Genetic abnormalities and aberrant expression of genes involved in chromosome segregation and mitosis in patients with chromosomally unstable malignant soft tissue tumors haboring extensive somatic loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH)

11576

Background: Malignant soft tissue tumor is a rare cancer with few therapeutic options. Recent genomic analysis of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) revealed a high degree of chromosomal instability (CIN) including genome-wide copy number alteration, aneuploidy, whole genome doubling and chromothripsis. In STS patients, we observed extensive somatic LOH, a hallmark of CIN, which is haploid of germline mutations/variants in cancer-related genes. CIN of STS genome implicates abnormalities in chromosome segregation and mitosis. So far, studies on this issue, however, have not been reported in STS patients. Methods: We recruited 155 patients with metastatic/recurrent malignant soft tissue tumors (135 female and 20 male, mean age 51 at analysis, 100 LMS, 19 LPS, 4 ESS, 3 UPS, 3 AS, 3 MPT, 3 GIST and others) with information of familial cancer burden. Whole exome sequencing and analysis were performed in both blood and tumor samples as described in 2018ASCO. KIF18A expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results: Patients with tumors harboring less than 33% somatic LOH in a total of somatic and LOH mutations/variants in 595 COSMIC genes (n = 54) have a better prognosis than those (34-66%, n = 49, 67-100%, n = 52) with tumors harboring more LOH genes (5-year OS; 71% vs 52% or 46%, p = 0.0299, p = 0.0117, respectively). Neither TMB nor MSI status was associated with LOH. Of the genes involved in chromosome segregation and mitosis, we found that a family of ARHGAP genes which play a role in the spindle assembly and Aurora A kinase activation was frequently mutated in both tumor and germline genomes (n = 81 in a total of 155). Damaging ARHGAP mutations/variants in tumors are correlated with higher LOH values (54±3.4%, n = 81 vs. 39±3.3%, n = 74. mean±SE, p = 0.0021) and poor prognosis of patients (5-year OS; 58% n = 81 vs. 41% n = 74, p = 0.0098). We also found that elevated and robust expression of a mitotic kinesin KIF18A in tumors harboring higher LOH and/or damaging ARHGAP mutations/variants (n = 12) but not in lower LOH tumors without ARHGAP mutations/variants (n = 4). Conclusions: This study, for the first time, demonstrates that genetic abnormalities and aberrant expression of genes involved in chromosome segregation and mitosis in patients with malignant soft tissue tumors. The results reveal a novel target of drug discovery for incurable STS because CIN tumor cells are shown to be particularly vulnerable to KIF18A inhibition, while somatic, diploid cells are not.

Safety and effectiveness of eribulin in Japanese patients with soft tissue sarcoma including rare subtypes: a post-marketing observational study

BACKGROUND

Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are a heterogeneous group of cancers with over 100 described subtypes. While these cancers are infrequent, the prognosis is quite poor, particularly for those with stage IV metastatic disease. Patients for whom curative resection is difficult or those with recurrent metastatic disease are treated with chemotherapy, although the options are very limited. Eribulin is an approved treatment of all STS subtypes in Japan. Efficacy and safety data for the treatment of rare STS subtypes other than liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma (L-type sarcomas) are limited. This nationwide, multicenter, prospective, post-marketing observational study was conducted to assess the real-world effectiveness and safety of eribulin in Japanese patients with STS.

METHODS

Patients with all types of STS and who consented to eribulin treatment were eligible to participate. The observation period was 1 year, starting at treatment initiation, and clinical outcomes were followed up for 2 years after initiating treatment. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Additional outcomes included time-to-treatment failure (TTF), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and safety. ORR and DCR were evaluated using imaging findings. Effectiveness results were analyzed both for all patients and by STS subtype.

RESULTS

A total of 256 patients were enrolled; 252 and 254 were included in the effectiveness and safety analysis set, respectively. Most patients (83.1%) received an initial eribulin dose of 1.4 mg/m² (standard dose). Respective median OS (95% confidence interval [CI]) was 10.8 (8.5-13.1), 13.8 (10.1-22.3) and 6.5 (5.7-11.1) months for all, L-type, and non-L-type subtypes. The respective median TTF (95% CI) was 2.5 (2.1-2.8), 2.8 (2.3-3.7), and 2.2 (1.6-2.6) months. The ORR and DCR were 8.1 and 42.6%, respectively. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and serious ADRs were reported for 83.5 and 18.9% of patients, respectively. The main ADRs were associated with myelosuppression. No significant difference was observed in the incidence of ADRs for patients ≥65 versus <65 years old.

CONCLUSIONS

Eribulin demonstrated effectiveness and a manageable safety profile for patients with STS, although the effectiveness of eribulin was not demonstrated for some non-L-type subtypes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03058406 ( ClinicalTrials.gov ).

Accumulation of genome-wide somatic loss of heterozygosity (LOH) as a prominent feature of advanced malignant soft tissue tumors and association with the BRCAness status, suppression of immune responses, and lower survival rates

11533

Background: Malignant soft tissue tumor is a rare cancer with few therapeutic options. Recent genomic analysis revealed widespread CNA and the cumulative burden of cancer-related pathogenic germline mutations/variants, their clinical and therapeutic significance were unknown. Methods: We recruited 155 patients with advanced malignant soft tissue tumors (135 female and 20 male, mean age 51 at analysis, 100 LMS, 19 LPS, 4 ESS, 3 UPS, 3 AS, 3 MPT, 3 GIST and others) with confirmed metastasis/recurrence and information on familial cancer burden. Whole exome sequencing was performed in both blood and tumor samples as described in 2018ASCO. The copy number of BRCA2 gene was determined by the MLPA method. Tumor immune microenvironment was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The MSI status was analysed by PCR. Results: We analyzed the LOH status in 595 COSMIC genes and found that genome-wide accumulation of somatic LOH of polygenic germline mutations/variants. Patients with more than 33% LOH genes (n=102) in the total of somatic and LOH mutations showed significantly lower OS rates compared with those (n=53) with less LOH genes (5-year survival rates; 49 vs 75%, p=0.010), which constitute 78% of LMS (n=78/100) and 26% of LPS (n=5/19). Total of 41 patients (26%, n=41/155) including 33 LMS (33%, n=33/100) showed LOH in the BRCA2 locus with hemizygous VUS. Those patients with BRCA2 LOH (n=41) showed significantly lower OS rates compared with those without BRCA2 LOH (n=114) (5-year survival rates; 43 vs. 64%, p=0.019). Neither TMB nor the MSI status was associated with LOH. In contrast, accumulation of somatic LOH (mean LOH values of 71.7 vs. 15.7%) was clearly and negatively associated with CD8+T-cell immune infiltrates (T-cells; 44±23 vs 555±180/mm2, n=7, p=0.016), CD20+B-cell accumulation in tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) (TLS; 0.57±0.43 vs. 20.1±6.1/tumor, n=7, p=0.008) and low levels of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (NLR; 3.63±0.45 vs. 1.71±0.17, n=7, p=0.002), hallmarks of the immunological response to tumors. Conclusions: This study suggests that in advanced malignant soft tissue tumors, accumulation of genome-wide LOH of germline mutations/variants is associated with the BRCAness status and suppression of the immune responses to tumors, and thus influences therapeutic response and survival of the patients.

