A dose-escalation and pharmacokinetic study of gemcitabine and oxaliplatin in patients with advanced solid tumors

BACKGROUND

Gemcitabine and oxaliplatin have broad antineoplastic activity and favorable toxicity. We conducted a phase I study to determine the maximum tolerated doses (MTDs) and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of the combination in patients with advanced solid tumors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty-eight patients with advanced stage solid tumors were enrolled. Treatment was first-line for 35% of patients, second-line for 27%, and third-line for 38%. Gemcitabine was administered at escalating doses of 1000-2000 mg/m(2) as a 30-min intravenous (i.v.) infusion on days 1 and 8 and oxaliplatin at 60-130 mg/m(2) as a 4-h i.v. infusion on day 8 every 21 days without growth factor support.

RESULTS

The MTD was defined at gemcitabine 1800 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 and oxaliplatin 130 mg/m(2) on day 8. Twelve dose levels were evaluated and DLTs occurring during the first cycle consisted of grade 4 neutropenia, grade 3 asthenia or mucositis and grade 1-3 neutropenia or thrombocytopenia resulting in treatment delays. A total of 266 cycles were administered with only one episode of febrile neutropenia and no toxic deaths. Seven (3%) and 26 (10%) cycles were complicated by grade 4 and 3 neutropenia, respectively, three (1%) and 13 (5%) by grade 4 and 3 thrombocytopenia, and eight (3%) by grade 3 anemia. The most common non-hematological toxicity was grade 2/3 asthenia observed in 23% of cycles. Responses were observed in patients with a variety of epithelial neoplasms. The pharmacokinetic study revealed no significant interaction between the two drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of gemcitabine and oxaliplatin has excellent tolerability and promising activity in patients with advanced solid tumors. As the MTD exceeds the recommended single-agent dose for gemcitabine, and a dose-response effect has not been established, we recommend using both drugs at full doses, e.g. gemcitabine 1200-1400 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 and oxaliplatin 130 mg/m(2) on day 8 for further phase II studies.

Sequential administration of cisplatin-etoposide followed by topotecan in patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer. A multicenter phase II study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the activity of the sequential administration of cisplatin-etoposide (PE) followed by topotecan (TOP) in patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Previously untreated patients with extensive stage SCLC received 4 cycles of cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) IV on day 1 and etoposide 100 mg/m(2) IV on days 1-3 every 21 days followed by 4 cycles of TOP 1.5 mg/m(2) IV on days 1-5 every 21 days.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients were entered in the study. Their median age was 63 years and the performance status (WHO) was 0 for 5, 1 for 25 and 2 for 8 patients. All patients were evaluable for toxicity and 32 for response to PE and 25 to TOP. Of the 38 patients receiving PE, 1 (3%) patient achieved complete response (CR) and 17 (45%) partial responses (PR) for an overall response rate to PE of 47% (95% confidence interval: 36.7-68.5%). Four (23.5%) of the 17 patients with PR after PE, achieved CR with TOP. None of the patients with stable or progressive disease after PE responded to TOP. The response rate of the 27 patients receiving TOP following PE was 15% (95% confidence interval: 1.4-28.2%). After a median follow up of 9 months, the median duration of response was 6.5 months, the time to tumor progression 6.5 months, the median survival 8.5 months and the 1-year survival 34%. A total of 136 cycles of PE and 89 cycles of TOP have been administered with a median of 4 cycles/patient for each regimen. There were 2 toxic deaths after PE associated with grade IV febrile neutropenia. Treatment delays due to toxicity occurred in 17 (12%) cycles of PE and 20 (22%) cycles of TOP while doses were reduced in 7 (5%) and 4 (4%) cycles, respectively. Grade 3-4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and febrile neutropenia occurred in 24, 2 and 3% of PE cycles and 21, 12 and 1% of TOP. Non-hematologic toxicity was mild. The delivered dose intensity was 100% for PE and 93% for TOP.

CONCLUSIONS

The sequential administration of TOP after PE is associated with manageable toxicity and may increase the number of CRs in patients with chemosensitive extensive stage SCLC. However, based on this data and the lack of survival benefit in a previous phase III study, the sequential regimen should not be used outside of a clinical trial.

A dose-escalation study of oxaliplatin and vinorelbine in patients with advanced solid tumors

OBJECTIVES

Vinorelbine (V) and oxaliplatin (OX) have shown interesting activity in a wide range of solid tumors. A phase I study was conducted in order to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of their combination in patients with refractory solid tumors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-eight patients with histologically confirmed non-small-cell lung cancer, ovarian cancer and breast cancer who had failed at least one prior chemotherapy regimen were enrolled. The patients' median age was 60 years, 33 were female, and 27 had a performance status (WHO) of 0-1. V was administered on days 1 and 8 as a 1-hour intravenous infusion at escalated doses ranging from 20 to 27 mg/m2. OX was administered on days 1 and 8 at escalated doses ranging from 40 to 55 mg/m2, following V administration. Treatment was repeated every 3 weeks.

RESULTS

At the dose of V 27 mg/m2 and OX 55 mg/m2 3 out of 6 enrolled patients presented DLTs (2 patients grade 4 neutropenia and 1 treatment delay at day 8), and, thus, the recommended MTD for future phase II studies are V 27 mg/m2 and OX 50 mg/m2. A total of 131 treatment cycles were administered. Grade 3/4 neutropenia complicated 23 (18%) treatment cycles. There was one septic death. The main nonhematologic toxicities were grade 2/3 nausea/vomiting (17 cycles; 13%), grade 2 neurotoxicity (6 cycles; 5%) and grade 2/3 asthenia (21 cycles; 16%). One CR (4%), 5 PR (20%) and 4 SD (16%) were observed amongst the 25 evaluable patients. All responses were observed in patients with ovarian and breast cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this phase I study demonstrate that V and OX can be combined at clinically effective and relevant doses to be further evaluated in patients with breast and ovarian cancer.

