A phase II study in advanced gastro-esophageal cancer using epirubicin and cisplatin in combination with continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil (ECF)

Updated Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Gastric Cancer

Surgical resection is currently the best curative approach for gastric cancer (GC); however, the prognosis of patients with advanced GC remains poor even with curative resection. For this reason, perioperative chemotherapy has been combined with surgery to reduce the risk of postoperative recurrence. Standard perioperative chemotherapy for resectable advanced GC varies from region to region. Postoperative S-1 therapy was standardized via the ACTS-GC study in East Asia, perioperative ECF (Epirubicin + Cisplatin + Fluorouracil) was standardized via the MAGIC study in Europe, and postoperative chemoradiotherapy was standardized via the US intergroup study in North America. Since then, more intensive regimens have been developed. In recent years, perioperative therapy using novel agents, such as molecular-targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has also been tested and evaluated in the three major regions (East Asia, Europe, and North America) with promising results. Perioperative chemotherapy has become an integral part of many treatment strategies and requires continued research and evaluation.

The quality of life in neoadjuvant versus adjuvant therapy of esophageal cancer treatment trial (QUINTETT): Randomized parallel clinical superiority trial

Background

We compared the health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients undergoing trimodality therapy for resectable stage I‐III esophageal cancer.

Methods

A total of 96 patients were randomized to standard neoadjuvant cisplatin and 5‐fluorouracil chemotherapy plus radiotherapy (neoadjuvant) followed by surgical resection or adjuvant cisplatin, 5‐fluorouracil, and epirubicin chemotherapy with concurrent extended volume radiotherapy (adjuvant) following surgical resection.

Results

There was no significant difference in the functional assessment of cancer therapy‐esophageal (FACT‐E) total scores between arms at 1 year (p = 0.759) with 36% versus 41% (neoadjuvant vs. adjuvant), respectively, showing an increase of ≥15 points compared to pre‐treatment (p = 0.638). The HRQOL was significantly inferior at 2 months in the neoadjuvant arm for FACT‐E, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ‐OG25), and EuroQol 5‐D‐3 L in the dysphagia, reflux, pain, taste, and coughing domains (p < 0.05). Half of patients were able to complete the prescribed neoadjuvant arm chemotherapy without modification compared to only 14% in the adjuvant arm (p < 0.001). Chemotherapy related adverse events of grade ≥2 occurred significantly more frequently in the neoadjuvant arm (100% vs. 69%, p < 0.001). Surgery related adverse events of grade ≥2 were similar in both arms (72% vs. 86%, p = 0.107). There were no 30‐day mortalities and 2% vs. 10% 90‐day mortalities (p = 0.204). There were no significant differences in either overall survival (OS) (5‐year: 35% vs. 32%, p = 0.409) or disease‐free survival (DFS) (5‐year: 31% vs. 30%, p = 0.710).

Conclusion

Trimodality therapy is challenging for patients with resectable esophageal cancer regardless of whether it is given before or after surgery. Newer and less toxic protocols are needed.

Where to Start and What to Do Next: The Sequencing of Treatments in Metastatic Esophagogastric Cancer

Esophagogastric cancer is associated with rising incidence and high mortality. Nearly 40% of patients have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis with poor 5-year overall survival. The treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma has started to bifurcate in recent years, owing to the evolving understanding of the biologic and genomic characteristics of these tumors. Incorporation of HER2-directed therapy in the form of monoclonal antibody and antibody-drug conjugate is now standard of care for patients with HER2-positive disease. The addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors to the therapeutic landscape of metastatic esophagogastric cancer is associated with modest improvement in overall survival, and definition of predictive biomarkers of response to checkpoint inhibition remains imprecise. A number of therapeutic targets including FGFR2b, Claudin 18.2, DKK-1, and DNA repair defects are being explored in clinical trials. Similarly, combination immunotherapy and novel HER2-targeting agents, such as bispecific antibody and small-molecule inhibitors, are at various stages of clinical development. Despite the progress made in the field of targeted therapies and checkpoint inhibition, chemotherapy remains an integral part of treatment of metastatic esophagogastric cancer but is associated with considerable toxicity. Clinical trials focusing on minimizing toxicity of currently available therapeutic agents, development of novel biomarker-driven treatment strategies, and overcoming resistance to immune checkpoint inhibition will define the future of this traditionally indelible disease.

FOLFIRINOX for the Treatment of Advanced Gastroesophageal Cancers: A Phase 2 Nonrandomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Standard first-line regimens for patients with metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas have an approximate 40% objective response rate (ORR). The combination of leucovorin, fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX) has been efficacious as first-line therapy for other gastrointestinal cancers, such as pancreatic and colon cancers.

Objective

To evaluate the clinical activity and safety of FOLFIRINOX as first-line treatment for patients with advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This is an open-label, single-arm phase 2 study of first-line FOLFIRINOX in patients with advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. Estimated sample size included 41 patients with ERBB2-negative disease with 90% power to detect an ORR of 60% or greater with α of .10. No enrollment goal was planned for ERBB2-positive patients, but they were allowed to receive trastuzumab in combination with FOLFIRINOX.

Interventions

Starting doses were fluorouracil, 400 mg/m2 bolus, followed by 2400 mg/m2 over 46 hours; leucovorin, 400 mg/m2; irinotecan, 180 mg/m2; and oxaliplatin, 85 mg/m2. Trastuzumab was administered as a 6 mg/kg loading dose, followed by 4 mg/kg every 14 days in patients with ERBB2-positive disease.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end point was ORR by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1. Secondary end points included safety profile, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and duration of response.

Results

From November 2013 to May 2018, 67 patients were enrolled (median [range] age, 59.0 [34-78] years; including 56 [84%] men), and 26 of 67 (39%) had ERBB2-positive disease. Median follow-up was 17.4 months. The ORR was 61%(95% CI, 44.5%-75.8%) (25 of 41) in the ERBB2-negative group and 85% (95% CI, 65.1%-95.6%) (22 of 26) in the ERBB2-positive group, including 1 patient with complete response. For ERBB2-negative patients, median PFS was 8.4 months and median OS was 15.5 months; for ERBB2-positive patients, median PFS was 13.8 months and median OS was 19.6 months. Fifty-six patients (84%) had dose modifications or treatment delays. The most common toxic effects were neutropenia (91%, n = 61), diarrhea (63%, n = 42), peripheral sensory neuropathy (61%, n = 41), and nausea (48%, n = 32), with no unexpected toxic effects.

Conclusions and Relevance

The FOLFIRINOX regimen with or without trastuzumab was associated with improved ORR and PFS in patients with advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma in the first-line setting. This regimen may be a reasonable therapeutic option for patients with preserved performance status.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01928290.

Palliative short-course hypofractionated radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy in esophageal adenocarcinoma: the phase II PALAESTRA trial

Background: The majority of patients with incurable esophageal adenocarcinoma suffer from dysphagia. We assessed a novel treatment strategy with initial short-course radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy with the primary aim to achieve long-term relief of dysphagia.Methods: This phase II trial included treatment-naîve patients with dysphagia due to esophageal adenocarcinoma not eligible for curative treatment. External beam radiotherapy with 20 Gy in five fractions to the primary tumor was followed by four cycles of chemotherapy (FOLFOX regimen). Dysphagia was assessed using a five-grade scale.Results: From October 2014 to May 2018 a total of 29 patients were enrolled. The rate of dysphagia improvement was 79%, median duration of improvement 6.7 months (12.2 months for responders) and median overall survival 9.9 months. In the pre-specified per protocol analysis (23 patients) the rate of dysphagia improvement was 91%, median duration of improvement 12.2 months (14.0 months for responders) and median overall survival 16.0 months. The most common grade 3-4 adverse events were neutropenia (29%), infection (25%), anorexia (11%), esophagitis (11%) and fatigue (11%).Conclusion: Initial palliative short-course radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy is a promising treatment strategy that can provide long-lasting relief of dysphagia in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Reversal of Multidrug Resistance in an Epirubicin-Resistant Gastric Cancer Cell Subline

Background:

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Epirubicin (EPI) is used extensively in the treatment of multiple cancers despite its tendency to induce multidrug resistance though overexpression of the ABCB1 efflux pump. However, this overexpression can be disrupted using short interfering RNAs (siRNAs).

