[Accuracy of pleural fluid cytology in malignant effusions]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the usefulness of repeat cytological examination of pleural fluid (PF) for diagnosing malignancy as well as the influence of time length between analyses, effusion's size and pleural fluid biochemistries on the diagnostic yield of cytology.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 1,427 patients with pleural effusion (PE), including 466 patients with malignant PE. In this latter group, the time length between cytological analysis, the size of the PE, and the biochemical characteristics of PF were recorded.

RESULTS

The first cytological analysis had a sensitivity of 48.5%. If this was negative, a second PF specimen was diagnostic in 28.6% of cases, whereas submission of a third PF specimen allowed 10.3% of additional diagnosis. The incidence of positive results depended on the primary tumor (e.g. 66.5% in adenocarcinomas, 30.8% in mesotheliomas), but neither on the time length between cytological analyses nor on the effusion's size. A multivariate analysis showed that a PF to serum glucose ratio </= 0.75 was associated with a higher diagnostic yield of cytology (74 vs. 47%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

At least a second PF specimen should be submitted immediately for cytologic analyis in all PE of unknown cause, when the first analysis is not contributory. To delay this second analysis does not increase diagnostic yield. The percentage of cases in which cytologic study of the PF established the diagnosis of malignant PE depends on the tumor type and on certain PF biochemical characteristics such as the PF to serum glucose ratio.

Multicenter randomized phase II study of chemoradiation (CRT) followed by surgery (S) and chemotherapy (CT) versus induction CT followed by CRT and S in high-risk rectal cancer: GCR-3 final efficacy and safety results

4103

Background: In locally advanced RC the optimal therapeutic sequence remains an important clinical question. Induction CT prior to CRT and S may be associated with better efficacy and compliance. Methods: Eligible pts had medium or distal high risk RC defined by MRI and/or US: Tumors within 2mm of mesorectal fascia, distal T3 at/below levators, resectable T4 and T3N+. Pts, stratified by center, were randomized assigned to receive either Arm A : capecitabine (Cap) 825 mg/m2 BID 5 d/w, oxaliplatin (Ox) 50 mg/m2 IV weekly x 5 and concomitant RT: 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions. S was planned 5–6 w after CRT. Post-op four cycles of Cap 1,000 mg/m2 bid days 1 to 14; Ox 130 mg/m2 day 1 or Arm B: Induction CapOx followed by CRT and S. Two parallel, Simon 2-stage designs: α=0.05 β=0.1; 24 evaluable pts/arm 1st stage and 54 pts/arm for 2nd stage. Primary endpoint: pathological complete response (pCR). Secondary endpoints included toxicity and treatment compliance. Results: 108 Pts were randomly assigned (arm A/B, 52/56), and 103 were assessable (49/54) from 14 sites. Median age 62/60 years, Male 65/70%. During treatment period 6 pts died A/B: 2 vascular, 1 suicide/ 3 post-op. Pts with any grade ¾ toxicity during CRT were arm A/B: 29% (14/49) and 23% (12/53). Any grade ¾ toxicity during adjuvant/induction CT were 51% (19/37) and 17% (9/54); χ2,p= 0.0004. On an intent-to-treat basis the pCR for Arm A/B was achieved in seven (13.5%; 95% CI, 5.6%-25.8%) and eight (14.3%; 95% CI, 6.4%-26.2%). R0 resections were achieved in 92% (45/49) and 88% (48/54). 51% (25/49) and 93% (50/54) received all four cycles of adjuvant/induction CT (χ2;p<0.0001). Relative Median Dose intensity of adjuvant /induction CT was 0.74/0.96 (Wilcoxon; p<0.0001) for Cap and 0.75/1.0 (Wilcoxon; p<0.0001) for Ox. Conclusions: Induction CT prior to CRT has more favorable compliance and toxicity profiles. Furthermore, there is no compromise in pCR and R0 resection rates. Larger trials evaluating this strategy are justified.

