Mid-term oncologic outcome of a novel approach for locally advanced colon cancer with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery

PURPOSE

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is being actively tested as an emerging alternative for the treatment of locally advanced colon cancer (LACC) patients, resembling its use in other gastrointestinal tumors. This study assesses the mid-term oncologic outcome of LACC patients treated with oxaliplatin and fluoropyrimidines-based preoperative chemotherapy followed by surgery.

METHODS AND PATIENTS

Patients with radiologically resectable LACC treated with neoadjuvant therapy between 2009 and 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Radiological, metabolic, and pathological tumor response was assessed. Both postoperative complications, relapse-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS) were studied.

RESULTS

Sixty-five LACC patients who received treatment were included. Planned treatment was completed by 93.8 % of patients. All patients underwent surgery without delay. The median time between the start of chemotherapy and surgery was 71 days (65-82). No progressive disease was observed during preoperative treatment. A statistically significant tumor volume reduction of 62.5 % was achieved by CT scan (39.8-79.8) (p < 0.001). It was also observed a median reduction of 40.5 % (24.2-63.7 %) (p < 0.005) of SUV_max (Standard Uptake Value) by PET-CT scan. Complete pathologic response was achieved in 4.6 % of patients. Postoperative complications were observed in 15.4 % of patients, with no cases of mortality. After a median follow-up of 40.1 months, (p ₂₅-p ₇₅: 27.3-57.8) 3-5 year actuarial RFS was 88.9-85.6 %, respectively. Five-year actuarial OS was 95.3 %.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative chemotherapy in LACC patients is safe and able to induce major tumor regression. Survival times are encouraging, and further research seems warranted.

Preliminary outcome of a treatment strategy based on perioperative chemotherapy and surgery in patients with locally advanced colon cancer

AIM

Preoperative chemotherapy followed by radical surgery is an attractive treatment for locally advanced colon cancer (LACC) given the promising results of this approach in other locally advanced tumours. The study evaluates the outcome and treatment-related complications of perioperative oxaliplatin- and capecitabine-based chemotherapy and surgery for clinical Stage III colon cancer.

METHOD

Twenty-two consecutive patients with a CT-staged LACC were included. All were staged at baseline and before surgery. Surgery-related complications and oncological outcome were determined.

RESULTS

Toxicity was manageable, with 19/22 patients completing the planned chemotherapy protocol. The median time from initial diagnosis to surgery was 65.5 days. The median time from the end of chemotherapy to surgery was 22 days. After neoadjuvant treatment, tumour reduction of 69.5% was observed by CT scan and a 59.9% decrease of SUVmax (standard uptake value) was achieved on positron emission tomography/CT. No progressive disease was reported during preoperative chemotherapy and surgery was performed in all 22 patients. Four patients developed postoperative complications. After a median postoperative follow-up of 14.4 months, the actuarial overall and disease-free survival rates were 100 and 90%.

CONCLUSION

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery and chemotherapy for LACC is safe without apparent increase of early and medium-term complications.

Association of RRM1 -37A>C polymorphism with clinical outcome in colorectal cancer patients treated with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

To investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in gemcitabine (GMB) metabolism genes were associated with clinical outcome in pre-treated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

SNPs of hCNT1, hENT1, CDA, dCTD and RRM1 genes were evaluated in 95 mCRC patients and detected using TaqMan genotyping assays. Association of genotypes with overall response rate (ORR), time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) was tested by univariate and multivariate analysis. RRM1 -37A>C polymorphism was correlated with GMB IC50 value and with the RRM1 gene expression level in CRC cell lines.

RESULTS

The ORR was 38.9%. The median TTP and OS were 4 and 14.3 months, respectively. By multivariate analysis, patients carrying the RRM1 -37CC genotype or the CDA A-76 C-containing allele had a significantly higher likelihood of achieving a tumour response. RRM1 -37A>C polymorphism remained associated with clinical efficacy (TTP). In vitro experiments, in CRC cell lines, showed that the RRM1 A-37C genotype was associated with the levels of RRM1 expression and with GMB IC50 values. Finally, the down-regulation of RRM1 with a specific siRNA strongly influenced GMB sensitivity.

CONCLUSION

RRM1 -37A>C polymorphism may represent a useful biomarker to select mCRC patients most likely to benefit from GMB-based salvage therapy.

