Concomitant chemobrachyradiotherapy with ifosfamide and cisplatin followed by consolidation chemotherapy for women with locally advanced carcinoma of the uterine cervix--final results of a prospective phase II-study

Efficacy and safety of adjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) is generally treated using concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CCRT); yet, the effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) following CCRT remains controversial.

METHODS

The databases Embase, Web of Science, and PubMed were analyzed for relevant research. Primary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

Fifteen trials with 4041 patients were included. Pooled HRs for PFS and OS were 0.81 (95 % CI: 0.67-0.96) and 0.69 (95 % CI: 0.51-0.93), respectively. However, subgroup analyses indicated that in randomized trials and trials with larger sample sizes (n > 100) as well as ACT cycles ≤ 3, ACT was not linked with improved PFS and OS. Moreover, ACT induced a greater rate of hematologic toxicities (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Higher quality of evidence suggests that ACT could not yield additional survival benefits for LACC; however, identifying high-risk patients who may benefit from ACT is required to design further clinical trials and better inform treatment decisions.

Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Treatments Compared to Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Patients With Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: A Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis

Aim

This study aimed to identify the most effective treatment mode for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) by adopting a network meta-analysis (NMA).

Methods

Randomized controlled trials about treatments were retrieved from PubMed, Medline and Embase. Odds ratios (OR) of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated by synthesizing direct and indirect evidence to rank the efficacy of nine treatments. Consistency was assessed by node-splitting method. Begg's test was performed to evaluate publication bias. The surface under cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was also used in this NMA.

Results

A total of 24 eligible randomized controlled trials with 6,636 patients were included in our NMA. These trials compared a total of nine different regimens: radiotherapy (RT) alone, surgery, RT plus adjuvant chemotherapy (CT), concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), neoadjuvant CT plus CCRT, CCRT plus adjuvant CT, neoadjuvant CT, RT, CCRT plus surgery. Among those therapeutic modalities, we found that the two interventions with the highest SUCRA for OS and PFS were CCRT and CCRT plus adjuvant CT, respectively. ORs and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the two best strategies were CCRT versus CCRT plus adjuvant CT (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.53-1.31) for OS, CCRT plus adjuvant CT versus CCRT (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.38-0.96) for PFS.

Conclusions

This NMA supported that CCRT and CCRT plus adjuvant CT are likely to be the most optimal treatments in terms of both OS and PFS for LACC. Future studies should focus on comparing CCRT and CCRT plus adjuvant CT in the treatment of LACC.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO, CRD42019147920.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of adjuvant chemotherapy after chemoradiation for locally advanced cervical cancer

We investigated whether the addition of adjuvant chemotherapy to chemoradiation improves overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic searches in the databases of PubMed, Embase and Web of Science yielded 881 articles. Two reviewer authors independently selected 31 articles for full text review and deemed eight studies eligible for inclusion. Two were randomised controlled trials (RCT), one was a large (n=609) matched-case study and the remaining were small retrospective cohort studies; in total 2,150 patients. Risk of bias assessment showed that the RCTs were at low risk and all other studies were at high risk of bias. Pooled hazard ratios for OS and PFS were 0.78 (95%CI 0.45-1.33, p=0.36) and 0.85 (95%CI 0.65-1.10, p=0.22), respectively. Analysis stratified by study design and sensitivity analysis showed similar results. Funnel plots showed significant publication bias due to a lack of small studies with negative outcomes.

Adjuvant chemotherapy after radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy for pelvic lymph node-positive patients with locally advanced cervical cancer: a propensity score matching analysis

OBJECTIVE

The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy after definitive chemoradiotherapy in patients with pelvic lymph node-positive cervical cancer has been poorly studied. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the addition of adjuvant chemotherapy to definitive radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy improves survival in patients with pelvic lymph node-positive cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled patients with stage IB-IVA pelvic lymph node-positive cervical squamous cell carcinoma, without para-aortic lymph node metastases and initially treated with definitive radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy between March 2007 and February 2018. Patients were classified into the adjuvant chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil or paclitaxel, plus cisplatin) and no-adjuvant chemotherapy groups. Treatment outcomes were compared between the two groups before and after 1:1 ratio propensity score matching.

