Neutropenia and relative dose intensity on adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy are not associated with survival for resected colon cancer

Prognostic implications of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in stage III colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have reported chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN) as a prognostic factor in stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC). However, only few reports analyzed the prognostic value of CIN in patients with stage III CRC who received adjuvant chemotherapy with oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin (FOLFOX). We aimed to investigate the prognostic implications of CIN in patients with stage III CRC who received adjuvant chemotherapy with FOLFOX.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed patients with stage III CRC who received adjuvant chemotherapy with FOLFOX at a tertiary hospital between January 2007 and December 2017. Severe CIN was defined as an absolute neutrophil count of less than 1000/mm³. Three-y disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed as primary endpoints.

RESULTS

Among the 199 patients included in this study, 110 patients (55.3%) experienced severe CIN. There were no significant differences in survival outcomes between the control and CIN groups (control group versus CIN group: 3-y OS, 82.0 % versus 72.7 %; log rank, P = 0.250 and 3-y DFS, 71.9 % versus 62.7; log rank, P = 0.294). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that CIN did not affect DFS and OS in patients with stage III CRC who received adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe CIN occurring during adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy did not play a significant role in the prognosis of patients with stage III CRC.

Prophylaxis and treatment strategies for optimizing chemotherapy relative dose intensity

INTRODUCTION

A decrease in relative-dose intensity (RDI) of chemotherapy has been shown to be associated with poor patient outcomes in solid tumors and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The actual delivered chemotherapy dose received by patients can be influenced by dose reductions and treatment delays, often due to toxicities, most commonly chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN).

AREAS COVERED

We review seminal evidence and more recent studies that have shown an association between higher RDI and improved patient survival. A smaller number of studies has shown no association between RDI and outcomes. These differences may be due to study limitations, including low power, differences in patient and disease characteristics, or the chemotherapeutic regimen. We describe guidelines recommendations to prevent and treat CIN with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and describe novel approaches to prevent neutropenia that are being developed that may provide greater value and be associated with fewer adverse events than standard G-CSF options.

EXPERT OPINION

Maintaining RDI is important to ensure optimal patient outcomes. This can be achieved through the proper administration of G-CSF prophylaxis and treatment. Newer agents in development to treat and/or prevent CIN are entering regulatory review and may potentially change the treatment landscape for CIN in the future.

A Community Hospital-Based Study: A Prespecified Neutrophil Count with Adjuvant mFOLFOX6 Associated with Increased Delays, Increased G-CSF Use, and Reduced Dose Intensity

Purpose

To look at how the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is used by community oncologists as the main factor in ordering adjuvant mFOLFOX6 for colorectal cancer. This study reports on how this decision impacts chemotherapy delays, effects received dose intensity (RDI), and increases the use of granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF).

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted for all patients receiving adjuvant mFOLFOX6 for colorectal cancer at a two-site community hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, between July 2013 and March 2019. Seven physicians treated 140 patients, who made 1636 clinic visits to receive 1461 cycles of prescribed chemotherapy.

Results

The mean ANC per physician associated with a decision to give chemotherapy ranged from 1.05×10⁹/L (95% CI 0.98-1.13×10⁹/L) to 1.5x10⁹/L with a decision to delay if the ANC was lower. Subsequent cycles were then supported by G-CSF with very similar ANC decision levels for dose delay. Physicians were more likely to prescribe chemotherapy with higher pretreatment ANC, r=0.3 (p<0.000). G-CSF was used in 24.6% of cycles and usage had grown to 44.2% by the 12th cycle; physician use ranged from 0.36% to 54.2% of cycles. Secondary prophylaxis was the indication in 94.7% of cases. There was an inverse relationship between the frequency of G-CSF use and the RDI of continuous infusion 5FU, r=-0.26 (p<0.001). There were delays for 8.8% of visits for cycles not supported by G-CSF and, surprisingly, 15.9% of visits for cycles supported by G-CSF. Neutropenia caused 61.6% of delays for chemotherapy cycles not supported by G-CSF and 44.1% for cycles supported by G-CSF.

Conclusion

Physicians required a pretreatment ANC of 1.05-1.5×10⁹/L before prescribing mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy. When ANC was low, a dose delay and secondary prophylaxis with G-CSF failed to consistently achieve the much sought after ANC. This then caused more delay, reduced RDI and increased expense for both patients and the system. Fewer delays, less G-CSF and increased RDI would have resulted with reduced reliance on ANC and adoption of chemotherapy dose reduction.

