Role of hematotoxicity and sex in patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma: an analysis from the German Hodgkin Study Group

The impact of sex on treatment and outcome in relation to histological subtype in patients with resectable gastric cancer: Results from the randomized CRITICS trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the impact of sex on outcome measures stratified by histological subtype in patients with resectable gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS

A post-hoc analysis of the CRITICS-trial, in which patients with resectable GC were treated with perioperative therapy, was performed. Histopathological characteristics and survival were evaluated for males and females stratified for histological subtype (intestinal/diffuse). Additionally, therapy-related toxicity and compliance were compared.

RESULTS

Data from 781 patients (523 males) were available for analyses. Female sex was associated with a distal tumor localization in intestinal (p = 0.014) and diffuse tumors (p < 0.001), and younger age in diffuse GC (p = 0.035). In diffuse GC, tumor-positive resection margins were also more common in females than males (21% vs. 10%; p = 0.020), specifically at the duodenal margin. During preoperative chemotherapy, severe toxicity occurred in 327 (63%) males and 184 (71%) females (p = 0.015). Notwithstanding this, relative dose intensities were not significantly different between sexes.

CONCLUSIONS

Positive distal margin rates were higher in females with diffuse GC, predominantly at the duodenal site. Females also experience more toxicity, but this neither impacts dose intensities nor surgical resection rates. Clinicians should be aware of these different surgical outcomes when treating males and females with GC.

Impact of sex on treatment-related adverse effects and prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

In nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), women have a lower incidence and mortality rate than men. Whether sex influences the prognosis of NPC patients remains debatable. We retrospectively examined the influence of sex on treatment-related side effects and prognosis in NPC.

METHODS

Clinical data of 1,462 patients with NPC treated at the Southern Hospital of Southern Medical University from January 2004 to December 2015 were retrospectively examined. Statistical analysis was performed to assess differences in overall survival (OS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), local recurrence-free survival(LRFS), and progression-free survival(PFS), as well as treatment-related adverse effects, including myelosuppression, gastrointestinal responses, and radiation pharyngitis and dermatitis, between men and women.

RESULTS

Women had better 5-year OS (81.5% vs. 87.1%, P = 0.032) and DMFS (76.2% vs. 83.9%, P = 0.004) than men. Analysis by age showed that the prognoses of premenopausal and menopausal women were better than those of men, whereas prognoses of postmenopausal women and men were not significantly different. Additionally, women had a better prognosis when stratified by treatment regimen. Furthermore, chemotherapy-related adverse effects were more severe in women than in men; however, the incidences of radiation laryngitis and dermatitis were not significantly different between the sexes. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the female sex was an independent risk factor for severe myelosuppression and gastrointestinal reactions.

CONCLUSIONS

Chemotherapy-related side effects are more severe but the overall prognosis is better in women with NPC than in men with NPC. Patients may benefit from a personalized treatment approach for NPC.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Nanfang Hospital of the Southern Medical University (NFEC-201,710-K3).

[Sex-specific differences of special tumor diseases]

BACKGROUND

Numerous data show that sex and gender have gained increasing importance in precision medicine as relevant modulators of specific oncological and hematological diseases. The purpose of this article is to provide a summary of the current state of knowledge on sex differences in the incidence and outcome of specific malignancies and to further elucidate possible underlying causes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Evaluation and discussion of basic research studies, meta-analyses, and clinical trials.

RESULTS

There are significant sex-specific differences in the incidence, response rates, and mortality for a variety of oncological diseases. For the most part, men have poorer outcomes, whereas women have higher treatment-associated toxicities and distinct presentations at younger ages. Hormonal, immunological, and pharmacological causes are suspected.

CONCLUSION

Advanced patient-individualized treatment in oncology and hematology will be measured in the future by the implementation of the existing relevant sex differences in the clinical practice and further investigations on underlying mechanisms in studies in order to guarantee and to optimize the best possible treatment for oncological patients in the future.

Sex differences in drug effects and/or toxicity in oncology

The prevalence, incidence, and severity of a wide variety of diseases and ailments are significantly influenced by the significant disparities that occur between the sexes. The way that men and women react to pharmacological treatment also varies. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehend these reactions in order to conduct risk assessment correctly and to develop safe and efficient therapies. Even from that limited vantage point, the manner and timing of our drug usage might have unintended and unanticipated consequences. There are sex-specific differences in the incidence and mortality of certain malignancies. One of the most important discoveries in cancer epidemiology is the gender inequalities. Cancer incidence differences between the sexes are thought to be regulated at the genetic and molecular levels and by sex hormones like oestrogen. Differences based on sex and gender are among the least investigated factors impacting cancer susceptibility, progression, survival, and therapy response despite their established importance in clinical care. The molecular mechanisms underlying sex differences in particular are poorly known, hence the majority of precision medicine approaches employ mutational or other genetic data to assign therapy without taking into account how the patient's sex may affect therapeutic efficacy. In patients receiving chemotherapy, there are definite gender-dependent disparities in response rates and the likelihood of side effects. This review explores the influence of sex as a biological variable in drug effects or toxicity in oncology.

Reproductive history, as measured by parity, age at first birth and sex of offspring, and cancer-specific survival after a haematological malignancy

BACKGROUND

Overall, women have better cancer-specific survival than men following haematological malignancies. The effect of reproductive factors on prognosis in women remains unknown and population-based studies are needed.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A nationwide cohort of 21,237 Swedish women with a recorded haematological malignancy at ages 18-69 years was identified in the Swedish Cancer Register 1970-2018. Pre-diagnosis childbirths for each woman were linked to the Swedish Multigeneration Register. Net survival and excess hazard ratios for parity, age at first birth, time since the latest birth, and sex of offspring were estimated using flexible parametric models adjusted for age, year, and educational level.

RESULTS

In unadjusted analyses, parity (p = 0.0012) and high age at first birth (p < 0.0001) were associated with better survival. After co-adjustments for reproductive factors and confounders, the associations were attenuated. The adjusted association with parity was mainly observed among women aged above 40 years at diagnosis (p = 0.0033). The associations with reproductive factors were non-significant across subtypes of haematological malignancy. There was a tendency of higher excess mortality for an increasing number of boys compared to girls, although only significant for women with three or more children (p = 0.0126).