Cisplatin-etoposide alternating with topotecan in patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC). A multicenter phase II study

PURPOSE

In order to investigate the feasibility of a potentially non-cross resistant drug regimen, we alternated cycles of cisplatin-etoposide with topotecan as front-line treatment in patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-six previously untreated patients with extensive stage SCLC received cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) IV on day 1 and etoposide 100 mg/m(2) IV on days 1-3 on cycles one, three, five and seven and topotecan 1.5 mg/m(2) IV on days 1-5 on cycles two, four, six and eight. Cycles were repeated every 21 days. Patients' median age was 60 years and performance status (WHO) was 0 for 13, 1 for 20 and 2 for three patients. All patients were evaluable for response and toxicity.

RESULTS

Five (14%) patients achieved a complete response and 18 (50%) a partial response for an overall response rate of 64% (95% confidence interval: 48.2-79.6%). After a median follow up of 10 months, the median duration of response was 5.5 months, the time to tumor progression 8 months and the probability of 1-year survival 48.9%. A total of 126 cycles of cisplatin-etoposide and 117 cycles of topotecan were administered with a median number of 4 cycles/patient for each regimen. There were no toxic deaths. Treatment delays due to toxicity occurred in 13 (10%) cycles after cisplatin-etoposide and 16 (14%) cycles after topotecan while doses were reduced in seven (6%) and five (4%) cycles, respectively. Grade 3-4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and febrile neutropenia complicated 13, 1 and 3% of cisplatin-etoposide cycles and 28, 6 and 1% of topotecan, respectively. Non-hematologic toxicity was mild. The delivered dose intensity was 96% for cisplatin and etoposide and 98% for topotecan.

CONCLUSIONS

The alternating administration of cisplatin-etoposide and topotecan is a feasible, active and well-tolerated regimen in patients with extensive stage SCLC.

Phase I study of weekly paclitaxel and liposomal doxorubicin in patients with advanced solid tumours

The aim of this study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) of a weekly administration of paclitaxel and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Caelyx; Schering Plough Pharmaceutical) in patients with advanced solid tumours. 19 pretreated patients with solid tumours received escalated doses of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (6-12 mg/m(2)) as a 1-h intravenous (i.v.) infusion followed by a fixed dose of paclitaxel (80 mg/m(2)) weekly for 4 consecutive weeks in cycles of 6 weeks. DLT was defined as grade 4 neutropenia or thrombocytopenia, febrile neutropenia, grades 3 or 4 non-haematological toxicity or treatment delay due to unresolved toxicity during cycle 1. The MTD was reached at the dose of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin of 10 mg/m(2)/week and paclitaxel of 80 mg/m(2)/week. The DLTs were treatment delay due to grade 3 neutropenia and grade 3 diarrhoea. A total of 55 chemotherapy cycles were administered, and grades 3-4 neutropenia occurred in seven cycles (13%); the non-haematological toxicity was mild with grades 2/3 diarrhoea occurring in 4 (7%), grades 2-4 asthenia in 11 (20%) and grade 2 mucositis in 7 (13%) cycles. There was no case with more than a 10% LVEF decrease after a median of 3 (range 2-6) administered cycles/patients. One patient with breast cancer and 1 with ovarian cancer experienced a major partial response. The weekly administration of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin at the dose of 10 mg/m(2) in combination with paclitaxel at the dose of 80 mg/m(2) for 4 consecutive weeks, in cycles of 6 weeks which represent the recommended doses for further phase II studies, is a well tolerated regimen, which merits further evaluation in tumours known to be sensitive to taxanes and/or anthracyclines.

Molecular detection of cytokeratin-19-positive cells in the peripheral blood of patients with operable breast cancer: evaluation of their prognostic significance

PURPOSE

To evaluate the prognostic significance of molecular detection of cytokeratin 19 (CK-19) mRNA-positive cells by nested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the peripheral blood of women with stages I and II breast cancer before adjuvant chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The sensitivity and specificity of CK-19 mRNA detection by nested RT-PCR were investigated using MCF-7 and ARH-77 cells and blood from healthy women and patients with hematologic malignancies, metastatic colorectal cancer, and early and metastatic breast cancer. Peripheral blood from 148 patients with operable breast cancer, obtained before initiation of any adjuvant therapy, was tested for the presence of CK-19 mRNA-positive cells.

RESULTS

The nested RT-PCR assay for CK-19 mRNA detected one MCF-7 tumor cell in 10(6) normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells in four of five experiments; no signal was detected with the CK-19-negative ARH-77 cells. CK-19 mRNA was detected in the peripheral blood of 3.7% of healthy blood donors, 14.3% of patients with hematologic malignancies, and 3.2% of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Detection rates for CK-19 mRNA-positive cells in the bone marrow/blood of patients with early or metastatic breast cancer were 63%/30% and 74%/52%, respectively. For stages I and II breast cancer, detection of CK-19-positive cells in the peripheral blood before adjuvant therapy was associated with reduced disease-free interval (P =.0007) and overall survival (P =.01). In multivariate analysis, detection of peripheral-blood CK-19-positive cells was an independent prognostic factor for disease relapse and death.

CONCLUSION

Molecular detection of CK-19 mRNA-positive cells by RT-PCR in the peripheral blood of patients with stages I and II breast cancer before initiation of adjuvant therapy has independent prognostic value as a marker of poor clinical outcome.

Phase I study of paclitaxel (taxol) and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (caelyx) administered every 2 weeks in patients with advanced solid tumors

OBJECTIVES

Paclitaxel and doxorubicin are among the most active chemotherapeutic agents in various types of tumors. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Caelyx) has a more favorable pharmacokinetic and toxicity profile than the free drug. We conducted a phase I study to determine the maximum tolerated doses (MTD) and the dose limiting toxicities (DLT) of the combination administered every 2 weeks in patients with advanced solid tumors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Treatment consisted of escalating doses of Caelyx (12.5-17.5 mg/m2) administered as a 30-min intravenous infusion on day 1 and paclitaxel (90-115 mg/m2) as a 3-hour intravenous infusion on day 2 every 2 weeks without growth factor support. One cycle was considered as the administration of two consecutive treatments in 28 days. Twenty-six patients with histologically confirmed advanced stage solid tumors have been enrolled. Treatment was first-line treatment for 38% of patients, second-line for 31% and third-line for 31%.

