Use of CereportTM (RMP-7) to Increase Delivery of Carboplatin to Gliomas: Insight and Parameters for Intracarotid Infusion Via a Single-Lumen Cannula

CereportTM (RMP-7) is a selective bradykinin B receptor ago2 nist that increases the permeability of the blood-brain tumor barrier (BBTB) to increase delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to brain tumors. Two experiments were performed in a rat glioma model to evaluate and refine intra-arterial dosing parameters using Cereport. The first experiment investigated whether desensitization or tachyphylaxis to the effects of Cereport on vascular permeability can be avoided during the course of super-selective, intracarotid drug administration. Super-selective administration may be used when two different arterial branches supply a single tumor in order to ensure that enough of the drug reaches the entire tumor. In this instance, the chemotherapeutic drug is infused separately and sequentially into each branch. This procedure necessitates an infusion duration that is sufficiently long to raise concerns that tachyphylaxis to B2 receptor stimulation might occur during the Cereport infusion. To study this possibility, relative concentrations, timing, and duration of Cereport were selected to mimic those encountered during super-selective drug administration.Cereport increased the uptake of carboplatin into gliomas to a similar extent as that achieved under more conventional intra-arterial procedures, suggesting that significant tachyphylaxis was not induced. A second experiment tested several alternative dosing paradigms to determine whether a single-lumen cannula could be employed when using Cereport to enhance delivery of carboplatin into a cerebral artery. Mixing carboplatin and Cereport prior to intracarotid infusion through a single-lumen cannula did not reduce the ability of Cereport to increase the permeability of the BBTB. Equivalent effects in carboplatin uptake into a tumor were also seen when the two drugs were co-infused and their infusions sequentially alternated. Finally, Cereport pretreatment did not offer any advantage, indicating very rapid effects of Cereport on the BBTB. Collectively, these data (1) establish a range of dosing paradigms wherein Cereport significantly increases delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs via a single-lumen, arterial cannula, (2) define some of the parameters required to do so successfully, and (3) further elucidate the pharmacodynamic effects of bradykinin B2 receptor-mediated changes in permeability of the BBTB.     

Sustained Release Chemotherapeutic Microspheres Provide Superior Efficacy over Systemic Therapy and Local Bolus Infusions

Purpose. The present studies evaluated the ability of injectable, biodegradable microspheres releasing carboplatin, doxorubicin, or 5-fluorouracil to suppress the growth of solid tumors implanted subcutaneously or intramuscularly. Methods. Seven to 10 days after implantation of MATB-III cells, rats received systemic chemotherapy, intratumoral bolus chemotherapy, or injections of chemotherapeutic microspheres into the tumor center or multiple sites along the outer perimeter of the tumor. Results. A single treatment with carboplatin, doxorubicin, or 5-fluorouracil microspheres along the perimeter of the tumors produced a significant, dose-related suppression in tumor growth, relative to injections directly into the tumor center. Moreover, five temporally-spaced microsphere treatments along the tumor perimeter (with either doxorubicin or 5-fluorouracil microspheres) completely eradicated 100% of the subcutaneous tumors and 40-53% of the intramuscular tumors. Polypharmacy, accomplished by blending doxorubicin- and 5-fluorouracil-loaded microspheres and injecting them into the tumors was even more efficacious than sustained delivery of either drug alone. Comparable doses of systemic chemotherapy or intratumoral bolus chemotherapy were ineffective. Conclusions. Injectable microspheres might be ideal for local, sustained delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to solid tumors. However, attention must be paid to the placement of the microspheres, for injections around the tumor perimeter may be required for efficacy.     

Role of gemcitabine in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer: review of the main phase II and phase III trials

Marked advances in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have been made thanks to new agents. Among these agents, gemcitabine appears to be a major compound in advanced stage NSCLC chemotherapy. To start with, several phase III trials (conducted in Europe and in the USA) studied the gemcitabine/cisplatin combination (GC): US study protocois compared GC to cisplatin alone, to the standard treatment (etoposide/cisplatin) or to platinum/taxane doublets; in these studies, as a result of treatment with GC, a higher survival rate was observed. A study conducted in Italy, which is undergoing analysis, observes GC versus paclitaxel/carboplatin versus cisplatin/vinorelbine. In addition, in newer clinical protocols, it was observed that gemcitabine combined with taxanes or with vinorelbine demonstrated efficacy at least equal to that of combinations with platinum analogs. Newer agents acting on epithelial growth factor are also undergoing evaluation.     

