Thromboprophylaxis in active cancer patients: Is it a controversial clinical issue or not? Preliminary results of ACT4CAT study

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Background: Cancer Associated Thrombosis (CAT) is an increasing challenge for oncology patients since oncologists sometimes are reluctant to mitigate the risk with thromboprophylaxis. Active cancer patients while receiving chemotherapy have a 7fold risk of thrombosis compared with no cancer patients. Anticoagulation holds a prominent place in prevention of CAT usually with Low Molecular Weight Heparins (LMWHs). Methods: ACT4CAT is prospective observational study conducted by HeSMO across Greece, aiming to record the clinical practice of CAT prophylaxis in patients with solid tumors. Ambulatory, high thrombotic risk, active cancer patients who received thromboprophylaxis enrolled after signing informed consent. Results: Preliminary results collected from 18 oncology departments. From 431 enrolled patients 322 (65.4%) had completed the study. Tumor types included: lung 28.8%, gastrointestinal 39.8%, gynecological 7.0%, breast 4.4%, urological 7.0% and others 20%. Majority of patients (88.2%) received High-Risk for Thrombosis Chemotherapy Agents (HRTCAs) such as platinum agents (55.9%), antimetabolites (44.7%) and immunotherapy (12.6%). In 1st line were 62.1%, 2nd line 18.4%, adjuvant 8.9% and neoadjuvant 2.4%. The following table depicts: age, gender, metastatic disease, Khorana score ≥2 and HRTCAs. All patients received thromboprophylaxis for 5.3±3.6 months with: tinzaparin 90.8%, fondaparinux 5.5%, bemiparin 1.5%, enoxaparin 1.2%, apixaban 0.5% and rivaroxaban 0.5%. Intermediate doses received 70.9% of patients regardless clinical setting (1st, 2nd, adjuvant & neoadjuvant: 70.2%, 79.2%, 51.3% and 70.0% respectively, p = 0.0254), although intermediate doses were used more in metastatic stages (OR:2.4 95%CI: 1.4-4.2, p = 0.0028). Nine thrombotic events reported (2.1%, 95%CI: 1.1-3.9%), irrespective of clinical setting but with a trend towards prophylactic doses. Eleven grade 1 bleedings reported (2.6%, 95%CI: 1.4-4.5%), despite clinical setting or dose used. Conclusions: Thromboprophylaxis in ambulatory active cancer patients with high thrombotic risk is safe and effective. Oncologists are alerted about CAT negative influences in cancer patients’ prognosis. Apart from Khorana score, factors such as metastases, use of HRTCAs and drug-drug interactions influence the clinical decision of thromboprophylaxis in active cancer patients mainly with LMWHs and quite often with intermediate doses regardless clinical setting. Clinical trial information: NCT03909399. [Table: see text]

Phase 2 study of cabazitaxel as second-line treatment in patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer previously treated with taxanes-a Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group (HeCOG) Trial

BACKGROUND

Cabazitaxel is a novel taxane that might be active in breast cancer resistant to first-generation taxanes.

METHODS

The purpose of the current multicentre phase II trial was to evaluate the activity and safety of cabazitaxel, as second-line treatment, in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC) previously treated with taxanes. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR).

RESULTS

Eighty-four patients were enrolled between October 2012 and November 2016. Taxane resistance to previous treatment was detected in 43 cases. The ORR was 22.6% in the intent-to-treat population, 23.3% in taxane-resistant and 20.5% in taxane-non-resistant cases. At a median follow-up of 39.6 months, the median progression-free survival and overall survival were 3.7 months (95% CI 2.2-4.4) and 15.2 months (95% CI 11.3-19.4), respectively. Regarding toxicity, grade 3-4 neutropenia was reported in 22.6% and febrile neutropenia in 6% of the patients, respectively. Two fatal events (one febrile neutropenia and one sepsis) were reported as being related to study treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This phase II trial suggests that cabazitaxel is active as second-line treatment in taxane-pretreated patients with HER2-negative MBC, with manageable toxicity.

