A phase I trial of AUC-directed carboplatin with infusional doxorubicin and ifosfamide plus G-CSF in patients with advanced gynecologic malignancies

The effect of the addition of G-CSF to carboplatin, ifosfamide and doxorubicin (CIA) at the maximally tolerated dose (MTD) was studied in a phase I clinical trial. Nine patients with incurable solid tumors were treated: six endometrial and epithelial ovarian cancers, one colon cancer with pelvic masses and two unknown primary cancers. The carboplatin dose was calculated using the Calvert formula and administered in a standard 30-min intravenous infusion. The initial carboplatin dose was AUC 4.0 mg/ml per min. Fixed doses of ifosfamide (1.25 g/m² per day), mesna (1.0 g/m² per day, and doxorubicin (15 mg/m² per day) were combined and given as a 4-day continuous intravenous infusion in an attempt to decrease nonhematologic toxicity. The dose-limiting toxicity of CIA was myelosuppression, mainly neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Nonhematologic toxicities were hemorrhagic cystitis, weakness, fatigue, and nausea and vomiting. The MTD for CIA was established at the first dose level of carboplatin (4.0 mg/ml per min). Following this, G-CSF was added to the regimen in an unsuccessful effort to escalate the carboplatin dose. Free and total carboplatin pharmacokinetics were determined using flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy. There was one complete response and one partial response among eight evaluable patients. Both responding patients had advanced ovarian cancer. We conclude that carboplatin dose intensification beyond an AUC of 4.0 mg/ml per min is not made feasible by the addition of G-CSF to infusional doxorubicin and ifosfamide in patients with advanced gynecologic cancer. Received: 22 December 1999 / Accepted: 28 April 2000     

Docetaxel and ovarian cancer

Docetaxel has exhibited substantial clinical activity against platinum, refrac- tory, paclitaxel resistant and previously untreated advanced ovarian cancer. As single agent, in advanced ovarian cancer patients previously treated with platinum agents, docetaxel 100 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks yields a 30% overall response rate and 6 months duration of response. In vitro data demonstrate a lack of complete cross-resistance bet- ween docetaxel and paclitaxel. In both platinum- and paclitaxel-pretreated patients, the highest response rates were obtained in patients with the longest interval of time since receipt of prior chemotherapy. Docetaxel currently is being intensively evaluated as a component of first line combination chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. Phase I-II have shown that docetaxel-platinum doublets are feasible and highly effective in the treatment of ovarian cancer, with docetaxel-carboplatin providing a more favorable safety profile compared with docetaxel-cisplatin, particularly with respect to neurotoxicity. The preliminary results of a phase III comparison of docetaxel-carboplatin versus paclitaxel-carboplatin support the clinical use of docetaxel-carboplatin as first line chemotherapy for stage IC to IV ovarian cancer, as it was shown to reduce the incidence of grade > 2 neurosensory toxicity compared to paclitaxel-carboplatin. Comparative overall survival and quality of life and more mature progression free survival data will be instrumental in determining the relative merits of docetaxel-carboplatin and paclitaxel-carboplatin as first line adjuvant therapy for ovarian cancer. The positive clinical experiences with docetaxel-provide a strong basis for continued investigation of docetaxel-carboplatin-based chemotherapy as component of advanced ovarian cancer management.     

