Increase of survival benefit in advanced resectable colon cancer by extent of adjuvant treatment: results of a randomized trial comparing modulation of 5-FU + levamisole with folinic acid or with interferon-alpha

BACKGROUND: The benefit of adjuvant therapy in curatively resected lymph node-positive colon cancer was established using 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and levamisole (LEV) for 12 months. 5-FU cytotoxicity can be modulated by folinic acid (FA) or interferon-alpha (INF-alpha). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of modulating 5-FU+ LEV by either FA or IFN-alpha in the adjuvant treatment of high-risk colon cancer. METHODS: Patients with curatively resected colon cancer (stages UICC IIb and III) were stratified according to T, N, and participating center and randomized to receive a 12-month treatment using 5-FU + LEV alone or in combination with FA or IFN-alpha. RESULTS: A total of 855 of 904 entered patients (94.6%) were eligible. The median follow-up of all eligible patients was 4.6 years. Addition of FA to 5-FU + LEV improved recurrence-free and overall survival in comparison with 5-FU + LEV alone (P = 0.007 and P = 0.004, respectively, 1-sided). The 5-year overall survival rates were 60.5% (95% confidence interval, 54.3-66.7) and 72.0% (95% confidence interval, 66.5-77.5) for 5-FU + LEV and 5-FU + LEV + FA, respectively. Addition of INF-alpha showed a tendency to improve recurrence-free survival, however, without altering overall survival. Toxicities (WHO III + IV) were generally tolerable except one toxic death in the control arm and were observed in 9.9% of the patients receiving 5-FU + LEV alone and in 13.3% and in 30.7% of patients receiving additional FA and IFN-alpha, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of IFN-alpha was associated with increased toxicity without markedly influencing the outcome and should therefore not be recommended for adjuvant treatment. Addition of FA increased the 5-year recurrence-free and overall survival rate by 9.3 and 11.5 percentage points, respectively. 5-FU + LEV + FA for 12 months may be an effective adjuvant treatment option for locally advanced high-risk colon cancer.     

Efficacy of a continuous venous infusion of fluorouracil and daily divided dose cisplatin as adjuvant therapy in resectable colorectal cancer: A prospective randomized trial

PURPOSE: Daily divided dose cisplatin (DDD-P) is used as an efficient modulator of fluorouracil (5-FU), as is leucovorin (LV). We performed a randomized trial to compare the efficacy 5-FU plus DDD-P (DDD-FP) therapy with 5-FU alone in resected colorectal cancer as the adjuvant therapy. METHODS: One hundred and eighty-eight stage II or III colorectal cancer patients were enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned to receive DDD-FP (5-FU, 320 mg/ m(2), daily for 21 days; CDDP, 3.5 mg/m(2) daily for 21 days) followed by oral 5-FU (200 mg/body daily for 2 years) (DDD-FP arm) or oral 5-FU therapy (200 mg/ body daily for 2 years) exclusively (oral 5-FU arm). RESULTS: The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates and the overall survival (OS) rates indicated no significant difference between the two arms. By stratified analysis, in the colon cancer patients, the DFS and the OS for the DDD-FP arm were significantly increased: 93.5% and 95.7% in the DDD-FP arm as compared with 76.9% and 82.2% in the oral 5-FU arm (P = 0.024 and P = 0.038). Regarding adverse effects, grade 3-4 toxicities were not significant in two arms. CONCLUSIONS: DDD-FP followed by oral 5-FU therapy suggested a feasible regimen for patients with resected colon cancer as the adjuvant therapy.     

Induction of a Pathological Complete Response by Four Courses of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Gastric Cancer: Early Results of the Randomized Phase II COMPASS Trial

Background

The prognosis for stage 3 gastric cancer is not satisfactory, even with S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy. A randomized phase II trial was conducted to compare two and four courses of neoadjuvant S-1/cisplatin (SC) and paclitaxel/cisplatin (PC) using a two-by-two factorial design for locally advanced gastric cancer. The primary endpoint was overall survival. We clarified the impact of these regimens on the secondary endpoints, including the clinical and pathological responses, chemotherapy-related toxicities, and surgical results.

