Concurrent once-daily versus twice-daily chemoradiotherapy in patients with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (CONVERT): an open-label, phase 3, randomised, superiority trial

BACKGROUND

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is the standard of care in limited-stage small-cell lung cancer, but the optimal radiotherapy schedule and dose remains controversial. The aim of this study was to establish a standard chemoradiotherapy treatment regimen in limited-stage small-cell lung cancer.

METHODS

The CONVERT trial was an open-label, phase 3, randomised superiority trial. We enrolled adult patients (aged ≥18 years) who had cytologically or histologically confirmed limited-stage small-cell lung cancer, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2, and adequate pulmonary function. Patients were recruited from 73 centres in eight countries. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 45 Gy radiotherapy in 30 twice-daily fractions of 1·5 Gy over 19 days, or 66 Gy in 33 once-daily fractions of 2 Gy over 45 days, starting on day 22 after commencing cisplatin-etoposide chemotherapy (given as four to six cycles every 3 weeks in both groups). The allocation method used was minimisation with a random element, stratified by institution, planned number of chemotherapy cycles, and performance status. Treatment group assignments were not masked. The primary endpoint was overall survival, defined as time from randomisation until death from any cause, analysed by modified intention-to-treat. A 12% higher overall survival at 2 years in the once-daily group versus the twice-daily group was considered to be clinically significant to show superiority of the once-daily regimen. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00433563) and is currently in follow-up.

FINDINGS

Between April 7, 2008, and Nov 29, 2013, 547 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive twice-daily concurrent chemoradiotherapy (274 patients) or once-daily concurrent chemoradiotherapy (273 patients). Four patients (one in the twice-daily group and three in the once-daily group) did not return their case report forms and were lost to follow-up; these patients were not included in our analyses. At a median follow-up of 45 months (IQR 35-58), median overall survival was 30 months (95% CI 24-34) in the twice-daily group versus 25 months (21-31) in the once-daily group (hazard ratio for death in the once daily group 1·18 [95% CI 0·95-1·45]; p=0·14). 2-year overall survival was 56% (95% CI 50-62) in the twice-daily group and 51% (45-57) in the once-daily group (absolute difference between the treatment groups 5·3% [95% CI -3·2% to 13·7%]). The most common grade 3-4 adverse event in patients evaluated for chemotherapy toxicity was neutropenia (197 [74%] of 266 patients in the twice-daily group vs 170 [65%] of 263 in the once-daily group). Most toxicities were similar between the groups, except there was significantly more grade 4 neutropenia with twice-daily radiotherapy (129 [49%] vs 101 [38%]; p=0·05). In patients assessed for radiotherapy toxicity, was no difference in grade 3-4 oesophagitis between the groups (47 [19%] of 254 patients in the twice-daily group vs 47 [19%] of 246 in the once-daily group; p=0·85) and grade 3-4 radiation pneumonitis (4 [3%] of 254 vs 4 [2%] of 246; p=0·70). 11 patients died from treatment-related causes (three in the twice-daily group and eight in the once-daily group).

INTERPRETATION

Survival outcomes did not differ between twice-daily and once-daily concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer, and toxicity was similar and lower than expected with both regimens. Since the trial was designed to show superiority of once-daily radiotherapy and was not powered to show equivalence, the implication is that twice-daily radiotherapy should continue to be considered the standard of care in this setting.

FUNDING

Cancer Research UK (Clinical Trials Awards and Advisory Committee), French Ministry of Health, Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute, European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (Cancer Research Fund, Lung Cancer, and Radiation Oncology Groups).

Management of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) and synchronic stage I or II lung cancer. SYNCHRON GFPC 15-01 study

e20048

Background: There is few published data’s of the management of patients with a HNC and a synchronic lung cancer. The aim of this observational study was to describe in a multicentric setting the management of these patients. Methods: The study included, consecutively all patients diagnosed between January 2011 and December 2015 in 19 French centers with a HNC and a synchronic lung cancer. Patients were described per the clinical characteristics, management and outcomes. Patient characteristics and treatment information was analyzed descriptively. Kaplan-Meier estimation was used to assess median overall survival. Results: The study included 62 patients: men : 84%; 62 ± 1.3 years old, current smokers: 68%, asbestos exposure: 11%; performans status: 0 and 1 for 22.5% and 66% of the patients respectively; hight rate of comorbidities, cardiovascular: 68%, COPD: 32%. Main histology for HNC was squamous: 98%, in oral cavity: 32%, oropharyngeal: 21%, hypo-pharyngeal: 22.5% and laryngeal: 24%. T classification was T1, T2, T3 and T4 in 18%, 29%, 29% and 16% of cases respectively, and N classification was N0, N1, N2, N3, for 40%, 24%, 21% and 6% of cases respectively. The main treatment was surgery, 47%, and chemo-radiotherapy, 52%. The diagnosis of lung cancer impacts the HNC management in 21% of the cases. Median delay between HNC and first day treatment was 54 ± 6 days. HNC progressive free survival rate was 68% at 2 years. Lung cancers were localized (stages I: 81%, stages II: 19%), squamous: 32%, adeno-carcinomas: 47%, larges cells or sarcomatosis: 7%. Main treatments were surgery: 56%, mainly lobectomy, radiotherapy: 15%, radio-chemotherapy: 10% and chemotherapy alone: 26%. Six patients didn’t receive active treatment. Median delay of treatment was 150 ± 16 days. Lung cancer progressive free survival rate was 28% at 2 years. OS was 55% at 2 years, better for stage I than stage II lung cancers. Conclusions: Synchronic lung cancer at HCN diagnosis impact management and outcomes of HNC with a delay in the management of lung cancer. Specific recommendations should be elaborate to improve the management of these patients.