Long-term outcomes after endoscopic submucosal dissection for differentiated-type early gastric cancer that fulfilled expanded indication criteria: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Endoscopic resection for early gastric cancer (EGC) is widely performed. However, there is still a paucity of strong evidence regarding long-term outcomes after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for the expanded indication criteria of the Japanese guidelines (ver. 2010).

METHODS

Endoscopic submucosal dissection was performed in patients with EGC that met the expanded indication criteria: (i) cT1a, differentiated-type EGC of 2 to 5 cm, ulcer negative or (ii) cT1a, differentiated-type EGC of ≤3 cm, ulcer positive. Patients whose pathological examination fulfilled the curative resection criteria were then enrolled in this cohort study: negative vertical margin, negative lymphovascular invasion, and (i) pT1a, differentiated-type, and ulcer negative; (ii) pT1a, differentiated-type, ≤3 cm, and ulcer positive; or (iii) pT1b1 (<500-μm submucosal invasion), differentiated-type, and ≤3 cm. Patients with only a positive horizontal margin as a noncurative factor were included for follow-up.

RESULTS

From September 2003 to February 2012, a total of 356 patients underwent ESD, and 214 were enrolled in the survival analysis. One hundred twenty patients (56%) had >2 cm in diameter and ulcer-negative lesions, and 94 (44%) had ≤3 cm and ulcer-positive lesions. The vital status at 5 years after ESD was confirmed in all (100%) patients. No local or metastatic recurrence was detected; however, 26 metachronous gastric cancers developed, and 1 patient died of metachronous gastric cancer. The 5-year disease-specific and overall survival rates were 99.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 97.2%-100%) and 93.9% (95% CI, 89.8%-96.4%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

ESD for EGC that fulfills the expanded criteria is feasible and shows favorable long-term outcomes.

Genomic analysis of advanced malignant soft tissue tumors to suggest effect of genome-wide loss-of-heterozygosity of germline mutations/variants on anti-PD-1 immunotherapy response and survival of the patients

11531

Background: Malignant soft tissue tumor is a rare cancer with few therapeutic options. Although recent genomic characterization of soft tissue sarcoma revealed massive CNA and an excess of polygenic burden of pathological germline variants, their clinical and therapeutic significance remains to be understood. Methods: We recruited 155 patients with malignant soft tissue tumors (135 female and 20 male, mean age 51, 100 LMS, 19 LPS, 4 ESS, 3 UPS, 3 AS, 3 MPT, 3 GIST and others) of confirmed metastasis/recurrence. Whole exome sequencing was performed as reported in 2018ASCO. The MSI status was analyzed by PCR. Tumor immune microenvironment was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results: Of the 595 COSMIC genes, heterozygous germline mutations/variants of the genome-wide 0-44 genes (av. 9.7/tumor) showed somatic loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH) with allele frequency of more than 70%. Patients with less than 33% LOH (n=53) in the total of somatic and LOH mutations showed improved 5-year survival rate compared with those (n=102) with more LOH (71% vs 52%, p=0.037). LMS (n=100) had higher value of LOH mutations than other tumors (n=55)(av. 55.5 vs 31.2%, p<0.001). Two patients with bone metastasis, one from liver undifferentiated sarcoma (case 1) and the other from uterine LMS (case 2) were identified as MSI-High and resultant higher TMB of 6.48 and 6.60/Mb, respectively than 1.47/Mb in av. Tumors from both cases had de novo mutations of MMR deficiency as EXO I (A153V) and WRN (S1120F) in case 1 and MSH2 (G674D) in case 2. Case 1 with pleural dissemination was treated with 5 cycles of Pembrolizumab (200mg/body, d1 q3weeks) but was progressive disease, while case 2 had no evaluable lesion after surgical removal of bone metastasis. Number of CD8+ T-cell infiltration (TIL), one of the best parameter with response to PD-1 blockade, was much higher in case 2 than in case 1 (av. 907 vs 290/mm2). Case 2 had no LOH mutations while case 1 had 37% LOH with more total mutations in tumor (16.1 vs 85.9/Mb). Higher values of LOH (av. 67 vs 19%) were clearly correlated with decreased density of CD8+TIL in tumor tissues (av. 9.6 vs 429/mm2, n=5, p=0.018). Conclusions: Our results, for the first time, suggest that in malignant soft tissue tumors, accumulation of genome-wide LOH of germline mutations/variants, from which self-antigens could be generated, may influence tumor immune microenvironment, and thus influence immunotherapy response and survival of the patients.