Methods

Patients received S-1 (80 mg/m² for 21 days with 1 week’s rest)/cisplatin (60 mg/m² at day 8) or paclitaxel/cisplatin (80 and 25 mg/m², respectively, on days 1, 8, and 15 with 1 week’s rest) as neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Results

Eighty-three patients were assigned to arm A (two courses of SC, n = 21), arm B (four courses of SC, n = 20), arm C (two courses of PC, n = 21), and arm D (four courses of PC, n = 21). Pathological response rate was 43 % in arm A, 40 % in arm B, 29 % in arm C, and 38 % in arm D. Pathological complete response was only observed in arms B (10 %) and D (10 %). Most bone marrow toxicities, nausea, vomiting, alopecia, and fatigue were slightly higher but acceptable in arms B and D. Grade 3/4 surgical morbidities were not commonly observed in all four arms.

Conclusions

Pathological complete response could be induced by four courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy without a marked increase of toxicities, regardless of a SC or PC regimen.     

Docetaxel, with or without estramustine phosphate, as first-line chemotherapy for hormone-refractory prostate cancer: results of a multicentre, randomized phase II trial

OBJECTIVE

To report the results of a randomized phase II trial of docetaxel with and without estramustine phosphate (EP) in patients with hormone‐refractory prostate cancer (HRPC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with progressive HRPC were randomized to receive docetaxel 70 mg/m² on day 1 (arm A), or docetaxel 70 mg/m² on day 2 plus oral EP three times daily, at a total daily dose of 840 mg, on days 1–5 (arm B). The primary objective of the trial was to evaluate the activity of the treatments in terms of the response in prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level.

RESULTS

Forty‐five of the 49 patients centrally randomized to arm A and 44 of the 46 in arm B were evaluable for activity. The PSA level decreased by ≥50% in 40% of the patients in arm A and in 75% of those in arm B. The median time to PSA progression was 20 weeks in arm A and 30 weeks in arm B. The patients in arm B had an improvement in pain over time.

CONCLUSION

These data support the existence of a possible advantage in combining docetaxel and EP, which should be verified in a specific randomized phase III study.     

A Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing Intravenous 5- Fluorouracil and Oral Doxifluridine As Postoperative Adjuvant Treatment for Advanced Rectal Cancer

Background: Postoperative adjuvant chemoradiation treatment after curative resection for rectal cancer was needed to reduce recurrence and improve a survival rate. Intravenous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin has been a mainstay of chemotherapy, but oral 5-FU derivatives have been shown a comparable antitumor activity. Intravenous 5-FU and oral doxifluridine were compared with respect to therapeutic efficacy, drug toxicity, and quality of life.Methods: A total of 166 patients were randomized to receive intravenous 5-FU (450 mg/m²/day) or oral doxifluridine (900 mg/m²/day) in combination with leucovorin (20 mg/m²/day) for depth of invasion, nodal status, metastasis (TNM) stage II and III patients between October 1997 and February 1999. Consecutive daily intravenous infusion for 5 days per every month for a total of 12 cycles (IV arm, n = 74) and oral doxifluridine daily for 3 weeks and 1 week rest for a total of 12 cycles (oral arm, n = 92). Drug toxicity and quality of life were observed. Quality of life was scored according to 22 daily activity items (good, 71; fair, < 70; poor, < 52).Results: There was no difference of sex between two groups (IV arm: male/female = 45/29, oral arm: male/female = 59/33). The mean age was 52.3 vs. 59.5, respectively. There was also no difference of TNM stage distribution and type of operation between groups (P = .05). Mean numbers of chemotherapy cycles were 6.5 ± 3.7 (IV arm) vs. 7.2 ± 4.3 (oral arm), respectively. The rate of recurrence was 9/74 (12.1%) in the IV arm and 6/92 (6.5%) in the oral arm, respectively (P = .937). Local recurrence was 2/74 (stage III; 2.7%) in the IV arm and 1/92 (stage II;1.1%) in the oral arm, respectively. Systemic recurrence was 7/74 (stage III; 9.4%) in the IV arm and 5/92 (stage III; 5.4%) in the oral arm, respectively. The most common site of systemic recurrence was the liver. Toxicity profile was as follows: leukopenia (30/74 vs. 17/92) and alopecia (21/74 vs. 13/92) were statistically more common in the IV arm. Diarrhea was more common in the oral arm. Poor quality of life score between two groups was observed at 1 month (23.9% vs. 13%) and 2 months (15.8% vs. 3.7%) after chemotherapy. Good quality of life score was observed at 1 month (19.5% vs. 49%) and 2 months (47% vs. 72%), respectively (P < .05).Conclusions: Oral doxifluridine with leucovorin shows a comparable therapeutic efficacy to intravenous 5-FU regimen with high quality of life as postoperative adjuvant therapy. The oral regimen also can be safely given with appropriate toxicity and tolerability.Presented at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Society of Surgical Oncology, March 16–19, 2000, New Orleans.     

