Efficacy and safety of nab-paclitaxel in metastatic gastric cancer: a meta-analysis

Background: Nab-paclitaxel is formulated to address several limitations of paclitaxel. Methods: A systematic review was done of several databases and a meta-analysis with a random-effects model was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of nab-paclitaxel in metastatic gastric cancer (MGC). Results: Included studies revealed that nab-paclitaxel provides a 30.4% overall response rate and 65.7% disease control rate in MGC patients. The overall survival was 9.65 months and progression-free survival was 4.48 months, associated with the treatment line and regimen. The highest incidence of grade 3 and higher treatment-related adverse events was for neutropenia (29.9%). Conclusion: Nab-paclitaxel provides better disease response and longer survival with manageable side effects in MGC compared with paclitaxel.

Chemotherapy or targeted therapy as second-line treatment of advanced gastric cancer. A systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies

Chemotherapy is a cornerstone in treatments of gastric cancer, but despite its benefit, less than 60% of patients receive salvage therapy in clinical practice. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis based on trial data on the role of second-line treatment of advanced gastric cancer. MEDLINE/PubMed and Cochrane Library were searched for randomized phase III trials that compared active therapy to best supportive care in advanced gastric cancer. Data extraction was conducted according to the PRISMA statement. Summary HR for OS was calculated using a hierarchical Bayesian model and subgroup analysis was performed based on baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG) performance status (0 vs. 1 or more). A total of 1,407 patients were evaluable for efficacy, 908 were treated in the experimental arms, with chemotherapy (231 pts) or with targeted therapies (677 pts). The risk of death was decreased by 18% (HR = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.79-0.85; posterior probability HR≥1: <0.00001) with active therapies. Chemotherapy and ramucirumab were able to decrease this risk by 27% and 22%, respectively. No differences were found between chemotherapy and ramucirumab. In patients with ECOG = 0 a greater benefit was found for chemotherapy with a reduction of the risk of death by 43% and no benefits were found for ramucirumab or everolimus. In patients with ECOG = 1 or more a significant reduction of the risk of death by 32% was reported in patients treated with ramucirumab, even if no significant difference was reported between chemotherapy and ramucirumab. This analysis reports that active and available therapies are able to prolong survival in patients with advanced gastric cancer with a different outcome based on initial patient's performance status. New trials based on a better patient stratification are awaited.

Clinicopathological features and outcomes of gastric cancer patients with pulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosa

OBJECTIVE

Breast, gastric and lung cancers are the most common cancers that cause pulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosa. However, little is known about the clinical features of pulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosa in advanced gastric cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the data throughout the clinical courses of 33 patients with gastric cancer who developed pulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosa. Pulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosa was confirmed by both a pulmonologist and a diagnostic radiologist on the basis of computed tomography findings of interstitial patterns such as thickening or irregularity of interlobular septa and bronchovascular bundles.

RESULTS

The median age of the 33 patients was 55 years old (range, 25-73 years). The percentages of female patients, those with performance status 3 or 4, and those with respiratory symptoms at diagnosis were 70, 36 and 76%, respectively. The histologically diffuse type of gastric cancer accounted for 85% of cases. Mediastinal lymph node, peritoneal and bone metastases were found in 64, 61 and 39% of patients, respectively. Disseminated intravascular coagulation was noted in 21% of patients. The median survival time of the 18 chemotherapy-naïve patients treated with chemotherapy was 5.7 months (range, 0.4-37.0 months). Two patients obtained symptomatic relief, and one patient treated with S-1 + cisplatin + sunitinib survived >3 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosa caused by gastric cancer has some specific clinicopathological features. While the prognosis of gastric cancer patients with pulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosa is extremely poor, some patients may have survival benefit from chemotherapy.

Biweekly S-1 plus paclitaxel (SPA) as second-line chemotherapy after failure from fluoropyrimidine and platinum in advanced gastric cancer: a phase II study

PURPOSE

Second-line chemotherapy is now considered a standard therapy option in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) who failed from first-line chemotherapy. Single agents, such as irinotecan, docetaxel or paclitaxel, provided an overall response rate of about 10 %. However, the efficacy was not satisfactory. The authors conducted a phase II study to investigate biweekly regimen of S-1 plus paclitaxel in Chinese AGC in second-line setting, with response rate as the primary end point.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with AGC failed from first-line chemotherapy with fluoropyrimidine/platinum who had measurable lesions were enrolled. Paclitaxel was administered intravenously on day 1 at a dose of 120 mg/m(2), and oral S-1 was administered twice a day from days 1 to 7, followed by a 7-day drug-free interval.