Frequent mutations of genes predisposing to Rho GTPase signal activation and autophagy inhibition in metastatic soft tissue sarcoma unveiled by paired somatic and germline genomic analyses

11071

Background: Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is well-known rare cancer with few therapeutic options. Although recent genomic analyses of sarcoma revealed few somatic mutations, massive copy number variations (CNV) and chromoplexy which correlate with worse clinical outcomes, their molecular and genomic mechanisms remain to be understood. Methods: We recruited 116 patients (102 female and 14 male, mean age 50, 80 LMS, 14 LPS, 3 AS and others) and performed whole exome sequencing with the methods as reported in ASCO2018. In addition to somatic mutations, we evaluated germline and CNV contributions in tumor to find LOH mutations by Strelka and Virmid analysis softwares. Results: Of the total of 135-4717 (mean 1129) mutations in tumors, 3-111 (mean 32) mutations were found in 595 COSMIC genes including both somatic and LOH mutations. Less than 33% LOH in the total of somatic and LOH mutations significantly correlated with improved 5-year survival rate as compared with patients with more LOH (81% vs 52%, P=0.01). Among the 224 genes reported in somatic mutations of sarcoma, damaging mutations in ARHGAPs, Rho GTPase signal inactivating genes, were most frequently detected in 59% of total (n=116) and 63% of leiomyosarcoma (n=80) patients as in somatic and/or LOH mutations. Patients with ARHGAP mutations were significantly reduced 5-year survival rates as compared with patients without mutation (51% vs 76%, P=0.007). Among the 163 genes involved in autophagy, a key silencing process for active RhoGTPase, one or more damaging mutations as in somatic and/or LOH mutations were found in 87% in total and 96% in leimyosarcoma patients. Conclusions: Our results, for the first time, suggest an important role of mutations in genes involved in Rho GTPase and autophagy signaling, both well known regulator of chromosomal stability, invasion and metastasis of tumor cells, and thus implicate a potential therapeutic target in STS.

High Titer of Acquired Factor V Inhibitor Presenting with a Pseudo-deficiency of Multiple Coagulation Factors

Acquired coagulation factor inhibitor is a rare coagulation disorder. We herein report a patient with acquired factor V inhibitor showing a decrease in multiple coagulation factor activities. A high titer of factor V inhibitor presumably led to a marked inhibition of factor V activity in the specific factor-deficient plasma used in coagulation factor activity assays based on either an activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) or prothrombin time (PT) clotting assay, resulting in false low values of the coagulation activity. We re-examined the coagulation factor activity using several dilutions of the patient's plasma and confirmed that the high factor V inhibitor titer had caused an apparent decrease in multiple coagulation factor activities.

Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma with metastasis to the mesentery of the small intestine: A case report

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHAE) is a vascular tumor which, due to its rarity, is often misdiagnosed as other hepatic tumors based on radiological characteristics. We herein report a case of EHAE in the liver and the mesentery of the small intestine. A 64-year-old asymptomatic woman was admitted to the hospital due to a hepatic tumor identified using computed tomography (CT). An enhanced CT scan revealed multiple tumors in the liver and a tumor in the mesentery. One of the hepatic tumors and the mesenteric tumor were resected and histologically examined. The two tumors exhibited similar histological characteristics and were diagnosed as EHAE. When multiple tumors are found in the liver, EHAE should be included in the differential diagnosis, as the prognosis of EHAE differs from that of carcinoma or benign tumors.

Acute compartment syndrome as the initial manifestation of chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia: a case report and review of the literature

Background

Acute compartment syndrome is an orthopedic emergency requiring urgent fasciotomy to prevent irreversible damage. In hematological malignancies, acute compartment syndrome caused by severe soft tissue bleeding is extremely rare. We present a patient with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia who had acute compartment syndrome caused by severe soft tissue bleeding in her right forearm.

Case presentation

A 72-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our hospital with swelling and pain of her right forearm without a previous history of trauma. She was diagnosed with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia. Extreme thrombocytosis was present, although no evidence of acquired von Willebrand disorder was found. Compartment syndrome caused by soft tissue bleeding was confirmed. An emergency fasciotomy for decompression was conducted. However, sustained postoperative bleeding occurred and required massive red cell concentrate transfusion. As her platelet count decreased by cytoreductive therapy, complete hemostasis was achieved.

Conclusions

Patients with an extremely high platelet count might be at high risk for severe bleeding complications even without acquired von Willebrand disease. For the control of severe bleeding complications in patients with myeloproliferative disorder, the importance of thrombocyte reduction should be recognized.

Enhanced miR-210 expression promotes the pathogenesis of endometriosis through activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3

STUDY QUESTION

What are the roles of the microRNA miR-210-an miRNA that is up-regulated in endometriotic cyst stromal cells (ECSCs)-in the pathogenesis of endometriosis?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Up-regulated miR-210 expression in ECSCs is involved in their proliferation, resistance to apoptosis and angiogenesis through signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

In the pathogenesis of endometriosis, a number of roles for microRNAs (miRNAs) are becoming apparent.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

ECSCs and normal endometrial stromal cells (NESCs) were isolated from ovarian endometriotic tissues (patients aged 24-40 years undergoing salpingo-oophorectomy or evisceration for the treatment of ovarian endometriotic cysts, n = 10) and the eutopic endometrial tissues without endometriosis (premenopausal patients aged 35-45 years undergoing hysterectomies for subserousal leiomyoma, n = 13), respectively.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

We used a global gene expression microarray technique to identify downstream targets of miR-210, and we assessed the functions of miR-210 in the pathogenesis of endometriosis by using the miR-210-transfected NESCs.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Gene expression microarray analysis revealed that one of the key target molecules of miR-210 is STAT3. In the NESCs, in comparison to the control, miR-210 transfection resulted in the induction of cell proliferation (P < 0.0005), the production of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) (P < 0.0005) and the inhibition of apoptosis (P < 0.05) through STAT3 activation [increased levels of mRNA (P < 0.0005), and protein (P < 0.005)]. In the ECSCs, inhibitors of STAT3 inhibited the cell proliferation and VEGF production (P < 0.05), and induced the apoptosis of these cells (P < 0.05).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

The roles of aberrant miR-210 expression were investigated only in the stromal component of ectopic and eutopic endometrium. Control endometrial tissues were obtained from premenopausal patients who had subserosal leiomyoma and NESC gene expression patterns may be altered in these women. Furthermore, the effects of STAT3 inhibitors were evaluated only in ECSCs and not in NESCs.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

The present findings indicate that miR-210 induces NESCs to differentiate into the endometriotic phenotype and we speculate that up-regulated miR-210 expression in ECSCs is involved in the creation of the endometriosis-specific cellular dysfunctions through epigenetic mechanisms. The data indicate that STAT3 inhibitors may be promising candidates for the treatment of endometriosis.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS

This work was supported in part by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (no. 13237327 to K.N., no. 25861500 to Y.K. and no. 23592407 to H.N.). There are no conflicts of interest to declare.