Adjuvant PEFG (Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5-Fluorouracil, Gemcitabine) or Gemcitabine Followed by Chemoradiation in Pancreatic Cancer: A Randomized Phase II Trial

Background

Information from randomized trials on the role of combination chemotherapy in the adjuvant treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is limited. This randomized phase II trial aimed to identify the most promising regimen warranting phase III evaluation.

Methods

Therapy-naive patients, age 18?C75?years, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) >60, gross total resection of stage IB?CIII pancreatic adenocarcinoma, stratified for center and surgical margins, were randomly assigned to receive either gemcitabine 1?g/m² weekly on days 1, 8, and 15 (arm A) or the PEFG regimen (cisplatin and epirubicin 40?mg/m², day 1; gemcitabine 600?mg/m², days 1, 8; 5-fluorouracil 200?mg/m² daily, days 1?C28) (arm B). Chemotherapy was administered every 4?weeks for 3?months and followed by irradiation concurrent to continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil 250?mg/m² daily. Primary endpoint was the probability of being disease-free at 1?year from surgery. Assuming P0?=?35% and P1?=?55%, ???=?.05 and ???=?.10, the study was to enroll 51 patients per arm.

Results

A total of 102 patients were randomized; 100 were eligible (arm A: 51; arm B: 49). Baseline characteristic (A/B) were: Median age was 61/60?years; 75% had KPS >80 75/76%; 36% grade 3 tumor 29/43%, 79% stage IIB/III 75/84%, 31% R1 resection 35/29%. Survival figures (A/B) were: Median disease-free survival was 11.7 and 15.2?months; 1-year disease-free survival 49.0% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 35?C63%) and 69.4% (95% CI 56?C83%); median survival 24.8 and 28.9?months. Combination chemotherapy produced more hematological toxicity without relevant differences in nonhematological toxicities.

Conclusions

The 4-drug regimen deserves further assessment in resectable pancreatic cancer.     

Immunchemotherapie des metastasierten Nierenzell- karzinoms mit Interleukin-2, Interferon-α und 5-Fluorouracil

Zusammenfassung Ziel dieser Untersuchung war es, die Effektivit?t und Toxizit?t einer Immunchemotherapie beim metastasierten Nierenzellkarzinom zu überprüfen. Die Zytokine Interleukin-2 (IL-2) und Interferon-α (IFN-α) – jeweils subkutan (sc) injiziert – wurden mit i. v.-appliziertem 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) kombiniert. Das Therapieschema bestand aus einem 8 w?chigen Behandlungszyklus. Dabei wurde IFN-α in jeder dieser 8 Wochen mit unterschiedlicher Dosierung (6-9 Mio. U/m² K?rperoberfl?che (KO) 1- bis 3 mal pro Woche) appliziert. Zus?tzlich erfolgte nacheinander jeweils für 4 Wochen die Gabe von IL-2 (5–20 Mio. IU/m² KO 3 mal pro Woche) bzw. 5-FU (750 mg/m² KO einmal w?chentlich). Bei Ansprechen der Therapie wurde dieser Zyklus ggf. 1- bis 2 mal wiederholt. 30 Patienten wurden nach diesem Schema behandelt. Die Nachbeobachtungszeit betrug durchschnittlich 11 (3–18) Monate. In 2 F?llen war eine komplette (CR: Dauer 3 und 9 Monate) und in 9 F?llen eine partielle Remission (PR: 3–14 Monate) überwiegend bei Lungen- und Skelettmetastasen nachzuweisen. Dies entspricht einer objektiven Ansprechrate (CR + PR) von 37 %. Bei 10 Patienten war für die Dauer von 3–18 Monaten ein stabiler Krankheitszustand zu beobachten. Die Nebenwirkungen waren gering und entsprachen einer Toxizit?t Grad I (n = 2), Grad II (n = 22) und Grad III (n = 6) nach der WHO-Klassifikation; 7 Patienten sind zwischenzeitlich an einer Progredienz der Erkrankung nach durchschnittlich 12 (4–18) Monaten verstorben. Zusammenfassend ist festzustellen, da? diese Immunchemotherapie eine ebenso hohe klinische Effektivit?t aufweist wie wesentlich aggressivere Therapieschemata mit i. v.-appliziertem IL-2, jedoch ohne deren ausgepr?gte Toxizit?t.      