Objective and Methods:

The aim of this study was to explore approaches to reverse EPI resistance and thus increase the success of chemotherapy treatment in an EPI-resistant gastric cancer cell subline (AGS/EPI).

Methods:

The study focused on effects of ABCB1 knockdown by siRNA technology using TaqMan gene expression assays with quantitative real-time reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). MTT assays were performed to evaluate viability and prolifer in subline. ABCB1 protein localization and EPI intracellular fluorescence intensity in AGS/EPI cells were detected by confocal microscopy.

Results:

The siRNA efficiently downregulated ABCB1 mRNA in AGS/EPI cells. Thus MDR reversal was clearly demonstrated in the AGS/EPI cells, offering the possibility of future in vitro chemoresistance assays for the GC field.

Conclusions:

ABCB1 knockdown decreased EPI efflux and increased EPI sensitivity in AGS/EPI cells. This result provides a novel strategy for targeted gene therapy to reverse EPI resistance in gastric cancer.

A Pilot Clinical Trial of Postoperative Intensive Weekly Chemotherapy Using Cisplatin, Epi-Doxorubicin, 5-Fluorouracil, 6S-Leucovorin, Glutathione and Filgrastim in Patients with Resected Gastric Cancer

Aims and background

The study was performed to assess the feasibility and activity of an intensive chemotherapeutic regimen as adjuvant treatment for patients with resected gastric cancer at high risk of recurrence (PT2N1-2; pT3-4Nany M0).

Patients and methods

Starting 21 to 28 days after potentially curative surgery for primary gastric cancer, 25 patients received 8 weekly cycles of cisplatin 40 mg/m2, 5-fluorouracil 500 mg/m2, epidoxorubicin 35 mg/m2, 6S-stereoisomer of leucovorin at a dose of 250 mg/m2, and glutathione at a dose of 1.5 g/m2. From the day after to the day before each cycle of chemotherapy, filgrastim was administered by subcutaneous injection at a dose of 5 μg/kg.

Results

After a median follow-up of 33 months, 80% of the patients were alive and disease-free. Five patients had relapsed: three in the liver, one in the peritoneum and one in the lymph nodes. Toxicity was mild: five patients experienced WHO grade III toxicity (three leukopenia, two thrombocytopenia); no toxic deaths occurred.

Conclusion

Intensive weekly chemotherapy is a feasible postoperative treatment option for patients with resected gastric cancer at high risk of relapse. These data, together with recent results in advanced disease, make this approach of interest for the development of new programs of adjuvant therapy in this setting.

High Doses of 5-Fluorouracil and Epirubicin with or without Cisplatin in Advanced Gastric Cancer: A Randomized Study

Background

A prospective randomized clinical study was performed in patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer. The purpose of the study was to determine the activity of high doses of 5-fluorouracil and epirubicin (FE) vs the same combination + cisplatin (FEP), and particularly the value of cisplatin in the combination.

Patients and Methods

A total of 122 patients was included in the study; 110 of them were assessable. In the FE arm, the treatment involved 1000 mg/m2 in a 6-hr infusion of 5-fluorouracil on days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and 120 mg/m2 of epirubicin iv on day 1. In the FEP arm, the same combination of cytostatics + cisplatin (30 mg/m2) was administered on days 2 and 4. The cycles were repeated after 4 weeks. Altogether, 468 cycles of chemotherapy were given (FE, 240; FEP, 228).

Results

In the FE arm, 56 patients were assessable, with 2 complete and 14 partial remissions (28.6%); in the FEP arm, 4 complete and 19 partial remissions (42.6%) were observed in 54 assessable patients. Median survival in the FE group was 7.1 months and in the FEP group 9.6 months. The survival difference was statistically significant (Cox's test, P<0.05). The most frequent side effects included grade 2 and 3 alopecia (FE, 93%; FEP, 94%) and grade 2 and 3 vomiting (FE, 20%; FEP, 35%). Grade 3 and 4 leukopenia was observed in 9% of patients in the FE group and in 13% of patients in the FEP group, with 6 cases of febrile neutropenia (FE, 4%; FEP, 7%). Stenocardia was registered in 1 patient in the FE group and in 2 patients in the FEP group. No treatment-related death was registered.

Conclusions

The addition of cisplatin to high doses of 5-fluorouracil and epirubicin resulted in a statistically significant better survival of treated patients.

Epirubicin, Cisplatin and Continuous Infusion 5-Fluorouracil (ECF) in Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric Cancer: A Single Institution Experience

Aims and Background

The role of chemotherapy in locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer has been controversial, but chemotherapy has recently been shown to relieve tumor-related symptoms, improve quality of life and prolong survival when compared with best supportive care. Furthermore, palliative chemotherapy is also cost-effective. “Second-generation” combination chemotherapy regimens were developed in the 1980s with high activity in advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (EAP, FAMTX, PELF, ECF). In randomized studies, EAP demonstrated no difference in activity but a significantly higher overall toxicity and toxic death rate than FAMTX, and the ECF (epirubicin, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil) regimen gave a survival and response advantage, tolerable toxicity, better quality of life and was more cost-effective than FAMTX.

Methods

Sixty patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer were treated with the ECF regimen (21 weeks of 5-fluorouracil given by continuous infusion through a central line at 200 mg/m2 for 24-hr combined with cisplatin at 60 mg/m2 iv and epirubicin at 50 mg/m2 iv beginning on day 1 and repeated every 3 weeks for 8 courses). There were 42 males and 18 females, with a median age of 64 years (range, 40-74). The median performance status was 1. The histologic type was adenocarcinoma in 44 patients and undifferentiated carcinoma in 16 (27%). Three patients had locally advanced disease (5%) and 57 had metastatic disease (95%). Seven patients (12%) had received prior chemotherapy for advanced disease.

Results

All patients were assessable for toxicity and 55 for response (5 had insufficient treatment). Toxicity was mild or moderate, and there was no toxic death. Incidence of WHO toxicity ≥ 2 was nausea and vomiting in 3%, mucositis in 3%, leukopenia in 7%, anemia in 3%, and thrombocytopenia in 2%. Port-a-Cath toxicity was thrombosis in 4, dislocation in 2 and infection in 3 patients. Seven complete responses and 13 partial responses (overall response rate, 36%) were achieved, with a response rate of 39% in untreated and 17% in pretreated patients. Nine patients (16%) had stable disease and 26 (47%) progressive disease. Most patients felt symptomatically improved on ECF.

Conclusions

Our study confirms that the ECF regimen has a favorable pattern of toxicity and is feasible on an outpatient basis. However, it did not confirm the high response rate reported in other phase II trials.

A Prospective Phase I/II Study of Docetaxel, Cisplatin and Continuous Capecitabine in Advanced Oesophago-Gastric Cancer (NWCOG-3)

AIMS

This open-label prospective phase I/II dose-escalation study determined the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and then evaluated response, safety and feasibility of a novel combination of docetaxel, cisplatinum and capecitabine (DCC) in chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced oesophago-gastric carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus or stomach, of good performance status, deemed too advanced for curative treatment, were given systematically increasing doses of 3 weekly DCC to ascertain the MTD. Phase II administered up to six cycles of DCC at the MTD, assessing response and toxicity.

RESULTS

Between November 2007 and November 2012, 15 patients were recruited into phase I and 41 into phase II. The MDT was a 21 day cycle of docetaxel 60 mg/m² IV day 1, cisplatinum 60 mg/m² IV day 1 and oral capecitabine 1000 mg/m² daily in two divided doses for days 1-21. The most common phase II grade 3-4 toxicities were neutropenia 88% (10% febrile neutropenia), fatigue 15%, sensory neuropathy 10% and non-neutropenic infection 10%. The overall response rate was 51%, median progression-free survival was 7.4 months (confidence interval 6.7-9.4) and median overall survival was 10.9 months (confidence interval 7.7-13.7).