Long-term survival of EMR-PDT for gastric cancer

85

Background: Some patients and their family refuse to undergo the surgical operation because of age or complicated diseases. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) technique is popular in Japan. This method has the advantage of a histologic examination, but its uses are limited to mucosal lesions and a part of submucosal lesions (sm1). For early gastric cancer, we treated patients by photodynamic therapy (PDT) in combination with EMR (that is EMR-PDT). Methods: We treated twenty-five patients with gastric cancer by EMR-PDT from April, 1997 till March, 2004. The median age was 79 (56-88) years old. All the patients were diagnosed that it is impossible to undergo a surgical operation due to their age or complicated diseases. The endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) showed massive invasion of the submucosal layer in sixteen cancer lesions and the muscularis propria in nine cancer lesions.In order to reduce the tumor size, piecemeal snarectomy (EMR) is performed. One week later, PDT is performed. After the intravenous injection of 2 mg/kg of Photofrin, the excimer dye laser (EDL) at 630 nm is irradiated transmitted endoscopically. The energy intensity is over 60 J/cm2. Results: 1. Early gastric cancer (sm massive): as for complications, two patients showed pyloric stenosis after treatment but both of them were cured successfully by endoscopic treatment. As for local response, 15 out of 16 patients showed cure completely. From a viewpoint of long-term outcome, during the observation period of five years (from one year to 11 years), nine patients died and six patients are alive. Only one patint died of gastric cancer four years later, and other eight patients died from other causes. The longest cancer survivor is still alive after 11 years after EMR-PDT with no recurrence of cancer. Disease-specific survival is 93%. Three- year survival rate is 85%. 2. Advanced cancer: Any of the patient were not alive more than three years. 3. Regardless of their advanced age and complications, such as liver dysfunction and renal dysfunctions, both PDT and EMR-PDT showed extremely high safety. No treatment related death was observed. Conclusions: EMR-PDT is a promising method for early gastric cancer because of its safety and long-term good outcome.

The role of serum adiponectin levels in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

The aim of this study was to measure serum adiponectin concentrations in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and to assess possible correlations between adiponectin and the hormonal or metabolic parameters of this syndrome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Serum adiponectin levels were evaluated in 20 women with PCOS and 22 women without PCOS whose age and body mass index (BMI) matched the patients. The levels of fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, gonadotropin, and sex steroid hormones were evaluated in both groups. The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) score was also calculated. The serum adiponectin levels were assayed by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

Serum adiponectin levels were significantly lower in obese women than in normal-weight women, and they were also significantly lower in PCOS patients with HOMA scores greater than 1.7 compared with those with HOMA scores lower than 1.7. When the subjects were divided in two groups based on serum adiponectin levels (> 40 microg/ml, < 40 microg/ml), 65% of patients with PCOS were included in the lower adiponectin group (p < 0.05). In addition, gonadotropin levels were increased, dependent on the adiponectin levels in women with PCOS.

CONCLUSION

Adiponectin is regarded as a possible link between adiposity and insulin resistance (IR). From this data, the secretions of gonadotropin are implicated in the levels of adiponectin in women with PCOS. It is suggested that adiponectin may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

[Examination of taste threshold and serum zinc level change after chemotherapy]

For cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, there is an onset of a variety of adverse events related to treatment. Among the adverse events at the moment is taste disorder, for which there is no established effective supportive care. We report the measurement and study their relationship across the changes in serum zinc and changes in the taste of patients undergoing chemotherapy. For cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, taste threshold and serum zinc levels were measured on the day before administration of the therapeutic anti-cancer agent, and after administration of anticancer drugs on day 4 and day 7. Of taste thresholds in the test results, the threshold was salty on day 4 and day 7 after administration of anticancer agents, and a significant difference was found on day 7 after treatment with anticancer drugs on a day prior to administration of anticancer agents on day 1 (p<0. 001, p=0. 007), respectively. The serum zinc level was measured. There was no significant difference on day 7 after administration of anticancer agents and anti-cancer agent before administration on day 1 and day 7 after administration of anticancer drugs on day 4(p<0. 001, p<0. 05), respectively. A negative correlation was shown between the "salt of the fourth day threshold" and "serum zinc levels" (r=-0. 418, p<v0. 05). From the results of this study, salty and low serum zinc values tended to be blunted. The higher the serum zinc level was, the more sensitivity there was to salty taste.

Depression and pregnancy-associated death by suicide after spinal cord injury: a case report

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

To report a case of a pregnant woman with traumatic spinal cord injury complicated with a psychiatric disorder.

CASE REPORT

A 24-year-old woman at 18 weeks of gestation was transferred to our hospital with a history of having jumped from a third-floor apartment patio.

RESULT

A trauma survey showed no life-threatening hemorrhage, and fetal wellbeing was confirmed. Neurological examination showed complete loss of motor and sensory function in her lower extremities. Termination of pregnancy was advised and was achieved medically. Surgical intervention was performed to achieve stabilization of the spine and decompression of neural elements. After the operation, she was referred to a psychiatrist, and the administration of paroxetine, etizolam and flunitrazepam was begun. Four months after undergoing the abortion, she choked herself to death on her ward bed.

CONCLUSION

Although it is rare, we should pay special attention to the substantial suicide risk of women who face severe spinal cord injury.

Regulation of interleukin-1alpha and tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced interleukin-8 production by amnion-derived (WISH) cells

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

It has been reported that interleukin (IL)-8 is produced in the amnion and that its production is enhanced by the initiation of labor. The purpose of this study was to clarify the mechanism of IL-8 production by amnion-derived (WISH) cells.

METHODS

Cells were cultured and treated with various concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-1 receptor antagonist (ra), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- alpha, C2-, C6-ceramide, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor (U0126) and pyridinyl imidazole (p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, SB203580). IL-8 in the culture medium was measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

The production of IL-8 was significantly increased by IL-1alpha or TNF-alpha, and the increase of IL-8 stimulated by IL-1alpha was suppressed by IL-1 ra in a dose-dependent manner. The increase in IL-8 production by IL-1alpha or TNF-alpha was further enhanced by simultaneous addition of C2-ceramide. The increase of IL-8 stimulated by IL-1alpha or TNF-alpha was also suppressed by treatment with U0126 or SB203580. The results of this study demonstrate that the production of IL-8 induced by IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha is enhanced by C2-ceramide, and suppressed by MEK inhibitor or P38 MAP kinase inhibitor.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that ceramide-mediated accumulation and MAP kinase-mediated suppression of inflammatory events in the amnion may play an important role in the maintenance of pregnancy and initiation of labor.