Toxicity Analysis in the ADEBAR Trial: Sequential Anthracycline-Taxane Therapy Compared with FEC120 for the Adjuvant Treatment of High-Risk Breast Cancer

Background

Data from meta-analyses have shown taxane-containing therapies to be superior to anthracycline-based treatments for high-risk breast cancer.

Patients and Methods

The ADEBAR trial was a multicenter phase III trial in which patients with lymph node-positive breast cancer were prospectively randomized for either sequential anthracycline-taxane or FEC120 therapy. Patients received 4× epirubicin (90 mg/m²) and cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m²) every 3 weeks (q3w), followed by 4× docetaxel (100 mg/m²) q3w (EC-Doc arm), or 6× epirubicin (60 mg/m²) and 5-fluorouracil (500 mg/m²) on days 1 and 8 and cyclophosphamide (75 mg/m²) on days 1–14, q4w (FEC arm). We compared both arms with respect to toxicity and feasibility.

Results

Hematological toxicity was found significantly more often in the FEC arm. Febrile neutropenia was seen in 11.3% of patients in the FEC arm and in 8.4% of patients in the EC-Doc arm (p = 0.027). Non-hematological side effects of grade 3/4 were rarely seen in either arm. Therapy was terminated due to toxicity in 3.7% of the patients in the EC-Doc arm and in 8.0% of the patients in the FEC arm (p = 0.0009).

Conclusion

The sequential anthracycline-taxane regimen is a well-tolerated and feasible alternative to FEC120 therapy.     

NSC-631570 (Ukrain) in the palliative treatment of pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND: NSC-631570 (Ukrain) is a semisynthetic compound of thiophosphoric acid and the alkaloid chelidonine from the plant Chelidonium majus. It has been used in complementary herbal medicine for more than 20 years for the treatment of benign and malignant tumors. PATIENTS/METHODS: Between August 1999 and June 2001, 90 patients with histologically proven unresectable pancreatic cancer were randomized in a monocentric, controlled, randomized study. Patients in arm A received 1000 mg gemcitabine/m2, those in arm B received 20 mg NSC-631570, and those in arm C received 1000 mg gemcitabine/m2 followed by 20 mg NSC-631570 weekly. End point of the study was overall survival. RESULTS: In all three arms therapy was well tolerated and toxicity was moderate. At the first re-evaluation in arm A 32%, in arm B 75%, and in arm C 82% showed no change or partial remission according to WHO criteria (arm A versus arm B: P<0.01, arm A versus arm C: P<0.001). Median survival according to Kaplan-Meier analysis was in arm A 5.2 months, in arm B 7.9 months, and in arm C 10.4 months (arm A versus arm B: P<0.01, arm A versus arm C: P<0.01). Actuarial survival rates after 6 months were 26%, 65% and 74% in arms A B and C, respectively (arm A versus arm B: P<0.05, arm A versus arm C P<0.01). CONCLUSION: We could show that in unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer, NSC-631570 alone and in combination with gemcitabine nearly doubled the median survival times in patients suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer.     

Biochemotherapy of advanced metastatic renal-cell carcinoma: results of the combination of interleukin-2, alpha-interferon, 5-fluorouracil,vinblastine, and 13-cis-retinoic acid