CONCLUSION

Reproductive factors were in part associated with survival following diagnosis of a haematological malignancy. However, the effect sizes were small with inconsistent association patterns, and thus reproductive factors may only partly contribute to the survival advantage of women over men.

Clinical impact of primary tumor sidedness and sex on unresectable post-recurrence survival in resected pathological stage II-III colorectal cancers: a nationwide multicenter retrospective study

Background

Several studies have demonstrated that right-sided tumors have poorer prognosis than left-sided tumors in patients with unresectable colorectal cancer (CRC). The predictive ability of the tumor sidedness in CRC treated with chemotherapy in each sex is unclear.

Methods

Subjects were 964 unresectable recurrent patients treated with chemotherapy with stage II-III CRC after curative resection between 2004 and 2012. Post-recurrence cancer-specific survival (CSS) for each sex was examined.

Results

Patients were 603 males (222 right-side tumors (cecum to transverse colon) and 381 left-sided tumors (descending colon to rectum)), and 361 females (167 right-side tumors and 194 left-sided tumors). Right-sided tumors developed peritoneal recurrences in males and females. Left-sided tumors were associated with locoregional recurrences in males and with lung recurrences in females. Right-sided tumors were associated with shorter post-recurrence CSS in both sexes. In males, multivariate analyses showed that right-sided tumors were associated with shorter post-recurrence CSS (HR: 1.53, P < 0.0001) together with the presence of regional lymph node metastasis histopathological type of other than differentiated adenocarcinoma, the recurrence of liver only, the recurrence of peritoneal dissemination only, and relapse-free interval less than one-year. In females, multivariate analyses showed that right-sided tumors were associated with shorter post-recurrence CSS (HR: 1.50, P = 0.0019) together with advanced depth of invasion, the presence of regional lymph node metastasis, and recurrence of liver only.

Conclusions

Primary tumor sidedness in both sexes in unresectable recurrent CRC patients treated with chemotherapy may have prognostic implications for post-recurrence CSS.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09615-z.

Sex, Gender and Age Differences in Treatment Allocation and Survival of Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer: A Nationwide Study

Background

Biological sex, gender and age have an impact on the incidence and outcome in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate whether biological sex, gender and age are associated with treatment allocation and overall survival (OS) of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer in a nationwide cohort.

Methods

Patients with synchronous metastatic pancreatic cancer diagnosed between 2015 and 2019 were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR). The association between biological sex and the probability of receiving systemic treatment were examined with multivariable logistic regression analyses. Kaplan Meier analyses with log-rank test were used to describe OS.

Results

A total of 7470 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer were included in this study. Fourty-eight percent of patients were women. Women received less often systemic treatment (26% vs. 28%, P=0.03), as compared to men. Multivariable logistic regression analyses with adjustment for confounders showed that women ≤55 years of age, received more often systemic treatment (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.24-2.68) compared to men of the same age group. In contrast, women at >55 years of age had a comparable probability to receive systemic treatment compared to men of the same age groups. After adjustment for confounders, women had longer OS compared to men (HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.84-0.93).

Conclusion

This study found that women in general had a lower probability of receiving systemic treatment compared to men, but this can mainly be explained by age differences. Women had better OS compared to men after adjustment for confounders.

Neutrophil decline rate following autologous transplant for lymphoma is a predictor of patients' outcome

Neutropenia postchemotherapy is associated with favorable outcomes, which was attributed to optimal dosing. However, little is known about the neutrophil decline rate as a predictor of cancer outcomes, which may reflect a dynamic marker of chemosensitivity. We assessed the association between the neutrophil decline rate and disease outcomes in a known cohort of 212 lymphoma patients, treated with thiotepa, etoposide, cyclophosphamide, cytarabine, and melphalan (TECAM) conditioning followed by autologous transplant in our center between 2000 and 2013. Slower neutrophil decline rate was correlated with worse overall survival, mediated not by shorter time to progression (TTP), but rather by worse survival post-progression, possibly pointing to chemosensitivity at each line of therapy as the responsible mechanism. The effect was seen across histologies and was independent of stronger predictors of outcome like performance status (PS) and response before transplant. Prospective research is needed to confirm our results and expand their validity to other clinical scenarios.

Serum thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) levels in newly diagnosed patients with Hodgkin lymphoma: a new promising and predictive tool? Preliminary report

Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) is expressed on Reed-Sternberg cells of patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and may serve as a marker in response assessment. In our study, we correlated serum TARC levels with early response to treatment measured by PET/CT in 19 newly diagnosed patients with HL who received ABVD (Adriblastin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine, Dacarbazine) regimen. Finally, 17 patients were analyzed and six of them (35%) achieved PET/CT negativity defined as Deauville (D) 1 or 2 after 2 cycles of ABVD; 11 pts (65%) had D3 on PET/CT. None of the patients presented D 4/5. Median serum TARC levels at diagnosis were significantly higher when compared with healthy controls: 5718 pg/ml vs 76.1 pg/ml (p < 0.001). All study patients were treated with ABVD regimen and there was a significant decrease of baseline serum TARC levels after 2 cycles of therapy. No significant difference of baseline serum TARC levels was demonstrated between patients with D1/2 and D3 whereas levels were significantly decreased after 2 cycles of ABVD in patients D1/2 vs D3; p = 0.049. There was a tendency to higher baseline serum TARC levels in patients with an increased LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) activity (p = 0.08) and in those who progressed when compared with those who maintained response (p = 0.09). Serum TARC levels decrease after chemotherapy and may serve as a marker of response assessment.

Genome-Wide Sex and Gender Differences in Cancer

Despite their known importance in clinical medicine, differences based on sex and gender are among the least studied factors affecting cancer susceptibility, progression, survival, and therapeutic response. In particular, the molecular mechanisms driving sex differences are poorly understood and so most approaches to precision medicine use mutational or other genomic data to assign therapy without considering how the sex of the individual might influence therapeutic efficacy. The mandate by the National Institutes of Health that research studies include sex as a biological variable has begun to expand our understanding on its importance. Sex differences in cancer may arise due to a combination of environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors, as well as differences in gene regulation, and expression. Extensive sex differences occur genome-wide, and ultimately influence cancer biology and outcomes. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge about sex-specific genetic and genome-wide influences in cancer, describe how differences in response to environmental exposures and genetic and epigenetic alterations alter the trajectory of the disease, and provide insights into the importance of integrative analyses in understanding the interplay of sex and genomics in cancer. In particular, we will explore some of the emerging analytical approaches, such as the use of network methods, that are providing a deeper understanding of the drivers of differences based on sex and gender. Better understanding these complex factors and their interactions will improve cancer prevention, treatment, and outcomes for all individuals.