CONCLUSION

DCC was tolerable and feasible with promising efficacy, and may be suitable for future investigation in both first-line metastatic and neoadjuvant settings.

Efficacy of preoperative chemotherapy regimens in patients with initially unresectable locally advanced gastric adenocarcinoma: capecitabine and oxaliplatin (XELOX) or with epirubicin (EOX)

Purpose We assessed the effectiveness of EOX (capecitabine, oxaliplatin and epirubicin) compared with XELOX (capecitabine and oxaliplatin) as preoperative chemotherapy for initially unresectable locally advanced gastric cancer.Methods This is a prospective observational study. Patients with unresectable locally advanced gastric cancer were performed EOX regimen or XELOX regimen at the discretion of the investigators. They were assessed for response every 2 cycles by CT (computed tomography) scan. A multidisciplinary team reassessed resectability after 4 cycles. The primary endpoint was the response rate. Secondary end points included the R0 resection rate, survival and adverse events.Results From November 2008 to May 2015, 242 patients were enrolled; 112 of them were assigned to EOX regimen and 130 to XELOX regimen. The response rates were 33.0% and 33.8% respectively in EOX group and XELOX group (P = 0.997). After 4 cycles of chemotherapy, 63 patients (56.3%) in EOX group and 81 patients (62.3%) in XELOX group received radical operation (P = 0.408). There was no significant difference in progress-free survival (PFS, 12.0m vs. 15.4m, P = 0.925) and overall survival (OS, 25.7m vs. 29.0m, P = 0.783) in two groups. In addition, more adverse effects occurred in EOX group, such as more leucopenia (22.3% vs. 10.0%, P = 0.014), neutropenia (23.2% vs. 11.5%, P = 0.025), fatigue (11.6% vs. 3.8%, P = 0.041) and vomiting (10.7% vs. 2.3%, P = 0.015).Conclusions For unresectable locally advanced gastric cancer patients, XELOX regimen showed similar effects in response rate, radical resection rate and survival benefits, but with less toxicity effects.

The effect of the gastrectomy on survival in patients with metastatic gastric cancer: a study of ASMO

AIM

To investigate the role of surgical resection of primary tumor on overall survival (OS) in advanced gastric cancer patients at the time of diagnosis.

PATIENTS & METHODS

The survival rates of metastatic gastric cancer patients whose gastric primary tumor was resected at time of diagnosis were compared with metastatic gastric cancer patients whose primary tumor was nonresected.

RESULTS

The median progression-free survival and OS in operated and nonoperated group were 10 versus 6, 14 versus 9 months, respectively (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, gastric resection of primary tumor, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, second-line chemotherapy had a significant effect on OS (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.52 [95% CI: 0.38-0.71], HR: 0.57 [95% CI: 0.42-0.78], HR: 1.48 [1.09-2.01]; p ≤ 0.001, p = 0.001 and p = 0.012, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Subpopulations of patients with metastatic gastric cancer might benefit from surgical removal of primary tumor.

FOXM1 and polo-like kinase 1 are co-ordinately overexpressed in patients with gastric adenocarcinomas

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancers present late in life with advanced disease and carry a poor prognosis. Polo-like Kinase 1 (PLK1) is a mitotic kinase with regulatory functions during G2/M and mitosis in the cell cycle. In mammalian cells, there is an intricate co-regulatory relationship between PLK1 and the forkhead transcription factor FOXM1. It has been demonstrated that individually either PLK1 or FOXM1 expression predicts poorer survival. However, the co-expression of both of these markers in gastric adenocarcinomas has not been reported previously.

METHODS

We aimed to assess the expression of PLK1 and FOXM1 in Gastric adenocarcinomas in a Western Population, to examine whether there is a relationship of PLK1 to FOXM1 in cancer samples. We assess both the protein and mRNA expression in this patient population by Tissue Microarray immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemistry was performed on biopsy samples from 79 patients with gastric cancer. Paired normal controls were available in 47 patients. FOXM1 expression was significantly associated with gastric adenocarcinoma (p = 0.001). PLK1 and FOXM1 co-expression was demonstrated in 6/8 (75 %) tumours when analysed by RT-PCR. FOXM1 is overexpressed in a large proportion of gastric carcinomas at the protein level and FOXM1 and PLK1 are concomitantly overexpressed at the mRNA level in this cancer type.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has demonstrated that FOXM1 and its target gene PLK1 are coordinately overexpressed in a proportion of gastric adenocarcinomas. This suggests that chemotherapeutic treatments that target this pathway may be of clinical utility.

State of the art management of metastatic gastroesophageal cancer

The anatomical locations of upper gastrointestinal (GI) tumors have changed remarkably in the western world and reflect the increasing impact of obesity and gastroesophageal (GE) reflux rather than infectious etiologies. Incidence rates of GE tumors are rising rapidly and survival rates for patients with metastatic disease remain poor. Traditionally, cytotoxic chemotherapy has had some survival advantages but increasingly complex combination regimens are limited by toxicities. The advent of molecularly targeted therapy has provided additional options for patients with advanced disease including trastuzumab and ramucirumab. There has also been detailed molecular characterization of upper GI tumors which hopefully will result in improved tailoring of clinical trial design accounting for the heterogeneity inherent in GE tumors. While numerous targeted therapies are currently being studied in clinical trials, there is much excitement regarding the role of immunotherapy in GE cancers. Although further investigation is warranted, it represents a promising avenue for patients with advanced GE tumors.

Prognostic Role of Conversion Surgery for Unresectable Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

The prognosis of unresectable gastric cancer is poor. Chemotherapy occasionally converts an initially unresectable gastric cancer to a resectable cancer.

METHODS

The responses of noncurative factors to initial chemotherapy and the outcomes of additional (conversion) surgery were retrospectively evaluated in 151 patients with unresectable gastric cancer receiving combination chemotherapy with S-1 plus cisplatin or paclitaxel from February 2003 to December 2013.

RESULTS

Forty (26 %) of 151 patients underwent conversion surgery. After chemotherapy, R0 resection was accomplished in 32 patients (80 %). The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate among the 40 patients who underwent conversion surgery was 43 % (median survival time, 53 months). The 5-year OS rate in the 111 patients treated with chemotherapy alone was 1 % (median survival time, 14 months). Patients who underwent conversion surgery had significantly longer OS times than patients who underwent chemotherapy alone (P < 0.01). The 5-year OS rate among patients who underwent R0 resection was 49 % (median survival time, 62 months). Patients who underwent R0 resection had significantly longer OS times than those who underwent R1 and R2 resection (P = 0.03). Among patients who underwent conversion surgery, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that one noncurative factor (odds ratio 0.49; 95 % confidence interval 0.28-0.88; P = 0.02) and R0 resection (odds ratio 0.52; 95 % confidence interval 0.28-0.95; P = 0.03) were significant independent predictors for favorable OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with unresectable gastric cancer initially exhibiting one noncurative factor may obtain a survival benefit from chemotherapy and subsequent curative surgery.

Identification of active chemotherapy regimens in advanced biliary tract carcinoma: a review of chemotherapy trials in the past two decades

Biliary tract carcinoma is a rare malignancy. We performed a comprehensive analysis of published prospective clinical trials in advanced biliary tract carcinoma in an attempt to identify active regimens in this setting. We searched PubMed and abstracts presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Gastrointestinal Cancer Symposium, European Society of Medical Oncology and European Cancer Organization conferences for clinical trials in this disease. We found 83 trials. The effect of gemcitabine on overall survival benefit showed a strong trend (p = 0.014) and an improvement in progression-free survival (p = 0.003). Gemcitabine-based regimens containing 5-fluorouracil showed a trend toward an improved overall survival (p = 0.047) relative to platinum agents. Our findings support gemcitabine as the chemotherapy backbone for the treatment of patients with cholangiocarcinoma. Gemcitabine plus 5-fluorouracil combinations warrant further investigations.

