Adjuvant chemotherapy in curative resected colon carcinoma: 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin versus high-dose 5-fluorouracil 24-h infusion/leucovorin versus high-dose 5-fluorouracil 24-h infusion

Background Adjuvant postoperative treatment with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin in curatively resected stage III colon cancer significantly reduces the risk of cancer recurrence and improves survival. The impact of continuous 5-FU with and without leucovorin on survival and tumor recurrence was analyzed in this study compared with the effects of bolus 5-FU/leucovorin.Patients and methods Patients with a curatively resected UICC stage III colon cancer were stratified according to T, N and G category and randomly assigned to receive one of the three adjuvant treatment schemes: 5-FU 450 mg/m² and leucovorin 100 mg/m² × 5 days every 4 weeks; six cycles, arm A; 24-h infusion of high-dose 5-FU/leucovorin 2,600 mg/m² and 500 mg/m², two cycles of six applications, arm B; 24-h infusion of high-dose 5-FU 2,600 mg/m², two cycles of six applications, arm C.Results One hundred and forty-five patients enrolled into this study were eligible. To date, 28 patients have died; 9 on arm A, 11 on arm B, and 8 on arm C (P was nonsignificant). After a median follow-up time of 45 months, there was no statistical difference in survival and tumor recurrence between the three treatment arms. Adjuvant treatment in all arms was generally well tolerated; only a minority of patients experienced grade 3 and 4 toxicities.Conclusion There is no statistical difference in efficacy and toxicity in patients receiving either high-dose 5-FU with or without leucovorin or the standard 5-FU bolus regime after a curative resection of a stage III colon cancer.     

Cancer and leukemia group B (CALGB) 89805: phase II chemoradiation trial using gemcitabine in patients with locoregional adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

Purose. Determine the safety and efficacy of twice weekly gemcitabine and concurrent radiation to the upper abdomen followed by weekly gemcitabine in patients with surgically staged, locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Methods. Patients with surgically staged, locally advanced, nonmetastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas were treated with intravenous gemcitabine administered twice weekly (40 mg/m²/d) for 5 wk concurrent with upper abdominal radiation (50.4 Gy in 180 cGy daily fractions over 5.5 wk). At the completion of the chemoradiation, patients without disease progression were given gemcitabine (1000 mg/m²) weekly for five cycles. Each cycle consisted of 3 wk of treatment followed by 1 wk without treatment. Disease progression and response were assessed at 6- to 8-wk intervals. Results. From February through December 1999, 43 patients were entered into this phase II trial, 39 of whom were evaluable for treatment response. The median age was 59 yr (range: 39–84 yr); there were 18 males (47%) in the study. Grade III and IV hematologic toxicity occurred in 48 and 21% of patients, respectively, and was primarily leukocytopenia and neutropenia. Grade III and IV gastrointestinal toxicities occurred in 31 and 10% of patients, respectively. There was one death attributed to sepsis. The concurrent gemcitabine and radiation portion of the study was completed without treatment interruptions in 56% of patients. The overall median survival was 8.2 mo and the median survival in the 44% of patients demonstrating a sustained CA-19-9 response was 13.5 mo. Only six patients experienced local regional progression as their first site of failure. Two patients (5%) were still alive at 35 and 41 mo posttreatment. Conclusions. These results confirm the feasibility of twice weekly gemcitabine and radiation for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Although this treatment strategy produced good local regional control, this did not result in a survival advantage. Stratifying patients by performance status and CA-19-9 response in future trials may be of value.     

Effect of cisplatin in advanced colorectal cancer resistant to 5-fluorouracil plus (S)-leucovorin