Design and validation of a self-administered questionnaire as an aid to detection of occupational exposure to lung carcinogens

OBJECTIVE

Ten to thirty percent of lung cancer is thought to be of occupational origin. Lung cancer is under-declared as an occupational disease in Europe, and most declarations of occupational disease concern asbestos. The purpose of this study was to design and validate a short, sensitive self-administered questionnaire, as an aid for physicians in detecting occupational exposure to asbestos and other lung carcinogens in order to remedy occupational lung cancer under-declaration.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A short (30-question) self-administered questionnaire was drawn up by oncologist-pneumologists and occupational physicians, covering situations of exposure to proven and probable lung carcinogens. Understanding and acceptability were assessed on 15 lung cancer patients. Validity and reliability were assessed on 70 lung cancer patients by comparison against a semi-directive questionnaire considered as gold standard. Sensitivity and specificity were assessed by comparing responses to items on the two questionnaires. Reliability was assessed by analysing the kappa concordance coefficient for items on the two questionnaires.

RESULTS

Sensitivity was 0.85 and specificity 0.875. Concordance between responses on the two questionnaires was 85.7%, with a kappa coefficient of 0.695 [0.52-0.87]. Mean self-administration time was 3.1 min (versus 8.12 min to administer the gold-standard questionnaire). In 16 patients, the self-administered questionnaire detected lung carcinogen exposure meeting the criteria for occupational disease.

CONCLUSION

The present short, easy-to-use self-administered questionnaire should facilitate detection of occupational exposure to lung carcinogens. It could be used in occupational lung cancer screening and increase the presently low rate of application for recognition of lung cancer as an occupational disease.

Social inequalities and cancer: can the European deprivation index predict patients' difficulties in health care access? a pilot study

Context

The European Deprivation Index (EDI), is a new ecological estimate for Socio-Economic Status (SES). This study postulates that Time-To-Treatment could be used as a cancer quality-of -care surrogate in order to identify the association between cancer patient's SES and quality of care in a French comprehensive cancer center.

Methods

retrospective mono-centered cohort study. All consecutive incoming adult patients diagnosed for breast cancer(BC), prostate cancer(PC), colorectal cancer (CRC), lung cancer(LC) or sarcoma(S) were included between January 2013 and December 2013. The association of EDI and Time-To-Diagnosis(TTD), as well as Time-To-Treatment(TTT) was analyzed using a cox regression, and a strata analysis per tumor site was performed.

Results

969 patients were included. Primitive tumor site was 505 BC(52%), 169 PC(17%), 145 LC(15%), 116 CRC(12%), and 34 S(4%). Median TTD was 1.41 months (Q1-Q3 0.5 to 3.5 months). Median TTT was 0.9 months (0.4 - 1.4). In a multivariate analysis, we identified the tumor site as a predictive factor to influence TTD, shorter for BC (0.75months, [0.30- 1.9]) than PC (4.69 months [1.6-29.7]), HR 0.27 95%CI= [0.22-0.34], p < 0.001. TTT was also shorter for BC (0.75months [0.4-1.1]) than PC (2.02 [0.9-3.2]), HR 0.32 95%CI= [0.27-0.39], p < 0.001. EDI quintiles were not found associated with either TTT or TTD.

Conclusions

Deprivation estimated by the EDI does not appear to be related to an extension of the Time-to-Diagnosis or Time-to-Treatment in our real-life population. Further research should be done to identify other frailty-sensitive factors that could be responsible for delays in care.

Clinical and Histologic Predictive Factors of Response to Induction Chemotherapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

Induction chemotherapy (IC) is occasionally used in head and neck cancer, leading to less extensive surgery and reduced need for irradiation. Factors predicting the response to IC have not been determined. In this study, we investigated the clinical and histopathologic factors that predict the response to IC.

METHODS

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas from 81 patients were analyzed; clinical factors, histologic parameters, and expression of p16 and p53 were correlated with response to chemotherapy and prognosis.

