Fresh and cryopreserved ovarian tissue transplantation for preserving reproductive and endocrine function: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation involves freezing and storing of surgically retrieved ovarian tissue in liquid or vapour nitrogen below -190°C. The tissue can be thawed and transplanted back with the aim of restoring fertility or ovarian endocrine function. The techniques for human ovarian tissue freezing and transplantation have evolved over the last 20 years, particularly in the context of fertility preservation in pre-pubertal cancer patients. Fresh ovarian tissue transplantation, using an autograft or donor tissue, is a more recent development; it has the potential to preserve fertility and hormonal function in women who have their ovaries removed for benign gynaecological conditions. The techniques of ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation have progressed rapidly since inception; however, the evidence on the success of this intervention is largely based on case reports and case series.

OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE

The aim of this study was to systematically review the current evidence by incorporating study-level and individual patient-level meta-analyses of women who received ovarian transplants, including frozen-thawed transplant, fresh or donor graft.

SEARCH METHODS

The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018115233). A comprehensive literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from database inception to October 2020. Authors were also contacted for individual patient data if relevant outcomes were not reported in the published manuscripts. Meta-analysis was performed using inverse-variance weighting to calculate summary estimates using a fixed-effects model.

OUTCOMES

The review included 87 studies (735 women). Twenty studies reported on ≥5 cases of ovarian transplants and were included in the meta-analysis (568 women). Fertility outcomes included pregnancy, live birth and miscarriage rates, and endocrine outcomes included oestrogen, FSH and LH levels. The pooled rates were 37% (95% CI: 32-43%) for pregnancy, 28% (95% CI: 24-34%) for live birth and 37% (95% CI: 30-46%) for miscarriage following frozen ovarian tissue transplantation. Pooled mean for pre-transplant oestrogen was 101.6 pmol/l (95% CI: 47.9-155.3), which increased post-transplant to 522.4 pmol/l (95% CI: 315.4-729; mean difference: 228.24; 95% CI: 180.5-276). Pooled mean of pre-transplant FSH was 66.4 IU/l (95% CI: 52.8-84), which decreased post-transplant to 14.1 IU/l (95% CI: 10.9-17.3; mean difference 61.8; 95% CI: 57-66.6). The median time to return of FSH to a value <25 IU/l was 19 weeks (interquartile range: 15-26 weeks; range: 0.4-208 weeks). The median duration of graft function was 2.5 years (interquartile range: 1.4-3.4 years; range: 0.7-5 years). The analysis demonstrated that ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation could restore reproductive and hormonal functions in women. Further studies with larger samples of well-characterized populations are required to define the optimal retrieval, cryopreservation and transplantation processes.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation may not only be effective in restoring fertility but also the return of reproductive endocrine function. Although this technology was developed as a fertility preservation option, it may have the scope to be considered for endocrine function preservation.

FAST: a randomised phase II study of zolbetuximab (IMAB362) plus EOX versus EOX alone for first-line treatment of advanced CLDN18.2-positive gastric and gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) is contained within normal gastric mucosa epithelial tight junctions; upon malignant transformation, CLDN18.2 epitopes become exposed. Zolbetuximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody, mediates specific killing of CLDN18.2-positive cells through immune effector mechanisms.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The FAST study enrolled advanced gastric/gastro-oesophageal junction and oesophageal adenocarcinoma patients (aged ≥18 years) with moderate-to-strong CLDN18.2 expression in ≥40% tumour cells. Patients received first-line epirubicin + oxaliplatin + capecitabine (EOX, arm 1, n = 84) every 3 weeks (Q3W), or zolbetuximab + EOX (loading dose, 800 mg/m² then 600 mg/m² Q3W) (arm 2, n = 77). Arm 3 (exploratory) was added after enrolment initiation (zolbetuximab + EOX 1000 mg/m² Q3W, n = 85). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was a secondary endpoint.

