Randomized phase II chemotherapy and radiotherapy trial for patients with locally advanced inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer: long-term follow-up of RTOG 92-04

PURPOSE

The standard treatment for patients with locally advanced inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer and good prognostic factors has become combined chemotherapy (ChT) and radiotherapy (RT). However, the sequencing of the two modalities, as well as fractionation of RT, has been controversial. The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) Study 92-04 was a randomized Phase II study designed to evaluate further the toxicity and efficacy of 2 different strategies of chemoradiation evaluated in 2 prior RTOG Phase II studies.

METHODS

Patients with Stage II or III medically inoperable or unresectable non-small-cell lung cancer, good performance status, and minimal weight loss were enrolled into a prospective randomized Phase II RTOG study. Arm 1 consisted of induction ChT (vinblastine 5 mg/m(2) i.v. bolus weekly for the first 5 weeks, and cisplatin, 100 mg/m(2) i.v. on Days 1 and 29) followed by concurrent ChT/RT (cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) i.v. on Days 50, 71, and 92) during thoracic radiotherapy (63 Gy in 34 fractions during 7 weeks starting on Day 50). Arm 2 was concurrent ChT and hyperfractionated RT starting on Day 1 with a total dose of 69.6 Gy in 58 fractions during 6 weeks, 1.2 Gy/fraction b.i.d. ChT consisted of cisplatin, 50 mg/m(2) i.v. on Days 1 and 8, and oral VP-16, 50 mg b.i.d. for 10 days only on the days of thoracic radiotherapy repeated on Day 29.

RESULTS

A total of 168 patients were entered between 1992 and 1994, and 163 patients were eligible for analysis. Eighty-one patients were treated in Arm 1 and 82 patients in Arm 2. Pretreatment characteristics, including age, gender, Karnofsky performance status, histologic features, and stage, were similar. The incidence of acute esophagitis was significantly higher among patients treated in Arm 2 than among those treated in Arm 1 (p <0.0001). The incidence of acute hematologic toxicity was significantly higher among patients treated in Arm 1 (p = 0.01 for anemia and p = 0.03 for other hematologic toxicities) than among those treated in Arm 2. Analysis of late toxicity showed that chronic esophageal toxicity was significantly more frequent in Arm 2 than in Arm 1 (p = 0.003). The time to in-field progression was significantly different (p = 0.009), favoring Arm 2 compared with Arm 1 (26% vs. 45% with failure in 2 years and 30% vs. 49% with failure in 4 years, respectively). The median 2-year and overall 5-year survival rates were similar between the two arms.

CONCLUSION

Concurrent ChT and hyperfractionated RT resulted in a significant prolongation of the time to in-field progression, but with higher acute and chronic esophagitis. No other significant differences were observed between the two groups. Investigation with a chemoradio-protector is under way.

Phase III radiation therapy oncology group (RTOG) trial 86-10 of androgen deprivation adjuvant to definitive radiotherapy in locally advanced carcinoma of the prostate

PURPOSE

To test the hypothesis that androgen ablation before and during radiotherapy for locally advanced carcinoma of the prostate may, by reducing tumor bulk and enhancing tumor cell kill, improve locoregional control and ultimately survival.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The study was conducted from 1987 to 1991. Eligible patients were those with bulky tumors (T2--T4) with or without pelvic lymph node involvement and without evidence of distant metastases. They were randomized to receive goserelin, 3.6 mg every 4 weeks; and flutamide, 250 mg t.i.d. for 2 months before radiation therapy and during radiation therapy (Arm I), or radiation therapy alone (Arm II). Of 471 randomized patients, 456 were evaluable: 226 on Arm I and 230 on Arm II.

RESULTS

As of November 1999, the median follow-up has reached 6.7 years for all patients and 8.6 years for alive patients. At 8 years, androgen ablation has been associated with an improvement in local control (42% vs. 30%, p = 0.016), reduction in the incidence of distant metastases (34% vs. 45%, p = 0.04), disease-free survival (33% vs. 21%, p = 0.004), biochemical disease-free survival = PSA <1.5 (24% vs. 10%, p < 0.0001), and cause-specific mortality (23% vs. 31%, p = 0.05). However, subset analysis indicates that the beneficial effect of short-term androgen ablation appears preferentially in patients with Gleason score 2--6. In that population, there is a highly significant improvement in all endpoints, including survival (70% vs. 52%, p = 0.015). In patients with Gleason 7--10 tumors, the regimen has not resulted in a significant enhancement in either locoregional control or survival.

