A multi-institutional phase II trial of gemcitabine plus paclitaxel in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer

Risk for Arterial Thromboembolic Events (ATEs) in Patients with Advanced Urinary Tract Cancer (aUTC) Treated with First-Line Chemotherapy: Single-Center, Observational Study

Arterial thromboembolism has been associated with cancer or its treatment. Unlike venous thromboembolism, the incidence and risk factors have not been extensively studied. Here, we investigated the incidence of arterial thromboembolic events (ATEs) in an institutional series of advanced urinary tract cancer (aUTC) treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy. The ATE definition included peripheral arterial embolism/thrombosis, ischemic stroke and coronary events. A total of 354 aUTC patients were analyzed. Most patients (95.2%) received platinum-based chemotherapy. A total of 12 patients (3.4%) suffered an ATE within a median time of 3.6 months from the start of chemotherapy. The most frequent ATE was ischemic stroke (n = 7). Two ATEs were fatal. The 6-month and 24-month incidence were 2.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.9-4.1) and 3.6% (95% CI: 1.9-6.2), respectively. Perioperative chemotherapy increased the risk for ATE by 5.55-fold. Tumors other than UTC and pure non-transitional cell carcinoma histology were also independent risk factors. No association with the type of chemotherapy was found. Overall, ATEs occur in 4.6% of aUTC patients treated with chemotherapy and represent a clinically relevant manifestation. Perioperative chemotherapy significantly increases the risk for ATE. The role of prophylaxis in high-risk groups should be prospectively studied.

Pembrolizumab Versus Combined Chemotherapy With Gemcitabine and Paclitaxel: A Comparative Assessment of Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Platinum-refractory Advanced Urothelial Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

There are limited data on comprehensive assessments of several treatments as second-line therapy against advanced urothelial cancer (UC). The objective of this study was to compare clinical outcomes between advanced UC patients receiving either pembrolizumab (Pem) or combined chemotherapy with gemcitabine and paclitaxel (GP) as second-line therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcomes of 89 patients with platinum-refractory advanced UC, consisting of 46 and 43 who received Pem and GP therapy, respectively, as second-line treatment.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in major clinicopathological parameters between Pem and GP groups. No significant difference in the objective response rate was noted between the two groups. Progression-free survival (PFS) in the Pem group was significantly longer than that in the GP group; however, there was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) between them. Multivariate analyses identified performance status ≤2 and liver metastasis as independent factors associated with poor outcomes in both PFS and OS. The incidence of adverse events in the GP group was significantly higher than that in the Pem group.

CONCLUSION

Pem could be regarded as standard agent for platinum-refractory advanced UC patients.

Risk for Venous Thromboembolic Events in Patients With Advanced Urinary Tract Cancer Treated With First-Line Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) frequently occur in cancer patients. Risk assessment models (RAMs) for cancer-associated thrombosis have been proposed. However, advanced urinary tract cancer (aUTC) was not adequately represented in these models. We studied the incidence of VTEs, the risk factors, and the applicability of recently described RAMs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data from 335 patients with aUTC treated with chemotherapy between April 1995 and September 2015 in a single institution were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 95.2% received platinum-based first-line chemotherapy. Twenty-nine patients (8.7%) experienced VTEs. The 6-, 12-, and 24-month VTE incidence was 7.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.8-10.6), 8.1% (95% CI, 5.4-11.5) and 9.4% (95% CI, 6.4-13.1), respectively. No significant association of VTE incidence with the Khorana risk score was observed. History of vascular event (VTE and/or arterial thromboembolic event) was significantly associated with the development of VTE. Patients with such history had a 6-, 12-, and 24-month VTE incidence of 16.2% (95% CI, 6.6-29.7), 19.2% (95% CI, 8.4-33.3), and 25.2% (95% CI, 12.5-40.1) compared to 6.2% (95% CI, 3.7-9.4), 6.6% (95% CI, 4.1-10), and 7.1% (95% CI, 4.4-10.6) of those who did not. The discriminatory ability of this factor adjusted for leucocyte count, sex, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, and type of chemotherapy reached 0.79 (95% CI, 0.71-0.87) compared to the 0.58 (95% CI, 0.49-0.66) for the Khorana risk score.

CONCLUSION

Development of tumor-specific algorithms for the risk of VTEs is advisable. Patients with aUTC and a history of vascular events are at high risk for VTE development, and prophylaxis should be prospectively studied in this group.

Comparison of efficacy and toxicity of second-line combination chemotherapy regimens in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicities of second-line chemotherapy regimens with docetaxel and gemcitabine (GD), or paclitaxel and gemcitabine (GP) for advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) that did not respond to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy.

METHODS

From 2002 to 2017, 78 patients with metastatic UCs that progressed after platinum-based chemotherapy were treated with either GD (n = 41) or GP (n = 37). We compared these two different regimens by analyzing their efficacy and toxicities in a retrospective manner.

