Initial experience of TAS-102 chemotherapy in Australian patients with Chemo-refractory metastatic colorectal cancer

For patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treatment with Trifluridine/Tipiracil, also known as TAS-102, improves overall survival. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of TAS-102 in a real-world population from Victoria, Australia. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the Treatment of Recurrent and Advanced Colorectal Cancer (TRACC) registry was undertaken. The characteristics and outcomes of patients receiving TAS-102 were assessed and compared to those enrolled in the registration study (RECOURSE). Across 13 sites, 107 patients were treated with TAS-102. The median age was 60 years (range: 31-83), compared to 63 for RECOURSE. Comparing registry TAS-102-treated and RECOURSE patients, 75% vs 100% were ECOG performance status 0-1, 74% vs 79% had initiated treatment more than 18 months from diagnosis of metastatic disease and 36% vs 49% were RAS wild-type. Median time on treatment was 10.4 weeks (range: 1.7-32). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3.3 months compared to 2 months in RECOURSE, while median overall survival was the same at 7.1 months. Two patients (2.3%) had febrile neutropenia and there were no treatment-related deaths, where TAS-102 dose at treatment initiation was at clinician discretion.TRACC registry patients treated with TAS-102 were younger than those from the RECOURSE trial, with similar overall survival observed. Less strict application of RECIST criteria and less frequent imaging may have contributed to an apparently longer PFS.

Association of hypomagnesemia with inferior survival in a phase III, randomized study of cetuximab plus best supportive care versus best supportive care alone: NCIC CTG/AGITG CO.17

BACKGROUND

Cetuximab-induced hypomagnesemia has been associated with improved clinical outcomes in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). We explored this relationship from a randomized clinical trial of cetuximab plus best supportive care (BSC) versus BSC alone in patients with pretreated advanced CRC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Day 28 hypomagnesemia grade (0 versus ≥1) and percent reduction (<20% versus ≥20%) of Mg from baseline was correlated with outcome.

RESULTS

The median percentage Mg reduction at day 28 was 10% (-42.4% to 63.0%) for cetuximab (N = 260) versus 0% (-21.1% to 25%) for BSC (N = 251) [P < 0.0001]. Grade ≥1 hypomagnesemia and ≥20% reduction from baseline at day 28 were associated with worse overall survival (OS) [hazard ratio, HR 1.61 (95% CI 1.12-2.33), P = 0.01 and 2.08 (95% CI 1.32-3.29), P = 0.002, respectively] in multivariate analysis including grade of rash (0-1 versus 2+). Dyspnea (grade ≥3) was more common in patients with ≥20% versus < 20% Mg reduction (68% versus 45%; P = 0.02) and grade 3/4 anorexia were higher in patients with grade ≥1 hypomagnesemia (81% versus 63%; P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to prior reports, cetuximab-induced hypomagnesemia was associated with poor OS, even after adjustment for grade of rash.

A prospective evaluation of treatment with Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIR-spheres) in patients with unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer previously treated with 5-FU based chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

To prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of Selective Internal Radiation (SIR) spheres in patients with inoperable liver metastases from colorectal cancer who have failed 5FU based chemotherapy.

METHODS

Patients were prospectively enrolled at three Australian centres. All patients had previously received 5-FU based chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer. Patients were ECOG 0-2 and had liver dominant or liver only disease. Concurrent 5-FU was given at investigator discretion.

RESULTS

Thirty patients were treated between January 2002 and March 2004. As of July 2004 the median follow-up is 18.3 months. Median patient age was 61.7 years (range 36-77). Twenty-nine patients are evaluable for toxicity and response. There were 10 partial responses (33%), with the median duration of response being 8.3 months (range 2-18) and median time to progression of 5.3 mths. Response rates were lower (21%) and progression free survival shorter (3.9 mths) in patients that had received all standard chemotherapy options (n = 14). No responses were seen in patients with a poor performance status (n = 3) or extrahepatic disease (n = 6). Overall treatment related toxicity was acceptable, however significant late toxicity included 4 cases of gastric ulceration.

CONCLUSION

In patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that have previously received treatment with 5-FU based chemotherapy, treatment with SIR-spheres has demonstrated encouraging activity. Further studies are required to better define the subsets of patients most likely to respond.

Prospective study of treatment with selective internal radiation therapy spheres in patients with unresectable primary or secondary hepatic malignancies

AIM

To prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of Selective Internal Radiation (SIR) Spheres (Sirtex Medical, Sydney, NSW, Australia) in patients with unresectable primary or secondary hepatic malignancies.