Summary We conducted a phase I/II clinical trial evaluating the sequential outpatient combination of S.C. recombinant human interleukin-2 (rIL-2; given at 10 MIU/m² b.i.d. on days 3–5 of weeks 1 and 4 and at 5 MIU/m² on days 1, 3, and 5 of weeks 2 and 3), s.c. recombinant human alpha-interferon (rIFN-; given at 6 MIU/m² on day 1 of weeks 1 and 4 and on days 1, 3, and 5 of weeks 2 and 3 and at 9 MIU/m² on days 1, 3, and 5 of weeks 5–8), i.v. bolus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; given at 1,000 mg/m² once weekly during weeks 5–8), and i.v. bolus vinblastine (given at 6 mg/m² once weekly during weeks 5 and 8) in conjunction with p.o. 13-cis-retinoic acid (13-C-RA; given at 35 mg/m² daily during weeks 1–8). Therapy was always given in the outpatient setting. Grade 3 constitutional symptoms (malaise, chills, fevers, anorexia) were observed in 4%–8% of treatment cycles and required a 50% reduction in the doses of rIL-2 and rIFN-. None of the patients experienced major 5-FU-related toxicities such as severe diarrhea and/or stomatitis; up to 20% of patients developed vinblastine-associated peripheral polyneuropathy, which was reversible after the cessation of therapy. 13-cis-Retinoic acid produced no significant side effect; no toxic death occurred. Among 24 patients with progressive metastatic disease, there were 4 complete remissions (lung, lymph nodes) and 6 partial remissions (lung, pleura, liver, lymph nodes, and peritoneal carcinosis), for an overall objective response rate of 42% (95% confidence interval, 22%–63%). An additional 13 patients achieved disease stabilization (54%). The median time to response was 3–4 months (range, up to 6 months); all responses are continuous. In summary, although the potential synergy of biochemotherapy plus 13-cis-retinoic acid requires further preclinical investigation, the current outpatient combination regimen (rIL-2, rIFN-a, 5-FU, vinblastine, and 13-C-RA) proved to be both safe and highly effective in patients with advanced metastatic renal-cell carcinoma. A current multiinstitutional prospectively randomized trial is comparing biochemotherapy with and without concomitant 13-C-RA against rIFN- plus vinblastine.     

联合化疗治疗晚期胰腺癌的疗效分析

目的探讨吉西他滨和5-氟尿嘧啶联合治疗晚期胰腺癌的疗效和可能的影响机制。方法实验组22例接受吉西他滨、5-氟尿嘧啶和四氢叶酸联合化疗,对照组21例接受5-氟尿嘧啶 四氢叶酸联合化疗,比较他们的近期疗效、疾病相关症状改善状况和不良反应。通过高效液相色谱技术检测第1、5天时2组病人5-氟尿嘧啶的血浆浓度和半衰期。结果实验组病人的近期疗效、疾病相关症状改善均好于对照组,但不良反应也增加。实验组病人血浆中5-氟尿嘧啶的血药浓度增高,半衰期延长,上述变化贯穿于5-氟尿嘧啶的整个治疗过程。结论吉西他滨可改善5-氟尿嘧啶治疗晚期胰腺癌的疗效,其机制与它能长时间的提高5-氟尿嘧啶在体内的有效浓度有关。     

A randomized trial of saline hydration to prevent contrast nephropathy in chronic renal failure patients.

BACKGROUND: Contrast nephropathy (CN) is a common cause of renal dysfunction that may be prevented by saline hydration and by drugs such as theophylline or furosemide. Whether oral saline hydration is as efficient as intravenous saline hydration is unknown. The preventive efficacy of theophylline and furosemide for CN remains controversial. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral saline hydration and of intravenous saline hydration plus theophylline or furosemide for the prevention of CN. METHODS: We prospectively studied 312 patients with chronic renal failure (serum creatinine 201+/-81 micromol/l, Cockcroft clearance 37+/-12 ml/min/1.73 m(2)), who were undergoing various radiological procedures with a non-ionic, low osmolality contrast agent. Patients were randomly assigned to four arms. In arm A, patients received 1 g/10 kg of body weight/day of sodium chloride per os for 2 days before the procedure. In arm B, patients received 0.9% saline intravenously at a rate of 15 ml/kg for 6 h before the procedure. In arm C, patients received the same saline hydration as in arm B plus 5 mg/kg theophylline per os in one dose 1 h before the procedure. In arm D, patients received the same saline hydration as in arm B plus 3 mg/kg of furosemide intravenously just after the procedure. RESULTS: Patients were well-matched with no significant differences at baseline in any measured parameters. Acute renal failure, defined as an increase in serum creatinine of 44 micromol/l (0.5 mg/dl), occurred in 27 out of 312 patients (8.7%). There was no significant difference between the rate of renal failure in the different arms of the study: five out of 76 (6.6%) in arm A, four out of 77 (5.2%) in arm B, six out of 80 (7.5%) in arm C and 12 out of 79 (15.2%) in arm D. No patient had fluid overload or a significant increase in blood pressure in the 2 days following the radiological procedure. The independent predictors of CN were diabetes mellitus, high baseline serum creatinine and high systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Oral saline hydration was as efficient as intravenous saline hydration for the prevention of CN in patients with stage 3 renal diseases. Furosemide and theophylline were not protective.     