Dose-finding study and pharmacogenomic analysis of fixed-rate infusion of gemcitabine, irinotecan and bevacizumab in pretreated metastatic colorectal cancer patients

BACKGROUND

To determine the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), maximum tolerated dose, recommended dose (RD) and preliminary evidence of activity of escalating doses of irinotecan (CPT-11) fixed-dose-rate infusional gemcitabine (FDR-GMB) and bevacizumab in pretreated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. Pharmacogenomic analysis was performed to investigate the association between VEGF single-nucleotide polymorphisms and clinical outcome.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 89 mCRC patients were recruited in a two-step study design; 28 were included in the dose-finding study and 59 in the pharmacogenomic analysis. The FDR-GMB of 1000 mg m⁻², bevacizumab 5 mg kg⁻¹ and CPT-11 doses ranging from 100 to 160 mg m⁻² were explored. The VEGF protein serum levels were quantified by EIA. Allelic discrimination was performed to genotype polymorphisms in the VEGF gene.

RESULTS

CPT-11 RD was 150 mg m⁻². Diarrhoea and neutropenia were the DLT. After a median follow-up of 42 months, the median time to progression (TTP) and overall survival were 5.2 and 19.9 months, respectively. VEGF levels were significantly correlated with VEGF-2578AA and VEGF-460CC genotypes, and a trend was observed with VEGF+405GG genotype. The presence of any of these genotypes correlated with a longer median TTP (8.8 vs 4.5 months, P=0.04).

CONCLUSION

The triplet combination tested in this study is effective and well tolerated. A possible predictive role for VEGF gene polymorphisms and baseline VEGF circulating levels is suggested.

[Coordinating efforts in complex clinical cases: added value of palliative care at a university teaching hospital]

Palliative care is generally understood on caring for terminal patients in chronic settings but more recently these units are developing also in acute care settings or university hospitals as consultants teams. We report the case of a complex patient with rectal adenocarcinoma and four problems of difficult approach: uncontrolled neuropathic pain despite opioids treatment, systemic infection, depression with intense demoralisation and open surgery wound. We show the measures adopted and how an excellent inter-departmental collaboration under the co-ordination of palliative medicine consultant team helped to resolve the untenable situation.

Dose escalation of capecitabine in combination with biweekly cetuximab and hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of oxaliplatin in patients with liver metastases of colorectal cancer: Preliminary clinical results

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Background: To determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) and the doses-limiting-toxicities (DLT) of concurrent capecitabine and cetuximab plus HAI of oxaliplatin (LOHP) in patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer (CCR). Methods: Successive cohorts of 3–6 patients (pts) were treated with HAI LOHP (100 mg/m2), biweekly cetuximab (500 mg/m2) and escalation doses of capecitabine (825 mg/m2 BID d1–7:DL1; 1000 mg/m2 BID d1- 7:DL2; 1250 mg/m2 BID d1–7:DL3; 1500 mg/m2 BID d1–7:DL4) recycled every 14 days. Dose-limiting-toxicities (DLT) were defined as any grade 3–4 events, excepting grade 3–4 skin rash. LOHP and cetuximab PK/PD data were prospectively collected. Results: 19 patients (median age: 60; range: 34–74; 52.9% men, 47.1% females) and ECOG performance status of 1 (range 0–2) were treated at 4 DLs (dose level) as follows: DL: 3 pts, DL2: 6 pts, DL 3: 7 pts and DL 4: 3 pts. All pts were evaluable for toxicity. With a median of follow-up of 21.23 months, ORR was 78.9%, all of them partial response, with 4 pts SD (21.1%). Initially, only 4 pts were considered potentially resectable. Among the remaining 15 pts, 4 (20.6%) could be resected after treatment. Disease progression occurred in 15 pts (78.9%; 3 pts in liver only; 4 pts with extrahepatic metastases; 8 cases with both, hepatic and extrahepatic disease). The TTP was 9.6 months. OS has not been reached. 4 pts have died during the follow-up. Grade ¾ toxicities including Hand-foot Syndrome in 3 pts (1 pt at DL1, other at DL3 and other at DL4), diarrhoea in 3 pts ( one at DL3 and 2 at DL4), anaemia in 2 pts (DL2 and DL4), asthenia in 2 pts (DL2 and DL4) and mucositis in 1 pts (DL3). DLT and MTD were established in DL4 (two pts with diarrhoea grade IV with one of them with grade III HFS) Conclusions: Combination therapy with HAI LOHP plus concurrent capecitabine and cetuximab, can be safely administered to patients with liver metastases from CCR. The MTD and DLT was established in 1500 mg/m2 BID d1 to d7 of capecitabine. The Doses-recommended (DR) has not been obtained yet. oxaliplatin PK/PD is best defined through a bicompartimental model. Mature results of PK/PD analysis will be presented at 2009 ASCO Symposium.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Predictive value of Ile105Val polymorphism of the gluthatione-S-transferase P1 in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (m CRC) treated with the triplet combination of irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and capecitabine