[Table: see text]

Addition of bevacizumab to induction plus concomitant capecitabine-oxaliplatin (XELOX) chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in MRI poor prognosis locally advanced rectal cancer: Avacross study

4100

Background: Concomitant CRT with 5-FU followed 6–8 weeks later by TME surgery is well accepted standard treatment for locally advancer rectal cancer. This approach focuses only into local control. Trimodal induction approaches with chemo, radiation and anti VEGFR therapy may induce additional tumor growth delay. Methods: Eligible patients (pts) had high-risk rectal adenocarcinoma defined by MRI: distal T3 at/below levators, T3 at any other level within 2 mm of mesorectal fascia, resectable T4 and any T3 with nodal metastases. We excluded pts with any antecedent of heart disease. Treatment consisted in four 21 day cycles of oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2 d 1, bevacizumab 7.5 mg/kg d 1 and capecitabine 1000 mg/m2/12 h d 1–14. After 3–4 weeks they received concomitant RT (50.4 Gy in 28 fractions) with capecitabine 825 mg/m2/12 h plus bevacizumab 5 mg/kg, three biweekly doses. TME was planned 6–8 weeks after CRT. Primary end point was pathologic complete response rate with standarized pathology examination. Results: From July 2007 to July 2008, 47 pts were enrolled. Median age was 58 (30–78). Median KPS was 90%. Clinical stage was T3N1: 51.1%, T3N2: 25.5%, T4N0–2: 10.6%, T3N0: 8.5% of pts. 40 pts completed the induction phase: G 3–4 toxicity were diarrhea 12.7%, neutropenia 8.5%, peripheral neuropathy 6.3% and thrombocytopenia 4.2%.. 39 pts completed the CRT phase. Grade 3–4 toxicity were rectitis, linfopenia and hipertrigliceridemia in 2.5% of pts. Until now we have data on 35 resections, 2 with only one induction cycle. R0 resections were achieved in 34 pts (R1 resection in a patient with only one induction cycle). There were 7 wound complications and 10 pts required surgical reintervention. pCR were obtained in 13 pts (37,1 %, 95% CI:21.1–53.2) with 18 (51.4%) additional pts with only residual microscopic foci. There were two treatment related-deaths: one sudden death and one grade 4 diarrhea and diabetic ketoacidosis. Conclusions: Preliminary results show that our preoperative schedule appears feasible, with impressive activity level (pCR + Tmic of 88.5%), achieving downstaging in nearly all pts. Toxicity was manageable, nevertheless we stress caution with cardiac and GI events and surgical complications.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Phase II study to evaluate the efficacy of capecitabine combined with bevacizumab as first-line treatment in elderly patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma

4119

Background: Colorectal adenocarcinoma is the most common cancer in subjects over 70 years old. New therapies have been developed but limited data about their activity are available in elderly population. Results obtained with capecitabine have shown an appropriate safety and efficacy profile in these patients. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the overall response rate in that patient's population who presents colorectal adenocarcinoma and are treated with the combination of capecitabine+BVZ. Methods: This is a multicentric, non-controlled, open label, phase II clinical trial. Capecitabine(1250mg/m2 bid, orally)+BVZ(7.5mg/kg, intravenously) treatment was administered in 3-week length cycles until disease progression. Capecitabine dose was reduced to 1000mg/m2 when the creatinine clearance was between 30 and 50ml/min. Results: A total of 59 patients were included (57.6%, male). Mean age was 76±4.1 years. ECOG status was 0–1 in 96.5 % of the patients. Activities of daily living: moderate to severe dependence and functional incapacity in 24.5% and 5.6% of the patients by Lawton and Barthel scales, respectively. Comorbidities: hypertension (61%), venous thrombosis (5.1%), cardiac disease (5.1%) and acute cerebrovascular accident history (3.4%). Metastases were detected in liver (84.7%), lung (45.8%), local/regional (18.6%) and other locations (5.1%). Mean number of cycles of capecitabine+BVZ was 6.8±6.1. Most frequent grade 3–4 toxicities observed were hand-foot-syndrome (18.6%), diarrhea (8.5%), deep venous thrombosis (6.8%), pain (5.1%) and mucositis (3.4%). Four patients died due to toxicity (mucositis, digestive hemorrhage, hematological toxicity and sepsis, respectively). Metastasis resection was performed in 10.2% of the patients. Treatment response was: 33.3% partial response and 59.0% stable disease. Median progression-free survival was 10.8 months. Conclusions: The combination capecitabine+BVZ in elderly patients appears to have a manageable safety profile and achieves promising results in terms of response rates and progression free-survival.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Preoperative chemoradiotherapy with capecitabine and oxaliplatin in locally advanced rectal carcinoma: A phase II trial

