Phase I dose-escalation study of tezacitabine in combination with 5-fluorouracil in patients with advanced solid tumors

BACKGROUND: Tezacitabine [(E)-2'-deoxy-2'-(fluoromethylene) cytidine; FMdC] is a novel nucleoside analog with potent antiproliferative and antitumor activity in preclinical studies. A tolerable safety profile and clinical activity have been shown in Phase I and Phase II clinical studies. The purpose of the current open-label, Phase I dose-escalation trial was to evaluate the combination of tezacitabine and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the treatment of patients with advanced solid tumors. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with a variety of advanced solid tumors for which there was no curative therapy were enrolled. Bolus infusion tezacitabine was administered on Day 1 of a 14-day cycle at escalating doses of 150-350 mg/m(2), with continuous infusion 5-FU (CI 5-FU) given on Days 1-7 at a fixed dose of 200 mg/m(2) per day. Patients underwent objective tumor evaluation by radiologic methods or clinical examination at baseline and after every fourth treatment cycle. RESULTS: The maximum tolerated dose of the combination therapy was determined to be tezacitabine, 200 mg/m(2), with CI 5-FU, 200 mg/m(2) per day. The toxicities were manageable, the most notable being transient severe (National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria Grade 3 or 4) neutropenia in 23 patients (96%). Eleven (55%) of the 20 assessable patients had partial responses or stabilization of disease. The highest response rate was in patients with primary tumors of esophageal origin. CONCLUSIONS: Tezacitabine at a dose of 200 mg/m(2) in combination with CI 5-FU at a dose of 200 mg/m(2) per day was relatively well tolerated and had clinical activity in patients with advanced solid tumors, particularly in patients with esophageal and other gastrointestinal carcinomas.     

Phase I dose-escalating study of docetaxel in combination with 5-day continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil in patients with advanced gastric cancer

Background  

Published data suggests that docetaxel combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) may have synergistic activity in treating advanced gastric cancer. We performed a phase I study of docetaxel and 5-FU to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), the recommended dose for phase II studies, and the safety of this combination.     

Phase I dose-escalation study of aflibercept in combination with docetaxel and cisplatin in patients with advanced solid tumours

Background:

This phase I cohort study investigated aflibercept (vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) trap) plus docetaxel and cisplatin in patients with advanced solid tumours.

Methods:

Patients received intravenous aflibercept 4, 5, or 6 mg kg⁻¹ with docetaxel and cisplatin (75 mg m⁻² each) on day 1 of a 3-week cycle until progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity. Primary objectives were determining cycle 1 dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) and the aflibercept recommended phase II trial dose (RP2D) for this combination.

Results:

During the dose-escalation phase (n=16), there were two DLTs of febrile neutropenia (at 4 and 5 mg kg⁻¹). Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor prophylaxis was subsequently recommended. The RP2D of aflibercept was established at 6 mg kg⁻¹ and administered to 14 additional patients. The most frequent grade 3/4 adverse events (AEs) were neutropenia (43.3%), stomatitis (20.0%), asthenia/fatigue (20.0%), and hypertension (16.7%). All-grade AEs associated with VEGF blockade included epistaxis (83.3%), dysphonia (70.0%), proteinuria (53.3%), and hypertension (50.0%). There were five partial responses (16.7%) and 18 cases of stable disease (60.0%) (lasting >3 months in 10 patients). There were no pharmacokinetic (PK) interactions between the three drugs.

Conclusion:

Aflibercept 6 mg kg⁻¹ with docetaxel and cisplatin 75 mg m⁻² every 3 weeks is the RP2D based on tolerability, antitumour activity, and PKs.     

