A risk model for secondary cytoreductive surgery in recurrent ovarian cancer: an evidence-based proposal for patient selection

BACKGROUND

To develop a risk model for predicting complete secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCR) in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.

METHODS

Individual data of 1075 patients with recurrent ovarian cancer undergoing SCR from 7 worldwide centers were pooled and analyzed. The risk model was developed based on the factors impacting on SCR surgical outcome. Additional data on 117 patients who were not included in the development of the model were used for external validation and to assess the discrimination of the model.

RESULTS

Of the 1075 patients, 434 (40.4%) underwent complete resection. Complete secondary cytoreduction was associated with six variables: FIGO stage (odds ratio [OR] = 1.32, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.97-1.80), residual disease after primary cytoreduction (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.26-2.27), progression-free interval (OR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.71-3.01), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.45-3.44), CA125 (OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.41-2.44), and ascites at recurrence (OR = 2.79, 95% CI: 1.88-4.13). These variables were entered into the risk model and assigned scores ranging from 0 to 11.9. Patients with total scores of 0-4.7 were categorized as the low-risk group, in which the proportion of complete cytoreduction was 53.4% compared with 20.1% in the high-risk group (OR = 4.55, 95% CI: 3.43-6.04). In external validation, the sensitivity and specificity was 83.3% and 57.6%, respectively. Area under the curve of the receiver-operating characteristics for predicting complete SCR was 0.68 (95% CI: 0.60-0.79).

CONCLUSIONS

This model and scoring system may well predict the outcome of SCR and could potentially be useful in future clinical trials to determine which patients with recurrent ovarian cancer should have SCR as part of their management.

Topotecan Weekly Versus Conventional 5-Day Schedule in Patients With Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer: a randomized multicenter phase II trial of the North-Eastern German Society of Gynecological Oncology Ovarian Cancer Study Group

PURPOSE

Weekly administration of topotecan (Tw) is less toxic and widely considered a better treatment option than conventional 5-day therapy (Tc) in women with platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer. We conducted a randomized phase II trial (TOWER [Topotecan Weekly Versus Conventional 5-Day Schedule in Patients With Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer]) to better define the ratio between benefits and risks with either treatment approach.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients were randomly assigned to two independent two-stage protocols of Tw (4 mg/m(2)/wk administered on days 1, 8, and 15) or Tc (1.25 mg/m(2)/d on days 1 to 5). We evaluated risk ratios (RRs) for the primary end point of clinical benefit (complete response, partial response, and stable disease), the duration of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), associated hazard ratios (HRs), and RRs of toxicity with 95% CIs.

RESULTS

In total, 194 patients were randomly assigned at 54 centers to Tw (n = 97) or Tc (n = 97). Clinical benefit was observed in 36 of 76 (47%; 95% CI, 36% to 59%) Tw and 46 of 80 (58%; 95% CI, 46% to 68%) Tc patients (RR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.90 to 1.64; P = .205). Patients in the Tw group had a slightly shorter PFS (HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.96 to 1.76) but similar OS (HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.74 to 1.45) compared with Tc. Tw was associated with significantly lower risks of anemia (RR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.16 to 0.79), neutropenia (RR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.65), and thrombocytopenia (RR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.57).

CONCLUSION

With regard to effectiveness in terms of response and PFS, Tc remains the standard of care in patients with platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer. However, comparable OS rates and a favorable toxicity profile make Tw another viable treatment option in this setting.

First-Line Trastuzumab Plus Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide Therapy in Patients With Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2–Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer: Cardiac Safety and Efficacy Data From the Herceptin, Cyclophosphamide, and Epirubicin (HERCULES) Trial

Purpose

A high incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF) has been observed in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) receiving doxorubicin-based chemotherapy and trastuzumab. The Herceptin, Cyclophosphamide, and Epirubicin (HERCULES) trial evaluated trastuzumab plus cyclophosphamide and the less cardiotoxic anthracycline epirubicin.

Patients and Methods

This prospective trial combined a phase I dose-finding stage with a phase II randomized stage. In total, 120 patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) –positive MBC and adequate cardiac function received first-line trastuzumab (4 mg/kg intravenous loading dose, then 2 mg/kg every week) plus cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m2) and either epirubicin 60 mg/m2 (HEC-60) or 90 mg/m2 (HEC-90) for six cycles, followed by trastuzumab monotherapy until progression. Sixty patients with HER2-negative disease received epirubicin (90 mg/m2) and cyclophosphamide (EC-90) alone. The primary end point was dose-limiting cardiotoxicity (DLC).

Results

Incidence of DLC was 5.0%, 1.7%, and 0% in the HEC-90, HEC-60, and EC-90 arms, respectively. All DLC events were manageable. There were no cardiac-related deaths. Other adverse-event profiles were comparable across the three arms, except febrile neutropenia, which was reported in 10% of the HEC-90 arm compared with 3% of the other arms. Tumor response rates were 57%, 60%, and 25% in the HEC-60, HEC-90, and EC-90 arms, respectively; median time to progression was 12.5, 10.1, and 7.6 months, respectively.

Conclusion

The HEC regimen is a promising treatment option for patients with HER2-positive MBC. The lower incidence of DLC with HEC, compared with the historic incidence associated with trastuzumab plus doxorubicin, supports further evaluation of the regimen, especially in adjuvant or neoadjuvant settings.

Prospective Multicenter Randomized Phase III Study of Weekly versus Standard Docetaxel plus Doxorubicin (D4) for First-Line Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer

<i>Purpose:</i> Previous phase II studies have indicated a greatly reduced hematotoxicity of docetaxel-based regimens administered on weekly schedules. The present trial was initiated to compare the toxicity and efficacy of weekly docetaxel versus its standard 3-weekly application in combination with doxorubicin. <i>Methods:</i> Patients previously untreated with chemotherapy for metastatic disease were recruited. Inclusion criteria were age <65 years or a Karnofsky Performance Status of 70–100%. All patients in the D4 study received doxorubicin (50 mg/m²) on the first day of treatment in addition to docetaxel given either at a 3-weekly dose of 75 mg/m² every 3 weeks (q3w) or at a weekly dose of 35 mg/m² (days 1, 8, and 15; q4w). Treatment was continued until a maximum of 8 cycles, unacceptable toxicity, or disease progression. All patients received standard corticosteroid prophylaxis. <i>Results:</i> Since interim analysis showed failure to reach a significant difference for the primary endpoint (hematotoxicity, i.e. leukopenia), the study was closed according to the study protocol (85 of 242 patients). A lower-than-expected rate of leukopenia ≧grade 3 was observed in the standard arm of the D4 study compared to the weekly schedule (per-patient analysis: 61.9% q3w vs. 65.1% q1w; p > 0.05). Grade 3 and grade 4 fever, diarrhea, and infections occurred more frequently in the standard arm, whereas neurotoxicity and skin/nail disorders were observed more frequently in the weekly arm. Except for fever, none of these differences reached a level of significance. Dose delays, dose reductions, and the rate of omitted doses were increased in the weekly arm. The overall response rate was 44.2% in the weekly arm compared to 52.4% in the standard arm (p = 0.52). Time to progression was 6.2 (q1w) versus 10.3 (q3w) months (p = 0.36), and overall survival was 20.5 (q1w) versus 28.7 (q3w) months (p = 0.98). <i>Conclusion:</i> The present data support the feasibility of both weekly and 3-weekly application of docetaxel in combination with doxorubicin. Nevertheless, given that leukopenia was similar in both arms and the efficacy parameters were at least numerically inferior with the weekly schedule, standard 3-weekly application seems to be preferable for patients requiring combination chemotherapy.