RESULTS

Medical records of 951 patients were reviewed and 792 patients were excluded. Finally, 159 patients were enrolled for analysis. Of these, 42 patients received a median of two cycles (range, 1-6) of adjuvant chemotherapy and 117 patients under observation after primary treatment. The median follow-up period was 33.8 months (range, 2.9-113.0). Before propensity score matching, no significant difference was observed in survivals between the two groups (P>0.05). After propensity score matching, 37 pairs of patients were selected. The 3-year rates of progression-free survival, overall survival, local control, and distant metastasis-free survival in the adjuvant chemotherapy and no-adjuvant chemotherapy groups were 80.2% and 60.4% (P=0.07), 83.0% and 63.7% (P=0.17), 94.0% and 81.9% (P=0.12), and 85.9% and 60.1% (P=0.04), respectively. The incidences of grade 3-4 acute and late toxicities were comparable between the two groups (P>0.05).

DISCUSSION

Adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved 3-year distant metastasis-free survival in patients with pelvic lymph node-positive cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Further prospective studies are needed to provide supportive evidence for the therapeutic efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Real-World Efficacy and Safety of Bevacizumab in the First-Line Treatment of Metastatic Cervical Cancer: A Cohort Study in the Total Population of Croatian Patients

BACKGROUND

Although today it is almost preventable, cervical cancer still represents a significant cancer burden, especially in some developing parts of the world. Since the introduction of bevacizumab in the first-line treatment of metastatic disease, improvements of the outcomes were noted. However, results from randomized controlled trials are often hard to recreate in the real-world setting.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the real-world efficacy and safety of bevacizumab as a first-line treatment of advanced cervical cancer.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study on the total population of Croatian patients diagnosed with metastatic cervical cancer from 2016 to 2019 who were treated with bevacizumab in combination with cisplatin and paclitaxel (TCB) in the first line. The comparison group was the consecutive sample of patients treated with chemotherapy alone. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate, incidence of adverse events, and the proportion of treatment discontinuation.

RESULTS

We enrolled 67 patients treated with TCB and a control group of 62 patients treated with chemotherapy alone. The TCB cohort had significantly longer unadjusted OS with a median of 27.0 (95% CI 18.5; not calculable) months, compared to 15.5 (10.7; 30.1) months in the chemotherapy-alone cohort. Adjusted OS was not significantly different. PFS was significantly longer for the TCB cohort, with a median of 10.6 (95% CI 8.5; 15.4) months, than for the chemotherapy-alone cohort, with a median of 5.4 (95% CI 3.9; 9.1) months, even after adjustment for baseline covariates (HRadjusted = 0.60; 95% CI 0.39; 0.94; p=0.027; false discovery rate <5%).

CONCLUSIONS

In a real-world setting, TCB as a first-line treatment of metastatic cervical cancer was associated with longer PFS, better objective disease control rate, and acceptable toxicity profile in comparison to chemotherapy alone. These results may indicate its utility and potential applicability in other parts of the developing world.

Toxicity Profile of Double-agent Adjuvant Chemotherapy after Concurrent Chemoradiation and Brachytherapy in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: Comparison with Standard Chemoradiation Protocol

Introduction: Carcinoma cervix is the most common gynecological malignancy in India and a major cause of cancer mortality and morbidity in the females despite Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Attempts are on to improved overall survival by addition of adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) to CCRT. Aim: The aim of this study is to establish toxicity profile of double-agent ACT after CCRT and ICRT in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) and to compare it with standard chemoradiation protocol. Materials and Methods: Patients were randomized into two arms: in conventional arm (Arm 1, n = 23), patients received a standard protocol of weekly injection cisplatin 40 mg/m2 concurrently with pelvic external beam radiotherapy (5040cGy/28 fractions) followed by ICRT (03 fractions of 7 Gy each). In interventional arm (Arm 2, n = 24), patients received CCRT/ICRT protocol; and were further offered ACT with three cycles of consolidation chemotherapy using injection paclitaxel and injection carboplatin every 3 weeks after CCRT and ICRT. Results: The incidence of anemia was 14/23 (50% Grade 1) in Arm 1 and 12/24 in Arm 2 (17% Grade 1, rest higher grade). In Arm 2, 37% of patients had ≥Grade 2 neuropathy and 16% of patients had Grade 1 alopecia, whereas nil incidence was reported in Arm 1 (P = 0.005 and 0.04, respectively). Grade 3 neutropenia was observed in 4/23 (17%) patients of Arm 1 and 8/24 patients (33%) of Arm 2. None of the patients in Arm 1 required indoor supportive care while 4/24 patients (17%) were managed as an indoor patient. Among late toxicities, in Arm 2, the incidence of Grade 2 and Grade 3 anemia was 42%, whereas in Arm 1, its incidence was 22%. In Arm 1, no patient exhibited features of neuropathy, whereas, in Arm 2, 12/24 (50%) of the patients had neuropathy (P value for these two late events was <0.05 statistically significant). No therapy-induced mortality was noted. Conclusion: Exhibition of ACT with injection Paclitaxel and injection carboplatin in locally advanced carcinoma cervix is a technically viable option with manageable toxicity.