Docetaxel: an alternative taxane in ovarian cancer

The taxanes paclitaxel and docetaxel are potent chemotherapeutic agents that block tubulin depolymerisation, leading to the inhibition of microtubule dynamics and cell cycle arrest. Although docetaxel and paclitaxel share a mutual tubulin binding site, mechanistic and pharmacological differences exist between these agents. For example, docetaxel has increased potency and an improved therapeutic index compared with paclitaxel, and its short 1-h infusion offers a substantial clinical advantage over the prolonged infusion durations required with paclitaxel. In clinical studies, docetaxel monotherapy demonstrated good response rates and an acceptable toxicity profile in both paclitaxel- and platinum-refractory ovarian cancer patients. In particular, neurotoxicity - a dominant side effect with both paclitaxel and cisplatin - occurs at a low incidence with docetaxel, making docetaxel a promising agent for combining cisplatin and other platinum compounds. In Phase II studies, the combination of docetaxel with either cisplatin or carboplatin has yielded impressive response rates of 69-74 and 81-87%, respectively. Furthermore, Phase III data suggest that docetaxel-carboplatin and paclitaxel-carboplatin are similarly efficacious with respect to progression-free survival and clinical response, although neurotoxicity occurs more frequently with the paclitaxel regimen. While paclitaxel-carboplatin remains the standard treatment for the management of advanced ovarian cancer, docetaxel-carboplatin appears to be a promising alternative, particularly in terms of minimising the incidence and severity of peripheral neuropathy.     

A pharmacogically guided phase I study of carboplatin in combination with methotrexate and vinblastine in advanced urothelial cancer

 Carboplatin is an alternative for cisplatin in the treatment of urothelial cancers. A pharmacologically guided phase I study of carboplatin in combination with methotrexate (30 mg/m²) and vinblastine (4 mg/m²) was conducted in ten patients by increment of the area under the plasma concentration versus time curve (AUC) for ultrafilterable carboplatin using the Calvert formula. The maximal tolerated AUC was 5 mg ml^-1 min, with neutropenia being the dose-limiting toxicity. There was a significant linear correlation between the percentage of decrease in neutrophil count and the carboplatin AUC. Determination of the glomerular filtration rate by the isotopic method allowed us to adapt the dose of carboplatin given to patients suffering from urothelial cancer, who frequently have impaired renal function. The recommended AUC for phase II study is 4 mg ml^-1 min. Received: 9 May 1994/Accepted: 16 August 1994     

Sequence effect of docetaxel and carboplatin on toxicity, tumor response and pharmacokinetics in non-small-cell lung cancer patients: a phase I study of two sequences

Purpose To investigate sequence effects on toxicity, tumor response and pharmacokinetics of docetaxel and carboplatin, together with a determination of the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended dose for each schedule.Patients and methods A total of 46 chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer were randomized to receive docetaxel before (schedule A) or after (schedule B) carboplatin. The dose levels studied were [docetaxel (mg/m²)/carboplatin (mg×min/ml)] 50/5, 60/5, 60/6, 60/7, and 70/6. Treatment cycles were repeated every 3 or 4 weeks unless disease progression or undue toxicity occurred.Results Of the 46 patients, 44 were assessable for toxicity and received a total of 84 cycles. The major dose-limiting toxicity was neutropenia. When the docetaxel dose was 60 mg/m², the carboplatin MTD was deemed to be AUC 7 in both schedules. When the docetaxel dose was escalated to 70 mg/m², the carboplatin MTD was reached in schedule A, and the dose-limiting toxicity was not observed in schedule B. Tumor response was observed in 4 of 22 patients (18%) with schedule A and 8 of 19 (42%) with schedule B. Clearances of both drugs were not affected by sequence: 111.2±26.8 ml/min and 107.8±29.0 ml/min for carboplatin (P=0.69), and 26.7±8.3 l/h and 22.8±7.0 l/h for docetaxel (P=0.19) in schedules A and B, respectively.Conclusions Carboplatin AUC 6 followed by docetaxel 70 mg/m² was a favorable regimen for phase II study because of likely lower toxicity and a potentially higher response rate than the reverse sequence schedule. The mechanism of the sequence effects on toxicity and tumor response could not be explained by the pharmacokinetic interactions.Supported by grants from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan.     