ECF chemotherapy for liver metastases due to castration-resistant prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION

Most men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) have biochemical response to docetaxel, but the objective response rate is low. Liver metastases are uncommon with CRPC and associated with shorter survival. More active treatment might benefit these patients. Epirubicin, cisplatin and flurouracil (ECF) is a standard regimen for gastric cancer and response in CRPC liver metastases has been reported. We reviewed our experience with ECF in CRPC with the primary objective of determining its anti-tumour activity in patients with liver metastatic CRPC.

METHODS

Men with CRPC treated with ECF were identified from electronic databases and data were extracted from medical records. Men with tumours showing neuroendocrine features were excluded.

RESULTS

In total, we identified 14 CRPC patients treated with ECF were identified, of which 8 had liver metastases. The median age was 56 (range: 42-76) and all had multiple poor prognostic features. A median of 6 cycles of ECF were administered (range: 1-10) and toxicities were similar to previous reports. Of the 8 patients with liver metastases, 5 had partial remission.

CONCLUSIONS

ECF was highly active in this small selected group of younger men with liver metastases from CRPC and multiple poor prognostic features. Despite important limitations, this is the third report of high objective response rates with ECF in CRPC. Objective response rates are low with current monotherapies. A higher probability of ORR is preferred for critical organ disease, therefore the anti-tumour activity should encourage testing of ECF in comparison to the most active current therapies.

Mind the gap: a survey of how cancer drug carriers are susceptible to the gap between research and practice

With countless research papers using preclinical models and showing the superiority of nanoparticle design over current drug therapies used to treat cancers, it is surprising how deficient the translation of these nano-sized drug carriers into the clinical setting is. This review article seeks to compare the preclinical and clinical results for Doxil®, PK1, Abraxane®, Genexol-PM®, Xyotax™, NC-6004, Mylotarg®, PK2, and CALAA-01. While not comprehensive, it covers nano-sized drug carriers designed to improve the efficacy of common drugs used in chemotherapy. While not always available or comparable, effort was made to compare the pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and efficacy between the animal and human studies. Discussion is provided to suggest what might be causing the gap. Finally, suggestions and encouragement are dispensed for the potential that nano-sized drug carriers hold.

Efficacy of S-1 plus cisplatin combination chemotherapy in patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Combination chemotherapy with trastuzumab and cisplatin plus capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil has been used as a standard regimen for HER2-positive gastric cancer (GC) since the Trastuzumab for Gastric Cancer (ToGA) trial. Before the ToGA trial, HER2-positive GC in Japan was treated with S-1 plus cisplatin (SP). The primary objective of this retrospective study was to explore the efficacy of SP in HER2-positive GC.

METHODS

We reviewed patients who had received SP as first-line chemotherapy at our institute between April 2007 and March 2011 and from whom we had enough samples to examine HER2 status. Seventy-seven patients fulfilled the selection criteria and were tested for HER2 status with immunohistochemical staining (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization. The patients' backgrounds were investigated to evaluate the clinicopathologic features of their HER2-positive GC, including survival.

RESULTS

Seven (9.1 %) of 77 patients were judged to be IHC3+, and all of these had predominantly differentiated histology. HER2 positivity was associated with differentiated histology (P = 0.016) and liver metastasis (P = 0.025). Median overall survival was 23.6 months [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.8-44.7] in HER2-positive GC and 12.9 months (95 % CI 8.3-17.5) in HER2-negative disease, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.615). In multivariate analysis, HER2 status was not associated with survival outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Because of the retrospective nature of this study, we cannot conclude whether HER2 status influences the survival of patients who receive SP as first-line chemotherapy. Our study provides important historical data for prospective phase II studies of SP plus trastuzumab.

Bimonthly regimen of high-dose leucovorin, infusional 5-fluorouracil, docetaxel, and cisplatin (modified DCF) in advanced gastric adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The combination of docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (DCF) is an effective but highly toxic regimen for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. To improve tolerability while maintaining the efficacy of the DCF regimen, we developed a modified DCF regimen including an infusional 5-fluorouracil administration according to the de Gramont regimen.

METHODS

In this study, 70 patients with advanced gastric cancer were treated. Each 2-week cycle consisted of docetaxel (60 mg/m(2)), cisplatin (50 mg/m(2)), a 5-fluorouracil (400 mg/m(2)) i.v. bolus, and 5-fluorouracil (2,400 mg/m(2)) i.v. over 46 h plus leucovorin (400 mg/m(2)) i.v. over 2 h.

RESULTS

The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 9.0 months (95% CI, 7.1-10.9) and 10.8 months (95% CI, 7.4-14.2), respectively; the 1-year and 2-year overall survival rates were 46.3 and 18.4%, respectively. Twenty-nine (41.4%) partial responses, 19 (27.1%) stable disease, and 22 (31.4%) progression of disease were observed. Grade 3-4 toxicities included neutropenia (37.1%), febrile neutropenia (15.7%), thrombocytopenia (10.0%), anemia (8.6%), nausea and vomiting (10.0%), stomatitis (5.7%), infection (8.6%), and diarrhea (2.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that a de Gramont-based DCF regimen may have tolerable toxicities and be an effective and convenient palliative treatment for advanced gastric cancer.

ERCC1 predicts outcome in patients with gastric cancer treated with adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Adjuvant chemotherapy is gaining an increasing role in resectable gastric cancer. Customizing chemotherapy on the basis of chemosensitivity may improve outcome, and putative predictive molecular markers have been mostly evaluated in Asian patients. We profiled key DNA and damage signaling factors and correlated them with outcome, in a European cohort.

METHODS

Formalin-fixed tumor samples obtained from surgical specimens of patients treated with adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy for gastric cancer were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to analyze excision repair cross-complementing gene 1 (ERCC1) and thymidylate synthase (TS) expression, and p53 mutations were detected with direct sequencing.

RESULTS

Among the 68 patient recruited, the median age was 69 (range 30-74), and UICC stage was III in 44 patients (65 %). With a median follow-up of 40.5 months, disease-free and overall survival were 18.0 (95 % CI 13.4-22.76) and 56 months (95 % CI 44.87-67.13), respectively. ERCC1 score was 0 in 14 out 67 (21 %) cases, 1 in 19 (28 %), 2 in 20 (30 %) and 3 in 14 cases (21 %). Longer overall survival (p = 0.04) was found in patients categorized as ERCC1 negative by IHC according to median score. TS score was 0 in 16 out 67 (24 %) cases, 1 in 27 (40 %), 2 in 16 (24 %) and 3 in 8 cases (12 %). Mutations of p53 were found in 21 out 66 (32 %) cases. Neither TS nor p53 were found to correlate with outcome.

CONCLUSION

Excision repair cross-complementing gene 1 by IHC might predict patients more likely to benefit from adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy in curatively resected gastric cancer. In patients exhibiting ERCC1 positive tumors, alternative regimens should be evaluated.

Patient-reported outcomes evaluating palliative radiotherapy and chemotherapy in patients with oesophageal cancer: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and assessments of treatment-related toxicity provide important information on the effect of palliative chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to review the effect of palliative radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy on symptoms and quality of life assessed by PROs and measurement of toxicity for patients with oesophageal cancer.

METHODS

The Central, Medline and Embase databases (1990 to November 2011) were systematically searched for prospective studies of palliative chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy in patients with advanced oesophageal cancer with PRO- and/or toxicity outcomes. The risks of bias were assessed.