Adjuvant Systemic Therapy after Chemoradiation and Brachytherapy for Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Standard of care for locally advanced cervical cancer is chemoradiation and brachytherapy. The addition of adjuvant systemic treatment may improve overall survival. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to summarize evidence on survival outcomes, treatment completion and toxicity.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science were systematically searched for relevant prospective and retrospective studies. Two authors independently selected studies, extracted data and assessed study quality. Pooled hazard ratios for survival endpoints were estimated using random effect models. Weighted averages of treatment completion and toxicity rates were calculated and compared by the Fisher exact test.

RESULTS

The search returned 612 articles; 35 articles reporting on 29 different studies on adjuvant chemotherapy or immunotherapy were selected for systematic review. Twelve studies on an adjuvant platinum-pyrimidine antagonist or platinum-taxane were included for meta-analysis. The pooled hazard ratios for overall survival were 0.76 (99%CI: 0.43-1.34, p = 0.22) and 0.47 (99%CI: 0.12-1.86, p = 0.16) for the addition of, respectively, a platinum-pyrimidine antagonist or platinum-taxane to chemoradiation and brachytherapy. Completion rates were 82% (95%CI: 76-87%) for platinum-pyrimidine antagonist and 74% (95%CI: 63-85%) for platinum-taxane. Severe acute hematological and gastro-intestinal toxicities were significantly increased by adding adjuvant chemotherapy to chemoradiation and brachytherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of adjuvant platinum-pyrimidine antagonist or platinum-taxane after chemoradiation and brachytherapy does not significantly improve overall survival, while acute toxicity is significantly increased. These adjuvant treatment strategies can therefore not be recommended for unselected patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.

Patterns of Treatment Failure after Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy or Adjuvant Radiotherapy in Patients with Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer

OBJECTIVE

To identify patterns of therapy failure after radiotherapy in Chinese patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC).

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted at a Chinese hospital from June 2012 to July 2018. All analyses were done using SPSS 26.

RESULTS

105 patients with treatment failure were included. After a median follow-up of 27 months (range 10-82), the 3-year survival rate after therapy failure was 19.4%. In multivariate analysis, squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) <4 ng/mL (p < 0.001) and disease-free interval >12 months (p = 0.013) showed significant survival benefits. We identified 3 types of failure: distant lymph node metastasis (n = 50), hematogenous metastasis (n = 53) and pelvic failure (n = 48). Most metastatic para-aortic lymph nodes (PALN) were inferior to the level of left renal hilum (84.8%, n = 28). A total of 80% of patients with supraclavicular lymph nodes (SCLN) metastasis ignored imaging on supraclavicular region. For solitary SCLN or lung metastasis, the prognosis was better than that combined with other sites failure, respectively (p = 0.005; p = 0.001). Many patients with central sites recurrence received insufficient doses of intracavitary brachytherapy (IBT) for low tolerance to pain.

CONCLUSION

The distribution of metastatic PALN is asymmetrical and optimizing clinical target volume to minimize toxicity of para-aortic radiation is necessary. The effect of ultrasonography as preliminary screening and follow-up means on SCLN metastasis can be expected. Pain management and psychological interventions are essential for patients receiving IBT.

Dosimetric characteristics of VMAT plans with respect to a different increment of gantry angle size for Ca cervix

Aim:

We have investigated the influence in volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans by a sequence of increment of gantry angle (IGA) in definitive radiotherapy treatment for cervical cancer. The plans are quantitatively analysed in terms of conformity index (CI), heterogeneity index (HI), dose–gradient index (DGI), target coverage (TC) by prescription dose, monitor unit (MU) usage, control points (CPs) and dose to organs.

Materials and Methods:

In this retrospective study, we selected 27 patients with cervical cancer having aged between 54 and 69. All the patients enrolled in this study were at T3N1M0 stage of cervical cancer. The prescription dose to planning target volume (PTV) was 50 Gy and was administered in 2 Gy/fraction through VMAT technique. VMAT plans were optimised by varying the parameter ‘IGA’ as 10, 20, 30 and 40°.

Results:

Homogenous dose distribution within PTV and TC by prescription dose was significantly enhanced (p < 0·05) with larger IGA. The difference between volume receiving 15 Gy (V15Gy) in bowel was up to 10% with larger IGA (30 and 40°) and V25Gy in femoral head was up to 3% with smaller IGA (10 and 20°). CPs were enhanced and MU usage was reduced with larger IGA (30 and 40°). IGA 40° had reduced the MU usage than IGA 30° but the CI and DGI were compromised due to large MLC field segments.