RESULTS

Factors predicting a good response to IC were the nonoropharyngeal localization, a rich lymphocytic tissue response, and a low platelet-to-lymphocyte blood ratio before treatment. Response to IC did not correlate with prognosis, whereas a low neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the absence of a desmoplastic reaction, a rich lymphocytic tissue response, and the overexpression of p53 were associated with better prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Lymphocytic tissue response, NLR, and nonoropharyngeal localization are factors predictive of response to IC.

Radiotherapy for gynecologic cancer in nonagenarian patients: a framework for new paradigms

No consensus exists regarding the role of radiotherapy in the management of gynecologic cancer in nonagenarian patients. We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of 19 consecutive nonagenarian patients with gynecologic cancer (6 endometrial cancers, 6 cervical cancers, 4 vulvar cancers, and 3 vaginal cancers) who were treated with radiotherapy. Radiotherapy was performed mainly in a palliative setting (n = 12; 63.2%), with a median dose of 45 Gy (range, 6-76 Gy). Infrequent major acute or late toxicities were reported. Among 19 patients, 9 (47.4%) experienced tumor progression, 5 (26.3%) experienced complete response, 2 (10.5%) experienced stable disease and/or partial response. At last follow-up, 12 patients (63.2%) had died; most deaths (n = 9) occurred because of the cancer. These results suggest that radiotherapy is feasible in the treatment of nonagenarian patients with gynecologic cancer.

Clinical Impact of Bevacizumab in Patients with Relapsed Glioblastoma: Focus on a Real-Life Monocentric SurVey (SV1 Study)

OBJECTIVES

Glioblastoma is one of the most frequent primitive brain tumors. Patients who experience tumor relapse after surgery and concomitant radiochemotherapy have a dismal prognosis. The objective of this study is to analyze efficacy data in terms of overall survival (OS) and progression- free survival (PFS) following combination therapy with bevacizumab (BVZ) and irinotecan among patients with relapsed glioblastoma. Safety data will also be reviewed and all results will be compared with data of the literature.

METHODS

In this single-center retrospective study, all records of patients treated with BVZ and irinotecan for a relapsed glioblastoma were analyzed. Each chemotherapy cycle was repeated every 15 days until progression. Magnetic resonance imaging and neurologic examination were repeated every 6 weeks during treatment.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients were analyzed. The median number of BVZ-irinotecan cycles was 8 (range 1-38). Median PFS was 26 weeks and median OS was 28 weeks. Eighteen of the 45 patients (40% of cases) had an objective response 6 months after initiation of treatment. Two patients had to discontinue treatment due to toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the SV1 study are consistent with those found in phase II studies evaluating the same treatment. The irinotecan-BVZ combination is effective in relapsed glioblastoma with acceptable toxicity. Biomarkers predictive of response to BVZ should help in the selection of patients who could benefit from treatment.

[Carcinomatous meningitis: The radiation therapist's point of view]

Carcinomatous meningitis complicates 5 to 10% of cancers, essentially with breast cancers, lung cancers and melanomas. The incidence probably increased because of therapeutic advances in oncology. Treatment is based on external beam radiotherapy, systemic treatment, intrathecal chemotherapy and supportive care. The aim of this work was to review data on external radiation therapy and carcinomatous meningitis. There are few evidences on the subject, but it is a major topic of interest. A whole brain radiation therapy is indicated in case of brain metastases or clinical encephalitis. Focal radiation therapy is recommended on symptomatic, bulky or obstructive sites. The dose depends on performance status (20 to 40 Gy in five to 20 fractions), volume to treat and available techniques (classic fractionation or hypofractionation via stereotactic radiosurgery). The objective of radiation therapy is to improve quality of life. Association with systemic therapy improves overall survival. Administration of sequential intrathecal chemotherapy may also improve overall survival, but induces more toxicity. The use of new radiotherapy techniques and development of radiosensitizing molecules in patients with good performance status could improve survival in this frequent complication of cancer.

Protocol for the CONVERT trial-Concurrent ONce-daily VErsus twice-daily RadioTherapy: an international 2-arm randomised controlled trial of concurrent chemoradiotherapy comparing twice-daily and once-daily radiotherapy schedules in patients with limited stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) and good performance status

INTRODUCTION

Concurrent ONce-daily VErsus twice-daily RadioTherapy (CONVERT) is the only multicentre, international, randomised, phase III trial open in Europe and Canada looking at optimisation of chemoradiotherapy (RT) in limited stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC). Following on from the Turrisi trial of once-daily versus twice-daily (BD) concurrent chemoradiotherapy, there is a real need for a new phase III trial using modern conformal RT techniques and investigating higher once-daily radiation dose. This trial has the potential to define a new standard chemo-RT regimen for patients with LS-SCLC and good performance status.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

