Impact of geriatric risk factors on pegylated liposomal doxorubicin tolerance and efficacy in elderly metastatic breast cancer patients: final results of the DOGMES multicentre GINECO trial

BACKGROUND

Metastatic breast cancer chemotherapy in the elderly is considered effective in carefully selected patients, but there is little data regarding its effect in vulnerable patients.

METHODS

We evaluated tumour response (primary endpoint), feasibility and outcomes after six courses of an adapted dose of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) (40 mg/m(2) every 28 days) as first-line chemotherapy for hormone-resistant MBC.

RESULTS

Of 60 patients >70 years (median 77 years), 15% had performance status ≥2 and 73% had visceral metastases. Geriatric assessment included: ≥2 comorbidities, 42%; ≥1 deficiency in Activities of Daily Living (ADL), 10% and Instrumental ADL (IADL), 82%; living in residential homes, 12%; albumin <35 g/L, 17%; body mass index (BMI) <21, 20%; depression, 17%; and lymphocytes ≤1 × 10(3)/mm(3), 27%. Complete response, partial response and stable disease were observed in 5%, 15% and 60%, respectively, but only 48% completed six cycles. Treatment discontinuations were mostly due to disease progression (18%) and non-haematological (NH) toxicities (22%). Eight patients died during treatment (three possibly related to PLD), and 15 had unplanned hospital admissions. Exploratory analyses to identify geriatric covariates associated with treatment outcomes revealed severe haematological toxicities significantly correlated with lymphocytes ≤1 × 10(3)/mm(3). NH toxicities correlated with age ≥80 years and living in residential homes. Progression-free survival (median 6.1 months) decreased with age, deficiency in IADL, cardiac dysfunction and living in residential homes. Overall survival (median 15.7 months) also decreased with living in residential homes.

CONCLUSION

Despite manageable haematological toxicities and expected response rates, PLD feasibility was poor in unselected elderly patients.

Everolimus as second- or third-line treatment of advanced endometrial cancer: ENDORAD, a phase II trial of GINECO

BACKGROUND

Patients with recurrent/metastatic endometrial cancer that progresses after chemotherapy have limited treatment options and poor outcomes. Preclinical data suggest the oral mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor everolimus may provide clinical benefit in these patients.

METHODS

In this multicenter, open-label, phase 2 study, patients with advanced or metastatic endometrial cancer refractory to one or two previous chemotherapy regimens received everolimus 10 mg per day until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Primary end point was the non-progressive disease rate at 3 months. Secondary end points included duration of response, progression-free, and overall survival (OS), and safety.

RESULTS

Forty-four patients were enrolled (median age, 65 years); 66% received one previous chemotherapy regimen. The 3-month non-progressive disease rate was 36% (95% confidence interval 22-52%), including two patients (5%) with partial response (PR). At 6 months, two additional patients experienced PR. Median duration of response was 3.1 months. Median progression-free and OS were 2.8 months and 8.1 months, respectively. The most common adverse events were anaemia (100%), fatigue (93%), hypercholesterolaemia (81%), and lymphopenia (81%).

CONCLUSION

Everolimus demonstrated efficacy and acceptable tolerability in patients with chemotherapy-refractory advanced or metastatic endometrial cancer. These results support the further development of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-targeted therapies in endometrial cancer.

Phase I study of irinotecan and cisplatin in combination with pelvic radiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer: A GINECO trial

PURPOSE

To define the recommended dose of the association of weekly irinotecan (Iri) and cisplatin (CP) with pelvic radiotherapy in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Stage IB2-IV cervix cancer patients were treated with escalating doses of Iri starting from 30 mg/m(2) and a fixed dose of CP at 20 mg/m(2), both weekly concomitantly with a 45-Gy pelvic irradiation.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients entered the study, 6 at level 1 (Iri 30 mg/m(2)), 3 at level 2 (Iri 40 mg/m(2)) and 6 at intermediate dose (Iri 35 mg/m(2)). Median age was 47 years (34-72), FIGO stage IB (n=1), IIB (n=7), III (n=6), IVA (n=1). The recommended dose was weekly Iri 35 mg/m(2) and CP 20 mg/m(2). Dose limiting toxicities (grades 3-4) were diarrhea, abdominal pain, febrile neutropenia and fatigue.