RESULTS

Of the 78 patients enrolled in this study, it was possible to determine treatment efficacy in 70; the proportion of patients with objective response and disease control were 8.6 (9/70) and 54.3% (38/70), respectively. The median progression-free survival and overall survival in the total population (GP and GD) were 3.5 (95% CI 0.6-53.3) and 9.6 months (95% CI 1.2-53.3), respectively. There was no significant difference between the two regimens (GD or GP) regarding survival outcomes. Treatment-related adverse events were mostly manageable, but one patient died as a result of febrile neutropenia. The presence of liver metastasis and anemia (Hb < 10.0 g/dl) was prognostic factors for worse survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Combination chemotherapy with either GP or GD was a favorable and well-tolerated second-line treatment regimen for patients with advanced or metastatic UC following the failure of a platinum-based regimen. Further study using a large prospective cohort is needed to identify patients who will benefit from second-line combination therapy.

Expression of Beclin 1 in Bladder Cancer and Its Clinical Significance

Background

The aim of this study is to explore the expression of beclin 1, an autophagy gene, in bladder cancer and to evaluate its clinical and prognostic significance in patients with bladder cancer.

Methods

Beclin 1 expression was examined at mRNA and protein levels by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry in bladder cancer tissues and adjacent normal bladder tissues. The relationship between the expression of beclin 1 and clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis was statistically analyzed.

Results

mRNA level, protein expression and immunoreactivity of beclin 1 were decreased in bladder cancer tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Downregulation of beclin 1 was more frequent in tumors with higher histological grades (the expression of beclin 1 was reduced by 49.0% in G1 and G2, and by 71.8% in G3, p=0.010), and was also reduced by 69.5% in the muscle invasive type and by 51.1% in the non-muscle invasive type (p=0.04). Reduced beclin 1 expression was positively associated with higher histological grade and more advanced clinical stage (p<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that patients exhibiting lower beclin 1 expression experienced a shorter survival than those with higher expression (p=0.006). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that beclin 1 protein is an independent predictor of survival (p=0.005).

Conclusion

Beclin 1 has an influence on the progression of bladder cancer and might serve as a potential prognostic factor for patients with bladder cancer.

Systemic chemotherapy in muscle invasive and metastatic bladder cancer: present and future

Bladder cancer is the most frequent among the urothelial tumors, and it is responsible for about 2% of all cancer mortality worldwide. The mainstay of chemotherapy treatment, both for muscle-invasive and metastatic disease, is cisplatin-based regimens. In recent years, ground-breaking results have been achieved with immunotherapy, which have led to important breakthroughs in the bladder cancer treatment scenario, with the approval of several new agents. New insights derive from a greater characterization of the tumor genome, which could lead to developing new therapies, more personalized, in the near future.

Chemotherapy for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

OPINION STATEMENT

In the last 25 years, there has been an improved understanding of the pathogenesis of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (BC). Development of new treatment strategies has followed. We have progressed from the awareness of the efficacy of platinum compounds, especially cisplatin, as single agents to the development of effective drug combinations with greater attention in improving safety profiles while impacting on survival. Peri-operative chemotherapy (CHT) is the standard of care for non-metastatic disease. The most evidence in terms of a survival advantage is derived from neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC) trials, but adjuvant medical treatment should be strongly considered when NC has not been utilized. Patient selection and a multidisciplinary approach are essential. Platinum-based CHT is still the standard of care for both early and advanced disease. A deeper knowledge of the pathogenesis of BC will derive from gene expression profiling (GEP), and this will give us new prognostic and predictive tools to develop more targeted treatments. A high mutational rate has been observed in BC, which can generate neoantigens that initiate cancer immunity. Immunotherapy will become a pivotal treatment for BC, in the very near future. Emerging data are encouraging, and these treatments may well revolutionize the medical approach to this disease while CHT will play a less important role.

Impact of Prior Platinum-Based Therapy on Patients Receiving Salvage Systemic Treatment for Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Trials of salvage therapy for advanced urothelial carcinoma have required prior platinum-based therapy. This practice requires scrutiny because non-platinum-based first-line therapy may be offered to cisplatin-ineligible patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data of patients receiving salvage systemic chemotherapy were collected. Data on prior first-line platinum exposure were required in addition to treatment-free interval, hemoglobin, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, albumin, and liver metastasis status. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to evaluate their association with overall survival (OS) after accounting for salvage single-agent or combination chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Data were obtained from 455 patients previously exposed to platinum-based therapy and 37 not exposed to platinum. In the group exposed to prior platinum therapy, salvage therapy consisted of a single-agent taxane (n = 184) or a taxane-containing combination chemotherapy (n = 271). In the group not exposed to prior platinum therapy, salvage therapy consisted of taxane or vinflunine (n = 20), 5-fluorouracil (n = 1), taxane-containing combination chemotherapy (n = 12), carboplatin-based combinations (n = 2), and cisplatin-based combinations (n = 2). The median OS for the prior platinum therapy group was 7.8 months (95% confidence interval, 7.0, 8.1), and for the group that had not received prior platinum therapy was 9.0 months (95% confidence interval, 6.0, 11.0; P = .50). In the multivariable analysis, prior platinum therapy versus no prior platinum exposure did not confer an independent impact on OS (hazard ratio, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 0.75, 1.64; P = .62).

