Influence of Oral Anaerobic Bacteria on Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Patients: Oral Mucositis and General Condition

OBJECTIVE

Oral mucositis (OM) caused by infection facilitated by myelosuppression and immunosuppression can be controlled through oral care. We investigated changes in oral anaerobic bacterial flora during the onset of OM with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

METHODS

This study included 19 patients who underwent HSCT. All received professional oral care before initiating the preparative regimen. We assessed OM, oral health and obtained microbial samples from the oral cavity during 5 assessment points: before initiating the preparative regimen; the day before HSCT (day 1); and at 7, 14, and 30 days after HSCT. Microbial species were identified by using a mass spectrometer.

RESULTS

The number of patients with serious OM increased initially after HSCT and decreased thereafter. Many Streptococcus species were identified before HSCT, but these gradually decreased and were replaced by coagulase-negative staphylococci. An increase in Candida species after HSCT and the identification of Enterococcus species were significantly associated with OM. Nutritional status recovery and prognosis were significantly worse in patients who developed OM.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first which shows that anaerobic bacteria were identified in patients' oral flora before and after HSCT by using a mass spectrometer. These results indicate that Enterococcus species and Candida species may have been associated with OM. OM affected the patients' improvement in nutritional status and their prognosis. We concluded that it is important to provide more complete oral care instructions and interventions to prevent these bacterial infections.

Quality-of-life and performance status results from the phase III RAINBOW study of ramucirumab plus paclitaxel versus placebo plus paclitaxel in patients with previously treated gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The phase III RAINBOW trial demonstrated that the addition of ramucirumab to paclitaxel improved overall survival, progression-free survival, and tumor response rate in fluoropyrimidine-platinum previously treated patients with advanced gastric/gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. Here, we present results from quality-of-life (QoL) and performance status (PS) analyses.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group PS of 0/1 were randomized to receive ramucirumab (8 mg/kg i.v.) or placebo on days 1 and 15 of a 4-week cycle, with both arms receiving paclitaxel (80 mg/m(2)) on days 1, 8, and 15. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed with the QoL/health status questionnaires EORTC QLQ-C30 and EQ-5D at baseline and 6-week intervals. PS was assessed at baseline and day 1 of every cycle. Time to deterioration (TtD) in each QLQ-C30 scale was defined as randomization to first worsening of ≥10 points (on 100-point scale) and TtD in PS was defined as first worsening to ≥2. Hazard ratios (HRs) for treatment effect were estimated using stratified Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Of the 665 patients randomized, 650 (98%) provided baseline QLQ-C30 and EQ-5D data, and 560 (84%) also provided data from ≥1 postbaseline time point. Baseline scores for both instruments were similar between arms. Of the 15 QLQ-C30 scales, 14 had HR < 1, indicating similar or longer TtD in QoL for ramucirumab + paclitaxel. Treatment with ramucirumab + paclitaxel was also associated with a delay in TtD in PS to ≥2 (HR = 0.798, P = 0.0941). Alternate definitions of PS deterioration yielded similar results: PS ≥ 3 (HR = 0.656, P = 0.0508), deterioration by ≥1 PS level (HR = 0.802, P = 0.0444), and deterioration by ≥2 PS levels (HR = 0.608, P = 0.0063). EQ-5D scores were comparable between treatment arms, stable during treatment, and worsened at discontinuation.

CONCLUSION

In patients with previously treated advanced gastric/GEJ adenocarcinoma, addition of ramucirumab to paclitaxel prolonged overall survival while maintaining patient QoL with delayed symptom worsening and functional status deterioration.

CLINICALTRIALSGOV

NCT01170663.

Phase III study comparing oxaliplatin plus S-1 with cisplatin plus S-1 in chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of S-1 plus oxaliplatin (SOX) as an alternative to cisplatin plus S-1 (CS) in first-line chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer (AGC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this randomized, open-label, multicenter phase III study, patients were randomly assigned to receive SOX (80-120 mg/day S-1 for 2 weeks with 100 mg/m(2) oxaliplatin on day 1, every 3 weeks) or CS (S-1 for 3 weeks with 60 mg/m(2) cisplatin on day 8, every 5 weeks). The primary end points were noninferiority in progression-free survival (PFS) and relative efficacy in overall survival (OS) for SOX using adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with stratification factors; performance status and unresectable or recurrent (+adjuvant chemotherapy) disease.