RESULTS

Of 2677 records identified, only 32 included PROs, of which eight were randomised controlled trials. In studies with sufficient standard of PRO (n = 18), either Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL) (n = 14) or patient-reported dysphagia (n = 4), were assessed. Docetaxel added to cisplatin + fluorouracil (CF) improved HRQL compared to CF only, even though toxicity increased. Epirubicin added to CF resulted in longer preserved HRQL than its comparator in two trials, and non-inferiority in one. All phase II chemotherapy studies reported maintained HRQL or improved dysphagia combined with low level of toxicity. Brachytherapy resulted in better HRQL compared to stent placement in two trials, and external radiotherapy relieved dysphagia. The quality of the HRQL methodology and the interpretation and presentation of the PRO results varied, and clinical significance was seldom discussed.

CONCLUSION

PRO endpoints are seldom used and further studies of homogenous patient groups with valid measures and methodology of PROs should be encouraged in the evaluation of palliative treatment. Brachytherapy, external radiotherapy and combination chemotherapy improved HRQL and dysphagia in the few identified studies with sufficient PRO methodology.

One-Day DCF Regimen in Patients with Metastatic Gastric Cancer

Background

Cytotoxic chemotherapy is the basic treatment for metastatic gastric cancer. The “docetaxel, cisplatin, 5-day infusion of 5-FU (DCF5)” regimen is regarded as an effective therapy. However, the poor toxicity profile of this regimen and administration by 5-day infusion are major drawbacks of this method.

Methods

Patients with measurable metastatic gastric carcinoma, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≤2, normal hematological and renal function, adequate hepatic function, and not pretreated for advanced disease with chemotherapy, received docetaxel on day 1, cisplatin on day 1, and 5-FU peripheral IV on day 1 (DCF1) every 3 weeks. The patients undergoing the DCF1 regimen could not receive the infusion regimen. This was a retrospective study about the use of DCF in 1 day in not previously treated metastatic gastric cancer.

Results

In total, 95 patients were treated with a median of 5 cycles per patient. Those not previously treated for advanced disease received docetaxel 75 mg/m2 on day 1, cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1, and 5-FU peripheral IV 750 mg/m2/day on day 1, plus filgrastim or lenograstim between days 3 and 7. Grade ≥3 toxicities were neutropenia (12%), anemia (11%), thrombocytopenia (3%), fatigue (18%), mucositis (10%), diarrhea (3%), nausea/vomiting (6%), neurological (3%), and palmar-plantar (2%). Two nonfatal febrile neutropenia episodes were recorded. There were no treatment-related deaths. In all patients with measurable disease, we observed an overall response rate of 46% (40 partial responses, 4 complete responses). Thirty-one patients (33%) had stable disease. The median overall survival was 9.0 months (95% CI 7.34–10.6).

Conclusions

Use of the DCF1 regimen in metastatic gastric cancer is feasible, with comparable activity to previous results achieved with epirubicin-based chemotherapy and infusion DCF in terms of overall survival. However, randomized and prospective studies need to be carried out with this regimen.

Current questions for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer remains a major health problem worldwide. Treatment of advanced gastric cancer is controversial and there is no standard regimen for first- or second-line chemotherapy (CT). This review aims to give an overview of the hot topics concerning treatment, prognostic factors and new strategies in advanced gastric cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Seven questions of special clinical interest have been formulated previously to the literature review. With the aim of answering each of these questions, a specific search of the relevant trials and meta-analyses published or communicated from 1990 to date was performed.

RESULTS

Patients treated with CT have a survival benefit over those treated with only best supportive care (BSC). Such active cytotoxic drugs as cisplatin or docetaxel and targeted agents as trastuzumab showed superiority in randomized trials. Other agents such as oxaliplatin, oral fluoropyrimidines and irinotecan showed non-inferiority or less toxic results, positioning them as valuable alternatives to classical schedules. Combination regimens seem to be an improvement over single agent therapy. However, increased toxicity of some regimens makes their general use difficult. Second-line CT is of value for selected patients with good performance status. Trastuzumab is the only targeted agent showing better survival when added to chemotherapy in HER2-driven tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

With the introduction of new agents, management of advanced gastric cancer has experienced important changes. First and second-line CT improve survival in patients with good performance status. Future trials should address how to better select patients for new, targeted agents, based upon validated predictive biomarkers.

Bimonthly regimen of high-dose leucovorin, infusional 5-fluorouracil, docetaxel, and cisplatin (modified DCF) in advanced gastric adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The combination of docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (DCF) is an effective but highly toxic regimen for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. To improve tolerability while maintaining the efficacy of the DCF regimen, we developed a modified DCF regimen including an infusional 5-fluorouracil administration according to the de Gramont regimen.

METHODS

In this study, 70 patients with advanced gastric cancer were treated. Each 2-week cycle consisted of docetaxel (60 mg/m(2)), cisplatin (50 mg/m(2)), a 5-fluorouracil (400 mg/m(2)) i.v. bolus, and 5-fluorouracil (2,400 mg/m(2)) i.v. over 46 h plus leucovorin (400 mg/m(2)) i.v. over 2 h.

RESULTS

The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 9.0 months (95% CI, 7.1-10.9) and 10.8 months (95% CI, 7.4-14.2), respectively; the 1-year and 2-year overall survival rates were 46.3 and 18.4%, respectively. Twenty-nine (41.4%) partial responses, 19 (27.1%) stable disease, and 22 (31.4%) progression of disease were observed. Grade 3-4 toxicities included neutropenia (37.1%), febrile neutropenia (15.7%), thrombocytopenia (10.0%), anemia (8.6%), nausea and vomiting (10.0%), stomatitis (5.7%), infection (8.6%), and diarrhea (2.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that a de Gramont-based DCF regimen may have tolerable toxicities and be an effective and convenient palliative treatment for advanced gastric cancer.

A pilot study evaluating the safety and toxicity of epirubicin, cisplatin, and UFT (ECU regimen) in advanced gastric carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Best response rates have been achieved with three-drug regimens containing 5-FU in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer (AGC) and oral fluoropyrimidines are the best alternatives as substitutes for infusional 5-FU. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and toxicity of epirubicin, cisplatin, and UFT (ECU regimen) regimens in AGC outpatients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-one patients with AGC received epirubicin, cisplatin, and oral UFT plus leucovorin. Epirubicin 50 mg/m(2) and cisplatin 60mg/m(2) were administered on Day 1. Three hundreds (300) mg/m(2)/day UFT was administered with leucovorin at a fixed oral dose of 90 mg/day for 21 days, followed by a 7-day rest period. Cycles were repeated every 4 weeks. Performance status was either as 0 and 1.

RESULTS

Among the 41 patients enrolled, complete and partial response was achieved in 7.3% and 36.6% of patients, respectively, with an overall response rate of 43.9%. Stable disease was observed in 34.1% of patients and 22% showed disease progression. Median time to progression was 5.2 months and median survival was 12.3 months. A median of 4 cycles (range: 1-6) of chemotherapy were administered. The main grade III-IV toxicities were nausea/vomiting (19.4%) and neutropenia (12.1%). Grade IV toxicities were gastric perforation and renal failure.

CONCLUSION

ECU appears to be an effective regimen in the treatment of AGC, with acceptable tolerability and manageable toxicity. In three-drug regimens, substitution of infusional 5-FU by UFT offers the possibility of increased AGC outpatient compliance.

Controversies and challenging therapeutic modalities in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is still the fourth common neoplasm worldwide. Gastric ulcers, adenomatous polyps, and intestinal metaplasia have been associated with an increased relative risk. Tissue diagnosis and anatomic localization of the primary tumor are best obtained by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Despite new screening techniques peritoneal tumor spread and occult liver and lymph node metastases are only detected intra-operatively. Therapy is becoming more and more complex comprising surgical resection, investigational neoadjuvant, adjuvant or palliative chemotherapy, or supportive care. Complete surgical eradication of a tumor with resection of adjacent lymph nodes represents the best chance for long-term survival. The choice of operation depends upon the location of the tumor, the clinical stage, and the histologic type. Chemotherapy can provide symptom palliation, improve quality of life, and prolong survival in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Preoperative radiation therapy may allow for tumor downstaging and reduced probability of residual microscopic disease at surgery.