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Background: Several phase I/II trials have shown that the triplet combination of oxaliplatin, irinotecan and capecitabine is a feasible and active in solid tumors. We aimed to investigate whether germline polymorphisms may be predictors of clinical outcome in mCRC pts treated with this combination. Methods: The following genetic polymorphisms were analysed: glutathione S-transferase (GSTP1-Ile105Val, GSTT1 and GSTM1 deletion), TYMS (TS-5´UTR 2R/3R; TS-5´G/C; TS-3´UTR 6-bp deletion), MTHFR 1298A>C, UGT1A1, ERCC1, XPD. Polymorphisms from peripheral lymphocytes were detected using the TaqMan genotyping assays (Applied Biosystems, CA). Univariate analysis (Fisher´s exact test for response; log-rank test for TTP and OS) was performed to examine associations between polymorphisms and clinical outcome. Results: Blood samples for 63 out of 72 prospectively enrolled pts were tested for genomic analysis. Median age was 57 (32–78), median ECOG 1(0–2), median number of cycles administered 6 (1–13), median number of metastatic sites was 1 (1–4). M/F: 50/22. Risk according to Köhne classification was low (52.8% of pts), intermediate (26.4%) and high (8.3%). Overall response rate (ORR) was 62.5%. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 9.87 months (95% CI; 7.6–12) and median overall survival was 24.6 months (95% CI; 19.5–29.7). A significant association was observed between MTHFR 1298A>C and haematological toxicity, with C/C genotype pts being at higher risk of grade 3–4 neutropenia (50% vs. 28%, p = 0.035) and leucopenia (50% vs. 15%, p = 0.04). Heterozygous and homozygous GSTP-105Val showed a significant superior response rate (80%) compared to only 40% in pts harbouring the GSTP1–105Ile/Ile genotype (p = 0.008, Fisher´s exact test). PFS was also adversely affected in pts with GSTP1–105Ile/Ile (5.2 months vs. 12.3 months in those pts with at least one GSTP1–105Val allele, p = 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the relative risk for progression was 3.4 (95% CI; 1.3–9.1) for the GSTP1–105Ile/Ile genotype (p = 0.01). Conclusions: The GSTP1-Ile105Val polymorphism is a strong predictor of clinical outcome for XELOXIRI therapy in mCRC pts.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Pharmacogenomic analysis of the triplet combination of gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and cetuximab as salvage therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients

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Background: We have previously reported that biweekly gemcitabine-based therapy was active in pretreated mCRC pts (De la Cruz et al, ASCO GI 2008, abstr 377). We aimed to investigate whether germ line polymorphisms may be predictors of clinical outcome in mCRC pts treated with this combination. Methods: We evaluated SNPs of genes involved in gemcitabine metabolism (CDA, dCDK, RRM1, DCTD, SLC28A1), DNA repair (XRCC1, XRCC 3, ERCC1, XPD) and two IgG Fcγ R polymorphisms (Fcγ RIIa- H131R and Fcγ RIIIa-V158F), reported to be predictive of cetuximab-based therapy, even in K-ras mutated pts. Whole blood was collected and DNA extracted from peripheral lymphocytes using a DNA isolation Kit (Qiagen, CA). Polymorphisms were detected using the TaqMan genotyping assays (Applied Biosystems, CA). Clinical response was evaluated according to RECIST criteria. Univariate analysis (Fisher´s exact test for response; log-rank test for TTP and OS) was performed to examine associations between polymorphisms and clinical outcome. Results: Blood samples of 35 out of 39 enrolled pts were tested for genomic analysis. Patient‘s characteristics are as follows; M/F: 26/13, median age: 59 years, median number of prior chemotherapy lines: 2 (1–4), Köhne risk groups; low: 8 pts, intermediate: 18 pts, high: 13 pts. After a median follow-up of 20 months, median progression-free survival (PFS) is 6.7 months (95% CI; 5.2–8.3) and median overall survival 15.4 m (95% CI; 14.7–16.1). Overall response rate (ORR) was 53.8%. RRM1 R284R SNPs (p=0.06), T741T (p=0.02) and RRM1–524CT (p=0.04) were linked to clinical responsiveness. All pts possessing 2 or 3 favourable RRM1 SNPs responded. ORR was 53.3% for pts with no favourable SNPs versus 85% for pts with any favourable SNP (p=0.04). ORR was also significantly higher in pts with any histidine allele in the Fcγ RIIa polymorphism (93% vs. 60%, p=0.034). Median PFS was adversely affected in pts harbouring no favourable RRM1 SNPs (4.2m versus 6.7 months, p=0.019) and in those pts with homozygous Fcγ RIIa-131R allele (4.4 vs. 7.5 months, p=0.007). Conclusions: Polymorphic variants of RRM1 and Fcγ RIIa may play a key role in the efficacy of gemcitabine and cetuximab-based therapy for mCRC pts.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Preliminary results of the combination of bevacizumab and weekly Paclitaxel in advanced melanoma