Phase I/II dose escalation study of docetaxel and carboplatin combination supported with amifostine and GM-CSF in patients with incomplete response following docetaxel chemo-radiotherapy: additional chemotherapy enhances regression of residual cancer

Taxanes have been shown to interact with anti-apoptotic proteins. In the present study we investigated whether the addition of taxane in combination with DNA damaging drugs can further enhance tumor shrinkage in cases with incomplete response to radiotherapy. Since the dose of docetaxel in combination with carboplatin is not known, the above hypothesis was tested in the context of a dose escalation phase I study. Twenty-eight patients with locally advanced chest or pelvic tumors, showing residual disease on CT scans performed 40 d following docetaxel radio-chemotherapy, were recruited in a dose escalation protocol of docetaxel/carboplatin supported with amifostine and GM-CSF. The starting dose of docetaxel was 40 mg/m² every 2 weeks. Carboplatin dose was calculated using the Calvert formula and was escalated in cohorts of 4 patients (starting dose AUC2 every two weeks; AUC0.5 increments up to AUC3). Thereafter the docetaxel dose was increased to 50 and 60 mg/m², while carboplatin was escalated (by AUC0.5 increments) starting from AUC3 and AUC4 respectively. Amifostine (600 mg/m²) was administered i.v. before carboplatin and GM-CSF (480μg) was injected s.c. on days 5, 6 and 10, 11 of each cycle. Six cycles were given and response was assessed 2 weeks after the end of chemotherapy. None out of four patients treated in the 6th dose level cohort (50mg/m² of docetaxel and AUC4 of carboplatin every 2 weeks) showed any grade 2–4 hematologic toxicity. Mild non-hematologic toxicity such as neuropathy, leg edema, pleural effusion, pyrexia, alopecia grade 2 and hypersensitivity was observed in 4–12% of patients. Out of four patients treated in a 7th cohort (docetaxel 60mg/m² and carboplatin AUC4), one developed grade IV neutropenia and two developed grade 3 severe asthenia requiring treatment delay for 2 weeks. Out of 11 patients with PR following docetaxel radio-chemotherapy, 7 (63%) showed CR after docetaxel/carboplatin additional chemotherapy. Eight out of 17 patients with MR following docetaxel radio-chemotherapy showed PR (47%) and one showed CR (6%) after additional chemotherapy. High dose combined docetaxel (50 mg/m²) and carboplatin (AUC4) chemotherapy can be safely administered on a two-weekly basis if supported with amifostine and GM-CSF. Such an additional therapy may be important in patients with incomplete response after chemo-RT. Broad spectrum cytoprotection with amifostine and GM-CSF may also contribute to the reduction of incidence of neurosensory reactions and asthenia in patients treated with taxanes.     

Second-line chemotherapy with docetaxel and carboplatin in paclitaxel and platinum-pretreated ovarian,fallopian tube,and peritoneal cancer

We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel and carboplatin in patients with platinum and paclitaxel-pretreated recurrent ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancer. Forty-two women (38 with ovarian cancer, 1 with fallopian tube cancer, 3 with peritoneal cancer) whose cancer had progressed within 12 months of their last treatment with both a platinum agent and paclitaxel were treated with docetaxel (70 mg/m², day 1) and carboplatin (area under the curve of 4–6, day 1). Thirty-four patients had measurable disease. The objective response rate was 23% within 0–6 months of the progression-free interval, 50% within 6–12 months, and 32% (11 of 34 patients) for both groups. The median time to tumor progression was 28, 49, 34 weeks, and the median overall survival time was 94, 224, 111 weeks, respectively. The most common toxicity was grade 3/4 neutropenia (98% of patients), with 15 episodes (8.4% of courses) of neutropenic fever. The main nonhematologic toxicity was hypersensitivity; 7 patients (17%) required discontinuation of the therapy. The results of our study indicate that the combination of docetaxel and carboplatin is effective against recurrent ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancer with progression-free interval of 6–12 months from previous treatment by paclitaxel and platinum. On the other hand, single-agent chemotherapy would be better than this regimen considering its low response rate and severe hematological toxicity for patients with progression-free interval less than 6 months.     