Conclusion:

This study recommends that the larger IGA could yield better results when the number of sectors is even, for a cervical cancer patient. However, more data from more patients need to be obtained and analysed to make this an evidence-based hypothesis.

How should we stage and tailor treatment strategy in locally advanced cervical cancer? Imaging versus para-aortic surgical staging

Para-aortic lymph node status at initial assessment is the most important prognostic factor and a key point for the therapeutic strategy in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. Undiagnosed lymph node metastasis is a major clinical problem as the finding of positive para-aortic lymph nodes leads to treatment modification, with a possible impact on disease free survival. When aortic lymph node disease is discovered, radiotherapy is extended to the para-aortic area, and other treatment modalities may be considered. Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is the most accurate imaging examination to assess para-aortic extension in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. The gold standard to identify para-aortic extension remains histologic evaluation of the lymph nodes. Indeed, PET/CT fails to detect approximately 10-15% of patients with negative PET/CT aortic nodes who have lymph node metastasis on pathologic staging. Patients with positive pelvic lymph nodes have para-aortic extension in 25-30% of cases, and surgical staging will lead to treatment modification and probably to improved para-aortic and distant control. Surgical staging also avoids unnecessary toxicity associated with extended field radiation in approximately 75% of patients with pelvic lymph node metastasis. The best modality to identify para-aortic extension is histological evaluation of the lymph nodes, but the survival benefit of surgical staging remains controversial. On the other hand, current studies include a majority of patients without pelvic lymph node spread, who are likely to be those who will benefit the least from surgical staging.

Significance of the number of high-risk factors in patients with cervical cancer treated with radical hysterectomy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of high-risk factors on the survival of patients with cervical cancer treated with surgery followed by adjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

METHODS

From 2000 to 2014, medical records of 897 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IB-IIA disease treated with surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Among them, 483 patients with high-risk factors, including pelvic lymph node metastasis, parametrial invasion, or resection margin involvement, were analyzed.

RESULTS

The median follow-up time was 57 months (range, 6-205 months). For patients with single and multiple high-risk factors, the 5-year DFS rates were 80.4% and 65.7%, respectively (p < 0.001), and 5-year OS rates were 87.3% and 75.1%, respectively (p = 0.001). Distant metastasis was the most common pattern of recurrence (86.1%). Furthermore, distant metastasis-free survival significantly differed with the number of high-risk factors present (single 82.7% vs. multiple 68.8%, p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, while parametrial invasion and resection margin involvement showed no association, the adenocarcinoma histology, pelvic lymph node metastasis, higher metastatic lymph node ratio, and multiple high-risk factors were independent prognosticators associated with poor DFS and OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with early-stage cervical cancer having multiple high-risk factors, adenocarcinoma histologic type, and pelvic lymph node metastasis accompanied by a higher lymph node ratio after surgery are more likely to have occult distant metastasis. Further, consolidation with systemic chemotherapy after adjuvant therapy might be considered to improve the survival outcome in this patient population.

A randomized controlled trial comparing concurrent chemoradiation versus concurrent chemoradiation followed by adjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer patients: ACTLACC trial

Objective

To compare response rate and survivals of locally advanced stage cervical cancer patients who had standard concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) alone to those who had adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) after CCRT.

Methods

Patients aged 18–70 years who had International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IIB–IVA without para-aortic lymph node enlargement, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores 0–2, and non-aggressive histopathology were randomized to have CCRT with weekly cisplatin followed by observation (arm A) or by ACT with paclitaxel plus carboplatin every 4 weeks for 3 cycles (arm B).

Results

Data analysis of 259 patients showed no significant difference in complete responses at 4 months after treatment between arm A (n=129) and arm B (n=130): 94.1% vs. 87.0% (p=0.154) respectively. With the median follow-up of 27.4 months, 15.5% of patients in arm A and 10.8% in arm B experienced recurrences (p=0.123). There were no significant differences of overall or loco-regional failure. However, systemic recurrences were significantly lower in arm B than arm A: 5.4% vs. 10.1% (p=0.029). The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and 3-year overall survival (OS) of the patients in both arms were not significantly different. The hazard ratio of PFS and OS of arm B compared to arm A were 1.26 (95% CI=0.82–1.96; p=0.293) and 1.42 (95% CI=0.81–2.49; p=0.221) respectively.