Impact of sex and age on chemotherapy efficacy, toxicity and survival in localised oesophagogastric cancer: A pooled analysis of 3265 individual patient data from four large randomised trials (OE02, OE05, MAGIC and ST03)

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of large-scale randomised data evaluating the impact of sex and age in patients undergoing chemotherapy followed by potentially curative surgery for oesophagogastric cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Individual patient data from four prospective randomised controlled trials were pooled using a two-stage meta-analysis. For survival analysis, hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated for patients aged <70 and ≥ 70 years, as well as between males and females. Mandard tumour regression grade (TRG) and, ≥grade III toxicities were compared using logistic regression models to calculate odds ratios. All analyses were adjusted for the type of chemotherapy received.

RESULTS

3265 patients were included for survival analysis (2668 [82%] male, 597 [18%] female; 2627 (80%) <70 years, 638 (20%) ≥70 years). A significant improvement in overall survival (OS) (HR: 0.78; p < 0.001) and disease-specific survival (DSS) (HR: 0.78; p < 0.001) was observed in females compared with males. No significant differences in OS (HR: 1.11; p = 0.045) or DSS (HR: 1.01; p = 0.821) were observed in older patients compared with younger patients. For patients who underwent resection, older patients (15% vs 10%; p = 0.03) and female patients (14% vs 10%, p = 0.10) were more likely to achieve favourable Mandard TRG scores. Females experienced significantly more ≥grade III nausea (10% vs 5%; p≤0.001), vomiting (10% vs 4%; p≤0.001) and diarrhoea (9% vs 4%; p≤0.001) than males.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large pooled analysis using prospective randomised trial data, females had significantly improved survival while experiencing more gastrointestinal toxicities. Older patients achieved comparable survival to younger patients and thus, dependent on fitness, should be offered the same treatment paradigm.

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

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

Depth of neutrophil nadir after first cycle of R-CHOP predicts outcome in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma - a nationwide population-based cohort study

We investigated if survival was predicted by nadir neutrophil counts after the first cycle of R-CHOP in patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Neutrophil counts (10⁹/L) were categorized in four grades in the nadir time frame. Prognostic indices and comorbidity levels were calculated and used to adjust the Cox regression model. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods were used to estimate and compare survival. We identified 965 patients. Grade 4 neutropenia was present in 432 (45%). Grade 0 patients had a 5-year overall survival of 67%, grade 1-2: 78%, grade 3: 64%, and grade 4: 57%. Compared with grade 0 adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for death were: 0.77 (95% CI 0.49-1.21) for grade 1-2, 1.18 (95% CI 0.82-1.71) for grade 3, and 1.33 (95% CI 1.02-1.73) for grade 4. Grade 4 neutropenia after the 1st cycle of chemotherapy predicted inferior outcome compared with grade 0 and 1-2. Grade 1-2 neutropenia seemed to have superior outcome.

Gender differences in doxorubicin pharmacology for subjects with chemosensitive cancers of young adulthood

PURPOSE

For many cancers, adolescents and young adults (AYA) have worse outcomes than for children and adults. Many factors may contribute to the AYA survival gap, including differences in biology, therapeutic intent, and adherence to therapy. It has been observed that male AYAs have poorer outcomes than females. The purpose of this work was to test the proposition that gender-related pharmacologic factors may account for a component of the AYA survival gap.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A prospective, multi-institutional pharmacologic study of 79 patients in total with chemosensitive cancers (Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma and Hodgkin lymphoma) was conducted, with conventional doxorubicin treatment. Pharmacokinetic data of 13 children, 40 AYAs and 13 adults were valid for analysis. Population pharmacokinetics models were developed for doxorubicin and its metabolite doxorubicinol based on the data created in this study. Consequently, model-based analysis was conducted to investigate the relevant topics.

RESULTS

The clearance of doxorubicinol (normalized to body surface area), the main active metabolite of doxorubicin, appears faster in male AYAs than female (p = 0.04, 95% CI 0.1-3.9 L/h). The exposure of doxorubicinol (normalized to dose) is lower in male AYA than female (p = 0.03, 95% CI - 0.005 to - 0.0002 h/L). These might be correlated to the observed difference on nadir neutrophil count between male AYA and female (p = 0.027, 95% CI 0.09-1.4).

CONCLUSION

Gender-related differences in doxorubicin pharmacology may account for worse outcomes for male AYAs with chemosensitive cancers compared to females. These findings may reduce the AYA survival gap compared to other age groups.

The management of adolescents and young adults with cancer

Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) with cancer are young people developing serious illness when at the interface between the responsibilities of paediatric and adult cancer services. Personally, they are in a period of transition both biologically and in major social roles (Sawyer et al., 2018) [1]. For these and other reasons they present a unique set of clinical challenges in their management. Over the last 20 years the requirement for specific services to address their needs has been identified and this has become a growing field of research. Despite this survival rates still lag behind those of children and older adults with cancer (Gatta et al., 2009) [2]. Why do AYA patients have worse outcomes? The observation is that the reason is multifactorial with path to diagnosis, unique cancer biology, uncertainty of treatment protocol, compliance issues and poor recruitment to clinical trials all playing a part. In this review we will discuss the unique challenges faced by healthcare professionals when managing AYA patients who are commonly and accurately described as being in an 'interface' position.

Osteosarcoma: Accurately diagnosing this bone-chilling disease

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone malignancy in children and adolescents. Because the incidence of osteosarcoma is low and the disease occurs in physically active patients, it may be misdiagnosed as a more benign condition, thus leading to late diagnosis. This article describes the disease's most frequent presenting complaints and initial radiographic findings, as well as its risk factors and common misdiagnoses. Clinicians should consider osteosarcoma in young patients with persistent bone pain, especially pain with weight-bearing.