BACKGROUND

Pretreated advanced melanoma is a poor prognosis scenario with few, if any, active therapeutic options. The antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor, bevacizumab, has demonstrated increased activity in combination with chemotherapy in many tumors. We intended to evaluate the activity of the combination of weekly paclitaxel and bevacizumab in previously treated metastatic melanoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with previously treated metastatic melanoma received paclitaxel 70 mg/m(2) weekly and bevacizumab 10 mg/kg biweekly for 5 consecutive weeks every 6 weeks.

RESULTS

Twelve patients were treated. Two patients (16.6%) achieved a partial response and 7 patients (58.3%) stable disease. Responses were seen in soft tissue, lung and brain metastases. Median disease-free and overall survival times were 3.7 and 7.8 months, respectively. Treatment was well tolerated. Main toxicities were grade 3 asymptomatic lymphopenia in 6 patients, grade 3 leucopenia in 2 patients, and grade 3 thrombocytopenia in 1 patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Our preliminary results suggest that the combination of bevacizumab and weekly paclitaxel is active and safe in patients with metastatic melanoma, warranting further investigation.

Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors in colorectal cancer treatment: what's new?

Colorectal cancer constitutes one of the most common malignancies and the second leading cause of death from cancer in the western world representing one million new cases and half a million deaths annually worldwide. The treatment of patients with metastatic colon cancer comprises different regimens of chemotherapeutic compounds (fluoropyrimidines, irinotecan and oxaliplatin) and new targeted therapies. Interestingly, most recent trials that attempt to expose patients to all five-drug classes (fluoropyrimidines, irinotecan, oxaliplatin, bevacizumab and cetuximab) achieve an overall survival well over 2 years. In this review we will focus on the main epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors demonstrating clinical benefit for colorectal cancer mainly cetuximab, panitumumab, erlotinib and gefitinib. We will also describe briefly the molecular steps that lie beneath them and the different clinical or molecular mechanisms that are reported for resistance and response.

Combining chemotherapy and targeted therapies in metastatic colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer remains one of the major causes of cancer death worldwide. During the past years, the development of new effective treatment options has led to a considerable improvement in the outcome of this disease. The advent of agents such as capecitabine, irinotecan, oxaliplatin, erbitux and bevacizumab has translated into median survival times in the range of 2 years. Intense efforts have focused on identifying novel agents targeting specific growth factor receptors, critical signal transduction pathways or mediators of angiogenesis. In addition, several clinical trials have suggested that some of these molecularly targeted drugs can be safely and effectively used in combination with conventional chemotherapy. In this article we review various treatment options combining cytotoxic and targeted therapies currently available for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Ileal carcinoid tumor with liver metastases and cardiac involvement treated with intraarterial liposomal doxorubicin and valve replacement

Unless carcinoid are in general slow-growing tumors, some cases could be frankly malignant. The commonest cause of death in patients suffering a carcinoid tumor is liver failure due to tumor progression. When tumors have a fast evolution a multidisciplinary approach must be perform. This case report is an example of this specific situation.

Escalating doses of hepatic arterial oxaliplatin in combination with docetaxel and capecitabine in patients with liver metastases from non-colorectal gastrointestinal malignancies

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Background: Docetaxel (T), oxaliplatin (O) and capecitabine (C) are active agents in gastrointestinal (g.i.) tumors. Synergism has been reported in several preclinical studies. The purpose of this study was to assess the maximum tolerated dose of hepatic arterial oxaliplatin in combination with docetaxel and capecitabine in patients (pts) with hepatic metastases from non-colorectal g.i. tumors. Preliminary evidence of activity was also evaluated. Methods: Patients with liver metastases from gastric (n=3), pancreas (n=6), esophageal (n=2) and cholangiocarcinoma (n=1) were treated with fixed doses of docetaxel (60 mg/m2), capecitabine (650 mg/m2 bid on days 1–14) and escalating doses of hepatic intraarterial oxaliplatin. Oxaliplatin dose was escalated according to the following schedule: level 1, 100 mg/m2; level 2, 110 mg/m2; level 3, 120 mg/m2. The cycle was repeated every 3 weeks. A CT scan or MRI was performed to evaluate response. Liver function tests were performed the day after and before the hepatic arterial infusion. Results: The median number of cycles was 5. At first dose level, 1 pt showed grade 3 mucositis and capecitabine intolerance that required treatment discontinuation. Three pts were later included in the same level with no further toxicity. At dose level 3, grade 3 vomiting was recorded in 1 pt and subsequently this level is now being expanded. Liver function tests on day 2 were elevated over baseline in 10 pts (83%). Seven pts (58%) required morphine due to pain associated with intraarterial infusion. Among 11 evaluable pts, 10 (83%) PRs have been confirmed. Conclusions: Accrual is ongoing at dose level 3. Preliminary data on efficacy seems promising.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Dose-finding study of fixed dose rate (FDR) infusion of gemcitabine in combination with bevacizumab and escalating doses of irinotecan in patients with advanced gastrointestinal (GI) tumors