Biweekly docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (DCF) chemotherapy for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a phase I dose-escalation study

Background and purpose

The optimal chemotherapeutic protocol for the treatment of esophageal cancer has not yet been established. A dose-escalation study of docetaxel combined with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was performed to determine the optimal dose in patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Patients and method

We studied a total of 18 patients who had previously untreated thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with T4 tumors and/or metastasis. The patients received an infusion of docetaxel at different dose levels (levels 1, 2, 3: 30, 35, 40 mg/m², respectively) and an infusion of cisplatin (40 mg/m²) on days 1 and 15 plus a continuous infusion of 5-FU (400 mg/m²/day) on days 1–5 and 15–19.

Results

Dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) included febrile neutropenia and leukopenia. DLT occurred in 2 of 6 patients at level 1, 2 and in 3 of 6 patients at level 3. The response rate was 88.9%, including a complete response rate of 33.3%.

Conclusions

To minimize toxicity and maximize dose intensity, we elected to investigate a biweekly regimen. The maximum tolerated dose was level 3, and the recommended dose was determined to be docetaxel 35 mg/m² with cisplatin 40 mg/m² plus 5-FU 400 mg/m², administered biweekly. This regimen was tolerable and highly active. A phase II study has been started.     

Phase I dose-escalation study of intravenous aflibercept administered in combination with irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin in patients with advanced solid tumours

BackgroundTo determine dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), recommended phase II trial dose (RPTD), safety, preliminary antitumour activity and pharmacokinetics of intravenous aflibercept with irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin (LV5FU2).Patients and methodsIn this open-label study, 38 patients with advanced solid tumours received aflibercept 2, 4, 5, or 6 mg/kg on day 1, then irinotecan and LV5FU2 on days 1 and 2 every 2 weeks.ResultsTwo grade 3/4 aflibercept-associated DLTs occurred with 4 mg/kg: proteinuria lasting >2 weeks and acute nephrotic syndrome with thrombotic microangiopathy. Two DLTs with 5 mg/kg (grade 3 stomatitis and grade 3 oesophagitis reflux) and three with 6 mg/kg (febrile neutropenia, grade 3 stomatitis and grade 3 abdominal pain) were considered related to concurrent chemotherapy and underlying disease. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia, hypertension and diarrhoea. Nine patients had partial responses, five with 4 mg/kg. Twenty-two patients had stable disease (five with 4 mg/kg), lasting >3 months in 17 patients. No anti-aflibercept antibodies were detected. Free aflibercept was in excess of bound in most patients on 4 mg/kg.ConclusionBased on pharmacokinetics, acceptable safety and encouraging antitumour activity, aflibercept 4 mg/kg was selected as the RPTD with irinotecan and LV5FU2 every 2 weeks.     

A case of advanced esophageal carcinoma with nephrotic syndrome completely responding to chemotherapy of docetaxel, nedaplatin and 5-fluorouracil

A 78-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of dysphagia. He had been diagnosed as nephritic syndrome at 30 years of age and had been treated with prednisolone 10 mg/day. Blood examination revealed renal dysfunction; BUN 25 mg/dL, Cr 1. 9 mg/dL, and glomerular filtration rate(GFR)47. 4 mL/min. Endoscopy showed a type 2 tumor at the middle thoracic esophagus, and the biopsy specimen revealed moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma pathologically. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest and abdomen showed no metastases at distant regions and lymph nodes. Clinical staging was Stage II (cT2cN0cM0). Because of old age and renal function, we chose chemotherapy using docetaxel, nedaplatin and 5-fluorouracil. The adverse event was grade 2 in leucopenia and grade 1 in inappetence, but the renal function did not progress. Repeated endoscopic examinations after chemotherapy revealed that the esophageal cancer was significantly reduced in size, and no cancer cells were pathologically detected by endoscopic biopsy, resulting in a complete response(CR). This chemotherapy of docetaxel, nedaplatin and 5-fluorouracil might be effective and tolerable for patients with renal dys- function due to nephritic syndrome.     