Effect of leukocyte alteration on treatment outcomes following preoperative chemoradiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer

Purpose

Hematotoxicity following anti-cancer treatment is known to be related to treatment efficacy in several malignancies. The purpose of this study was to examine the hematologic parameters related to the tumor response and survival in patients treated with curative surgery following preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for rectal cancer.

Materials and Methods

Four hundred eighteen patients with rectal cancer who underwent preoperative CRT and curative surgery were analyzed, retrospectively. The main clinical factors and blood cell counts before and after CRT were investigated with respect to their relationships with tumor downstaging and patient survival.

Results

The post-CRT leukocyte count was significantly different between the tumor downstaging group and the nondownstaging group (median, 4740/uL vs. 5130/uL; p = 0.013). Multivariate analysis showed that histological grade, circumferential extent, and post-CRT leukocyte count were related to tumor downstaging. In addition, histological grade, post-CRT leukocyte count, and tumor downstaging were related to disease-free survival. The 5-year disease-free survival and overall survival in patients with post-CRT leukocyte count ≤3730/uL, which is the cut-off value derived from the receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, were significantly higher than those with higher counts (88.0% vs. 71.6%, p = 0.001; 94.4% vs. 84.1%, p = 0.024).

Conclusion

Post-CRT leukocyte count of ≤3730/uL could be regarded as a good prognostic factor for tumor response and survival in rectal cancer patients treated with preoperative CRT.

Tolerance to Chemotherapy in Elderly Patients with Cancer

Background

Due to demographic changes, the number of elderly people with cancer will increase in the next decades. In the past, elderly patients with cancer were often excluded from clinical trials. Chronological age has been considered a risk factor for increased toxicity and reduced tolerance to chemotherapy.

Methods

We present a review on toxicity of chemotherapy and factors associated with toxicity in elderly patients with cancer, and we discuss chemotherapeutic agents and treatment options in treating this patient population.

Results

Age is a risk factor for increased toxicity to chemotherapy and decreased tolerance. However, few trials have been reported with adjustment for age-associated changes such as impairment of functional status and increased comorbidity, which also show an independent association with increased toxicity. Published data may include several biases, such as referral and publication bias.

Conclusions

Decision making in elderly cancer patients should be based on the results of a geriatric assessment. Patients with few or no limitations should be treated as younger patients are treated. Data with a high level of evidence are unavailable for patients showing moderate or severe limitations in a geriatric assessment.

Leucopenia and treatment efficacy in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Leucopenia or neutropenia during chemotherapy predicts better survival in several cancers. We aimed to assess whether leucopenia could be a biological measure of treatment and a marker of efficacy in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 3826 patients with ANPC who received chemoradiotherapy. Leucopenia was categorised on the basis of worst grade during treatment according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria version 4.0: no leucopenia (grade 0), mild leucopenia (grade 1-2), and severe leucopenia (grade 3-4). Associations between leucopenia and survival were estimated by Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

Of the 3826 patients, 2511 (65.6 %) developed mild leucopenia (grade 1-2) and 807 (21.1 %) developed severe leucopenia (grade 3-4) during treatment; 508 (13.3 %) did not. A multivariate Cox model that included leucopenia determined that the hazard ratios (HR) of death for patients with mild and severe leucopenia were 0.69 [95 % confidence interval (95 %CI) 0.56-0.85, p < 0.001] and 0.75 (95 %CI 0.59-0.95, p = 0.019), respectively; the HR of distant metastasis for patients with mild and severe leucopenia were 0.77 (95 %CI 0.61-0.96, p = 0.023) and 0.99 (95 %CI 0.77-1.29, p = 0.995), respectively. Leucopenia had no effect on locoregional relapse.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that mild leucopenia during chemoradiotherapy is associated with improved overall survival and distant metastasis-free survival in ANPC. Mild leucopenia may indicate appropriate dosage of chemotherapy. We can identify the patients who may benefit from chemotherapy if they experienced leucopenia during the treatment. Prospective trials are required to assess whether dosing adjustments based on leucopenia may improve chemotherapy efficacy.

Risk assessment in the management of newly diagnosed classical Hodgkin lymphoma

Treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma is associated with 2 major types of risk: that the treatment may fail to cure the disease or that the treatment will prove unacceptably toxic. Careful assessment of the amount of the lymphoma (tumor burden), its behavior (extent of invasion or specific organ compromise), and host related factors (age; coincident systemic infection; and organ dysfunction, especially hematopoietic, cardiac, or pulmonary) is essential to optimize outcome. Elaborately assembled prognostic scoring systems, such as the International Prognostic Factors Project score, have lost their accuracy and value as increasingly effective chemotherapy and supportive care have been developed. Identification of specific biomarkers derived from sophisticated exploration of Hodgkin lymphoma biology is bringing promise of further improvement in targeted therapy in which effectiveness is increased at the same time off-target toxicity is diminished. Parallel developments in functional imaging are providing additional potential to evaluate the efficacy of treatment while it is being delivered, allowing dynamic assessment of risk during chemotherapy and adaptation of the therapy in real time. Risk assessment in Hodgkin lymphoma is continuously evolving, promising ever greater precision and clinical relevance. This article explores the past usefulness and the emerging potential of risk assessment for this imminently curable malignancy.

Prognostic factors in hodgkin lymphoma

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is among the neoplastic diseases that has the best long-term outcome after cytotoxic treatment. Cure rates approach 80–90%; however, 15–20% of patients will be resistant to therapy (primary refractory) or relapse after treatment. Prognostic factors should help to stratify treatment according to the risk profile and identify patients at risk for failure. Significance of prognostic factors partly depends on the efficacy of the treatments administered, since new effective therapies can variably counterbalance the adverse effects of some unfavorable clinical determinants. As a consequence, some prognostic factors thought to be important in the past may become meaningless when modern successful therapies are used. Therefore, the value of prognostic factors has to be updated periodically, and then adapted to new emerging biomarkers. Besides the prognostic role of PET imaging, tissue and circulating biomarkers, as the number of tumor-infiltrating macrophages, cytokine and chemokine levels and profiling of circulating nucleic acids (DNA and microRNAs) have shown promise.