RESULTS

The DLT were evaluated during the first 4 weeks of treatment (2 treatment administrations) and consisted in all but one case of grade 2-3 neutropenia resulting in treatment delay. One patient died of cardiac arrest 1 day after the first treatment. A total of 86 cycles have been administered with only 1 episode of febrile neutropenia. Hematologic toxicity was generally mild. Only 1 patient at the first and another at the highest dose level developed grade 4 neutropenia. At the highest dose level, 3 of 6 patients developed grade 3 neutropenia. Grade 4 anemia or grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia was not observed. Non-hematologic toxicity included grade 2-3 nausea/vomiting in 10%, grade 2-4 diarrhea in 7% and grade 2-3 neurotoxicity in 8% of cycles. Mucositis grade 3 complicated 1 cycle. Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia grade 2-3 was observed in 3 patients and was the reason for treatment discontinuation in 1 patient. Cardiotoxicity as the development of congestive heart failure or more than 10% reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction was not observed. The most common non-hematologic toxicity was grade 2-3 asthenia complicating 31% of the cycles. Among 18 evaluable patients, 1 complete and 4 partial responses were observed primarily in patients with breast cancer. The MTD which are the recommended doses for further use in phase II trials were Caelyx 15 mg/m2 on day 1 and paclitaxel 115 mg/m2 on day 2 administered every 2 weeks.

CONCLUSION

The administration of Caelyx and paclitaxel every 2 weeks is a feasible regimen and is associated with acceptable toxicity.

Phase I study of vinorelbine and carboplatin combination in patients with taxane and anthracycline pretreated advanced breast cancer

AIM

To define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of the carboplatin-vinorelbine combination in pretreated patients with advanced breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with histologically confirmed metastatic breast cancer relapsing or progressing after prior taxane and anthracycline containing chemotherapy were enrolled. Cohorts of 3-6 patients were treated at successive dose levels (DLs) with escalated doses of carboplatin [range, area under the curve (AUC) 4-6] on day 1 and vinorelbine (range, 20-35 mg/m(2)) on days 1 + 8 recycled every 28 days.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients with a median age of 58 years and performance status (WHO) of 0-2 were treated at 6 DLs. All patients were assessable for toxicity and 20 for response. DLT was reached at carboplatin 6 AUC and vinorelbine 35 mg/m(2), and therefore, this was considered as the MTD. Prophylactic G-CSF administration could not allow further dose escalation. The recommended dose for further phase II testing was defined at carboplatin 6 AUC on day 1 and vinorelbine 30 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8. Among 98 administered treatment cycles 41 (42%) and 7 (7%) were complicated with grades 3 and 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, respectively. Nonhematologic toxicities included grade 2 peripheral neuropathy in 3 cycles and grades 2 and 3 fatigue in 32 (32%).

CONCLUSION

The present study determined the feasibility of the combination of carboplatin at AUC 6 (day 1) and vinorelbine at 30 mg/m(2) (days 1 and 8 ) without G-CSF support in patients with taxane and anthracycline pretreated advanced breast cancer. Phase II studies at these doses should follow in order to determine the activity of the regimen.

Irinotecan (CPT-11) in combination with infusional 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin (de Gramont regimen) as first-line treatment in patients with advanced colorectal cancer: a multicenter phase II study

The combination of CPT-11 with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in advanced colorectal cancer (ACC) represents an attractive approach. A phase II study was conducted to assess the tolerance and efficacy of CPT-11 in combination with leucovorin-modulated bolus plus infusional 5-FU given according to the de Gramont regimen in chemonaive patients with ACC. Fifty-four patients with histologically confirmed ACC were enrolled. The patients' median age was 65 years; 30 (55.5%) patients were men; performance status (World Health Organization) was 0 in 27 (50%) patients, 1 in 22 (41%), and 2 in 5 (9%). Patients received leucovorin (200 mg/m2/d) as a 2-hour intravenous infusion, followed by 5-FU as an intravenous bolus at 400 mg/m2/d, and then as a 22-hour continuous infusion at 600 mg/m2/d, repeated on 2 consecutive days. CPT-11 (180 mg/m2; 30-minute intravenous infusion) was administered on day 1, simultaneously with leucovorin administration. This cycle was repeated every 2 weeks. Complete response was achieved in 4 patients (8%) and partial response in 19 (37%) (overall response rate: 45%; 95% CI: 24-50.5%). Stable disease was achieved in 16 (31%) patients and progressive disease in 13 (25%). The median duration of response and the median TTP were 5 and 8 months, respectively. After a median follow-up period of 11 months, 33 (61%) patients are still alive; the median overall survival has not yet been reached. Thrombocytopenia and anemia were very rare. Grade III/IV neutropenia developed in 19 patients (36%); febrile neutropenia developed in 4 patients, and 1 of them died of sepsis. Grade IV diarrhea was seen in 7 (13%) patients, and 4 of them required hospitalization. Grade III and IV mucositis was observed in two (4%) and one (2%) patients, respectively. Other toxicities were mild. The combination of CPT-11 and bolus plus infusional 5-FU is a relatively well-tolerated and effective first-line treatment in ACC. Final results from large phase III trials are awaited to clarify whether the CPT-11/5-FU combinations should be considered as "standard" first-line treatment in ACC.