Surgery in Recurrent Ovarian Cancer: The Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynaekologische Onkologie (AGO) DESKTOP OVAR Trial

BACKGROUND

The role of cytoreductive surgery in relapsed ovarian cancer is not clearly defined. Therefore, patient selection remains arbitrary and depends on the center's preference rather than on established selection criteria. The Descriptive Evaluation of preoperative Selection KriTeria for OPerability in recurrent OVARian cancer (DESKTOP OVAR) trial was undertaken to form a hypothesis for a panel of criteria for selecting patients who might benefit from surgery in relapsed ovarian cancer.

METHODS

The DESKTOP trial was an exploratory study based on data from a retrospective analysis of hospital records. Twenty-five member institutions of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynaekologische Onkologie Ovarian Committee (AGO OC) and AGO-OVAR boards collected data on their patients with cytoreductive surgery for relapsed invasive epithelial ovarian cancer performed in 2000-2003.

RESULTS

Two hundred and sixty-seven patients were included. Complete resection was associated with significantly longer survival compared with surgery leaving any postoperative residuals [median 45.2 vs. 19.7 months; hazard ratio (HR) 3.71; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.27-6.05; P < .0001]. Variables associated with complete resection were performance status (PS) [Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 0 vs. > 0; P < .001], International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage at initial diagnosis (FIGO I/II vs. III/IV, P = .036), residual tumor after primary surgery (none vs. present, P <.001), and absence of ascites > 500 ml (P < .001). A combination of PS, early FIGO stage initially or no residual tumor after first surgery, and absence of ascites could predict complete resection in 79% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Only complete resection was associated with prolonged survival in recurrent ovarian cancer. The identified criteria panel will be verified in a prospective trial (AGO-DESKTOP II) evaluating whether it will render a useful tool for selecting the right patients for cytoreductive surgery in recurrent ovarian cancer.

Reduced Incidence of Severe Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia and Mucositis in a Prospective Multicenter Phase II Trial with Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin at 40 mg/m2 Every 4 Weeks in Previously Treated Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess whether the reduction in the total dose of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) per cycle from 50 mg/m(2) every 4 weeks to 40 mg/m(2) every 4 weeks can effectively lower the incidence of treatment-related palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE) and mucositis.

METHODS

Patients received PLD 40 mg/m(2) every 4 weeks, and were evaluated for toxicity prior to each treatment and for response every 8 weeks.

RESULTS

All patients were previously treated with at least one chemotherapy regimen for metastatic disease, and 72% of the patients had a prior exposure to an anthracycline. Forty-six evaluable patients received a median of four PLD cycles, with a median dose intensity of 10 mg/m(2)/week and a median cumulative dose of 160 mg/m(2). No National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI-CTC) grade 3 or 4 PPE was observed in these patients. NCI-CTC grade 3 or 4 mucositis occurred in 4.3% of patients, only. Response rates and survival results observed here were comparable to those observed with PLD 50 mg/m(2) every 4 weeks in a matched patient population. However, patients treated with PLD 40 mg/m(2) every 4 weeks experienced less PPE and mucositis and required clearly less dose reductions and treatment delays.

CONCLUSION

The favorable safety profile observed in this study leads us to recommend the use of PLD 40 mg/m(2) every 4 weeks for patients with advanced breast cancer.

Anthracycline and trastuzumab in breast cancer treatment

This study was designed to evaluate the cardiac safety of the combined treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients with trastuzumab (Herceptin) plus epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (EC) in comparison with EC alone in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer patients. Patients included those with metastatic breast cancer without any prior anti-HER2 treatment, anthracycline therapy, or any other chemotherapy for metastatic disease. This was a nonrandomized, prospective, dose-escalating, multicenter, open-label, phase I study in Germany. A control group of 23 patients received EC 90/600 mg/m2 3-weekly for six cycles (EC90 alone). A total of 26 HER2-positive patients were treated with trastuzumab, or H (2 mg/kg weekly after an initial loading dose of 4 mg/kg), and EC 60/600 mg/m2 3-weekly for six cycles (EC60+H); another 25 HER2-positive patients received H and EC 90/600 mg/m2 3-weekly for six cycles. Asymptomatic reductions in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of more than 10% points were detected in 12 patients (48%) treated with EC60+H and in 14 patients (56%) treated with EC90+H vs 6 patients (26%) in the EC90 alone cohort. LVEF decreases to <50% occurred in one patient in the EC60+H cohort and in two patients in the EC90+H cohort during the H monotherapy. No cardiac event occurred in the cohort with EC90 alone. The overall response rates for EC60+H and EC90+H were >60%, vs 26% for EC90 alone. The interim results of this study approve the cardiac safety of the combination of H with EC, with low risk of cardiac toxicity. The combination regimen revealed promising efficacy.

Cardiac safety of trastuzumab in combination with epirubicin and cyclophosphamide in women with metastatic breast cancer

This prospective, parallel-group, dose-escalation study evaluated the cardiac safety of trastuzumab (Herceptin) plus epirubicin/cyclophosphamide (EC) in women with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and determined an epirubicin dose for further evaluation. HER2-positive patients received standard-dose trastuzumab plus epirubicin (60 or 90 mg/m(2))/cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m(2)) 3-weekly (EC60+H, n=26; EC90+H, n=25), for four to six cycles; 23 HER2-negative patients received EC alone (90/600 mg/m(2)) 3-weekly for six cycles (EC90). All patients underwent thorough cardiac evaluation. Two EC90+H-treated patients experienced symptomatic congestive heart failure 4.5 and 6 months after the end of chemotherapy. One EC60+H-treated patient experienced an asymptomatic decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) to <50% 6 months after the end of chemotherapy. No such events occurred in control patients. Asymptomatic LVEF decreases of >10% points were detected in 12 (48%), 14 (56%) and 5 (24%) patients treated with EC60+H, EC90+H, and EC90. Objective response rates with EC60+H and EC90+H were >60%, and 26% for EC90 alone. These results indicate that trastuzumab may be combined with EC with manageable cardiotoxicity and promising efficacy.