Cryptophycin 52 and cryptophycin 55 in sequential and simultaneous combination treatment regimens in human tumor xenografts

The antitumor activity of cryptophycin 52 (C52) and cryptophycin 55 (C55) in sequential and simultaneous combination treatment regimens in human tumor xenografts models was explored. The antitumor activity of C52 and C55 was compared alone and in sequential combination with gemcitabine or paclitaxel in four lung cancer models, H460 and Calu-6 NSCLC and SW2 and H82 small cell lung carcinoma. The combination of C52 followed by gemcitabine was additive in three tumors and greater-than-additive in the fourth. The combination of C55 followed by gemcitabine was additive in three tumors and less-than-additive in the fourth. The combination of C52 followed by paclitaxel was greater-than-additive in one tumor, additive in one tumor and less-than-additive in two tumors. The combination of C55 followed by paclitaxel was greater-than-additive in two tumors and less-than-additive in two tumors. The simultaneous combination of C52 or C55 with fractionated radiation therapy was assessed in the H460 NSCLC tumor. Both cryptophycins produced a tumor response that was additive along with radiation therapy. The HCT116 colon carcinoma was used to compare the antitumor activity of simultaneous or sequential combination of 5-fluorouracil or irinotecan with C52. C52 produced greater-than-additive tumor response when administered either simultaneously with or sequentially with 5-fluorouracil or iriniotecan. Finally, when administered to animals bearing intraperitoneal OVCAR-3 ovarian carcinoma, C52, docetaxel and paclitaxel resulted in mean survival times of 123, 80 and 85 days compared with 72 days in the untreated controls. In combination with carboplatin, C52, docetaxel and paclitaxel resulted in mean survival times of 140, 105 and 135 days. Cryptophycins have the potential to be useful chemotherapeutic agents in a wide variety of clinical combinations regimens.     

Docetaxel (taxotere) in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

Docetaxel is a new semi-synthetic anticancer agent derived from bacatin III of the needles of the European yew Taxus baccata. Docetaxel has a novel mechanism of action since it binds to tubulin inducing its polymerization and promoting stable microtubule formation. Several differences exist between docetaxel and paclitaxel: (i) broader activity of docetaxel against freshly explanted human tumors than paclitaxel; (ii) a 2-fold higher affinity than paclitaxel; (iii) 2.5-fold more potent than paclitaxel as an inhibitor of cell replication and (iv) docetaxel acts at the S-phase whereas paclitaxel at the G(2)/M phases of the cell cycle. Preclinical and phase II studies revealed that docetaxel is active against NSCLC. In chemotherapy-na ve patients with NSCLC response rates ranged from 19% to 54% with a median duration of survival ranging from 6.3 months to 11 months, and 1-year survival ranging from 21% to 71%. Docetaxel as single agent provided a survival as well as a clinical benefit over BSC in untreated patients with NSCLC. Docetaxel has been efficiently combined with cisplatin (ORR 33%-46%), carboplatin (ORR 30%-48%), vinorelbine (ORR 20%-51%), gemcitabine (ORR 37%-47%), with a median survival ranging from 5-14 months. A preliminary analysis of a multicenter randomized trial comparing docetaxel/CDDP with docetaxel/gemcitabine revealed that the two regimens had comparable activity in terms, of response rates, duration of response, TTP and overall survival; however, the docetaxel/gemcitabine combination has a most favourable toxicity profile compared to docetaxel/CDDP. Docetaxel has also demonstrated radiosensitizing properties and encouraging results have been achieved in combination with irradiation. Finally, docetaxel has shown an important activity in previously-treated patients with NSCLC with ORR ranging from 16% to 25% with a median survival ranging from 7.2 months to 10.5 months. Randomized trials revealed that second-line docetaxel confers a survival benefit over either BSC or ifosfamide/vinorelbine in pretreated patients with NSCLC.     