Historical control study of paclitaxel–carboplatin (TJ) versus conventional platinum-based chemotherapy (CAP) for epithelial ovarian cancer

Background As the first-line chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian cancer, the paclitaxel–carboplatin (TJ) regimen has replaced the cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, and cisplatin or carboplatin (CAP) regimen in our institutes since 1998. Both regimens were retrospectively compared for effectiveness and safety to verify the adequacy of the TJ regimen. Methods Women with epithelial ovarian cancer at FIGO stage Ic – IV were enrolled into the study and were assigned to either the CAP group (57 cases, from 1991 until 1998) or the TJ group (49 cases, from 1998 until 2002). The response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were compared in both groups. Adverse effects were also evaluated. Results The TJ group received an average of 6.3 courses of paclitaxel at 170.6 mg/m² and carboplatin with an AUC of 4.3, while the CAP group received 5.8 courses of cisplatin at 61.4 mg/m². The response rates were 82.8% in the TJ group and 70.6% in the CAP group at stage III–IV. The median OS was 43.9 months in the TJ group and 44.3 months in the CAP group. There was no statistically significant difference in effectiveness between the two groups. Peripheral neuropathy, myalgia/arthralgia, and allergic reactions were found significantly more often in the TJ group, but every adverse effect occurring in the TJ group was clinically controllable. In contrast, renal dysfunction occurred more frequently in the CAP group. Conclusion This study demonstrated that the TJ regimen is as effective as the CAP regimen in its antitumor effect for epithelial ovarian cancer, and has controllable adverse effects.     

Phase I/II trial of docetaxel and carboplatin in previously untreated patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Background. This trial was conducted to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and principal toxicities of combinations of docetaxel and carboplatin administered every 3 weeks to patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) previously untreated with chemotherapy, and to find suitable doses for phase II studies in Japanese subjects. Methods. Japanese patients with advanced NSCLC and performance status 0 to 2 according to the World Health Organization classification, but previously untreated with chemotherapy received docetaxel followed by carboplatin, each infused over a 1-h period. The carboplatin dose was based on the target area under the curve (AUC), using Calvert's formula. Dose levels studied were: docetaxel (mg/m²)/carboplatin AUC (mg/ml·min), 50/4, 60/4, and 60/5, repeated every 3 weeks. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) support was first used when dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were encountered. Results. Of 14 patients entered, 12 were assessable for toxicity and response. The MTD schedule was: docetaxel, 60 mg/m², with carboplatin, AUC 5 mg/ml·min (DLTs in 3 of 3 patients). The recommended dosage was: docetaxel, 60 mg/m², with carboplatin, AUC 4 mg/ml·min (DLTs in 2 of 6 patients). The main toxic effect was neutropenia, and any nonhematologic toxic effects were mild. No thrombocytopenia occurred. Six of the 12 patients (50%) showed responses; 4 of the 6 at the recommended doses. Conclusion. Docetaxel 60 mg/m², given over a 1-h period, followed by carboplatin, AUC 4 mg/ml·min, given over a 1-h period, is recommended for phase II studies in Japan. This combined chemotherapy has mild toxicity, except for neutropenia, and is useful and easy to administer. We therefore believe that phase II and phase III studies of this therapy would be well justified. Received: October 4, 1999 / Accepted: June 28, 2000     

A phase I study of prolonged ambulatory infusion carboplatin with oral etoposide showing activity in prostate cancer

Purpose: This phase I study aimed to establish the dose for phase II trials of a dose-intense outpatient regimen of ambulatory carboplatin and oral etoposide. Patients and Methods: Cohorts of three patients received escalating doses of carboplatin 15, 20, and 23 mg/m²/day as a 3-week continuous ambulatory infusion with oral etoposide initially at 50 mg/day. Patients entered had prostate, colon, head and neck, breast, unknown primary cancers and mesothelioma. Results: At 23 mg/m² of carboplatin, two patients had WHO grade 3 lethargy and myelosuppression, which were the dose-limiting toxicities. Six patients were entered at the dose recommended for phase II studies, carboplatin 20 mg/m²/day and etoposide 50 mg/day for 21 days repeated every 6 weeks. This was well tolerated except for one patient with multiple bone metastases from prostate cancer experiencing grade 4 myelosuppression and a single patient with grade 3 constipation. Seven patients with hormone-resistant prostate cancer were entered into the study, one at 15 mg/m², four at 20 mg/m² and two at 23 mg/m² of carboplatin, and received a median of four cycles of treatment. The only responses were seen in prostate cancer where there were two partial responses in patients with soft tissue predominant disease. Five patients who could be evaluated with initially elevated PSA exhibited falls of ≥50% after receiving the chemotherapy. All but one patient with prostate cancer experienced significant reduction in pain levels. The median time to progression of the patients with prostate cancer was 4 months. Conclusions: Ambulatory infusion carboplatin and oral etoposide is a tolerable dose- intense outpatient regimen which warrants further testing in phase II trials including hormone-resistant prostate cancer. Received: 13 March 2000 / Accepted: 26 May 2000     