ACT for prevention and prophylaxis of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT)

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Background: CAT is the 2nd leading cause of death in oncology patients and there is need for thrombosis management across the natural history of cancer because of its dynamic nature. Anticoagulant therapy is the cornerstone of prevention and treatment, since thrombosis interferes with cancer treatment, increases health care resource utilization, imposes emotional and economic burden. Methods: A prospective observational study conducted by HeSMO across Greece, aiming to record the clinical practice of CAT prophylaxis in patients with solid tumors. Ambulatory, high risk for thrombosis, active cancer patients who received thromboprophylaxis are enrolled after signing informed consent. Results: Preliminary results are collected from 17 oncology departments. From the 272 enrolled patients, 176 (64.7%) have completed second visit (3-4 cycles of anticancer treatment). Primary cancers included: lung 31.3%, pancreas 26.1%, colorectal 13.6%, gynecological cancers 10.2%, stomach 7.8%, bladder 6.3%, and others.75.6% of the patients had metastatic disease. 1/3 of the patients were smokers or ex-smokers, and 33% underwent surgery. Most of patients (65.9%) were at 1st line treatment and 17.6% at 2nd line. The vast majority (90.3%) were treated with High-Risk for Thrombosis Chemotherapy Agents (HRTCAs) such as cisplatin etc. Regarding Khorana score, 65.1% had ≥2. In particular, 86.7% of patients with Khorana score ≤1 received HRTCAs while 95.4% of patients with score = 2.All patients received thromboprophylaxis, specifically: 93.0% tinzaparin, 5.2% fondaparinux and 1.8% other (enoxaparin, bemiparin) with average duration 5.3±3.1 months. 67.1% of the patients received higher than standard prophylactic doses. 3 patients (1.7%) experienced thrombotic events (2 DVT and 1 PE). These 3 patients had metastases and were treated with HRTCAs. Five grade 1 bleeding events were reported (2.8%). Conclusions: Thromboprophylaxis of CAT is both safe and effective. Oncologists are alerted about CAT negative influences in cancer patients’ prognosis. Apart from Khorana score, factors such as metastases, use of HRTCAs along with drug-drug interactions, increase the LMWHs usage often in higher than prophylactic doses in CAT management. Clinical trial information: NCT03909399.

Activity of osimetrinib/AZD9291 in pretreated patients (pts) with epidermal growth factor receptor mutant (EGFRmt) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to EGFR mutations detected in circulating plasma DNA (ctDNA)

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Background: Osimertinib is an irreversible EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), selective for EGFR TKI-sensitizing mutations and the T790M resistance mutation. We sought to determine the activity of osimertinib after progression on EGFR TKIs in pts with T790-negative ctDNA. Methods: A multicenter phase II study ( clinicaltrials.gov NCT02771314) of osimertinib (80 mg daily) was conducted in pts with metastatic EGFRmt NSCLC, who had progressed after previous treatment with EGFR TKIs. Serial serum and/or plasma samples were drawn for ctDNA analysis at enrollment, 1 month and every 3 months of treatment, until disease progression. Efficacy outcomes in pts without the T790M mutation in ctDNA at baseline are reported. Results: Thirty-seven NSCLC patients with undetectable baseline T790M in the plasma have been enrolled. Median age was 67 years, 21.6% were male, and histology was adenocarcinoma in 100%. More frequent adverse events (grade 1/2) included diarrhea (12.5%), fatigue (12.5%), anorexia (12.5%) and acneiform rash (10.4%). The overall response rate (ORR) was 40.5% (95% CI, 24.7-56.4%) and the disease stabilization rate 37.8%; the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 8.9 months (range, 1.6-30), and the estimated median overall survival (OS) 26 months (range, 2.2-30). At enrollment, EGFR mutations del19 and L858R were detected in ctDNA in 9 and 3 pts, respectively. After one month of treatment with osimertinib, EGFR mutations in ctDNA were not detectable in 4/9 and 2/3 of pts with del19 and L858R at baseline, respectively. Pts without detectable EGFRm ctDNA at baseline remained negative throughout the study. Efficacy according to baseline ctDNA status was as follows: Clinical trial information: NCT02771314. Conclusions: Osimertinib was effective in EGFR TKI pretreated pts without EGFR T790M mutation in plasma. Pts with detectable del19 or L858R mutations in ctDNA before treatment had worse clinical outcomes, despite the elimination of EGFRmt ctDNA.[Table: see text]

Real life efficacy and safety data of bevacizumab-based front line treatment in advance or metastatic ovarian cancer patients: Focus on patients with malignant ascites—A phase IV study