RESULTS

Overall, 685 patients were randomized from January 2010 to October 2011. In per-protocol population, SOX (n = 318) was noninferior to CS (n = 324) in PFS [median, 5.5 versus 5.4 months; HR 1.004, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.840-1.199; predefined noninferiority margin 1.30]. The median OS for SOX and CS were 14.1 and 13.1 months, respectively (HR 0.958 with 95% CI 0.803-1.142). In the intention-to-treat population (SOX, n = 339; CS, n = 337), the HRs in PFS and OS were 0.979 (95% CI 0.821-1.167) and 0.934 (95% CI 0.786-1.108), respectively. The most common ≥grade 3 adverse events (SOX versus CS) were neutropenia (19.5% versus 41.8%), anemia (15.1% versus 32.5%), hyponatremia (4.4% versus 13.4%), febrile neutropenia (0.9% versus 6.9%), and sensory neuropathy (4.7% versus 0%).

CONCLUSION

SOX is as effective as CS for AGC with favorable safety profile, therefore SOX can replace CS.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

JapicCTI-101021.

Phase I study of TAS-102 treatment in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumours

BACKGROUND

TAS-102 consists of α, α, α-trifluorothymidine (TFT) and an inhibitor of thymidine phosphorylase (TPI). We conducted a dose-escalation phase I study in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumours.

METHODS

TAS-102 was administered twice daily on days 1-5 and days 8-12 in a 28-day cycle to patients with solid tumours refractory to standard chemotherapy, to determine its maximum tolerated dose (MTD), dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), and pharmacokinetics (PKs). MTD was evaluated in cycle 1.

RESULTS

Safety and PKs were evaluated in 21 patients treated with TAS-102 at 30, 40, 50, 60, or 70 mg m(-2) per day. DLTs, such as grade 4 leucopenia, grade 4 neutropenia, and grade 4 thrombocytopenia, were observed in two patients at doses of 30 and 70 mg m(-2). α, α, α-trifluorothymidine and TPI exposures increased dose dependently, and the percentage of decrease in neutrophil count and TFT exposure were significantly correlated. The disease control rate was 50.0% with a median progression-free survival of 2.4 months in 18 colorectal cancer patients. The dose of TAS-102 was not increased above 70 mg m(-2) per day because of the increased tendency for grade 3 and 4 neutropenia, and 70 mg m(-2) per day was the recommended dose for phase II studies.

CONCLUSIONS

TAS-102 at 70 mg m(-2) per day was tolerated in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumours. Phase II studies are ongoing in patients with colorectal cancer.

Multicenter feasibility study of 5-FU, leucovorin, plus paclitaxel (FLTAX) for peritoneal disseminated gastric cancer with massive ascites or inadequate oral intake

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Background: Oral fluoropyrimidine plus cisplatin is widely used as a standard treatment for advanced gastric cancer, but patients (pts) with severe peritoneal metastasis often cannot tolerate this regimen. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of fluorouracil (5-FU), leucovorin (LV), plus paclitaxel (PTX) for peritoneal disseminated gastric cancer with massive ascites or inadequate oral intake.

Methods: Peritoneal disseminated gastric cancer with massive ascites or inadequate oral intake were enrolled in Part I (Level 1 (n=6): 5-FU bolus/l- LV div 2hr/PTX div 1hr = 500/250/60, Level 2 (n=6): 600/250/80 mg/m2 (day1, 8, 15, q4w) to determine dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and recommended dose (RD). In Part II (n=19), primary endpoint was completion rate of 2 cycles to evaluate the feasibility of this regimen at RD level.

Results: One of Level 1 pts had DLT with grade 4 gastrointestinal perforation. Two of Level 2 pts had DLT (grade 3 febrile neutropenia and grade 3 infection with normal neutrophils) and treatment-related death (TRD) was observed in one patient due to pneumonia with grade 4 neutropenia. The RD was determined to be Level 1. Twenty-five patients were enrolled at RD level: first-line/second-line=18/7, performance status 0/1/2=1/19/5. The completion rate of 2 cycles was 92% and objective response rate of ascites was 45%. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was observed in 12% (febrile neutropenia in 8%). Five patients out of 7 second-line patients died within 30 days after last administration of FLTAX (TRD: 1 and disease progression: 4).

Conclusions: RD of FLTAX regimen was 5-FU/l-LV/PTX=500/250/60 mg/m2. This regimen was feasible as the first-line treatment against peritoneal disseminated gastric cancer patients with massive ascites or inadequate oral intake.