Evaluation of neurotoxicity induced by paclitaxel second-line chemotherapy

The most important cytotoxic drugs for the treatment of ovarian cancer, platinum compounds and paclitaxel, are known to induce neurotoxicity, which is dose limiting when higher paclitaxel doses are used or platinum-pretreated patients are treated. The absolute dose of paclitaxel per course has been demonstrated to be an important risk factor for the development of neurotoxicity. The role of cumulative dose, treatment duration and infusion schedule as additional risk factors are still in debate, and are therefore evaluated in this study. This study evaluates paclitaxel induced neurotoxicity in 38 patients, most of whom had already received platinum treatment, receiving either 135 or 175 mg/m2 as 3-h or 24-h infusion. Patients were compared with an age-matched control group. A detailed questionnaire and neurophysiological measurements including vibration perception threshold were used. Overall, the majority of patients (76%) developed some degree of neurotoxicity, but symptoms were usually mild or moderate with no grade 3/4 neurotoxicity observed. Age has been demonstrated to be an important risk factor for the development of neurotoxicity. Furthermore, the higher dose per course showed a significant impact on neurotoxicity, while the different infusion schedules were of minor importance. Vibration threshold perception, 2-point discrimination, a walking-the-line test, and reports of paresthesias were shown to be the most sensitive and useful parameters for neurotoxicity evaluation. Neurotoxicity is a common adverse event during paclitaxel chemotherapy in platinum-pretreated patients. A clinically useful test panel composed of a detailed history and the above three easily performed neurophysiological evaluations should be incorporated into future studies evaluating new drugs, treatment modifications, new combinations, and potential modulators of chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity.

[Management of Werlhof disease in pregnancy complicated by diabetes mellitus type I]

We report on a 25-year old female in whom idiopathic thrombozytopenic purpura and diabetes type I existed at the same time in pregnancy. In this constellation we decided to treat her with intravenous immunoglobulins for five days and delivered her by caesarean after recovery of the maternal thrombozytes. While this proved to be an effective treatment for the mother with few adverse effects we saw severely low thrombozytopenia of the child requiring intensive postnatal care. A longterm treatment with immunoglobulins for about three weeks could be a possible treatment for the fetal as well as the maternal thrombozytopenia. Reports on this question do not yet exist.

[Paclitaxel/carboplatin in first line treatment of advanced ovarian carcinoma]

Surgery and chemotherapy are the cornerstones of therapy for advanced ovarian cancer. Further improvement of treatment results can be expected from new drugs that act differently from cisplatin. Paclitaxel is one of those drugs. Evidence from several clinical trials has currently established two roles of paclitaxel: salvage therapy for patients who are clinically platinum resistant and front line therapy in combination with cisplatin in newly diagnosed patients with advanced disease. The efficacy of the paclitaxel dose and schedule used in the GOG trial 111 has not been proven and thus needs further evaluation before it should be used in common practice. Continued clinical research in Germany focuses on several questions including 1) the determination of the relative merits of carboplatin and cisplatin in combination with paclitaxel, and 2) the potential role of paclitaxel/platinum combinations in limited disease patients. Answering these questions may help to develop new meaningful approaches in the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Clinical phase I study with one-hour paclitaxel infusion

BACKGROUND

Paclitaxel (PAC) is one of the major anti-cancer drugs, effective in different tumors. Studies with 24-hour infusion with 135 mg/m2 and a three-hour infusion with 175 mg/m2 showed a significant schedule-dependent toxicity. We evaluated a one-hour infusion schedule within a phase I study to determine the dose limiting toxicity (DLT), the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), and the anti-cancer efficacy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with advanced malignant tumors were treated within cohorts by one-hour infusional paclitaxel starting with 150 mg/m2 and stepwise escalation with 25 mg/m2 increments. Therapy was repeated in three-week intervals. Cycles were repeated until progression. Toxicity was closely monitored, anti-cancer efficacy was only evaluated in those patients who received at minimum two treatment cycles.

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients entered the study (11 NSCLC, five SCLC, seven ovarian cancer, one cervix cancer, nine MBC, one HN cancer). The MTD was PAC 250 mg/m2. The DLT was central and peripheral neuropathy (WHO grade 3). Other significant toxicities were fatigue, myalgia/arthralgia and paraesthesia. No significant myelotoxicity was observed. Totally twentyone patients were evaluable for response. A partial response was observed in five (24%) patients (two NSCLC, two ovarian cancer, one head and neck cancer). Three (14%) patients had stable disease and in 13 (62%) patients progressive disease was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Paclitaxel 225 mg/m2 on day 1 administered as one-hour infusion and repeated every three weeks can be given safely, featured no relevant myelotoxicity, and is the recommended dose for phase II studies.

Phase I study of paclitaxel administered as a 1-hour infusion: toxicity and pharmacokinetics

Paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) is one of the most important new drugs used in the treatment of solid tumors. Use of paclitaxel, however, is associated with some toxicity. The main adverse side effects include myelotoxicity, neurotoxicity, hypersensitivity reactions, and asthenia. Toxicity seems to be schedule dependent. Currently, paclitaxel is routinely administered via 3- or 24-hour infusions. This study was performed to evaluate the toxicity and pharmacokinetics of a 1-hour infusion. Thirty-four patients with incurable solid tumors were included. Dose levels were escalated from 150 to 250 mg/m2. Thirty-four patients received a total of 105 courses of paclitaxel. The dose-limiting toxicity was World Health Organization grade 3 neuropathy at a dose of 250 mg/m2 in two of three patients. Two patients were not evaluable for dose-limiting toxicity because treatment was stopped after fewer than three courses due to disease progression. Neither had experienced a dose-limiting toxicity. Other toxicities were World Health Organization grade 1/2 neutropenia, asthenia, myalgia, arthralgia, and grade 1 hypersensitivity. Twenty-one patients were evaluable for preliminary anticancer efficacy. A partial response was observed in five patients (24%), stable disease in three (14%), and progressive disease in 13 (62%). The maximum tolerated dose was established at 250 mg/m2. A dose of 225 mg/m2 is recommended for further phase II trials. There was considerable interindividual and some intraindividual variability in pharmacokinetic parameters. Paclitaxel pharmacokinetics were linear up to 225 mg/m2, while a slightly overproportional increase in the peak plasma concentration and the area under the concentration-time curve was observed at 250 mg/m2, suggesting that paclitaxel's pharmacokinetic characteristics may be nonlinear at higher doses.

Randomized study comparing carboplatin/cyclophosphamide and cisplatin/cyclophosphamide as first-line treatment in patients with stage III/IV epithelial ovarian cancer and small volume disease. German Ovarian Cancer Study Group (GOCA)

Several randomized studies in patients with advanced ovarian cancer have dealt with the comparison of cisplatin and carboplatin when given as either a single drug or in combination. The German Ovarian Cancer Study Group (GOCA) performed a prospective randomized trial in a subgroup of patients specified by a successful cytoreductive operation before the start of chemotherapy. From February 1987 to May 1990, 173 previously untreated patients with stage III and IV disease and limited tumor bulk of <2 cm postoperatively received either cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 plus carboplatin 350 mg/m2 or cyclophosphamide 1000 mg/m2 plus cisplatin 80 mg/m2. The drugs had to be administered on Day 1 every 28 days for six subsequent courses.