Phase I/II study of the combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel as first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

Purpose: We performed a phase I/II study evaluating the combination ofpaclitaxel and carboplatin as first-line chemotherapy in patients withadvanced ovarian cancer. The aim of this study was to define a feasible andsafe combination regimen that could be recommended for future phase IIIstudies.Design: This study was a parallel two-arm, non-randomized, open trial. Ina first step, carboplatin was administered at a fixed dose of AUC 5 andpaclitaxel was escalated in 25 mg/m² steps starting at 135mg/m². Paclitaxel was given as a three-hour infusion.Carboplatin was administered on day 1 following paclitaxel in one study armand 24 hours after paclitaxel infusion on day 2 in the other study arm.Carboplatin was escalated to AUC 6 and AUC 7.5 after the MTD for paclitaxelhad been defined. Treatment was repeated every three weeks.Patients: Sixty-one patients with untreated histologically confirmedepithelial ovarian cancer were recruited of whom 59 were found eligible andevaluable for toxicity. Thirty-three patients with bidimensionally measurabledisease were evaluable for tumor response.Results: We could not detect any advantage of the two-day schedule comparedwith the more convenient one-day schedule. Dose limiting toxicities wereneutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and neurotoxicity. Except for two patients,toxicity was acceptable and clinically managable. One patient died ofneutropenic sepsis and one further patient developed grade III peripheralneurotoxicity that did not resolve within two months after chemotherapy hadbeen terminated. Overall objective response rate was 70%. The MTD forpaclitaxel was 185 mg/m² and AUC 6 for carboplatin,respectively. Secondary prophylaxis with G-CSF did not allow further doseescalation and therefore is not generally recommended.Conclusions: Paclitaxel 185 mg/m² given as three-hourinfusion followed by carboplatin AUC 6 is a feasible and safe regimen and canbe recommended for phase III trials. Observed response rates justify furtherevaluation of this combination. A randomized phase III trial comparing athree-hour infusion of paclitaxel 185 mg/m² combined witheither carboplatin AUC 6 or cisplatin 75 mg/m² as first-linechemotherapy of advanced ovarian cancer has recently been initiated by ourgroup.     

Dose escalation study of docetaxel and nedaplatin in patients with relapsed or refractory squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus pretreated using cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and radiation

Background Definitive chemoradiation with cisplatin (CDDP) and 5-fluorouracil (5FU) has been playing an important role in the treatment of esophageal cancer, but some patients are not curable or have recurrent lesions. However, few chemotherapeutic regimens are available for such patients. Docetaxel and nedaplatin are active for esophageal cancer. We conducted a dose-escalation study of docetaxel and nedaplatin as second line-chemotherapy after definitive chemoradiation in patients with relapsed or refractory squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus after chemoradiation. Methods Nedaplatin was administered on day 1 and docetaxel was administered on days 1 and 15, every 4 weeks. Dose escalation was based on the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) observed during the first cycle. Results Twelve patients were enrolled. At a docetaxel dose of 30 mg/m² and a nedaplatin dose of 80 mg/m², one grade 4 neutropenia occurred and caused one treatment break longer than 2 weeks, but there were few DLTs. At doses of 35 and 80 mg/m², respectively, two grade 4 neutropenias and one grade 2 thrombopenia occurred and caused three treatment breaks longer than 2 weeks. Therefore, the maximum tolerated dose was established at this dose level. Two grade 3 anorexias and one grade 3 nausea occurred, but other non-hematological toxicities were generally mild. Responses were seen in one-fourth of the 12 patients, including one complete remission. Conclusion The recommended doses of docetaxel and nedaplatin were 30 and 80 mg/m², respectively. This combination could be a potential second-line treatment for this target population.     