4044

Background: The aim of this phase II trial was to assess the impact of preoperative external radiation therapy combined with Capecitabine and Oxaliplatin on pathologic tumor response, sphincter preservation and tumor control in patients with locally advanced rectal carcinoma. Methods: Sixty-seven patients with locally advanced rectal carcinoma (T3/T4 or N+) received radiotherapy (50.4 Gy/28 fractions) and chemotherapy with Capecitabine 825 mg/m2/12 hours on days 1–5 + Oxaliplatin 50 mg/m2 on day 1 every week (weeks 1–6). Surgery with TME was performed 6–7 weeks after the end of the treatment. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered after surgery according investigator‘s crtiteria. Results: Patients have been recruited between February 2005 and June 2006. 47 male/20 female. Median age 67 years (range 38–79). Performance status (ECOG) 0 in 45 patients. Clinical stage (determined by EUS+CT or RMI): cT2 3p/cT3 58p/cT4 6p/cN+ 47p. Tumor location (from anal verge): = 5 cm in 27p. Median CEA level 3,69 ng/ml (0,7–391). Surgery (performed in 65 patients) consisted of low anterior resection in 37p, abdominal perineal resection in 28p. Tumor downstaging was observed in 52p (78%), 50 (76,9%) had negative lymph nodes, including 13p with complete pathological response (19,4%) and ten with only microfoci of tumor remaining (14,9%). 80% of the patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. Main adverse effects (NCI-CTC): diarrhea G3/4 25%, sensitive peripheral neurotoxicity G1 60%, skin G2 9%, skin G3 3%, nausea/vomiting G2 7.5%, fatigue G2 50%, fatigue G3 4%, neutropenia G3/4 4%. Conclusions: Those results show that preoperative chemoradiotherapy with capecitabine and oxaliplatin is a well tolerated regimen for locally advanced operable rectal cancer leading to a high probability of tumor downstaging.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Preoperative chemoradiotherapy with capecitabine and oxaliplatin in locally advanced rectal carcinoma: Preliminary results

13543

Background: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy has shown to improve local control and sphincter preservation with decreased acute toxicity compared with postoperative treatment in locally advanced rectal carcinoma. The primary endpoint of this phase II trial was pathologic tumor response. Secondary endpoints were sphincter preservation and toxicity. Methods: Inclusion criteria: rectal adenocarcinoma <12 cms from anal verge, clinical stage T3–4 and/or N+, adequate renal, hematological and liver function. Planned sample for this trial was 43 patients. Treatment scheme: pelvic radiotherapy (50.4 Gy/28 fractions) and chemotherapy: Capecitabine 825 mg/m2/12 hours on days 1–5 + Oxaliplatin 50 mg/m2 on day 1 every week (weeks 1–6). Surgery with TME was performed between 6–8 weeks after the end of the treatment. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered after surgery according each center criteria. Results: 37 patients have been recruited between February and December 2005. 26 male/11 female. Median age 70 years (range 38–79). Clinical stage (determined by EUS+CT or RMI): cT2 1p/cT3 33p/cT4 3p/cN+ 27p. Tumor location (from anal verge): ≤ 5 cm in 15p, >5 cm in 22p. Surgery (performed in 26 patients) consisted of low anterior resection in 13p and abdominal-perineal resection in 13p. Tumor downstaging was observed in 17p (65%), 20 (77%) had negative lymph nodes, including 6p with complete pathological response (23%) and four with only microfoci of tumor remaining (15%). Main adverse effects (NCI-CTC): diarrhea G3–4 19%, sensitive peripheral neurotoxicity G1 38%, skin G2 11%, nausea/vomiting G2 11%, fatigue/malaise G3 4%, neutropenia G3 7%. Conclusions: Preliminary results show that preoperative chemoradiotherapy with capecitabine and oxaliplatin is a well tolerated regimen for locally advanced operable rectal cancer leading to a high probability of tumor downstaging.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