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of gemcitabine hydrochloride for the treatment of cervical cancer

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer is the third most prevalent cancer in females worldwide. When advanced, the disease requires primary radiation concurrent with chemotherapy. However, chemotherapy alone is the standard treatment for recurrent/persistent/metastatic disease. AREAS COVERED: Areas covered in this review include the treatment of advanced cervical cancer with gemcitabine as radiosensitizer, either alone or in combination with cisplatin. The use of gemcitabine for recurrent/persistent/metastatic cervical cancer is also reviewed. EXPERT OPINION: Statistically significantly better survival rates are achieved with cisplatin doublets against cisplatin alone, in the management of recurrent/persistent/metastatic cervical cancer. The choice of the cisplatin doublet with paclitaxel, vinorelbine, gemcitabine and topotecan arms should be based on physician preference, pre-existing morbidity and patient-related factors. In advanced disease, a recently reported Phase III trial establishes the novel regimen of concurrent gemcitabine plus cisplatin and external radiation, followed by brachytherapy and two adjuvant 21-day cycles of gemcitabine plus cisplatin, as significantly improving survival outcomes when compared with the current standard of care. The increased acute toxicity of this regimen is clear; however, this should not deter its incorporation into clinical practice, in that the toxicity is predictable and manageable; nevertheless, the occurrence of late toxicity and survival at longer follow-up time are reasonable concerns in this regimen.     

消癌平注射液联合吉西他滨和卡铂治疗ⅢB和Ⅳ期非小细胞肺癌的临床评价

目的 观察消癌平注射液联合吉西他滨和卡铂治疗ⅢB和Ⅳ期非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）的临床疗效。方法 选择鄂东医疗集团黄石市中心医院2013年2月-2015年1月治疗的ⅢB和Ⅳ期NSCLC患者106例,随机分为吉西他滨和卡铂化疗对照组与消癌平注射液联合吉西他滨和卡铂化疗观察组,每组53例。比较两组近远期临床疗效以及不良反应。结果 治疗4个周期后,观察组的治疗有效率和控制率分别为39.6%和77.4%;对照组的有效率和控制率分别为35.8%和75.5%,两组比较差异无统计学意义。观察组白细胞下降、血红蛋白下降和血小板下降率分别为41.5%、37.7%和45.3%,显著低于对照组的64.2%、62.3%和69.8%（P<0.05）。观察组肾功能损伤、肝功能损伤、恶心、呕吐、头晕、头痛、腹泻和便秘发生率与对照组比较无显著差异。观察组中位生存时间8.4月,肿瘤进展时间5.3个月,1年生存率26.4%;对照组中位生存时间7.7月,肿瘤进展时间4.2个月,1年生存率为11.3%,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 消癌平注射液联合吉西他滨和卡铂治疗ⅢB和Ⅳ期NSCLC,可以降低化疗药的血液学毒性,提高远期临床疗效。     

吉西他滨或长春瑞滨联合顺铂治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌的系统评价

目的 利用Meta分析评价吉西他滨、长春瑞滨联合顺铂治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌的有效性与安全性。方法 检索Pubmed数据库和CHKD数据库,纳入随机对照试验,用专用软件Review Manager Version4.2.2进行系统评价。结果 共有7个英文期刊文献研究1 561例患者,10个中文期刊文献研究864例患者纳入系统评价。英文期刊文献Meta分析结果显示吉西他滨+顺铂方案与长春瑞滨+顺铂方案在总缓解率上无区别,在一年生存率上吉西他滨+顺铂方案方案优于长春瑞滨+顺铂方案,中文期刊文献Meta分析结果显示两套方案在总缓解率和一年生存率上均无显著性差异。关于毒性反应方面的报道,中英文期刊文献Meta分析结果一致,吉西他滨+顺铂方案中性粒细胞减少发生率低于长春瑞滨+顺铂方案,血小板减少发生率高于长春瑞滨+顺铂方案,恶心呕吐发生率差异无统计学意义。结论 中英文期刊文献在评价吉西他滨、长春瑞滨联合顺铂治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌的有效性上有区别。应重视提高中文期刊随机对照研究文献的质量,同时在晚期非小细胞肺癌治疗过程中,应结合患者具体情况,选择对患者生活质量影响较小的方案。     