A phase I clinical trial of topotecan given every 2 weeks in patients with refractory solid tumors

OBJECTIVES

Topotecan, a potent inhibitor of the enzyme topoisomerase I, has shown an interesting activity against several types of solid tumors, most notably small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and ovarian cancer. We conducted a phase I study to evaluate the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of topotecan given in a novel schedule of administration in patients with refractory solid tumors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-six patients with histologically confirmed diagnosis of solid tumors refractory to all known forms of effective therapy were enrolled. The patients' median age was 61 years, 15 were male, and 18 had a performance status of (WHO) 0-1. Seven patients suffered from ovarian cancer, 11 from SCLC, 4 from non-SCLC, 2 from melanoma and 2 from cervical cancer. Topotecan was given for 3 consecutive days as a 30-min intravenous infusion, at doses ranging from 0.75 to 1.2 mg/m2. Treatment was repeated every 2 weeks.

RESULTS

At dose level 5 with topotecan 1.2 mg/m2, both study patients presented DLTs (1 patient grade 4 neutropenia and the other grade 3 fatigue), and the recommended doses for future phase II studies are topotecan 1.1 mg/m2 for 3 consecutive days every 2 weeks. A total of 60 treatment cycles were administered, with a median of 2 cycles per patient. Grade 3/4 neutropenia was observed in 11 (18%) cycles and 2 of them were complicated by fever requiring patient hospitalization. Grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia was seen in 2 (3%) cycles and grade 3 anemia in 3 (5%). Although non-hematologic toxicity was generally mild, grade 2/3 fatigue complicated 12 (20%) cycles and grade 4 one (1.5%) requiring treatment interruption in 4 patients. Among 18 evaluable patients, no objective response to treatment was observed.

CONCLUSION

This phase I study demonstrates that topotecan given at the dose of 1.1 mg/m2 for 3 consecutive days every 2 weeks is a safe and tolerable regimen and possibly permits the combination of the drug with other cytotoxic agents at clinically relevant doses.

Comparison of docetaxel/cisplatin to docetaxel/gemcitabine as first-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer: early results of a randomized trial

The study compares docetaxel plus cisplatin (DC) and docetaxel plus gemcitabine (DG) regimens for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients were randomized to receive either the DC or the DG combination. They were stratified according to age, performance status (PS) and stage of disease. Three hundred seventeen patients entered the study. Of them, 162 received the DC regimen and 155 the DG regimen. There were no differences in the patients' characteristics between the two study arms. Preliminary analysis included 132 evaluable patients in the DC arm and 114 in the DG arm. Three complete responses (CR) (2.3%) and 39 partial responses (PR) (30%) were documented in the DC arm (response rate (RR) 32.3%; 95% CI 23.87-39.76%), whereas 1 CR (0.9%) and 38 PR (33%) were documented in the DG arm (RR: 33.9%; 95% CI 25.5-42.92%). No differences in the RR, response duration, time to tumor progression, overall survival and 1-year survival were observed between the two groups. Regarding toxicity, there were no significant differences in grade 3-4 anaemia and thrombocytopenia between the two arms. However, grade 3-4 neutropenia occurred in 40 patients (33%) treated with the DC regimen and in 31 patients (22%) treated with the DG regimen (P=0.01). Twenty-four (16%) patients in the DC arm and 20 (14%) in the DG arm developed febrile neutropenia. There was one death due to sepsis in each arm. Non-haematological toxicity was mild and equal in the two arms, with the exception of grade 3-4 nausea and diarrhoea, which were more frequent in the DC arm. In conclusion, preliminary results showed that the DG regimen was as effective as the DC regimen. The toxicity profile of the DG combination was relatively milder. Hence, cisplatin cannot be considered longer as a mandatory component of chemotherapy against NSCLC.

Cisplatin and irinotecan (CPT-11) as second-line treatment in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Irinotecan (CPT-11) and cisplatin (P) are both active agents against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and their combination has shown in vitro an additive or synergistic effect. We conducted a phase II study to determine the toxicity and efficacy of their combination as salvage treatment in patients with advanced NSCLC progressing after a docetaxel-based front line regimen. Forty-four patients with histologically confirmed NSCLC were enrolled. The patients' median age was 60.5 years; 39 patients (87%) were male; 38 (86%) had stage IV disease; and 32 (73%) had a performance status (WHO) 0-1. CPT-11 was administered as a 60 min i.v. infusion at a dose of 100 mg/m(2) on day 1 and 110 mg/m(2) on day 8; P was administered at a dose of 80 mg/m(2) on day 8 after CPT-11 administration. Treatment was repeated every 3 weeks. A total of 159 chemotherapy cycles was administered. In an intention-to-treat analysis, nine patients (22; 95% CI: 9.28-34.62%) achieved a partial response (PR), 8 (20%) had stable disease (SD), and 24 (58%) progressive disease (PD). The median duration of response was 4 months, the median time-to-progression (TTP) 8 months, and the median survival for the entire group 8 months. Grade 3-4 neutropenia was observed in 20 (46%) patients and in four cases this was febrile, requiring patient's hospitalisation. Grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia occurred in four (9%) patients. Grade 3-4 diarrhoea was seen in 12 (27%) patients and three of them required hospitalisation. Grade 2-3 neurotoxicity was observed in two (4%) patients and grade 2-3 fatigue in 14 (32%). Other toxicity was mild and no treatment-related death was reported. The combination of CPT-11 and P is a safe, well-tolerated, and active regimen for the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC previously treated with a docetaxel-based front-line regimen.