RESULTS

A total of 30 patients with pretreated AGC were accrued. No complete responses were observed. Partial responses were documented in 10 (33.3 %) patients. Ten (33.3 %) patients had stable disease. The median progression-free survival was 3.6 months and the overall survival was 7.2 months. The main toxicity was bone marrow suppression. The most frequent grade 3/4 hematological toxicities were neutropenia and anemia, which were observed in 8 (26.7 %) and 6 (20 %) patients, respectively. The most common grade 3/4 non-hematological toxicity was neuropathy, which was reported in 4 (13.3 %) patients.

CONCLUSION

Biweekly S-1 plus paclitaxel showed promising activity with acceptable toxicities as second-line chemotherapy in pretreated patients with AGC. This regimen deserves further investigation in a phase III trial.

Lapatinib Plus Paclitaxel Versus Paclitaxel Alone in the Second-Line Treatment of HER2-Amplified Advanced Gastric Cancer in Asian Populations: TyTAN—A Randomized, Phase III Study

Purpose

In Asian countries, paclitaxel once per week is used as second-line treatment in advanced gastric cancer, including human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) –positive tumors. The role of anti-HER2 agents, including lapatinib, in this setting and population is unclear.

Patients and Methods

TyTAN was a two-part, parallel-group, phase III study in Asian patients. An open-label, dose-optimization phase (n = 12) was followed by a randomized phase (n = 261), in which patients who were HER2 positive by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) received lapatinib 1,500 mg once per day plus once-per-week paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 or paclitaxel alone. The primary end point was overall survival (OS). Secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS), time to progression (TTP), overall response rate (ORR), time to response, response duration, and safety. Analyses were based on immunohistochemistry (IHC) and gastrectomy status, prior trastuzumab therapy, and regional subpopulations.

Results

Median OS was 11.0 months with lapatinib plus paclitaxel versus 8.9 months with paclitaxel alone (P = .1044), with no significant difference in median PFS (5.4 v 4.4 months) or TTP (5.5 v 4.4 months). ORR was higher with lapatinib plus paclitaxel versus paclitaxel alone (odds ratio, 3.85; P < .001). Better efficacy with lapatinib plus paclitaxel was demonstrated in IHC3+ compared with IHC0/1+ and 2+ patients and in Chinese compared with Japanese patients. A similar proportion of patients experienced adverse events with each treatment (lapatinib plus paclitaxel, 100% v paclitaxel alone, 98%).

Conclusion

Lapatinib plus paclitaxel demonstrated activity in the second-line treatment of patients with HER2 FISH-positive IHC3+ advanced gastric cancer but did not significantly improve OS in the intent-to-treat population.

Optimal chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer: is there a global consensus?

The optimal medical treatment for advanced gastric cancer is currently the source of debate. Cytotoxic treatment has been shown to prolong survival and provide improved symptom control compared with best supportive care alone, but a global standard has not yet been defined. A literature research was undertaken. Results were evaluated by an international author team. The conclusions of this are presented in this paper. Combination chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil was the preferred first-line chemotherapy, but oxaliplatin has shown equivalent efficacy to cisplatin. Oral fluoropyrimidines, especially S-1 and capecitabine, can substitute for 5-fluorouracil. Modern doublet regimens are preferred in the majority of patients on the basis of a balanced benefit-to-risk ratio. In selected fit and compliant patients, especially those with a high tumor burden or potential secondary resectability, a third drug may be added because triplet chemotherapy led to higher responses rates and enhanced efficacy. However, docetaxel also adds a significant increase in side effects. Monotherapy and early dose modifications should be considered in elderly and infirm patients. Beyond that, our understanding of gastric cancer tumor biology is increasing. In HER2-positive gastric cancer, the addition of the monoclononal anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab to cisplatin and fluoropyrimidines has prolonged survival duration. Second-line chemotherapy with single agents has now become a proven treatment option. Alternatively, anti-angiogenic treatment with ramucirumab is on the horizon. In conclusion, combination chemotherapy is regarded as the global standard of care for the first-line treatment of advanced gastric cancer. Molecularly targeted treatments are being explored, preferably in combination with a backbone of chemotherapy doublets.

Correlation between overall survival and other endpoints in clinical trials of second-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

The correlation between progression-free survival (PFS) or time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) has been evaluated in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) who received first-line chemotherapy. No corresponding analysis has been done in patients who have undergone second-line chemotherapy.