多西他赛联合奈达铂治疗晚期食管癌的临床观察

目的 观察多西他赛联合奈达铂治疗中晚期食管癌的有效性及安全性。方法全组共45例,其中男性30例,女性15例;年龄37岁-72岁,中位年龄54岁;鳞癌37例,腺癌8例;初治10例,复治35例,人组后给予多西他赛37．5mg／m^2,d1、d8;奈达铂80mg／m^2,d2。每3周重复。2周期后按WHO标准评价近期疗效和毒性反应。结果全组共接受了177周期治疗,每例1—6周期,平均3．9周期,均可评价疗效及毒副作用。全组1例CR（2．2％）,16例PR（35．6％）。初治或复治、分期、病理类型对近期疗效均无影响。常见毒性反应为骨髓抑制。结论多它赛联合奈达铂治疗中晚期食道癌有较好的疗效,并且毒性反应可以控制,值得临床推广使用。     

Establishment of nedaplatin safety dose formula based on renal function for combination chemotherapy with nedaplatin and 5-fluorouracil in patients with esophageal cancer

International Journal of Clinical Oncology - It is known that the area under the plasma concentration curve of nedaplatin (AUCNDP) is associated with the relative reduction ratio of platelets and...     

Phase I dose-escalating study of 24-h continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil in combination with weekly docetaxel and cisplatin in patients with advanced gastric cancer

Purpose

To determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of a 24-h continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) when administered in combination with a fixed weekly dose of docetaxel and cisplatin in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Methods

Patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma (n = 21) received a weekly regimen of docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-FU (DCF) for 3 consecutive weeks every 4 weeks. The doses of docetaxel and cisplatin were fixed at 33.3 and 30 mg/m², respectively. The dose of 5-FU was increased from a starting dose of 1,000 mg/m² to the MTD.

Results

A total of 53 cycles of chemotherapy were administered (median = 3 cycles/patient). The MTD of 5-FU was 1,750 mg/m². All 21 patients were assessed for toxicity and 19 patients (90%) were evaluated for response. Both grade 3–4 hematologic and non-hematologic toxicities occurred in less than 10% of patients and there were no treatment-related deaths. Among the 19 patients, we observed 1 complete and 4 partial responses for an overall response rate of 26% (95% CI: 6–46%). This rate increased to 39% (95% CI: 12–66%) in 13 chemotherapy-naïve patients.

Conclusions

A consecutive weekly DCF regimen at 4-week intervals appears feasible for advanced gastric cancer with a favorable toxicity profile. The recommended doses are 33.3 mg/m² of docetaxel, 30 mg/m² of cisplatin and 1,500 mg/m² of a 24-h continuous intravenous infusion of 5-FU. The response of this weekly regimen in our study was favorable and deserved further investigation in a phase II trial.     

Phase I study of phosphonacetyl-l-aspartate, 5-fluorouracil,and leucovorin in patients with advanced cancer