Second-line treatment with vinorelbine and carboplatin in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. A multicenter phase II study

OBJECTIVE

A phase II study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of vinorelbine-carboplatin (VNB-C) combination as a salvage treatment in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progressing after or failing previous non-platinum, taxane-based treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-seven patients with cytologically or histologically confirmed NSCLC were enrolled. VNB 30 mg/m(2) was administered on days 1 and 8 and C 300 mg/m(2) on day 1 every 28 days. G-CSF (5 microg/kg per day s.c.) was used prophylactically on days 10-15 in case of grade 3-4 neutropenia or febrile neutropenia after the first cycle.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine patients were evaluable for response and all were evaluable for toxicity. In an intention-to-treat analysis, two (5%) complete and four (11%) partial responses were documented for an overall response rate of 16% (95% CI, 4.49-28.84%). Eleven (30%) patients experienced disease stabilisation and 20 (54%) disease progression. The median duration of response was 7.5 months, the median TTP was 9 months, and the median survival was 8.5 months. Patients with objective remission and stable disease had a statistically significant survival benefit over patients with disease progression. Grade 3 and 4 neutropenia occurred in three (8%) and ten (27%) patients, respectively, and six cases (16%) were complicated with fever. Grade 4 thrombocytopenia was documented in one (3%) patient. Non-hematological toxicity was mild, with grade 2 and 3 asthenia reported in 18 (48%) patients. No treatment-related deaths occurred.

CONCLUSION

VNB-C combination is well tolerated and retains a notable degree of activity in NSCLC patients progressing after previous non-platinum, taxane-based treatment. Moreover, it confers tumour growth control in a significant proportion of patients, and this seems to be associated with a survival benefit for them.

A dose escalation study of topotecan in combination with epirubicin in pretreated patients with small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

To define the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) and the maximum tolerated doses (MTDs) of topotecan in combination with epirubicin in pretreated patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-seven SCLC patients with performance status (WHO) of 0-2 and adequate renal, hepatic, and bone marrow function who had failed EP-containing front-line chemotherapy entered the study. Patients received escalated doses of topotecan (starting dose 0.5 mg/m(2)) for 5 days and epirubicin (starting dose 40 mg/m(2)) on day 8, every 28 days.

RESULTS

All patients were assessable for toxicity and 20 for response. The MTD was topotecan 0.90 mg/m(2) and epirubicin 40 mg/m(2) with neutropenia being the most common dose-limiting event. Seventy-three courses were administered. Grade 3-4 neutropenia occurred in 22 (30%) courses, grade 3-4 anemia in 7 (10%), and grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia in 11 (15%). Seven courses were complicated with fever and one patient died of neutropenic sepsis. Grade 3-4 non-hematologic toxicity was mild and infrequent with only grade 2-3 asthenia occurring in 16 (22%) courses. Among 20 patients who were evaluable for response, 16 (80%) were refractory to prior treatment. One patient with refractory disease (5%) achieved a complete response of 14 weeks duration and four experienced stabilization of the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of topotecan 0.90 mg/m(2) on days 1-5, with epirubicin 40 mg/m(2) on day 8, administered every 28 days is a feasible outpatient regimen which merits further evaluation in patients with chemosensitive disease.

First-line chemotherapy with docetaxel for unresectable or metastatic carcinoma of the biliary tract. A multicentre phase II study

The purpose was to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of docetaxel as first-line chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract carcinoma. 25 chemotherapy-naïve patients with unresectable or metastatic biliary tract carcinoma were entered into this phase II trial. Docetaxel was given at the dose of 100 mg/m2 as a 1-h infusion on day 1, after appropriate premedication with dexamethasone; treatment was repeated every 21 days. Patients were assessed for response every three chemotherapy cycles. 24 patients were evaluable for response and 25 for toxicity. A total of 98 cycles were administered with a median of three cycles/patient. Two complete (CR=8%) and three partial (PR=12%) responses were observed (overall response rate: 20%; 95% confidence interval (C.I.) 4-36%); in addition, 6 (24%) patients had stable disease and 14 (58%) progressive disease. With a median follow-up of 8 months, the median duration of response was 4 months, the median time to tumour progression (TTP) was 6 months and the overall median survival was 8 months. The 1-year survival rate was 26%. Grade 3 and 4 granulocytopenia occurred in 36 and 20% of the patients, respectively, and febrile neutropenia was observed in 16% of them; there were no treatment-related deaths. Grade 2-3 fatigue was reported in 24% of patients. These results indicate that docetaxel is an active drug against adenocarcinomas of the biliary tract.

Ifosfamide, paclitaxel and cisplatin first-line chemotherapy in advanced, suboptimally debulked epithelial ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

The combination of paclitaxel with a platinum analogue is the preferred chemotherapy regimen in the treatment of advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma. The alkylating agent ifosfamide has shown activity in refractory or recurrent ovarian cancer. We conducted a Phase II study with the combination of ifosfamide, paclitaxel, and cisplatin for the treatment of newly diagnosed patients with advanced, suboptimally debulked ovarian carcinoma.

METHODS

Thirty-five consecutive patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO] Stage III or IV) and residual disease larger than 2 cm after staging laparotomy and cytoreductive surgery were treated with paclitaxel, 175 mg/m(2), as a 3-hour intravenous infusion on Day 1, cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) intravenously over 2 hours on Day 2, and ifosfamide 1500 mg/m(2) intravenously over 1 hour on Days 1-3 (with sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate [MESNA] uroprotection). Courses were administered every 3 weeks on an outpatient basis. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor was given at a dose of 5 microg/kg/day on Days 7-11.

RESULTS

Among 26 patients with measurable disease, 22 (85%) achieved an objective response including 15 complete and 7 partial responses. With a minimum follow-up of 46 months, the median overall survival was 52.8 months (range, 5.3-56.6+ mos), whereas the median time to progression for all patients was 22.2 months. The median remission duration for women with measurable disease who responded to treatment was 12.6 months. The treatment was tolerated relatively well without toxic deaths; the most common toxicity was Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia that occurred in 42% of patients. Significant peripheral neuropathy (Grade 2 or higher) developed in 35% of patients.

CONCLUSION

The combination of ifosfamide, paclitaxel, and cisplatin is a well-tolerated outpatient regimen with significant activity in the treatment of newly diagnosed FIGO Stage III or IV epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Further evaluation is justified to clearly define the role of ifosfamide as an additional agent to the current platinum and paclitaxel regimens.