Conclusions

ACT with paclitaxel plus carboplatin after CCRT did not improve response rate and survival compared to CCRT alone. Only significant decrease of systemic recurrences with ACT was observed, but not overall or loco-regional failure.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02036164

Thai Clinical Trials Registry Identifier: TCTR 20140106001

Concurrent Chemo- Radiobrachytherapy with Cisplatin and Medium Dose Rate Intra- Cavitary Brachytherapy for Locally Advanced Uterine Cervical Cancer

Objective:

Cervical carcinoma is the third most common gynecologic cancer, after ovarian and uterine cancers in Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy (response rate) and toxicity of adding Medium Dose Rate (MDR) brachytherapy with concurrent chemotherapy to External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) for the treatment of locally advanced uterine cervical carcinoma.

Methods:

This phase I-II study was conducted in 2007-2008 at the cancer institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Patients were treated with pelvic EBRT (50 Gy in 25 Fraction) with concomitant chemotherapy to obtain tumor shrinkage and permit optimal intra-cavitary placement. One week after the completion of EBRT, patients were treated by 12 Gy MDR Intra-cavitary brachytherapy for two periods of one day with a one week interval and concomitant platinum based chemotherapy. Response rate was evaluated by gynecologic physical examination and pelvic MRI +- GD within three months of treatment. Acute and late toxicity were assessed using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria.

Results:

A total of 33 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer were treated according to the above described treatment protocol. The patients mean age was 53.2 (range 31–78) years. Three months after the completion of treatment, the complete clinical, pathologic and radiologic response rate according to WHO-criteria was 81.8% (27 patients). Six cases had a partial response or stable disease. After 48 months, average disease free survival periods were 45.1, 23.0, 33.4 and 8 months for stage IIB, IIIA, IIIB and IVA lesions (according to The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging system). The most frequently observed side effects were leukopenia, anemia, proctitis, cystitis, nausea and vomiting (mostly grade 1 and 2).

Conclusion:

Concomitant brachytherapy and chemotherapy with platinum compounds can be well tolerated and is effective in the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer.

Expression of ERCC1 and TUBB3 in Locally Advanced Cervical Squamous Cell Cancer and its Correlation with Different Therapeutic Regimens

Background

Several studies in solid tumors have shown that expression of excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) and class III β-tubulin (TUBB3) can predict response to chemoradiotherapy and might be prognostic factors. We assessed the role of ERCC1 and TUBB3 expressions as predictive and prognostic factors in locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma (LACSCC) patients treated with different neoadjuvant regimens.

Methods

ERCC1 and TUBB3 were detected in 88 patients with LACSCC by immunohistochemical analysis. Sixty-two patients were included in 3 different prospective trials and grouped as follows: vinorelbine or docetaxel (group A, n = 44) and ifosfamide-vinorelbine-cisplatin (group B, n = 18). Both groups were compared with standard cisplatin chemoradiotherapy (group C, n = 26). Clinical data at baseline, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were also collected. Univariate and multivariate Cox models were used to analyze the risk factors.

Results

Thirty-five patients (39.8%) and 18 (20.5%) had high ERCC1 and TUBB3 expression, respectively. Both proteins were overexpressed in tumors with unfavorable characteristics. High ERCC1 was associated with advanced FIGO stage (p = 0.034) and progressive disease (49% vs. 28%). Poor DFS (p = 0.021) and OS (p = 0.005) were observed in group C patients with high ERCC1 expression. Multivariate analysis showed that ERCC1 expression, FIGO stage and pretreatment hemoglobin level were significant prognostic factors (p = 0.002, p = 0.008 and p = 0.005, respectively).

Conclusions

ERCC1 expression could be a predictive and prognostic factor in LACSCC patients who receive cisplatin monotherapy. Conversely, TUBB3 had no impact on survival in patients treated with antimicrotubule agents.

Long follow-up of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer treated with concomitant chemobrachyradiotherapy with cisplatin and ifosfamide followed by consolidation chemotherapy

OBJECTIVES

Locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) is one of the leading health problems of the developing countries. We present long-term outcomes of treatment with a concomitant chemobrachyradiotherapy followed by consolidation chemotherapy regimen.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We treated 118 patients with LACC (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages IB2-IVA) with external radiotherapy (50 Gy in 25 fractions) and concomitant chemobrachyradiotherapy (low-dose rate). Chemotherapy was applied during brachyradiotherapy (cisplatin on day 1 in combination with 24-hour infusion of ifosfamide and mesna uroprotection). Four cycles of consolidation chemotherapy were given starting 4 weeks after the second concomitant chemobrachyradiotherapy cycle.

RESULTS

After median follow-up period of 99.3 months, we observed acceptable acute and late toxicity, local control rate of 97.5%, and an overall survival of 74.6% at 96 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Chemobrachyradiotherapy regimen followed by consolidation chemotherapy described in this article is a valuable treatment option for LACC.