Novel therapeutics in metastatic bladder cancer

Background: Albeit transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder is a chemosensitive neoplasm, metastatic disease is related with poor prognosis and short-term survival data. Objective: Cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy is recognised as the golden standard therapy for patients with inoperable locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer. However, owing to treatment-related toxicities and short-response durations, novel treatment options or agents, with both enhanced efficacy and tolerability, have been sought. Methods: Reviewing the current status and addressing the future of novel anticancer therapeutics in metastatic urinary bladder cancer. Results/conclusion: Non-platinum, single agents, such as gemcitabine and taxanes, as well as multidrug regimens in doublet or triplet chemotherapeutic combinations are regarded as promising alternatives. Dose intensification of conventional regimens, dose-dense sequential administration of new agents, the use of molecular markers for predicting chemosensitivity and the integration of biologically targeted agents to enhance chemotherapeutic efficacy are promising approaches.     

曲妥珠单抗联合长春瑞滨或吉西他滨对人类表皮生长因子受体2阳性乳腺癌患者的临床观察

目的 探讨曲妥珠单抗联合长春瑞滨或吉西他滨对人类表皮生长因子受体2（HER-2）阳性乳腺癌患者的临床研究。方法 选择2012年1月-2015年12月汉中市三二〇一医院收治的103例HER-2阳性乳腺癌患者，根据随机数字表法，分为A组（49例）及B组（54例），A组给予曲妥珠单抗联合长春瑞滨，B组给予曲妥珠单抗联合吉西他滨，21 d为1个疗程，共用4~6个疗程。观察两组的实体瘤疗效、健康生存质量、治疗后1、2年生存率、总生存时间、无进展生存时间及毒副反应。结果 A组部分缓解率及客观有效率明显高于B组，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）；两组完全缓急、疾病稳定及病情进展对比无统计学意义。A组的健康生存质量评分明显高于B组，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。A组治疗后1、2年的生存率高于B组，A组的总生存期及无进展生存时间长于B组，但差异无统计学意义。两组毒副反应对比无统计学意义。结论 与吉西他滨联合曲妥珠单抗对比，长春瑞滨联合曲妥珠单抗治疗HER-2阳性乳腺癌患者的部分缓解率、客观有效率及健康生存质量较高，且毒副反应患者可耐受，值得临床推广应用。     

Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin: a review of its use in metastatic breast cancer, ovarian cancer, multiple myeloma and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma

Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Caelyx?, Doxil?) represents an improved formulation of conventional doxorubicin, with reduced cardiotoxicity and an improved pharmacokinetic profile. This article reviews the efficacy and tolerability of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in metastatic breast cancer, progressive ovarian cancer, relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, as well as summarizing its pharmacological properties. In three randomized, open-label, multicentre trials, monotherapy with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin was as effective as doxorubicin or capecitabine in the first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer, and as effective as vinorelbine or combination mitomycin plus vinblastine in taxane-refractory metastatic breast cancer. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin alone was as effective as topotecan or gemcitabine alone in patients with progressive ovarian cancer resistant or refractory to platinum- or paclitaxel-based therapy, according to the results of three randomized multicentre trials. In addition, in patients with progressive ovarian cancer who had received prior platinum-based therapy, progression-free survival was significantly longer with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin plus carboplatin than with paclitaxel plus carboplatin, according to the results of a randomized, open-label multicentre trial. Combination therapy with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin plus bortezomib was more effective than bortezomib alone in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, according to the results of a randomized, open-label, multinational trial. Randomized multinational trials also demonstrated the efficacy of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in patients with advanced AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin exhibited a relatively favourable safety profile compared with conventional doxorubicin and other available chemotherapy agents. The most common treatment-related adverse events included myelosuppression, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia and stomatitis, although these are manageable with appropriate supportive measures. To conclude, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin is a useful option in the treatment of various malignancies, including metastatic breast cancer, ovarian cancer, multiple myeloma and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma.     

Vinorelbine for non-small cell lung cancer

Importance of the field: Vinorelbine is a ‘third-generation’ vinca alkaloid approved for the treatment of NSCLC. The introduction of ‘third-generation’ drugs (vinorelbine, gemcitabine, taxanes) in platinum combination improved survival of patients with advanced NSCLC, with substantially similar results among the different drugs. Treatment toxicities are considerable in this setting.

Areas covered in this review: This narrative review reports a synthesis of evidence available from published clinical trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the activity and safety of vinorelbine, used as single agent or in combination chemotherapy in patients with NSCLC, from 1990 to 2009.