CONCLUSION

In cervix cancer patients, radiosensitization with weekly cisplatin and irinotecan is feasible, and the recommended doses are cisplatin 20 mg/m(2)/week and irinotecan 35 mg/m(2)/week for future phase II studies.

Docetaxel and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin combination as first-line therapy for metastatic breast cancer patients: results of the phase II GINECO trial CAPYTTOLE

BACKGROUND

This phase II study evaluated the clinical benefit of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) and docetaxel (Taxotere) as first-line therapy for metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

MBC patients were enrolled to receive six cycles of PLD 35 mg/m2 (day 1) and docetaxel 40 mg/m2 (days 1 and 15), every 28 days (group A). Because of unacceptable toxic effects, doses were modified to PLD 30 mg/m2 (day 1) and docetaxel 75 mg/m2 (day 2), every 3 weeks (group B). The primary end point was clinical benefit.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven patients were included (group A, 53; group B, 14). In both groups, the median number of cycles delivered was 4 and the overall dose intensity was 82% for docetaxel and 71% for PLD. In group A, main toxic effects were hematologic, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE), and stomatitis. In group B, higher rates of grade 3-4 PPE, febrile neutropenia, and hematologic toxic effects were reported. The rate of clinical benefit was 47%. Among patients with a measurable disease, 49% achieved a partial response, 27% had a stable disease, and 13% progressed, according to RECIST criteria.

CONCLUSION

The combination of PLD and docetaxel delivered at planned doses in this study yields unacceptable toxicity and should not be used routinely in patients with MBC.

Weekly paclitaxel and capecitabine in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC): A multicenter GINECO randomized phase II comparing two paclitaxel-capecitabine schedules

1114

Background: Paclitaxel (Ta) and capecitabine (Xel) are synergistic in vitro. Compared to a continuous weekly Tax combined with a classical 14 days (d)/21 Xel administration (Elza-Brown et al., ASCO 2000), we have explored the combination of Xel 5d/week (wk) and weekly Ta 3 wk out 4 in the objective to increase the efficacy/toxicity ratio of the TaXel combination. Methods: Patients (pts) in first or second-line of MBC, previously treated with anthracyclins + docetaxel were randomized either to A: Ta (60 mg/m2/w) + Xel (2000 mg/m2/d x 14 d/21) or to B: Ta (80 mg/m2/w) + Xel (2000 mg/m2/d x 5 d/wk) 3wk out 4. Results: From January 2006 to January 2008, 130 pts were accrued (A 66, B 64). Pts characteristics were well balanced between the two arms including median age (58 yrs), histologic type and grade, hormone receptor-positive tumor (80%), previous treatment, visceral disease (72%), number of sites (>1; 63%), ECOG PS (0; 42%, 1; 58%). Pts received a median of 6 cycles (1–23) with a received/planned mean dose of 89.3% for Ta in both arms and of 74 and 76% for Xel respectively in arm A and B. Haematological toxicity (Tox) was low in both arms with neutropenia Gr 3 in only 8% of cycles, G-CSF support in 2% of cycles, and infection G3 in 5 pts. Alopecia G2 was less frequent in arm A (29 vs 60%). Other Tox were similar in both arms: [G2/3 (%) cutaneous (35/17), pain (36/9), fatigue (26/13), neuropathy (20/3), diarrhea (15/6), mucositis (8/2), vomiting (9/1)] but treatment interruption due to Tox was more frequent in A (A 19, B 7 pts) (p = 0.02). Response rate was 52% (B) versus 44% (A). A progression-free survival advantage was seen for B over A (366 vs 272 days, p = 0,15) including in the triple negative pt subset (n = 26 pts) (197 vs 150 days, p = 0.07). Conclusions: The intermittent regimen (3 wk out 4) of weekly paclitaxel and capecitabine 5 d/week is a well accepted, safe and effective TaXel schedule and might be a chemotherapy regimen of choice in MBC including triple negative patients.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Weekly paclitaxel (wP) as single agent or in combination with weekly topotecan (wT) or carboplatin (C) in patients with resistant ovarian cancer (ROC): The phase II CARTAXHY randomized trial from GINECO