CONCLUSION

Prior platinum- versus non-platinum-based chemotherapy did not have a prognostic impact on OS after accounting for major prognostic factors in patients receiving salvage systemic chemotherapy for advanced urothelial carcinoma. Lack of prior platinum therapy should not disqualify patients from inclusion onto trials of salvage therapy.

Efficacy and Safety of Gemcitabine Plus Either Taxane or Carboplatin in the First-Line Setting of Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Although gemcitabine plus carboplatin (GCa) is the conventional first-line chemotherapy for cisplatin-ineligible metastatic urothelial carcinoma, its results are suboptimal. A meta-analysis evaluated the results of gemcitabine with either carboplatin or a taxane (GT). Literature was searched for studies including GT (paclitaxel or docetaxel) and GCa. We pooled trial level data including response-rate, progression-free survival, overall survival (OS), and Grade 3 to 4 side effects. Trial characteristics and outcomes were univariably compared between GT and GCa. Those factors, which were recorded in > 12 trials, were analyzed. Multivariable regression models were used adjusting for Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 2 and the presence of visceral metastases. Each trial was weighted by its sample size. Twenty-seven arms of trials totaling 1032 patients were selected, of which 13 contained GT (n = 484) and 14 GCa (n = 548). The percentage of patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 2 was statistically significantly different between the 2 groups (median, 8.7% vs. 23.9%; P = .003). No efficacy outcome was statistically significantly different. Median OS was 13.2 months (range, 10-15.8 months) for GT and 10 months (range, 3.3-20 months) for GCa (P = .12). However, statistically significant increases in the frequency of Grade 3 to 4 anemia (P = .010) and thrombocytopenia (P = .010) for GCa, and neuropathy (P = .040) for GT were observed. No difference in OS according to treatment was found multivariably (P = .79). In this analysis, a similar response rate and survival and worse neurotoxicity were observed with GT compared with GCa, for which hematologic toxicity was more frequent. GT is an alternative to GCa for advanced cisplatin-ineligible urothelial cancer.

Front-line Treatment with Gemcitabine, Paclitaxel, and Doxorubicin for Patients With Unresectable or Metastatic Urothelial Cancer and Poor Renal Function: Final Results from a Phase II Study

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the response rate of gemcitabine, paclitaxel, and doxorubicin in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma, we conducted a phase II clinical trial. Patients with renal insufficiency cannot receive standard cisplatin-based chemotherapy for urothelial carcinoma, and carboplatin-based regimens have proved unsatisfactory. Secondary end points for this study included overall survival, safety of the regimen, and safety of same-day pegfilgrastim dosing.

METHODS

A two-stage design was chosen with target response rate of 40%. Key inclusion criteria were metastatic or unresectable urothelial carcinoma, no prior chemotherapy, glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min, and no dialysis. Gemcitabine (900 mg/m(2)), paclitaxel (135 mg/m(2)), and doxorubicin (40 mg/m(2)) were administered on day 1 of each 14-day cycle. Pegfilgrastim was given with every cycle on either day 1 or optionally day 2.

RESULTS

Forty patients were enrolled and 39 were treated. Median age was 72 years (range 51-89). There were 7 complete and 15 partial responses, for a response rate of 56.4% (95% confidence interval, 39.6-72.2). Most cycles (82.8%) were given with same-day pegfilgrastim. Notable grade 3 and 4 nonhematologic toxicities were fatigue and mucositis (10.3% each). There were 4 episodes of neutropenic fever (4 of 198 cycles [2%]; 4 of 39 patients [10.3%]) and no treatment-related deaths. Median overall survival was 14.4 months.

CONCLUSION

The combination of gemcitabine, paclitaxel, and doxorubicin is effective first-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma and renal insufficiency. Neutropenic prophylaxis was acceptable whether pegfilgrastim was given immediately or 24 hours after chemotherapy.

Nonplatinum therapy in advanced bladder cancer

Carcinoma of the bladder is the second most prevalent genitourinary malignancy and the fifth most common solid malignancy in the USA. Combination chemotherapy is used in most patients with advanced disease. Traditionally, on the basis of favorable response rates and survival data, cisplatin-based regimens have been the preferred chemotherapy for patients with metastatic bladder cancer. However, the toxicity profile of cisplatin precludes its use in a significant subset of patients with advanced bladder cancer. Conversely, noncisplatin-containing regimens have been shown to have a more favorable toxicity profile and to have activity in advanced bladder cancer. Here, various nonplatinum chemotherapy regimens for advanced disease are reviewed.