447 patients with histologically or cytologically proven diagnosis of SCLC were recruited from 74 centres in eight countries between 2008 and 2013. Patients were randomised to receive either concurrent twice-daily RT(45 Gy in 30 twice-daily fractions over 3 weeks) or concurrent once-daily RT(66 Gy in 33 once-daily fractions over 6.5 weeks) both starting on day 22 of cycle 1. Patients are followed up until death. The primary end point of the study is overall survival and secondary end points include local progression-free survival, metastasis-free survival, acute and late toxicity based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events V.3.0, chemotherapy and RTdose intensity.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The trial received ethical approval from NRES Committee North West-Greater Manchester Central (07/H1008/229). There is a trial steering committee, including independent members and an independent data monitoring committee. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at international conferences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN91927162; Pre-results.

Translating Clinical Evidence-Based Medicine into the Real World: Single-Center Experience with Cabazitaxel in Metastatic Prostate Cancer Patients

Background: We studied the efficacy and safety of cabazitaxel in unselected real-life patients. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively investigated all patients with metastatic prostate cancer (mPC) treated with cabazitaxel 25 mg/m2 i.v. every 3 weeks combined with oral prednisolone (10 mg once daily) after first-line docetaxel chemotherapy. Study issues were to report patient characteristics and cabazitaxel data in terms of tolerance and efficacy. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. All data were compared with TROPIC results. Results: From 2011 to 2014, 41 patients received cabazitaxel; 15 patients (37%) had a performance status (PS) ≥2 versus 7% (p < 0.0001) in TROPIC, and 38 patients (93%) presented a Gleason score ≥7 at baseline (vs. 60%; p < 0.0001). All patients had metastatic disease at baseline. Previous therapies were radiotherapy in 17 patients (41 vs. 61%; p = 0.01) and surgery in 24 patients (59 vs. 52%; p = 0.4). The median number of cabazitaxel cycles was 5 (1-10) versus 6 (3-10) in TROPIC. Five patients completed 10 cycles of cabazitaxel (12%) versus 28% in TROPIC (p = 0.03). Toxicities were anemia (12 patients, 29%), diarrhea (9 patients, 22%), nausea (7 patients, 17%), pain (6 patients, 15%), sepsis (4 patients, 10%), neutropenia (3 patients, 7%) and urinary tract infection (1 patient, 2%). The tumor response rate was 19.5 versus 14.4% in TROPIC (nonsignificant). PFS was 4.5 months (95% CI 3.3-6.4) in our analysis and 2.8 months (95% CI 2.4-3.0) in TROPIC. OS was 12.1 months (95% CI 9.2 to not reached) and 15.1 months (95% CI 14.1-16.3), respectively. Conclusion: In our unselected mPC patients with poorer baseline clinical conditions and aggressive disease, cabazitaxel seems efficient and not more toxic than in the TROPIC study.

Lung cancer patients with HER2 mutations treated with chemotherapy and HER2-targeted drugs: results from the European EUHER2 cohort

BACKGROUND

HER2 mutations have been identified as oncogenic drivers in lung cancers and are found in 1-2% of lung adenocarcinomas. There is, to date, no standard of care for these patients. We thus aim to study the therapeutic outcomes of patients harboring HER2 mutations and establish the efficacy of various drug regimens.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective cohort study in European centers assessed patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a known HER2 exon-20 insertion, treated with chemotherapy and/or HER2-targeted drugs.

RESULTS

We identified 101 eligible patients from 38 centers: median age 61 years (range: 30-87), 62.4% women, 60.4% never-smokers. All tumors were adenocarcinomas. Concomitant EGFR mutations, ALK translocations, and ROS translocations were observed in 5, 1, and 1 patients, respectively. The median number of treatment lines was 3 (range: 1-11). The median overall survival was 24 months. Overall response rate (ORR) and the median progression-free survival (PFS) with conventional chemotherapy (excluding targeted therapies) were 43.5% and 6 months in first-line (n = 93), and 10% and 4.3 months in second-line (n = 52) therapies. Sixty-five patients received HER2-targeted therapies: trastuzumab = 57, neratinib = 14, afatinib = 9, lapatinib = 5, T-DM1 = 1. ORR was 50.9% and PFS was 4.8 months with trastuzumab or T-DM1.

CONCLUSION

This series shows the chemosensitivity of HER2-driven NSCLC, and the potential interest of HER2-targeted agents. Our results should help to define the best therapeutic strategy for these patients and to orient future clinical trials.

Chemotherapy Regimen in Nonagenarian Cancer Patients: A Bi-Institutional Experience

BACKGROUND

The elderly population in Western countries is growing and constitutes a public health issue. Concomitantly, age-related diseases such as cancer increase. There are few data on the efficacy, tolerability and toxicity of specific anticancer therapy in the very elderly patients; therefore, their management is not standardized.