RESULTS

In 158 assessable patients no significant differences in pathologically confirmed CR rates (pCR: 14% vs 16%), median time to progression (PFI: 19 months vs 26 months), and overall survival (OS: 35 months vs 37 months) were observed. Refusal of therapy due to toxicity was more frequent in the cisplatin arm, whereas patients with progressive disease predominated in the carboplatin arm. Nonhematologic adverse effects were more likely to occur with cisplatin whereas carboplatin patients experienced more myelosuppression. As prognostic factors associated with an increased risk of progressive disease and shorter overall survival time, stage of disease and amount of residual tumor after first surgery were determined.

CONCLUSIONS

Carboplatin proved to be effective in patients with optimally debulked ovarian cancer. However, neither regimen used in this trial is sufficiently active to prevent tumor progression in the majority of patients.

Phase I/II study of the combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel as first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

PURPOSE

We performed a phase I/II study evaluating the combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin as first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. The aim of this study was to define a feasible and safe combination regimen that could be recommended for future phase III studies.

DESIGN

This study was a parallel two-arm, non-randomized, open trial. In a first step, carboplatin was administered at a fixed dose of AUC 5 and paclitaxel was escalated in 25 mg/ m2 steps starting at 135 mg/m2. Paclitaxel was given as a three-hour infusion. Carboplatin was administered on day 1 following paclitaxel in one study arm and 24 hours after paclitaxel infusion on day 2 in the other study arm. Carboplatin was escalated to AUC 6 and AUC 7.5 after the MTD for paclitaxel had been defined. Treatment was repeated every three weeks.

PATIENTS

Sixty-one patients with untreated histologically confirmed epithelial ovarian cancer were recruited of whom 59 were found eligible and evaluable for toxicity. Thirty-three patients with bidimensionally measurable disease were evaluable for tumor response.

RESULTS

We could not detect any advantage of the two-day schedule compared with the more convenient one-day schedule. Dose limiting toxicities were neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and neurotoxicity. Except for two patients, toxicity was acceptable and clinically managable. One patient died of neutropenic sepsis and one further patient developed grade III peripheral neurotoxicity that did not resolve within two months after chemotherapy had been terminated. Overall objective response rate was 70%. The MTD for paclitaxel was 185 mg/m2 and AUC 6 for carboplatin, respectively. Secondary prophylaxis with G-CSF did not allow further dose escalation and therefore is not generally recommended.

CONCLUSIONS

Paclitaxel 185 mg/m2 given as three-hour infusion followed by carboplatin AUC 6 is a feasible and safe regimen and can be recommended for phase III trials. Observed response rates justify further evaluation of this combination. A randomized phase III trial comparing a three-hour infusion of paclitaxel 185 mg/m2 combined with either carboplatin AUC 6 or cisplatin 75 mg/m2 as first-line chemotherapy of advanced ovarian cancer has recently been initiated by our group.

Extended phase II study of paclitaxel as a 3-h infusion in patients with ovarian cancer previously treated with plantinum

An extended phase II study was performed to evaluate single-agent paclitaxel as salvage chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 3-h infusion schedule of paclitaxel in terms of toxicity and antitumour efficacy. Furthermore, we analysed the impact on response and survival of the extent of prior chemotherapy and status of resistance against platinum. This study was an open, non-randomised, multicentre trial. The dose of paclitaxel used was 175 mg/m2 in patients who had received one or two prior therapies, and 135 mg/m2 in patients who had received three prior therapies. Paclitaxel was given as a 3-h infusion. Courses were repeated every 3 weeks. 114 patients with platinum-pretreated epithelial ovarian cancer were recruited of whom 112 were found eligible and evaluable for toxicity. 104 patients with bidimensionally measurable disease who received more than one course of chemotherapy were evaluable for response, progression-free (PFS) and survival. Toxicity was generally manageable. Main toxicities were non-cumulative neutropenia with 22.3% of courses with WHO grade 3/4 and peripheral neuropathy which occurred in more than half of the courses and was of WHO grade 2 and 3 in 20.1 and 1.3% of the courses, respectively. Neuropathy was associated with the higher dose per course and with cumulative paclitaxel dose. Objective responses were reported in 20% (21/104) of the patients (95% CI 13-29%) with a median response duration of 36.7 weeks. Survival and PFS for the whole group were 45.9 and 15.1 weeks, respectively. Performance status, number of tumour lesions and extent of prior chemotherapy were found to be prognostic factors for survival. Extent of prior chemotherapy was the only prognostic factor for PFS. Platinum resistance did not predict response to treatment. Paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 given as a 3-h infusion is an appropriate treatment for patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer who have not previously received more than two chemotherapy regimens. Paclitaxel did not show results superior to historical data for platinum retreatment in patients with platinum-sensitive, recurrent ovarian cancer.

Paclitaxel combined with carboplatin in the first-line treatment of advanced ovarian cancer: a phase I trial

Recently, a randomized study conducted by the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG 111) demonstrated that, given by a 24-hour infusion, the combination of cisplatin and paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) is superior to combination cisplatin/cyclophosphamide in previously untreated patients with advanced ovarian cancer. This combination, however, necessitates hospitalization. Combination paclitaxel/carboplatin would be expected to induce fewer nonhematologic side effects but may be more myelotoxic. Thus, we started a phase I dose-escalation study to determine the maximal tolerated dose of paclitaxel given as a 3-hour infusion in combination with carboplatin, both drugs administered every 21 days. The paclitaxel dose was escalated by increments of 25 mg/m2, starting at 135 mg/m2 (level 1), 160 mg/m2 (level 2), 185 mg/m2 (level 3), and 210 mg/m2 (level 4). Carboplatin was administered to achieve an area under the concentration-time curve of 5, using the Calvert formula For study levels 5 and 6, the carboplatin dose was targeted at area under the concentration-time curves of 6 and 7.5, respectively, and was combined with a fixed paclitaxel dose of 185 mg/m2. Thirty previously untreated patients with stage IIC to IV ovarian cancer were enrolled. Nonhematologic toxicity, including nausea/vomiting and arthralgia/myalgia, was mild. Across all dose levels, a total of 16 patients developed peripheral neurotoxicity (World Health Organization grades 1 and 2). At dose level 5, one patient experienced reversible grade 4 neurotoxicity. Neutropenia was the principal dose-limiting hematologic toxicity. During 33 (31%) of 106 courses, World Health Organization grade 4 neutropenia was observed. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was required in only 7.6% of courses. Thrombocytopenia was less than that expected when carboplatin is given alone. Clinical responses were observed in eight of 14 patients, for an overall response rate of 57%. The combination of carboplatin plus paclitaxel was found to be an active regimen. This trial demonstrates that carboplatin dosed by the Calvert equation and 3-hour paclitaxel can be combined safely at full therapeutic doses for six or more courses in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.

