Fifth Ovarian Cancer Consensus Conference of the Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup: recurrent disease

This manuscript reports the consensus statements regarding recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC), reached at the fifth Ovarian Cancer Consensus Conference (OCCC), which was held in Tokyo, Japan, in November 2015. Three important questions were identified: (i) What are the subgroups for clinical trials in ROC? The historical definition of using platinum-free interval (PFI) to categorise patients as having platinum-sensitive/resistant disease was replaced by therapy-free interval (TFI). TFI can be broken down into TFIp (PFI), TFInp (non-PFI) and TFIb (biological agent-free interval). Additional criteria to consider include histology, BRCA mutation status, number/type of previous therapies, outcome of prior surgery and patient reported symptoms. (ii) What are the control arms for clinical trials in ROC? When platinum is considered the best option, the control arm should be a platinum-based therapy with or without an anti-angiogenic agent or a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor. If platinum is not considered the best option, the control arm could include a non-platinum drug, either as single agent or in combination. (iii) What are the endpoints for clinical trials in ROC? Overall survival (OS) is the preferred endpoint for patient cohorts with an expected median OS < or = 12 months. Progression-free survival (PFS) is an alternative, and it is the preferred endpoint when the expected median OS is > 12 months. However, PFS alone should not be the only endpoint and must be supported by additional endpoints including pre-defined patient reported outcomes (PROs), time to second subsequent therapy (TSST), or time until definitive deterioration of quality of life (TUDD).

Radiation pneumonitis in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with concurrent radiotherapy and gemcitabine after induction with gemcitabine and carboplatin

e18504

Background: The combination of chemotherapy (CT) and thoracic radiation (RT) is the standard treatment for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The most favorable CT regime, timing of full-dose CT and the best way to combine CT with RT to maximize systemic and radiosensitizing effects remain to be determined. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of gemcitabine concurrent with RT after induction CT (gemcitabine + carboplatin) in locally advanced NSCLC. Methods: Patients with histologically proven NSCLC IIIA and IIIB received carboplatin (AUC of 2.5) and gemcitabine (800 mg/m2) on day 1 and 8, every 21 days (two cycles), followed by conventional fractioned RT (60Gy) with concomitant weekly gemcitabine 200 mg/m2 and by consolidation CT. Survival was analyzed with Kaplan-Meier. Results: Median follow-up was of 11.9 months, 11 patients (57.9%) had stage IIIB disease. Patient inclusion was discontinued due to high grade 3/4 radiation pneumonitis events (5/19 patients, 26.3%). One treatment-related death from radiation pneumonitis occurred. The most common hematological side effects grade 3/4 were anemia and neutropenia 3/19 (15.8%) each and thrombocytopenia 4/19 (21.1%) during induction CT. Partial response was observed in 11 patients (57.9%) following induction. After concurrent chemo-radiotherapy, overall response was 68.4%. Four patients underwent surgical resection. Median progression-free survival was 12 ± 1 months (95% CI, 9.8 -14.1). Overall survival was of 21 ± 3.5 months (95% CI, 14–27.9). Conclusions: Concurrent RT with gemcitabine after induction CT with gemcitabine and carboplatin showed a high response rate. However, it is associated with excessive pulmonary toxicity. Adjustments in gemcitabine dosage during RT or changes in RT planning could reduce toxicity.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Misoprostol prophylaxis for high-dose chemotherapy-induced mucositis: a randomized double-blind study

From April 1993 to September 1993, 15 patients with lymphoid or solid neoplasms underwent 16 non-cryopreserved peripheral stem cell transplantation courses using the ICE (ifosfamide, carboplatin, etoposide) program. They were randomized in a double-blind clinical trial to received oral misoprostol or placebo for mucositis prophylaxis. The active drug or placebo administration began jointly with chemotherapy at day -4 and was continued until day 16. The mucositis incidence and severity was significantly higher in patients who received misoprostol. We found no differences regarding myelosuppression, infections or other chemotherapy complications. Our results do not support the use of oral misoprostol as administered in this study, for high-dose chemotherapy-induced mucositis prophylaxis.