METHODS

In this bi-institutional study, we reviewed medical records of patients who received or continued specific anticancer therapy beyond the age of 90 years. Geriatric assessment was not reported for our patients. Twelve patients were enrolled. Their general health condition was good, and half of them were living in elderly institutions. Ten patients had a solid tumor and 2 were treated for hematological malignancies. Most were diagnosed with a locally advanced or metastatic disease, and the goal of treatment was curative for only 1 patient. Six patients received chemotherapy as first-line treatment, 4 patients received targeted therapy and 2 received concomitant chemoradiation. Four patients received a second-line treatment.

RESULTS

Despite a significant reduction in treatment posology in half of the patients, 8 acute grade 3/4 toxicities were reported and 2 patients died of treatment-related septic shock. Median duration of first-line treatment was 3.2 months, and progression-free survival ranged from 18 to 311 days. Overall survival ranged from 18 days to 11 years.

CONCLUSION

Aging is a heterogeneous process, and management of elderly patients is a multidisciplinary approach. Geriatric assessment helps to identify older patients with a higher risk of morbidity/mortality and allows to assess the risks and benefits of specific anticancer therapy. The choice of treatment should be based primarily on the expected symptomatic benefit, and treatment should not compromise the quality of life.

Histomolecular profiling of pleomorphic, spindle cell, and giant cell carcinoma of the lung for targeted therapies

In pleomorphic, spindle cell, and giant cell carcinoma (PSCGC) of the lung, we wondered if an integrated diagnosis including morphological and immunohistochemical features could be related to molecular status. We performed immunohistochemistry on 35 PSCGCs against TTF1, napsin A, p40, ALK, ROS1, and c-MET. Mutational status regarding EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, HER2, and PIK3CA genes was established. Of 18 PSCGCs with adenocarcinomatous or "undifferentiated" carcinoma differentiation, 8 were mutated for EGFR (n = 1), KRAS (n = 2), BRAF (n = 1), HER2 (n = 3), and PIK3CA (n = 1). No PSCGC (0/4) with only squamous cell or adenosquamous (0/2) differentiation was mutated. c-MET overexpression was only seen in PSCGC with adenocarcinomatous or undifferentiated component (n = 5) without squamous cell component. ROS1 and ALK were negative. The presence of a "targetable mutation" was correlated to the presence of morphological or immunohistochemical adenocarcinomatous differentiation (P = .0137). Integrated diagnosis of an adenocarcinomatous component in PSCGC could be associated with the presence of targetable gene mutation. Because only PSCGC with adenocarcinomatous or undifferentiated carcinoma harbors mutations, whereas PSCGC with only squamous or adenosquamous differentiation does not in our study, this might represent a prescreening for patients with PSCGC to be tested for molecular targets. Our results emphasize that careful morphological examination and the use of immunohistochemistry might be useful for the selection of PSCGC tested for a mutational target.

Real-life assessment of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) toxicity in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrates the feasibility of VMAT in association with platin or cetuximab in HNSCC and reports VMAT-related acute and late toxicities for the first time.

OBJECTIVES

New radiotherapy techniques, such as Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) were developed to lower RT-related toxicity. The aim of the present study was to investigate acute and late toxicities of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients treated using VMAT.

METHODS

This study investigated retrospectively all patients with HNSCC who received VMAT in curative intent.

RESULTS

From 2010-2013, 150 patients were treated. Seventy-five patients (50%) received concurrent chemotherapy with VMAT, 51 patients (34%) received VMAT alone and 24 patients (16%) received concurrent cetuximab with VMAT. Mean delivered dose to planning target volume tumor (PTV T), high risk nodes (PTV HNR), low risk nodes (PTV LNR) and prophylactic nodes (PTV PN) were: 65.2 Gy, 62.9 Gy, 55.4 Gy, and 51.5 Gy, respectively. PTV mean coverages were higher than 96.5%. Most common grade 3/4 acute infield toxicities were mucosis (n = 28, 19%), dysphagia (n = 24, 16%), and dermatitis (n = 24, 16%). With a median follow-up of 16.0 months, most common late toxicities were dysphagia (n = 30, 20%), xerostomia (n = 28, 19%), larynx stiff (n = 17, 11%), and skin fibrosis (n = 14, 9%).

What makes real world outcomes in soft tissue sarcomas? A mono-institutional trabectedin experience

INTRODUCTION

Trabectedin proved its efficacy in relapsed advanced soft tissue sarcomas (STS) in 3 multicenter phase II studies with selected patients. The aim of the present study is to investigate trabectedin efficacy and tolerance in a cohort of "real-life" unselected patients with sarcoma.

METHODS

A single-center analysis was carried out on all consecutive patients with histologically proven unresectable advanced or metastatic STS, who received at least one cycle of trabectedin. Data on efficacy and tolerance were retrospectively reported.