Preliminary results of a phase II study of epirubicin and paclitaxel as first-line treatment in patients with metastatic breast cancer

Preliminary results of this ongoing phase II study of paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) plus epirubicin administered as first-line treatment to women with metastatic breast cancer indicate encouraging response rates and no severe toxicity. Among the 57 patients admitted to this study, 52% had received prior adjuvant chemotherapy (85% with cyclophosphamide/methotrexate/5-fluorouracil), 46% had received radiotherapy, and 30% had received both forms of therapy; 63% of patients were postmenopausal, mainly with poorly differentiated tumors, and 80% presented with > or = 2 metastatic sites. Epirubicin 60 mg/m2 was administered intravenously as a 1-hour infusion followed by paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 infused over 3 hours. Standard premedication was given. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support was not used. Neutropenia was evident in 72% of cycles but was not severe. Instances of anemia and thrombocytopenia were rare. Alopecia was universal. All nonhematologic toxicity observed was mild or moderate (peripheral neuropathy, myalgia, nausea, vomiting World Health Organization toxicity grade < 2). At this time, 41 patients are currently evaluable for response, complete and partial remission are evident in seven and 21 patients, respectively. The overall response rate so far is 68%. An additional 12 patients show evidence of stable disease, and one has shown disease progression. Paclitaxel is considered a promising new drug in the adjuvant treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer. Combining it with epirubicin allows safe administration with no evidence of severe cardiotoxicity. The incidence of adverse cardiac events was much lower than that observed with combinations of paclitaxel and doxorubicin.

[Recurrent and 2nd line therapy in ovarian carcinoma: an overview of conventional systemic therapy modalities]

Remarkable improvements in primary surgery and chemotherapy for advanced ovarian cancer have been achieved in the last decades. Nevertheless, the majority of patients still develop recurrent disease and ultimately die from ovarian cancer. Evaluation of efficient second-line treatment is of clinical relevance. This review re-analyses the published data of conventional systemic treatment for recurrent and refractory ovarian cancer. Patients were grouped according to prior chemotherapy (with or without platinum; with or without paclitaxel) and according to clinical platinum resistance. Platinum resistance is defined as having progressed during platinum based chemotherapy or having relapsed within 6 months after completion of primary platinum containing treatment. The most favourable results in platinum sensitive ovarian cancer were reported for platinum containing re-induction chemotherapy. Results in platinum refractory ovarian cancer were different. Both hormonal treatment consisting of either tamoxifen or GnRH analogues, and chemotherapy with topoisomerase blocking agents, taxanes, or alkylating agents did show similar results. Unfortunately, there are only limited data from prospectively randomised trials in these patients. Therefore, recommendations remain inconclusive. Retrospective comparisons may help the clinician to chose the currently best available treatment for an individual patient, however, these treatments have to be evaluated in prospectively randomised trials. The protocols of the ongoing studies in refractory or recurrent ovarian cancer of the AGO Ovarian Cancer Study Group are outlined.

[Sequential course and prospective management of ifosfamide-induced multi-organ toxicity]

We report on an 66-year old female in whom we diagnosed uterine carcinosarcoma and concurrent breast cancer. As first-line treatment the patient received ifosfamide 4.8 mg/m2 body surface. During her second course of chemotherapy she developed sequentially life-threatening toxicities; severe emesis followed by nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity and myelosuppression. Early prophylactic administration of rhG-CSF (Filgrastim) helped to overcome severe, potentially fatal myelosuppression. The course of severe toxicities following high doses of ifosfamide might reflect a dependent sequence, where one organ failure causes a subsequent organ failure. Prophylactic treatment of anticipated toxicity should be considered for the management of severe ifosfamide-induced toxicity. Such treatment may consist of sufficient antiemesis, sufficient hydration, as well as a therapy with methylene blue in case of severe neurotoxicity.

Pathophysiology, severity, pattern, and risk factors for carboplatin-induced emesis

Carboplatin has proven efficacy in the treatment of ovarian cancer and has been proven to be less toxic compared to the parent compound cisplatin. Nevertheless, emesis is still a major problem associated with carboplatin-containing chemotherapy. Several investigators have focussed on the understanding of the pathophysiology and pattern of cisplatin-induced emesis. Data describing both the pathomechanisms and pattern of carboplatin-induced emesis are still lacking. This paper combines data from the literature with our own experience with the pattern and control of carboplatin-induced emesis, and presents data contributing to the understanding of the underlying pathomechanisms. Carboplatin induces a significant increase in urinary 5-HIAA excretion, the main metabolite of serotonin. 5-HIAA excretion levels remain elevated over 3 days following chemotherapy. Carboplatin-induced emesis is observed in about 40% of patients despite anti-emetic prophylaxis with 5-HT3 antagonists. Vomiting after carboplatin extends over days 1-3 with an equal distribution regarding the severity on each day. Analysis of the pattern of emesis revealed that delayed emesis (> 24 h after chemotherapy) is a major problem associated with carboplatin therapy. Description of the pattern of emesis as 'prolonged emesis' seems to be appropriate. 5-HT3 receptor antagonists such as ondansetron seem to be efficacious both in the control of acute and prolonged emesis following carboplatin chemotherapy, but randomly controlled data comparing ondansetron with other anti-emetic regimens have not yet been published. Univariate analysis reveals gender and combination therapy containing carboplatin and cyclophosphamide and/or anthracyclines as risk factors for emesis.

Positron emission tomography helps to diagnose tumor emboli and residual disease in choriocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Positron emission tomography (PET) has been shown capable of identifying malignant tissues.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

WB-PET imaging in two women with metastatic choriocarcinoma is described.

RESULTS

In a woman with tumor emboli secondary to a choriocarcinoma, WB-PET was the only noninvasive investigation to differentiate between tumor and blood clots. Moreover, PET helped to localize residual tumor tissue in another woman with persisting high beta-HCG serum levels after chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

WB-PET helps to localize tumor tissue in patients suffering from choriocarcinoma.

Interim Analysis of a Phase II study of epirubicin and paclitaxel as first-line therapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer

Paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ), the first taxane to be used routinely in clinical practice, has aroused considerable interest for its high single-agent activity in breast cancer and its novel mechanism of action. The 4' epimer of doxorubicin, epirubicin is an agent with high activity against breast cancer but a lower rate of toxic side effects, especially cardiotoxic events, than its parent compound. Although the paclitaxel/doxorubicin combination has yielded response rates between 63% and 94% in phase I/II studies, some severe cardiotoxic events were reported. The rationale for our study was to evaluate the paclitaxel/epirubicin combination, focusing mainly on cardiotoxicity. In all, 57 patients with metastatic breast cancer entered the study, 28% of whom had primary metastatic breast cancer with large tumors at the primary site. Half of the patients had received adjuvant chemotherapy. Study medication consisted of 60 mg/m2 epirubicin given intravenously over 1 hour, followed by paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 administered as a 3-hour intravenous infusion after premedication with steroids, antihistamines, and H2 antagonists. The main toxicity was neutropenia (World Health Organization toxicity index grade 3/4, 72%). Other hematologic side effects were rare and no febrile neutropenia was reported. Peripheral neuropathy, arthralgia, and myalgia were mild (only World Health Organization grade 1 and 2). All patients had alopecia. The paclitaxel dose was escalated to 200 mg/m2 in eight patients, four of whom received a further escalation to 225 mg/m2. Severe neutropenia necessitated dose reductions in eight patients. No cardiac adverse events were reported. Of 41 patients evaluable for response, seven had complete remissions and 21 had partial remissions (68%). An additional 12 patients (29%) had stable disease. The combination of paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 and epirubicin 60 mg/m2 can be administered safely to patients with metastatic breast cancer. Although response was not the primary end point of this trial, the response data are nonetheless encouraging and suggest that further evaluation of the role of this combination in the first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer is warranted.