Salvage chemotherapy with high-dose leucovorin (LV) and 48-hour continuous infusion (CI) of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in combination with conventional doses of cyclophosphamide (CPM) in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) pretreated with anthracycline and taxanes

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the activity and tolerance of high-dose leucovorin (LV) and infusional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in combination with conventional doses of cyclophosphamide (CPM) as salvage chemotherapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) pretreated with anthracyclines and taxanes. 41 patients (median age 59 years) with MBC refractory or resistant to anthracyclines and taxanes were enrolled. The patients' performance status (WHO) was 0 in 10 patients (24%), 1 in 22 (54%), and 2 in 9 (22%). 30 (73%) patients had received 2 or more prior chemotherapy regimens. Cyclophosphamide (600 mg m(-2)) was given i.v. bolus on day 1 and LV (500 mg m(-2) d(-1)) as a 2-h infusion followed by 5-FU (1.5 g m(-2) d(-1)) over a 22 h c.i. for 2 consecutive days. Cyclophosphamide was administered every 28 days while 5-FU/LV every 14 days. In an intention-to-treat analysis, complete response (CR) was achieved in 2 (4.9%) patients and partial response (PR) in 9 (22%) (overall response rate 26.9%; 95% CI: 13.27-40.39%). Stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD) were observed in 9 (22%) and 21 (51%) patients, respectively. The overall response rate was 6% and 40% in patients with primary and secondary resistance to anthracyclines/taxanes, respectively (P = 0.047). The median duration of response and the median time to disease progression was 8 and 9.5 months, respectively. The median overall survival was 13 months and the probability for 1-year survival 51%. Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 9 (22%) patients and 4 (9%) patients developed grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia. Non-haematological toxicity was mild. There were no cases of febrile neutropenia, toxic deaths or treatment-related hospital admissions due to toxicity. The combination of high-dose 5-FU/LV with conventional doses of cyclophosphamide is a well tolerated and effective salvage regimen in patients with MBC heavily pretreated with both anthracyclines and taxanes.

Oxaliplatin in combination with infusional 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin every 2 weeks as first-line treatment in patients with advanced colorectal cancer: a phase II study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oxaliplatin (L-OHP) in combination with leucovorin (LV)-modulated bolus plus infusional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; de Gramont schedule) every 2 weeks in chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-two patients (median age: 69 years) with histologically confirmed and two-dimensionally measurable metastatic CRC were enrolled. The patients' performance status (WHO) was 0 in 14 (44%), 1 in 15 (47%), and 2 in 3 (9%) patients. Twenty (62.5%) patients had at least two metastatic sites. LV was administered at a dose of 200 mg/m2/day as a 2-hour intravenous infusion, followed by 5-FU as an intravenous bolus at the dose of 400 mg/m2 and then, as a 22-hour continuous infusion at the dose of 600 mg/m2/day for 2 consecutive days. L-OHP was administered on day 1 at the dose of 85 mg/m2 as a 2-hour infusion in parallel with LV but using different infusion lines. Treatment was administered every 2 weeks.

RESULTS

In an intention-to-treat analysis, 2 (6.2%) complete and 9 (28%) partial responses (28%; odds ratio 34.2%; 95% confidence interval 17.92-50.83%) were achieved while 8 (25%) patients had stable disease and 13 (41%) progressive disease. The median duration of response was 5 months, but the median time to progression has not yet been reached. After a median follow-up period of 11 months, the median survival has not yet been attained, but the projected probability for 1-year survival was 72%. Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 16 (50%) patients while 1 (3%) of them developed febrile neutropenia. There was no treatment-related death. Peripheral neuropathy grade 2 and > or =3 occurred in 5 (16%) and 7 (21%) patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The bimonthly administration of L-OHP in association with LV-modulated bolus plus infusional 5-FU ('de Gramont' regimen) is a well-tolerated and effective front-line treatment for metastatic CRC.

A dose-finding study of the weekly administration of paclitaxel in patients with advanced solid tumors

The purpose of this study was to determine the dose-limiting toxicities and the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of weekly administration of paclitaxel in patients with advanced solid tumors. Twenty-six patients with advanced solid tumors were treated with escalated doses of paclitaxel (starting dose 70 mg/m(2)/wk with increments of 10 mg/m(2)/wk) for 4 consecutive weeks every 6 weeks. No intrapatient escalation or growth factor support was allowed. The DLT was exceeded at the dose of 120 mg/m(2)/wk, and the dose-limiting events were grade IV neutropenia and treatment delay because of incomplete hematologic recovery. There was no cumulative myelosuppression. Grade IV neutropenia occurred in four (6%) cycles, and there was one episode of febrile neutropenia. Grade II/III fatigue occurred in 19 (73%) patients, resulting in discontinuation of treatment in 2 of them; grade II neurosensory toxicity and grade II alopecia occurred in 8 (31%) patients each. The MTD, which is also the recommended dose for further phase II studies, was 110 mg/m(2)/wk. Among the 21 patients with bidimensionally measurable disease, 2 (10%) partial responses were observed, both in patients with heavily pretreated advanced breast cancer. The weekly administration of paclitaxel for 4 consecutive weeks in cycles of 6 weeks is a feasible, safe, and active outpatient regimen that merits further evaluation in combination with other anticancer agents.

Docetaxel in combination with mitoxantrone and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor as front-line chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer: a multicenter phase II study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the activity and tolerance of docetaxel in combination with mitoxantrone and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) as front-line treatment in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty-four previously untreated patients with MBC who had bidimensionally measurable disease were enrolled onto the study. Forty-eight (89%) patients had visceral metastases and nineteen (36%) had relapsed within twelve months following adjuvant chemotherapy. Docetaxel (100 mg/m2) was given on day 1 after appropriate premedication and mitoxantrone (20 mg/m2) on day 8. G-CSF (150 mcg/m2/d s.c.) was administered from day 2 to day 6 and from day 9 to day 15. The regimen was repeated every three weeks, on an outpatient basis.