5557

Background: For ROC patients (pts) with early progression during or after (< 6 months) platinum and 3 weekly P, use of single non-platinum agent including wP is standard (Kristensen G, et al. J Clin Oncol 26: 2008 abstr 5508). Few randomized trials have explored combination therapy in this setting. Methods: Pts with ROC after a first or second line including a platinum and a taxane were randomized to receive wP (80 mg/m2/week) alone or in combination with wT (3mg/m2/week) or C (AUC 5 every 4 weeks). The primary end-point was the comparison of progression-free survival (PFS) between single non-platinum agent and combination therapy (wP+wT or wP+C). Secondary objectives included safety, QoL, response rate (RR) and overall survival. Results: From April 2004 to August 2008, 165 pts were accrued (wP 57, wP+wT 57, wP+C 51). Median number of cycles and P dose-intensity (mg/m2/week) was 4.6 and 70, 4.2 and 63 in monotherapy and combination therapy arms respectively. Non-hematological toxicity was not different between the arms, except an excess of hypersensitivity reactions in the wP+C arm. Grade 3–4 neutropenia (48 vs 13% of pts), and anemia (24 vs 6%) were more frequent in combination therapy than in single agent arm and similar with wT or C combination. Febrile neutropenia was experienced by 5 pts treated with combination therapy. Discontinuation from drug treatment was more frequent with combination therapy (24% of pts) than with monotherapy (4%), mainly due to hematotoxicity. RR was 34, 38 and 39% for wP, wP+wT and wP+C respectively. Median PFS of pts treated with single agent (112 days) was not significantly different from those treated with combination therapy (149 days) (p = 0,62) and was similar in wP+wT (152 days) or wP+C (146 days) arms. Treatment with single non-platinum agent or combination therapy was not found an independent parameter when added to a Cox model including prognostic variables. Conclusions: Combination therapy (CT) in platinum resistant ovarian cancer was found more toxic than weekly paclitaxel and the PFS advantage from CT was not statistically significant.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Gemcitabine-oxaliplatin combination for ovarian cancer resistant to taxane-platinum treatment: a phase II study from the GINECO group

Advanced ovarian carcinoma in early progression (<6 months) (AOCEP) is considered resistant to most cytotoxic drugs. Gemcitabine (GE) and oxaliplatin (OXA) have shown single-agent activity in relapsed ovarian cancer. Their combination was tested in patients with AOCEP in phase II study. Fifty patients pre-treated with platinum–taxane received q3w administration of OXA (100 mg m^–2, d1) and GE (1000 mg m^–2, d1, d8, 100-min infusion). Patient characteristics were a : median age 64 years (range 46–79),and 1 (84%) or 2 (16%) earlier lines of treatment. Haematological toxicity included grade 3–4 neutropaenia (33%), anaemia (8%), and thrombocytopaenia (19%). Febrile neutropaenia occurred in 3%. Non-haematological toxicity included grade 2–3 nausea or vomiting (34%), grade 3 fatigue (25%),and grade 2 alopecia (24%). Eighteen (37%) patients experienced response. Median progression-free (PF) and overall survivals (OS) were 4.6 and 11.4 months, respectively. The OXA–GE combination has high activity and acceptable toxicity in AOCEP patients. A comparison of the doublet OXA–GE with single-agent treatment is warranted.

Intensified dose of cyclophosphamide with G-CSF support versus standard dose combined with platinum in first-line treatment of advanced ovarian cancer a randomised study from the GINECO group

ICON3 trial results have suggested that CAP and carboplatin–taxol regimens as first-line treatment of advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) yield similar survival. We explored the impact of increased dose of cyclophosphamide in a modified CAP regimen on the disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of AOC patients. From February 1994 to June 1997, 164 patients were randomised to receive six cycles every 3 weeks of either standard CEP (S) combining cyclophosphamide (C), 500 mg m⁻², epirubicin (E) 50 mg m⁻², and cisplatin (P) 75 mg m⁻² or intensive CEP (I) with E and P at the same doses, but with (C) 1800 mg m⁻² and filgrastim 5 μg kg⁻¹ per day × 10 days. Response was evaluated at second-look surgery. Patient characteristics were well balanced. Except for grade 3–4 neutropaenia (S: 54%, I: 38% of cycles), Arm1 presented a significantly more important toxicity: infection requiring antibiotics, grade 3–4 thrombocytopaenia, anaemia, nausea-vomiting, diarrhoea, mucositis. Median follow-up was 84 months. DFS (15.9 vs 14.8 months) and OS (33 vs 30 months) were not significantly different between S and I (P>0.05). Increasing cyclophosphamide dose by more than 3 times with filgrastim support in the modified CAP regimen CEP induces more toxicity but not better efficacy in AOC.