Paclitaxel-induced "recall" soft tissue ulcerations occurring at the site of previous subcutaneous administration of paclitaxel in low doses

The presented case reports a rare complication of paclitaxel misuse: recall soft tissue injury at the site of previous subcutaneous paclitaxel administration. Generally, paclitaxel extravasation causes only mild dermatologic toxicity and ulcerations are rare. We describe the third case of a so-called recall dermatitis following paclitaxel chemotherapy. In contrast to the previously reported cases, soft tissue damage arose at the abdominal wall at the injection sites of previously administered subcutaneous paclitaxel in homeopathic doses of 1.0 mg. The recall reaction continued to exacerbate after each course of systemic paclitaxel chemotherapy and finally led to surgical treatment. The course of the observed skin toxicity makes it probable that the pathomechanisms involved in these recall reactions are different from these responsible for the limited skin toxicity observed after paclitaxel extravasation.

Paclitaxel combined with carboplatin in the first-line treatment of advanced ovarian cancer

In a phase I study to determine the maximum tolerated dose of paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) given as a 3-hour infusion in combination with carboplatin administered every 21 days to women with advanced ovarian cancer, paclitaxel doses were escalated as follows: level 1, 135 mg/m2; level 2, 160 mg/m2; level 3, 185 mg/m2; and level 4,210 mg/m2. The fixed dose of carboplatin at levels 1 through 4 was given to achieve an area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of 5 using the Calvert formula. In levels 5 and 6 the carboplatin dose was targeted at AUCs of 6 and 7.5, respectively, combined with a fixed paclitaxel dose of 185 mg/m2. To date, 30 previously untreated patients, all with a good performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 0 to 2) have been entered into this ongoing study. The dose-limiting toxicity of the combination was myelosuppression (leukopenia, granulocytopenia, and thrombocytopenia). Neurotoxicity was largely moderate. So far, 14 patients are evaluable for response; of these, eight (57%) showed objective (complete or partial) response and disease stabilized in six patients. No patient had disease progression. We conclude that the combination of paclitaxel 185 mg/m2 administered as a 3-hour infusion followed immediately by a 1-hour infusion of carboplatin at an AUC of 6 can be administered safely in a 21-day schedule in the outpatient setting. The recommended dose for phase III studies is paclitaxel 185 mg/m2 and carboplatin AUC 6.

The role of serotonin as a mediator of emesis induced by different stimuli

The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of changes in serotonin metabolism on the pathophysiology of different types of emesis: pregnancy-induced emesis, emesis associated with inner-ear dysfunction, and cisplatin-induced emesis. The urinary excretion of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), the main metabolite of serotonin, was measured in 13 women with pregnancy-induced emesis, 12 patients who had nausea and vomiting following inner-ear dysfunctions, 27 patients with cisplatin-induced emesis and a control group of 21 women. 5-HIAA was measured with a fluorescence polarization immunoassay (Abbott) and corrected for varying urine concentrations. Both patients with emesis associated with inner-ear dysfunction and patients with pregnancy-associated emesis showed a similar 5-HIAA excretion pattern compared with the control group. No correlation between intensity of nausea or vomiting and changes in 5-HIAA excretion could be detected. In patients receiving cisplatin, the 5-HIAA excretion increased rapidly within the 12 h following cisplatin administration and returned to baseline levels after 24 h. There was a parallel increase of 5-HIAA excretion and numbers of emetic episodes in the first 12 h, but delayed emesis was not associated with elevated 5-HIAA excretion. Our results provide evidence that serotonin is involved in the pathophysiology of cisplatin-induced acute emesis. Cisplatin-induced delayed emesis, pregnancy-associated emesis, and emesis due to inner-ear dysfunction are not associated with elevated levels of 5-HIAA excretion. The serotonin pathway probably represents only one of many different afferent mechanisms capable of initiating the emesis cascade.

Phase II study of pirarubicin combined with cisplatin in recurrent ovarian cancer

Although 50%-80% of patients with advanced ovarian cancer demonstrate an objective response after platinum-based chemotherapy, a majority of these patients will ultimately experience a relapse of their disease. Effective second-line treatment for these patients is of the most importance. We performed a phase II study with cisplatin and pirarubicin (each drug 50 mg/m2 i.v. every 28 days) in 17 patients with relapsed or persistent ovarian carcinoma. All patients had received platinum-containing primary chemotherapy. Overall survival from the time of diagnosis was 38.3 months (45.3 months in relapsed ovarian carcinoma and 28.3 months in ovarian carcinoma persisting after primary chemotherapy). Survival from entrance into the study was 13.0 months (14.2 months in relapsed disease and 11.2 months in refractory disease). Time to progression was 10.3 months. An objective response was observed in 4 patients and another 3 patients had stable disease. Major toxicity consisted of emesis (grade III/IV in 60/64 courses) and myelosuppression WHO grade III/IV in 15 courses. Neurotoxicity occurred in 3 patients and nephrotoxicity in 1 patient. Alopecia occurred in 12 patients. Tachycardia and other low-grade heart toxicities were observed after 5 courses. Dose reduction was necessary because of severe myelosuppression in 4 courses and because of nephrotoxicity in 1 course. Delay of subsequent chemotherapy courses for more than 7 days was necessary after 13 courses and was always due to myelosuppression. The dose-limiting toxicity of combination chemotherapy with cisplatin and pirarubicin is myelosuppression. Response and survival rates are superior in patients with relapsed disease compared to patients with resistant ovarian carcinoma.

Comparison of the emetogenic potential between cisplatin and carboplatin in combination with alkylating agents

Platinum-based polychemotherapy is widely used in the treatment of gynecological cancer. Emesis is one of the most disturbing side-effects of platinum therapy. We performed a study to evaluate and compare the emetogenic potential and the different emesis pattern after cisplatin and carboplatin under antiemetic treatment with ondansetron. One hundred and twenty-two patients with either cisplatin-containing (n = 70) or carboplatin-containing (n = 52) first-line chemotherapy were included. Treatment with cisplatin led more frequently to emesis and patients suffered from more severe emesis than carboplatin treated patients. Delayed emesis was observed after both platinum analogues but occurred more frequently and lasted longer after cisplatin.