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Background: The standard of care for Epithelial Ovarian cancer (EOC) is the combination of a taxane plus a platinum compound (TC) whereas the addition of bevacizumab (bev) to this regimen (TC-bev) has been shown to improve the PFS. Patients (pts) with ascites have more aggressive disease and less overall survival. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety of the TC/bev regimen in the real life clinical practice. Methods: A multi-center observational study, approved by the ethics committees of the participating centers, including 314 pts with stage III/IV EOC, was conducted (11.2011-06.2014) in Greece. Two independent cohorts, with similar clinico-pathologic characteristics, were treated with front-line TC (n = 109) or TC/bev (n = 205) according to the physician’s choice. 83 (40.5%) and 40 (36.7%) in the TC/bev and TC groups presented with ascites. Results: Disease control was achieved in 90.7% and in 78.9% of patients treated with TC/bev and TC, respectively (p = 0.003). Pts with ascites treated with TC/bev experienced a better overall response rate (ORR) (68.7% Vs 55%) and less progression disease (PD) compared to patients receiving TC (13.2% Vs 30.8%). The median PFS in all pts was 21.5mo and 12.4mo (p < 0.001) and median PFS in ascites pts was 18.1mo and 10.3mo in the TC/bev and TC cohort , respectively (p < 0.001). The median OS was not reached in the TC/bev group and it was 36.9mo in the TC group, ( p = 0.059) while in the ascites pts also has not reached and it is 22.5m, respectively ( p = 0.023). The 3 year survival rate in all pts was 59.4% and 50.4% and in ascites pts was 55.3% and 30% in the TC/bev and TC respectively. Neutropenia was the most common grade 3/4 adverse event in 16.6% and 9.1% in TC/bev- and TC- treated patients ( p = 0.072) with no other adverse events > 5%. Conclusions: These real life data demonstrate that the combination of TC/bev represents an active and well tolerated regimen offering survival benefit in patients with stage III/IV EOC and especially in patients with ascites. Additional larger prospective studies are required to confirm these observations. Clinical trial information: NCT01982500.

Three versus six months adjuvant FOLFOX or CAPOX for high risk stage II and stage III colon cancer patients: The efficacy results of Hellenic Oncology Research Group (HORG) participation to the International Duration Evaluation of Adjuvant chemotherapy (IDEA) project

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Background: The IDEA aimed to investigate whether a 3-month (3M) of oxaliplatin/fluoropyrimidines-based adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) is non-inferior to the 6-month (6M) in 3-year disease free survival (DFS) in stage high risk stage II and in stage III colon cancer (CC). Methods: HORG-IDEA randomized patients between 3M and 6M of CT with FOLFOX4 or CAPOX with primary end point the 3 years DFS (3yDFS). Results: In total 1121 patients, 413 with high risk stage and 708 with stage IIICC, were randomized between May 2009 and October 2015. The median follow-up was 67 (38-126) months. There were 79 DFS events (43 in 3M and 38 in 6M arm) in high risk stage II patients leading to 3yDFS rate of 82.7 and 83.4% for 3M and 6M, respectively (HR: 1.05; 95%CI: 0.68-1.63, p = 0.829). Similarly, 214 DFS events (161 in 3M and 153 in 6M arm) has been recorded in stage III patients, leading to a 3yDFS rate of 72.9% in the 3M vs. 74.1% in the 6M (HR = 1.06; 95%CI: 0.81–1.42, p = 0.622). For high risk stage II patients receiving FOLFOX4, 3yDFS rate was 76.7% in the 3M vs.79.3% in the 6M (HR = 1.21; 95%CI: 0.54–2.70 p = 0.641). For high risk stage II patients receiving CAPOX 3-year DFS rate was 85.4% in the 3M vs. 83.8% in the 6M (HR = 0.99; 95%CI: 0.59–1.67 p = 0.968). For stage III CC patients receiving mFOLFOX6, 3-year DFS rate was 71.5% in the 3M vs.77.3% in the 6M (HR = 1.18; 95%CI: 0.74–1.86 p = 0.479). For stage III CC patients receiving CAPOX 3-year DFS rate was 74.5% in the 3M vs. 74.7% in the 6M (HR = 0.99; 95%CI: 0.70–1.44 p = 0.991). Conclusions: The results of the HORG-IDEA study are in line with those of the global IDEA project, indicating that 3yDFS is depended on the administered adjuvant regimen, and the choice of regimen and duration should be personalized. Clinical trial information: NCT01308086.