Cause of death among patients with colorectal cancer: a population-based study in the United States

CRC (Colorectal cancer) is one of the most common causes of death worldwide and in the US (United States). In this study, we aim to perform a population-based analysis on the cause of death among patients with CRC in the US. A total of 834,510 CRC patients diagnosed between 1975 and 2016 in the US were selected from the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) program. Causes of death among CRC patients were characterized and SMRs (standardized mortality ratios) of death from non-cancer causes were calculated. Among all CRC patients included in this study, a total of 531,507 deaths were recorded, of which 51.3% were due to CRC, 10.3% were due to other cancers, and 38.4% were due to non-cancer causes. Recently, there has been a relative decrease in index-cancer deaths and an increase in non-cancer causes among CRC patients. The mortality risk from non-cancer rises with accumulating age and longer follow-up time. Cardiovascular diseases are the most prevalent non-cancer causes, accounting for 20.3% of all deaths among CRC patients. Compared with the general population, the mortality rate of non-cancer deaths among CRC patients is doubled (SMR, 2.02; 95% confidence interval, 2.01-2.03).

Leukocyte nadir as a predictive factor for efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer. Results from the prospective trial SBG 2000-1

Background: Retrospective studies have suggested that chemotherapy-induced leukopenia is associated with improved recurrence-free or overall survival. The SBG 2000-1 trial was designed to verify the favorable prognosis associated with chemotherapy-induced leukopenia in early breast cancer. Patients not experiencing chemotherapy-induced leukopenia were randomized into standard dosed or individually escalated chemotherapy doses based on the grade of leukopenia after a first standard dose.Patients and methods: 1452 women in Sweden and Denmark with operable node-positive or high-risk node-negative breast cancer aged 18-60 years were recruited to participate in this trial. Participants received a first FEC cycle at standard doses (600/60/600 mg/m²). Patients (n = 1052) with nadir leukopenia grade 0-2 after the first cycle were randomized between either 6 standard FEC or 6 tailored FEC courses with doses of epirubicin and cyclophosphamide escalated during courses 2 and 3 and thereafter aimed at achieving grade 3 leukopenia. Patients with nadir leukopenia grade 3-4 after the first course continued treatment with standard FEC. Results of the randomized comparison has been published previously. The present study focuses on chemotherapy-induced leukopenia as a covariable with outcome in randomized and non-randomized patients. The prognostic value of leukopenia after course 3, was studied in a Cox model adjusted for cumulative doses of epirubicin and cyclophosphamide. The association of chemotherapy-induced leukopenia with prognosis was a preplanned secondary endpoint for this trial.Results: The eight-year distant disease-free survival was 73%, 77%, 78% and 83% for patients with leucocyte nadir grade 0, 1, 2 and 3-4, respectively. Higher degree of leukopenia was highly significantly associated to improved distant disease-free survival (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74-0.96, p = .008) and overall survival (HR 0.87 (0.76-0.99, p = .032).Conclusion: This prospective study confirms that chemotherapy-induced leukopenia is a covariable with outcome in primary breast cancer, even after adjustment for chemotherapy doses.

Incidence and risk markers of 5-fluorouracil and capecitabine cardiotoxicity in patients with colorectal cancer

Background: Fluoropyrimidines are mainstay chemotherapeutics in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers and are also used to treat breast cancer and head and neck cancers. However, 5-flourouracil (5-FU) and capecitabine may induce cardiotoxicity that mostly presents as acute coronary syndromes. We compared the incidence of cardiotoxicity induced by 5-FU and capecitabine in patients with colorectal cancer and sought to identify risk markers for cardiotoxicity.Methods: We reviewed all consecutive patients with colorectal cancer who received 5-FU or capecitabine at one institution in the neoadjuvant (2007-2016), adjuvant (2000-2016) or metastatic setting (2007-2016).Results: Totally, 995 patients received 5-FU and 1241 received capecitabine. The incidence of cardiotoxicity induced by 5-FU was 5.2% [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.8-6.6%] and 4.1% (95% CI: 3.0-5.2%) induced by capecitabine (p = .21). The most common events were angina without ischemia (5-FU: 1.6%, capecitabine: 1.3%, p = .53), angina with ischemia on ECG (5-FU: 0.9%, capecitabine: 0.8%, p = .53), unspecified chest pain (5-FU: 0.9%, capecitabine: 0.6%, p = .34), ST-elevation myocardial infarction (5-FU: 0.5%; capecitabine: 0.4%, p = .76) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (5-FU: 0.7%, capecitabine: 0.5%, p = .50). Cardiac arrest or sudden death occurred in 0.5 and 0.4%, respectively (p = 1). No risk markers for cardiotoxicity induced by 5-FU were identified. In the capecitabine group, ischemic heart disease was a risk marker (odds ratio: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.2-7.0, p = .016).Conclusions: Five percent of patients treated with 5-FU developed cardiotoxicity and 4% treated with capecitabine. Ischemic heart disease was a risk marker for cardiotoxicity induced by capecitabine.