[Effect of pregnancy on the incidence and course of malignant diseases]

Fortunately, coincidence of pregnancy associated with malignant neoplasm is rare. As reported in the literature, incidence is 1.5-10: 10,000 pregnancies. The study presented reports data on the incidence and outcome of 16-35 years old female patients suffering from malignant neoplasms. Patients, who were treated in Freiburg 1980-1989, were considered for evaluation. We analysed the impact of pregnancy on the outcome of these patients by stratifying patients for the time of diagnosis (before, during, or after a pregnancy). 247 patients were included. 118 patients developed a neoplasia after a successful pregnancy. In 24 patients, neoplasia was diagnosed during pregnancy, and 28 patients became pregnant after diagnosis and therapy for a malignancy. Further 77 patients without pregnancy, but in whom neoplasia diagnosed at the age of 16-35 years were included. Cancer of the cervix uteri, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and malignant lymphomas were the most frequent neoplasias diagnosed in young women. In an analysis stratified for stage of disease, we found no significant difference between 3- and 5-years survival of patients with pregnancies before, during, or after diagnosis and treatment of neoplasia. Due to the inhomogeneity of the subgroups analysed, the question, whether pregnancy has any impact on the outcome of neoplasm could not be conclusively answered. The necessity for the establishment of national and international registries collecting sufficient data about incidence and outcome of patients with pregnancies associated with malignant neoplasms is emphasised.

[The course of pregnancy in patients with malignancies]

There is a low incidence of pregnancy associated with malignancy. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients of 16 to 35 years of age with malignancies, who had given birth to children in Freiburg 1980-1989. 170 patients were included. 118 patients became pregnant before a malignancy was diagnosed. Malignancy was diagnosed during pregnancy in 24 patients, and 28 patients became pregnant after diagnosis of and therapy for neoplasm. The frequency of preterm delivery, growth retardation and performance of Caesarean section was markedly increased only in patients with concurrent pregnancy and malignancy. 59 children were born after their mother had been treated for a malignancy. Treatment was started during pregnancy in 19 cases. 40 children were born to mothers who became pregnant after treatment. Malformations and abnormalities with respect to the development of the children were observed in similar frequency in both groups and occurred more frequently compared to the group of children, who were born before the treatment of the mother. These results were supported by an analysis of 16 siblings. We conclude, that there is a demand for national and international registries for all pregnancies associated with malignancies. Long-time observation of the children born to mothers, who had been treated for malignancy are necessary.

Neoadjuvant therapy for cervical cancer

The stage-by-stage prognosis for cervical cancer patients has not improved in the past decades. Our research work concerning adjuvant chemotherapy for the early stages induced a pilot study with untreated patients in advanced stages. Patients were treated with carboplatin 300 mg/m2 plus ifosfamide 5 g/m2 on day 1. In cases of remission or no change, the therapy was repeated after 4 weeks. A third course was given only after further remission. After chemotherapy, patients were treated with surgery or radiotherapy according to feasibility. A total of 34 patients were admitted to this study. Thirty-two patients with 88 chemotherapy courses were evaluable for response and toxicity. Nineteen patients achieved remission; three achieved complete remission. The most common toxic effects were myelosuppression with grade four leukopenia (28%) and thrombocytopenia (13%). Alopecia (60%) was the main nonhematologic toxicity. In conclusion, we suggest that this regimen is as effective as other platin-containing regimens for squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix uteri, but its hematologic toxicity precludes its recommendation in an adjuvant setting.

Course, patterns, and risk-factors for chemotherapy-induced emesis in cisplatin-pretreated patients: a study with ondansetron

Vomiting and nausea are the most distressing side-effects of cancer chemotherapy. With standard antiemetic regimens (e.g. metoclopramide based combinations) sufficient antiemetic control is achieved in 50-70% of cisplatin treated patients. Ondansetron, a selective 5-HT3-receptor antagonist has shown efficacy in cisplatin-induced emesis. In the present study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of ondansetron in cisplatin pretreated patients who had suffered from severe emesis in spite of antiemetic prophylaxis. Complete antiemetic control was reached in 43.5% on the day of treatment and in 27.2% of the patients regarding a worst day analysis. 25% of the patients suffered from severe cisplatin-induced emesis (greater than 5 emetic episodes per 24 h). We try to characterise risk-factors for cisplatin-induced emesis by performing a multivariate analysis. Sex, cisplatin dose, and combination therapy with cisplatin plus anthracyclines seem to be independent risk-factors for vomiting on day 1 and on worst day. Delayed emesis occurred less often when sufficient antiemetic protection from acute vomiting had been obtained. Female sex, cisplatin dose and recurrent disease seem to influence the probability for occurrence of delayed vomiting.

[Surgical therapy of progressive or recurrent malignant ovarian tumors]

Out of a total of 120 patients operated on for recurrent ovarian cancer, two at the very best, but possibly not even one, will have a definitive chance of cure. Despite the poor long-term prognosis, as well as the lengthy operation and postoperative treatment involved, it does not seem justified to withhold surgery for recurrent disease totally. In some cases, symptoms can be treated with surgery, such as tumour pain or an impending ileus. In other cases, patients live for 10 years and longer, after multiple operations for relapse, without suffering severe physical symptoms. These are mainly patients with circumscribed, solitary, and very slowly growing tumours, in which cases, it is possible to remove the tumour again and again by surgery. The most relevant prognostic factors include the size of the residual tumour left at the primary operation, the time between the primary operation and the recurrence of the tumour, the type of growth of the recurrent tumour, as well as the extent of the tumour size reduction achieved at the first recurrence operation.

Adoptive transfer of tumor cytotoxic macrophages generated in vitro from circulating blood monocytes: a new approach to cancer immunotherapy

Cells of the macrophage lineage are considered to be of special importance in the defense of the host against tumor development and spread. Immunotherapeutic strategies to stimulate macrophage (MAC) tumor cytotoxicity make use of activating compounds such as gamma-interferon which are given systemically. However, there are several lines of evidence that in malignant disease the generation of cytotoxic effector MACs is impaired. Both defective cell maturation and loss of responsiveness to activation are described. Here, a first clinical phase I trial of adoptive immunotherapy in cancer patients using autologous MACs generated in vitro from blood monocytes (MOs) is reported. Mononuclear cells were isolated by cytapheresis and density centrifugation and cultured in hydrophobic Teflon bags for 7 days with 2% autologous serum and recombinant human gamma-interferon being present for the last 18 h. Cytotoxic MO-derived MACs were then purified by countercurrent elutriation and reinfused into the patient. A total of 72 therapies have been performed with patients being treated i.v. (n = 8) and i.p. (n = 7). In vitro generated MACs proved to be mature as judged by the expression of maturation-associated surface molecules (MAX antigens, CD16, CD51, CD71), were cytotoxic to U937 tumor cells, and were efficient secretory cells. Cell dose escalation was performed in the first patients beginning with 10(8) MACs to finally infuse the total number of cells recovered from one single cycle of isolation and culture. MAC yield varied from 1 to 17 x 10(8) representing 13-79% of MOs initially seeded. Adoptive MAc transfer was well tolerated. Side effects observed were low-grade fever (less than 38.5 degrees C), induction of the coagulation cascade, and abdominal discomfort after i.p. application. The procoagulant activity of MAC autografts was cell dose dependent and demonstrated by detection of circulating fibrin monomers and thrombin-antithrombin complexes. Biological responses observed included elevated serum neopterin levels and the appearance of interleukin-6 in sera and ascitic fluids. Indication of a possible therapeutic effect was only observed in i.p.-treated patients and consisted of disappearance of malignant ascites in 2 of 7 patients.