XELOX (capecitabine plus oxaliplatin) as first-line treatment for elderly patients over 70 years of age with advanced colorectal cancer

The purpose of this phase II trial was to determine the efficacy and safety of the XELOX (capecitabine/oxaliplatin) regimen as first-line therapy in the elderly patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC). A total of 50 patients with MCRC aged > or = 70 years received oxaliplatin 130 mg m(-2) on day 1 followed by oral capecitabine 1000 mg m(-2) twice daily on days 1-14 every 3 weeks. Patients with creatinine clearance 30-50 ml min(-1) received a reduced dose of capecitabine (750 mg m(-2) twice daily). By intent-to-treat analysis, the overall response rate was 36% (95% CI, 28-49%), with three (6%) complete and 15 (30%) partial responses. In total, 18 patients (36%) had stable disease and 14 (28%) progressed. The median times to disease progression and overall survival were 5.8 months (95% CI, 3.9-7.8 months) and 13.2 months (95% CI, 7.6-16.9 months), respectively. Capecitabine was well tolerated: grade 3/4 adverse events were observed in 14 (28%) patients: 11 (22%) diarrhoea, eight (16%) asthenia, seven (14%) nausea/vomiting, three (6%) neutropenia, three (6%) thrombocytopenia, and two (4%) hand-foot syndrome. There was one treatment-related death from diarrhoea and sepsis. In conclusion, XELOX is well tolerated in elderly patients, with respectable efficacy and a meaningful clinical benefit response. Given its ease of administration compared with combinations of oxaliplatin with 5-FU/LV, it represents a good therapeutic option in the elderly.

Phase II randomised trial of raltitrexed-oxaliplatin vs raltitrexed-irinotecan as first-line treatment in advanced colorectal cancer

The purpose of this phase II randomised trial was to determine which of two schemes, raltitrexed-irinotecan or raltitrexed-oxaliplatin, offered better activity and less toxicity in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). A total of 94 patients with previously untreated metastatic CRC were included and randomised to receive raltitrexed 3 mg m⁻² followed by oxaliplatin 130 mg m⁻² on day 1 (arm A), or CPT-11 350 mg m⁻² followed by raltitrexed 3 mg m⁻² (arm B). In both arms treatment was repeated every 3 weeks. Intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis showed an overall response rate of 46% (95% CI, 29.5–57.7%) for arm A, and 34% (95% CI, 19.8–48.4%) for arm B. Median time to progression was 8.2 months for arm A and 8.8 months for arm B. After a median follow-up of 14 months, 69% of patients included in arm A were still alive, compared to 59% of those included in arm B. Overall, 31 patients (65%) experienced some episode of toxicity in arm A and 32 patients (70%) in arm B, usually grade 1–2. The most common toxicity was hepatic, with 29 patients (60%) in arm A and 24 patients (62%) in arm B, and was grade 3–4 in four (8%) and four (9%) patients, respectively. In all, 14 patients (29%) from arm A and 24 patients (52%) from arm B had some grade of diarrhoea (P<0.03). Neurologic toxicity was observed in 31 patients (64%) in arm A, and was grade 3–4 in five patients (10%), while a cholinergic syndrome was detected in nine patients (19%) in arm B. There were no differences in haematologic toxicity. One toxic death (2%) occurred in arm A and three (6.5%) in arm B. In conclusion, both schemes have high efficacy as first-line treatment in metastatic CRC and their total toxicity levels are similar. Regimens with raltitrexed seem a reasonable alternative to fluoropyrimidines.