Modulation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is currently being investigated in advanced colorectal cancer. In an attempt to improve the results obtainable for the association of 5-FU and leucovorin, we decided to add cisplatin to 5-FU and (6S)-leucovorin (S-LV) after disease progression. The hypothesis was that a pharmacological enhancement of the efficacy of 5-FU would result in responses in 5-FU-unresponsive patients or in a second response in previously responding patients. A group of 28 5-FU+S-LV-pretreated patients, with advanced measurable colorectal cancer, were treated with 80 mg/m² cisplatin on day 1, 80 mg/m² S-LV every 4 weeks. We obtained 3 partial responses (response rate: 11±11%), while 11 patients had stable disease (39±18%). Among the 3 responders, 1 patient had earlier achieved a partial response, a second stable disease and 1 had disease progression after the previous 5-FU+S-LV treatment. The median survival time for all 28 patients was 11 months. Toxicity was minimal and consisted of mild and reversible gastrointestinal symptoms and myelosuppression. We believe that further studies must be carried out to establish the real impact of the synergism between cisplatin, 5-FU and S-LV in untreated patients.Abbreviations S-LV (6S) leucovorin - 5-FU 5 fluorouracil - PD progressive disease - PR partial response - SD stable disease     

Nal-IRI/5-FU/LV versus modified FOLFIRINOX and FOLFIRI as second-line chemotherapy for unresectable pancreatic cancer: A single center retrospective study

BackgroundThe preferred regimen for unresectable pancreatic cancer following gemcitabine-based chemotherapy is not well-established. This study compared the efficacy of (ⅰ) liposomal irinotecan (nal-IRI) plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin (LV) (nal-IRI/5-FU/LV) versus modified FOLFIRINOX (mFFX) and (ⅱ) nal-IRI/5-FU/LV versus FOLFIRI, respectively, and the safety of the three regimens each other, as second-line chemotherapies for unresectable pancreatic cancer.MethodsThis was a retrospective single-center analysis of all patients who were administered nal-IRI/5-FU/LV, mFFX, or FOLFIRI from December 2014 to July 2021 as second-line chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer. The primary endpoint was the overall survival (OS) of all patients, excluding those with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Regarding safety, we assessed the incidence of grade ≥3 adverse events of interest in all patients.ResultsA total of 137 patients (nal-IRI/5-FU/LV, n = 55; mFFX, n = 39; FOLFIRI, n = 43) were included. The median OS in the nal-IRI/5-FU/LV group, the mFFX group, and the FOLFIRI group was 7.4, 11.8, and 8.4 months, respectively. Compared with the nal-IRI/5-FU/LV group, the mFFX and FOLFIRI groups displayed a hazard ratio of 0.66 [95% confidence interval 0.40–1.08] and 0.87 [95% confidence interval 0.55–1.39], respectively. In the FOLFIRI group, the incidence of grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events tended to be low among all three groups.ConclusionsGiven the trend toward longer OS in the mFFX group and the lower incidence of adverse events in the FOLFIRI group, both mFFX and FOLFIRI, as well as nal-IRI/5-FU/LV, can be treatment options for second-line chemotherapy for unresectable pancreatic cancer.     

A observational study of the efficacy and safety of capecitabine versus bolus infusional 5-fluorouracil in pre-operative chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer

Background and objectives

This study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of preoperative radiotherapy (RT) combined with bolus infusional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or oral capecitabine in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC).

Materials and methods

Seventy-four patients were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty-seven patients were treated with 5-FU (350?mg/m² IV bolus) and leucovorin (20?mg/m² IV bolus) for 5?days/week during week 1 and 5 of RT. Forty-seven patients were treated with capecitabine (850?mg/m², twice daily for 5?days/week). Both groups received the same RT course (45–50.4?Gy/25 fractions, 5?days/week, for 5?weeks). Patients underwent surgery in 6?weeks after completion of the chemoradiotherapy. Data of the observational study were collected.

Results

Grade 3 or 4 toxicities occurred in 40.7% (5-FU) and 19.1% (capecitabine) of the patients (P?=?0.044). Six patients in the 5-FU group (22.2%) and six patients in the capecitabine group (14%) achieved complete response. Primary tumor (T) downstaging were achieved in 51.9% (5-FU) and 69.8% (capecitabine) of the patients. The pathological ypT0-2 stage was 40.7% (5-FU) and 67.4% (capecitabine) (P?=?0.028).

Conclusions

In consideration of the better ypT0-2 downstaging rate, less severe toxicities, and no need for indwelling intravenous device on oral capecitabine regimen, the administration of oral capecitabine with RT may be a more favorable option in the neoadjuvant treatment for LARC.     