RESULTS

In the overall population, both PFS [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.44; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.29-0.67; P < 0.0005] and OS (HR = 0.55; 95% CI, 0.39-0.77; P < 0.0005) were significantly improved with zolbetuximab + EOX (arm 2) compared with EOX alone (arm 1). This significant PFS benefit was retained in patients with moderate-to-strong CLDN18.2 expression in ≥70% of tumour cells (HR = 0.38; 95% CI, 0.23-0.62; P < 0.0005). Significant improvement in PFS was also reported in the overall population of arm 3 versus arm 1 (HR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.39-0.85; P = 0.0114) but not in high CLDN18.2-expressing patients; no significant improvement in OS was observed in either population. Most adverse events (AEs) related to zolbetuximab + EOX (nausea, vomiting, neutropenia, anaemia) were grade 1-2. Grade ≥3 AEs showed no substantial increases overall (zolbetuximab + EOX versus EOX alone).

CONCLUSIONS

In advanced gastric/gastro-oesophageal junction and oesophageal adenocarcinoma patients expressing CLDN18.2, adding zolbetuximab to first-line EOX provided longer PFS and OS versus EOX alone. Zolbetuximab + EOX was generally tolerated and AEs were manageable. Zolbetuximab 800/600 mg/m² is being evaluated in phase III studies based on clinical benefit observed in the overall population and in patients with moderate-to-strong CLDN18.2 expression in ≥70% of tumour cells.

Heterotopic transplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue in cancer patients: a case series

Transplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue offers patients a chance to preserve fertility during cancer treatment. In this study of ten young women with gynecological cancer, heterotopic sites were tested for serum hormones and follicle growth to estimate transplant longevity and prospects for assisted conception. Frozen-thawed grafts were implanted subcutaneously in the forearm (FA) (2 cases), the abdominal wall (AW) (11 cases), and the peritoneal lining (P) (3 cases) . In the follow-up of 36 months, a total of 80 ovarian cycles in different heterotopic sites were analyzed. FA and AW grafts had wildly fluctuating FSH, while estradiol (E2) reached preovulatory levels only in AW and P grafts. Follicular growth was active in P sites (1.2 ± 0.1 mm/d) and sluggish in FA and AW sites (0.4 ± 0.1 mm/d). A mature oocyte was only retrieved from the AW, while seven other aspirations were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, a patient delivered twice after treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma when orthotopic transplantation was performed, first from an IVF cycle and subsequently from a natural cycle. In conclusion, these findings offer no strong encouragement for fertility preservation by transplanting cryopreserved ovarian tissue to subcutaneous sites, and although the peritoneal site gave better results, graft longevity averaged the same at around 3 years.

Expression of Claudin 18.2 and HER2 in gastric, gastroesophageal junction, and esophageal cancers: Results from the FAST study

4038

Background: Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2), a gastric mucosa tight junction protein, is aberrantly expressed in various cancers. In the FAST Phase 2 trial (NCT01630083), IMAB362, an anti-CLDN18.2 monoclonal antibody, administered in combination with EOX chemotherapy, prolonged survival compared to EOX alone in patients with advanced/recurrent gastric, gastroesophageal junction (GEJ), and esophageal cancers ineligible for trastuzumab. The aim of the present analysis was to assess tumor CLDN18.2 expression and co-expression with HER2 in the FAST population. Methods: Tumor tissue samples from patients screened for inclusion into the FAST trial were analyzed for CLDN18.2 expression using a CE-marked, validated immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay. CLDN18.2 expression was centrally scored based on staining intensity and percentage of stained tumor cells. In a subset of tissue samples with known HER2 status, overall HER2 expression and co-expression with CLDN18.2 were determined. Results: Tissue samples from 730 patients with gastric, GEJ, and esophageal cancer were screened for the FAST study. Of these 730 samples, 685 (94%) were assessed by central IHC; 49% (n=333/685) met the FAST CLDN18.2 expression criterion (≥2+ intensity in ≥40% of tumor cells) for inclusion. Across the 154 tissue samples with known HER2 status, the majority (84%; n=129/154) were HER2–. Furthermore, 94 of these 154 samples (61%) met the FAST CLDN18.2 expression criterion, of which 14% (n=13/94) co-expressed HER2 (Table). Conclusions: In tissue samples from patients screened for the FAST trial, nearly half met CLDN18.2 expression inclusion criterion. In samples with known HER2 status, co-expression of CLDN18.2 and HER2 occurred in 14% of the samples that met study eligibility. These data suggest CLDN18.2 may serve as a non-HER2 overlapping targetable alteration in a distinct subpopulation of patients with gastric, GEJ, or esophageal cancers. Clinical trial information: NCT01630083. [Table: see text]