RESULTS

In an intention-to-treat analysis, 9 (17%) CRs, 24 (44%) PRs, (overall response rate 61%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 48.1%-74.1%), 12 (22%) SD and 9 (17%) PD were observed. The median duration of response and the median time to tumor progression was 12.5 and 14 months, respectively. The overall median survival was 16.5 months, whilst the probability for one- and three-year survival was 61% and 35%, respectively. Grade 3-4 neutropenia occurred in 37 (69%) patients, and febrile neutropenia in 16 (30%); there was one death due to sepsis. Grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia occurred in four (8%) patients. Grade 2-3 neurosensory toxicity was observed in 8 (15%) patients and grade 2-3 asthenia in 24 (45%).

CONCLUSIONS

Docetaxel in combination with mitoxantrone and G-CSF support is an intensified and active front-line regimen for patients with MBC; despite its hematological toxicity, this regimen merits further comparison with other standard anthracycline- and/or taxane-based combinations.

A dose-finding study of irinotecan (CPT-11) plus a four-day continuous 5-fluorouracil infusion in advanced colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

Irinotecan (CPT-11) has shown considerable activity in colorectal cancer, and its combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) represents an attractive approach. A phase I study was conducted to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of CPT-11 in combination with a continuous infusion of 5-FU for 4 days.

METHODS

Forty-two patients with histologically confirmed metastatic colorectal cancer who had not received prior treatment for advanced disease were enrolled. The patients' median age was 64 years; 26 (62%) patients were men, and the performance status (WHO) was 0 in 26 (62%) patients, 1 in 15 (36%) and 2 in 1 (2%). Twenty-two (52%) patients had 2 or more metastatic sites. CPT-11 (starting dose 200 mg/m(2)) was administered as a 30-min intravenous infusion with increments of 50 mg/m(2) on day 4. 5-FU (starting dose 400 mg/m(2)) was administered as a 4-day continuous intravenous infusion with increments of 50 mg/m(2) on days 1-4. Treatment was repeated every 4 weeks.

RESULTS

The MTD of the combination was found to be 600 mg/m(2) for 5-FU and 350 mg/m(2) for CPT-11. Neutropenia, febrile neutropenia and delayed diarrhea were the DLTs. Grade 3/4 neutropenia was observed in 22 (13%) out of 169 administered treatment cycles, febrile neutropenia in 7 (4%) and grade 3/4 diarrhea in 20 (12%). Other toxicities were mild. Among 36 patients evaluable for response, partial response was achieved in 8 (22%), stable disease in 12 (33%) and progressive disease in 16 (44%) patients. Responses were mostly seen at the higher dose levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of a 4-day continuous infusion of 5-FU followed by CPT-11 represents an active and well-tolerated regimen for patients with colorectal cancer. This regimen merits further evaluation in phase II studies.

Vinorelbine-based regimens as salvage treatment in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: two parallel multicenter phase II trials

Two parallel phase II trials were conducted in order to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of vinorelbine-ifosfamide (VNB-IFX) and vinorelbine-carboplatin (VNB-C) combinations as salvage treatment in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients failing platinum-based front-line chemotherapy were enrolled in the VNB-IFX trial while patients failing non-platinum-containing chemotherapy were treated with VNB-C. Twenty-nine patients were treated with VNB-IFX [median age: 59 years; performance status, PS (WHO) 0--1: 72% and disease stage IV: 79%] and 37 with VNB-C [median age: 61 years; PS (WHO) 0--1: 51% and stage IV: 84%]. Patients received vinorelbine 25 mg/m(2) i.v. on days 1 and 8 and ifosfamide 1.6 g/m(2) i.v. on days 8--10 with uroprotective mesna, in cycles of 28 days. G-CSF (5 microg/kg/day s.c.) was administered prophylactically on days 11--16 or until hematological recovery. The VNB-C regimen consisted of carboplatin 300 mg/m(2) on day 1 and vinorelbine 30 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 every 28 days.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients were evaluable for response in the VNB-IFX trial and 29 in the VNB-C. Overall response rates (intent-to-treat analysis) were 3% (1 patient; duration of response: 3 months) for the VNB-IFX and 16% (median duration of response: 7.5 months) for the VNB-C combination. The median time to progression and survival for patients receiving VNB-IFX were 4.5 and 6 months (1-year survival: 19%), respectively; the corresponding values for VNB-C were 9.0 and 8.5 months (1-year survival: 38%). The median survival of patients achieving stable disease was 10 (VNB-IFX) and 14.5 (VNB-C) months. Grade 3--4 neutropenia occurred in 4 (13%) of the patients treated with VNB-IFX; all cases were complicated with fever. Grade 3--4 neutropenia was documented in 13 (35%) patients in the VNB-C trial; 6 (16%) developed neutropenic fever. There were no treatment-related deaths. Non-hematologic toxicity for the VNB-IFX and VNB-C regimens was mild with grade 2--3 peripheral neurotoxicity occurring in 3 (10%) and 7 (19%) patients, and grade 2--3 asthenia in 11 (38%) and 18 (48%) patients, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Both combinations were associated with a tolerable toxicity profile. VNB-C demonstrated notable activity in patients previously treated with a taxane-based regimen, whilst VNB-IFX failed to produce a significant response rate in patients treated with platinum-containing chemotherapy. Stabilization of disease was associated with a favorable survival in both studies.

Docetaxel in combination with gemcitabine plus rhG-CSF support as second-line treatment in non-small cell lung cancer. A multicenter phase II study

BACKGROUND

Docetaxel in combination with gemcitabine is an active front-line chemotherapy regimen against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with acceptable toxicity. A multicenter phase II study was conducted in order to determine the toxicity and efficacy of this combination, as salvage treatment in patients progressing after a cisplatin-based front line regimens.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-two patients with histologically confirmed, bidimensionally measurable NSCLC, who failed prior cisplatin-based chemotherapy were enrolled. The patients' median age was 62.5 years, 29 (91%) were male, 23 (72%) had disease stage IV, and 22 (69%) had a performance status (WHO) 0-1. Gemcitabine (900 mg/m(2)) was administered on days 1 and 8 and docetaxel (100 mg/m(2)) on day 8, after appropriate premedication. rhG-CSF (150 microg/m(2)) was given prophylactically from day 9 to 15. Treatment was repeated on an outpatient basis every three weeks.