Adjuvant chemotherapy after concurrent chemoradiation for locally advanced cervical cancer

BACKGROUND

Current standard treatment for patients with cervical cancer who have locally advanced stage disease (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIB to IVA) is concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT). However, less than two-thirds of patients in this group survive for longer than five years post treatment. Adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) can be given in an attempt to improve survival by eradicating residual disease in the pelvis and treating occult disease outside the pelvic radiation field. However, inconsistency in trial design, inclusion criteria for participants, interventions and survival benefit has been noted among trials of ACT after CCRT for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC).

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) after concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) on survival of women with locally advanced cervical cancer compared with CCRT alone.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Gynaecological Review Group Trial Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE and conference proceedings to March 2014. We handsearched citation lists of relevant studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CCRT alone versus CCRT plus ACT were included. Patients were diagnosed with cervical cancer FIGO stage IIB to IVA with a histopathology of squamous cell carcinoma, adenosquamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma or undifferentiated carcinoma.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors (ST, KK) selected relevant trials, extracted data, assessed risk of bias independently, compared results and resolved disagreements by discussion.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified two RCTs involving 978 women with cervical cancer stage IIB to IVA. As the trials were significantly different clinically, we did not perform meta-analyses. One industry-funded trial involving 515 women compared CCRT (cisplatin) versus CCRT (cisplatin and gemcitabine) plus ACT (two additional cycles). This trial reported significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in women who were given CCRT plus ACT compared with those treated with CCRT alone: Three-year PFS was 74.4% versus 65.0% (hazard ratio (HR) 0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49 to 0.95, P value 0.027), and three-year OS was 80% versus 69% (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.95, P value 0.022). However, as the CCRT chemotherapy differed between the two arms, we considered the findings to be at high risk of bias.The second trial was a four-arm study from which we extracted data on 463 women in two study arms receiving CCRT (intravenous mitomycin C and oral 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)) or CCRT plus ACT (oral 5-FU for three cycles). The HR for OS in women who received ACT after CCRT compared with the HR for OS in those who were given CCRT alone was 1.309 (95% CI 0.795 to 2.157), and the HR for disease-free survival (DFS) was 1.125 (95% CI 0.799 to 1.586).Haematological adverse events were more common in the ACT arms of both trials. Quality of life (QoL) was not reported in either trial.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

With limited data from only two trials, we found insufficient evidence to support the use of ACT after CCRT. Future large trials are required to demonstrate efficacy, toxicities and QoL.

In vitro chemoresponse analysis of cervical cancer patient specimens

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to report the results of in vitro chemoresponse analysis of primary, metastatic, and recurrent human cervical cancers.

METHODS

There were 557 tumor specimens submitted for testing from August 2006 to June 2010. Single agents tested were cisplatin, carboplatin, paclitaxel, docetaxel, epirubicin, fluorouracil, 4-hydroxy ifosfamide (active metabolite of ifosfamide), SN-38 (active metabolite of irinotecan), topotecan, and vinorelbine. Doublets tested were carboplatin/paclitaxel and cisplatin/topotecan. Tumor response was determined from dose-response curves. Results were scored as responsive, intermediate, or nonresponsive. Chemoresponse was reported as the combined responsive and intermediate results.

RESULTS

Three hundred fifty-three (63.4%) of 557 submitted specimens were successfully assayed. Confirmation of histology and tumor status (primary, metastatic, or recurrent) was available for 273 specimens. The chemoresponse of the most active agents in primary cancers (n = 151) was 75% for SN-38, 71% for 4-hydroxy ifosfamide, 62% for topotecan, and 73% for carboplatin/paclitaxel. The chemoresponse of metastatic cancers (n = 66) was 54% for SN-38, 51% for 4-hydroxy ifosfamide, 44% for epirubicin, and 53% for carboplatin/paclitaxel. The chemoresponse for recurrent cancers (n = 56) was 44% for epirubicin, 41% for 4-hydroxy ifosfamide, 39% for vinorelbine, 39% for paclitaxel, 36% for topotecan, 46% for carboplatin/paclitaxel, and 35% for cisplatin/topotecan. The overall chemoresponse was greater in primary cancers (58%) than in recurrent cancers (35%) (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

In vitro chemoresponse analysis of cervical cancer biospecimens is feasible. Chemoresponse results are variable depending on tumor status. Clinical studies of assay-directed therapy should be developed.