Bimonthly regimen of high-dose leucovorin, infusional 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin and cisplatin (modified ECF) as adjuvant chemotherapy in resected gastric adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The administration of the de Gramont regimen in combination with cisplatin and epirubicin (modified ECF) has previously been reported as a treatment for advanced gastric cancer, but here we report this regimen combination in an adjuvant setting for the first time.

METHODS

Forty-eight patients with curatively resected gastric cancer were treated. Each 2-week cycle consisted of epirubicin (50 mg/m(2)), cisplatin (50 mg/m(2)), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) IV bolus (400 mg/m(2)) and 5-FU IV (2,400 mg/m(2)) over 46 h plus leucovorin IV (400 mg/m(2)) over 2 h. Postoperative chemoradiotherapy was also administered to the patients when indicated. We retrospectively reviewed the patients who were treated with modified ECF.

RESULTS

The median disease-free survival (DFS) was 40.7 months and the 1-, 3- and 5-year DFS rates were 78.5, 55.7 and 44.6%, respectively. The most common grade 3-4 toxicities were hematological and gastrointestinal.

CONCLUSION

A modified ECF regimen may be an effective and convenient treatment with tolerable toxicities for the adjuvant treatment of gastric cancer. It may provide an alternative regimen to the standard ECF when a continuous ambulatory infusion pump is not feasible or not preferred by the patient.

Randomized prospective phase II study to compare the combination chemotherapy regimen epirubicin, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil with epirubicin, cisplatin, and capecitabine in patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of the epirubicin, cisplatin, and continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (ECF) regimen with that of the epirubicin, cisplatin, and capecitabine (ECX) regimen in patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer.

METHODS

Patients were randomized to receive either the ECF or ECX regimen. The primary end point was the response rate. The secondary end points were time to progression (TTP), overall survival (OS), and safety.

RESULTS

Eighty-five patients were enrolled in the study from January 2003 to March 2007. Forty-five patients received the ECF regimen and 40 patients received the ECX regimen. The objective response rate was 31% [9% complete response (CR) and 22% partial response (PR)] for ECF and 30% (10% CR and 20% PR) for ECX. The disease control rate was 51% and 73%, respectively (P<0.05). Median OS and TTP were 6.8 and 5.5 months, respectively, in the ECF group and 8.3 and 6.0 months, respectively, in the ECX group. The majority of adverse events were grade 1/2. The most frequent grade 3/4 adverse events in both groups were fatigue (ECF 15%, ECX 21%), neutropenia (ECF 16%, ECX 16%), vomiting (ECF 11%, ECX 8%), nausea (ECF 9%, ECX 3%), and anemia (ECF 7%, ECX 5%).

CONCLUSIONS

The ECX regimen was at least as effective as the ECF regimen with a similar tolerability profile, and could therefore replace the ECF regimen for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Phase I and II clinical trials for gastric cancer

Gastric cancer remains a global public health problem with considerable heterogeneity in pathogenesis and clinical presentation across geographic regions. Improved understanding of the molecular biology of this disease has opened avenues for targeted intervention. An individualized treatment approach is required for optimal management of this cancer. Overcoming resistance to therapy requires combining targeted agents with the traditional options of chemotherapy/radiation therapy, and also targeting more than 1 pathway of carcinogenesis at a time. Encouraging molecular hypothesis and biomarker-driven trials will lead to improved patient outcomes and may eventually enable the therapeutic nihilism associated with gastric cancer to be overcome.

Management of cancer in the older adult

Cancer incidence and mortality rise exponentially in the elderly. With the aging of the population there is an urgent need to address this issue with evidence-based guidelines. Delayed diagnosis and incomplete workup and treatment are well documented in this population. Incorporation of a geriatric evaluation in oncology practice should be routinely implemented to prevent adverse outcomes. Treatment decisions in the elderly should not be based solely on survival gains but should also take quality of life into consideration. Cancer treatment is safe and effective in the elderly population. Social issues and other comorbidities should be addressed to improve compliance and outcome. Many unanswered questions regarding the optimal management of elderly cancer patients can be addressed only with the new clinical trials. Eliminating age bias among health care providers by providing education will help achieve optimal care for the elderly with cancer.

Preliminary trial of surgery after chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination

Systemic chemotherapy is the key treatment for patients presenting with advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination. In certain cases, adjuvant surgery following systemic chemotherapy may result in improved long-term survival. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant surgery following response to chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination. The study included 13 patients with a diagnosis of advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination. Of the 13 patients, 5 patients underwent surgery after the peritoneal dissemination was eradicated following systemic chemotherapy (group S), while the remaining 8 patients continued to receive systemic chemotherapy due to persistent peritoneal dissemination (group C). All 13 patients underwent treatment between October 2008 and February 2011. The chemotherapy regimen included cis-diamminedichloride platinum plus S-1 (an oral fluoropyrimidine) or docetaxel plus S-1 for all patients. The median overall survival time of the 13 patients was 660 days. The survival time did not differ with patient response to chemotherapy. The median survival time of the patients in group S was 794 days, which was significantly higher than that of the patients in group C (505 days; p<0.05). One- and 2-year survival was observed in 100 and 60% of patients, respectively, in group S, and 66.7 and 0% of patients in group C. In conclusion, adjuvant surgery led to longer survival in patients having advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination, which was eradicated following systemic chemotherapy.

PEA3/ETV4-related transcription factors coupled with active ERK signalling are associated with poor prognosis in gastric adenocarcinoma

Background:

Transcription factors often play important roles in tumourigenesis. Members of the PEA3 subfamily of ETS-domain transcription factors fulfil such a role and have been associated with tumour metastasis in several different cancers. Moreover, the activity of the PEA3 subfamily transcription factors is potentiated by Ras-ERK pathway signalling, which is itself often deregulated in tumour cells.

Methods:

Immunohistochemical patterns of PEA3 expression and active ERK signalling were analysed and mRNA expression levels of PEA3, ER81, MMP-1 and MMP-7 were determined in gastric adenocarcinoma samples.

Results:

Here, we have studied the expression of the PEA3 subfamily members PEA3/ETV4 and ER81/ETV1 in gastric adenocarcinomas. PEA3 is upregulated at the protein level in gastric adenocarcinomas and both PEA3/ETV4 and ER81/ETV1 are upregulated at the mRNA level in gastric adenocarcinoma tissues. This increased expression correlates with the expression of a target gene associated with metastasis, MMP-1. Enhanced ERK signalling is also more prevalent in late-stage gastric adenocarcinomas, and the co-association of ERK signalling and PEA3 expression also occurs in late-stage gastric adenocarcinomas. Furthermore, the co-association of ERK signalling and PEA3 expression correlates with decreased survival rates.

Conclusions:

This study shows that members of the PEA3 subfamily of transcription factors are upregulated in gastric adenocarcinomas and that the simultaneous upregulation of PEA3 expression and ERK pathway signalling is indicative of late-stage disease and a poor survival prognosis.

A phase II multi-center study of triple therapy with paclitaxel, S-1 and cisplatin in patients with advanced gastric cancer

OBJECTIVES

To carry out a phase II multi-center study on the efficacy and safety of triple combination therapy with paclitaxel, S-1, and cisplatin in patients with unresectable/metastatic gastric cancer.

METHODS

A total of 63 patients from 8 institutions were included in this study. Paclitaxel (160 mg/m²) was administered by infusion for 3 h on the first day. S-1 (70 mg/m²/day) was administered orally for 14 consecutive days from the first day. Cisplatin (60 mg/m²) was administered intravenously over 24 h on day 14 of every 28-day cycle.