Low-dose phosphonacetyl-l-aspartate (PALA) may potentiate both 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) incorporation into RNA and thymidylate synthase inhibition by 5-fluorodeoxyuridylate (5-FdUMP). The gastrointestinal toxicity of 5-FU is not increased by PALA administration. Exogenous leucovorin, on the other hand, which enhances thymidylate synthase inhibition, appears to increase the clinical toxicity of 5-FU in a dose-dependent manner. As a result, the clinical use of high-dose leucovorin requires a marked dose reduction of 5-FU. Extracellular leucovorin levels of 1 M suffice to maximize the enhancement of thymidylate synthase inhibition in several models. We conducted a trial to add leucovorin to the PALA/5-FU regimen. We chose a leucovorin dose that was predicted to yield end-infusion total reduced folate concentrations of 1 M. The major endpoint was to determine the maximum tolerated dose of 5-FU in this combination. The regimen consisted of 250 mg/m² PALA given on day 1 and, 24 h later, escalating 5-FU doses ranging from 1,850 to 2,600 mg/m² admixed with 50 mg/m² leucovorin and given by 24-h infusion. Courses were repeated weekly. A total of 24 patients with a median performance status of 1 were entered at three dose levels. Diarrhea was dose-limiting; 6/13 patients had grade II or worse diarrhea at 2,600 mg/m². Dose modification resulted in a mean dose intensity of 2,300 mg/m² at both the 2,600- and 2,300-mg/m² dose levels. The 2,300-mg/m² dose is suitable for phase II testing of this regimen. Three patients (two with breast cancer and 1 with sarcoma) had a partial remission. We measured steady-state concentrations (C_ss) of 5-FU in 23 patients. The mean C_ss increased with dose from 0.738 to 1.03 g/ml. Total body clearance did not vary with dose in this range. Patients with grade II or worse diarrhea had a higher mean C_ss (1.10±0.19) than those with grade O or I toxicity (0.835±0.25,P<0.02). Total bioactive folates (bound and free) were measured using a biological assay. Pretreatment values ranged from 2 to 52 nM and were not predictive of toxicity. End-infusion (23-h) values were somewhat lower than predicted and ranged from 400 to 950 nM. The risk of diarrhea was positively correlated with end-infusion total folate values. In a logistic regression analysis, total folate values obtained at 23 h were a more powerful predictor of diarrhea than were 5-FU C_ss values. These results confirm the contribution of leucovorin to the toxicity of the 5-FU/leucovorin combination and suggest that interpatient differences in folate pharmacology may contribute to the therapeutic index of the 5-FU/leucovorin combination.Supported in part by NCI CA06927, NCI CA38053, and an appropriation from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania     

多西他赛联合顺铂和氟尿嘧啶治疗晚期胃癌疗效观察

目的观察多西他赛联合顺铂、氟尿嘧啶(DCF方案)治疗晚期胃癌的疗效和不良反应。方法采用DCF方案治疗33例晚期胃癌患者。多西他赛75 mg/m2,d1;顺铂75 mg/m2,d1;氟尿嘧啶750 mg/m2,持续静脉滴注,d1~5,3周1个周期,至少2个周期。结果33例晚期胃癌中,完全缓解(CR)0例,部分缓解(PR)18例(54.5%),稳定(SD)8例(24.2%),进展(PD)7例(21.2%)。中位肿瘤进展时间为6.1个月(3.5~11.5个月),中位总生存期为11.2个月(6.0~14.5个月)。最常见的不良反应为骨髓抑制、消化道反应及可逆性体液潴留,不良反应多为Ⅰ~Ⅱ度,无Ⅳ度不良反应发生。骨髓抑制以白细胞减少为特点,血小板减少及贫血较轻。消化道反应主要表现为恶心呕吐、腹泻、便秘,无Ⅳ度腹泻发生。无治疗相关性死亡。结论DCF方案是治疗晚期胃癌安全有效的化疗方案。     

Phase I study of 3-weekly docetaxel, capecitabine and oxaliplatin combination chemotherapy in patients with previously untreated advanced gastric cancer

Purpose

Adding docetaxel to cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (DCF) significantly improved clinical efficacy in advanced gastric cancer (AGC). To further improve the efficacy and tolerability, we substituted oxaliplatin for cisplatin and capecitabine for 5-FU in the DCF regimen and performed a phase I study to determine the recommended dose (RD) and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of docetaxel, capecitabine and oxaliplatin (DXO) combination in patients with AGC.

Materials and methods

Previously untreated patients with histologically proven metastatic AGC and ECOG performance status 0–2 were enrolled. Docetaxel and oxaliplatin were administered i.v. on day 1. Capecitabine was administered orally bid on days 1–14. Each cycle was repeated every 3 weeks. DLTs were evaluated during the first two cycles of treatment.