ISO-CC-005: A phase I/II study of Modufolin (MTHF) in combination with 5-FU, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin ± bevacizumab in patients with metastasizing colorectal cancer

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Background: Chemotherapy treatment of Colorectal Cancer, often include 5-Fluorouracil (5- FU). 5-FU inhibits the enzyme thymidylate synthase (TS), stopping the supply of thymidine for DNA synthesis. 5-FU is always combined with a folate, which enhances the 5-FU effect. Marketed folates such as LV/L-LV are prodrugs needing enzymatic conversion. Modufolin is the natural, biologically active form of the folates and is expected to be efficacious in a larger proportion of patients with less inter- and intra-individual variability Methods: ISO-CC-005 is a multi-center, phase I/II study in mCRC patients eligible for 5-FU/folate therapy alone or in combination with irinotecan or oxaliplatin ± bevacizumab. The study investigates safety and tolerability of Modufolin at 4 dose levels by analysing the number and severity of AEs, SAEs and DLTs. Efficacy is evaluated as ORR after four cycles of chemotherapy. Gene expression, deoxyuridine levels as an indirect marker of TS inhibition and time to death is also investigated. Three to six patients per cohort are included. All receives Modufolin twice every two weeks during at least four cycles of chemotherapy. Results: Today, 42 patients have been enrolled and 40 have initiated treatment. 13 are 1st line patients, 16 are in 2nd line, 10 are in 3rd line and 1 is in 5th treatment line. 19 SAEs have been reported in 12 patients, 3 of these were judged as at least possibly related to Modufolin. No SAE were judged as solely related to Modufolin. 31 patients have today been evaluated for efficacy. ORR 1st line patients (n=12) All 50% (6 PR, 6 SD) Patients with Modufolin dose ≥60 mg/m2 71% (5 PR, 2 SD) Patients with Modufolin dose ≥60 mg/m2 + oxaliplatin 100% (3 PR) Conclusions: The lack of need for metabolic activation makes Modufolin a better candidate than LV/L-LV for improved outcome of 5-FU-based chemotherapy regimens in mCRC. The ISO-CC-005 study evaluates Modufolin in combination with 5-FU, irinotecan, oxaliplatin ± bevacizumab in mCRC patients in 4 countries in Europe. The results, so far, for both safety and efficacy seems promising. Clinical trial information: NCT02244632.

Three versus six months adjuvant oxaliplatin plus fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy for patients with stage III colon cancer: The Hellenic Oncology Research Group (HORG) participation to the International Duration Evaluation of Adjuvant (IDEA) chemotherapy project

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Background: The IDEA international collaboration aimed to combine data from 6 randomized trials to investigate whether a 3-month (3m) of oxaliplatin/fluoropyrimidines-based adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) is non-inferior to the 6-month(6m) for 3-year disease free survival (DFS)in stage III colon cancer (CC). Methods: HORG-IDEA randomized patients between 3Mand 6M of CT with mFOLFOX6 or CAPOX. DFS was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and described using 3 years DFS rate. Results: In total708 patients were randomized between May 2009 and October2015, 354in each arm. Among them the basic characteristics was: median age 63.9 years; mFOLFOX6: 41.8% and CAPOX 58.2%, N1: 74.9%, N2: 25.2%; T1-3: 86.4%, T4: 13.6%. DFS median follow-up was 54.2 months. There were 214 DFS events (109in 3M and 105 in 6M arm) leading to a 3-year DFS rate of 73.2% in the 3M vs. 74.9% in the 6M (HR = 1.03; 95%CI 0.80–1.43, p = 0.622).For patients receiving mFOLFOX6, 3-year DFS rate was 71.8% in the 3M vs.77.7% in the 6M (HR = 1.18; 95%CI 0.74–1.88 p = 0.478). For patients receiving CAPOX 3-year DFS rate was 74.7% in the 3M vs. 74.8% in the 6M (HR = 0.99; 95%CI 0.69–1.45 p = 0.994).94.2% and 78.0% of pts completed 3 and 6 months of CT, respectively. Overall, 96.9% and 89.5% of patients completed 3 months (arm A) and 6 months (arm B) of CT, respectively. Median oxaliplatin doses intensity were 97.3% in 3M and 73.2% in 6M (505.0 and 738.3 mg/m2).Overall maximum neuropathy during treatment grade 2/3-4 was 23.9/5.9%in 3M and38.7/13.7%in 6M; p < 0.0001. In addition, worst grade 2/3-4 diarrhea was 11.1/4/0 in 3M and in 12.3/7.36M; p = 0.03. Conclusions: Since the HORG-IDEA study was designed in order to contribute patients in the IDEA project, the result on the study should be interpreted together with those of the whole IDEA project. Nevertheless, the results of the HORG-IDEA study are in line with those of the whole IDEA project, indicating that the results are depended on the administered adjuvant regimen, and the choice of regimen and duration should be depended on tumor characteristics and patient preference. Clinical trial information: NCT01308086.