RESULTS

From 2004 to 2014, data of 59 patients were reviewed. Median age was 62 years (from 23 to 87). A total of 317 cycles of trabectedin were administered. Twenty-five patients (42%) suffered grade 3-4 hematological toxicity, mainly with neutropenia (22 patients, 37%). Disease control rate was 24%, mainly with stable disease, and 45 patients (76%) experienced disease progression. Median overall survival was 6.6 months (95%CI [4.9-12.6]).

CONCLUSION

Trabectedin might be an option for patients without any other validated alternative, but phase III study evaluating trabectedin+best supportive care (BSC) versus BSC is necessary.

Real-World Vinflunine Outcomes in Bladder Cancer in a Single-Institution Study: Moving Beyond Clinical Trials

PURPOSE

Intravenous vinflunine 320 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks plus best supportive care resulted in better overall survival in comparison with best supportive care alone for eligible patients with failure of prior therapy with locally advanced or metastatic transitional cell cancer of urothelial tract (TCCU). The objective of the present study was to describe our real-life experience of vinflunine for treatment of patients with TCCU.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively investigated all patients with TCCU who received at least 1 cycle of vinflunine.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients were treated between May 2010 and March 2014 in a compassionate-use program. Performance status was poor in our real-life cohort, with 6 patients (32%) with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2. Median duration of vinflunine treatment was 2.4 months (range, 0-4.3 months), and median number of cycles was 3 (range, 1-6). Total response rate was 32%, with partial responses only. Disease control rate was 53%, with a median duration of 7.7 months (range, 6.0-9.4 months). Median progression-free survival was 87 days, or 2.9 months (range, 0.7-11.7 months). After vinflunine treatment, 42% of patients received from 1 to 3 additional lines of chemotherapy. The most frequent grade 4 toxicities were constipation (26%), with 3 intestinal obstructions (16%) and 1 mechanical ileus (5%); and asthenia and fatigue (21%).

CONCLUSION

Vinflunine, as a TCCU second-line chemotherapy, brings benefits, particularly in cases where there is no alternative treatment.

Renal insufficiency is the leading cause of double maintenance (bevacizumab and pemetrexed) discontinuation for toxicity to advanced non-small cell lung cancer in real world setting

OBJECTIVES

In advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), maintenance therapy has emerged as a novel therapeutic reference for patients with non-progressive disease after platinum-based induction chemotherapy. However, the use of double maintenance (DM) with pemetrexed and bevacizumab is still being evaluated in terms of its clinical benefits and safety profile. The objective of this retrospective study was to describe the reasons for DM discontinuation in a real-world setting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with advanced non-squamous NSCLC were eligible if they had received at least 4 cycles of induction chemotherapy, followed by at least 1 cycle of DM. They were identified by using the oncology pharmacy database of 17 French centers.

RESULTS

Eighty-one patients who began a DM after induction chemotherapy were identified from September 2009 to April 2013. Among the 78 patients who had stopped DM at the time of the analysis, the main reasons for discontinuation were disease progression (42%), adverse events (33%), and personal preference (8%). The most frequent toxicity responsible for DM discontinuation was renal insufficiency (54%).

CONCLUSION

For patients with advanced NSCLC eligible for DM therapy, a particular attention should be paid to potential renal failure. Kidney function should be monitored carefully before and during DM to detect and manage early this adverse event.

[Experiences of main caregivers helping patients suffering from lung cancer and position assigned to general practitioners]

INTRODUCTION

Cancer turns into a chronic disease. Its impact on patient's daily life may require the assistance of caregiver.

AIMS

To explore the experiences of main caregivers (MCs) helping patients suffering from lung cancer (LC), and to explore the role and the position assigned to general practitioners (GPs).

METHOD

Qualitative study using semi-directive interviews with 13 PCs, recruited in Roanne's hospital and the Cancer Institute Lucien-Neuwirth (Rhône-Alpes), conducted from February to May 2014.

RESULTS

MCs' life was affected on a social, family, and professional level. Despite a need of listening and support, they remained behind, by devotion. GPs' were care managers, and were found out empathic, compassionate and reassuring. Present at the cancer announcement and viewed as an actor at the end of life, their functions were variable, following MCs during the treatment phase. During this phase, some of them perceived that lack of time, expertise and/or information seemed to be an obstacle to their solicitations.

CONCLUSION

GPs' regular care could improve MCs' quality of life. Telemedicine could facilitate communication between GPs and hospital staff asked by the MCs.

Randomized phase II-III study of bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy in previously untreated extensive small-cell lung cancer: results from the IFCT-0802 trial†

BACKGROUND

This randomized phase II-III trial sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding bevacizumab (Bev) following induction chemotherapy (CT) in extensive small-cell lung cancer (SCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Enrolled SCLC patients received two induction cycles of CT. Responders were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive four additional cycles of CT alone or CT plus Bev (7.5 mg/kg), followed by single-agent Bev until progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary end point was the percentage of patients for whom disease remained controlled (still in response) at the fourth cycle.