Intra-patient dose escalation in Ewing's sarcoma treated with vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide alternating with ifosfamide and etoposide: a retrospective review

Background

Data suggests that males experience less toxicity and poorer survival than females treated for Ewing’s sarcoma. We instituted an intra-patient dose escalation (DE) policy with Vincristine/Doxorubicin/Cyclophosphamide (VDC) alternating with Ifosfamide/Etoposide (IE) based on hematological nadirs and report its feasibility and safety.

Methods

A retrospective review of adherence to DE guidelines and toxicities was conducted for patients who received DE with VDC/IE over 3 years at a single cancer center. Absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) was collected on days 8, 12 and 15 for cycles 1–6. DE of 10%/cycle was applied if ANC > 1.5×10⁹/L and platelet > 100×10⁹/L on all blood results. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who received appropriate DE. The secondary endpoint was to assess morbidity, changes in hematologic nadirs between gender and age and a comparison with a prior cohort of ESFT patients who did not receive DE. Gender comparisons were assessed via independent 2-sample t-tests assuming unequal variances. Within cycle changes in hematologic nadirs were assessed using repeated measures ANOVA. Relapse free survival and overall survival (OS) curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

23 patients were identified (mean age: 27; range 17–54). 91 decisions for DE were made (1 decision excluded because of progressive disease) with 90% concordance with guidelines. No adverse outcomes occurred as a result of the inappropriate escalation. Grade 3/4 febrile neutropenia (FN) during VDC and IE was 26.1% (6/23 patients) and 17.4% respectively with no difference for those who were DE. Males were less neutropenic after C1 and C3 of VDC compared to females (P-value C1 = 0.003; C3 = 0.005). VDC was associated with greater neutropenia on day 8 whereas IE had greater neutropenia on day 12 (P-value <0.001). During VDC, a non statistical difference in neutropenia was seen for individuals aged 15–25 (n = 13) compared with older individuals (P-value = 0.09). OS comparison for those with localized disease with a prior cohort who were not DE showed similar outcomes (P-value = 0.37).

Conclusions

DE is deliverable without increased adverse outcomes. Males have less myelosuppression during VDC, and should be especially considered for DE.

High-BMI at diagnosis is associated with inferior survival in patients with osteosarcoma: a report from the Children's Oncology Group

BACKGROUND

Body mass index (BMI), at diagnosis has been associated with lower survival and increased toxicity in cancer patients. We analyzed the effect of BMI at diagnosis on therapy related toxicities and outcome in pediatric osteosarcoma patients treated on Children's Oncology Group (COG) trial INT0133.

PROCEDURES

All patients enrolled on COG-INT0133 with height, weight and toxicity information were eligible. BMI was expressed as age and gender specific percentiles using height and weight at diagnosis. Patients were classified into high, normal and low BMI groups. Logistic regression models were used to analyze toxicities; Kaplan-Meier curves were created to assess event free (EFS) and overall survival (OAS).

RESULTS

Seven hundred and ten patients met eligibility criteria. BMI distribution was: 447 normal BMI, 74 low BMI, and 189 high BMI. Renal toxicity was higher in the high BMI group (OR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.2-6.4, P = = 0.01) only during one of the courses of therapy. Compared to the normal BMI group, patients with high BMI had significantly worse OAS at 5 years compared to those with normal BMI, 69.7% versus 80.5% (HR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.2, P = 0.005) and a trend towards worse event-free survival at 3 years 66.2% versus 75.5% (HR = 1.3 95% CI 0.9-1.8, P = 0.05). There was no difference in EFS or OAS in patients with low BMI compared to patients with normal BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

High BMI at diagnosis is associated with worse OAS in patients with osteosarcoma. No clinically significant differences in toxicity were observed in the various BMI groups.

Randomised phase II study comparing dose-escalated weekly paclitaxel vs standard-dose weekly paclitaxel for patients with previously treated advanced gastric cancer

Background:

This randomised phase II trial compared dose-escalated weekly paclitaxel (wPTX) vs standard-dose wPTX for patients with previously treated advanced gastric cancer (AGC).

Methods:

Ninety patients were randomised to a standard dose of wPTX (80 mg m⁻²) or an escalated dose of wPTX (80–120 mg m⁻²) to assess the superiority of overall survival (OS) with a one-sided alpha error of 0.3 and a power of 0.8.

Results:

The median OS showed a trend towards longer survival in the dose-escalated arm (11.8 vs 9.6 months; hazard ratio (HR), 0.75; one-sided P=0.12), although it was statistically not significant. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly longer in the dose-escalated arm (4.3 vs 2.5 months, HR, 0.55; P=0.017). Objective response rate was 30.3% with dose escalation and 17.1% with standard dose (P=0.2). The frequency of all grades of neutropenia was significantly higher with dose escalation (88.7% vs 60.0%, P=0.002); however, no significant difference was observed in the proportion of patients experiencing grade 3 or more (40.9% vs 31.1%, P=0.34).

Conclusion:

Dose-escalated wPTX in patients with pretreated AGC met our predefined threshold of primary end point, OS (P<0.3); however, it did not show a significantly longer OS. Progression-free survival was significantly better with dose escalation.

A study to investigate dose escalation of doxorubicin in ABVD chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma incorporating biomarkers of response and toxicity

Background:

Myelotoxicity during initial cycles of chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma is associated with better outcome, supporting the concept of individualised dosing based on pharmacodynamic end points to optimise results. This study was performed to identify the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of doxorubicin within cycles 1–3 ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine). Circulating biomarkers of response (nucleosomal DNA, nDNA) and epithelial toxicity (Cytokeratin 18, CK18) were also measured.

Methods:

Dose escalation of doxorubicin in cycles 1–3 ABVD supported by pegfilgrastim was performed on a six-patient cohort basis (35, 45 and 55 mg m^–2) with doxorubicin reduced to 25 mg m^–2 or omitted in cycles 4–6 to maintain cumulative exposure of 103–130% standard ABVD. BVD was given at standard doses throughout. Six additional subjects were recruited at the MTD.

Results:

Twenty-four subjects were recruited. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of grade 3 neuropathy, pneumonitis, palmar-plantar erythema and neutropenic infection were observed at 55 mg m^–2, so 45 mg m^–2 was declared the MTD. In patients who subsequently experienced DLT at any time, large increases in CK18 were seen on day 3 of cycle 1 ABVD.