Intravenous lidocaine affects oxaliplatin pharmacokinetics in simultaneous infusion

BACKGROUND

Oxaliplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent used to treat malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract. Neuropathy is a frequent dose-limiting side-effect of oxaliplatin therapy, without preventive or curative strategies. Concomitant administration of intravenous lidocaine could be a promising treatment. However, the effect of intravenous lidocaine on oxaliplatin pharmacokinetics was never studied before. We evaluated the effect of lidocaine on the area under the curve and C_max of oxaliplatin as a part of a larger study addressing the prevention and treatment of oxaliplatin induced peripheral neuropathy with lidocaine.

METHODS

In this prospective cross-over trial, patients received an oxaliplatin cycle with and without lidocaine (bolus 1.5 mg kg^-1 followed by 1.5 mg kg^-1 h^-1 in 3 h). Levels of oxaliplatin, measured as ultrafiltrable platinum were determined at 10 min after cessation of oxaliplatin infusion and hourly thereafter. Outcomes are the difference in area under the curve of oxaliplatin (primary) and the difference in the C_max of oxaliplatin (secondary).

RESULTS

No difference in the %Δ area under the curve of oxaliplatin (-2.40 ± 7.66, 90% CI +10.50 to -15.31) was found. However, %Δ C_max of oxaliplatin (-28.72 ± 6.01, 90% CI -18.59 to -38.85) was lower to a statistically significant extent in the chemotherapy cycle with lidocaine. No (serious) adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Lidocaine does not affect the area under the curve of oxaliplatin, which is the most important parameter in drug interaction studies and for oxaliplatin treatment effect. The lower C_max in the chemotherapeutic cycle with lidocaine is significant and remarkable, but with an unknown exact mechanism or clinical significance, making further research desirable.

Treatment delays during FOLFOX chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer: a multicenter retrospective analysis

Background

FOLFOX (folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin) is the most commonly used chemotherapy regimen for the treatment of colorectal cancer. FOLFOX is administered in 14-day cycles, though toxicities frequently lead to unplanned delays. We report the incidence of unplanned delays among patients receiving FOLFOX and describe the reasons for delays.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients receiving FOLFOX chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. Patients were treated at one of two tertiary cancer centers between January 2012 and April 2016. Cycles 2-6 were assessed for delays, and treatments were considered delayed when the interval from prior treatment was >18 days. Reasons for unplanned delays were categorized based on review of clinical records.

Results

We identified 214 patients receiving FOLFOX as standard-of-care therapy. The median age was 59 years, and 55% were female. Of 961 evaluable treatment cycles, 124 (13%) had unplanned delays, and 92 of 214 patients (43%) had one or more unplanned delays in cycles 2-6. Cytopenias (neutropenia and/or thrombocytopenia) were the most common cause of unplanned delays, affecting 34% of patients and accounting for 74 of 124 unplanned delays (60%).

Conclusions

Delays are common during FOLFOX chemotherapy, with 43% of patients having at least one unplanned delay prior to completing cycle 6. Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were the leading causes of unplanned delays. Our findings justify the development of systematic approaches for preventing unplanned delays, such as standardized laboratory treatment criteria and/or proactive dose adjustment strategies.

Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and the prognosis of colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of cohort studies

INTRODUCTION

Recently, there has been a controversial discussion about the prognostic value of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN) in colorectal cancer patients. Thus, a meta-analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between CIN and the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases to identify studies evaluating the association between CIN and colorectal cancer prognosis. Pooled random/fixed effect models were used to calculate pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the association.