RESULTS

All 63 patients were assessed for clinical efficacy and safety. A total of 259 cycles of treatment were administered (median 4, range 1-10). Grade 3-4 toxicities included neutropenia in 30.2%, thrombocytopenia in 12.7%, and anemia in 11.1%. There was no grade 3-4 non-hematological toxicity or treatment-related death. Complete response was observed in 6 patients and partial response in 34 patients. The overall response rate was 63.5%. The median progression-free survival and response duration were 8.0 and 8.8 months, respectively, and median survival time was 15 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Triple combination therapy with paclitaxel, S-1, and cisplatin showed promising safety and efficacy profiles with the potential to become a standard regimen for unresectable/metastatic gastric cancer.

Alternating treatment with S-1 plus low-dose cisplatin and S-1 alone for advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of an alternating regimen of S-1 plus low-dose cisplatin and S-1 alone as adjuvant therapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study group comprised 100 patients with stage IIIA, stage IIIB, or stage IV. Patients postoperatively received three 5-week cycles of chemotherapy. In the first cycle, S-1 (80 mg/m(2)) was given daily for 3 weeks, followed by 2 weeks of rest, and low-dose cisplatin (10 mg) was given on days 1 to 5 and 8 to 12. In the second and third 5-week cycles, S-1 alone was given. The primary endpoints were median survival time, and survival at 1 and 3 years. Secondary endpoints were safety and overall response rates.

RESULTS

Median survival time was 18 months in stage IV and 32 months in stage IIIB. The rates of survival at 1 and 3 years were 68.7% and 30.6% in stage IV, 100% and 68.4% in stage IIIA, and 100% and 46.6% in stage IIIB, respectively. Adverse events of grade 3 or 4 occurred in 14% of the patients. The overall response rate of target lesions was 54%.

CONCLUSION

Our regimen is effective and safe for adjuvant therapy in patients with curatively resected stage III gastric cancer.

The ERK MAP kinase-PEA3/ETV4-MMP-1 axis is operative in oesophageal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Many members of the ETS-domain transcription factor family are important drivers of tumourigenesis. In this context, their activation by Ras-ERK pathway signaling is particularly relevant to the tumourigenic properties of many ETS-domain transcription factors. The PEA3 subfamily of ETS-domain transcription factors have been implicated in tumour metastasis in several different cancers.

RESULTS

Here, we have studied the expression of the PEA3 subfamily members PEA3/ETV4 and ER81/ETV1 in oesophageal adenocarcinomas and determined their role in oesophageal adenocarcinoma cell function. PEA3 plays an important role in controlling both the proliferation and invasive properties of OE33 oesophageal adenocarcinoma cells. A key target gene is MMP-1. The ERK MAP kinase pathway activates PEA3 subfamily members and also plays a role in these PEA3 controlled events, establishing the ERK-PEA3-MMP-1 axis as important in OE33 cells. PEA3 subfamily members are upregulated in human adenocarcinomas and expression correlates with MMP-1 expression and late stage metastatic disease. Enhanced ERK signaling is also more prevalent in late stage oesophageal adenocarcinomas.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that the ERK-PEA3-MMP-1 axis is upregulated in oesophageal adenocarcinoma cells and is a potentially important driver of the metastatic progression of oesophageal adenocarcinomas.

A phase I and II trial of epirubicin, cisplatin, 24-hour infusion 5 fluorouracil and sodium folinate in patients with advanced esophagogastric carcinomas

AIM

Advanced esophagogastric carcinoma has a poor prognosis. Palliative chemotherapy provides a survival advantage and improved quality of life. Epirubicin, cisplatin and continuous infusional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (ECF) is a well-established chemotherapy regimen but a continuous chemotherapy infusion is not always feasible or acceptable.

METHODS

We conducted a phase I and II trial of a modified version of ECF, utilizing 5-FU as a 24-h infusion on day 1 and day 8 of a 21-day cycle, administered with sodium folinate as a modulator of 5-FU (ECSF). In the phase I study the dose of 5-FU was increased in successive cohorts from 1250 mg/m(2) , 1500 mg/m(2) , and 1750 mg/m(2) to 2000 mg/m(2) per 24 h.

RESULTS

Dose limiting toxicity of febrile neutropenia was encountered at 2000 mg/m. The recommended dose for 5-FU was 1750 mg/m(2) . Overall 29 patients were treated with ECSF of whom 27 were evaluable for toxicity. The response rate was 45% on an intention-to-treat analysis with a complete response rate of 3%. The median response rate was 4.1 months and the median survival was 10.7 months. A total of 23 patients (72%) obtained clinical benefit with improvement in dysphagia or weight gain. central venous catheter (CVC) complications were observed in 12 (41%) patients.

CONCLUSION

ECSF was associated with a response rate and survival similar to that reported with standard ECF. ECSF may provide an alternative regimen to standard ECF when a continuous ambulatory infusion pump is not feasible or not preferred by the patient. CVC complications are a limitation.

Introducing national guidelines on perioperative chemotherapy for gastric cancer in Norway: a retrospective audit

BACKGROUND

In 2006, perioperative chemotherapy with epirubicin, cisplatin/oxaliplatin, and capecitabine was recommended in the National Guidelines for patients with resectable gastric cancer in Norway. We conducted a national audit related to clinical aspects, local organisation and the implementation of this multimodal treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All Norwegian departments of oncology were asked to submit aggregated data on gastric cancer patients who had started perioperative chemotherapy for cure; departments of surgery were asked to report on patients undergoing resection after preoperative chemotherapy. Data were retrospectively collected.

RESULTS

All 20 departments of oncology and 20 of 21 departments of surgery responded. Of 336 patients operated on for gastric cancer and reported by surgeons, 144 (43%) received preoperative chemotherapy. 169 patients were reported by departments of oncology. 152 (90%) completed the preoperative cycles; 92 (54%) started the postoperative cycles; and 68 (40%) completed all cycles. Toxicity grade >or= 3, overall and haematological, increased during postoperative compared to preoperative cycles, 50 vs. 34% (P = 0.012) and 35 vs. 20% (P = 0.012), respectively. Surgical morbidity and mortality were 26 and <2%, respectively. R0 resection was achieved in 86% of surgically treated patients. Five per cent had a complete pathological response (ypT0) and 48% were node negative (ypN0). Within the first year, the National Guidelines were implemented in 19 of 25 hospitals (76%).

CONCLUSIONS

In this population-based series, the tolerability of perioperative chemotherapy reported in the MAGIC trial was reproduced. Toxicity grade >or= 3 was considerable and significantly increased related to postoperative cycles. The National Guidelines were rapidly adopted.

Preliminary trial of adjuvant surgery for advanced gastric cancer

In patients with stage IV gastric cancer, systemic chemotherapy is the key treatment. Combination chemotherapy (cis-diamminedichloride platinum plus S-1 and docetaxel plus S-1) results in long-term survival in clinical practice. In selected cases, additional (adjuvant) surgery may result in further long-term survival. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant surgery following the response to chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer. Based on response to chemotherapy, the indications for adjuvant surgery (surgery after the response to chemotherapy) are that resection is expected to be curative rather than palliative, provided that no other distant metastases occur. The study included 20 advanced gastric cancer patients who had undergone gastrectomies after the response to the combination chemotherapy of docetaxel and S-1, between September 2003 and December 2008 at Hiroshima University Hospital. At a median follow-up of 980 days, the median overall survival was 855 days. A 2- and 3-year survival was observed in 80 and 54.9% of patients, respectively, following macroscopic curative surgery. In the palliative group, the median overall survival was 510 days, but a 3-year survival was not observed. In the partial response group, the median overall survival was 865 days and a 3-year survival was observed in 37% of patients. One-year survival was not observed in the stable disease group. The patient survival in the partial response group was statistically more prolonged than in the stable disease group. The median overall survival in patients with liver metastasis was 865 days, while that in patients with peritoneal dissemination was 510 days. In conclusion, adjuvant surgery may be effective in gastric cancer patients diagnosed as stage IV by means of liver or distant lymph node metastasis, except in cases of peritoneal dissemination.

Impact of chemotherapy on quality of life in patients with metastatic esophagogastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a key issue in patients with metastatic esophagogastric cancer, a disease associated with survival times rarely exceeding 10 months. The objective of the current review was to evaluate the effects of chemotherapy on the HRQoL of patients with metastatic or locally advanced, inoperable esophagogastric cancer.