Salvage treatment with docetaxel for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer

Background We investigated the clinical usefulness and toxicity of salvage treatment with docetaxel (70mg/m²) infused at 3-week intervals in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.Methods Retrospectively, we reviewed the clinical records of 24 patients diagnosed with recurrent ovarian cancer who had received the salvage treatment.Results A total of 128 courses (median, 5.5 courses; range, 2–8 courses) were administered to the 24 patients. The mean number of prior chemotherapy courses in the patients was 16.4 (range, 4–35 courses); they had already been treated heavily. The tumor response was evaluable at the end of the treatment in 20 patients, with the overall response rate being 15.0%. Using the criterion of serum carbohydrate antigen (CA)125 level, the response rate was 13.0%. By the time of the final docetaxel treatment, all 24 patients had relapsed and 19 had died of the disease. The median progression-free interval was 4.6 months (range, 1.3–7.8 months), and the median overall survival time was 13.7 months (range, 2.1–27.0 months). While hematological toxicity was not severe, 20.8% of patients experienced grade 3 asthenia/fatigue, and 5 patients refused further treatments with docetaxel because of this toxicity.Conclusions Salvage treatment using docetaxel (70mg/m²) was somewhat effective for recurrent ovarian cancer, although severe asthenia/fatigue was frequently observed. Docetaxel provides sufficient palliation of disease-related symptoms and some improvement in the length of life in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer, when asthenia/fatigue is mild.     

Intensive weekly chemotherapy with docetaxel, epirubicin and carboplatin with G-CSF support in patients with advanced gastric cancer

Chemotherapy is an established modality in the management of patients with advanced gastric cancer but the optimal regimen has not been defined yet. Platinum and the anthracyclines and more recently docetaxel have shown activity in this tumor. The primary objective of this phase II study was to assess the efficacy and safety of an intensified regimen of weekly docetaxel/epirubicin/carboplatin (DECb) with growth factor support in previously untreated patients with advanced gastric cancer. A total of 72 patients with measurable disease received docetaxel at a dose of 30 mg/m², epirubicin at a dose of 30 mg/m² and carboplatin to a target area under the curve (AUC) of 2, every week for 6 consecutive weeks followed by 2 weeks’ rest, with filgrastim support. Analysis was performed on an intention to treat basis. The main toxicity was hematologic with grade 3/4 neutropenia occurring in 35% of the patients. Other grade 3/4 toxicities included anemia (7%), thrombocytopenia (14%) and leucopenia (26%). The relative dose intensity of docetaxel and epirubicin was 62%. The overall response rate was 21%, the median time to tumor progression was 4.1 months and the median survival 7.3 months. Intensified weekly treatment with DECb has modest activity in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. Myelotoxicity limits adequate drug delivery. Presented in part at the 41st American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida, May 13–17, 2005.     

Pharmacokinetics,dynamics and toxicity of docetaxel: Why the Japanese dose differs from the Western dose