Postoperative Adjuvant Lapatinib and Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy Followed by Maintenance Lapatinib Monotherapy in High-Risk Patients With Resected Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: A Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

PURPOSE

This multicenter phase III study evaluated the efficacy and safety of lapatinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor/ErbB2 inhibitor, administered concomitantly with chemoradiotherapy and as maintenance monotherapy in patients with high-risk surgically treated squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with resected stage II to IVA SCCHN, with a surgical margin ≤ 5 mm and/or extracapsular extension, were randomly assigned to chemoradiotherapy (66 Gy total radiation dose and cisplatin 100 mg/m(2) per day administered on days 1, 22, and 43) plus placebo or lapatinib (1,500 mg per day) before and during chemoradiotherapy, followed by 12 months of maintenance monotherapy.

RESULTS

Six hundred eighty-eight patients were enrolled (lapatinib, n = 346; placebo, n = 342). With a median follow-up time of 35.3 months, the study ended early because of the apparent plateauing of disease-free survival (DFS) events. Median DFS assessed by an independent review committee was 53.6 months and not reached for lapatinib and placebo, respectively (hazard ratio, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.43). Investigator-assessed results confirmed the independent review committee assessment. No significant differences in DFS by human papillomavirus status or overall survival were observed between treatment arms. Similar numbers of patients in both treatment arms experienced adverse events (AEs), with more patients in the lapatinib arm than the placebo arm experiencing serious AEs (48% v 40%, respectively). The most commonly observed treatment-related AEs were diarrhea and rash, both predominantly in the lapatinib arm.

CONCLUSION

Addition of lapatinib to chemoradiotherapy and its use as long-term maintenance therapy does not offer any efficacy benefits and had additional toxicity compared with placebo in patients with surgically treated high-risk SCCHN.

A phase I dose escalation and expansion study of the anticancer stem cell agent demcizumab (anti-DLL4) in patients with previously treated solid tumors

PURPOSE

This phase I trial evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of demcizumab (OMP-21M18), a humanized IgG2 mAb targeting the Notch ligand DLL4 in adult patients with advanced malignancies.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Standard 3+3 design, with demcizumab 0.5, 1, 2.5, or 5 mg/kg weekly or 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/kg every other week, with an expansion cohort at 10 mg/kg every other week. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) were assessed during the first 28 days.

RESULTS

Fifty-five patients received demcizumab (15 weekly, 18 every other week, 21 expansion cohort, 1 loading dose). No more than one DLT was seen at any dose level. The MTD was not reached for either schedule. Treatment-related adverse events occurring in >10% of patients were hypertension or blood pressure increased (47%), fatigue (31%), anemia (22%), headache (20%), nausea (13%), hypoalbuminemia (11%), dizziness (11%), and dyspnea (11%). One patient dosed at 2.5 mg/kg developed reversible right-sided heart failure after 63 days on treatment and 4 dosed at 10 mg/kg developed congestive heart failure after ≥98 days on treatment. Five patients were hospitalized with bleeding episodes (2 episodes of tumor-associated bleeding). Sixteen of 25 (64%) evaluable patients at 10 mg/kg had evidence of stabilization of disease or response.