RESULTS

In total, 147 patients were enrolled. Partial response was observed in 103 patients, 74 of whom were eligible for Bev and randomly assigned to the CT alone group (n = 37) or the CT plus Bev group (n = 37). Response assessment at the end of the fourth cycle showed that disease control did not differ between the two groups (89.2% versus 91.9% of patients remaining responders in CT alone versus CT plus Bev, respectively; Fisher's exact test: P = 1.00). Progression-free survival (PFS) since randomization did not significantly differ, with a median PFS of 5.5 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.9% to 6.0%] versus 5.3 months (95% CI 4.8% to 5.8%) in the CT alone and CT plus Bev groups, respectively [hazard ratio (HR) for CT alone: 1.1; 95% CI 0.7% to 1.7%; unadjusted P = 0.82]. Grade ≥2 hypertension and grade ≥3 thrombotic events were observed in 40% and 11% of patients, respectively, in the CT plus Bev group. Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and soluble VEGF receptor titrations failed to identify predictive biomarkers.

CONCLUSION

Administering 7.5 mg/kg Bev after induction did not improve outcome in extensive SCLC patients.

Cost-utility analysis of maintenance therapy with gemcitabine or erlotinib vs observation with predefined second-line treatment after cisplatin-gemcitabine induction chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC: IFCT-GFPC 0502-Eco phase III study

Background

The IFCT-GFPC 0502 phase III study reported prolongation of progression-free survival with gemcitabine or erlotinib maintenance vs. observation after cisplatin–gemcitabine induction chemotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This analysis was undertaken to assess the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of these strategies for the global population and pre-specified subgroups.

Methods

A cost-utility analysis evaluated the ICER of gemcitabine or erlotinib maintenance therapy vs. observation, from randomization until the end of follow-up. Direct medical costs (including drugs, hospitalization, follow-up examinations, second-line treatments and palliative care) were prospectively collected per patient during the trial, until death, from the primary health-insurance provider’s perspective. Utility data were extracted from literature. Sensitivity analyses were conducted.

Results

The ICERs for gemcitabine or erlotinib maintenance therapy were respectively 76,625 and 184,733 euros per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). Gemcitabine continuation maintenance therapy had a favourable ICER in patients with PS = 0 (52,213 €/QALY), in responders to induction chemotherapy (64,296 €/QALY), regardless of histology (adenocarcinoma, 62,292 €/QALY, non adenocarcinoma, 83,291 €/QALY). Erlotinib maintenance showed a favourable ICER in patients with PS = 0 (94,908 €/QALY), in patients with adenocarcinoma (97,160 €/QALY) and in patient with objective response to induction (101,186 €/QALY), but it is not cost-effective in patients with PS =1, in patients with non-adenocarcinoma or with stable disease after induction chemotherapy.

Conclusion

Gemcitabine- or erlotinib-maintenance therapy had ICERs that varied as a function of histology, PS and response to first-line chemotherapy.

Two biomarker-directed randomized trials in European and Chinese patients with nonsmall-cell lung cancer: the BRCA1-RAP80 Expression Customization (BREC) studies

BACKGROUND

In a Spanish Lung Cancer Group (SLCG) phase II trial, the combination of BRCA1 and receptor-associated protein 80 (RAP80) expression was significantly associated with outcome in Caucasian patients with nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The SLCG therefore undertook an industry-independent collaborative randomized phase III trial comparing nonselected cisplatin-based chemotherapy with therapy customized according to BRCA1/RAP80 expression. An analogous randomized phase II trial was carried out in China under the auspices of the SLCG to evaluate the effect of BRCA1/RAP80 expression in Asian patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eligibility criteria included stage IIIB-IV NSCLC and sufficient tumor specimen for molecular analysis. Randomization to the control or experimental arm was 1 : 1 in the SLCG trial and 1 : 3 in the Chinese trial. In both trials, patients in the control arm received docetaxel/cisplatin; in the experimental arm, patients with low RAP80 expression received gemcitabine/cisplatin, those with intermediate/high RAP80 expression and low/intermediate BRCA1 expression received docetaxel/cisplatin, and those with intermediate/high RAP80 expression and high BRCA1 expression received docetaxel alone. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

Two hundred and seventy-nine patients in the SLCG trial and 124 in the Chinese trial were assessable for PFS. PFS in the control and experimental arms in the SLCG trial was 5.49 and 4.38 months, respectively [log rank P = 0.07; hazard ratio (HR) 1.28; P = 0.03]. In the Chinese trial, PFS was 4.74 and 3.78 months, respectively (log rank P = 0.82; HR 0.95; P = 0.82).