[Investigation of gastric cancer chemotherapy in hiroshima prefecture]

AIM

The Hiroshima Oncology Group of Gastric Cancer(HOG-GC)distributed a multiple-answer questionnaire to investigate the realities of chemotherapy for gastric cancer.

SUBJECTS AND METHOD

Seventy-six hospitals in Hiroshima were surveyed. The Japanese classification was used for the staging criteria.

RESULTS

Forty-one hospitals, including 10 centers for cancer treatment, completed and returned the questionnaires. For stage II & III cases requiring adjuvant chemotherapy, S-1 was the most commonly used(84%)regimen. A standard starting dose was used in 79% of these cases, and S-1 was administered for one year continuously in 84% of the cases. For stage I B & II (T1), S-1 and UFT were used in 45%and 20%of the cases, respectively. In cases with non-resectable gastric cancer, S-1 plus CDDP and S-1 alone were used as a first-line therapy in 62% and 26% of the patients under 75 years age, respectively, and in 33% and 46% of the patients older than 75 years of age, respectively. In patients with ascites and peritoneal dissemination, S-1 plus CDDP, S-1, S-1 plus DTX, S-1 plus PTX, and PTX were used in 26%, 15%, 21%, 17%, and 17% of cases, respectively. Some of the patients with peritoneal dissemination underwent gastrectomy.

CONCLUSION

S-1 was widely used for gastric cancer chemotherapy in Hiroshima Prefecture. Taxane-containing regimens or palliative gastrectomy were commonly used in cases with peritoneal dissemination.

Assessing clinical benefit response in the treatment of gastric malignant ascites with non-measurable lesions: a multicenter phase II trial of paclitaxel for malignant ascites secondary to advanced/recurrent gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Paclitaxel has shown promise against advanced gastric cancer and associated malignant ascites with non-measurable lesions. In order to evaluate the therapeutic effect of paclitaxel against malignant gastric ascites, a prospective phase II clinical trial was designed according to our previously proposed criteria represented by the clinical benefit response in gastric cancer (CBR-GC) criteria and the five-point method (5PM).

METHODS

Patients with advanced gastric cancer with malignant ascites were treated with 1-h intravenous (i.v.) infusions of 80 mg/m² of paclitaxel weekly over a 3-week cycle on days 1, 8, and 15, followed by 1 week of rest. Therapeutic responses were measured according to the CBR-GC criteria and the 5PM.

RESULTS

The CBR-GC criteria showed improved ascites volume and functional status in 39.1% of patients. A positive CBR-GC response in abdominal girth was seen in 31.3% of patients, and this was significantly correlated with the 5PM-estimated change in ascites volume (p < 0.001). The median number of treatment cycles was 3 (range 1-12). The most common non-hematological toxicity was anorexia, in 22.2% of patients.

CONCLUSION

Weekly i.v. paclitaxel is a safe and effective chemotherapeutic regimen based on validated CBR-CG criteria.

Primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the vagina

PURPOSE

Primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the vagina is a rare disease which is characterized by aggressiveness and poor prognosis because of its rapid growth and recurrence, its frequent distant metastases, and its relative resistance to conventional treatment modalities including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. We report a case of advanced stage primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the vagina that showed a highly aggressive course and resistance to combination chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin.

CASE

A 46-year-old multigravid Japanese woman was admitted to our hospital to be treated for Stage IVb primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the vagina. She had no history of in utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol. She was treated by two courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with tri-weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin, which were not effective. Subsequently, total pelvic exenteration with pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed. However, the disease progressed rapidly and the patient died five months after the initial treatment.

CONCLUSION

Because of its rarity, little is known about the behavior of primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the vagina. Additional data about patients with this rare tumor should be collected and analyzed in an attempt to elucidate its prognostic factors, characteristics, optimal treatment, and outcome.

Villoglandular papillary adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix diagnosed during pregnancy

Villoglandular papillary adenocarcinoma (VPA) is a very rare subtype of adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix but a well recognized variant of cervical adenocarcinoma with a favorable prognosis generally occurring in women of child-bearing age. Only five cases of VPA and pregnancy have been reported. Herein, we report a case of VPA diagnosed during pregnancy and this patient delivered a healthy baby. A successful pregnancy can be completed in patients with VPA without lymph-vascular invasion, when treated conservatively. This management is particularly desirable in young women to preserve reproductive capability.

Involvement of resistance to apoptosis in the pathogenesis of endometriosis

Endometriosis, a disease affecting 3-10% of women of reproductive age, is characterized by the ectopic growth of endometrial tissue. Increasingly, endometriosis is also becoming recognized as a condition in which ectopic endometrial cells exhibit abnormal proliferative and apoptotic regulation in response to appropriate stimuli. Apoptosis plays a critical role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and represents a normal function to eliminate excess or dysfunctional cells. Accumulated evidence suggests that, in healthy women, endometrial cells expelled during menstruation do not survive in ectopic locations because of programmed cell death, while decreased apoptosis may lead to the ectopic survival and implantation of these cells, resulting in the development of endometriosis. Both the inability of endometrial cells to transmit a 'death' signal and the ability of endometrial cells to avoid cell death have been associated with increased expression of anti-apoptotic factors and decreased expression of pre-apoptotic factors. This paper is a review of the recent literature focused on the differential expression of apoptosis-associated molecules in the normal endometria of women without endometriosis, and in the eutopic and ectopic endometria of women with endometriosis. The role of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and the basic and clinical research on the current medical treatment for endometriosis from the view of apoptosis will be discussed.