Conclusion:

Escalated ABVD incorporating doxorubicin at 45 mg m^–2 in cycles 1–3 can be delivered safely with pegfilgrastim support. Circulating cell death biomarkers may assist in the development of future individualised dosing strategies.

Impact of baseline and nadir neutrophil index in non-small cell lung cancer and ovarian cancer patients: Assessment of chemotherapy for resolution of unfavourable neutrophilia

Background

Chronic inflammation has been recognized to foster tumour development. Whether chemotherapy can be used to neutralize chronic inflammation is unclear.

Methods

We evaluated baseline and nadir neutrophils in 111 patients (pts.) with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 118 pts. with ovarian cancer (OC) treated with chemotherapy administered with dose-individualization to achieve nadir neutropenia of 1.5. We used predefined baseline neutrophil cut-offs 4.5 × 10⁹/L (NSCLC) and 3.9 × 10⁹/L (OC).

Results

Absence of chemotherapy-induced nadir neutropenia (CTCAE grade 0, neutrophils ≥ LLN) was seen in 23% of OC and 25% of NSCLC pts. Absence of nadir neutropenia was associated with decreased overall survival (OS) compared with presence (>grade 0) of neutropenia (9 vs. 14 months, P = 0.004 for NSCLC and 23 vs. 56 months; P = 0.01 for OC). Obtaining grade 3/4 neutropenia did not improve survival compared with grade 1/2 neutropenia. In multivariate analyses, baseline neutrophils ≥4.5 × 10⁹/L (HR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.11-3.44;P = 0.02) and absence of nadir neutropenia (HR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.02-2.65;P = 0.04) for NSCLC and absence of nadir neutropenia (HR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.04;2.93;P = 0.04) for OC were independently associated with short OS.

Three prognostic neutrophil index (NI) groups were defined. Favourable NI: low baseline neutrophils and presence of nadir neutropenia (>grade 0), Intermediate NI: elevated baseline neutrophils and presence of nadir neutropenia (>grade 0), and Poor NI: elevated baseline neutrophils and absence of nadir neutropenia (grade 0). For NSCLC patients, the median OS was 18.0, 13.4, and 8.8 months for favourable, intermediate and poor NI, respectively (fav vs. poor P = 0.002; fav vs. intermed P = 0.04; and intermed vs. poor P = 0.03). For OC patients, median OS was 69, 52 and 23 months for favourable, intermediate and poor NI, respectively (fav vs. poor P = 0.03; fav vs. intermed P = 0.3; and intermed vs. poor P = 0.02). Interestingly, survival rates in the intermediate NI groups indicated that individualised dose of chemotherapy to induce neutropenia may partly overcome the negative impact of elevated baseline neutrophils.

Conclusions

A neutrophil index comprising elevated baseline neutrophils and absence of neutropenia identified a high risk group of NSCLC and ovarian cancer patients with only modest effect of chemotherapy. New treatment options for this subset of patients are required.

Sex differences in the drug therapy for oncologic diseases

There are clear gender-dependent differences in response rates and the probability of side effects in patients treated with chemotherapy. Sex-biased expression levels of metabolic enzymes and transporters in liver and kidney leading to different pharmacokinetics have been described for most common anti-cancer drugs. In women, half-life is often longer, which is associated with improved survival, but also increased toxicity.Some chemotherapy protocols lead to a better response rate in women without increasing toxicity (e.g., cisplatin and irinotecan), while others only increase toxicity, but do not improve response rates in women (e.g., 5-fluorouracil). The increased toxicity often correlates with different pharmacokinetics, but women also show a higher sensitivity to some agents with shorter half-life (e.g., steroids). Organ-specific toxicities like cardiac toxicity after doxorubicin treatment or neurotoxicity associated with ifosfamide are more severe in women due to gender-specific changes in gene expression. Novel therapies like tyrosine kinase inhibitors or monoclonal antibodies show very complex, but clinical significant differences depending on gender. Antibodies often have a longer half-life in women, which is associated with an improved response to therapy.Side effects appear to be highly dependent on different tissue properties, as women have a higher incidence of oral mucositis, but lower rates of gut toxicity. Nausea and vomiting is a greater problem in females during therapy due to the lower activity of anti-emetic drugs. Nausea and vomiting pose a bigger challenge in female patients, as anti-emetic drugs seem to be less effective.

Patterns of chemotherapy-induced toxicities in younger children and adolescents with rhabdomyosarcoma: a report from the Children's Oncology Group Soft Tissue Sarcoma Committee

BACKGROUND

Patients aged >10 years with rhabdomyosarcoma have an inferior outcome compared with patients ages 1 to 9 years, which may be explained by toxicities (adverse events [AEs]) that result in chemotherapy dose reductions.

METHODS

AEs observed during 1 of 3 randomized chemotherapy regimens (vincristine, dactinomycin, and cyclophosphamide [VAC]; vincristine, dactinomycin, and ifosfamide [VAI]; or vincristine, ifosfamide, and etoposide [VIE]) in the Fourth Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study were recorded. The incidence of toxicities by age and treatment regimen was determined. The odds of developing AEs in a particular age group (ages 5-9 years, 10-14 years, and 15-20 years) were compared with the odds in the control group of patients ages 1 to 4 years.

RESULTS

In total, 657 patients were eligible for analysis. The estimated 5-year event-free survival rates were 78%, 83%, 67%, and 58% for the groups ages 1 to 4 years, 5 to 9 years, 10 to 14 years, and 15 to 20 years, respectively. Patients ages 15 to 20 years experienced less neutropenia (odds ratio [OR], 0.43; P < .0001), thrombocytopenia (OR, 0.41; P < .0001), anemia (OR, 0.34; P < .0001), and infection (OR, 0.41; P < .0001) compared with younger patients, although they received similar amounts of chemotherapy. In contrast, peripheral nervous system toxicity was higher in adolescents aged >10 years (OR, 4.18; P < .0001). Females experienced more neutropenia (OR, 1.28; P = .05) and thrombocytopenia (OR, 1.26; P = .06) compared with males.

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescents who received treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma experienced significantly less hematologic toxicity and more peripheral nervous system toxicity compared with younger children despite receiving similar amounts of chemotherapy. Although outcomes were inferior in adolescents, it was unclear whether the differences in toxicity observed in the current study had an impact on outcome. The authors concluded that future studies examining the age-related and sex-related differences in pharmacokinetics of chemotherapy are necessary.

