Definitive chemoradiation therapy with capecitabine in locally advanced pancreatic cancer

e15558

Background: We evaluated safety and efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with capecitabine in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). We also tried to devise a prognostic model for LAPC undergoing definitive CCRT. Methods: Between January 2004 and January 2008, 39 patients with LAPC treated with capecitabine CCRT were reviewed. Capecitabine was administered at 850 mg/m2 bid every day for 5 weeks. Radiotherapy was given 5 days per week, at 1.8 Gy fractions, over the 5 weeks. Results: Thirty seven (94.8%) patients completed CCRT, and 2 patients removed during the treatment for toxicity issues. Of the 36 evaluable patients, 15 (41.7 %) patients achieved partial response, and 13 (36.1 %) had a stable disease with 77.8% of disease control rate. Among the 28 patients who had achieved disease control after CCRT, 8 patients (21.6 %) received gemcitabine-based post-CCRT chemotherapy without dose reduction or delay. With median 1.8 years of follow- up, the overall survival was 14.3 months (95% confidence interval [CI]; 10.6–17.9 months). Median progression free survival was 11.1 (95% CI 7.2–15.1) for all patients, and 7.9 months (95% CI 6.6–9.2) for those not received post-CCRT chemotherapy. No patient had grade 4 hematologic or non-hematologic toxicity. Eight patients (21.6%) had severe grade 3 toxicities, 7 (18.9%) with gastrointestinal toxicity and 1 (2.7%) with hematologic toxicity. Prognostic factors for survival were serum albumin (P=0.014; relative risk [RR], 3.4; 95% CI, 1.4, 8.6), and adjuvant gemcitabine treatment (P = 0.005; RR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.2, 10.6). The prognostic grouping resulted in three groups with significantly different prognosis: group 1 (0 adverse factor; n=8; 1-year survival, 87.5%), group 2 (1 adverse factor; n=23; 1-year survival, 52.9%) and group 3 (2 adverse factors; n=8; 1-year survival, 25.0%). Conclusions: Combined therapy with capecitabine CCRT was well tolerated. Capecitabine seems to be a promising regimen in the treatment of LAPC, in terms of response, survival, and tolerable adverse effects.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Phase III trial of adjuvant capecitabine/cisplatin (XP) versus capecitabine/cisplatin/RT (XPRT) in resected gastric cancer with D2 nodal dissection (ARTIST trial): Safety analysis

4537

Background: Although the adjuvant chemoradiation therapy has gained popularity and has become the standard of care in patients with resected gastric cancer in U.S., the role of chemoradiation therapy after extended D2 dissection has been questioned. We conducted a phase III trial to compare capecitabine/cisplatin (XP) vs XP + radiotherapy (RT) in curatively D2 resected gastric cancer patients in terms of disease free survival and overall survival. Methods: Eligibility criteria were as follows: stage Ib (T1N1, T2bN0) - IV (M1 excluded), curatively ≥ D2 resected gastric adenocarcinoma. XP only: X 2,000 mg/m2/d D1∼14, CDDP 60 mg/m2 D1 repeated every 3 weeks, 6 cycles; XP + RT: X 2,000 mg/m2/d D1∼14, CDDP 60 mg/m2 D1 x 2 cycles ⋄ RT 45 Gy (25 fractions) + X 1,650 mg/m2/d during RT ⋄ X 2,000 mg/m2/d D1∼14, CDDP 60 mg/m2 D1 x 2 cycles. The primary endpoint is 3-year disease-free survival. Results: From October 2004 to April 2008, 458 patients (XP arm: 228 patients; XP/RT arm: 230 patients) were enrolled. In XP arm, 172 (75%) of 228 enrolled patients completed 6 cycles of chemotherapy. In XP + RT arm, 188 (82%) of 230 patients completed the full course of XP 2 cycles - X + RT - XP 2 cycles. Conclusions: Safety and feasibility analysis of the two arms will be reported at the meeting.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Vorinostat (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid) as salvage therapy in metastatic breast cancer (MBC): A California Cancer Consortium phase II study