Methotrexate-paclitaxel-epirubicin-carboplatin as second-line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder pretreated with cisplatin-gemcitabine: a phase II study

AIMS

To assess the efficacy and toxicity of methotrexate-paclitaxel-epirubicin-carboplatin combination as second-line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder pretreated with cisplatin-gemcitabine.

METHODS

In this prospective phase II study, patients with metastatic TCC of the bladder pretreated with first-line cisplatin-gemcitabine received on progression paclitaxel 175 mg/m(2) i.v. and carboplatin (area under curve of 5) on day 1, and methotrexate 40 mg/m(2) and epirubicin 40 mg/m(2) on day 15. The whole course was repeated every 28 days. The end-points included clinical tumor response, treatment toxicity, quality of life and survival.

RESULTS

A total of 40, predominantly male, patients were enrolled (median age 62 years [range 46-69]). Efficacy and survival were assessed in 38 patients only, as two patients refused treatment after the first cycle. Grade 3 neutropenia was the commonest acute severe toxicity (12/40 patients; 30%). The overall response rate was 39% (15/38 patients). The median follow up was 14 months (range 3-45). The median progression-free and overall survival were 12 and 12.5 months, respectively. The 1-year progression-free and overall survival were 24 and 35%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Methotrexate-paclitaxel-epirubicin-carboplatin combination as second-line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic TCC of the bladder results in a modest response rate with acceptable toxicity.

Current treatment of metastatic bladder cancer and future directions

Metastatic urothelial carcinoma portends a very poor long-term prognosis, with 5-year survival at approximately 5%. The overall survival of metastatic bladder cancer has not improved over the last 20 years. The first-line therapy is cisplatin-based chemotherapy with the response rate approximately 50%. Approximately 30-50% of the patients are unsuitable for cisplatin, and there is no standard of care for this patient population. There is no standard second-line treatment. Several signaling pathways are activated in bladder urothelial carcinoma, but no targeted therapy, either alone or in combination with conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy, has been shown to significantly improve the treatment outcomes. The future of metastatic urothelial carcinoma treatment lies in the ability to deliver personalized therapy. This area remains an active research field today.

Gemcitabine chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic bladder carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

• To systematically review the literature on gemcitabine chemotherapy for advanced or metastatic bladder cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

• The Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Onlinedatabase (MEDLINE), the Excerpta Medicadatabase (EMBASE), the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature database(CIHNAL), the Cochrane database of randomized trials, the Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe emCiências da Saúdedatabase (LILACS), and Web of Science were searched to identify trials of gemcitabine for metastatic bladder cancer. Also searched were international guidelines on metastatic prostate cancer, trial registries, and recent systematic reviews. Data on trial design, survival, tumour response and toxicity outcomes were extracted from relevant studies.

RESULTS

• This review identified six randomized trials of combined chemotherapy with gemcitabine for the management of unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer. • One trial compared gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GCis) with methotrexate/vinblastine/doxorubicin/cisplatin(MVAC) and found no difference in overall survival (OS; hazard ratio 1.09) but a better safety profile with GCis, which was suggested as the treatment of choice. • A second trial evaluated GCis against gemcitabine plus carboplatin (GCarbo) and reported similar median OS (12.8 vs 9.8 months), disease progression (8.3 vs 7.3 months) and tumour response rates (66% vs 56%) for the two patient groups. • A third trial compared GCis with GCis plus paclitaxel (GCisPac) and showed no significant difference in median OS (12.3 vs 15.3 months) and response rates (44% vs 43%) but greater toxicity with GCisPac. • A fourth trial assessed GCarbo against methotrexate plus carboplatin plus vinblastine in patients unfit for cisplatin-based chemotherapy and found similar tumour response rates for each regime (38% vs 20%) but the triplet regime was more toxic. • Two other randomized studies compared a 2-weekly maintenance regime of gemcitabine plus paclitaxel with a 3-weelky regime given for a maximum of six cycles and found that the maintenance schedule did not confer any additional survival benefit. • In all, 53 observational studies of gemcitabine chemotherapy were identified that varied considerably in the drug combinations used and schedules. Overall response rates (17-78%) and median OS (6.4-24.0 months) were variable with no combination being clearly superior.

CONCLUSIONS

• Gemcitabine combined chemotherapy is active in the management of metastatic bladder cancer. • GCis may be considered an alternative regime to MVAC. • GCarbo should be considered for patients unfit for cisplatin-based therapy.