Updated result on the 2.5-year follow-up of GC0301/TOP-002: Randomized phase III study of irinotecan plus S-1 (IRI-S) versus S-1 alone as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer (AGC)

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Background: IRI-S had longer in median survival time (MST) than S-1 alone, and was well tolerated in previously untreated AGC, but not statistically significant. Considering 68 patients (pts) were censored, further follow-up was needed to confirm the OS with more precision (Imamura et al. ASCO-GI 2008). We now present updated results of OS and exploratory analysis with the prolonged 2.5 year follow-up data. Methods: Treatments Arm A (oral S-1 80 mg/m2/day from Day 1 to 28, q6w), or Arm B (IRI-S; oral S-1 80 mg/m2/day from Day 1 to 21 and intravenous irinotecan 80 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 15, q5w) were continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicities were observed. The primary endpoint was to compare OS between groups. This updated result was regarded as exploratory position. Results: Although the MST of Arm A was 319 days (95%Cl: 286–395) and of Arm B was 389 days (95%Cl: 324–459), Arm B didn’t show statistically significant superiority to Arm A (log-rank test p=0.54; hazard ratio (HR) =0.93). The 1-year survival was 45.0% in Arm A and 52.0% in Arm B, and the 2-year survival was 22.5% and 18.0%, respectively. Response rate was significantly different (Arm A/B, 26.9%/41.5%; chi-square test p=0.04) in 187 patient evaluated by RECIST criteria. Time to treatment failure was also favored in Arm B (median=138 days) compared to Arm A (111 days; log-rank test p=0.16; HR=0.85). In subset analyses, two groups showed possibility of clinical benefit in Arm B. The HR of diffuse type group was 0.71 (95%Cl: 0.52–0.96), and of PS1, 2 group was 0.63 (95%Cl: 0.42–0.95). As post protocol treatment, 45.6% of Arm A patients received an irinotecan-based regimen, and the MST of them was 496 days (95%Cl: 395–573). Conclusions: IRI-S did not show statistically significant superiority to S-1 alone in OS with this follow-up data. Post protocol treatment, effective treatment after S-1 failure might have affected survival. According to exploratory analyses, IRI-S may have clinical benefit in early-term of treatment, group of the diffuse type and that of PS1, 2. We need more considering predictive factors, because the gastric cancer is heterogeneous adenocarcinoma.

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[The effectiveness of S-1 based sequential chemotherapy as second-line treatment for advanced/recurrent gastric cancer]

BACKGROUND

We conducted this study to evaluate the efficacy of S-1 combination chemotherapy as second-line treatment for advanced/recurrent gastric cancer that was resistant to S-1 based chemotherapy as first-line treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We evaluated patients included in phase II.III clinical trials, that is SPIRITS trial(S-1 vs CDDP +S-1), GC0301/TOP-002(S-1 vs CPT-11+S-1), OGSG0002(S-1+CPT-11)and OGSG0105(S-1+paclitaxel). Eligibility criteria at first-line included; pathologically proven gastric cancer, adequate bone marrow, hepatic, and renal functions, PS 0-2, no prior therapy, life expectancy estimated > or =12 weeks, age 20-75 years and written informed consent. Endpoints were as follows; )PFS in first-line and second-line, )Time to Second Progression(TSP), 3) OS.

RESULTS

Sixty-six patients were evaluable in this study. We classified these patients into 4 groups according to the protocol. A)S-1 alone in first-line and S-1 combination in second-line(n=7), B)S-1 alone in first-line and other drugs in second-line(n=13), C)S-1 combination in first-line and another S-1 combination in second-line(n=33), D) S-1 combination in first-line and other drugs in second-line(n=13). We compared S-1 combination group(A+C)to other drugs group(B+D)in second-line. In first-line, PFS was 157.5 days in group(A+C)and 130 days in group(B +D)(p=0.2749). In second-line, PFS, TSP and OS were as follows; 72.5, 256.5, 473 days in group(A+C)and 56, 201.5, 398.5 days(PFS; p=0.0806, TSP: p=0.0718, OS: p=0.0204)in group(B+D), respectively. With regards to adverse events, group(A+C)in first-line showed higher frequency in grade 3/4 leukopenia(10%), febrile neutropenia(5%)and grade 3 diarrhea(10%)than group(B+D). In second-line, group(B+D)showed grade 3/4 leukopenia (12%)and neutropenia(8%)than group(A+C). There were no treatment-related deaths.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that S-1 combination chemotherapy is efficient as second-line for advanced/recurrent gastric cancer that got resistant to S-1 based chemotherapy as first-line.

Comparison of EMR and endoscopic submucosal dissection for en bloc resection of early esophageal cancers in Japan

BACKGROUND

EMR and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are now being increasingly used for the treatment of esophageal cancers. However, their efficacies in smaller lesions have not been compared.

OBJECTIVE

For effective use of these methods, we compared the results of ESD and 2 major EMR methods for treating esophageal cancers of <or=20 mm.

DESIGN

A retrospective study.

SETTING

A cancer-referral center.

PATIENTS

A total of 136 patients with 171 lesions <or=20 mm who presented between January 2002 and October 2007 were enrolled.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

En bloc and curative resection.

RESULTS

Of the 171 lesions, 168 were squamous-cell carcinoma and 3 were adenocarcinoma. The en bloc resection rates decreased in the order of ESD (100%), EMR using a transparent cap (EMRC) (87%), and 2-channel EMR (71%). However, the differences showed only marginal significance. The curative resection rate of ESD (97%) was significantly higher than those of the other 2 methods. Furthermore, the curative resection rate of EMRC (71%) was significantly higher than that of 2-channel EMR (46%). In lesions <15 mm, the en bloc and curative resection rates were significantly higher for EMRC (100% and 86%, respectively) than 2-channel EMR (86% and 51%, respectively), whereas no significant differences were found between the en bloc and curative resection rates of EMRC and ESD. There were no differences in the complication rates.

LIMITATIONS

A single-center, retrospective analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

ESD was found to be the best endoscopic resection method, even for smaller esophageal cancers. EMRC would be a good alternative to ESD for lesions <15 mm.

Phase II study of a combination of S-1 and paclitaxel in patients with unresectable or metastatic gastric cancer

OBJECTIVES

A phase II study of weekly paclitaxel combined with S-1, a novel oral fluoropyrimidine, was performed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability in unresectable or metastatic gastric cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-nine patients with unresectable and/or metastatic gastric cancer were enrolled in the study. Paclitaxel 50 mg/m(2) was administered on days 1 and 8. S-1 was administered orally at 40 mg/m(2) b.i.d. for 14 consecutive days, followed by a 1-week rest. The primary endpoint was the response rate. Secondary endpoints were safety and overall survival.

RESULTS

The overall response rate in 29 patients was 48.3%, differentiated 36.4% and undifferentiated 55.6%. The median survival time was 13.9 months. Grade 3 or higher toxicity was observed in neutropenia (3.4%), diarrhea (3.4%), bilirubin (3.4%) and neuropathy (3.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

Combination chemotherapy of weekly paclitaxel and S-1 demonstrated tolerable toxicity and efficacy. This regimen will be one of the initial treatment options for unresectable or metastatic gastric cancer.