METHODS

We report our experience of SIR sphere therapy at three Australian centres. Patients with previously untreated colorectal cancer (CRC) received concurrent 5FU, other patients with CRC received 5-FU at investigator discretion and all other patients received SIR spheres alone.

RESULTS

Forty-six patients were enrolled between January 2002 and June 2003. The majority (32 patients) had metastatic colorectal cancer and five patients had hepatocellular carcinoma. The median age of patients was 64 years (range 46-78 years). Forty-three patients were evaluable for response. There were 12 partial responses, of which 10 were in patients with CRC. The median duration of response for all patients was 8.6 months (range 2-21 months). Overall treatment related toxicity was acceptable. Significant late toxicity included four cases of severe gastric ulceration, despite standard work-up and treatment by experienced interventional radiologists.

CONCLUSION

In this series of patients, treatment with SIR-spheres has demonstrated modest activity, mostly observed in patients with CRC. Toxicity was substantial in a small number of patients.

A phase I and pharmacologic study of 9-aminocamptothecin administered as a 120-h infusion weekly to adult cancer patients

PURPOSE

To define the toxicity profile and the recommended phase II doses of 9-aminocamptothecin (9-AC) administered as a weekly 120-h infusion.

METHODS

9-AC was administered over 120 h weekly to 55 adult cancer patients with solid tumors over doses ranging from 0.41 to 0.77 mg/m2 per day in a phase I and pharmacologic study. 9-AC formulated in dimethylacetamide/polyethylene glycol (DMA) was administered on a 3 of 4-week schedule, and the newer colloidal dispersion (CD) formulation was given on a 2 of 3-week schedule.

RESULTS

Overall, 193 courses of therapy were administered over 122 dose levels. On the 3 of 4-week schedule, 9-AC DMA infused at > or = 0.6 mg/m2 per day for 120 h weekly produced dose-limiting neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and diarrhea, or resulted in 1-2-week treatment delays. Shortening treatments to 2 of 3 weeks resulted in dose-limiting neutropenia and fatigue at infusion rates > 0.72 mg/m2 per day. The ratio of 9-AC lactone to total (carboxylate + lactone) drug plasma concentrations at steady-state was 0.15 +/- 0.07. Clinical toxicities and drug pharmacokinetics were not substantially different between the DMA and CD formulations. One objective response was observed in a patient with bladder cancer and minor responses were observed in patients with lung and colon cancers. Plasma area under the concentration versus time curve for 9-AC lactone modestly correlated with the degree of thrombocytopenia (r=0.51) using a sigmoid Emax pharmacodynamic model.

CONCLUSION

The recommended phase II dose for the 9-AC DMA formulation is 0.48 mg/m2 per h over 120 h for 3 of 4 weeks and for the 9-AC CD formulation is 0.6 mg/m2 per day over 120 h for 2 of 3 weeks. Both regimens were well tolerated and feasible to administer.

Phase I and pharmacologic study of irinotecan administered as a 96-hour infusion weekly to adult cancer patients

PURPOSE

We conducted a phase I and pharmacologic study of a weekly 96-hour infusion of irinotecan to determine the maximum-tolerated dose, define the toxicity profile, and characterize the clinical pharmacology of irinotecan and its metabolites.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In 26 adult patients with solid tumors, the duration and dose rate of infusion were escalated in new patients until toxicity was observed.

RESULTS

In 11 patients who were treated with irinotecan at 12.5 mg/m(2)/d for 4 days weekly for 2 of 3 weeks, dose-limiting grade 3 diarrhea occurred in three patients and grade 3 thrombocytopenia occurred in two patients. The recommended phase II dose is 10 mg/m(2)/d for 4 days given weekly for 2 of 3 weeks. At this dose, the steady-state plasma concentration (Css) of total SN-38 (the active metabolite of irinotecan) was 6.42 +/- 1.10 nmol/L, and the Css of total irinotecan was 28.60 +/- 17.78 nmol/L. No patient experienced grade 3 or 4 neutropenia during any cycle. All other toxicities were mild to moderate. The systemic exposure to SN-38 relative to irinotecan was greater than anticipated, with a molar ratio of the area under the concentration curve (AUC) of SN-38 to irinotecan of 0.24 +/- 0.08. One objective response lasting 12 months in duration was observed in a patient with metastatic colon cancer.

CONCLUSION

The recommended phase II dose of irinotecan of 10 mg/m(2)/d for 4 days weekly for 2 of 3 weeks was extremely well tolerated. Further efficacy testing of this pharmacologic strategy of administering intermittent low doses of irinotecan is warranted.