CONCLUSION

Accrual was prematurely closed on the SLCG trial due to the absence of clinical benefit in the experimental over the control arm. However, the BREC studies provide proof of concept that an international, nonindustry, biomarker-directed trial is feasible. Thanks to the groundwork laid by these studies, we expect that ongoing further research on alternative biomarkers to elucidate DNA repair mechanisms will help define novel therapeutic approaches.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT00617656/GECP-BREC and ChiCTR-TRC-12001860/BREC-CHINA.

Randomized open-label non-comparative multicenter phase II trial of sequential erlotinib and docetaxel versus docetaxel alone in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer after failure of first-line chemotherapy: GFPC 10.02 study

BACKGROUND

Concomitant administration of erlotinib with standard chemotherapy does not appear to improve survival among patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but preliminary studies suggest that sequential administration might be effective.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and tolerability of second-line sequential administration of erlotinib and docetaxel in advanced NSCLC.

METHODS

In an open-label phase II trial, patients with advanced NSCLC, EGFR wild-type or unknown, PS 0-2, in whom initial cisplatin-based chemotherapy had failed were randomized to sequential erlotinib 150 mg/d (day 2-16)+docetaxel (75 mg/m(2) d1) (arm ED) or docetaxel (75 mg/m(2) d1) alone (arm D) (21-day cycle). The primary endpoint was the progression-free survival rate at 15 weeks (PFS 15). Secondary endpoints included PFS, overall survival (OS), the overall response rate (ORR) and tolerability. Based on a Simon optimal two-stage design, the ED strategy was rejected if the primary endpoint was below 33/66 patients at the end of the two Simon stages.

RESULTS

147 patients were randomized (median age: 60±8 years, PS 0/1/2: 44/83/20 patients; males: 78%). The ED strategy was rejected, with only 18 of 73 patients achieving PFS15 in arm ED at the end of stage 2 and 17 of 74 patients in arm D. In arms ED and D, respectively, median PFS was 2.2 and 2.5 months and median OS was 6.5 and 8.3 months.

CONCLUSION

Sequential erlotinib and docetaxel was not more effective than docetaxel alone as second-line treatment for advanced NSCLC with wild-type or unknown EGFR status.

A phase II study of cisplatin with intravenous and oral vinorelbine as induction chemotherapy followed by concomitant chemoradiotherapy with oral vinorelbine and cisplatin for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Background

Concomitant platinum-based chemotherapy and radiotherapy (CT-RT) is the recommended treatment for unresectable locally advanced stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We conducted a phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fractionated oral vinorelbine with cisplatin as induction CT followed by CT-RT.

Methods

Patients with stage III NSCLC received 2 induction cycles of intravenous vinorelbine 25 mg/m² and cisplatin 80 mg/m² on day 1 and oral vinorelbine 60 mg/m² on day 8. Responding patients received 2 more cycles of cisplatin 80 mg/m² on day 1 and oral vinorelbine 20 mg on days 1, 3 and 5 concomitantly with radiotherapy 2 Gy daily, 5 days/week for a total of 66 Gy.

Results

Seventy patients, median age 61 years, were enrolled. Overall response rate (ORR) was 50.0%; Disease Control Rate was 81.42%. Median PFS was 14.58 months [95% CI, 10.97-18.75]. Median OS was 17.08 months [95% CI, 13.57-29.57]. One-year and 2-year survival rates were 68.6% [95% CI, 57.7-79.4] and 37%. One patient had a grade 3 pulmonary radiation injury and 26.5% had graded 1/2 esophagitis.

Conclusion

In non-operable IIIA-IIIB NSCLC, the combination oral vinorelbine (fractionated fixed dose) plus cisplatin, during concomitant CT-RT, could offer a well-tolerated option, with comparable activity to I.V. vinorelbine-based chemoradiotherapy regimens.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01839032

Modelling of overall survival by an association between progression-free and post-progression survival using a conditional distribution

In oncology, overall survival (OS) is the optimal endpoint for measuring the clinical benefit. However, and contrary to progression-free survival (PFS) which represents a potential surrogate endpoint of OS in clinical trials, OS often requires a long follow-up where the effect of the studied treatment may be diluted by subsequent therapies. In the literature, the relationship between PFS and OS was investigated more analytically than theoretically. We propose a new statistical modelling for OS based on the two survival times: PFS and post-progression survival (PPS) which we assumed to be linked using a conditional exponential distribution. This model allows us to test the existence of an association between PFS and PPS to better understand the process of improvement or decrement of OS. We found a closed form of the correlation coefficient between PFS and both PPS and OS. We expressed them as simple formulas in function of model parameters. One of the model parameters proved to be a correlation indicator between these survival times. We also defined the likelihood of the model in order to use the maximum likelihood estimator to estimate the model parameters from Phase III randomized clinical trial data, involving patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The results showed a significant link between PFS and PPS and a strong association between improvements in PFS and OS.