Results

Twenty-one patients were enrolled: 15 patients in dose-escalation phase and 6 patients in the extension at the RD. Median age was 50 years (range 21–65 years). At dose level 3 (60 mg/m² docetaxel, 1,000 mg/m² capecitabine, 100 mg/m² oxaliplatin), 1 diarrhea (DLT) was found among 6 patients while at dose level 4 (60 mg/m² docetaxel, 800 mg/m² capecitabine, 130 mg/m² oxaliplatin), 2 DLTs (febrile neutropenia and diarrhea) were observed among 3 patients. Therefore, the dose level 3 was determined as RD. DLTs include grade 3 diarrhea and febrile neutropenia. Cumulative (all cycles) grade 3/4 toxicity included neutropenia (75%), leucopenia (50%), febrile neutropenia (25%), diarrhea (17%), and neuropathy (17%). Of 14 patients with measurable lesions, 11 achieved partial response and 3 showed stable disease.

Conclusion

The RD of the DXO regimen in patients with AGC is capecitabine 1,000 mg/m² twice daily on days 1–14, in combination with decetaxel 60 mg/m² (day 1) and oxaliplatin 100 mg/m² (day 1) repeated every 3 weeks. The DXO regimen seems to have promising activity and offers an easy alternative to DCF. The toxicities appear to be still substantial, but manageable.     

Phase II study of combined chemotherapy with docetaxel, CDDP and 5-FU for highly advanced esophageal cancer

Advanced esophageal cancer with widespread metastasis to lymph nodes or other organs is difficult to treat and has an extremely poor prognosis. A new combined chemotherapy of docetaxel with cisplatin (CDDP) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (DPF therapy) was performed and its efficacy and safety were examined. Among those hospitalized between May 2003 and October 2009, 30 patients with stage III or stage IV unresectable, untreated advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma which had invaded other organs were enrolled in this study. The regimen of DPF therapy was as follows: a set of intravenous drips of 60 mg/m(2) of docetaxel (day 1), 60 mg/m(2) of CDDP (day 1) and 800 mg/m(2) of 5-FU (days 1-5) was administered twice at an interval of 3 to 4 weeks. Antitumor effects, adverse reactions and treatment outcomes were then examined. The patients included 26 men and 4 women aged 40 to 73 years (average age, 58.1 years), and the performance status (PS) was 1 in 18 cases and 2 in 12 cases. The main location of the esophageal cancer was the upper/middle/lower thoracic esophagus in 7/14/9 cases, respectively. Clinical stage was III in 5 cases and IV in 25. The effective rate of DPF therapy was 83.3% for the primary lesion (complete response, CR: 4 cases, partial response, PR: 21 cases), 72.4% for lymph node metastasis (CR: 3 cases, PR: 18 cases) and 72.0% for distant organ metastasis (CR: 3 cases, PR: 15 cases). The observed adverse reactions of grade 2 or higher of National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI-CTC) included anemia (16.7%), leukopenia (73.3%), liver dysfunction (20.0%), anorexia (16.7%), stomatitis (33.3%), esophagitis (16.7%), alopecia (16.7%) and diarrhea (26.7%). The therapy completion rate was 96.7% and the therapy-related death rate was 3.3%. Treatments given after the completion of the DPF therapy were surgery in 6 cases, chemotherapy such as additional DPF in 12, chemoradiation in 4, esophageal stent placement in 1, and no treatment in 7. The patients' median survival time was 271 days, the 1-year survival rate was 41.9% and the 5-year survival rate was 13.3%. DPF therapy can be used as a standard chemotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer in view of its strong antitumor effect and relatively safe outcome.     

Phase II study of docetaxel and topotecan combination chemotherapy in patients with advanced head and neck cancer

Purpose To evaluate the activity of combination chemotherapy with docetaxel and topotecan in patients with advanced head and neck cancer.Methods Docetaxel was given at 60 mg/m² as a 60-min intravenous infusion on day 1. Topotecan at 0.75 mg/m² per day was infused over 30 min on days 1, 2 and 3. Cycles were repeated every 21 days.Results There were no responses (CR+PR) seen in the ten patients. Only one patient had stable disease and was able to receive six cycles of chemotherapy. Median survival was 81 days (range 67–161 days).Conclusions The combination of docetaxel and topotecan at these doses and in this schedule is not recommended for patients with locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Other investigational approaches are needed.     