CONCLUSION

Demcizumab was generally well tolerated at doses ≤5 mg weekly with disease stabilization and decreases in tumor size demonstrating antitumor activity. Hypertension was the most common adverse event that was clearly related to treatment. Prolonged administration was associated with an increased risk of congestive heart failure.

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 study of trebananib (AMG 386) in combination with FOLFIRI in patients with previously treated metastatic colorectal carcinoma

Background:

This phase 2 study evaluated trebananib (AMG 386), an investigational peptide-Fc fusion protein that neutralises the interaction between angiopoietins-1/2 and the Tie2 receptor, plus FOLFIRI as second-line treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Methods:

Patients had adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum with progression within 6 months of receiving only one prior fluoropyrimidine/oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy regimen for metastatic disease. All patients received FOLFIRI and were randomised 2 : 1 to also receive intravenous trebananib 10 mg kg⁻¹ once weekly (QW) (Arm A) or placebo QW (Arm B). The primary end point was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS).

Results:

One hundred and forty-four patients were randomised (Arms A/B, n=95/49). Median PFS in Arms A and B was 3.5 and 5.2 months (hazard ratio (HR) 1.23; 95% CI, 0.81–1.86; P=0.33) and median overall survival (OS) was 11.9 and 8.8 months, respectively (HR 0.90; 95% CI; 0.53–1.54; P=0.70). Objective response rate (ORR) was 14% and 0% in Arms A and B, respectively. Incidence of grade ⩾3 adverse events was similar between treatment arms (Arm A, 61% Arm B, 65%) and included pulmonary embolism (1%/4%), deep vein thrombosis (5%/2%), and hypertension (1%/0%).

Conclusion:

Administration of trebananib plus FOLFIRI did not prolong PFS compared with placebo plus FOLFIRI. Toxicities were manageable and consistent with those known for FOLFIRI and trebananib.

A randomized phase II study of bortezomib and pemetrexed, in combination or alone, in patients with previously treated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

This is a phase II randomized study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bortezomib and pemetrexed alone or in combination, in patients with previously treated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The primary end point was assessment of response rate.

METHODS

A total of 155 patients were randomized (1:1:1) to pemetrexed (500mg/m(2)) on day 1 plus bortezomib (1.6mg/m(2)) on days 1 and 8 (Arm A) or pemetrexed (500mg/m(2)) on day 1 (Arm B) or bortezomib (1.6mg/m(2)) on days 1 and 8 (Arm C) of a 21 day cycle. Response rate was assessed by investigators using Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria and toxicity assessed by the National Cancer Institute-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE) grading system.

RESULTS

Response rate was 7% in Arm A, 4% in Arm B, and 0% in Arm C; disease control rates were 73%, 62%, and 43%, respectively. Median overall survival was 8.6 months in Arm A, 12.7 months in Arm B, and 7.8 months in Arm C; time to progression was 4.0 months, 2.9 months, and 1.4 months, respectively. Most common reported adverse events >/=grade 3 were neutropenia (19%), thrombocytopenia (15%), and dyspnea (13%) in Arm A, neutropenia (10%) in Arm B, and dyspnea (13%) and fatigue (10%) in Arm C.

CONCLUSION

In previously treated NSCLC the addition of bortezomib to pemetrexed was well tolerated but offered no statistically significant response or survival advantage versus pemetrexed alone, while bortezomib alone showed no clinically significant activity.

Biomarker analyses from the phase III placebo-controlled SATURN study of maintenance erlotinib following first-line chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC

8020

Background: The SATURN (BO18192) study investigated whether erlotinib maintenance therapy improved PFS in patients (pts) with advanced NSCLC who had obtained clinical benefit from 1st-line chemotherapy. This study included a prospective analysis of the prognostic/predictive value of several molecular markers. Methods: 889 pts with advanced NSCLC whose disease had not progressed following 4 cycles of 1st-line platinum-doublet chemotherapy were randomized to erlotinib 150 mg/day or placebo. Mandatory tumor specimens were collected at baseline and tested for EGFR protein expression using immunohistochemistry (IHC), EGFR gene copy number using fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH), and EGFR and KRAS somatic mutations using DNA sequencing. Pts were stratified according to EGFR IHC status (any membranous staining in ≥10% tumor cells used as cut-off); the co-primary endpoint was PFS in EGFR IHC+ pts. Baseline whole blood samples were obtained for genotyping of EGFR (intron 1 CA-repeat polymorphisms). Results: In the overall population, erlotinib significantly prolonged PFS vs placebo (HR 0.71, p<.0001; primary endpoint). The co-primary endpoint was also met, with erlotinib significantly improving PFS in the EGFR IHC+ group (HR 0.69, p<.0001). Many tumor samples were assessable for molecular marker status (see table). Biomarker data suggest that patients derived a PFS benefit with erlotinib irrespective of EGFR FISH or EGFR intron 1 CA-repeat status. The magnitude of benefit with erlotinib was similar in both KRAS-mutant and KRAS wild-type pts. Conclusions: This is the largest biomarker analysis performed for erlotinib in a randomized, placebo-controlled setting, and answers key scientific questions regarding the prognostic and predictive value of potential biomarkers of efficacy. Full data will be presented.

[Table: see text]

[Table: see text]

Phase II genomics study of ixabepilone as neoadjuvant treatment for breast cancer

PURPOSE

This phase II study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ixabepilone as neoadjuvant therapy for invasive breast cancer not amenable to breast conservation surgery. Gene expression studies were undertaken using genes that were identified as potentially associated with sensitivity/resistance to ixabepilone in prior preclinical investigations.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with invasive breast cancer >or= 3 cm were eligible. Ixabepilone 40 mg/m(2) was administered as a 3-hour intravenous infusion on day 1 of a 21-day cycle for four or fewer cycles.

RESULTS

One hundred sixty-one patients were treated. The overall complete pathologic response (pCR) rate was 18% in breast and 29% in estrogen receptor (ER) -negative patients. Gene expression data were available for 134 patients. ER gene expression (ER1) was inversely related to pCR in breast and had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 37% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 92%. A 10-gene penalized logistic regression (PLR) model developed from 200 genes predictive of ixabepilone sensitivity in preclinical experiments included ER and tau and had higher PPV (45%) and comparable NPV (89%) to ER1. Grade 3 to 4 adverse events (AEs) were reported for 32% of patients. Except for neutropenia and leukopenia, all grade 3 to 4 AEs occurred in <or= 3% of patients. Reversible peripheral neuropathy was experienced by 3% of patients. CONCLUSION ER, microtubule-associated protein tau, and a 10-gene PLR model that included ER were identified as predictors of ixabepilone-induced pCR.

RESULTS

indicate an inverse relation between ER expression levels and ixabepilone sensitivity. Neoadjuvant ixabepilone demonstrated promising activity and a manageable safety profile in patients with invasive breast tumors.

Study of three weekly nab-paclitaxel regimens in combination with carboplatin as first-line therapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

7659

Background: We previously reported that 130-nM albumin-bound form of paclitaxel (ABI-007, nab paclitaxel) 225 - 340 mg/m2 and carboplatin AUC of 6 mg/min·ml (C6), both administered on day (d) 1 every 3 weeks (q3w), produced an objective (PR/CR) response rate (ORR) of 27% in first line patients (pts) with NSCLC with median progression-free (PFS) and overall survivals of 6.0 and >10.3 months respectively [Hawkins et al., ASCO, 2006]. Grade 2 and 3 sensory neuropathy (SN) was 36–56%. The aim of the current study was to obtain clinical experience with weekly schedules of nab- paclitaxel in combination with C6 in NSCLC prior to initiating large scale clinical trials. Methods: 75 Pts with previously untreated, stage IIIB or IV NSCLC with measurable disease and a life expectancy of over 12 weeks were recruited into 3 cohorts (n = 25 each) of successive pts and received nab paclitaxel weekly using 3 different regimens (see table ). Results: Patient Characteristics: 75 pts (100% Caucasian; 84% male; median age, 60; performance status score: 0 [16%], 1 [84%]. Accrual was completed in each cohort and serious adverse events reviewed prior to accrual at the next dose level. The primary efficacy endpoints are provided in the table . Grade 3/4 hematologic toxicities were: neutropenia 32%/35%; thrombocytopenia, 19%/11%; anemia, 24%/3%. The most common non- hematologic toxicities (any grade) were fatigue, 48%; SN, 48%; nausea, 37%; alopecia, 40%; and vomiting, 26%. Grade 2 and 3 SN was 12–28%. Graded toxicity data by regimen will be presented. Conclusions: When combined with C6, the ORR was higher and there was less peripheral neuropathy for weekly nab-paclitaxel compared to our previous experience using q3w administration.