RESULTS

Eight studies were selected for the meta-analysis, for a total of 2,745 patients. There was significant improved survival among colorectal cancer patients with CIN (HR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.47-0.76). However, significant heterogeneity was found (p = 0.000, Ι² = 75.0%). Through subgroup analysis, we could greatly eliminate the heterogeneity and found that neutropenia was associated with better survival in stage IV colorectal cancer patients, no matter the HR calculated by overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS). Meanwhile, the prognostic value of neutropenia in stage II/III colorectal cancer can be found when the HR is calculated by disease-free survival (DFS). Additionally, we observed significant differences after stratification according to various tumor stages, endpoints, and the use of G-CSF.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results which, based on a cohort study, indicate that CIN is associated with improved survival in patients with colorectal cancer. However, further randomized controlled trials are warranted.

FOLFOX and intensified split-course chemoradiation as initial treatment for rectal cancer with synchronous metastases

BACKGROUND

Optimal initial management of rectal carcinoma with synchronous metastases (RCSM) is controversial - both for patients being treated with curative and palliative intent. This study aims to evaluate the use of an upfront treatment strategy combining FOLFOX chemotherapy with split-course pelvic chemoradiation (FOLFOX + CRT) for patients with RCSM.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An analysis of all patients who commenced treatment with FOLFOX + CRT at our institutions between January 2009 and June 2014 was performed. The regimen consisted of a total of 12 weeks of treatment with split-course pelvic chemoradiation (50.4Gy with concurrent oxaliplatin and 5-FU) alternating with FOLFOX chemotherapy. Restaging imaging was performed following treatment, with subsequent management as per local standard of care.

RESULTS

78 patients (15 with resectable liver-only metastases) were identified. 77 (99%) completed at least 45Gy of radiation and 87% completed ≥75% of planned dose intensity of both oxaliplatin and 5FU. Two (2.6%) patients died within 30 days of treatment. Rates of radiological complete or partial response for local and metastatic disease were 90% and 66%, respectively. 24% patients had radiological disease progression of metastatic disease. Median overall survival for patients with unresectable metastatic disease at baseline was 23 months (95%CI: 19-28). 12 patients underwent radical surgery to both the rectum and liver and had an estimated 3-year overall survival rate of 62% (95%CI: 37-100). For those patients who did not proceed to rectal surgery, only 7% required palliative re-irradiation or surgery at a later date and all >20months from initial treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with unresectable metastatic disease, FOLFOX + CRT provides durable pelvic control for the majority without the need for additional local treatment. For patients with an advanced primary tumor and synchronous resectable liver-only metastases, FOLFOX + CRT can be considered a feasible and tolerable upfront treatment option.

Timing of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia predicts prognosis in metastatic colon cancer patients: a retrospective study in mFOLFOX6 -treated patients

Background

The occurrence of Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN) was reported to be a predictor of better survival in several cancers. The objective of our study is to evaluate the relationship between the timing of CIN and prognosis.

Methods

Between June 2012 and August 2014, 290 patients with confirmed metastatic colon cancer received at least one cycle of mFOLFOX6 as first-line chemotherapy were eligible for assessment as all patients group. Of the 232 received at least six cycles of mFOLFOX6 and survived 150 days after treatment were considered as landmark group. Timing of CIN was categorized into absence, early-onset and late-onset CIN groups. The end of cycle 3 was the cutoff to differentiate early-onset or late-onset. The correlation between timing of CIN with survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

In all patients group, the median survival of patients without neutropenia, early-onset and late-onset neutropenia were 6.7, 20.7 and 12.8 months (P < 0.001). The patients with early-onset and late-onset CIN had better prognosis than CIN absence by multivariate analysis. Findings were much the same for landmark group.

Conclusions

In conclusion, timing of CIN is an independent predictor of prognosis in metastatic colon cancer patients received mFOLFOX6, whereas an early-onset of CIN predicts longer survival.

Impact of Dose Reductions, Delays Between Chemotherapy Cycles, and/or Shorter Courses of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Stage II and III Colorectal Cancer Patients: a Single-Center Retrospective Study

PURPOSE

Most stage II or III colorectal cancer patients are receiving nowadays a 4 to 6-month course of adjuvant chemotherapy. However, delays between cycles, reductions in the doses of chemotherapy drugs, or even permanent omissions of chemotherapy cycles might take place due to side effects or patient's preference. We examined the impact of these treatment modifications on recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS).