Chemotherapy in advanced bladder cancer: current status and future

Bladder cancer occurs in the majority of cases in males. It represents the seventh most common cancer and the ninth most common cause of cancer deaths for men. Transitional cell carcinoma is the most predominant histological type. Bladder cancer is highly chemosensitive. In metastatic setting, chemotherapy based on cisplatin should be considered as standard treatment of choice for patients with good performance status (0-1) and good renal function-glomerular filtration rate (GFR) > 60 mL/min. The standard treatment is based on cisplatin chemotherapy regimens type MVAC, HD-MVAC, gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC) or dose dense GC. In unfit patients, carboplatin based regimes; gemcitabine plus carboplatin or methotrexate plus carboplatin plus vinblastine (MCAVI) are reasonable options. The role of targeted therapies when used alone, or in combination with chemotherapy, or in maintenance, was evaluated; targeting angiogenesis seem to be very promising. The purpose of this literature review is to highlight the role of chemotherapy in the management of advanced transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

First- and second-line therapy for metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder

Urothelial cancer of the bladder is the 4th most common malignancy in American men and the 9th most common in women. Although it is a chemosensitive disease, advanced bladder cancer seems to have reached a plateau with regard to median survival of patients. Standard first-line therapy remains gemcitabine plus cisplatin (gc) or methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (mvac). In patients deemed unfit to receive cisplatin, gemcitabine plus carboplatin or gemcitabine plus paclitaxel can be considered. To date, no standard therapy has been established for patients who recur or are refractory to first-line therapy. Second-line vinflunine, by way of superiority over best supportive care, has shown promise in a phase iii trial. Cisplatin-based therapy (mvac or gc) can also be offered to patients previously treated with cisplatin, especially if they responded previously and are considered platinum-sensitive. Novel targeted therapies are sorely needed to further improve the delivery and efficacy of chemotherapy.

Randomized phase III trial of 2nd line gemcitabine and paclitaxel chemotherapy in patients with advanced bladder cancer: short-term versus prolonged treatment [German Association of Urological Oncology (AUO) trial AB 20/99]

BACKGROUND

The second-line chemotherapeutic treatment for metastatic urothelial cancer (UC) after failure of cisplatin-based first-line therapy needs to be improved. Based on encouraging phase II data of gemcitabine and paclitaxel (Taxol) (GP), this trial was designed to compare a short-term (arm A) versus a prolonged (arm B) second-line combination chemotherapy of GP.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Of 102 randomized patients, 96 were eligible for analysis. Primary end point was overall survival (OS). Secondary end points were progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rates (ORR) and toxicity.

RESULTS

Neither OS [arm A: 7.8 (95% CI: 4.2-11.4), arm B: 8.0 (95% CI: 4.9-11.1) months] and PFS [arm A: 4.0 (95% CI: 0-8.0), arm B: 3.1 (95% CI: 1.9-4.2) months] nor ORR (arm A: 37.5%, arm B: 41.5%) were significantly different. On prolonged treatment, more patients experienced severe anemia (arm A: 6.7% versus arm B: 26.7% grade III/IV anemia; P = 0.011). In six patients, treatment was stopped during the first cycle due to disease progression or toxicity. Two patients died due to treatment-related toxic effects.

CONCLUSION

Due to rapid tumor progression and toxicity at this dosage and schedule in a multicenter setting, it was not feasible to deliver a prolonged regimen. However, a high response rate of ∼40% makes GP a promising second-line treatment option for patients with metastatic UC.

[Chemotherapy in unfit bladder cancer patients]

Bladder cancer often occurs in patients with high risk of acute toxicity under chemotherapy. So-called unfit patients are a heterogenous population, sharing a contra-indication for cisplatin and presenting either chronic renal failure, and/or elderly, and/or altered performance status, and/or severe co-morbidities. Therefore, it is necessary to develop chemotherapy protocols feasible in renal insufficient patients, and well tolerated in frail patients. The medical evaluation prior to initiate chemotherapy is of major importance to screen for chronic disorders and to anticipate the potential acute complications following chemotherapy. Chemotherapy of elderly patients with severe comorbidities is a common situation in bladder cancer, and will concern all cancer patients. The evaluation of the benefit/risk ratio of the chemotherapy protocol is a typical expertise of medical oncologists, which requires to integrate the complex links between the patient, the antitumor agent, and toxicity. The physician must also have a honest dialogue to inform, advise, listen to the patients priorities. Medical oncologists have to have in mind this situation and to adapt their clinic and their vocabulary to this emerging reality.

Gemcitabine and paclitaxel every 2 weeks in patients with previously untreated urothelial carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Patients with urothelial carcinoma are not always amenable to cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The authors previously reported that they achieved a 60% response rate in patients who failed on cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin) by using a convenient outpatient regimen of gemcitabine (G) and paclitaxel (P) every 2 weeks. A multicenter trial was initiated in 5 Italian centers to evaluate this regimen as first-line chemotherapy.