[Refractory vomiting with cisplatin therapy. Prospective study with the serotonin receptor antagonist GR 38032F]

Emesis in chemotherapy containing Cisplatinum (DDP) is still a therapeutical dilemma. Emesis and nausea cause the cessation of a potential curative therapy in up to 10% of patients treated with DDP. We studied the antiemetic effectiveness of the selective Serotonin (5HT3)-receptor-antagonist Ondansetron (GR 38032F, Glaxo) in patients receiving high dose platinum chemotherapy. All patients suffered from severe emesis and were refractory to any standard antiemetic regimen (Metoclopramid). We studied the efficacy of the new drug against acute and delayed emesis following platinum chemotherapy. All adverse events are listed. Thirty four courses (n = 17 patients) of a platinum-containing regimen were analyzed so far. A sufficient antiemetic efficacy was observed in 56% of the courses. In 32 of 34 course (94%) the patients preferred the new drug compared with the standard antiemetic regime (Metoclopramid). In most cases only minor adverse events--which do not require any medical therapy--occurred. The most common adverse events were headache, constipation, dry mouth, abdominal discomfort and elevation of liver enzyme level without any clinical symptoms. One patient needed bowel surgery for severe constipation based on widespread intra-abdominal carcinosis.

Phase II study of carboplatin/ifosfamide in untreated advanced cervical cancer

A total of 32 patients with advanced squamous-cell carcinoma of the cervix were treated with 300 mg/m2 i.v. carboplatin and 5 g/m2 ifosfamide as a 24-h i.v. infusion, both given on day 1 every 4 weeks. In all, 3 (9%) complete responses (CRs) and 19 (59%) objective responses (CR + PR) were achieved in 32 patients. Myelosuppression with leukopenia and/or thrombocytopenia of WHO grade 4 in 28% and 13% of patients, respectively, was the main toxicity. The results of our study suggest that carboplatin/ifosfamide is active as neoadjuvant treatment in advanced cervical cancer.

[Diagnosis and primary treatment of malignant epithelial ovarian tumor]

The treatment of ovarian cancer is still a challenge to gynecological oncology. Due to the onset of the disease without significant signs or symptoms in more of 70% of the cases, most patients already show extended metastatic disease once the primary diagnosis has been established. Following the diagnosis--which is late in most of the cases--the initial surgical treatment will be difficult because of commonly vast and rapid intraabdominal tumor growth. Consequently--in many cases--vital residual tumor has to be left in place during surgery; therefore, optimal surgery requires skill, training in surgical oncology and personal experience concerning the spread of the given type of a tumor, all the more than primary surgery has to be placed right in the center of a comprehensive therapeutic concept. Except a few, all patients suffering from ovarian cancer will be in need for post-treatment care. In FIGO stage-III/IV cases the polychemotherapy with the inclusion of platinum-compounds is generally accepted to be the best choice. Sequential therapeutic regimen starting with surgery and followed by polychemotherapy results in remission rates of 70% and more. Specifically high rates of recurrences as well as the lack of convincingly effective treatment protocols--be it for the time after primary surgery or be it for secondary approaches in cases with evidence of recurrent disease--are factors believed to cause the final poor outcome in most of the cases. As there is a tendency to progression or to recurrence specifically in ovarian cancer, knowledge about all established variations of therapeutic alternatives is so far essentially required. Furthermore, the therapy should always follow the principle of 'nihil nocere', but--on the other hand--not withhold an effective palliative treatment to those who are in need for medical help.

Role of prostaglandins on the regulation of macrophage proliferation and cytotoxic functions

The data presented show different effects of prostaglandins on proliferation and cytotoxic effector functions of murine bone-marrow derived mononuclear cells. Colony stimulating factor (CSF)-dependent proliferation of colony forming unit-cells (CFU c) was inhibited by PGE1, PGE2 and PGB2. Lymphokine induced cytotoxicity and antibody mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) of monocytes and macrophages were also affected by PG. We conclude that PGE2 may regulate macrophage mediated tumorcell-lysis mainly at the induction phase. If these processes function in vivo, one would therefore expect high affinity binding sites for PGE2 on macrophages. The existence of a receptor for PGE2 one murine bone marrow derived macrophages is described.

[Control of the response of ovarian cancers to cytostatic therapy and the value of the second-look operation]

The importance of a second-look operation (SLO) in 121 patients with ovarian carcinoma stages III and IV from 1979 to 1983 is forthwith discussed. This operation was carried out in 58% of the patients. If no tumor was suspected after chemotherapy (n = 33), this only applied in 19 cases after a SLO. Of the patients in partial remission the preoperative diagnosis was correct in 14 of 21 cases and in no change 4 of 9 cases. Clinically the progress was always diagnosed reliably. Additional removal of residual tumors was successful in 7 of 49 cases (14%). This is only possible in small quantities of residual tumor. An improvement in the prognosis did not occur. Predictions on the right time to carry out a SLO and the purpose of a secondary tumor resection cannot be made.

[Prognostic factors of ovarian cancer]

Consequent surgery and new cytostatic agents have improved the prognosis of advanced ovarian carcinoma. Relevant parameters would appear to be the FIGO staging and the size of the post-operative residual tumor. The age and response to chemotherapy are of subordinate importance. A clinical remission depends on the general condition, type of chemotherapy, and the differentiating degree of the tumor.

Formation of prostaglandins by ovarian carcinomas

Tissue contents of prostaglandins (PG) PGE2, PGE2a and 6-keto-PGF1a (degradation product of PGI2) were determined in specimens of advanced human ovarian cancer (n = 11). The PG levels (ng/mg tissue protein) varied widley: PGE2 17-515; PGF2a 2-43 and 6-keto-PGF1a 5-105. Tumors of patients without response to chemotherapy contained more PGE2, PGF2a and 6-keto-PGF1a than did tumors responding to chemotherapy. PG production was investigated in two ovarian carcinoma-derived cell lines. The ability of these cells to synthesize PG varied depending on the cell density. An increase of cell number was associated with a decrease of PG yield. PG formation was inhibited by indomethacin in a concentration-dependent manner. The present study suggests that ovarian carcinoma cells form PG in vivo and vitro.

[Chemotherapy of advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma]

The role of chemotherapy in the management of carcinoma of the ovary is becoming increasingly important. It is the first-line treatment of choice in all patients with stage III or IV of disease and where tumor deposits larger than 2 cm remain in the abdominal cavity after surgery. Until recently the main drugs have been used to treat ovarian cancer are the alkylating agents. In addition to these agents three new active drugs - hexamethylmelamine, adriamycin, cis-platinum - have been studied and their potential role is more carefully defined. Today the definition and better understanding of prognostic criteria play a primary role in the selection of treatment drugs. With continued efforts to define optimum treatment modalities and by application of some of the new treatment ideas coming from the laboratory, perhaps the poor survival of patients with ovarian epithelial malignancies will be further improved.