A pilot study of interferon alpha-2a, fluorouracil, and leucovorin given with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor in advanced gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma

We reported previously that the addition of recombinant Escherichia coli human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) to a 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) regimen seemed to ameliorate diarrhea and permit increased 5-FU dose intensity (J. L. Grem et al., J. Clin. Oncol., 12: 560-568, 1994). We then tested the effect of GM-CSF given with a more toxic regimen of 5-FU/LV/IFN-alpha (IFN alpha-2a). Thirty-one patients with a good performance status and no prior chemotherapy for systemic disease received IFN alpha(-2a (5 MU/m2 s.c., days 1-7), 5-FU (370 mg/m2 i.v., days 2-6), LV (500 mg/m2 i.v., days 2-6), and GM-CSF (Saccharomyces cerevisiae 250 microg/m2 s.c., days 7-18) every 3 weeks. Toxicities and 5-FU dose intensity were compared with that observed in our prior Phase II trial with 5-FU/LV/IFN alpha-2a (J. L. Grem et al., J. Clin. Oncol., 11: 1737-1745, 1993). In comparison with the prior Phase II study, the WBC and granulocyte nadirs in the present trial were significantly higher. When trends in toxicity grades for all cycles were compared, stratifying for 5-FU dose, the incidence and severity of mucositis, skin rash, WBC toxicity, and granulocyte toxicity were significantly lower in the present trial, whereas nausea/vomiting and fatigue were significantly worse. The delivered 5-FU dose intensity for all cycles of therapy appeared to be significantly higher in the present trial. Six of 28 evaluable patients had a partial response (21.4%), and 13 (46%) had stable disease for > or =12 weeks. Despite treatment-related toxicity, patient quality of life did not worsen during the study. No correlation was observed between thymidylate synthase content in primary tumor specimens and response, time to treatment failure, or survival. The addition of GM-CSF appeared to decrease the severity of leukopenia, granulocytopenia, mucositis, and skin rash when compared with our prior experience with this regimen of 5-FU/LV/IFN alpha-2a, at the cost of greater nausea/vomiting and fatigue. The potential impact of increased 5-FU dose intensity on clinical response, however, remains to be determined.

Low-dose versus standard-dose lenograstim prophylaxis after chemotherapy: a randomized, crossover comparison

PURPOSE

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) administered prophylactically after chemotherapy reduces the duration and severity of neutropenia. This randomized crossover study was designed to assess whether a lower dose of G-CSF is as effective as a standard dose of 5 microg/kg daily.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients who received standard-dose chemotherapy regimens expected to cause neutropenia received G-CSF (lenograstim) that started the day after chemotherapy for 14 days or until the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) recovered to greater than 10 x 10(9)/L. The lenograstim dose was randomly allocated to be 2 or 5 microg/kg daily in the first cycle of chemotherapy and crossed over to the alternate dose for the second cycle. The study was designed to accrue 40 assessable patients to provide a power of 80% to detect a difference in duration of neutropenia of 1 day. Fifty-two patients were randomized to treatment and 43 patients completed two cycles of identical chemotherapy.

RESULTS

There was little neutropenia irrespective of the dose used. Twenty-three patients (53%) had no grade III or IV neutropenia and 30 patients (70%) had no grade IV neutropenia. Crossover trial methodology was used to assess the difference in outcome caused by the lower dose compared with the standard dose (estimated treatment effect). There was no significant difference in the measures of neutropenia, hospitalization, or other clinical outcomes. The 95% confidence interval (one-sided) for the additional duration of neutropenia caused by the lower dose of lenograstim was 0.43 days or less for grade III or IV neutropenia and 0.34 days or less for grade IV neutropenia.

CONCLUSION

Lenograstim 2 microg/kg provides similar protection to 5 microg/kg against neutropenia that complicates standard-dose chemotherapy. The use of a lower dose has important implications for the cost-effectiveness of prophylactic G-CSF therapy.

Dose intensive combination platinum and cyclophosphamide in the treatment of patients with advanced untreated epithelial ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

The authors combined cisplatin and carboplatin together with cyclophosphamide to maximize platinum dose intensity in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (AOC).

METHODS

The authors treated 26 consecutive, newly diagnosed patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Stage III/IV AOC with carboplatin, 600 mg/m2, on Day 1; cyclophosphamide, 250 mg/m2, on Day 1; and cisplatin, 100 mg/m2, on Day 8 every 4 weeks with or without pretreatment with amifostine (range, 740-1140 mg/m2). Platinum dose intensity was estimated using a 4:1 conversion for equipotent doses of cisplatin and carboplatin for expression as cisplatin dose equivalents (CDE).