CONCLUSION

In patients with Gleason score 2--6 carcinoma of the prostate, a short course of androgen ablation administered before and during radiotherapy has been associated with a highly significant improvement in local control, reduction in disease progression, and overall survival.

Similar outcome of elderly patients in intergroup trial 0096: Cisplatin, etoposide, and thoracic radiotherapy administered once or twice daily in limited stage small cell lung carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Elderly patients comprise a significant portion of patients with limited stage small cell lung carcinoma. However, the prognostic importance of age has been controversial, and concern for toxicity often hinders enthusiasm for offering full dose therapy.

METHODS

In this retrospective analysis of Intergroup Trial 0096, the authors compared the outcome of patients 70 years or older to those younger than 70 years. Patients received cisplatin 60 mg/m(2), Day 1 and etoposide 120 mg/m(2), Days 1-3 for 4 cycles and either once or twice daily concurrent thoracic radiotherapy to 45 grays.

RESULTS

Of 381 patients, 50 (13%) were age 70 years or older. The elderly group did not differ significantly from those younger than 70 years with respect to gender distribution, performance status, or weight loss. Severe hematologic toxicity (Grade 4-5: 61% vs. 84%; P < 0.01) and fatal toxicity (1% vs. 10%; P = 0.01) occurred more often among older patients. There were no differences in the frequency of nonhematologic toxicities. Response rate (88% vs. 80%; P = 0.11), event free survival rate (5 year, 19% vs. 16%; P = 0.18), time to local failure, and duration of response did not differ between groups. Overall survival rates (5 year, 22% vs. 16%; P = 0.05) favored those younger than 70 years. Much of the difference in overall survival rates between age groups occurred within the first 6 months on study.

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly patients had similar response and survival rates compared with those younger than 70 years. However, toxicity, particularly hematologic, was greater among the elderly. Selected older patients, such as those with a good performance status, should be considered for optimum treatment approaches.

Similar outcome of elderly patients in intergroup trial 0096: Cisplatin, etoposide, and thoracic radiotherapy administered once or twice daily in limited stage small cell lung carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Elderly patients comprise a significant portion of patients with limited stage small cell lung carcinoma. However, the prognostic importance of age has been controversial, and concern for toxicity often hinders enthusiasm for offering full dose therapy.

METHODS

In this retrospective analysis of Intergroup Trial 0096, the authors compared the outcome of patients 70 years or older to those younger than 70 years. Patients received cisplatin 60 mg/m(2), Day 1 and etoposide 120 mg/m(2), Days 1-3 for 4 cycles and either once or twice daily concurrent thoracic radiotherapy to 45 grays.

RESULTS

Of 381 patients, 50 (13%) were age 70 years or older. The elderly group did not differ significantly from those younger than 70 years with respect to gender distribution, performance status, or weight loss. Severe hematologic toxicity (Grade 4-5: 61% vs. 84%; P < 0.01) and fatal toxicity (1% vs. 10%; P = 0.01) occurred more often among older patients. There were no differences in the frequency of nonhematologic toxicities. Response rate (88% vs. 80%; P = 0.11), event free survival rate (5 year, 19% vs. 16%; P = 0.18), time to local failure, and duration of response did not differ between groups. Overall survival rates (5 year, 22% vs. 16%; P = 0.05) favored those younger than 70 years. Much of the difference in overall survival rates between age groups occurred within the first 6 months on study.

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly patients had similar response and survival rates compared with those younger than 70 years. However, toxicity, particularly hematologic, was greater among the elderly. Selected older patients, such as those with a good performance status, should be considered for optimum treatment approaches.

Similar outcome of elderly patients in intergroup trial 0096: Cisplatin, etoposide, and thoracic radiotherapy administered once or twice daily in limited stage small cell lung carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Elderly patients comprise a significant portion of patients with limited stage small cell lung carcinoma. However, the prognostic importance of age has been controversial, and concern for toxicity often hinders enthusiasm for offering full dose therapy.

METHODS

In this retrospective analysis of Intergroup Trial 0096, the authors compared the outcome of patients 70 years or older to those younger than 70 years. Patients received cisplatin 60 mg/m(2), Day 1 and etoposide 120 mg/m(2), Days 1-3 for 4 cycles and either once or twice daily concurrent thoracic radiotherapy to 45 grays.