Phase II trial of modified FOLIRI plus Panitumumab as first-line treatment in elderly patients with RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer

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Background:The role of combination chemotherapy plus anti-EGFR treatment in older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is unclear. We conducted an open label phase II trial in order to evaluate the safety and efficacy of modified FOLFIRI plus panitumumab as first-line treatment in elderly patients with RAS wild-type mCRC. Methods: Patients ≥70 years old with unresectable all-RAS wild-type mCRC were treated with Panitumumab 6mg/kg as 60min iv infusion followed by Irinotecan 130mg/m2 as 90min iv infusion, Leucovorin 400mg/m2 as 2h iv infusion and 5-Fluorouracil 400mg/m2 as bolus iv infusion on day 1 and 5-Fluorouracil 1.200 mg/m2 as continuous iv infusion for 46h, every 2 weeks. Sample size calculation was based on the minimax Simon two-step design: The null hypothesis was that the overall response rate (ORR) is ≤ 30% versus the alternative hypothesis of ORR ≥ 50% (α = 0.05, power 80%). Results: Forty-six patients were enrolled in the study. Two patients did not receive treatment because they were RAS mutant. Median age for the 44 treated patients was 76 years (range 70-88). Males were 32 and the PS was 0, 1 and 2 in 25%, 70.5% and 4.5% of patients, respectively. Rectal cancer accounted for 25% while 15.9% of patients had the primary tumour in situ. Twenty-one partial responses were observed for an ORR of 47.7% (95%CI: 32.9%-62.5%) while seven patients (15.9%) had stable disease. After a median follow-up of 36.0 months, the median progression-free survival was 6.1 months (95%CI: 3.6-8.7) and the median overall survival was 20.9 months (95%CI: 11.7-30.1). Grade 3-4 neutropenia was recorded in 4 (9%) and grade 3-4 diarrhea in 9 (20.4%) patients while one patient had a grade 4 bowel perforation. One patient experienced grade 3 mucositis, two patients grade 3 skin toxicity and two patients grade 3 fatigue. There were no toxic deaths while one patient died due to bowel obstruction and one due to postoperative complications after removal of the primary tumor. Conclusions: The modified FOLFIRI plus panitumumab combination presented significant efficacy with manageable toxicity in elderly patients with mCRC.

The Greek participitation to IDEA (International Duration Evaluation of Adjuvant Chemotherapy) study of 3 versus 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage III colon cancer: Patients’ characteristics and safety analysis

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Background: The International Duration Evaluation of Adjuvant (IDEA) collaboration was established to prospectively analyze data from six randomized trials to assess whether a 3-month course of oxaliplatin/fluoropyrimidines (FU)-based adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) is non-inferior to the 6-month current standard treatment in stage III colon cancer (CC). The primary endpoint of IDEA was 3-year disease-free survival. The accrual goal for the Greek IDEA study was 1.000 patients. Methods: Greek IDEA randomized patients with stage III colon cancer between 3 months (arm A) and 6 months (arm B) of adjuvant CT with modified (m) FOLFOX6 or XELOX (depending on physician/patient choice). Toxicity was graded during treatment and follow-up using NCI-CTCAE v3.0. Results: From May 2009 to October 2015, 708 patients were randomized in Greek centers either to arm A (n = 354, 50%) or to arm B (n = 354, 50.%). 297 (41.9%) patients received mFOLFOX6 and 411 (58.%) XELOX. The median age was 67 years (20-75) and 579 (81.8%) of them had PS 0. The patients’ population was balanced for the major risk factor between the two arms: N1/N2 disease (68.1/31.9% vs. 68.9/31.1 for ARM A and B, respectively), obstruction (4.5% vs. 2.5 for ARM A and B, respectively) and perforation (5.1% vs. 6.2 for ARM A and B, respectively). Overall, 96.9% and 89.5% of patients completed 3 months (arm A) and 6 months (arm B) of CT, respectively. Median oxaliplatin dose was 505 mg/m2 in arm A and 738 mg/m2 in arm B. Toxicity profiles were comparable between the two arm and the two fluoropyrimidines backbones with a total incidence of Grade 3/4 adverse events 18.9/4.4% and 19.7/5.1% for mFOLFOX6 and XELOX, respectively. Grade 2/3-4 peripheral neuropathy during the study was similar between arm A (33.9/4%) and B (38.7/3.7%). Conclusions: Both mFOLFOX6 and XELOX were safe. More patients completed the scheduled treatment in the 3-arm schedule.