What the reader will gain: When vinorelbine was administered in a weekly schedule without interruptions, the most common toxicity was neutropenia that often precluded administration of the drug, therefore, reducing the dose intensity. A schedule providing administration of vinorelbine on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks seemed to improve the tolerability of the drug. Tolerability of the drug did not result lower in the elderly subset. None of the other ‘third-generation’ drugs were clearly better tolerated than vinorelbine. Moreover, in the adjuvant setting, vinorelbine is the only third-generation drug that demonstrated, in combination with cisplatin, a consistent improvement in survival on a long-term basis.

Take home message: Vinorelbine is an active and generally manageable therapeutic option for the treatment of both early and advanced NSCLC.     

Gemcitabine and carboplatin in combination for the treatment of advanced,metastatic, non-small cell lung cancer

The universally accepted first-line treatment for advanced (stage IIIB effusion/IV) non-small-cell lung cancer in patients with a good performance status is a platinum drug in combination with one of gemcitabine, paclitaxel, vinorelbine or docetaxel. Although cisplatin is generally the favoured platinum agent, gemcitabine partnered with carboplatin is convenient to administer and has a favourable toxicity profile. Here, the pharmacology, preclinical and clinical data to support the use of this regimen for the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer is evaluated.     

Gemcitabine-loaded innovative nanocarriers vs GEMZAR: Biodistribution,pharmacokinetic features and in vivo antitumor activity

Introduction: Gemcitabine, an anticancer drug, is a nucleoside analog deoxycytidine antimetabolite, which acts against a wide range of solid tumors. The limitation of gemcitabine is its rapid inactivation by the deoxycytidine deaminase enzyme following its in vivo administration.

Areas covered: One of the most promising new approaches for improving the biopharmaceutical properties of gemcitabine is the use of innovative drug delivery devices. This review explains the current status of gemcitabine drug delivery, which has been under development over the past 5 years, with particular emphasis on liposomal delivery. In addition, the use of novel supramolecular vesicular aggregates (SVAs), polymeric nanoparticles and squalenoylation were treated as interesting innovative approaches for the administration of the nucleoside analog.

Expert opinion: Different colloidal systems containing gemcitabine have been realized, with the aim of providing important potential advancements through traditional ways of therapy. A possible future commercialization of modified gemcitabine is desirable, as was true in the case of liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil^®, Caely^®).     

Gemcitabine and carboplatin in combination for the treatment of advanced, metastatic, non-small cell lung cancer

The universally accepted first-line treatment for advanced (stage IIIB effusion/IV) non-small-cell lung cancer in patients with a good performance status is a platinum drug in combination with one of gemcitabine, paclitaxel, vinorelbine or docetaxel. Although cisplatin is generally the favoured platinum agent, gemcitabine partnered with carboplatin is convenient to administer and has a favourable toxicity profile. Here, the pharmacology, preclinical and clinical data to support the use of this regimen for the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer is evaluated.     

Paclitaxel nanosuspensions for targeted chemotherapy – nanosuspension preparation,characterization, and use

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this work was to prepare a stable paclitaxel nanosuspension and test it for potential use as a targeted chemotherapeutic. Different particle coatings were employed to assess their impact on cellular uptake in vitro. In vivo work was then performed to demonstrate efficacy in tumor-bearing mouse models.

Materials and method: Paclitaxel nanosuspensions were prepared using a homogenization process and coated with excipients. Surface charge was measured by zeta potential, potency by high-performance liquid chromatography, and solubility using an in-line UV probe. Cellular uptake studies were performed via flow cytometry. In vivo experiments were performed to determine residence time, maximum tolerated dose, and the efficacy of paclitaxel nanosuspensions (Paclitaxel-NS).

Results: A stable paclitaxel nanosuspension was prepared and coated with various excipients. Studies in mice showed that the nanosuspension was well-tolerated and at least as effective as the IV Taxol control in prolonging mouse survival in a head and neck cancer model as well as an ovarian cancer model with a lower overall drug dose than the traditional IV administration route.

Conclusions: The paclitaxel nanosuspension is suitable for cellular uptake. The nanosuspension was effective in prolonging life in two separate xenograft orthotopic murine cancer models through two separate routes of administration.     

Heterogeneity of chemosensitivity of metastatic cutaneous melanoma.