Pharmacokinetics of excretory passage of 5-fluorouracil (i.v.) into the pancreatic juice of patients with pancreatic or biliary carcinoma: Evaluation of possible adjuvant chemotherapy

The drug, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), is thought to be efficacious in treating human pancreatic or biliary carcinomas; therefore, to determine the optimal dosage for chemotherapeutic use in these conditions, we performed this pharmacokinetic study in which we investigate the passage of various doses of intravenously administered 5-FU into the pancreatic juice of 11 patients with pancreatic or biliary carcinoma. Whenever possible, all 11 patients, who had undergone a pancreaticoduodenectomy and had an external drainage tube, received the following three regimens: (1) a bolus injection of 5-FU, 185 mg/m² per day; (2) a continuous infusion of 5-FU, 185 mg/m² per day over 48h (CIV-I), and (3) a continuous infusion of 5-FU, 370 mg/m² per day over 48 h (CIV-II), with a sufficient wash-out period of 2 weeks between each regimen. The major findings were: (i) the percentage of the administered 5-FU dose excreted (pancreatic passage fraction; Fp) was strongly correlated with the total amount of pancreatic juice excreted over the 24-h period (Vp) of drug testing; (ii) the Fp per 100 ml Vp (Fp') was greater after the bolus treatment than after either CIV treatment; (iii) 90% of the 5-FU excreted into the pancreatic juice was present within 30min of the bolus injection; and (iv), the entire body clearance (CL_total) of 5-FU was significantly lower after the bolus injection than after either CIV treatment. It was concluded that the Fp' value was dependent on the method of 5-FU administration, that a 5-FU bolus injection probably inundates the hepatic metabolic capacity, and that the Fp' of 5-FU largely depends on the patient's ability to metabolize the drug. Therefore, the efficacy of 5-FU as an anticancer agent appears to be time-rather than dose-dependent.     

A Randomized Phase 2 Trial of Bevacizumab with or without Daily Low-Dose Interferon Alfa-2b in Metastatic Malignant Melanoma

Background Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a proangiogenic molecule produced by melanoma cells. We hypothesized that administration of bevacizumab (Bev), a monoclonal antibody that neutralizes VEGF, with low-dose interferon alfa-2b (IFN-α2b), an inhibitor of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), would lead to the regression of metastatic melanoma. Methods Patients with metastatic melanoma were randomized to receive Bev (15 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks) with or without low-dose IFN-α2b (1 MU/m² subcutaneously daily). Patients exhibiting a clinical response or stable disease after 12 weeks were treated until disease progression. Results Thirty-two patients (16 per arm) were accrued (18 male, 14 female; mean age 57.5 years). Both regimens were well tolerated. Six patients developed easily managed exacerbations of preexisting hypertension. Two patients developed grade 3 proteinuria that resolved after a treatment break. IFN-α2b therapy was associated with grade 1 to 2 constitutional symptoms. Arterial thromboembolic complications were observed in three patients (two mild myocardial infarctions, one transient ischemic attack), all of whom had risk factors. One patient (Bev plus IFN-α2b arm) had locally recurrent scalp disease that partially responded to therapy. Eight patients (five Bev, three Bev plus IFN-α2b) had prolonged disease stabilization (24 to 146 weeks). Plasma levels of VEGF and FGF did not correlate with any clinical parameter. The patient with the longest period of stable disease had the highest baseline VEGF and FGF. Conclusions Bev was well tolerated at this dose and prolonged disease stabilization was achieved in one-quarter of metastatic melanoma patients. Low-dose IFN-α2b did not augment the activity of Bev.     

A Phase I Trial of Isolated Hepatic Perfusion (IHP) Using 5-FU and Oxaliplatin in Patients with Unresectable Isolated Liver Metastases from Colorectal Cancer

Background

Isolated hepatic perfusion (IHP) with melphalan is an established approach for patients with unresectable metastatic liver lesions. This study determined the safety and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of 5-FU with oxaliplatin via IHP.

Methods

Standard 3 × 3 Phase I design. Subjects with unresectable isolated CRC liver metastases scheduled for HAI pump were eligible. IHP used fixed-dose oxaliplatin with escalating 5-FU doses. Toxicity (CTCAE v 4.0) and response (RECIST), progression-free survival, and overall survival (OS) were assessed. Systemic and IHP plasma PK of 5-FU, anabolites, and platinum were determined.