[Table: see text]

Tolerability and safety of oral neratinib (HKI-272) in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors

e14505

Background: Neratinib (HKI-272) is a potent irreversible pan-ErbB tyrosine kinase inhibitor. In non-Japanese pts, neratinib was found to have clinical activity against solid tumors and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of diarrhea. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was 320 mg daily and the recommended dose (RD) was 240 mg because of the diarrhea. In this phase 1 study, the MTD was determined and safety and preliminary efficacy were assessed in Japanese pts with advanced solid tumors. Methods: Pts (3- 6/cohort) received 80, 160, 240, or 320 mg oral neratinib. Each pt participated in only 1 dose group and received single doses of neratinib followed by 1 wk of observation; pts then received daily continuous administration at the same dose. DLTs were assessed from the first single dose to the end of 14 days of continuous treatment. Pharmacokinetics (PK) will be analysed via a noncompartmental method. Tumor measurements were made at screening and at the end of every 8 weeks (2 cycles) by RECIST. Results: Preliminary data for 21 pts as of 30 Oct 2008 are presented. Pts had a median age [range] of 61 yrs [39–78], were 62% male, and had all received ≥2 prior chemotherapy regimens. Tumor types at primary diagnosis were advanced colorectal (81%), breast (14%), and gastric (5%) cancer. Median duration of neratinib treatment [range] was 10 wks [3–29].Two patients at the 320-mg dose had DLTs of diarrhea plus anorexia. Therefore the MTD was determined to be 240 mg. Neratinib-related AEs, any grade in ≥25% of pts included diarrhea (95%), fatigue (67%), anorexia (43%), nausea (43%), abdominal pain (38%), decreased hemoglobin (38%), increased AST (33%), and rash (29%). Neratinib-related AEs, grade ≥3 in ≥1 pts were anorexia (3 pts) and diarrhea (2 pts). Two pts had partial response (PR), 8 pts had stable disease (SD) ≥8 wks, 2 had SD≥16 wks, 9 had progressive disease. The 2 pts with PR had ErbB-2+ advanced breast cancer. PK analysis is still ongoing. Conclusions: In Japanese pts, the MTD for neratinb was determined to be 240 mg and the RD will be confirmed as 240 mg. Neratinib is tolerable and demonstrates preliminary antitumor activity in pts with solid tumors.

[Table: see text]

Impact of hemoglobin level on survival in definitive chemoradiotherapy for T4/M1 lymph node esophageal cancer

We retrospectively investigated the impact of the pre-chemoradiotherapy hemoglobin level (pre-CRT Hb level) for T4 and/or M1 lymph node (LYM) squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Chemotherapy consisted of protracted infusion with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) at 400 mg/m(2)/day on days 1-5 and 8-12, combined with cisplatin at 40 mg/m(2)/day on days 1 and 8, repeated twice at a 5-week interval. Concurrent radiation therapy was started on day 1 and delivered at 2 Gy/day for five days a week for a total radiation dose of 60 Gy, with a two-week break after a cumulative dose of 30 Gy. Several factors considered to be related with treatment outcome were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. A total of 48 patients with T4/M1 LYM (lymphocyte) esophageal cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) between September 2002 and April 2005 were enrolled. The complete response rate to this regimen was 44% and median survival time was 13.6 months, with a median follow-up period of 26.8 months. Median pre-CRT Hb level was 13.5 (10.4-15.3) g/dL. The CR rate in patients with a pre-CRT Hb level of 13 g/dL or less was only 24% but it was 60% in those with a level that was more than 13 g/dL (P=0.01). As for survival, anovarevealed that a pre-CRT Hb of 13 g/dL or less was a significant prognostic factor with a hazard ratio of 0.45 (95% confidence interval [CI]); 0.21-0.97, P=0.04), while on manova, including performance status, tumor size, TNM stage and pre-CRT Hb level, a pre-CRT Hb level of 13 g/dL or less was the only significant prognostic factor, with a hazard ratio of 0.35 (95% CI; 0.13-0.90, P=0.03). In conclusion, the pre-CRT Hb level may be an important determinant of outcome in patients with T4/M1 LYM squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

Application of the RTOG recursive partitioning analysis classification to brain metastases from colorectal cancer