Pathologic complete response may not represent the optimal surrogate for survival after preoperative therapy for esophageal cancer

Background We designed a phase II trial to examine the benefit of preoperative hyperfractionated radiation therapy (XRT) and concurrent chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer (LAEC). Aim of Study The pathologic complete response (pCR) was the primary endpoint to estimate efficacy. Methods Twenty-three patients with LAEC received twice-daily XRT during wk 1 and 5 once-daily XRT during wk 2–4 (59 Gy). Cisplatin (100 mg/m²) was given on d 1, while 5-fluorouracil (1000 mg/m²) was given by continuus infusion the first and fifth weeks of the XRT. Results The pCR for the 19 patients undergoing esophagectomy was 16%. The study was closed at the interim analysis having not met the required minimum pCR rate of 20%. Hematologic toxicities consisted of grades III and IV neutropenia observed in 33% and 14% of patients, respectively. Grade III nausea and vomiting was seen in 38% of patients. One grade V pulmonary toxicity occurred. The median survival was 44.6 mo with 65% of patients alive at 2 yr. Conclusions The pCR rate in this trial did not meet the predetermined statistical minimum. With the encouraging 2-yr survival, it is not clear that pCR is a reliable surrogate endpoint to discern treatment efficacy.     

“Decision for adjuvant treatment in stage II colon cancer based on circulating tumor DNA:The CIRCULATE-PRODIGE 70 trial”

BackgroundAdjuvant treatment for stage II colon cancer remains debated. Finding a tool to select patients at risk for disease recurrence may help the clinical decision. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has been reported recently as a potential predictive marker for disease recurrence. We thus aim to test its ability to better select stage II colon cancer patients for adjuvant therapy.MethodsThis national, phase III trial (NCT 2019-000935-15) conducted in more than 100 centers in France, plans to screen around 2640 patients in order to randomize (2:1; minimization method) 198 ctDNA positive patients. Patients aged 18 to 75 years with ECOG performance status ≤1 with R0 surgical resection of a pT3-T4aN0 colon or high rectum adenocarcinoma will be randomized within 63 days after curative-intent surgery, to adjuvant mFOLFOX6 (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m², leucovorin 400 mg/m², and 5-FU bolus 400 mg/m2 then 5FU Continuous infusion 2.4 g/m²) every two weeks for 12 cycles or observation. Patients will be followed for maximum 7 years. A gain of 17.5% in 3-yr disease free survival (DFS) is expected (42.5% in the experimental arm vs. 25% in the control arm; HR:0.62; α, 5% [two-sided log-rank test]; 1-β, 80%). Secondary endpoints include 2-yr DFS, overall survival, and toxicity.Recruitement began End of January 2020.     

Results of a retrospective analysis of gemcitabine as a second-line treatment after chemoradiotherapy and maintenance chemotherapy using 5-fluorouracil in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer

Background  Many studies of concurrent chemoradiation therapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for locally advanced pancreatic cancer have been reported with a median survival time of approximately 10 months. Recently, gemcitabine (GEM) has been administered immediately after chemoradiation. The clinical outcome of chemoradiation therapy in conjunction with 5-FU and second-line chemotherapy with GEM after disease progression has not been clarified. Methods  Patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer were treated with concurrent radiation therapy (1.8 Gy/fraction; total dose, 50.4 Gy) with 5-FU (200 mg/m² every day) until disease progression, followed by GEM (1000 mg/m², days 1, 8, 15, and every 4 weeks) as second-line therapy. Results  Of the 18 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer who received chemoradiation therapy with 5-FU, there were three partial responses, giving a response rate of 17%. The median time to progression was 170 days. The median survival time was 443 days. During chemoradiation therapy, the incidences of grade 3 or 4 anorexia, nausea, mucositis, and gastric ulcer were 33%, 22%, 17%, and 17%, respectively. Sixteen patients received second-line chemotherapy with GEM, of whom one patient had a partial response. The median time to progression from the initiation of GEM was 113 days, and median overall survival time was 231 days. Major toxicities were hematological toxicities: grade 3 or 4 leukopenia in 75% and anemia in 31%. Conclusions  The treatment strategy with concurrent chemoradiation and maintenance chemotherapy with 5-FU followed by second-line chemotherapy with GEM may be an option for locally advanced pancreatic cancer.     