RESULTS

The mean administered CDE was 49.4 mg/m2/week, which was 79% of the planned dose. Hematologic toxicity was severe, with FIGO Grade 3-4 anemia in 81% of patients, Grade 3-4 neutropenia in 92% of patients, and Grade 4 thrombocytopenia in 96% of patients. Eleven patients (42%) were admitted to the hospital for febrile neutropenia and there was 1 toxic death. Sensory neuropathy > or = Grade 2 occurred in 10 patients (38%), ototoxicity > or = Grade 2 occurred in 18 patients (69%), and 6 patients (23%) required long term hearing aids. Elevations in serum creatinine > or = Grade 2 occurred in 7 patients (27%) and > or = Grade 2 hypomagnesemia was noted in 23 patients (88%). Other Grade 3 toxicities were nausea (42%), emesis (38%), fatigue (15%), mucositis (4%), and respiratory toxicities (4%). Twenty-two of 26 patients (85%) had a clinical response (19 with a complete response [CR] and 3 with a partial response). Pathologic CR was demonstrated in 10 of 26 patients (38%) and residual microscopic disease in 4 of 26 patients (15%) for a total pathologic response rate of 53%. The median progression free survival was 13.5 months and the median overall survival was 37.2 months at a median potential follow-up of 79.3 months. Three of 26 patients remained free of disease at 66, 71, and 103 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Although dose intensive combination platinum treatment combined with cyclophosphamide in patients with AOC is active, it also is associated with substantial toxicity.

Activity and toxicity of docetaxel (Taxotere) in women with previously treated metastatic breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Metastatic breast cancer is a major cause of cancer death in Australian women. Docetaxel is a new cytotoxic drug that has shown promise in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in patients who have previously received other chemotherapy, particularly an anthracycline, and has recently been approved for marketing in Australia.

AIM

To report the first Australian experience with docetaxel in a group of women with metastatic breast cancer.

METHODS

Patients with progressive metastatic breast cancer who had previously received other chemotherapy were treated with docetaxel 75 mg/m2 or 100 mg/m2 given as a one hour infusion every three weeks. All patients received oral dexamethasone for five days starting 24 hours prior to docetaxel as prophylaxis against fluid retention. The patients' response to docetaxel and toxicity were assessed by standard criteria.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients were treated. The major toxicity was neutropenia with 92% of patients experiencing at least one episode of grade 4 (absolute neutrophil count < 0.5 x 10(9)/L) neutropenia. Hospital admission for febrile neutropenia occurred in 44% of patients with one death from sepsis. Cumulative fluid retention was observed but in only one patient was it dose-limiting. Apart from alopecia, other toxicities were infrequent and rarely serious. In 23 patients assessable for response, there were 11 partial responses (48%). Three other patients whose disease could not be assessed for response had clinical improvement. The median survival of all patients treated was eight months.

CONCLUSIONS

The response rate observed with docetaxel is comparable to that seen in trials in the United States and Europe and confirms the high activity of this new cytotoxic agent. Neutropenia is the major toxicity, and consideration should be given to the use of prophylactic oral antibiotics or colony stimulating factors to try and prevent febrile episodes. Clinicians will need to balance the benefits, toxicities, and cost of docetaxel in determining the appropriateness of its use in their patients.

Activity of gemcitabine in patients with advanced ovarian cancer: responses seen following platinum and paclitaxel

Thirty-eight women with epithelial ovarian cancer were treated with gemcitabine, a new antimetabolite. All had previously received platinum, and 27 had also received paclitaxel. Four patients had a partial response giving a response rate of 13% in assessable patients (n = 31) and 11% for all patients entered. Additionally, 6 patients had stable disease with >50% reduction in CA-125 for at least 3 months. Activity was seen in patients resistant to both platinum and paclitaxel. Gemcitabine was well tolerated, with uncomplicated neutropenia the main hematological toxicity. Nonhematological toxicities were generally mild and included fatigue, myalgias, and skin rash. Gemcitabine has some activity in heavily pretreated ovarian cancer patients and deserves further investigation in this malignancy.

Comparison of pullout strength for seven- and nine-millimeter diameter interference screw size as used in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

This study compares biomechanical properties of 7- and 9-mm diameter screws providing interference fixation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Sixteen pairs of fresh-frozen bovine knees were evaluated. Uniaxial load to failure was performed at a deformation rate of 30 mm/s along the mechanical axis of the ligament graft with the knees secured at 45 degrees of flexion in a custom jig. A video analyzer was used to measure ligament strain and bone-to-bone deformation. Ultimate force, deformation, and failure mode were recorded and compared. The 7-mm screws provided 98% yield strength, and 95% ultimate force compared with the 9-mm screws. The average femoral pullout strength was 1161 +/- 93 N in the 7-mm group and 1198 +/- 142 N in the 9-mm group. Failure mode was similar in both groups. Clinically, the usage of 7-mm screws may reduce iatrogenic injuries to the patellar tendon graft compared with larger screws. This study shows that the biomechanical advantages of 9-mm screws compared with 7-mm screws are minimal.

