Combination of Irinotecan, Oxaliplatin and 5-Fluorouracil as a Rechallenge Regimen for Heavily Pretreated Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients

Efficacy and safety of chronomodulated irinotecan, oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin combination as first- or second-line treatment against metastatic colorectal cancer: Results from the International EORTC 05011 Trial

The triplet combination of irinotecan, oxaliplatin and fluorouracil is an active frontline regimen in metastatic colorectal cancer, but scarce data exist on its use as salvage treatment. We aimed at assessing its safety and efficacy profiles with its circadian-based administration (chronoIFLO5) as either first- or second-line treatment, within the time-finding EORTC 05011 trial. Five-day chronoIFLO5 was administered every 3 weeks in patients with PS 0, 1 or 2. It consisted of chronomodulated irinotecan (180 mg/sqm), oxaliplatin (80 mg/sqm) and fluorouracil-leucovorin (2800 and 1200 mg/sqm, respectively). For our study, toxicity and antitumour activity were evaluated separately in first- and second-line settings. Primary endpoints included Grade 3-4 toxicity rates, best objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). One-hundred forty-nine and 44 patients were treated in first-line and second-line settings, respectively, with a total of 1138 cycles with median relative dose intensities of about 90%. Demographics were comparable in the two groups. Thirty-six (24.7%) and 10 (22.2%) patients experienced at least one episode of severe toxicity in first line and second line, respectively. Frontline chronoIFLO5 yielded an ORR of 62.3% [95% CI: 54.2-70.4] and resulted in median PFS and OS of 8.7 months [7.5-9.9] and 19.9 months [15.4-24.5]. Corresponding figures in second line were 37.5% [22.5-52.5], 6.7 months [4.8-8.9] and 16.3 months [11.8-20.8]. International and prospective evaluation revealed the favourable safety and efficacy profiles of chronoIFLO5, both as frontline and as salvage treatment against metastatic colorectal cancer. In particular, encouraging activity in second line was observed, with limited haematological toxicity.

Nanoliposomal irinotecan (Nal-IRI)-based chemotherapy after irinotecan -based chemotherapy in patients with pancreas cancer

BACKGROUND

Nanoliposomal irinotecan (Nal-IRI) is a preferred second-line treatment for metastatic pancreas cancer. It is unclear, however, whether patients who had received irinotecan derive benefit.

METHODS

Medical records of metastatic pancreas cancer patients who had received irinotecan and then Nal-IRI were reviewed. The primary endpoint was overall survival after the initiation of Nal-IRI (an a priori threshold of >4 months defined success); adverse events and quotes from the medical record on decision-making were also recorded.

RESULTS

Sixty four patients met eligibility criteria with a median age of 65 years (range: 36, 80 years). The median overall survival from initiation of Nal-IRI was 5.1 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.3, 5.6 months). An exploratory comparison, based on no cancer progression with irinotecan versus progression, showed improved survival with Nal-IRI in the former group: 6.1 months (95% CI: 5.1, 9.3 months) versus 4.3 months (95% CI: 2.3, 4.8 months); p = 0.0006. Nal-IRI adverse events occurred as expected. Qualitative data illustrate several themes, including "limited treatment options," which appeared to drive the decision to prescribe Nal-IRI.

CONCLUSION

Nal-IRI might be considered in pancreas cancer patients who had received irinotecan, particularly in the absence of disease progression with the latter.

Chemotherapy rechallenge in metastatic colon cancer: A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in males and females in the United States. Approximately, 20%-22% of patients have metastatic disease at the time of presentation, and 50%-60% will develop metastasis over the course of their disease. Despite advances in systemic therapies, there remains a paucity of effective third- and later-line therapies for patients with ongoing disease progression. However, rechallenging chemo-resistant CRC tumors with previously administered therapies is an emerging concept that may be a life-prolonging option for heavily treated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