Epirubicin,Cisplatin,5-FU combination chemotherapy in sorafenib-refractory metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM:To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of epirubicin,cisplatin,and 5-FU combination chemotherapy for the sorafenib-refractory metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:From April 2009 to June 2012,31 patients who were diagnosed with metastatic and progressive HCC after sorafenib treatment were retrospectively reviewed.Patients were treated with the combination of epirubicin(50 mg/m2Ⅳ;day 1),cisplatin(60 mg/m2Ⅳ;day 1),and 5-FU(1000 mg/m2Ⅳ;day 1-3)[Epirubicin,cisplatin,5-FU combination(ECF)],repeated every 4 wk.RESULTS:The overall response rate was 12.9%.Patients who responded to ECF chemotherapy showed a longer overall survival(OS)and time to progression(TTP)relative to those in the non-responder group(OS:20.4 mo vs 4.9 mo,P<0.001,TTP:9.4 mo vs 2.2 mo,P<0.001).Patients with a stable primary liver mass also exhibited a longer OS and TTP relative to those with progressive disease(OS:13.4 mo vs 5.3 mo,P=0.003;TTP:9.4 mo vs 2.3 mo,P=0.003).The most common hematologic toxicity was thrombocytopenia(87.2%),and the incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia was 53.9%.Age older than 60,a stable primary mass,and a good response to chemotherapy were prognostic factors for OS and TTP.CONCLUSION:This combination cytotoxic chemotherapy can serve as another treatment option after sorafenib failure for the subset of patients with advanced metastatic HCC.     

Prognostic factors in patients with colorectal cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy: a pooled analysis of two randomized studies

Background. Although the TNM system is useful in predicting survival in resected colorectal cancer, heterogeneity within the same stages regarding prognosis exists. We are presenting a pooled analysis of prognostic factors from two randomized studies of adjuvant treatment conducted by the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group. Patients and Methods. Patients with stage II or III colon (n=279) or rectal (n=220) cancer were included in this analysis. Following surgery, patients received: 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV) (n=135), 5-FU/LV and interferon Alfa-2a (IFNA-2a) (n=138), 5-FU/LV and pelvic chemoradiotherapy (n=106), and pelvic chemoradiotherapy alone (n=108). Results. Median follow up was 92 mo. The number of involved lymph nodes (LNs), tumor differentiation, and the presence of regional implants were independent prognostic factors for both OS and TTP, while nerve invasion was only significant for TTP. Patients were stratified into three prognostic groups (low-risk: no LNs and grade 1/2; high-risk: >3 LNs and grade 3/4; intermediate-risk: remaining patients) with distinct differences in 5-yr survival (84.7% vs 57.6% vs 32.4%) and 5-yr TTP (81.2% vs 54.5% vs 28.6%). Conclusion. The combination of clinicopathological prognostic factors can be more informative than the traditional TNM staging system. Such stratification may be necessary in randomized trials and could be useful in deciding the most appropriate adjuvant treatment strategies.     

FOLFIRI regimen in metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma resistant to gemcitabine and platinum-salts