Clinical implication of surgically treated early-stage cervical cancer with multiple high-risk factors

Objective

Presence of high-risk factor in cervical cancer is known to be associated with decreased survival outcomes. However, the significance of multiple high-risk factors in early-stage cervical cancer related to survival outcomes, recurrence patterns, and treatment implications is not well elucidated.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted for surgically treated cervical cancer patients (stage IA2-IIB, n=540). Surgical-pathological risk factors were examined and tumors expressing ≥1 high-risk factors (nodal metastasis, parametrial involvement, or positive surgical margin) were eligible for analysis (n=177, 32.8%). Survival analysis was performed based on the number of high-risk factors and the type of adjuvant therapy.

Results

There were 68 cases (38.4%) expressed multiple high-risk factors (2 high-risk factors: n=58, 32.8%; 3 high-risk factors: n=10, 5.6%). Multiple high-risk factors remained an independent prognosticator for decreased survival outcomes after controlling for age, histology, stage, and treatment type (disease-free survival: hazard ratio [HR], 2.34; p=0.002; overall survival: HR, 2.32; p=0.007). Postoperatively, 101 cases (57.1%) received concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and 76 cases (42.9%) received radiotherapy (RT) alone. CCRT was beneficial in single high-risk factor cases: HRs for CCRT over RT alone for cumulative risk of locoregional and distant recurrence, 0.27 (p=0.022) and 0.27 (p=0.005), respectively. However, tumor expressing multiple high-risk factors completely offset the benefit of CCRT over RT alone for the risk of distant recurrence: HR for locoregional and distant recurrence, 0.31 (p=0.071) and 0.99 (p=0.980), respectively.

Conclusion

Special consideration for the significance of multiple high-risk factors merits further investigation in the management of surgically treated early-stage cervical cancer.

Utility of risk-weighted surgical-pathological factors in early-stage cervical cancer

Background:

Surgical–pathological risk factors were evaluated by weighting the magnitude of significance of multiple risk factors correlating to survival and treatment response in cervical cancer.

Methods:

Multivariate analysis was performed for survival outcomes entering seven pathological factors obtained from 540 radical hysterectomy specimens in stage IA2-IIB cervical cancer cases. Hazard ratio (HR) in each risk factor was determined, and the sum of HR scores for the corresponding risk factors was determined per case. Survival curves and postoperative treatment response (concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) vs radiotherapy alone) were evaluated based on the extent of HR-weighted scores.

Results:

Hazard ratios for risk factors relating to disease-free survival (DFS) was: lympho-vascular space invasion 3.95, nodal metastasis 3.88, adenocarcinoma 3.40, large tumour 2.36, positive margin 1.99, deep stromal invasion 1.29, and parametria invasion 1.21. The HR-weighted scoring method showed a high predictive value for recurrence (area-under-curve 0.836, P<0.001). Hazard ratio-weighted scores were negatively correlated to DFS, and the cases with score ⩾12.5 showed 5-year DFS rate of 23.8%. Tumours with larger score offset the benefits of CCRT over radiotherapy alone for postoperative adjuvant treatment (P<0.001).

Conclusion:

Surgical–pathological risk factors provide valuable information for survival and management of early-stage cervical cancer when number and significance of risks are weighted.

Comparison of concurrent chemoradiation therapy with weekly cisplatin versus monthly fluorouracil plus cisplatin in FIGO stage IIB-IVA cervical cancer

Objective

Concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) is the standard treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer. Although the optimal chemotherapeutic regimen is not yet defined, previous randomized trials have demonstrated that 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus cisplatin every 3 weeks and weekly cisplatin are the most popular regimens. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of weekly CCRT with cisplatin and monthly CCRT with 5-FU plus cisplatin for locally advanced cervical cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed data from 255 patients with FIGO stage IIB-IVA cervical cancer. Patients were classified into two CCRT groups according to the concurrent chemotherapy: weekly CCRT group, consisted of CCRT with weekly cisplatin for six cycles; and monthly CCRT group, consisted of CCRT with cisplatin and 5-FU every 4 weeks for two cycles followed by additional consolidation chemotherapy for two cycles with the same regimen.

Results

Of 255 patients, 152 (59.6%) patients received weekly CCRT and 103 (40.4%) received monthly CCRT. The mean follow-up period was 39 months (range, 1 to 186 months). Planned CCRT was given to 130 (85.5%) patients in weekly CCRT group and 84 (81.6%) patients in monthly CCRT group, respectively. Severe adverse effects were more common in the monthly CCRT group than in the weekly CCRT group. There were no statistically significant differences in progression-free survival and overall survival between the two groups (p=0.715 and p=0.237).

Conclusion

Both weekly CCRT and monthly CCRT seem to have similar efficacy for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer, but the weekly cisplatin is better tolerated.