Docetaxel (Taxotere^®) has been one of the most important chemotherapeutic drugs for cancer treatment since 1996. Although a large number of clinical studies have been conducted in various cancer fields, there is a discrepancy in the standard dose between Japan and Western countries. This article reviews the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and toxicological profiles of docetaxel, and explains why there exists an ethnic difference in dose, and further discusses which direction we should go forward to solve this problem. The original recommended dose was 100 mg/m² every 3 weeks in US and European populations, while a Japanese phase I study suggested the recommended dose as 60 mg/m² every 3 weeks. A prospective population pharmacokinetic analysis of docetaxel conducted in both the USA/Europe and Japan, indicated an absence of ethnic difference in the pharmacokinetics. Both analyses demonstrated that docetaxel clearance is related to α1‐acid glycoprotein level, hepatic function, age and body surface area. The relationship was observed between increasing docetaxel dose and increased tumor response rates across the dose range of 60 to 100 mg/m². The area under the serum concentration time curve (AUC) of docetaxel at the first cycle was significantly related to time to progression. Hematological toxicities were well correlated with the AUC of docetaxel, and severe hematological toxicities were more frequently observed in Japanese patients treated with 60 mg/m², compared to the US/European patients treated with 75–100 mg/m² dose. The Japanese population seems more susceptible to the toxicity of docetaxel. A docetaxel dose of 75 mg/m² is now standard not only in global trials but also in recent Japanese trials. Although the optimal dose of docetaxel is still unclear, we need to continue to seek the appropriate dose of docetaxel depending on patient status and the goals of chemotherapy.     

Phase II trial of combination chemotherapy with cisplatin, carboplatin and etoposide in stage IIIB and IV small-cell lung cancer

Purpose: A phase II trial combining cisplatin, carboplatin and etoposide was conducted in previously untreated patients with stage IIIB and IV small-cell lung cancer, in an attempt to increase response rates and prolong survival. Methods: Previously untreated patients with small-cell lung cancer, with measurable disease, aged ≤ 72 years, performance status ≤ 2, and adequate hematologic, hepatic and renal function were enrolled in the study. They were treated with 80 mg/m² cisplatin on day 1, 100 mg/m² carboplatin on days 2, 3 and 8, and 50 mg/m² etoposide on days 1, 2, 3 and 8. Results: A total of 46 patients (20 with stage IIIB and 26 with stage IV disease) were enrolled in the study. A total of 186 courses of chemotherapy were given, and the dose was reduced in 27 courses (15%). The chemotherapy was repeated for four or more courses in 30 patients. There were 10 complete responses and 32 partial responses, for a total response rate of 91% (95% confidence interval, 79% to 98%). The median survival time and 2-year survival rates were 18 months and 22% for stage IIIB disease, and 14 months and 15% for stage IV disease. Major side effects were hematologic: leukopenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia of grade 3 or more occurred in 48%, 46%, and 43% of patients, respectively. Conclusions: The three-drug regimen of cisplatin, carboplatin and etoposide is feasible and active against small-cell lung cancer. Received: 21 May 1997 / Accepted: 11 September 1997     

Carboplatin and docetaxel in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: results of a multicenter phase II study

Background To evaluate the efficacy of carboplatin and docetaxel combination in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.Methods In a phase II study, patients with inoperable stage IIIB or stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer (ECOG performance status of 0 or 1) were treated with the combination of carboplatin AUC 5 mg/ml·min and docetaxel 80 mg/m² administered once every 3 weeks.Results A total of 45 patients were accrued to the study. The median age was 62 years and adenocarcinoma was the most common histology. Patients received a median of four cycles of chemotherapy. The objective response rate was 29% with a median survival of 11.9 months among evaluable patients. The 1-year survival rate was 47%. Febrile neutropenia (17%) was the most common hematological toxicity associated with the regimen whereas grade 3 fatigue (4%) was the major nonhematological toxicity.Conclusions The combination of carboplatin plus docetaxel is well tolerated and is effective for the treatment of patients with previously untreated advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer.This work was supported in part by Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc.     

Docetaxel and cisplatin in patients with advanced or recurrent gastric cancer: a multicenter phase I/II study