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the FOLFIRI regimen in patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC) after the failure of gemcitabine and platinum salts.METHODS: All consecutive patients with histologically confirmed, metastatic PAC and World Health Organization performance status (PS) ≤ 2 received FOLFIRI-1 [irinotecan 180 mg/m² on day 1 and leucovorin 400 mg/m² followed by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 400 mg/m² bolus, then 5-FU 2400 mg/m² as a 46-h infusion, biweekly] or FOLFIRI-3 (irinotecan 100 mg/m² on day 1 and leucovorin 400 mg/m², then 5-FU 2400 mg/m² as a 46-h infusion and irinotecan 100 mg/m² repeated on day 3, biweekly) after failure of gemcitabine and platinum-based chemotherapies as a systematic policy in two institutions between January 2005 and May 2010. Tumor response, time to progression (TTP), overall survival rate (OS) and grade 3-4 toxicities were retrospectively studied. Subgroup analyses were performed to search for prognostic factors.RESULTS: Sixty-three patients (52.4% male, median age 59 years) were analyzed. Among them, 42.9% were PS 0, 38.1% were PS 1 and 19.0% were PS 2. Fifty one patients (81.0%) had liver metastases. Before the FOLFIRI regimen, patients had received 1 line (n = 19), 2 lines (n = 39) or 3 lines (n = 5) of chemotherapy. Median TTP obtained with the line before FOLFIRI was 3.9 mo (95% CI: 3.4-5.3 mo). A total of 480 cycles was completed (median: 6 cycles, range: 1-51 cycles). The main reason for discontinuing FOLFIRI was tumor progression (90.3%). Tumor control was achieved in 25 patients (39.7%) (partial response: n = 5, stable disease: n = 20) with FOLFIRI. Median TTP was 3.0 mo (95% CI: 2.1-3.9 mo) and median OS was 6.6 mo (95% CI: 5.3-8.1 mo). Dose adaptation was required in 36 patients (57.1%). Fifteen patients (23.8%) had grade 3-4 toxicities, mainly hematological (n = 11) or digestive (n = 4). Febrile neutropenia occurred in 3 patients. There was no toxic death. PS 2 was significantly associated with poor TTP [hazard ratio (HR): 16.036, P < 0.0001] and OS (HR: 4.003, P = 0.004).CONCLUSION: The FOLFIRI regimen had an acceptable toxicity and an interesting efficacy in our study, limited to patients in good condition (PS 0-1).     

Phase I and II trials of subcutaneously administered rIL-2, interferon alfa-2a, and fluorouracil in patients with metastatic renal carcinoma

Purpose: A phase I followed by a phase II trial utilizing rIL-2, IFNα, and 5-FU were conducted in patients with unresectable and/or metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Methods: Treatment consisted of: rIL-2 at 5.0 × 10⁶ IU/m² SQ on days 1–5 for 4 weeks, rHuIFNα-2a at 5.0 × 10⁶ U/m² SQ on days 1, 3, and 5 for 4 weeks, and 5-FU by IV bolus on days 1–5 during week 1. In the phase I study, patients were treated at varying doses of 5-FU: I-none, II-250 mg/m², III-300, and IV 375. A phase II trial was then conducted utilizing the same schedule and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for 5-FU. Results: Twenty patients were entered into the phase I trial. Dose-limiting toxicity included grade III nausea and vomiting, and one sudden cardiac death. The MTD for 5-FU was determined to be 300 mg/m². In the phase II trial, a median of two cycles of therapy was administered to 25 evaluable patients. Toxicity was moderate and consisted primarily of fevers, chills, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, and anorexia. Grade IV thrombocytopenia, consistent with ITP, developed in one patient each on the phase I and phase II trial. Seven partial responses were seen among 25 patients treated in the phase II trial for a 28% (CI 12–49%) response rate. Conclusions: The addition of 5-FU to rIL-2 and rHuIFNα-2a appears to increase the toxicity of this therapy. Randomized trials will be required to determine if efficacy is enhanced. Received: 1 May 2000 / Accepted: 21 September 2000     

A phase II study of weekly high-dose 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin plus biweekly alternating doxorubicin and cisplatin for advanced gastric carcinoma

On the basis of recent clinical data suggesting that high-dose continuous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is able to overcome resistance to 5-FU bolus application in gastric carcinoma, a phase II study was performed to evaluate the activity and toxicity of weekly high-dose 5-FU and leucovorin plus biweekly alternating doxorubicin and cisplatin as the first-line treatment in patients with advanced gastric carcinoma. Between October 1995 and September 1997, 24 consecutive patients with locally advanced (n = 4) or metastatic (n = 20) gastric carcinomas were treated with a combination of 500 mg/m² leucovorin as a 2-h infusion, followed by 2.0 g/m² 5-FU as a 24-h continuous infusion once weekly for 6 weeks, plus 20 mg/m² doxorubicin as a bolus application and 50 mg/m² cisplatin as a 1-h infusion, week 1, 3 and 5 (FLAP regimen). Response, toxicity and survival data were evaluated. A total of 20 patients were evaluable for response and 24 for toxicity. Objective responses were observed in 11 patients (55%) with no complete remission. Four patients (20%) showed stabilization and 5 patients (25%) experienced progressive disease. The median time to disease progression was 8 months and the overall duration of survival was 14 months. Myelosuppression was significant. In 2 patients, grade 4 WHO thrombocytopenia and leukopenia/anaemia respectively were registered, but there were no treatment-related deaths. We conclude that the weekly alternating FLAP regimen is effective in advanced gastric carcinoma with tolerable toxicity. However, significant myelotoxicity and frequent hospitalization suggest that FLAP should not be preferred to other regimens used in metastatic disease. Currently we intend to establish this regimen in the neoadjuvant setting in patients with primary unresectable localized gastric carcinomas. Received: 15 January 1998 / Accepted: 28 January 1998     