CASE SUMMARY

A 41-year-old man with no previous medical history initially presented with worsening diffuse abdominal tenderness. Computed tomography was significant for a splenic flexure mass and hepatic lesions concerning for metastatic disease. He underwent a colectomy with anastomosis. Postoperative pathology was diagnostic for moderately to well-differentiated adenocarcinoma (T4bN1bM1a). He received adjuvant 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX), but therapy was discontinued due to the development of atrial fibrillation. Additional workup indicated a carcinoembryonic antigen level of 508.2 ng/mL, and mutational analysis found that the tumor was microsatellite instability-high and KRAS/BRAF wild-type. He was started on irinotecan with oxaliplatin (IROX), and bevacizumab (14 cycles), developed disease progression, was transitioned to FOLFOX and cetuximab, and then eventually three cycles of pembrolizumab. Following disease progression, he was rechallenged with IROX therapy, as he previously responded well to oxaliplatin-based therapy. The IROX rechallenge provided this patient with a ten-month survival benefit, decreased metastatic burden, and marked improvement in his clinical condition.

CONCLUSION

Rechallenge of previous lines of well-tolerated systemic chemotherapy regimens may be a valuable therapeutic strategy in patients with heavily-treated mCRC.

Oxaliplatin retreatment in metastatic colorectal cancer: Systematic review and future research opportunities

BACKGROUND

Oxaliplatin represents a main component of cytotoxic treatment regimens in colorectal cancer (CRC). Given its efficacy, oxaliplatin is frequently re-administered in the context of the continuum of care in metastatic CRC (mCRC). However, efficacy and tolerability of this therapeutic strategy has not been comprehensively assessed.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of the literature on September 19th 2020, according to PRISMA criteria 2009. The research was performed on PubMed, ASCO Meeting Library, ESMO library and ClinicalTrials.gov for citations or ongoing trials.

RESULTS

64 records were retrieved and 13 included in the systematic review: 8 full-text articles, 4 abstracts and 1 ongoing clinical trial. According to readministration timing, studies were classified as rechallenge/reintroduction (n = 8) or stop & go/intermittent therapeutic strategies (n = 4). The studies presented wide heterogeneity in terms of efficacy (Response Rate 6-31%; Disease Control Rate 39-79%; median Progression-Free Survival 3.1-7 months). Those patients who received retreatment after prior adjuvant oxaliplatin or exploiting a stop-&-go strategy appeared to achieve better outcomes. However, no formal comparisons on treatment outcomes were feasible. The most frequent grade 3 or higher adverse events were hematologic toxicities (5-27%), peripheral neuropathy (5-14%) and hypersensitivity reactions (5-20%).

CONCLUSIONS

Retreatment with oxaliplatin for mCRC is practiced based on scarce and heterogeneous data indicating efficacy and manageable toxicity. The best strategy to exploit this approach remains to be defined, and the most promising research avenue to improve therapeutic index of oxaliplatin is represented by selection of responder patients whose tumors harbor molecular defects in the DNA damage repair pathway.

Impact of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on FOLFIRINOX-induced neutropenia prevention: A population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic approach

AIMS

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is frequently prescribed to prevent chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, but the administration schedule remains empirical in case of bimonthly chemotherapy such as FOLFIRINOX regimen. This pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) study was performed to determine the effect of different G-CSF regimens on the incidence and duration of neutropenia following FOLFIRINOX administration in order to propose an optimal G-CSF dosing schedule.

METHODS

A population PK/PD model was developed to describe individual neutrophil time course from absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) obtained in 40 advanced cancer patients receiving FOLFIRINOX regimen. The structural model considered ANC dynamics, neutropenic effect of cytotoxics and the stimulating effect of G-CSF on neutrophils. Final model estimates were used to simulate different G-CSF dosing schedules for 1000 virtual subjects. The incidence and duration of neutropenia were then calculated for different G-CSF dosing schedules.

RESULTS

The final model successfully described the myelosuppressive effect induced by the 3 cytotoxics for all patients. Simulations showed that pegfilgrastim administration reduced the risk of severe neutropenia by 22.9% for subjects with low ANC at the start of chemotherapy. Median duration in this group was also shortened by 3.1 days when compared to absence of G-CSF. Delayed G-CSF administration was responsible for higher incidence and longer duration of neutropenia compared to absence of administration.