RESULTS

Of 381 patients, 50 (13%) were age 70 years or older. The elderly group did not differ significantly from those younger than 70 years with respect to gender distribution, performance status, or weight loss. Severe hematologic toxicity (Grade 4-5: 61% vs. 84%; P < 0.01) and fatal toxicity (1% vs. 10%; P = 0.01) occurred more often among older patients. There were no differences in the frequency of nonhematologic toxicities. Response rate (88% vs. 80%; P = 0.11), event free survival rate (5 year, 19% vs. 16%; P = 0.18), time to local failure, and duration of response did not differ between groups. Overall survival rates (5 year, 22% vs. 16%; P = 0.05) favored those younger than 70 years. Much of the difference in overall survival rates between age groups occurred within the first 6 months on study.

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly patients had similar response and survival rates compared with those younger than 70 years. However, toxicity, particularly hematologic, was greater among the elderly. Selected older patients, such as those with a good performance status, should be considered for optimum treatment approaches.

Final results of phase III trial in regionally advanced unresectable non-small cell lung cancer: Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, and Southwest Oncology Group

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this phase III clinical trial was to test whether chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy resulted in superior survival to either hyperfractionated radiation or standard radiation in surgically unresectable non-small cell lung cancer.

DESIGN

Patients were prospectively randomized to 2 months of cisplatin, vinblastine chemotherapy followed by 60 Gy of radiation at 2.0 Gy per fraction or 1.2 Gy per fraction radiation delivered twice daily to a total dose of 69.6 Gy, or 2.0 Gy per fraction of radiation once daily to 60 Gy. Patients were enrolled from January 1989 through January 1992, and followed for a potential minimum period of 5 years.

SETTING

This trial was an intergroup National Cancer Institute-funded trial within the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, and the Southwest Oncology Group.

PATIENTS

Patients with surgically unresectable non-small cell lung cancer, clinical stage II, IIIA, and IIIB, were required to have a Karnofsky Performance Status of > or = 70 and a weight loss of < 5% for 3 months before study entry. Four hundred ninety patients were registered on trial, of which 458 patients were eligible.

CONCLUSION

Overall survival was statistically superior for the patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation vs the other two arms of the study. The twice-daily radiation therapy arm, although better, was not statistically superior in survival for those patients receiving standard radiation. Median survival for standard radiation was 11.4 months; for chemotherapy and irradiation, 13.2 months; and for hyperfractionated irradiation, 12 months. The respective 5-year survivals were 5% for standard radiation therapy, 8% for chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy, and 6% for hyperfractionated irradiation.

The benefit of treatment intensification is age and histology-dependent in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): a quality-adjusted survival analysis of radiation therapy oncology group (RTOG) chemoradiation studies

PURPOSE

Currently, chemoradiation treatment strategies in locally advanced NSCLC are essentially the same irrespective of tumor histology or patient age. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of age, histology, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), and specific toxicities on the median survival time (MST) and quality-adjusted survival (QTime) for each treatment strategy.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Nine hundred seventy-nine patients with Stage II-IIIB inoperable NSCLC were enrolled on 6 prospective Phase II and III studies from 1983 to 1995. Treatment regimens ranged from standard RT (SRT) to 60 Gy, hyperfractionated RT (HRT) to 69.6 Gy, induction chemotherapy (ICT) of cisplatin (CIS) and vinblastine (VBL) followed by SRT, ICT + concurrent CT (CCT) + SRT, and CCT + HRT; CCT consisted of etoposide or VBL + CIS. Toxicities assessed were skin, mucous membrane, lung, esophagus, neurologic, hematologic, and upper GI. QTime was calculated by weighting the time spent with a specific toxicity, as well as local or distant tumor progression. Each toxicity was weighted with increasing severity as the toxicity increased in grade.

RESULTS

As expected, patients with the worst KPS (50-70) had the lowest MST (7.8 months) and QTime (6.7 months). Patients <70 years had improved survival with more aggressive therapy (i.e., ICT + SRT or CCT + HRT), while patients > 70 years achieved the best QTime with standard RT (SRT) alone. In patients with squamous cell carcinoma, those treated with ICT + CCT + SRT had dramatically improved MST (25.7 months) and QTime (21.8 months) compared to the other treatment regimens (11.7-12.8 and 10.7-12 months, respectively). Patients with adenocarcinoma, however, generally manifested incrementally better MST and QTime as the therapies intensified. Within the concurrent chemoradiation arms, the upper GI and lung toxicities had the greatest impact on QTime.