Phase I-II trial of weekly gemcitabine plus high-dose 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin in advanced pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is a dismal disease. Few drugs, including gemcitabine and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), have notable antitumor effects against advanced pancreatic cancer. The purpose of the present study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of 5-FU and the efficacy and toxicity profile of weekly gemcitabine plus infusional 5-FU/leucovorin in advanced pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Patients with histo-/cytologically confirmed, advanced pancreatic cancer were eligible. Treatment consisted of a 30-min infusion of gemcitabine (800 mg/m2), followed by a 24-h infusion of 5-FU and leucovorin (300 mg/m2) at day 1, day 8 and day 15 every 28 days, and was termed the GemFL24 regimen. The dose of 5-FU was escalated from 1600, 2000, to 2600 mg/m2 in the phase I study, and fixed MTD for subsequent enrolled patients. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were enrolled in the phase I study, and 24 in phase II. The MTD of 5-FU was 2000 mg/m2, with major dose-limiting toxicities being febrile neutropenia and delayed recovery from neutropenia. The dose intensity of gemcitabine of the 35 patients with 5-FU dosage set at MTD was 593 mg/m2 per week. In the entire series of 42 patients, myelosuppression was the main toxicity, with grade 3 neutropenia in eight patients, and grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia in six. On an intention-to-treat analysis, the overall and clinical benefit response rates were 22% and 46%, respectively; with median progression-free and overall survival of 4.1 and 6.9 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The GemFL24 regimen is a feasible and moderately active treatment with manageable toxicities for advanced pancreatic cancer, and could be a basis for further combination with other anticancer drugs.     

Nedaplatin concurrent with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for treatment of locally advanced esophageal carcinoma

AIM:To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of nedaplatin(NDP)concurrent with radiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced esophageal carcinoma.METHODS:Sixty-eight patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma were randomized into either a NDP group(n=34)or a cisplatin(DDP)group(n=34).The NDP group received NDP 80-100 mg/m2iv on day 1+leucovorin(CF)100 mg/m2iv on days 1-5+5-fluorouracil(5-FU)500 mg/m2iv on days 1-5.The DDP group received DDP 30 mg/m2iv on days 1-3+CF 100 mg/m2on days 1-5+5-FU 500 mg/m2iv on days 1-5.The treatment was repeated every 4 wk in both groups.Concurrent radiotherapy[60-66 Gy/(30-33f)/(6-7 wk)]was given during chemotherapy.RESULTS:There was no significant difference in the short-term response rate between the NDP group and DDP group(90.9%vs 81.3%,P=0.528).Although the 1-and 2-year survival rates were higher in the NDP group than in the DDP group(75.8%vs 68.8%,57.6%vs 50.0%),the difference in the overall survival rate was not statistically significant between the two groups(P=0.540).The incidences of nausea,vomiting and nephrotoxicity were significantly lower in the NDP group than in the DDP group(17.6%vs 50.0%,P=0.031;11.8%vs 47.1%,P=0.016;8.8%vs 38.2%,P=0.039).There was no significant difference in the incidence of myelosuppression,radiation-induced esophagitis or radiation-induced pneumonia between the two groups.CONCLUSION:NDP-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy is effective and well-tolerated in patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma.NDP-based regimen has comparable efficacy to DDP-based regimen but is associated with lower incidences of gastrointestinal and renal toxicity.     