Treatment of FIGO stage IV ovarian carcinoma: results of primary surgery or interval surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a retrospective study

The objective of the study is to determine whether surgery influences the outcome of stage IV ovarian cancer. The study design is as follows: From May 1995 to December 2000, 129 patients with FIGO stage IV ovarian cancer, recruited in 42 centers, were prospectively included in GINECO first-line randomized studies of platinum-based regimens with paclitaxel administered simultaneously or sequentially. In all, 109 were eligible for this study. Standard peritoneal cytoreductive surgery was defined as a procedure including at least total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, and peritoneal debulking. Surgery was considered optimal if residual lesions were smaller than 1 cm. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare survival. Initial abdominopelvic cytoreductive surgery was considered standard in 55 (54%) patients. Abdominopelvic surgery was optimal in 29 patients and nonoptimal in 26. Twenty-two (22%) patients had a simple biopsy, and 25 (24%) patients underwent substandard surgery. Twenty-two of these 47 patients without initial standard surgery underwent a second surgical procedure, and 17 of the 22 patients completed standard surgery. The median overall survival time in the entire population was 24.3 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 19.5-29.1 months). Patients treated without a cytoreductive surgical procedure had significantly worse median survival (15.1 months; 95% CI, 5.4-24.9 months) than patients who had optimal primary surgery (22.9 months; 95% CI, 15.6-30.1 months), nonoptimal primary surgery (27.1 months; 95% CI, 21.2-32.9 months), or neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery (45.5 months; 95% CI, 23.5-67.5 months) (P= .001). In conclusion, this study shows a significant benefit of debulking surgery in stage IV ovarian cancer patients who responded to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy can help to select patients for surgery.

Docetaxel (Do) and gemcitabine (Gem) in advanced pancreatic cancer (APC) patients (pts): A multicentre study

15065

Background: Gem is the only approved chemotherapeutic drug in the treatment of APC. Do as single agent has shown some activity. Effective cytotoxic combinations with gem are urgently needed. Methods: Combination of Gem 1200 mg/m2/d1 + Do 50 mg/m2/d1 every 2 weeks was evaluated in first line APC pts with Karnovsky Index (KI) > 40, and good organ function. Initial Do dose was modified according to liver biology alterations. Treatment of relapse with Gem-Do or other combinations was allowed. Results: The 45 pts (male=64%) included in 7 centres had a median age of 62 yrs (range 36–81 yrs) and 26 (58%) had metastatic disease. Pts received a median of 4 cycles (0–6) with a median dose of 47 mg/m2 for Do and 1170 mg/m2 for Gem. Neutropenia Gr 3/4 was the most severe toxicity (Tox) (24% of pts) and required G-CSF support, with infection G3 in 14 pts (31%), febrile neutropenia in 1. Others G3 Tox were fatigue (20% of pts), diarrhea (14%), anemia (9%) thrombopenia (7%) and G2 Tox: alopecia (33%), nausea (15%) and edema (11%). During treatment, KI improved or was stable in 33% and 44% of pts, weight increased or was stable in 38% and 23%, pain control was better or stable in 20% and 56%. After panel review, objective RECIST response was observed in 17.7% of pts (CR = 4.4%) and stable disease in 40%. Median progression- free survival (PFS) was 3.8 months (mo) and 14 pts (31%) had PFS between 6 and 14 mo. Median survival was 12.0 mo (95% CI; 10.2–13.8 mo). Conclusions: The combination of Do and Gem every 2 weeks is feasible and should be associated with systematic growth factor support. Subjective and objective criteria of efficacy in APC are encouraging. A direct comparison with Gem single agent is warranted.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

HER2 overexpression and amplification in advanced ovarian cancer (AOC): Treatment with trastuzumab—A GINECO study