A multicenter phase I-II trial of weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin plus bevacizumab in women with triple-negative metastatic breast cancer

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Background: Triple-negative breast cancer cells are unable to repair double stranded DNA breaks and hence have sensitivity to platinum agents. The combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel administered weekly is active and well tolerated. Bevacizumab when added to paclitaxel prolonged progression-free survival in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). We investigated the activity and toxicity of paclitaxel plus carboplatin and bevacizumab in triple-negative MBC. Methods: The study’s primary objective was to estimate the objective response rate [complete (CR) + partial remission (PR)] and toxicity of the combination in women with triple negative MBC who had no prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease. The study followed the Simon's two-stage optimal design with 16 patients initially evaluated for response and toxicity and then expanding to a total of 46 patients. The null hypothesis that the objective response rate is ≤40% could be rejected if the number of CR/PR was ≥23. Paclitaxel 90mg/m2and Carboplatin AUC 2 were administered on days 1, 8, and 15 every 4 weeks, preceded by bevacizumab 10 mg/kg on days 1 and 15. Results: 45 women with triple negative MBC have been recruited thus far. Of them, 12 were premenopausal and 27 had prior (neo-)adjuvant chemotherapy. The median cycles administered were 5 (range 1-8). Of 38 evaluable patients we observed 7 CR, 22 PR’s for an objective response rate 76%. Seven patients achieved stable disease, while two had disease progression. Median duration of response was 8.1 months with median time to progression 9.2 months. Neutropenia grade 3 and 4 was experienced by 13 and 6 patients, respectively, with one toxic death due to febrile neutropenia. Other grade 3 toxicities included anemia/neurotoxicity (n=2), thrombocytopenia/diarrhea (n=1). Conclusions: Although still ongoingthe study has achieved the primary objective of demonstrating clinical activity for weekly carboplatin and paclitaxel in combination with bevacizumab in triple negative MBC. We believe that this triplet combination merits further evaluation in this patient population for whom there is no standard treatment. Clinical trial information: NCT00691379.

A multicenter, randomized phase II study of sequential vinorelbine (V)/cisplatin (C)/bevacizumab (B) followed by docetaxel (D)/gemcitabine (G)/B versus D/C/B as a first-line therapy for advanced or metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

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Background: The combination of D with G has been shown equally active compared to the platinum-based doublets, which is considered the cornerstone for the treatment of NSCLC, with a more favorable toxicity profile (Georgoulias V. Lancet 2001 357: 1478-84). Sequential therapy with four active drugs (two doublets) in NSCLC, including C, was recently investigated and attributed a promising response rate (Pallis A. Lung Cancer, 2006, 52(2): 165-71). Incorporation of B to the standard platinum-based regimen improved its clinical outcome. Aim of this trial was to compare the efficacy of sequential four drug treatment in combination with B to the standard non platinum-based regimen combined with B. Methods: Seventy-seven treatment naïve patients (pts) with stage IIIB and IV non-squamous NSCLC were randomized to receive V 60 mg/m2 PO on day 1 and 8, C 80mg/m2 IV on day 1 and B 15 mg/kg IVon day 1, for 3 cycles followed by D 75 mg/m2 IV, G 1100 mg/m2 IV and B 15 mg/kg IV, all on day 1 (Arm A) or D 75 mg/m2 IV, C 80mg/m2 IV and B 15 mg/kg IV on day. The cycles were repeated every 3 weeks for a total of 6 cycles. The primary endpoint of the study was response rate (RR) and the secondary outcome measures were overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). Results: Thirty-nine pts were randomized to the control arm (Arm B) and 38 pts to the sequential arm. Pt demographics were balanced in both the arms. The overall RR was 36.8% and 46.2% in arm A and B, respectively (p= 0.49). There were 3 complete responses, one in arm A. Median PFS was 6.87 and 5.53 months in arm A and B, respectively (p= 0.368). Median OS was 19.6 and 10.33, respectively (p= 0.239). The estimated 1 and 2-year survival for arm A versus B were 71.1% and 36% versus 45.3% and 28%, respectively. No statistically significant difference in the toxicity profile was observed between the 2 arms. Conclusions: Sequential treatment with four active drugs is feasible and safe. The combination attributes encouraging results compared to the standard platinum-based regimen.