METHODS

From January 2003 to April 2005, 54 patients who had histologically proven, measurable disease (according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) with a World Health Organization (WHO) performance status (PS) from 0 to 2, metastatic or inoperable urothelial carcinoma, no prior systemic cytotoxic or biologic treatment, a creatinine clearance >or=40 mL per minute, and bilirubin <20 micromol/L received G at a dose of 2500 mg/m(2) in 30 minutes and P at a dose of 150 mg/m(2) in 3 hours every 2 weeks. Granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was given for 5 to 7 days for neutropenia toxicity of grade >or=3 (grading determined according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0 guidelines). From 6 to 12 courses were planned. All patients received at least 1 cycle of therapy and were included in all analyses.

RESULTS

The median patient age was 67 years (range 34-78 years), and the median WHO PS was 1 (range, 0-2). Metastases occurred in the lung in 17 patients (31%), in lymph nodes in 26 patients (54%), in the bladder in 20 patients (37%), in bone in 8 patients (15%), and in the liver in 8 patients (15%). Fifty-nine percent of patients had >1 site of disease, and 13% of patients had >or=3 sites of disease. In total, 343 cycles were administered. Five patients achieved a complete response, and 15 patients achieved a partial response; thus, the overall response rate was 37% in an intent-to-treat analysis. Hematologic toxicity was predominant but manageable. G-CSF was used in only 6% of cycles. The median survival was 13.2 months, and the median time to disease progression was 5.8 months.

CONCLUSIONS

In a multicenter study, G and P was found to be a well-tolerated outpatient regimen. This regimen demonstrated promise and may be considered in patients who are unable to receive cisplatin.

Bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is a heterogeneous disease, with 70% of patients presenting with superficial tumours, which tend to recur but are generally not life threatening, and 30% presenting as muscle-invasive disease associated with a high risk of death from distant metastases. The main presenting symptom of all bladder cancers is painless haematuria, and the diagnosis is established by urinary cytology and transurethral tumour resection. Intravesical treatment is used for carcinoma in situ and other high grade non-muscle-invasive tumours. The standard of care for muscle-invasive disease is radical cystoprostatectomy, and several types of urinary diversions are offered to patients, with quality of life as an important consideration. Bladder preservation with transurethral tumour resection, radiation, and chemotherapy can in some cases be equally curative. Several chemotherapeutic agents have proven to be useful as neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment and in patients with metastatic disease. We discuss bladder preserving approaches, combination chemotherapy including new agents, targeted therapies, and advances in molecular biology.

The role of chemotherapy in upper tract urothelial carcinoma

Locally advanced upper tract urothelial carcinoma has a poor prognosis. While surgery represents the only potentially curable therapeutic intervention, recurrences are common and typically systemic in nature. It is thus reasonable to consider perioperative chemotherapy in an effort to decrease the risk of recurrence. There are very little direct data providing clinical guidance in this scenario. For urothelial cancer of the bladder, there are randomized phase III data demonstrating a survival advantage with neoadjuvant cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy. Although arguments favoring adjuvant chemotherapy could be made for upper tract urothelial cancer, the loss of renal function that occurs with nephrectomy can complicate administration of appropriate perioperative treatment. Therefore, by analogy to urothelial carcinoma of the lower tract, it is argued that cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be the standard of care for patients with locally advanced upper tract urothelial cancer.

Novel therapeutics in metastatic bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Albeit transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder is a chemosensitive neoplasm, metastatic disease is related with poor prognosis and short-term survival data.

OBJECTIVE

Cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy is recognised as the golden standard therapy for patients with inoperable locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer. However, owing to treatment-related toxicities and short-response durations, novel treatment options or agents, with both enhanced efficacy and tolerability, have been sought.

METHODS

Reviewing the current status and addressing the future of novel anticancer therapeutics in metastatic urinary bladder cancer.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION

Non-platinum, single agents, such as gemcitabine and taxanes, as well as multidrug regimens in doublet or triplet chemotherapeutic combinations are regarded as promising alternatives. Dose intensification of conventional regimens, dose-dense sequential administration of new agents, the use of molecular markers for predicting chemosensitivity and the integration of biologically targeted agents to enhance chemotherapeutic efficacy are promising approaches.

Chemotherapy for Metastatic or Unresectable Bladder Cancer

Cisplatin, methotrexate, doxorubicin, and vinblastine (M-VAC) combination chemotherapy has been the historic standard of care in patients with advanced urothelial tumors. Phase III trials have evaluated new combinations such as gemcitabine/cisplatin (GC), carboplatin/paclitaxel, docetaxel/cisplatin, and interferon-alpha/5-fluorouracil/cisplatin. However, these new regimens have failed to demonstrate superiority in terms of overall survival when compared with classic M-VAC. The GC doublet has proved to be a new standard treatment alternative based on an improved toxicity profile and similar survival results. The addition of a third agent (paclitaxel) to this regimen is the focus of a phase III trial. However, long-term follow-up with classical and new regimens (doublets and triplets) still show limited efficacy and emphasize the need to identify more active treatment. For "unfit" patients, ie, those unable to receive cisplatin-based regimens, conventional regimens include methotrexate, carboplatin, and vinblastine (M-CAVI), carboplatin-gemcitabine, carboplatin-paclitaxel, gemcitabine-taxane, or monotherapy with either gemcitabine, carboplatin, or a taxane. New drugs, including pemetrexed and vinflunine, are now being studied for salvage therapy. In addition to new active drug combinations and targeted therapies, chemotherapy optimization using molecular characteristics to predict chemosensitivity is emerging.