5559

Background: Variable rates of HER2 protein overexpression and gene amplification have been reported in AOC. Trastuzumab (Herceptin [H]) has been tested only as single agent and has shown a 7% response rate (RR) in heavily pre-treated AOC patients (pts) with 3+ and 2+ HER2 immunostaining (IHC) (Bookman MA et al, J Clin Oncol 2003). GINECO has explored the combination of H with paclitaxel (T) and carboplatin (C) in pts with resistant AOC (< 6 months) and HER2 gene amplification. Methods: 321 AOC pts were centrally screened for HER2 status (243 pts in first-line and 78 relapsing pts). All positive (3+) and doubtful (2+) cases were screened by fluorescence in-situ hybridisation (FISH). Pts with HER2 gene amplification, normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and resistant relapse after first or second line of chemotherapy including TC were treated with T (175mg/m2, 3h), C (AUC 5) and H (9mg/kg first course, 6mg/kg subsequent courses) every 3 weeks. Results: Of the 321 cases tested, 22 (6,7%) were HER2+ by IHC and FISH. Only 7 pts (32%) with a median age of 56 (range: 48–70) met the eligibility criteria of the trial. Pts had measurable lesions (n=4) or elevated CA 125 level + non-measurable lesions (n=3). Three pts had complete response (6, 7+ and 24+ months) and 2 had stable disease (3 months). Toxicity was moderate: febrile neutropenia, Gr3 infection, Gr2 neurotoxicity and decrease of LVEF after 23 cycles of H were observed in one patient respectively. Conclusions: HER2 overexpression/amplification is low in advanced ovarian carcinoma (6,7 %). In this small prospective cohort of resistant patients, 3 of 7 have achieved complete remission when adding Trastuzumab to conventional chemotherapy.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Second-line chemotherapy with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and carboplatin is highly effective in patients with advanced ovarian cancer in late relapse: a GINECO phase II trial

BACKGROUND

Platinum-based chemotherapy is standard second-line treatment of patients with advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) in late relapse. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) has significant single-agent activity in this setting. Therefore, we evaluated the use of PLD plus carboplatin in this patient population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

PLD 30 mg/m(2) followed by carboplatin at area under the curve (AUC) 5 mg.min/ml, repeated every 28 days for a maximum of nine cycles, was administered to 104 women with AOC relapsing >or=6 months after completion of first- or second-line therapy with platinum-taxane-based regimens.

RESULTS

Overall response was 63%, with a 38% complete response, median progression-free survival of 9.4 months, and median overall survival (OS) of 32 months. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia occurred in 51% of patients, but febrile neutropenia in only 3%. Nonhematologic toxic effects were primarily grades 1 and 2, with low rates of alopecia and neurotoxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

PLD plus carboplatin is highly effective, prolongs OS, and is well tolerated in women with AOC in late relapse previously treated with both platinum and taxanes. Evaluation of this regimen in phase III trials is warranted.

Phase I study of irinotecan (Iri) and cisplatin (Cp) in combination with pelvic radiotherapy for the treatment (Tt) of advanced cervical cancer (ACC): A GINECO trial

5054

Background: Chemoradiotherapy with weekly Cp has become standard for ACC treatment. Combining Cp with another active drug in ACC such as Ir may increase the activity of Tt. Methods: Treatment consisted of 6 weekly cycles with escalating dose of Ir and fixed dose of Cp (20 mg/m2) administered during pelvic radiotherapy (45–50 Gy). Brachytherapy and/or surgery were allowed after pelvic chemoradiotherapy according to center policy. Cohorts of 3 to 6 pts with FIGO stage IB-IVA newly diagnosed ACC, performance status ECOG 1–2 and adequate major organ function were eligible at each dose level. Results: 15 pts were accrued at dose level I (n = 6), II (n = 3) and Intermediate (Int) (n = 6). Dose levels (DL) for Ir were 30 mg/m2 (I), 40 (II) and 35 (Int). Dose limiting toxicity (DLT) was observed in 2/3 pts at DL II (Gr 3 asthenia in 2/3 pts including Gr 3 diarrhea and abdominal pain in one). DLT was observed in 2/6 pts at DL I (NCI-CTC Gr 3 diarrhea in 2/6 pts including Gr 3 asthenia and abdominal pain in one) and DL Int (Gr 3 asthenia in 2/6 pts including febrile neutropenia in one). However, 3/4 pts without DLT at DL Int did not complete the whole chemotherapy schedule due to pelvic mucositis and skin toxicity (dose reduction: 2pts, early stopping at 3 cycles : 1 pt). In contrast, 5/6 non-progressive pts at DL I completed their scheduled chemo-radiotherapy, with dose reduction in only 1 pt who experienced a DLT. Efficacy evaluation showed complete and partial response in 6 and 5 of the 12 evaluable patients. Conclusions: the recommended dose for future phase II study of chemoradiotherapy in ACC is irinotecan (30mg/m2, weekly) with cisplatin (20 mg/m2, weekly).