Hodgkin's lymphoma: current treatment strategies and novel approaches

Approximately 80% of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) patients achieve long-term remission after primary chemotherapy or chemo/radiotherapy. Despite these excellent results, further treatment improvement is necessary. HL therapy is associated with severe acute and long-term toxicities. Thus, a major aim of clinical HL research is to evaluate novel schemes that are less toxic than current standard regimens without being less effective. Another focus is the treatment of patients with multiple relapses. Standard treatment for these patients has not yet been defined, and their prognosis is still poor. Reduced-intensity conditioning allogeneic stem cell transplantation was recently shown to be effective in carefully selected young chemosensitive patients. Furthermore, new strategies such as antibody- and small-molecule-based therapy have demonstrated encouraging results in preclinical studies and the first clinical trials.

Gender and ploidy in cancer survival

Background

Females carry a better prognosis than men for many cancer types. We hypothesized that chromosomal changes, in particular numerical alterations of the sex chromosomes or the presence of near-triploidy may contribute to these gender differences.

Methods

To characterize the influence of gender a literature search was performed for survival data of 27 tumor types. All entities were categorized by the strength of evidence for differences in survival between females and males. To test our hypothesis the Mitelman database of chromosomal alterations was evaluated for the major tumor types occurring in both women and men. Numerical gonosome alterations were documented and mean chromosome numbers were converted into histograms to provide insight into the ploidy level of 37 cancer types.

Results

In general, a survival advantage of women could be shown for most, but not all cancer types. In addition, 36.859 karyograms were analyzed. Numerical gonosome alterations were more frequent in males than females indicating a potential link with gender differences in survival. Neartriploidy was a common phenomenon in many cancer types suggesting that it represents a metastable condition of the cancer genome. It was not related to gender differences in survival. However, the extent of triploidy and aneuploidy was associated with poor prognosis in carcinomas. There was no single case in the Mitelman database with normal chromosome number (n = 46) that did not carry at least one structural or numerical aberration.

Conclusions

Our study highlights the importance of chromosomal changes in tumor formation and progression. In addition, it suggests potential associations with gender specific differences in survival.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13402-011-0013-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Randomized phase II study comparing dose escalated weekly paclitaxel vs. standard dose weekly paclitaxel for patients with previously treated advanced gastric cancer

Weekly paclitaxel is an effective and widely used regimen for patients with advanced gastric cancer, with main dose-limiting toxicities of neutropenia and neurotoxicity. Neutropenia during weekly paclitaxel administration was reported to be associated with better survival. The aim of this study is to evaluate prospectively whether dosing adjustments based on the occurrence of neutropenia may improve chemotherapy efficacy. A total of 90 patients will be randomized to receive either a standard dose of weekly paclitaxel (80 mg/m(2)) or an escalated dose of weekly paclitaxel (80 mg/m(2) initially followed by 100 and 120 mg/m(2) unless severe toxicity is observed). The primary endpoint is overall survival. Secondary endpoints include progression-free survival, response rate, disease control rate and adverse events.

Meta-analysis of neutropenia or leukopenia as a prognostic factor in patients with malignant disease undergoing chemotherapy

PURPOSE

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the impact of neutropenia or leukopenia experienced during chemotherapy on survival.

METHODS

Eligible studies included prospective or retrospective analyses that evaluated neutropenia or leukopenia as a prognostic factor for overall survival or disease-free survival. Statistical analyses were conducted to calculate a summary hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) using random-effects or fixed-effects models based on the heterogeneity of the included studies.

RESULTS

Thirteen trials were selected for the meta-analysis, with a total of 9,528 patients. The hazard ratio of death was 0.69 (95% CI, 0.64-0.75) for patients with higher-grade neutropenia or leukopenia compared to patients with lower-grade or lack of cytopenia. Our analysis was also stratified by statistical method (any statistical method to decrease lead-time bias; time-varying analysis or landmark analysis), but no differences were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that neutropenia or leukopenia experienced during chemotherapy is associated with improved survival in patients with advanced cancer or hematological malignancies undergoing chemotherapy. Future prospective analyses designed to investigate the potential impact of chemotherapy dose adjustment coupled with monitoring of neutropenia or leukopenia on survival are warranted.

Prognostic analysis and a new risk model for Hodgkin lymphoma in Japan

The Japan Clinical Oncology Group conducted two multicenter phase II trials in 200 patients with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in the 1990s. Among 181 patients whose histopathological specimens were available and reviewed by 6 hematopathologists, 167 (92.3%) were diagnosed with HL. Five-year overall survival (OS) among these 167 patients was 88.3%, including 89.2% among nodular sclerosis and 82.2% among mixed cellularity cases. International prognostic score was not closely associated with OS. Seven unfavorable prognostic factors for OS on univariate analysis were male, B symptoms, clinical stage of III or IV, elevated serum LDH, elevated alkaline phosphatase, elevated beta2-microglobulin, and pathological subtype (mixed cellularity and lymphocyte depletion). On multivariate analysis, male [HR 3.30 (95% CI 1.15-9.52, p = 0.027)] and elevated serum LDH [HR 2.41 (95% CI 1.07-5.43, p = 0.034)] were independent factors for OS. Based on these prognostic factors, the 5-year OS was 95.7% in the low-risk group (no adverse factor), 87.9% in the intermediate-risk group (1 adverse factor) and 73.3% in the high-risk group (2 adverse factors). This simple prognostic model for HL warrants further validation studies.

Initial dose intensity has limited impact on the outcome of ABVD chemotherapy for advanced Hodgkin lymphoma (HL): data from UKLG LY09 (ISRCTN97144519)

BACKGROUND

This analysis was undertaken to assess the relationship between the dose intensity (DI) of initial chemotherapy and outcome in a large cohort of patients with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma treated in a randomised controlled trial, in which detailed dose data were collected prospectively.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Three-hundred and eighty patients randomly assigned to receive standard doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine who underwent at least two cycles of treatment were studied. With a median follow-up of 6.9 years, progression-free survival (PFS) from the end of cycle 2 was analysed according to DI during those cycles.