Complete regression of advanced esophageal cancer with abdominal bulky lymph node metastasis treated by concurrent chemoradiotherapy using docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil

In an attempt to improve survival of patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer, chemoradiotherapy consisting of cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and irradiation has recently been used. For such patients, concurrent chemoradiotherapy using docetaxel in combination with cisplatin and 5-FU has been introduced and is under evaluation. We herein report an esophageal cancer patient with concomitant distant lymph node metastasis in whom a complete response was achieved by chemoradiation therapy. A 46-year-old man was diagnosed as having stage IV A esophageal cancer with synchronous bulky metastasis in the celiac lymph node, and concurrent chemoradiotherapy was started. Chemotherapy consisting of docetaxel (30 mg/m² on days 1, 8), cisplatin (60 mg/m² on day 1), and 5-FU (200 mg/m²/day, continuous infusion on days 1–14) was performed for 2 cycles. At the same time, irradiation therapy (1.8 Gy/day on 1–5 days every week for 6 weeks) was employed for both local and metastatic lesions. Although the patient experienced severe hematological toxicity throughout the course, chemoradiotherapy resulted in complete regression of both local and metastatic disease. Subsequently, he was followed as an outpatient without any maintenance therapy, and he has been free of disease for 38 months after completion of the combination therapy. Thus, concurrent chemoradiotherapy may be effective for esophageal cancer, even with visceral metastasis.     

Novel postoperative adjuvant strategy prevents early hepatic recurrence after resection of pancreatic cancer

Background/Purpose

It has been reported recently that adjuvant gemcitabine prolonged postoperative disease-free survival in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer. However, the efficacy was limited and further studies are required to improve the prognosis. In particular, postoperative hepatic recurrence often occurs even after gemcitabine treatment.

Methods

We are currently trying to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative combination therapy of high-dose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) arterial infusion with systemic gemcitabine. Patients received weekly high-dose 5-FU through the hepatic artery using a port-catheter system (1000?mg/m² for 5?h) plus concurrent systemic gemcitabine (1000?mg/m²).

Results

Thirty-one patients were enrolled and 29 patients (94%) completed the scheduled adjuvant chemotherapy. The toxicity was acceptable and this regimen was well feasible as an outpatient treatment. At the time of analysis, 21 patients (68%) had recurrence. Local recurrence was most frequently observed, in 43% of the patients with recurrence. On the other hand, hepatic recurrence developed in only 2 patients (10%). The 1-year disease-free rate and overall survival rate were 62.9 and 100%, respectively.

Conclusion

Our novel adjuvant strategy had a significant beneficial effect on early hepatic recurrence and may have the potential to prolong the overall survival of pancreatic cancer patients.     

Phase II study of 5-fluoruracil leucovorin and azidothymidine in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

The primary objective of this study was to determine the response rate of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer to combined therapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), leucovorin, and intravenous azidothymidine (AZT), a thymidine nucleoside analog. By itself, AZT has limited antineoplastic efficacy. However, experimental studies indicate that 5-FU enhances the antitumor activity of AZT by inhibiting synthesis of normal thymidine nucleotides with which AZT competes for incorporation into nucleic acids. A phase I study defined the maximum tolerated dose of AZT as 7 g/m² with hypotension during the infusion being the dose-limiting toxicity. A phase II study was performed with oral leucovorin (100 mg p.o. hourly for 4 h prior to 5-FU and 4 h and 8 h after 5-FU), bolus 5-FU (400 mg/m²) followed 1 h later by a 2-h infusion of AZT (7 g/m²). Treatment was given weekly for 4 weeks followed by a 1-week break, which constituted a cycle of therapy. Responses were evaluated after every two cycles. Patients continued on therapy as long as they tolerated treatment and did not have progressive disease. Of 15 evaluable patients who had received no chemotherapy there was 1 complete response and 4 partial responses (a 33% response rate), whereas only 1 of 6 patients who had received prior adjuvant chemotherapy had a partial response (17%). An additional 10 patients had stable disease lasting 2–14 months. Therapy was well tolerated with the only one instance each of grade 3 nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, anemia, and hypotension. Approximately 50% of treatments were accompanied by mild hypotension, which was easily corrected by increasing the rate of normal saline infusion. There was no difficulty administering this regimen in the outpatient setting. While the overall response rate (29%) is comparable to that seen with combinations of 5-FU and leucovorin alone, in most reported series a considerably higher dose of 5-FU was utilized than in this study. Since patients in the present study experienced relatively little 5-FU toxicity, increasing the dose of 5-FU in this regimen would appear to be feasible and might result in a higher response rate.Abbreviations AZT Azidothymidine - 5-FU fluorouracil - LV leucovorin - TS thymidylate synthase - NS normal saline - MTD maximum tolerated dose Supported in part by NIH-P30-CA13943 and CA 55358     