RESULTS

A total of 127 chemotherapy cycles were administered. In an intention-to-treat analysis five patients (15.6%; 95% CI: 3.04-28.21%) achieved a partial response, 11 (34.4%) stable disease, and 16 (50%) progressive disease. The median duration of response was 9 months, the median TTP 7 months, and the overall median survival 6.5 months; the overall 1-year survival probability was 27.6%. Grade 3/4 neutropenia was observed in five (15.6%) patients and in two of them associated with fever. Grade 3 anemia and thrombocytopenia occurred in three (9%) and two (6.5%) patients, respectively. Non-hematologic toxicity was very mild with only one episode of grade 4 diarrhea and mucositis, respectively; two (6%) patients complained for grade 3 asthenia.

CONCLUSION

The combination of gemcitabine and docetaxel with prophylactic use of rhG-CSF is a safe and well-tolerated regimen for the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC, who failed front-line treatment with cisplatin-based regimens.

A multicenter randomized clinical trial comparing paclitaxel-cisplatin-etoposide versus cisplatin-etoposide as first-line treatment in patients with small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Previous phase I-II studies have shown that the combination of paclitaxel-cisplatin-etoposide (TEP) is very active and well tolerated in patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). In order to compare the TEP combination to cisplatin etoposide (EP) regimen as front-line treatment in patients with SCLC, we conducted a randomised multicenter study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred thirty-three chemotherapy-naïve patients with histologically proven limited or extensive stage SCLC were randomised to receive either paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 i.v. three-hour infusion on day 1 and cisplatin 80 mg/m2 i.v. on day 2 and etoposide 80 mg/m2 i.v. on days 2-4 with G-CSF support (5 mcg/kg s.c. days 5-15) or cisplatin 80 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1 and etoposide 120 mg/m2 i.v. on days 1-3 in cycles every twenty-eight days.

RESULTS

Due to excessive toxicity and mortality observed in the TEP arm, an early interim analysis was performed and the study was closed. Sixty-two patients received two hundred sixty-one cycles of TEP and seventy-one patients three hundred twenty-three cycles of EP The two patient groups were well balanced for age, sex, performance status, stage of disease and the presence of abnormal LDH at diagnosis. In an intention-to-treat overall analysis both regimens were equally active with a complete and partial response rate of 50% (95% confidence interval (CI): 37.5%-62.4%) for TEP and 48% (95%) CI: 36.2%-59.5%) for EP (P = 0.8). The median time to disease progression was 11 months for TEP and 9 months for EP (P = 0.02). The duration of response, one-year survival and overall survival were similar in the two arms. Similarly, in an intention-to-treat subgroup analysis of patients with limited or extensive stage disease, there was no difference in the activity between the two regimens except of a longer median time to disease progression in the extensive stage in favour of the TEP regimen, eight versus six months (P = 0.04). However, there were eight toxic deaths in the TEP arm versus none in the EP arm (P = 0.001). Moreover, the TEP regimen was associated with more severe toxicity than the EP regimen in terms of grade 4 neutropenia (P = 0.04), grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia (P = 0.02), febrile neutropenia (P = 0.08), grade 3-4 diarrhea (P = 0.01), grade 3-4 asthenia (P = 0.05) and grade 3 neurotoxicity (P = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

In this early terminated study, the TEP regimen was significantly more toxic than the EP regimen. The TEP regimen is associated with significant toxicity and mortality, and should not be used outside of a protocol setting. For future investigations, dose and schedule modifications are necessary to reduce toxicity.

A dose escalation study of weekly docetaxel in patients with advanced solid tumors

PURPOSE

To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of weekly administration of docetaxel for three consecutive weeks every 4 weeks in patients with advanced solid tumors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 26 patients with malignant tumors refractory to conventional treatment were enrolled in this phase I study; their median age was 62 years. Of the 26 patients, 16 (62%) had previously received more than one chemotherapy regimen and 17 (65%) had previously received taxanes in a 3-week schedule. Docetaxel was administered after appropriate premedication at escalating doses (starting dose 30 mg/m2) as a 1-h i.v. infusion for three consecutive weeks in cycles of 4 weeks.

RESULTS

A total of 68 chemotherapy cycles were administered with a median of three cycles per patient (range one to six). The DLT was reached at 45 mg/m2 per week and the dose-limiting events were grade 4 neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, and treatment delay due to incomplete hematologic recovery. The MTD was defined at a dose of 42 mg/m2/week. Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in seven patients (27%) (10% of cycles), and four patients (15%) developed febrile neutropenia. There were no deaths due to sepsis. Grade 2 peripheral neurotoxicity was observed in two patients (8%), grade 2 and 3 fatigue in 14 (54%), grade 2 edema in seven (27%), mild allergic reactions in two (8%) and lacrimation in three (12%). One (4%) complete response and eight (35%) partial responses (overall response rate 39%) were observed in 23 evaluable patients. Stable disease and progressive disease were observed in six patients (26%) and eight patients (35%), respectively. All responses were observed in patients with metastatic breast cancer, one of whom had progressed on paclitaxel-based and two of whom had progressed on docetaxel-based chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The weekly administration of docetaxel for three consecutive weeks every 28 days is a feasible schedule with a favorable toxicity profile, and can be given on an outpatient basis. Moreover, this schedule of docetaxel administration seems to have an enhanced efficacy, especially in patients with advanced breast cancer who have failed front-line taxane-based chemotherapy.