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

HER-2 overexpression is an independent marker of poor prognosis of advanced primary ovarian carcinoma: a multicenter study of the GINECO group

BACKGROUND

Despite numerous studies, no biological marker has been identified that accurately predicts prognosis of advanced ovarian cancer. Tumors from a homogeneous population of 117 patients with a stage III/IV ovarian cancer, enrolled in a multicenter prospective GINECO clinical trial were analyzed retrospectively.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients received the same platinum-based combination therapy and were followed-up for a median of 68 months. Tumor expression of Ki67, BCL-2, BAX, P53 or c-erbB-2 proteins was evaluated immunohistochemically on paraffin-embedded tissues and their prognostic impact analyzed.

RESULTS

The median rate of Ki67-positive nuclear area was 30%. BCL-2, BAX and P53 proteins were expressed in 52, 54 and 71% of the tumors, respectively, while HER-2 protein was overexpressed in 16%. Only HER-2 overexpression was significantly associated with shorter progression-free survival and overall survival. According to our multivariate analysis, the HER-2 prognostic impact was independent of classical clinical prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION

HER-2 appeared to influence the outcome of advanced ovarian cancer patients included in a clinical trial with prolonged follow-up, thereby suggesting that HER-2 is a potential target for treatment of this cancer.

Preliminary results of a phase I/II study of paclitaxel, cisplatin, and cyclophosphamide in advanced ovarian carcinoma

The clinical activity and toxicity of the triple combination of paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ), cyclophosphamide, and cisplatin was assessed in both previously treated and untreated women with advanced ovarian carcinoma. Paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 was administered over 3 hours following standard premedication (prednisolone, dexchlorpheniramine, and cimetidine). Cisplatin 80 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 were given 6 to 12 hours after paclitaxel. Treatment was given at 3-week intervals for six cycles. Twenty-seven patients entered the study; 23 were evaluable for toxicity and 17 for response. Paclitaxel appeared to add additional efficacy to the standard cisplatin/cyclophosphamide regimen. Both the overall and complete remission rates were very high (88% and 70%, respectively), and histologically confirmed complete remissions exceeded 60%. Longer follow-up is needed to determine the duration of these responses. The primary toxicities included leukoneutropenia, peripheral neuropathy, asthenia, and alopecia. Only two of 23 patients withdrew because of toxicity, however, and only two treatment cycles were complicated by neutropenic fever requiring intravenous antibiotics. No life-threatening toxicities were encountered, although the peripheral neuropathy was poorly and slowly reversible and may have a significant impact on the patients' quality of life.

Phase I/II study of paclitaxel, cisplatin, and cyclophosphamide in advanced ovarian carcinoma: preliminary results

In this phase I/II study, we assessed the impact of paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) in the treatment of advanced ovarian carcinoma combined with the standard regimen cisplatin/cyclophosphamide given as follows: paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 (over 3 hours perfusion with standard premedication), cisplatin 80 mg/m2 (6 to 12 hours after paclitaxel), and cyclophosphamide 400 mg/m2. From February 1994 to January 1996, 27 patients (median age, 55 years; age range, 35 to 74 years) were entered into the study. Eight patients had distant metastases and 19 had early locoregional disease (stage III, 18 patients; stage IC, one patient). Twenty-two patients had undergone prior surgery (simple biopsy, six patients; optimally debulked, nine patients; suboptimally debulked, seven patients). Twenty-one patients had received no prior chemotherapy and six were previously treated with at least one platinum-based regimen. A maximum of six courses of paclitaxel/cisplatin/cyclophosphamide were given every 21 days. Twenty-three patients were evaluable for toxicity: neutropenia (World Health Organization grade 3/4), 91% of patients; thrombopenia (World Health Organization grade 3/4), 13% of patients; two episodes of neutropenia with fever; and neurotoxicity grade 3, 17% of patients. Alopecia grade 3 was reported in all patients. No hypersensitivity reactions and no cardiac toxicity was observed. Among 17 patients evaluable for response (patients with stage IV disease or stage III suboptimally debulked), 12 (70%) clinical complete responses (CRs) and three (18%) partial responses were observed. Among the 12 patients with CRs, 10 underwent second-look laparotomy and seven of them (70%) achieved a pathologic CR. In the group of 11 chemotherapy-naive patients evaluable for response, eight (72%) achieved a CR and three (28%) achieved a partial response. This combination seems to be safe, with very acceptable toxicity, and also seems to be highly active in the treatment of patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma.