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Background: Gemcitabine (GMB), Bevacizumab and Irinotecan (CPT-11) are active agents in GI tumors with preclinical evidence of synergism. The purpose of this study was to assess the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of FDR GMB, Bevacizumab and CPT-11 in patients (pts) with advanced GI malignancies. Preliminary evidence of antitumor activity was also evaluated. Methods: A biweekly schedule of FDR GMB at a dose of 1000 mg/m2, Bevacizumab 5 mg/kg and CPT-11 (100–160 mg/m2 with a 10 mg/m2 increase in each cohort level) was analysed. The dose of CPT-11 was escalated in cohorts of three pts until the MTD was defined. Results: Thirty eligible pts with GI tumors were included (oesophagus: 2; gastroesophagic junction: 1; gastric: 2; pancreas: 2; colon: 17; rectum: 6) The median age was 60 years. ECOG status was 0–1 in 70% of pts. Male/female ratio was 21/9. Twenty-nine pts had received prior chemotherapy. The median number of cycles administered was six. Two of three pts at a CPT-11 dose of 160mg/m2 had grade 3 asthenia that required hospitalization. Recommended dose was thus established at CPT-11 dose of 150 mg/m2. Nine additional pts were included in this cohort and no further toxicity was observed. Antitumor activity was seen in 13 pts, with 3 complete responses and 10 partial responses. Conclusions: The recommended dose for phase II studies is CPT-11 150 mg/m2, GMB 1000 mg/m2 in FDR infusion and Bevacizumab 5 mg/kg on a biweekly schedule. Overall, this is a feasible regimen with a promising activity.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Preliminary results for the combination of docetaxel, oxaliplatin and capecitabine as a first-line treatment for metastatic oesophagogastric cancer

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Background: Chemotherapy remains the main treatment option for metastatic oesopagogastric cancer (MOC) patients (Pts). First-line regimens have proved a slight but significant increase in quality of life and survival, but a standard regimen has not been defined yet. Several new drugs, as Docetaxel (D), Oxaliplatin (O) and Capecitabine (C) have demostrated activity in MOC. They have shown synergy in preclinical models and activity in previous phase II trials. The purpose of our study is to asses activity and feasibility of the combination of D, O and C as first-line chemotherapy in MOC patients. Methods: MOC patients, with good ECOG performance status and chemonaive are eligible. Pts receive D 60 mg/m2 day 1, O 85 mg/m2 day 1 and oral C 650mg/m2 bid d1–14 every 3 weeks. Primary endpoints are response according to WHO criteria and toxiciy assesment according to NCI.CTCAE v3.0. Results: From November 2004 to December 2005, 17 Pts have been enrolled. Median ECOG PS is 1 (0–2) M/F:9/8. Median age is 57 years (38–68) Primary tumor are gastric carcinomas (82%) and lower oesofagus carcinomas (18%). Metastatic sites included peritoneum 58%, liver 23% and lung 23%. Median number of cycles is 5 (1–7) Treatment is well tolerated with no toxic deaths. NCI grade 3–4 toxicities include 2 Pts (11.8%) with grade 4 neutropenia and one of them developed septic shock; 2 Pts with grade 3 asthenia, 1 Pt with grade 3 vomiting and 1 patient with grade 3 neurotoxicity. Main NCI grade 2 toxicities are dhiarrea (35.3%) and neurotoxicity (23.5%). 13 Pts have been evaluated for response until now: 9 Pts have a confirmed Partial Response (69.2%) and 2 of them underwent salvage surgery; 3 Pts have Stabilized Disease and 1 Pt Progression Disease. Median time to progression and median overall survival have not been reached yet and the study is still ongoing. Conclusions: The combination of D, O and C at the dosses and schedule used in this trial is effective in MOC with a manageable toxicity profile

No significant financial relationships to disclose.