METHODS

We retrospectively collected data from colorectal cancer patients who had received adjuvant chemotherapy in our Department. Patients were categorized in five groups based on whether they had or not delays between chemotherapy cycles, dose reductions, and permanent omissions of chemotherapy cycles. Three-year RFS and OS of the five different groups were compared using the log-rank test and the Sidak approach.

RESULTS

Five hundred and eight patients received treatment. Twenty seven percent of the patients had the full course of chemotherapy; the others had delays, dose reductions, or early termination of the treatment. No statistically significant differences were observed in 3-year RFS and OS between the five groups. A trend for worse RFS was noticed with early termination of treatment. A similar trend was also noticed for OS but only for stage II patients.

CONCLUSION

In colorectal cancer patients, receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, delays between chemotherapy cycles, dose reductions of chemotherapy drugs, or even early termination of the treatment course do not seem to have a negative impact in 3-year RFS and OS; however, due to the trend of worse RFS in patients receiving shorter courses of chemotherapy, further studies are needed.

FOLFOX chemotherapy can safely be given to neutropenic patients with early-stage colorectal cancer for higher dose intensity and fewer visits

PURPOSE

How does giving adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy to patients with early-stage colorectal cancer (ESCRC) regardless of the day-before absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) effect chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia (CIFN) rates, received dose intensity (RDI), and chemotherapy cycle delay? Does an ANC level predict future neutropenia?

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted on all patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for ESCRC at a mid-sized community hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada between April 2005 and May 2014. All patients were under one medical oncologist. Day-before CBC data were collected along with other patient characteristics. CIFN was confirmed by hospital records. Inclusion criteria were met by 132 patients. Overall, 1074 cycles of chemotherapy were analyzed.

RESULTS

Six episodes of CIFN were observed. There was a significant difference in the average day-before ANC between patients who developed CIFN (1.4 × 10(9)/L, 95 % CI 0.76-2.0 × 10(9)/L) and those who did not (2.9 × 10(9)/L, 95 % CI 2.8-3.0 × 10(9)/L, p = 0.03). The RDI for oxaliplatin was 0.95 and for 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was 0.96. A total of 170 cycles were given at day-before ANC <1.5 × 10(9)/L (range 0.1 × 10(9)/L-1.4 × 10(9)/L), and 24 were delayed for 1 week for hematologic reasons. Cycles given with grade 2 neutropenia predicted higher grades of neutropenia with a sensitivity of 0.22 (95 % CI 0.12-0.38).

CONCLUSIONS

Adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy may be given in the setting of low day-before ANC to patients with ESCRC. The benefits include higher RDI and a reduced number of clinic visits for the patient.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Resected Stage II Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Evaluating the Impact of Dose Intensity and Time to Treatment

AIMS

Platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy is the standard of care for resected stage II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The purpose of this population-based study was to identify factors that predict for receiving adjuvant therapy and to assess the effect of delayed administration and dose reduction on survival.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The British Columbia Cancer Agency provides cancer care to 4.6 million individuals across a large and varied geographical area. A retrospective review was conducted of all referred patients with resected stage II NSCLC between 2005 and 2010. Baseline characteristics, systemic therapy details and outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS

Of 258 stage II NSCLC patients, 158 received adjuvant chemotherapy (61%). No-adjuvant versus adjuvant population: men 52%/57%, median age 67/62, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) ≤ 1 55%/75%, Charlson comorbidity score (CCS) ≤ 1 61%/74%, pneumonectomy 11%/26%. In patients who received chemotherapy, treatment details were: cisplatin/carboplatin based 81%/19%, median cycles delivered 4, median time from surgery to adjuvant chemotherapy 8 weeks, 72% received ≥ 80% (cisplatin < 256 mg/m(2) and carboplatin < AUC 19.2) total planned dose. On multivariate analysis younger age, better ECOG and pneumonectomy were predictive of adjuvant treatment. Overall survival of adjuvant-treated patients was inferior for those with CCS ≥ 2, age ≥ 70 and reduced dose intensity on multivariate analysis. The surgery to chemotherapy interval did not affect overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Pneumonectomy and factors associated with better functional status predicted for receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. For patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy the total platinum dose given affected survival but time from surgery did not. A higher platinum dose delivery was important in maintaining the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy for resected stage II NSCLC in this retrospective population-based study.