Treatment of advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma with combination of etoposide, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil: a phase II study

Forty-nine consecutive patients with metastatic or recurrent endometrial carcinoma were treated with a monthly combination chemotherapy consisting of VP 16-213 80 mg/m2 i.v. Days 1-3, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 600 mg/m2 i.v. Days 1-3, and cisplatin 35 mg/m2 i.v. Days 1-3. The objective response rate was 41% (95% CI, 27-54%) with 14.3% complete responses. The median survival duration was 14 months. The median response duration was 12 months. The estimated median survival for responders was 20 months. Three patients are still free of disease 5 years after treatment. The major toxic effects were myelosuppression (less than 25% of grade III and IV leucopenia, and 14% grade III and IV thrombocytopenia). Grade III peripheral neuropathy was observed in five patients. Cisplatin administration had to be stopped due to renal toxicity in six patients. No treatment-related deaths occurred. The combination of etoposide, 5 fluorouracil, and cisplatin is an effective regimen with an acceptable toxicity in patients with recurrent or metastatic endometrial carcinoma.

[Chemotherapy of metastatic endometrial carcinoma. Review of the literature]

Endometrial carcinoma is one of the most common gynaecological cancers in Western countries. About 75% of the patients present limited disease, confined to the uterus that can be cured by surgery. However, one third of the patients will need systemic treatment because of metastatic or relapsing disease. Hormonotherapy response rates are less than 20%. In monochemotherapy, the higher response rates are constantly observed with doxorubicin or cisplatinum (25-35%). Most commonly used combination are CAP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, cisplatinum) or AP (doxorubicin, cisplatinum), giving 35 to 60% of objective responses. Recent results of large randomized trials have demonstrated marginal, if any, effect of cyclophosphamide and superiority of doxorubicin-cisplatinum combination compared to doxorubicin alone for response and survival. Chemotherapy as hormonotherapy remains palliative. Median response duration is 4 to 6 months and median overall survival duration is 7 to 10 months. Currently, hormonotherapy-chemotherapy combination have not been proved to be more effective than chemotherapy alone.

Fotemustine, dacarbazine, vindesine combination chemotherapy in advanced malignant melanoma: a phase II study of 43 patients

Fotemustine and dacarbazine constitute the most active single chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of melanoma. In this phase II study we evaluated the activity and toxicity of a combination of fotemustine, dacarbazine and vindesine as a means of increasing response rate and survival time. Between September 1989 and November 1993, 43 patients with advanced melanoma were treated with a combination of 100 mg/m2 fotemustine on days 1 and 8, 250 mg/m2 dacarbazine on days 15 and 16 and 2 mg/m2 vindesine on days 15 and 16 as induction treatment. After a 5-week rest period, the patients exhibiting a response or stable disease received the same drugs administered once every 28 days as maintenance therapy until either progression or toxicity was observed. Among 41 evaluable patients, there were six complete responses and eight partial responses. The overall response rate was 32% (95% confidence interval: 18-46%), with 8 months median duration of response. Median survival time was 10 months. This regimen was well tolerated. From this large phase II study, we conclude that such a combination is active against advanced malignant melanoma and seems to be more effective than fotemustine or dacarbazine used alone, especially on visceral metastatic sites.

Calcifications of the breast probably due to Loa loa

Five cases of calcification of the breast due to filariasis in Congolese women are reported. The cases were discovered during mammographies carried out for suspect carcinoma (4 cases) and benign tumor (1 case). The geographic origin of the patients, a past history of subconjunctival filarial migration in 2 individuals, the bilateral localization, and, above all, the radiographic appearance and size of the calcifications, suggested that the images were due to Loa loa.