A matched-case comparison to explore the role of consolidation chemotherapy after concurrent chemoradiation in cervical cancer

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and toxicity of consolidation chemotherapy after concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) and CCRT alone in patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Using medical records from January 2001 to December 2007, 39 patients treated with consolidation chemotherapy after CCRT (Group 1) were matched to 39 patients treated with CCRT alone (Group 2). Consolidation chemotherapy consisted of three additional cycles of chemotherapy with cisplatin 60 mg/m2 (Day 1) and 5-fluorouracil 1,000 mg/m2 per day (Days 1-5) given every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was overall survival.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up period of 35 months (range, 8-96 months), 10 (25.6%) and 16 (41.0%) patients showed disease progression in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Distant recurrence with or without locoregional/lymphogenous recurrence occurred more frequently in Group 2 than in Group 1 (23.1% vs. 7.7%, p=0.06). By contrast, there was no difference in locoregional or lymphogenous recurrence between the two groups. The rate of overall survival was higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (92.7% vs. 69.9%, p=0.042), whereas the difference in progression-free survival between the groups was not statistically significant (70.1% vs. 55.1%, p=0.079). Although the difference was not statistically significant, neutropenia was more common in Group 1 than in Group 2 (10.9% vs. 4.7%, p=0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Consolidation chemotherapy after CCRT may improve survival and reduce distant recurrence without additional toxicity compared to CCRT alone in patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma.

High-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy combined with external beam radiotherapy for stage IIIb adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix in Japan: a multi-institutional study of Japanese Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology 2006-2007 (study of JASTRO 2006-2007)

OBJECTIVE

The current study was a retrospective questionnaire survey of stage IIIb adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix treated with high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy combined with external beam radiation therapy in Japan aimed to investigate the optimal dose on the basis of the biological effective dose and prognostic factors.

METHODS

Between 1990 and 2000, 61 patients with stage IIIb adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix underwent high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy combined with external beam radiation therapy in 19 major hospitals in Japan. This retrospective questionnaire survey was performed by mail including survey charts to be fulfilled by radiation oncologists in these 19 major hospital. Fifty had only adenocarcinoma components and 11 had adenosquamous cell carcinoma components. All patients were treated with high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy combined with external beam radiation therapy. Total biological effective dose (T-BED(10)) was calculated from the sum of the biological effective doses of the external beam radiation therapy and the intracavitary brachytherapy. Thirty-two patients underwent chemotherapy.

RESULTS

The 5-year overall survival rate of all patients was 20.2%. Stratified by total biological effective dose, the 5-year overall survival rate was 0% for T-BED(10) <75 Gy, 24.7% for T-BED(10) between 75 and 100 Gy and 0% for T-BED(10) >110 Gy (P = 0.15). Stratified by histopathology, the 5-year overall survival rate was 22.1% for adenocarcinoma and 13.6% for adenosquamous cell carcinoma (P = 0.43). Stratified by chemotherapy, the 5-year overall survival rate was 20.3% in patients who received chemotherapy and 20.4% in patients who did not receive chemotherapy (P = 0.96).

CONCLUSIONS

The 5-year overall survival rate of stage IIIb adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix in this retrospective questionnaire survey was 20.2%. The optimal T-BED(10) and evident prognostic factors were not clear from this questionnaire survey.

Phase I study of chemoradiation with nedaplatin and ifosfamide in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix

Cisplatin and ifosfamide are considered among the most active drugs in both neoadjuvant and salvage treatments for patients with cervical cancer. Nedaplatin is an analog of cisplatin and it exhibits lesser nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and gastrointestinal toxicity than cisplatin. This study aimed to determine the recommended dosage of nedaplatin plus ifosfamide chemoradiotherapy for advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix. Beginning with a dose of 65 mg/m(2), nedaplatin (day 1) combined with ifosfamide 1 g/m(2) (days 1-5) was designed to be administered for three cycles (minimum: two cycles); its dose was gradually escalated up to 80 mg/m(2). Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined as a more than 7-day delay in the planned radiation therapy and/or planned chemotherapy (prior to the completion of two cycles) due to toxicity. Chemotherapy was not interrupted prior to the completion of two cycles in any patients. Of the 12 patients, 11 received three cycles of chemotherapy. DLT did not occur in any patient. We confirmed a clinical complete response (CR) in ten and partial response (PR) in two patients. The median follow-up period was 39 months (range: 18-57 months). Ten patients (83%) were alive and disease free, one patient was alive with disease, and only one patient died due to the disease. Nedaplatin and ifosfamide combination chemotherapy is a feasible and active chemoradiation strategy for patients with advanced SCC of the uterine cervix. With the ifosfamide dose fixed to 1 g/m(2), the recommended nedaplatin dosage was determined to be 80 mg/m(2) to be administered for three cycles.