11502

Background: MBC patients (pts) have a median survival of 27 mo. Vorinostat is a small molecule inhibitor of histone deacetylase that exerts its targeted action during post-translational acetylation of core nucleosomal histones, affecting chromatin structure, thereby regulating genes implicated in cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The primary end point was to evaluate the response rate. Secondary endpoints included: time to progression, overall survival, toxicity, and assessment of biologic correlates. Method: From 6/05 to 3/06, we enrolled 14 pts with measurable MBC. Response and progression were evaluated using RECIST criteria. Two pts had no, 5 pts had one, and 7 pts had two prior regimens. Median age was 60.5 years (37- 89). Six were ER/PR positive, four were Her2neu overexpressers. Sites of metastatic disease included brain (1), liver, lungs, and bone (5), pelvic and chest wall (1), liver and bone (2), distant lymph nodes (3), pleura and bone (1). Pts received Vorinostat 200mg oral twice daily for 14 of 21 days per cycle. Tumor measurements were performed after every 2 cycles. Biopsies (pre and on-treatment) were collected from 6 of 14 pts. Results: The mean cycles delivered was 5 (range: 1–18). Four pts had SD for a median of >8.7 mo (4–13 mo); 1 pt with ER/PR/Her2neu negative tumor who received no prior treatment for MBC to mediastinal nodes and chest wall continues to receive treatment having completed cycle 18 with stable disease for >11.4 mo. The median duration on treatment for all pts is 3.2 mo (1–12 mo). Toxicities included gr 3 fatigue (1), gr 2–3 diarrhea (3), gr 2–3 nausea (2), gr 2 mucositis(1), gr 4 lymphopenia (1), gr 2–3 lymphopenia (6). Correlative studies of pre- and on-treatment tumor samples will be presented describing gene expression profiling using custom Agilent oligonucleotide microarrays optimized for analysis of RNA isolated from formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues (FFPET). Conclusion: In this trial Vorinostat demonstrated disease stabilization rate in 4/14 (29%) pts by intention to treat analysis. With ease of administration, further investigation in combination with other agents is warranted. (NCI-NO1-CM- 62209)

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Loading conditions and bone formation in the GH region of the shoulder

The present study investigates how loading of the shoulder effect the formation of the trabeculae in the subarticular region of the gleno-humeral joint. Bone morphology was determined from scapular cadaveric specimens and finite element (FE) analysis was employed to analyse principal stress trajectories. Boundary conditions corresponded to five functional activities were considered. The results show deviations of the computed trajectories from actual trabecular lines obtained from the bone specimens ranged on average from 10% to 17%. Each activity produced different regional deviation corresponding to the specific loading condition. This study concludes that certain loading conditions are more significant in explaining the formation of the trabecular architecture. The results also suggest that due to the extra sensitivity of the front and the rear aspects of the "lateral region" to the loading conditions, these regions may be more indicative in reflecting shoulder injuries.

Hydrazine inhalation hepatotoxicity

Abstract Hydrazine is a hazardous chemical commonly used as a reactant in rocket and jet fuel cells. Animal studies have demonstrated hepatic changes after hydrazine inhalation. Human case reports of hydrazine inhalation hepatotoxicity are rare. We report a case of mild hepatotoxicity following brief hydrazine vapour inhalation in a healthy young man, which resolved completely on expectant management.

Reduction of pain on injection of propofol: combination of pretreatment of remifentanil and premixture of lidocaine with propofol

BACKGROUNDS AND OBJECTIVE

There is a high incidence of pain following intravenous injection of propofol, and many studies have been conducted to find a way of reducing this. The administration of lidocaine and, recently, remifentanil has also been used for this purpose, but it is only partially effective. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the analgesic effect of a combination of pretreatment with remifentanil and premixture of lidocaine with propofol and to compare either treatment alone during propofol injection in dorsal hand-veins.

METHODS

In a prospective, randomized, double-blinded trial, we studied 141 adult patients scheduled for elective surgery. The combination of pretreatment of remifentanil (0.35 microg kg(-1) min(-1)) and a premixture of lidocaine with propofol (mixture of propofol 1% and lidocaine 1% in a 10:1 ratio) was compared with either treatment alone in the prevention of pain on propofol injection. Pain was assessed on a four-point scale (0=none, 1=mild, 2=moderate, 3=severe) during propofol injection. Patients in Group B received remifentanil (0.35 microg kg(-1) min(-1)) 30 s before the injection of propofol.

RESULTS

The reduction of pain on propofol injection was similar in both the remifentanil pretreatment and lidocaine premixture groups (62.2% vs. 62.2%). Combination therapy was associated with a higher incidence of patients without pain (91.3%) than either treatment alone (P<0.001). On analysing the injection pain scores, we found a significant reduction of the score in the remifentanil and lidocaine Group C compared with the lidocaine Group A (P<0.001) and the remifentanil Group B (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of pretreatment of remifentanil and premixture of lidocaine with propofol was more effective in reducing the incidence of pain on injection of propofol than either treatment alone.