4104

Background: Colorectal cancer infrequently causes brain metastases (BMs). Recently, the incidence of BMs from colorectal cancer (CRC) has been reported to be increasing as 3 % of all metastatic CRCs, especially in patients (pts) with lung metastases (LMs). The RTOG previously developed three prognostic classes for BMs using a recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) classification, including Karnofsky performance status, controlled primary tumor, extracranial metastases, and an age. However, the relevance of this classification for CRC remains unclear, because only a few CRC pts were included in the RTOG database. The present studies retrospectively evaluate the usefulness of RPA classification for BMs from CRC. Methods: The subjects were consecutive 290 metastatic CRCs without symptomatic BMs who treated with any chemotherapy initiated in our institution between 2002 and 2005. The treatment of BMs, including whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT), surgery, and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), were indicated for pts whose life expectancy was considered to exceed 3 months (M). Results: BMs were detected in 20 pts out of 133 (15%) with LMs at base line, with a median follow-up time of 17.7 M. In the remaining 157 pts, BMs were found in 3 pts out of 41(7%) who had developed LMs during follow-up and 2 pts out of 116 (2%) without LMs. In total, overall incidence of BMs was 9% (25/ 290). Median duration from the diagnosis of LMs to BMs was 12 M (range: 4.4–33.6). According to RPA, the 25 pts with BMs were classified into Class I 0 (0%), Class II 12 (48%) and Class III 13 (52%). Treatments for BMs were performed to all pts of Class II, and to 6 pts (46%) of Class III. Median overall survivals from detecting BMs were Class II 9.7 M and Class III 3.0 M (logrank test; p=0.02). In the 18 pts treated for BMs, median BMs progression-free survival of Class II and Class III were 3.0 M and 3.1 M. Conclusions: It is suggested that the incidence of BMs from CRC is more common than previously reported. Overall survivals for BMs reproduce the results from RPA classification.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Sequential methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil therapy for gastric cancer patients with peritoneal dissemination: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Most gastric cancer patients with peritoneal dissemination have been excluded from clinical studies because they usually have no measurable lesions. They also have a high risk of toxicity because of complications such as intestinal obstruction and ascites. We conducted a retrospective analysis to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of sequential methotrexate (MTX) and 5-flurorouracil (5FU) therapy for this population.

METHODS

This analysis was based on 56 consecutive chemotherapy-naive patients with confirmed peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer who were being treated with sequential MTX/5FU. The therapy comprised a weekly schedule of MTX 100 mg/m2, given as a bolus infusion 3 h prior to a bolus infusion of 5FU 600 mg/m2. Leucovorin 10mg/m2 was administered six times, every 6h, starting 24h after MTX administration.

RESULTS

Evidence of peritoneal dissemination was confirmed by laparotomy in 16 patients, by cytologic examination of ascites in 11 patients, and by clinical imaging in 29 patients (15 with ascites, 13 with intestinal obstruction; in 10 of the 29 patients, detection was by barium enema or computed tomography [CT] scan). Neutropenia of grade 3 or worse and anemia were observed in 8 (14%) and 10 (18%) of the 56 patients, respectively. There was one treatment-related death due to neutropenic sepsis. Of the 26 patients with measurable lesions, 9 showed a response (36%). The median survival time and median time to treatment failure were 259 days and 167 days, respectively. Objective improvement of ascites was seen in 13 of 26 patients (50%), including 5 with showed complete disappearance of ascites. Seven of the 15 patients (47%) with intestinal obstruction showed resolution, and 8 of the 21 patients (38%) who needed nutritional support before the treatment were free of that support for a median duration of 220 days after the completion of the treatment. Forty-seven of the 56 patients (84%) could be treated at outpatient clinics.

CONCLUSIONS

This regimen may be of clinical benefit for patients with peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer.

Feeding-induced c-fos expression in the nucleus of the solitary tract and dorsal medullary reticular formation in neonatal rats

We investigated feeding-associated activation of neurons in the medulla oblongata during the suckling period in rats, using the c-fos gene-encoded protein (Fos) immunohistochemistry. After an isolation from mothers for 12 h, neonates were either breast-fed intensively or further isolated for another 3 h, and sacrificed on postnatal day 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 (P1-14). In the former pups, Fos-immunoreactive (FI) neurons were predominantly localized in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NST) and in the dorsal medullary reticular formation (RF). The number of FI cells peaked on P5-7 and decreased on P14 in the NST, and increased remarkably on P3 and was consistently high until P14 in the dorsal RF. In contrast, much fewer FI cells were found in the NST and RF in the latter pups. The results indicated that not only the NST but also the dorsal RF were implicated in feeding behavior in the suckled pups.

[Surgical treatment of mycobacterium avium complex infection in a patient with chronic empyema]

Atypical mycobacterial infection mostly develops in the lung and its occurrence outside of the lung is very rare. We report a case of mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection found with chronic empyema piercing out of the thoracic wall, to which surgical treatment was very successful. A 72-year old male had been treated for an abscess of right thoracic wall. MAC was isolated from thoracic effusion. Thoracic window and pan-pleuro-pneumonectomy was performed. No recurrence of MAC infection was found up to 1 year and 4 months when he died of accident.