Systemic chemotherapy for advanced bladder cancer: update and controversies

Despite improvements in surgical techniques and outcomes, 5-year survival rates for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer remain suboptimal. Almost 50% of patients will eventually progress and develop systemic disease. Although various single agents have shown activity in patients with advanced or metastatic disease, randomized trials have demonstrated the utility of cisplatin-based combinations regimens. Despite relatively high objective response rates, the impact on survival in patients with advanced disease has been quite limited. Surgical resection in selected patients achieving significant objective response to cytotoxic therapy can contribute to long-term survival rates. The role of salvage therapy in advanced disease remains undefined. Evaluation of several active compounds has yielded unimpressive results with low objective response rates and overlapping CIs. Recognition that the maximum benefit from conventional cytotoxics has been achieved has led to the recent initiation of a number of clinical trials evaluating targeted agents in the management of advanced urothelial cancer.

Systemic chemotherapy in locally advanced and/or metastatic bladder cancer

Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is a common malignancy. Advanced urothelial cancer is a chemosenstive neoplasm. Whereas the MVAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin) regimen was long-considered the standard of care for patients with advanced disease, the evaluation of newer agents with retained activity and improved tolerability has been the focus of much investigation over the past decade. Combinations such as cisplatin-gemcitabine (GC) and intensified, G-CSF supported MVAC have shown more favourable toxicity profile and equal or even improved efficacy. Specific groups of patients (elderly, patients with renal dysfunction or poor performance status or co-morbidities) who cannot tolerate cisplatin-based therapy, should receive carboplatin, gemcitabine or taxane-based treatment. Continuing improvements in our understanding of the molecular phenotype of individual patient tumors may lead to the appropriate therapies that target molecular aberrations unique to this malignancy. This review will summarize recent developments in the management of locally advanced (T4b, N 2-3) and/or metastatic (M1) bladder cancer.

Feasibilty study of gemcitabine and cisplatin administered every two weeks in patients with advanced urothelial tumors and impaired renal function

OBJECTIVES

Cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for advanced bladder cancer. However, full doses of cisplatin cannot be delivered in patients with impaired renal function. Our aim was to prove the feasibility of a gemcitabine and low-dose cisplatin regimen, delivered every two weeks in patients with impaired renal function.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patients with locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer with creatinine clearance between 35-60 ml/min received gemcitabine 2500 mg/m2 and cisplatin 35 mg/m2 on day 1, every 14 days.

RESULTS

Between January 2004 and March 2005, 17 patients were treated. Mean creatinine clearance was 47.8 ml/min (range: 37-59 ml/min). Four patients had previously received chemotherapy with gemcitabine and/ or platinum. Median number of cycles per patient was 5 (1-13). No patient developed renal toxicity or worsening of renal function. Main toxicities were (grade 3/4): Anemia 2/1; leucopenia: 1/2; trombopenia 1/1. There was one toxic death related to metabolic acidosis, secondary to vomiting. Among 16 patients evaluable for response, we observed one complete response, 7 partial responses (ORR: 53.3%; IC 95%: 28.1-78.5%), 6 stabilizations (37.5%) and 2 progressions (12.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

Gemcitabine and low-dose cisplatin is a safe and feasible combination in patients with poor renal function. Response rates seem similar to those previously described with standard schedules of this combination.

Phase II Study of Pemetrexed for Second-Line Treatment of Transitional Cell Cancer of the Urothelium

Purpose

To assess the antitumor activity and toxicity of pemetrexed as second-line chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urothelium.

Patients and Methods

Eligible patients had a performance status of 0 or 1, adequate organ function, previous treatment with one prior chemotherapy regimen for locally advanced or metastatic TCC of the urothelium or relapsed within 1 year of adjuvant or neoadjuvant treatment. Patients received pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1 every 21 days, with vitamin B12, folic acid, and dexamethasone prophylaxis.

Results

Forty-seven patients were enrolled and included in the intent-to-treat efficacy analysis. Responses: 3 (6.4%) complete responses and 10 (21.3%) partial responses produced an overall response rate of 27.7%. Ten patients (21.3%) had stable disease and 22 patients (46.8%) progressed. The median time to progressive disease was 2.9 months (95% CI, 1.7 months to 4.6 months) and median overall survival was 9.6 months (95% CI, 5.1 months to 14.6 months). Median duration of response was 5.0 months (95% CI, 3.9 months to 13.8 months). Of the 47 patients assessable for safety, grade 3 or 4 hematologic events were thrombocytopenia (8.5%; 0.0%), neutropenia (4.3%; 4.3%) and anemia (2.1%; 2.1%), respectively. Nonlaboratory toxicities included grade 4 stomatitis/pharyngitis, sepsis syndrome (one patient each), and grade 3 fatigue (three patients) and diarrhea (two patients).

