 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 6.3-8.2] in the placebo arm, 7.0 months (95% CI, 6.2-8.5) in the ganitumab 12-mg/kg arm [hazard ratio (HR), 1.00; 95% CI, 0.82-1.21; P = 0.494], and 7.1 months (95% CI, 6.4-8.5) in the ganitumab 20-mg/kg arm (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.76-1.23; P = 0.397). Median PFS was 3.7, 3.6 (HR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.84-1.20; P = 0.520), and 3.7 months (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.77–1.22; P = 0.403), respectively. No unexpected toxicity was observed with ganitumab plus gemcitabine. The circulating biomarkers assessed [insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), IGF-binding protein-2, and -3] were not associated with a treatment effect on OS or PFS by ganitumab.ConclusionGanitumab combined with gemcitabine had manageable toxicity but did not improve OS, compared with gemcitabine alone in unselected patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01231347.     

Phase I/II study of bi-weekly XELIRI plus bevacizumab treatment in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer resistant to oxaliplatin-based first-line chemotherapy

Purpose

We aimed to determine the recommended dose for bi-weekly XELIRI plus bevacizumab for second-line chemotherapy and examined its safety and efficacy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer resistant to oxaliplatin-based first-line chemotherapy.

Methods

Irinotecan and bevacizumab were administered as a continuous intravenous infusion on Day 1 at 150 mg/mm² and 5 mg/kg, respectively. Capecitabine was orally administered in two divided doses on Days 2–8. Each 2-week treatment cycle was defined as a single course of treatment. During Phase I, we determined the recommended dose for capecitabine. In Phase II trials, efficacy and treatment safety was verified (UMIN000003934).

Results

The recommended dose of capecitabine was determined to be 2000 mg/m². Median progression-free survival was 7.8 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 6.1–10.9 months], and median overall survival was 18.9 months (95% CI 11.6–28.4 months). Response rate was 17.4% (95% CI 6.4–28.3%). The most common Grade ≥3 hematotoxic adverse events were anemia (10.9%), neutropenia (10.9%), and leukopenia (8.7%), while the occurrence rate of Grade ≥3 non-hematotoxic adverse events was relatively low (<10%).

Conclusion

Bi-weekly XELIRI plus bevacizumab was found to be a safe and effective second-line treatment in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer resistant to oxaliplatin-based first-line chemotherapy.