METHODS

We evaluated the correlation between PFS, TTP, objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and OS in patients with AGC who underwent second-line chemotherapy. Correlations were evaluated by Spearman rank correlation coefficient (ρ).

RESULTS

Sixty-four trials, including 10 randomized studies, were selected for analysis. Median PFS/TTP moderately correlated with OS (ρ = 0.56). The correlation tended to be stronger in non-Asian trials (ρ = 0.74) than in Asian trials (ρ = 0.37). ORR and DCR did not strongly correlate with OS (ρ = 0.38 for ORR; ρ = 0.54 for DCR). The hazard ratio of PFS and OS in each of the arms of the 10 randomized studies also showed a low correlation (ρ = 0.36).

CONCLUSIONS

PFS/TTP, ORR, and DCR did not correlate sufficiently with OS to be used as surrogate endpoints in patients with AGC who have undergone second-line chemotherapy. Further research is needed based on individual patient data from ongoing randomized trials.

Safety and continuity of second- and third-line therapy with paclitaxel or irinotecan for advanced and recurrent gastric cancer

In the treatment of advanced or recurrent gastric cancer, the prolongation of survival depends on the use of second-line therapy, with paclitaxel (PTX) or irinotecan (CPT-11) as the key agents. The present study aimed to retrospectively investigate the safety and continuity of weekly PTX and CPT-11 monotherapy as second- or third-line treatment for advanced or recurrent gastric cancer. A total of 62 patients who had received PTX or CPT-11 for gastric cancer at the Ogaki Municipal Hospital (Ogaki, Japan) were retrospectively reviewed. Of the 47 patients who received PTX as second-line therapy, 13 (27.7%) received third-line therapy with CPT-11. Second-line PTX and third-line CPT-11 were discontinued due to progressive disease (PD) in 27 and 7 cases, respectively, and deterioration in the performance status (PS) in 20 and 4 cases, respectively. Only 1 case of discontinuation due to adverse events (AEs) was reported for third-line CPT-11. Furthermore, of the 15 patients who received CPT-11 as second-line treatment, 11 (73.3%) then received PTX as third-line treatment. Second-line CPT-11 and third-line PTX were discontinued due to PD in 9 and 6 cases, respectively, and deterioration in the PS in 4 and 5 cases, respectively, whereas there was only 1 case of discontinuation due to AEs for second-line CPT-11. Severe AEs for PTX and CPT-11 were infrequent; however, the frequency of diarrhea was high when PTX was administered as third-line therapy (63.6%), whereas the frequency of malaise was high when CPT-11 was administered as second- (73.3%) and third-line (76.9%) therapy. In conclusion, severe AEs due to PTX and CPT-11 as second- and third-line treatment for advanced or recurrent gastric cancer are infrequent and patients are generally able to continue treatment. However, the possibility of diarrhea with third-line PTX and malaise with second- and third-line CPT-11 treatment should be considered when planning chemotherapy.

FOLFIRI as a second-line therapy in patients with docetaxel-pretreated gastric cancer: a historical cohort

BACKGROUND

The role of second-line therapy in gastric cancer patients mostly stemmed from clinical trials with monochemotherapy carried out in Asian countries. Nevertheless, these results cannot be broadly generalized as molecular studies suggested the existence of different sets of deregulated gene networks correlated with ethnicity. In the present study, we investigated the activity and safety of FOLFIRI given as a second-line therapy in metastatic gastric or gastro-esophageal junction cancer patients who experienced disease progression on or after first-line docetaxel-containing chemotherapy.

METHODS

Patients with histologically confirmed metastatic gastric cancer who failed docetaxel-containing first-line therapy and who received FOLFIRI in second line were eligible for the study. Seventy patients treated at three Italian cancer centers between 2005 and 2012 entered the study. Patients received every 2 weeks irinotecan 180 mg/m2 as 1 h infusion on day 1, folinic acid 100 mg/m2 intravenously days 1-2, and fluorouracil as a 400 mg/m2 bolus and then 600 mg/m2 continuous infusion over 22 hours days 1-2.

RESULTS

We observed 1(1.4%) complete response, 15 (21.4%) partial response, for an overall response rate of 22.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 13.4-32.3). Stable disease was recorded in 21 (30%) patients. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 3.8 months (95% CI: 3.3-4.4) and 6.2 months (95% CI: 5.3-7.1), respectively. The treatment was well tolerated, as the most common G3-4 toxicities were neutropenia (28.5%) and diarrhea (14.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

FOLFIRI appears an effective and safe treatment option for pretreated metastatic gastric cancer patients, and deserves further investigation in randomized clinical trials.