Irinotecan plus raltitrexed as first-line treatment in advanced colorectal cancer: a phase II study

To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of irinotecan (CPT-11) in combination with raltitrexed as first-line treatment of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). A total of 91 previously untreated patients with advanced CRC and measurable disease were enrolled in this phase II study. The median age was 62 years (range 31–77); male/female 54/37; ECOG performance status was 0 in 50 patients (55%), one in 39 (43%) and two in two (2%). Treatment consisted of CPT-11 350 mg m⁻² in a 30-min intravenous infusion on day 1, followed after 30 min by a 15-min infusion of raltitrexed 3 mg m⁻². Measurements of efficacy included the following: response rate, time to disease progression and overall survival. Of the 83 evaluable patients valuable to objective response, there were five complete responses (6%) and 23 partial responses (28%), for an overall response rate of 34% (95% CI: 25.9–46.5%). In all, 36 patients (43%) had stable disease, whereas 19 (23%) had a progression. The median time to progression was 11.1 months and the median overall survival was 15.6 months. A total of 487 cycles of chemotherapy were delivered with a median of five per patient. Grade 3–4 WHO toxicities were as follows: diarrhoea in 13 patients (15%), nausea/vomiting in four (4%), transaminase increase in six (7%), stomatitis in two (2%), febrile neutropenia in three (3%), anaemia in five (6%) and asthenia in three (3%). The combination CPT-11–raltitrexed is an effective, well-tolerated and convenient regimen as front-line treatment of advanced CRC.

Clinical Impact of 18F-FDG-PET in the Suspicion of Recurrent Ovarian Carcinoma Based on Elevated Tumor Marker Serum Levels

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the contribution of 18F-fluorodeoxy-glucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) to the diagnosis and clinical management of patients who were suspected of recurrent ovarian carcinoma, based on elevated tumor markers levels with normal or equivocal computed tomography (CT) or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).Procedures: 20 patients with these characteristics underwent FDG-PET. PET findings were confirmed in 14, in 7 by surgery, and in the other 7 by clinical course.Results: Recurrence was confirmed in 12 patients, all with FDG-PET positive. In other 2, recurrence was rule out and in 1, FDG-PET was negative. FDG-PET accuracy was 93% with 4 surgeries avoided and guided other 6.Conclusions: FDG-PET is an useful technique for detecting recurrent ovarian carcinoma suspected by elevated tumor markers levels and normal or equivocal results in the morphologic imaging techniques and has an important clinical impact on the management of these patients.

Prognostic significance of DNA ploidy, S-phase fraction, and P-glycoprotein expression in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Parameters that allow prediction of the disease course in colorectal cancer would aid the development of improved treatment strategies. For this reason, we evaluated the prognostic value of flow cytometric DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction (SPF) and P-glycoprotein (Pgp) expression in this type of tumor.

METHODS

The prognostic significance of DNA ploidy, SPF, and Pgp expression on paraffin-embedded sections from 107 patients with colorectal carcinoma was determined. The mean follow-up was 36.6 months (range = 3-72 months). DNA ploidy and SPF were evaluated by flow cytometry and Pgp by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibody C219. The Cox regression model was used to adjust for several clinical and pathologic covariates.

RESULTS

Of the 107 carcinomas examined, 44 (41.1%) were classified as DNA diploid and 63 (58.9%) as DNA aneuploid. DNA ploidy pattern was significantly related to tumor site (P = 0.010), tumor stage (P = 0.016), and vascular invasion (P = 0.015) but not to other clinicopathologic variables. Patients with DNA diploid tumors showed a better survival rate than did those with aneuploid tumors. After stage IV disease was excluded, patients with diploid tumors also presented a better disease-free and overall survival than did patients with aneuploid tumors. Mean SPF of the whole series was 13.5% (median = 11.3%, range = 1.4%-29.9%). Aneuploid tumors had a higher median SPF than did diploid tumors (17 vs. 6.2; P = 0.0001). SPF was only related significantly with tumor location (P = 0.026). In the multivariate analysis, SPF was a significant independent prognostic factor for overall survival (P = 0.01). When stage IV was excluded, SPF was also an independent prognostic variable for both disease-free (P = 0. 02) and overall (P = 0.01) survival. Of 107 tumors, 61 (57%) were positive for Pgp expression, but no relation was found between this and other clinicopathologic parameters. Pgp expression had no influence on survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that flow cytometric DNA ploidy and SPF are significant and independent prognostic factors in patients with colorectal carcinoma, whereas Pgp expression is not.