CONCLUSION

This quality-adjusted survival analysis suggests that there is a critical relationship between the type of histology and its optimal treatment, age and the ability to tolerate intensive therapy, and the need to reduce lung and upper GI toxicities.

Randomized comparison of fluorouracil plus cisplatin versus hydroxyurea as an adjunct to radiation therapy in stage IIB-IVA carcinoma of the cervix with negative para-aortic lymph nodes: a Gynecologic Oncology Group and Southwest Oncology Group study

PURPOSE

In 1986, a protocol comparing primary radiation therapy (RT) plus hydroxyurea (HU) to irradiation plus fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin (CF) was activated by the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) for the treatment of patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma. The goals were to determine the superior chemoradiation regimen and to quantitate the relative toxicities.

METHODS

All patients had biopsy-proven invasive squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, or adenosquamous carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Patients underwent standard clinical staging studies and their tumors were found to be International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics stages IIB, III, or IVA. Negative cytologic washings and para-aortic lymph nodes were required for entry. Patients were randomized to receive either standard whole pelvic RT with concurrent 5-FU infusion and bolus CF or the same RT plus oral HU.

RESULTS

Of 388 randomized patients, 368 were eligible; 177 were randomized to CF and 191 to HU. Adverse effects were predominantly hematologic or gastrointestinal in both regimens. Severe or life-threatening leukopenia was more common in the HU group (24%) than in the CF group (4%). The difference in progression-free survival (PFS) was statistically significant in favor of the CF group (P = .033). The sites of progression in the two treatment groups were not substantially different. Survival was significantly better for the patients randomized to CF (P = .018).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that for patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix, the combination of 5-FU and CF with RT offers patients better PFS and overall survival than HU, and with manageable toxicity.

Influence of bromodeoxyuridine radiosensitization on malignant glioma patient survival: a retrospective comparison of survival data from the Northern California Oncology Group (NCOG) and Radiation Therapy Oncology Group trials (RTOG) for glioblastoma multiforme and anaplastic astrocytoma

PURPOSE

To examine the effect of treatment using Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) during radiation therapy on malignant glioma patient survival by comparing historical survival data from several large clinical trials.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of patient data from Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) trials 74-01, 79-18, and 83-02 and the Northern California Oncology Group (NCOG) study 6G-82-1 was conducted. Patient data was supplied by both groups, and analyzed by the RTOG. Pretreatment characteristics including age, extent of surgery, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), and histopathology were collected; the only treatment variable evaluated was the use of BrdU during radiation therapy. Radiation dose, dose-fractionation schedule, use of chemotherapy, and/or type of chemotherapy was not controlled for in the analyses. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine the potential treatment effect of BrdU on patient survival.

RESULTS

Data from 334 patients treated with BrdU on NCOG 6G-82-1 and 1743 patients treated without BrdU on 3 RTOG studies was received. Patients were excluded from the review if confirmation of eligibility could not be obtained, if the patient was ineligible for the study they entered, if central pathology review was not done, or if radiotherapy data was not available. Patients treated according to the RTOG studies had to start radiotherapy within 4 weeks of surgery; no such restriction existed for the NCOG studies. To ensure comparability between the studies, patients from the NCOG studies who began treatment longer than 40 days from surgery were also excluded. The final data set included 296 cases from the NCOG studies (89%) and 1478 cases from the RTOG studies (85%). For patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) the median survival was 9.8 months in the RTOG studies and 13.0 months in the NCOG trial (p < 0.0001). For patients with AA the median survival was 35.1 months for the RTOG studies and 42.8 months in the NCOG trial (p = 0.126). Univariate results showed consistent results favoring BrdU among patients over 30 years of age, across the extent of surgery, and for GBM patients. A proportional hazards regression model that included treatment, histopathology, KPS, age, and extent of surgery demonstrated that treatment with BrdU was included in the best model only for the GBM group of patients (risk ratio 0.83).

CONCLUSIONS

Because of the heterogeneity of the treatment groups, including potentially important differences in pathology reviewers assessment of nonglioblastoma cases, differences in radiation dose and schedules, and chemotherapy during or after radiation, these analyses cannot provide the definitive answer as to whether BrdU given during radiation therapy improves survival in patients with malignant glioma. There does appear to be a favorable treatment effect seen in patients with GBM, with a lesser effect in patients with AA.