Background: Because docetaxel and cisplatin are both active against gastric cancer and have different mechanisms of action, this combination may provide additive or synergistic effects against gastric cancer. This article presents a phase I study designed to determine the recommended dose of cisplatin combined with a fixed dose of docetaxel, and a subsequent phase II study that evaluated the clinical efficacy and feasibility of this combination regimen. Methods: Patients enrolled in the study had to have histologically confirmed advanced or recurrent gastric cancer with measurable disease and adequate organ function, and to be aged 20 to 75 years, with a performance status (PS) of 0 to 2. In the phase I study, docetaxel was administered at a fixed dose of 60 mg/m² on day 1. Cisplatin was also administered on day 1, at dose levels of 60, 70, and 80 mg/m². Where dose-limiting toxicities were not observed in more than 33.3% of patients, three patients were accrued for each dose level. Results: Recommended doses for the phase II evaluation were determined to be 60 mg/m² of docetaxel and 80 mg/m² of cisplatin. Although grade 3 or more severe leukopenia and neutropenia were observed in 71.4% and 82.1% of the patients, respectively, nonhematological toxicities were not severe. The overall response rate at the recommended dose level was 25.0% (7/28 patients), and the rate was 40% (6/15) for patients with liver metastases. The median survival time was 9.7 months and the 1-year survival rate was 39.3%. Conclusion: Although this study failed to demonstrate a high response rate, this regimen was feasible and might be of value in further investigations in respect to the relatively high response rate in patients with liver metastasis and the favorable survival. Received: March 26, 2002 / Accepted: June 28, 2002 Acknowledgments We are grateful to Drs. T. Taguchi, M. Yoshida, K. Nagao, and S. Yoshida for their helpful advice and N. Hirabayashi, W. Koizumi, and K. Shirao for their extramural review during the study. Offprint requests to: Y. Mitachi     

Phase I study of oral JM216 given twice daily

JM216 [bis-acetato-ammine-dichloro-cyclohexylamine-platinum(IV)] is an oral platinum complex that is currently in phase II trials in ovarian cancer and lung cancer on a daily-times-5 schedule. This trial examined an alternative schedule of two doses given 12 h apart, which may be better tolerated by patients. A total of 19 patients were given 50 cycles of treatment at doses ranging from 150 to 350 mg/m² b.i.d. The study was stopped before the MTD was reached due to non-linear pharmacokinetics. Toxicity was similar to that encountered in previous phase I studies, with nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea being seen at all dose levels, although this was generally mild and short-lived, and grade 3 and 4 myelosuppression being seen at dose levels ranging from 250 to 350 mg/m². There was no nephro-, oto-, or neurotoxicity, but one patient had an allergic reaction at 300 mg/m² on the fifth and sixth cycles. No response was seen, but two patients with mesothelioma had stable disease and received six cycles. There was considerable interpatient variability in plasma pharmacokinetics at all dose levels. There was no relationship between dose and AUC (dose 1 and dose 2) or C_max after dose 1. In a limited number of patients the first dose was given in the morning rather than in the evening, apparently resulting in lower AUC, C_max and T _max values at the 250-mg/m² dose level, but this was not seen in one patient at 300 mg/m². This study confirms that the pharmacokinetics of JM216 is non-linear and highly variable due to saturable absorption and that the daily times 5 schedule is the optimal schedule for further phase II trials. Received: 8 August 1997 / Accepted: 5 November 1997     

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of docetaxel administered as a 1-h intravenous infusion

Docetaxel, a taxane antitumor agent, was administered to 24 patients by a 1-h intravenous infusion at a dose level of 100 mg/m² with pharmacokinetic monitoring. The plasma concentration-versus-time data were fitted with a three-compartment model. The mean area under the curve (AUC) for docetaxel was 3.1 ± 0.9 h · mg/l and the clearance was 34.8 ± 9.3 l/h per m². There was considerable interpatient pharmacokinetic variability. In 33% of the patient population, metabolites were detected in plasma samples collected 5–30 min after the end of the infusion. The cyclized oxazolidinedione metabolite M4 was most frequently present and was detected in 8 out of 24 patients with maximal concentrations between 0.022 and 0.23 mg/l. Logistic regression analysis was performed to predict M4 docetaxel metabolism. In the final model, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels were the strongest predictors. No relationship was found between M4 metabolism and percentage decrease in neutrophil count in this study. Three patients with high M4 concentrations in plasma during course 1 suffered from most pronounced fluid retention (grade 2–3) after two to five courses. Received: 26 March 1999 / Accepted: 7 September 1999