CONCLUSION

The PK/PD model well described our population's ANC data. Simulations showed that pegylated-G-CSF administration 24 hours after the end of chemotherapy seems to be the optimal schedule to reduce FOLFIRINOX-induced neutropenia. We also underline the potential negative effect of G-CSF maladministration.

Long non-coding RNA RAMS11 promotes metastatic colorectal cancer progression

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common gastrointestinal malignancy in the U.S.A. and approximately 50% of patients develop metastatic disease (mCRC). Despite our understanding of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in primary colon cancer, their role in mCRC and treatment resistance remains poorly characterized. Therefore, through transcriptome sequencing of normal, primary, and distant mCRC tissues we find 148 differentially expressed RNAs Associated with Metastasis (RAMS). We prioritize RAMS11 due to its association with poor disease-free survival and promotion of aggressive phenotypes in vitro and in vivo. A FDA-approved drug high-throughput viability assay shows that elevated RAMS11 expression increases resistance to topoisomerase inhibitors. Subsequent experiments demonstrate RAMS11-dependent recruitment of Chromobox protein 4 (CBX4) transcriptionally activates Topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2α). Overall, recent clinical trials using topoisomerase inhibitors coupled with our findings of RAMS11-dependent regulation of TOP2α supports the potential use of RAMS11 as a biomarker and therapeutic target for mCRC.

Current Options for Third-line and Beyond Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. Spanish TTD Group Expert Opinion

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a public health problem: it is the third most common cancer in men (746,000 new cases/year) and the second in women (614,000 new cases/year), representing the second leading cause of death by cancer worldwide. The survival of patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC) has increased prominently in recent years, reaching a median of 25 to 30 months. A growing number of patients with mCRC are candidates to receive a treatment in third line or beyond, although the optimal drug regimen and sequence are still unknown. In this situation of refractoriness, there are several alternatives: (1) To administer sequentially the 2 oral drugs approved in this indication: trifluridine/tipiracil and regorafenib, which have shown a statistically significant benefit in progression-free survival and overall survival with a different toxicity profile. (2) To administer cetuximab or panitumumab in treatment-naive patients with RAS wild type, which is increasingly rare because these drugs are usually indicated in first- or second-line. (3) To reuse drugs already administered that were discontinued owing to toxicity or progression (oxaliplatin, irinotecan, fluoropyrimidine, antiangiogenics, anti-epidermal growth factor receptor [if RAS wild-type]). High-quality evidence is limited, but this strategy is often used in routine clinical practice in the absence of alternative therapies especially in patients with good performance status. (4) To use specific treatments for very selected populations, such as trastuzumab/lapatinib in mCRC human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive, immunotherapy in microsatellite instability, intrahepatic therapies in limited disease or primarily located in the liver, although the main recommendation is to include patients in clinical trials.

Apatinib Monotherapy for Chemotherapy-Refractory Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Multi-centre, Single-Arm, Prospective Study

Angiogenesis inhibitors are of considerable interest for treating metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). This trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of apatinib in chemotherapy-refractory mCRC. Apatinib 500 mg was administered daily to patients who had progressed after two or more lines of standard fluorouracil-based chemotherapy. Primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), and toxicity. Overall, 48 patients were enrolled. ORR and DCR were 8.3% (4/48) and 68.8% (33/48), respectively. Median PFS and OS were 4.8 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.653-5.887) and 9.1 months (95% CI, 5.155-13.045), respectively, and did not differ between subgroups stratified by previous anti-angiogenic therapies. The most prevalent grade 3-4 adverse events were hypertension (12.5%), hand-foot syndrome (HFS, 10.4%), thrombocytopenia (10.4%), and proteinuria (8.3%). Low baseline neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR, hazard ratios [HR], 0.619; P = 0.027), early carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) decrease (HR, 1.654; P = 0.016), and HFS (HR, 2.087; P = 0.007) were associated with improved PFS. In conclusion, apatinib monotherapy demonstrated encouraging efficacy with manageable toxicities in chemotherapy-refractory mCRC. Previous anti-angiogenic therapies did not influence outcomes. Baseline NLR, early CA19-9 decrease, and HFS could predict the efficacy of apatinib.