Results

All 12 patients had received ≥1 line of pre-IHP chemotherapy. There were 4 grade 3 serious adverse events (33.3 %) and 1 grade 4 event (8.3 %). Also, 2 dose-limiting toxicities occurred at DL2 at 300 mg/m², resulting in expansion of DL1 at 200 mg/m² 5-FU, the eventual MTD. At 6-month follow-up, 9 patients (82 %) demonstrated partial response, while 2 (18 %) exhibited stable disease. Also, 64 % of patients demonstrated a >50 % decrease in CEA. The 1- and 2-year OS probabilities were 90.9 and 71.6 %, respectively, with median follow-up of 24 months. IHP exposures (AUC_0–60 min) were 10.9 ± 4.5 μgPt h/mL, 49.3 ± 30.7 μg h/mL 5-FU (DL1), and 70.5 ± 35.5 μg h/mL 5-FU (DL2). Systemic exposure (AUC_0–inf) relative to IHP exposure was negligible for both platinum (1.1 ± 1.5 %) and 5-FU (0.09 ± 0.10 %).

Conclusions

The MTD for IHP was 200 mg/m² 5-FU with 40 mg/m² oxaliplatin. Systemic exposure to the agents was minimal during IHP. The response and survival observed warrants assessment in a larger phase II trial.     

Regional chemotherapy of non-resectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer – literature and institutional review

Background: Cure is possible by resecting colorectal isolated liver metastases. In non-resectable isolated colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), regional chemotherapy has been advocated to optimize the disease control in the liver in order to improve the results of the alternative, systemic chemotherapy. The drugs are delivered by means of hepatic artery infusion (HAI) via ports or pumps; pharmacological modifications of the hepatic arterial blood-flow-like HAI with starch microspheres or stop-flow and perfusion techniques were applied to improve HAI. Methods: We reviewed the literature and report our progress, up to May 1999, in analyzing the validity of HAI for CRLM therapy. Results: In the majority of phase-II and -III trials, the response rates to HAI were significantly higher than those from systemic chemotherapy, and local disease control could be achieved even when HAI was used second line to systemic chemotherapy. The meta-analysis of randomized trials comparing HAI with either systemic chemotherapy (five trials) or, optionally, either 5-fluorouracil (FU) or symptomatic treatment (two trials) showed a significant advantage of HAI in response (41% vs 14%, P<10^–10) and median survival time (15 months vs 11 months, P<0.0009). The active anabolite of 5-FU, 5-fluordeoxyuridine (5-FUDR), the drug of choice for HAI in those trials, may cause severe hepatotoxicity. To avoid this toxicity, we developed a HAI protocol using mitoxantrone, 5-FU plus folinic acid (FA) and mitomycin C (MFFM). The response rates of HAI with 5-FU plus FA or MFFM were 45% and 66%, the interim median survival times 19.8 months and 27.4 months. 5-Year survivors were observed in all our protocols. Since no severe hepatotoxicity occurred, 9 of 74 patients were resected after response to HAI with 5-FU plus FA or MFFM, without surgical mortality and with survival times from 2+ months to 58+ months. Conclusion: The high response rates, the long survival times, the possibility of achieving 5-year-survival either by HAI alone or by resection after down staging with HAI all sum up to the evidence that HAI could be the primary choice of treatment for CRLM. Phase-III trials are conducted to compare the protocols with optimal regional versus systemic chemotherapy. Received: 16 June 1999 Accepted: 29 June 1999     

亚叶酸与5－FU联合化疗防治结直肠癌复发（附87例分析）

自１９８８年以来采用亚叶酸和５－ＦＵ联合化疗结直肠癌２６２例，经随访生存逾５年者８７例。６６例为术后辅助化疗组，属ＤｕｋｅｓＡ期１４例，Ｂ期１５例，Ｃ期３７例。２１例为治疗组，均系Ｄ期病例。化疗采用亚叶酸１５０～３００ｍｇ／ｄ和５－ＦＵ１０００ｍｇ／ｄ静脉滴注，连续５天为１疗程，每月１次，共６～９疗程。结果显示，辅助化疗组总的５年生存率为６６．６７％。治疗组总有效率５２．３８％。本研究表明，亚叶酸和５－ＦＵ联合化疗不论作为辅助或治疗均是安全和有效的选择。     