Second-line chemotherapy versus supportive cancer treatment in advanced gastric cancer: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Many patients with refractory or relapsed gastric cancer after first-line chemotherapy have received salvage chemotherapy in routine clinical practice. However, there was no evidence to support this treatment until recent phase III trials demonstrated substantial prolongation of overall survival. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of these trials and investigated whether second-line chemotherapy was more effective than best supportive care.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, Issue 1, 2013), MEDLINE (1950 to March week 4, 2013) and EMBASE (1980-2013, week 13). In addition, we searched all abstracts and virtual meeting presentations from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conferences held between 2004 and 2013.

RESULTS

The search process yielded 578 studies, two of which were randomized phase III trials that compared chemotherapy with supportive care. From the abstracts and virtual meeting presentations of ASCO held between 2004 and 2013, 127 abstracts were identified that evaluated second-line chemotherapy; only one relevant abstract was included in the meta-analysis. A total of 410 patients were eligible for analysis, of whom 150 received docetaxel chemotherapy, and 81 received irinotecan chemotherapy. A significant reduction in the risk of death [HR = 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.52-0.79, P < 0.0001] was observed with salvage chemotherapy. When the analysis was restricted to irinotecan or docetaxel, there was still significant reduction in the risk of death with each chemotherapeutic agent. The HR was 0.55 (95% CI 0.40-0.77, P = 0.0004) for irinotecan and 0.71 (95% CI 0.56-0.90, P = 0.004) for docetaxel.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis demonstrated evidence to support second-line chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer.

A phase II trial of trastuzumab combined with irinotecan in patients with advanced HER2-positive chemo-refractory gastric cancer: Osaka Gastrointestinal Cancer Chemotherapy Study Group OGSG1203 (HERBIS-5)

Irinotecan is a key drug in second- or further-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced gastric cancer. Continuous administration of trastuzumab beyond first progression is expected to contribute to the benefit of chemotherapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive gastric cancer. The aim of this trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination chemotherapy with trastuzumab and irinotecan in Japanese patients with advanced human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive chemo-refractory gastric cancer. The primary endpoint is the disease control rate. The secondary endpoints are adverse events, overall response rate, time to treatment failure, progression-free survival, overall survival and response rate stratified by prior trastuzumab use. A total of 30 patients will be enrolled in this Osaka Gastrointestinal Cancer Chemotherapy Study Group trial.

Chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer: review and update of current practices

No standard adjuvant or palliative chemotherapy regimen has been internationally approved for patients with advanced gastric cancer. Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy is administered prior to surgery and is used in the Unitied States, and intensified chemotherapy is administered prior to and after surgery and is used in Europe. Limited D1 dissections are also frequently performed in the United States and Europe. In Korea, patients undergoing D2 resection appear to benefit from postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy using S-1 or capecitabine plus oxaliplatin. Fluoropyrimidine, platinum, taxane, epirubicin, and irinotecan may be employed alone or in combination as a first-line therapy in a palliative chemotherapy regimen. In Asia, an orally administered fluoropyrimidine, such as capecitabine or S-1, is favored over the continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil because of its convenience. Trastuzumab has been integrated into the current standard chemotherapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-overexpressing gastric cancers. There is currently no standard regimen for secondary palliative chemotherapy. Clinical studies of several targeted therapies are ongoing.

Geographic differences in approach to advanced gastric cancer: Is there a standard approach?

Gastric cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths worldwide. Regional differences in gastric cancer are evident between Asian and Western societies with respect to etiology, prevalence, clinicopathologic features as well as treatment pattern of the disease. For patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC), chemotherapy has been found to improve survival and quality of life compared to best supportive care alone. But contrast to other tumors such as colon or pancreatic cancer, there are regional differences in outcome in gastric cancer. Various geographic/ethnic, biology and treatment strategies may contribute to these differences. In the first line setting, cisplatin and fluoropyrimidine based therapies remain the backbone of treatment for advanced gastric cancer in Asian and Western patients, although there is preference for S1 in Asia and 5FU in the West. A third agent may be added in patients with good performance status. Recent trials from Asia and Europe demonstrate an advantage for second line chemotherapy. Irinotecan and taxanes are the most commonly used agents. The introduction of trastuzumab into the frontline therapy of AGC has ushered the age of targeted therapy and personalized medicine in this disease. In this article, we will review the various first and second line chemotherapy regimens in AGC, taking into account regional differences including potential biomarkers.