Intra-arterial continuous infusion for treatment of pancreatic and biliary tract cancer

Summary Background. Systemic chemotherapy does not satisfactorily improve the poor prognosis of pancreas and biliary tract cancer unresectable or metastatic to the liver. Intra-arterial infusion of antineoplastic agents can give higher concentrations to the tumor and slighter concentrations to the whole body, with a potential of efficacy and lower toxicity, due to the hepatic clearance. Methods. Based on a safe and ambulatorial technique of transcutaneous arterial port implantation, this study was designed to evaluate feasibility and toxicity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) intra-arterial continuous infusion combined with systemic gemcitabine with dose escalation. Seventeen patients affected by pancreatic (14) or biliary tract (3) cancer received up to six cycles of treatment. Treatment consisted of intravenous gemcitabine on d 1 and 8 and intra-arterial 5-FU continuous infusion on d 1–14 every 21 d. Dose-escalation levels were 900 and 1000 mg/m² for gemcitabine and 8, 10, 12, 15, and 17 mg/kg/d for 5-FU. Consecutive cohorts of three patients were planned at each dose level. Results. Gastrointestinal toxicity (vomiting and diarrhea [3rd–4th degree] and gastritis), constituted the dose-limiting toxicity, with a maximum-tolerated dose of 1000 mg/m² for gemcitabine and 15 mg/kg/d for 5-FU. Hematological toxicity was present in a minority of patients. No patient had acute or later complications such as arterial thrombosis related to the implanted arterial port, sclerosis cholangitis, or chemical cholecistitis. Conclusion. 5-Fluorouracil intra-arterial continuous infusion, combined with systemic gemcitabine, seems to be a feasible and safe regimen that could give interesting results in pancreatic cancer. Presented in part (and reported in the proceedings) at the American Society of Clinical Oncology, May 15–18, 1999, Atlanta, GA.     

Phase II study of leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil and gemcitabine for locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer (FOLFUGEM 2)

AIM: FOLFUGEM 1 (leucovorin 400 mg/m2 combined with 5-flurorouracil (FU) bolus 400 mg/m2 then 5-FU 2-3 g/m2/46 hours and gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 in 30 min) in patients with locally-advanced and metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma appeared to be toxic (neutropenia and alopecia). The aims of this phase II multicentric study were to evaluate the response rate, clinical benefit and tolerance of a new scheme of combined leucovorin, 5-FU and gemcitabine (FOLFUGEM 2). PATIENTS AND METHODS: FOLFUGEM 2 associated leucovorin 400 mg/m2 in 2 hours followed by 5-FU 1000 mg/m2 in 22 hours, then gemcitabine 800 mg/m2 (10 mg/m2/min) with cycles every 14 days. Gemcitabine dose could be increased (1000 then 1250 mg/m2) when NCI/CTC toxicity was < or = grade 2. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were included (locally-advanced tumor: N = 13 and metastatic: N = 45). Among the 39 patients with measurable disease, 11 had partial response (28.2%, 95% confidence interval: 14-42%) and 11 had stable disease (28.2%). On an intent-to-treat analysis, the objective response rate was 19% (95% confidence interval: 9-29%). Clinical benefit rate was 46%. Median progression-free survival and median overall survival were 3.1 and 7.2 months, respectively. There were 13% grade 3-4 neutropenia and 36% complete alopecia. CONCLUSION: FOLFUGEM 2 schema has an antitumoral effect in advanced pancreatic cancer and has an acceptable toxicity which appears to be less than that of FOLFUGEM 1.