Phase II study of a combination of irinotecan and S-1 in patients with advanced gastric cancer (OGSG0002)

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To investigate the efficacy and safety of the combination therapy of irinotecan (CPT-11) plus S-1 in patients with advanced gastric cancer at the dose recommended by a previous phase I study.

METHODS

A total of 23 patients received 80 mg/m(2) of CPT-11 on days 1 and 15, and S-1 at a dose level set on the basis of the body surface area (BSA): 40 (BSA <1.25 m(2)), 50 (BSA > or =1.25 to <1.5 m(2)) or 60 mg (BSA > or =1.5 m(2)) b.i.d. was given from days 1-21.

RESULTS

The overall response rate was 47.8% (11 of 23, 95% confidence interval, CI: 27.4-68.2%). The median time to progression (TTP) was 210 days (95% CI: 145-322 days) and the median survival time was 394 days (95% CI: 241-484 days). The incidence of grade 3 or 4 hematological and non-hematological toxicity was 17.4 and 8.7%. The most common hematological toxicity was anemia and the most common non-hematological toxicity was diarrhea.

CONCLUSION

The combination therapy of CPT-11 and S-1 provided prolonged TTP with low toxicity, and the results warrant a further phase III study to define the efficacy in improvement of survival in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Multi-center phase II study for combination therapy with paclitaxel/doxifluridine to treat advanced/recurrent gastric cancer showing resistance to S-1 (OGSG 0302)

BACKGROUND

A pre-clinical study demonstrated that paclitaxel induced thymidine phosphorylase in the tumor tissues. The combination of paclitaxel and doxifluridine is expected to exert extra anti-tumor effects. We evaluated the efficacy of this combination in patients with unresectable or recurrent gastric cancer who had been previously treated with S-1.

METHODS

Registration was started to enroll 35 patients with advanced/recurrent gastric cancer, who were selected among those with measurable lesions fitting to response evaluation criteria in solid tumors, and with resistant to S-1 treatment. This regimen is consisted of paclitaxel, 80 mg/m(2), iv on days 1 and 8; and doxifluridine, 600 mg/m(2), po on days 1-14. The treatment was repeated every three weeks. Primary endpoint was response rate (RR); and secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) and onset rate of adverse events.

RESULTS

From September 2003 to March 2005, 35 patients were registered: including 28 men; 7 women; median age of 66 years (range, 49-75 years); and performance status (PS) levels were, zero with 21 and one with 14 patients. In 33 eligible patients, except two, clinical usefulness was evaluated resulting in RR of 18.2% (partial response, 6; stable disease, 15; progressive disease, 10; and not evaluable, 2 patients). Median survival time was 321 days and median PFS was 119 days. Severe adverse events were found in three patients to discontinue the present treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of paclitaxel and doxifluridine might be a treatment of choice as a second line chemotherapy for patient undergone S-1 treatment.

Bowel obstruction due to endometriosis in the rectovaginal septum

It is very rare that endometriotic lesions in the rectovaginal septum cause ileus. We report a case of bowel obstruction due to endometriotic lesions in the rectovaginal septum in a 22-year-old woman whose barium enema presented with apple-core-like findings. Diagnostic and treatment modalities were discussed. Preoperative and postoperative gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog and aromatase inhibitor therapy promote relief of clinical symptoms, a reduction of tumor volume and a better approach to radical surgery.

Primary malignant melanoma of the vagina

Malignant melanoma originating in the vagina is considered extremely rare and has a very poor prognosis. We report a case of a 70-year-old woman with primary malignant melanoma of the vagina, and discuss the importance of prognostic factors and the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Phase I/II study of CPT-11 plus UFT in patients with advanced/recurrent colorectal cancer: Osaka Gastrointestinal Cancer Chemotherapy Study Group (OGSG): Protocol 0102

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of this study was to explore the efficacy and safety of combined chemotherapy with CPT-11 and UFT in patients with advanced/metastatic colorectal cancer.

METHODS

Twenty-two patients with metastatic colorectal cancer were enrolled in the phase I trial and 35 patients (including eight patients treated at level 4 during phase I) were evaluated in the phase II trial. Treatment consisted of two 35-day cycles of combination chemotherapy with CPT-11 and UFT. During phase I, CPT-11 was administered on days 1 and 15 as an intravenous infusion over 90 min at four different dose levels, starting from a dose of 80 mg/m2 (level 1). During phase II, the dose of CPT-11 was fixed at 150 mg/m2 based on the results of the phase I study. UFT was administered orally at a fixed dose of 300 mg/m2 on days 1-28, followed by a 1-week drug holiday, during each course (35 days).

RESULTS

The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of CPT-11 was determined to be 150 mg/m2 during the phase I trial. The major toxicities detected during phase II in 35 patients receiving CPT-11 at this recommended dose were grade 3/4 neutropenia in nine patients (25.7%) and grade 3/4 anorexia in six patients (11.4%). No severe adverse events occurred. The overall response rate and the median overall survival time was 22.9% (8/35) and 23.9 months for all patients, respectively. For pre-treated patients they were 26.3% (5/19) and 25.1 months, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This combination of CPT-11 and UFT is considered to be both feasible and relatively safe. The response rate of the patients receiving CPT-11 at a dose of 150 mg/m2 was comparable to that reported previously for 5-FU-based regimens coupled with CPT-11, and this regimen can probably be beneficial for patients with pre-treated advanced colorectal cancer on an outpatient basis.