METHODS

A systematic MEDLINE search was performed to address a predefined question list: Does chemotherapy improve or maintain HRQoL? Do available data favor a particular chemotherapy? What relation exists between HRQoL and the efficacy and tolerability of therapy?

RESULTS

The majority of studies, including large randomized studies, indicated no significant improvements in mean HRQoL scores versus baseline after chemotherapy. However, scores were maintained and symptomatic relief or improved performance status was observed in many patients. HRQoL was maintained in approximately 50% of patients for up to 6 months but deteriorated in the remaining patients. In randomized phase 3 trials, only cisplatin/fluorouracil plus either docetaxel or epirubicin were found to provide superior HRQoL versus comparators. Between-regimen differences in HRQoL scores appeared to correspond to differences in the efficacy rather than the toxicity of treatment regimens.

CONCLUSIONS

Chemotherapy maintained HRQoL in a substantial proportion of patients with advanced esophagogastric cancer. This effect appeared to correspond to the efficacy of the treatment.

Combination therapy with docetaxel and S-1 as a first-line treatment in patients with advanced or recurrent gastric cancer: a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

We performed a single-institution retrospective study to evaluate the efficacy and toxicities of combination therapy with docetaxel and S-1 in patients with advanced or recurrent gastric cancer.

METHODS

Eighty-six patients with advanced or recurrent gastric cancer were enrolled. Patients received docetaxel, 40 mg/m2, on day 1 and oral S-1, 80 mg/m2/day, on days 1 to 14 every 3 weeks.

RESULTS

All 84 patients were assessable for response. The overall response rate was 52.4% (44/84) and the disease control rate was 96.4% (81/84). Median time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) were 6.5 (95% CI, 4.8-8.1 months) and 15.1 months (95% CI, 11.7-18.5 months), respectively. The major toxicities were neutropenia, leukopenia, alopecia and anorexia. Grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicities included neutropenia in 31 patients (36.0%), leukopenia in 27 (31.7%), febrile neutropenia in four (4.7%), and anemia in one (1.2%). Other grade 3 toxicities included anorexia in five patients (5.8%), and stomatitis, diarrhea and nausea in one each (1.2%). There was one treatment-related death (1.2%).

CONCLUSION

The combination of docetaxel and S-1 had good clinical activity with acceptable toxicity in patients with advanced or recurrent gastric cancer.

Adjuvant chemoradiation for gastric cancer using epirubicin, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil before and after three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy with concurrent infusional 5-fluorouracil: a multicenter study of the Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group

PURPOSE

The INT0116 study has established postoperative chemoradiotherapy as the standard of care for completely resected gastric adenocarcinoma. However, the optimal chemoradiation regimen remains to be defined. We conducted a prospective, multicenter study to evaluate an alternative chemoradiation regimen that combines more current systemic treatment with modern techniques of radiotherapy delivery.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Patients with adenocarcinoma of the stomach who had undergone an R0 resection were eligible. Adjuvant therapy consisted of one cycle of epirubicin, cisplatin, and 5-FU (ECF), followed by radiotherapy with concurrent infusional 5-FU, and then two additional cycles of ECF. Radiotherapy was delivered using precisely defined, multiple-field, three-dimensional conformal techniques.

RESULTS

A total of 54 assessable patients were enrolled from 19 institutions. The proportion of patients commencing Cycles 1, 2, and 3 of ECF chemotherapy were 100%, 81%, and 67% respectively. In all, 94% of patients who received radiotherapy completed treatment as planned. Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 66% of patients with 7.4% developing febrile neutropenia. Most neutropenic episodes (83%) occurred in the post-radiotherapy period during cycles 2 and 3 of ECF. Grade 3/4 gastrointestinal toxicity occurred in 28% of patients. In all, 35% of radiotherapy treatment plans contained protocol deviations that were satisfactorily amended before commencement of treatment. At median follow-up of 36 months, the 3-year overall survival rate was estimated at 61.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

This adjuvant regimen using ECF before and after three-dimensional conformal chemoradiation is feasible and can be safely delivered in a cooperative group setting. A regimen similar to this is currently being compared with the INT0116 regimen in a National Cancer Institute-sponsored, randomized Phase III trial.

A randomised comparative trial of infusional ECisF versus conventional FEC as adjuvant chemotherapy in early breast cancer: the TRAFIC trial

BACKGROUND

The epirubicin with cisplatin and infusional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (ECisF) regimen was found to be highly active in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and as neoadjuvant therapy. The UK TRAFIC (trial of adjuvant 5-FU infusional chemotherapy) trial (CRUK/95/007) compared this schedule with 5-FU, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (FEC60) as adjuvant therapy in patients with early breast cancer.

METHODS

In this multicentre, open-label, phase III randomised controlled trial, 349 women were randomly assigned to receive i.v. ECisF [epirubicin 60 mg/m(2), day 1, cisplatin 60 mg/m(2), day 1 and 5-FU 200 mg/m(2) by daily 24-h infusion (n = 172)] or FEC [5-FU 600 mg/m(2), day 1, epirubicin 60 mg/m(2), day 1 and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m(2), day 1 (n = 177)]. Both treatments were delivered every 3 weeks for six cycles. The primary end point was relapse-free interval (RFI). TRAFIC is registered as an International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial (ISRCTN 83324925).

RESULTS

All randomised patients were included in the intent-to-treat population. With a median follow-up of 112 months, there was no significant difference in RFI between the treatment groups [hazard ratio 0.84 (95% confidence interval 0.60-1.19); P = 0.33]. Toxic effects were more frequent in patients allocated to ECisF.

CONCLUSIONS

While limited by size, TRAFIC has long follow-up. No evidence of a clinically worthwhile benefit for the infusional treatment compared with standard treatment was observed which would justify further investigation or widespread use.

Intravenous paclitaxel against metastasis of human gastric tumors of diffuse type

PURPOSE

Gastric cancer is one of the leading cancerous diseases worldwide. It is diagnosed often at the advanced stage for which chemotherapy is the main treatment option. The prognosis remains poor for metastatic, especially the diffuse type, gastric cancers. We investigated the efficacy of intravenously administered paclitaxel treating metastases of locally disseminated gastric tumors of diffuse type.

METHODS

Transfection of green fluorescent proteins (GFP)-expressing plasmid into human gastric cancer MKN45 cells of diffuse type was performed, and MKN45-GFP cells constitutively expressing GFP were isolated. The MKN45-GFP cells were orthotopically inoculated into the mouse peritoneal cavity, and tumor growth and organ metastases were monitored. Liver metastases were harvested, re-inoculated, monitored for liver metastases again, and harvested for further inoculation. This in vivo selection procedure was repeated to isolate a subline with high metastatic abilities demonstrated by in vitro invasion abilities using Transwell((R)) system. By visualizing the GFP-expressing tumors, the effects of intravenously administered paclitaxel against the growing peritoneally disseminated and metastasized tumors in nude mice without laparotomy were measured.

RESULTS

An in vivo selected gastric cancer cell line MKN45-GFP-ip4 with high metastatic ability was established. Its invasion ability was inhibited by paclitaxel treatments in vitro. The growths of metastatic and intraperitoneally disseminated MKN45-GFP-ip4 tumors were significantly suppressed by intravenous paclitaxel treatments in nude mice.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that intravenous paclitaxel is active against the metastases of human gastric cancer of peritoneal diffuse type, which warrants further investigations on optimizing the perioperative regimens with intravenous paclitaxel therapy for gastric cancer in patients.

Epirubicin, Cisplatin, and Fluorouracil (ECF) Regimen

The complexity of cancer chemotherapy requires pharmacists be familiar with the complicated regimens and highly toxic agents used. This column reviews various issues related to preparing, dispensing, and administering antineoplastic therapy and to the agents, commercially available and investigational, used to treat malignant diseases.