Conclusion

Single-agent pemetrexed is safe and active as second-line treatment of patients with advanced TCC of the urothelium. Additional evaluation in the first- or second-line setting in TCC of the urothelium is warranted.

Systemic chemotherapy in inoperable or metastatic bladder cancer

Urothelial cancer is a common malignancy. The management of patients with recurrent disease after cystectomy or initially metastatic or unresectable disease represents a therapeutic challenge. Systemic chemotherapy prolongs survival but long-term survival remains infrequent. During recent years there has been improvement due to the use of novel chemotherapeutic agents, mainly gemcitabine and the taxanes. The long-considered-standard MVAC has been challenged by combinations showing more favourable toxicity profiles and equal (gemcitabine-cisplatin) or even improved (dose-dense, G-CSF-supported MVAC) efficacy. Specific interest has also been generated in specific groups of patients (elderly patients, patients with renal function impairment or comorbidities), who are not fit for the standard cisplatin-based chemotherapy but can derive significant benefit from carboplatin- or taxane-based treatment. Retrospective analyses have enabled the identification of groups of patients with different prognoses, who possibly require different therapeutic approaches. Modern chemotherapy offers a chance of long-term survival in patients without visceral metastases, possibly in combination with definitive local treatment. Finally, the progress of targeted therapies in other neoplasms seems to be reflected in advanced bladder cancer by recent studies indicating that biological agents can be combined with modern chemotherapy. The true role of such therapies is currently being evaluated.

Biweekly Paclitaxel and Gemcitabine for Patients with Advanced Urothelial Cancer Ineligible for Cisplatin-Based Regimen

BACKGROUND

To avoid cisplatin-related gastrointestinal, renal and other toxicity while maintaining efficacy in the palliative setting or second line chemotherapeutic regimen for cisplatin-resistant urothelial cancer, chemotherapeutic regimens have been investigated that do not include cisplatin. The current study was designed to evaluate efficacy, clinical feasibility and safety of gemcitabine and paclitaxel (GP) regimen in patients with metastatic urothelial cancer who were ineligible for standard cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy.

METHODS

Gemcitabine 2500 mg/m(2) and paclitaxel 150 mg/m(2) were administered intravenously every 2 weeks for 23 patients (17 males and 6 females) with advanced urothelial cancer who were ineligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy; metastatic disease being resistant to cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimen in 14, heavy toxicity in prior cisplatin-based chemotherapy in three, poor ECOG performance in two and impaired renal function in four. Average age was 67 (53-77). Performance status was 0 in 18 patients, 1 in three patients and 2 in two patients.

RESULTS

The overall response rate was 30% (95% CI 15.6-50.8%). Of the 23 patients, no patient attained CR and 7 patients had PR. In the cisplatin-resistant group, the response rate was 14.2% (2/14; 95% CI 4.0-39.9%). In the remaining patients ineligible for cisplatin, the response rate was 55.5% (5/9; 95% CI 26.6-81.1%). The median duration of response was 4 months (range 3-8). The median duration of survival for all patients was 12.1 months (95% CI 8.6-15.5). Myelosuppression, predominantly neutropenia, was the most common serious toxicity and toxicity of Grade 3 or greater was observed in six patients (26%). Among non-hematological toxicity, neuralgia was the most commonly observed and occurred in nine patients (39%) although no patient had toxicity of Grade 3 or greater. Three patients had interstitial pneumonitis possibly attributed to gemcitabine. One patient developed severe bilateral disease after two cycles of the regimen, which was partially resolved with corticosteroid therapy.

CONCLUSION

GP regimen is effective in some patients with cisplatin-resistant urothelial cancer and promising as second line chemotherapy. GP regimen is more effective and well tolerated as first line chemotherapy in patients ineligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Toxicity is generally mild but care must be taken for patients with risk of interstitial pneumonitis. A further larger scale study is required to confirm the efficacy of the GP regimen.

Chemotherapy for Metastatic Bladder Cancer

This paper reviews the current status of systemic chemotherapy in the management of advanced and metastatic urothelial cancer. The activity of a number of single agents and combination drug regimens is discussed, and the small number of randomised-controlled studies available is also considered. Prognostic factors for response and survival, particularly long-term survival after systemic chemotherapy, are also reviewed. Special consideration is given to the role of systemic chemotherapy as a precursor to surgery (or radiotherapy) in locally advanced disease that is initially considered incurable. Therapeutic options for patients unable to tolerate cisplatin owing to renal impairment or other comorbidities are explored. Future directions are explored, including the role of molecular phenotyping in providing prognostic information, indicators of the likely success of conventional therapeutic measures and the development of specific targeted therapies.