Multi-center, phase II study for combination therapy with paclitaxel/doxifluridine to treat advanced/recurrent gastric cancer showing resistance to S-1: Final results (OGSG 0302)

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Background: We report here results of phase II study for a combination therapy with paclitaxel/doxifluridine to treat advanced/recurrent gastric cancer showing resistance to S-1. S-1 is an oral fluoropyrimidine drug that combines tegafur, CDHP, and oxonic acid (Oxo), which has been most frequently used in Japan. Methods: Subject registration was started to employ 35 patients with advanced/recurrent gastric cancer, who were selected among those with measurable lesions fitting to RECIST, and with resistant to S-1 treatment (PS, 0–2; and patient’s ages ranged from over 20 to under 75 years). We employed dosages that Hyodo et. al. used in phase I study and recommended as a standard regimen including paclitaxel, 80 mg/m2, i.v. on days 1 and 8; and doxifluridine, 600 mg/m2, p.o. on days 1–14.. These were repeated every 3 weeks. Primary endpoint of present phase II study was: RR; and secondary endpoints were OS, PFS, and onset rate of adverse events. Results: From September, 2003 to March, 2005, 35 patients were registered: including 28 men; 7 women; median age of 66 years (range, 49–75 years); and PS levels were, zero with 21 and one with 14 patients. In 33 eligible patients, except 2, clinical usefulness was evaluated resulting in response rate of 18.2% (PR, 6; SD, 15; PD, 10; and NE, 2 patients). OS was 321 days, and PFS was 119 days. Severe adverse events were found in 3 patients to discontinue the present treatment though; other adverse events were relatively mild without no death due to the present therapy. Conclusions: Patients in the present study with advanced/recurrent gastric cancer were those resistant to S-1 treatment. Response rate was 18.2% increasing to 63.6% when SD was added. OS resulted in relatively long period of 321 days, while OS from initial time starting S-1 treatment was 619 days. This suggests that the present treatment is useful as the sequential therapy. Adverse events were controllable suggesting a high reliability of the present therapy. In conclusion, the present therapy with paclitaxel/doxifluridine could be a treatment of choice as an useful second line chemotherapy for patients undergone S-1 treatment.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Randomized phase III study of S-1 alone versus S-1 + cisplatin in the treatment for advanced gastric cancer (The SPIRITS trial) SPIRITS: S-1 plus cisplatin vs S-1 in RCT in the treatment for stomach cancer

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Background: S-1 has been widely used against advanced gastric cancer (AGC) not only as monotherapy but also in combination with other cytotoxic compounds. Results of a phase I/II study combining S-1 + cisplatin (CDDP) were very encouraging with a high response rate (RR) of 76%, and the MST (Median Survival Time) of 383 days (Koizumi W et al, Br J Cancer, 2003). Based on these results, a phase III study comparing S-1 alone with S-1 + CDDP has been conducted to further evaluate the efficacy and safety for S-1 + CDDP as a standard treatment for AGC. Methods: This is a randomized, controlled, open-label, parallel, multicenter study. Patients (pts) are randomized to one of two treatment arms. Arm A: Pts receive oral S-1 (40 mg/m2) twice daily 28 days followed by 14 days rest. Arm B: Pts receive oral S-1 (40 mg/m2) twice daily 21 days followed by 14 days rest plus CDDP (60 mg/m2) iv on day 8. Eligibility criteria included unresectable/recurrent AGC, age 20–74, no prior chemotherapy for AGC. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Main secondary endpoints included RR, time to treatment failure (TTF) and toxicity. Based on planned sample size of 284 pts, the trial was designed to have 90% power to detect an improvement in median OS from 8 to 12 months (2-sided log-rank test; significance level 0.05). Results: 305 pts (Arm A/B, 152/153) were randomized between Mar 2002 and Nov 2004. The eligible pts were 299 (Arm A/B, 150/149). Median age was 62.0/61.5 yrs. At a 2 yrs follow-up since last patient in, the MST for Arm A was 335.5 days (95%CI: 292.0 - 402.0) and for Arm B was 396.0 days (95%CI: 342.0 - 471.0). The OS for Arm B was superior to Arm A (log-rank p=0.0366, hazard ratio: 0.774, 95% CI: 0.608 - 0.985). RR was 31.1% for Arm A and 54.0% for Arm B. In Arm A vs Arm B, the most common grade 3/4 toxicities were: leucopenia, 2.0% vs 11.5%; neutropenia, 10.7% vs 39.9%; anemia (decreased Hb), 4.0% vs 25.7%; nausea, 1.3% vs 11.5%; anorexia, 6.0% vs 30.4%. No treatment related death was observed. Conclusions: The combination treatment of S-1 and CDDP met primary endpoint of OS, and was found to be effective and well tolerated in pts with AGC. Accordingly, this regimen can be regarded as one of first-line standard treatment for AGC.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Multicenter phase II study of irinotecan plus bolus fluorouracil/l-leucovorin for metastasic colorectal cancer

Treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer remains inadequate.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a multicentre Phase II study, irinotecan (100 mg/m2), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (500 mg/m2), and l-leucovorin (l-LV) (250 mg/m2) were administered on days 1, 8, and 15 of a five-week cycle. Forty-five patients were enrolled.

RESULTS

The objective response rate was 26.7%. The median survival time was 21.8 months and the one-year survival rate was 73.3%. The median number of cycles was 4.0, with a median relative dose intensity of 83.3% for both irinotecan and 5-FU. Grade 3 or 4 haematological toxicities were anaemia in four patients, leukopaenia in six patients, and neutropaenia in 15 patients, while non-haematological toxicities were diarrhoea in three patients, and nausea, vomiting, anorexia and increased transaminases in two patients each. No treatment-related deaths occurred.

CONCLUSION

Irinotecan plus 5-FU/l-LV can be used to treat metastatic colorectal cancer on an outpatient basis.

Phase II study of protracted irinotecan infusion and a low-dose cisplatin for metastatic gastric cancer

AIM: To test protracted irinotecan infusion plus a low-dose cisplatin in this Phase II trial to decrease its toxicity.

METHODS: The eligibility criteria were: (1) histologically proven measurable gastric cancer; (2) performance status of 0 or 1; (3) no prior chemotherapy or completion of prior therapy at least 4 wk before enrollment; (4) adequate function of major organs; (5) no other active malignancy; and (6) written informed consent. The regimen consisted of irinotecan (60 mg/m²) on d 1 and 15 by 24-h infusion and cisplatin (10 mg/m²) on d 1, 2, 3, 15, 16, and 17. Treatment was repeated every 4 wk.

RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were registered between April 2000 and January 2001. The response rate for all 31 patients, 20 patients without prior chemotherapy, and 11 patients with prior chemotherapy was 52% (16/31), 60% (12/20), and 36% (4/11), respectively. The median survival time was 378 d. The median number of courses given to all patients was 2. Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 11 (35%) patients, while grade 3 to 4 diarrhea or nausea occurred in 1 (3%) and 3 (10%) patients, respectively. Fatigue was minimal as grade 1 fatigue was found only in 3 (10%) patients. Other adverse events were mild and no treatment-related deaths occurred.

CONCLUSION: This regimen showed a high level of activity and acceptable toxicity in patients with metastatic gastric cancer.