Combined treatment of pelvic exenterative surgery and intra-operative pelvic hyperthermochemotherapy for locally advanced rectosigmoid cancer: Report of a case

A huge rectosigmoidal cancer which extended into the urinary bladder in a 64-year-old man is herein described. The tumor occupied the pelvic and lower abdominal cavities, while the rectosigmoid was totally obstructed. No hepatic or pulmonary metastasis was evident. The ventral and flank sides of the peritoneum in the right lower abdomen, right common iliac vessels, bilateral ureters, terminal ileum, cecum, ascending colon, and urinary bladder were all directly invaded by the tumor, but the aorta, sacrum, and lower rectum were free of cancer. Consequently, an anterior pelvic exenteration was carried out along with an ileal conduit and a right hemicolectomy. Immediately after the exenteration, intra-pelvic hyperthermochemotherapy was performed using a 46–47°C perfusate containing 40 g/ml of mitomycin C (MMC) and 200 g/ml of cisplatin (CDDP), for 90 min, in an attempt to prevent any further local recurrence. A right hemicolectomy and a permanent colostomy were done simultaneously with the hyperthermia treatment. After an uneventful postoperative course, the patient was prescribed adjuvant chemotherapy, i.e., two administrations of 17 mg/m² and 21 mg/m² of MMC, and ten doses of 710 mg/m² of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) followed by five doses of 535 mg/m² of 5-FU. At the time of this writing, the patient is still alive without recurrence at 21 months after surgery.     

Antiviral re‐treatment of IFN‐Ribavirin non‐responders for recurrent post‐transplantation hepatitis C

Yedibela S, Demir R, Melling N, Aydin Ü, Schuppan D, Müller V, Hohenberger W, Schönleben F. Antiviral re‐treatment of IFN‐Ribavirin non‐responders for recurrent post‐transplantation hepatitis C.
Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 131–135. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Background: The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) plus ribavirin (RIB) and PEG‐IFN monotherapy after unsuccessful initial therapy with interferon‐α2b (IFN) plus RIB after recurrent post‐transplantation hepatitis C. Methods: Twenty‐four patients with either no response (n = 10) or relapse (n = 14) after treatment with IFN plus RIB were prospectively randomized in the two treatment arms: 1) PEG‐IFN monotherapy at a dosage of 0.8 μg/kg per week (n = 12) and 2) PEG‐IFN (0.8 μg/kg per week) plus RIB (800–1200 mg/d) (n = 12). Results: Twenty‐one patients (86%) were treated for at least six months. Three patients are still being treated. At the end of therapy, 18 patients (75%) were HCV RNA negative. Five (45%) patients in PEG‐IFN and five (50%) in PEG‐IFN plus RIB arms had sustained virological response. Two patients (10%) died from recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma. The histologic activity indices significantly improved in both treatment arms. In the PEG‐IFN arm, one patient experienced an acute rejection and discontinued therapy. Conclusions: Both treatment arms showed to be effective, well tolerated and lead to an improvement in histologic outcome. Because of lower rates in side effects and equal outcome, PEG‐IFN monotherapy is an adequate option for antiviral re‐treatment.     

Phase II trial of 5-fluorouracil and low-dose cisplatin in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

A phase II study was conducted to determine the clinical efficacy and toxicity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and low-dose cisplatin (CDDP) in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Chemotherapy consisted of 5-FU at a dose of 330 mg/m² per day, given as a 24-h infusion on days 1–7, and CDDP at a dose of 6 mg/m² per day, given as a 2-h infusion on days 1–5. Either two or four cycles of chemotherapy were administered to 20 patients with stage III advanced esophageal carcinoma. All 20 patients were then assessed for response and toxicity. An objective response was demonstrated by 11 of the 20 patients, with one complete response (CR) and ten partial responses (PR), bringing the response rate to 55%, with a 95% confidence interval of 27% to 83%. Surgical resection of the tumor was performed in all 20 patients. One patient was found to have a grade 3 histological CR. The median survival of all the patients was 20.5 months, with a range of 4.5 to 48.0 months. Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia developed in five (25%) and two (10%) patients, respectively, and the nonhematologic toxicities were insignificant. The findings of this phase II study indicate that preoperative treatment using 5-FU and low-dose CDDP chemotherapy for patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma appears to achieve a high response rate after shortterm administration without affecting the quality of sophisticated lymph node dissection.