Advanced melanoma has a poor prognosis and chemotherapy provides little benefit for most patients. This may be related to heterogeneity of chemosensitivity as well as frequent constitutive resistance to individual cytotoxic drugs. We have therefore examined the heterogeneity of chemosensitivity in metastatic cutaneous melanoma specimens using an ex vivo ATP-based chemosensitivity assay (ATP-TCA). Melanoma deposits (n=55) in skin or lymph node were tested using the ATP-TCA, performed in three separate laboratories. Analysis of the data collected (based on an arbitrary sensitivity index < 300) shows considerable heterogeneity of chemosensitivity. The most active single cytotoxic agents in the assay were identified as cisplatin, treosulfan, paclitaxel, vinblastine, gemcitabine and mitoxantrone. There was also a limited direct inhibition of melanoma cell growth by interferon-alpha2b, although this agent is known to have a number of indirect biological antitumor effects. Exposure of tumor cells to combinations of drugs at the concentrations tested as single agents showed the most active combinations to be treosulfan+gemcitabine, cisplatin+paclitaxel and vinblastine+paclitaxel. There was considerable heterogeneity of chemosensitivity: some tumors responded well to one agent or combination, while others showed no response to this and instead responded to one of the alternatives tested. Occasional highly resistant tumors showed no response to any of the single agents or combinations tested. The degree of heterogeneity observed suggests that the ATP-TCA could be used to select patients who might benefit from specific chemotherapeutic agents alone or in combination. This provides the rationale for future randomized controlled trials of ATP-TCA-directed chemotherapy versus physician's choice to determine whether assay-directed chemotherapy can improve patient response and survival.     

Clinical experience with drug delivery systems as tools to decrease the toxicity of anticancer chemotherapeutic agents

Introduction: The toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents, resulting from their low pharmacological index, introduces considerable discomfort and risk to cancer patients. Among several strategies to reduce the toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents, targeted drug delivery is the most promising one.

Areas covered: Liposomes, micelles, albumin-based, polymeric, dendritic and lipid core nanoparticles have been used as carriers to concentrate anticancer drugs in neoplastic tissues, and clinical studies of those preparations are reviewed. In most clinical studies, drug delivery systems reduced drug toxicity. Lipid core nanoparticles (LDE) that bind to cell lipoprotein receptors have the ability to concentrate in neoplastic tissues and were the first artificial non-liposomal system shown in in vivo studies to possess targeting properties. The toxicity reduction achieved by LDE as vehicle of carmustine, etoposide and paclitaxel was singularly strong.

Expert opinion: The reduced toxicity offered by drug delivery systems has expanded treatment population that may benefit from chemotherapy including feeble, overtreated and elderly patients that would otherwise be offered palliative therapy. Drug delivery systems may either prolong the duration of treatments or allow increases in drug dose.     

Phase II study of gemcitabine in combination with vinorelbine versus gemcitabine followed by vinorelbine for metastatic breast cancer

Background No clear data are available concerning the superiority of combination chemotherapy to sequential therapy using agents beyond 1st or 2nd line chemotherapy for treating patients with metastatic breast cancer. Methods Patients were randomized to receive a combination of gemcitabine and vinorelbine or gemcitabine until disease progression followed by vinorelbine monotherapy. Quality of life was assessed using EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaires. Results Forty-two patients were randomized to the combination arm and 40 were randomized to the sequential arm. Baseline characteristics were well balanced between the arms. The median number of chemotherapy cycles was 4 (range, 1–23) for the combination arm and 6 (range, 1–25) for the sequential arm. Patients receiving combination therapy had a higher composite response rate (26.8% vs. 12.5%; P = 0.106) but a shorter median time to treatment failure (3.6 vs. 4.4 months, P = 0.252) as compared to patients receiving sequential monotherapy. Median overall survival for the combination and sequential arms was 10.6 months and 8.9 months, respectively (P = 0.436). Toxicities were manageable and similar in both arms. Quality of life measurements in global health, role, and social function were superior in the combination arm (P < 0.05). Conclusions Combined gemcitabine and vinorelbine therapy appears comparable to sequential monotherapy for heavily pretreated patients with metastatic breast cancer as demonstrated by improved quality of life outcomes with similar therapeutic efficacies and incidences of adverse events.