Phase I study of combination chemotherapy using irinotecan hydrochloride and nedaplatin for advanced or recurrent cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE: We performed a phase I clinical study to evaluate combination chemotherapy with irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) and nedaplatin (CPT-11/nedaplatin) for cervical cancer. METHODS: This study included patients with primary or recurrent cervical cancer. The regimen for CPT-11/nedaplatin therapy consisted of CPT-11 administered 3 times over 2 weeks (days 1, 8 and 15) and nedaplatin infused intravenously as a single dose (day 1). This course was repeated at 4-week intervals. The step 1 doses of the two agents were 50 mg/m(2), respectively. Dose escalation was performed in tandem. Plasma CPT-11, SN-38, total platinum, and filterable platinum levels were measured. RESULTS: In step 3 (CPT-11, 60 mg/m(2); nedaplatin, 60 mg/m(2)), dose-limiting toxicity was observed in 2 of 3 patients. The step 3 doses were regarded as the maximum tolerated doses. The incidences of grade 3/4 adverse events in the first courses (n = 12) [and all courses (n = 45)] were: leukopenia 33% (22%), neutropenia 42% (31%), anemia 17% (20%), nausea 8% (7%), and diarrhea 8% (7%). Following CPT-11 administration, the mean areas under the curve (AUC; ng.h/ml) of SN-38 were 0.11 at 50 mg/m(2) and 0.17 at 60 mg/m(2). Following nedaplatin administration, the mean AUCs (microg x h/ml) of filterable platinum were 6.0 at 50 mg/m(2), and 6.0 at 60 mg/m(2). The response rate was 50% (2 complete responses and 2 partial responses). CONCLUSION: The recommended doses of CPT-11 and nedaplatin for a phase II clinical study were established as 50 and 60 mg/m(2), respectively.     

A phase I/II study of nedaplatin and 5-fluorouracil with concurrent radiotherapy in patients with esophageal cancer

Purpose: To determine the recommended dose (RD) of cis-diammine-glycolatoplatinum (nedaplatin) when given concurrently with 5-FU and high dose radiation therapy in the treatment of esophageal cancer. The purpose of the phase II trial is to determine efficacy and further define the side effect profile. Methods: Twenty-six patients with clinical stage I to IVA squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus were enrolled in a non-surgical treatment comprised of a fixed dose of fluorouracil (400 mg/m² administered as continuous intravenous infusion on days 1–5 and days 8–12) plus escalating doses of nedaplatin (40 mg/m² in level 1, 50 mg/m² in level 2, or 60 mg/m² in level 3 on days 1 and 8), repeated twice every 3 weeks with concurrent radiotherapy (60 Gy). Results: Between July 1998 and February 2004, a total of 26 patients entered this trial, all of whom were considered evaluable for toxicity assessment. In phase I of the study, 12 patients were treated in sequential cohorts of three to six patients per dose level. The maximum tolerated dose was reached at level 3 with two grade 4 neutropenia and one grade 4 thrombocytopenia. Thus, the recommended dosing schedule is level 2. Of the 20 patients treated at the RD level 2, including 6 patients of the RD phase I portion, 8 out of 20 patients (40%) had grade 3–4 neutropenia, 5 patients (25.0%) had grade 3–4 thrombocytopenia, 4 patients (20.0%) had grade 3 anemia and 4 patients (20.0%) had grade 3–4 esophagitis. Other toxicities were relatively mild and usually of grade 2 or less. Objective responses were noted in the 26 patients (overall response rate, 88.5%) including 11 (42.3%) complete remissions. The 1- and 3-year survival rates were 65.1 and 37.2%, respectively, with a median survival time of 21.2 months. Conclusions: The combination of nedaplatin and 5-FU with radiation is a feasible regimen that shows promising antitumor activity with an acceptable safety profile in patients with esophageal cancer.