RESULTS

During the first two cycles, 25% of patients received >97% of planned DI, 37% received between 86% and 97% and 38% received <86%. DI during the first two cycles was correlated with DI during the remainder of the course, but there was no evidence that early DI influenced PFS (hazard ratio 0.87, 95% confidence interval 0.67-1.11; P = 0.265). Multivariate analysis also failed to confirm the influence of early DI on PFS or overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

At the range of DI delivered in a multicentre trial using conventional therapy, there is no clear evidence that early DI influences outcome. This should be tested in a prospective study.

Differences in hematotoxicity between male and female patients with Hodgkin lymphoma and other malignancies

With improved treatment strategies and prognosis for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), interest has increasingly focused on high-risk groups. These groups include a small proportion of patients who experience relapse or who have primary refractory disease despite state-of-the-art treatment. Although many research efforts have been made in this field, specific biological markers that reliably predict unfavorable outcome during first-line treatment are lacking. Recent analyses in HL and other malignancies, however, have demonstrated an important impact of patient-related factors, such as individual differences in hematologic toxicity and drug metabolism, on disease outcome. A different cytochrome enzyme status and slower drug clearance in female patients, resulting in higher systemic toxicity and effectiveness of treatment, indicate that sex-specific aspects are important. In this Review, we discuss the current data on hematotoxicity among male and female patients with HL and other malignancies. In addition, we highlight the potential causes of hematotoxicity and its impact on treatment outcome and the role of future strategies.

Population pharmacokinetics of the BEACOPP polychemotherapy regimen in Hodgkin's lymphoma and its effect on myelotoxicity

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The BEACOPP (bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine and prednisone) chemotherapy regimen for the treatment of advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma has a superior outcome, but its toxicity (mainly haematotoxicity) is pronounced and highly variable. The present study was conducted to address the role of pharmacokinetics in individual toxicity.

STUDY DESIGN

Three plasma samples and a 24-hour urine collection for day 1 of the first three cycles of chemotherapy were analysed in 30 patients, and the pharmacokinetic parameters of the respective drugs were estimated by population pharmacokinetic methods (nonlinear mixed-effects model [NONMEM] software). Demographic data, doses and durations of infusion were also recorded. The effect of these parameters on platelet counts was estimated by analysis of covariance using a general linear model.

RESULTS

The pharmacokinetic parameters and respective covariates were similar to the published data. The body surface area, peak concentrations of etoposide, urinary recovery of dechloroethylcyclophosphamide (formed by cytochrome P450 [CYP] 3A4) relative to the cyclophosphamide dose and number of cycles had a significant effect on toxicity. These factors explained 37% of the interindividual variability in the change in platelet counts from day 1 to day 8 of each cycle.

CONCLUSION

The results show that the individual pharmacokinetics of BEACOPP drugs are an important link between dosage and toxicity. Accordingly, individualisation of treatment based on pharmacokinetics may result in more uniform toxicity. Individualisation may also allow escalation of the mean dose, which is probably related to better efficacy. As a consequence of the present study, infusion rates should be standardised, and the potential of a dose reduction in the first cycle and of CYP3A4 phenotyping should be addressed in clinical studies.

G-CSF is not necessary to maintain over 99% dose-intensity with ABVD in the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma: low toxicity and excellent outcomes in a 10-year analysis

Dose-intensity of chemotherapy is important in the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is commonly used to maintain it. We reviewed all newly diagnosed HL patients who were treated at our institution between 1996 and 2005. Fifty-nine patients received adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) chemotherapy with no dose reductions, treatment delays, and without G-CSF, regardless of absolute neutrophil count (ANC). The median ANC on all ABVD treatment days (n = 658) was 0.925 x 10(9)/l, and was <0.5 x 10(9)/l on 26% of treatment days. Median normalised ABVD dose-intensity was 99.1% (range, 93-100%) and median cycle duration was 28.2 d. Incidence of bleomycin lung toxicity was 1.6%, 0.44% treatments were complicated by febrile neutropenia, and no secondary malignancies have occurred (median follow-up 48 months; range, 11-130 months). Five-year event-free (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 92.9% and 97.4% respectively. Furthermore, the 5-year EFS and OS (87.4% and 94.1% respectively) for advanced stage patients compared favourably with a similar ABVD patient group who received routine prophylactic G-CSF (n = 23) with EFS 80.0% and OS 91.3% (P = 0.46 and 0.67 respectively). Our experience suggests that ABVD may be safely and effectively administered at >99% dose-intensity without G-CSF support, regardless of the ANC.

Hodgkin disease survival in Europe and the U.S

BACKGROUND

The survival of patients with Hodgkin disease (HD) varies markedly across Europe and generally is shorter than the survival of patients in the U.S. To investigate these differences, the authors compared population-based HD survival in relation to morphologic type among populations in Europe and the U.S.

METHODS

The authors analyzed 6726 patients from 37 cancer registries that participated in EUROCARE-3 and 3442 patients from 9 U.S. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries. Patients were diagnosed during 1990 to 1994 and were followed for at least 5 years. The European registries were grouped into EUROCARE West, EUROCARE UK, and EUROCARE East. Morphologic groups were nodular sclerosis, mixed cellularity, lymphocyte depletion, lymphocyte predominance, and not otherwise specified (NOS). The influence of morphology on geographic differences in 5-year relative survival was explored by using multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

In the model that was adjusted by age, gender, and years since diagnosis, the relative excess risk (RER) of death was 0.93 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.81-1.05) in EUROCARE West, 1.15 (95% CI, 1.04-1.28) in EUROCARE UK, and 1.39 (95% CI, 1.21-1.60) in EUROCARE East (compared with the SEER data). When morphology was included, EUROCARE UK and SEER no longer differed (RER, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.95-1.18). Morphology distribution varied markedly across Europe and much less in the U.S., with nodular sclerosis less common in Europe (45.9%) than the U.S. (61.7%). The RER data showed that patients who had lymphocyte depletion, NOS, and mixed cellularity had a significantly worse prognoses compared with patients who had nodular sclerosis, whereas patients who had lymphocyte predominance had the best prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The current results provide population-based evidence that morphology strongly influences the prognosis of patients with HD. However differences in the morphologic case mix explains only some of the geographic variations observed in survival.