The biomechanical effects of geometric configuration of bone-tendon-bone autografts in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

This study provides biomechanical support for a new technique of autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction featuring circular bone plugs and endosteal interference fit fixation. Six matched pairs of fresh frozen human knees were utilized. Femoral interference fit pull-out strength was determined from material-testing-machine-generated oscillograph recordings at a strain rate of 100%/s. Circular bone plugs, obtained with a circular oscillating saw, provided 19.9% greater interference fit pull-out strength compared with identically fixed trapezoidal bone plugs. Different geometric defects were compared in three- and four-point bending on an Instron machine with frozen patellae and an artificial bone composite. Circular defects have 107% greater strength than matched trapezoidal patellar defects in three-point bending. In a bone composite, circular defects are 53% stronger than triangular and 25% stronger in four-point bending than trapezoidal defects. A new technique of harvesting bone plugs with endosteal interference fit fixation is described and biomechanically supported. To date, this technique has been performed on over 500 cases clinically without evidence of patellar fracture or fixation failure. This study demonstrates the efficacy of this simple and reproducible technique compared with previously reported procedures.

Augmented external fixation of unstable distal radius fractures

The technique of "augmentation" of external fixation employs the use of percutaneous Kirschner wires to secure the radial styloid fragment as a lateral buttress, elevate and fix in place the depressed lunate fossa fragment, and, when necessary, add support to the elevated articular surface by means of subarticular bone grafting. A series of 51 cases of comminuted, unstable intraarticular distal radius fractures has been managed using this technique. Detailed evaluation has demonstrated precise articular reconstitution with an overall satisfactory result rate of 92%.

Arthroscopy update #3. Chronic impingement syndrome. The role of ultrasonography and arthroscopic anterior acromioplasty

Diagnosis of advanced rotator cuff impingement syndrome has been difficult due to dependence on plain radiographs and arthrography, which in the absence of complete tears are frequently inconclusive. Advances in ultrasonography have enabled accurate diagnosis of the more enigmatic partial thickness tears of the rotator cuff. Until recently, advanced impingement syndrome resistant to conservative therapy has been managed by open anterior acromioplasty as described by Neer. This has required a prolonged postoperative rehabilitation program before return to normal activities of daily living and athletic participation. Precise diagnosis with ultrasonography and refined arthroscopic techniques have enabled us to identify 50 patients with resistant impingement syndrome and partial thickness tears of the rotator cuff, and surgically decompress the subacromial space via arthroscopic resection of the coracoacromial ligament and anterior-inferior leading edge of the acromion. Postoperatively there has been minimal pain. Return of nearly full passive range of motion has been achieved in all but two patients within the first week. Active range of motion exercises are begun on the first postoperative day and resistive exercises commence two weeks after surgery. Mean return of normal functioning in activities of daily living has been two months, while return to prior level of athletic activity has averaged five months.

Angiomyoma in the hand

Angiomyoma of the upper extremities is not commonly encountered by the orthopedic surgeon. A case of a vascular leiomyoma developing in a 79-year-old woman is discussed along with a review of the literature.

Midazolam-sufentanil anaesthesia for phaeochromocytoma resection

This is a case report of a 66-year-old patient to whom a combined infusion of midazolam and sufentanil was administered for phaeochromocytoma resection. With the exception of a drop in blood pressure immediately after tumour removal, significant intraoperative haemodynamic stability was observed. There was no need for the intraoperative administration of hypotensive or anti-arrhythmic drugs, nor was any prolonged postoperative anaesthetic effect noted. In this case, the combination of midazolam and sufentanil with N2O:O2 was successful in maintaining cardiovascular stability until the tumour was removed. The consequent drop in blood pressure responded to fluid infusion, a not uncommon event in phaeochromocytoma surgery. Although a prospective randomized study for resection of phaeochromocytoma showed that the choice of the anaesthetic technique is not a crucial factor in determining the patient outcome, we feel this technique of midazolam sufentanil is a worthy alternative to the use of inhalational anaesthetics. The lack of significant myocardial depressive effect of the two drugs, coupled with its simple administration, makes it a useful technique in the anaesthetic management of phaeochromocytoma resection.