Prostate-specific antigen levels are higher in African-American than in white patients in a multicenter registration study: results of RTOG 94-12

PURPOSE

To compare serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in a national sample of African-American and white men with prostate cancer, and to attempt to explain any differences by using self-reported individual-level socioeconomic status adjustments.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

During 4 1/2 months in 1994-95, 709 patients with nonmetastatic prostate cancer were enrolled in this prospective study; 17.5% were African-American and 82.5% were white. Information about clinical stage, tumor grade, pretreatment PSA, type of insurance, and educational and income status was obtained. Serum PSA levels were measured and racial differences were found; how the differences were influenced by other patient- or tumor-related factors and if the differences could be explained by socioeconomic status disparities were determined. In univariate analyses, factors associated with the mean PSA levels were studied; log-converted values were used to yield a normal distribution. Multivariate analyses were done on log-linear models for description of association patterns among various categorical variables; a perfectly fitted model should have a correlation value (CV) of 1.0.

RESULTS

The mean PSA level was higher in African-Americans (14.68 ng/ml) than in whites (9.82 ng/ml) (p = 0.001). Clinical stage (p = 0.001), Gleason sum tumor grade (p = 0.0001), educational level (p = 0.001), and household income (p = 0.03) were also associated with mean PSA levels; age, type of biopsy, and insurance status were not. Disease stage (p = 0.0001), grade (p = 0.0001), education (p = 0.07), and income (p = 0.02) were all associated with PSA levels for whites, but none of these factors were important for African-Americans (all p values > 0.1). The best fitted log-linear model (CV = 0.99) contained PSA (< 10, 10-20, and > 20), Gleason sum grade (2-5, 6-7, and 8-10), race, and two interactions: PSA by race (p = 0.0012) and PSA by Gleason sum (p = 0.0001). Models replacing race for either income (CV = 0.82) or education (CV = 0.82) or both (CV = 0.78) did not fit as well.

CONCLUSIONS

African-Americans with nonmetastatic prostate cancer have higher serum PSA levels at diagnosis than whites, implying a higher tumor cell burden. Individual-level household income, education, or insurance status alone or in combination account for racial differences, but only partially.

A phase I/II study of intraoperative radiotherapy in advanced unresectable or recurrent carcinoma of the rectum: a Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) study

The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) initiated a phase I/II study of intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) in advanced or recurrent rectal cancer to assess therapeutic efficacy, toxicity, and establish quality control guidelines prior to beginning a phase III trial. From October 1985 through December 1989, 87 patients with histologically proven adenocarcinoma of the rectum or rectosigmoid with recurrent/persistent disease after surgery or those primarily inoperable were entered by 14 institutions. Of 86 evaluable patients, 42 patients received IORT either alone (n = 15) or in combination with external beam (n = 27). Local control was dependent on the amount of residual disease prior to IORT, with 2-year actuarial local control of 77% if no gross residual disease remained vs. 10% with gross residual disease (P = 0.001). For the recurrent/residual group (n = 33), this observation was also significant with a 2-year actuarial local control rate of 64% if no gross residual remained vs. 10% with gross residual disease (P = 0.004). Local control translated into an improved survival for all patients and the recurrent/residual group with 2-year actuarial survival of 88% and 89% if no gross residual disease remained vs. 48% and 45% with gross residual disease, respectively (P = .0005, 0.006). Six patients (14.6%) experienced four grade 3 and three grade 4 complications as a possible result of IORT during follow-up with a 2-year actuarial risk of major complications of 16%. We conclude that IORT is feasible within a cooperative group and can be performed with acceptable complication rates. A phase III trial to demonstrate a therapeutic advantage for IORT over external beam alone is currently in progress.

Outcome for lymph node dissection negative T-1b, T-2 (A-2,B) prostate cancer treated with external beam radiation therapy in RTOG 77-06

One hundred four patients with stage T-1b, T-2 N-O M-O prostate cancer were treated with external beam irradiation as part of RTOG 77-06. Lymph nodes were negative by lymph node dissection in 16 patients with T-1b and 88 patients with T-2 cancers. Survival exceeds age matched expected survival for the 10 years of observation (63% vs 59% at 10 years). Patterns of failure at 10 years show 87% of patients were free of isolated local recurrence, 79% free of metastatic failure, 67% free of any failure, and cause specific survival shows 86% free of cancer death at 10 years. The outcome of this group is equal or superior to reports of radical prostatectomy in similar stage patients.