[Table: see text] [Table: see text]

Randomized comparison of weekly or every-3-week (q3w) nab-paclitaxel compared to q3w docetaxel as first-line therapy in patients (pts) with metastatic breast cancer (MBC)

1032

Background: 130-nM albumin-bound (nab™) paclitaxel combines paclitaxel with albumin without solvents or altering either component. A cross analysis of 2 clinical trials comparing solvent-based (SB) paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 q3w to nab- paclitaxel (Gradishar et al, JCO, 2005) and SB docetaxel (Jones et al, JCO, 2005) suggested comparable antitumor activity between nab-paclitaxel and SB docetaxel and better tolerability with nab-paclitaxel in pts with MBC. The aim of this study was to compare the toxicity and antitumor activity of 3 regimens of nab-paclitaxel (q3w and 2 weekly) with each other and that of SB docetaxel in MBC. Methods: In this open-label study, first-line pts with MBC were randomly assigned to nab-paclitaxel 300 mg/m2 q3w (A); nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 (B) or 150 mg/m2 (C) days 1, 8, and 15, q28 days (q 3/4 w); or SB docetaxel 100 mg/m2 q3w (D). The primary endpoints were overall response rate (complete response + partial response, evaluated q8w) and toxicity. Progression-free survival (PFS) was also determined. Results: 302 pts (median age, 54 years; 99% Caucasian; 75% postmenopausal; ECOG PS =2 [94% =1]) either had at least 2 response assessments (94%) or had discontinued due to PD (6%). The efficacy results are shown in the Table . Neutropenia (N) was greater with D than with A, B, or C (p < 0.001). Grade 4 N was: A) 4%, B) 3%, C) 7%, and D) 74%. Febrile neutropenia (FN) was: A) 1%, B) 1%, C) 1%, and D) 7%. Gr 3 peripheral neuropathy was: A) 14%, B) 7%, C) 12%, and D) 5%. Conclusions: The response rates of q3w nab-paclitaxel and solvent-based docetaxel were comparable. Q 3/4 W nab-paclitaxel resulted in higher response rates than solvent-based docetaxel. Grade 4 N and FN were less frequent with nab-paclitaxel as compared with solvent-based docetaxel. To date, all 3 nab-paclitaxel regimens have a longer PFS than SB docetaxel although the data are not yet mature (33% of events). Final data for a radiological review of response data, PFS, and toxicity will be presented.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Phase 1 study of picoplatin (pico) in combination with 5-fluorouracil (FU) and leucovorin (LV) as initial therapy in subjects with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC)

14510

Background: Pico is a platinum analogue designed to overcome platinum resistance with improved safety and efficacy compared with conventional platinum agents. FOLFOX (FU, LV, oxaliplatin) has emerged as the standard of care in first and second-line therapy of advanced -stage CRC but significant neurotoxicity limits long-term use of oxaliplatin in this regimen. Pico has been well tolerated in >600 patients with rare clinically significant nephro-, oto-, or neurotoxicity (∼2% grade 3 and 0% grade 4), even in platinum pretreated patients. Pico has demonstrated synergy with FU in vitro and is thus an attractive candidate to replace oxaliplatin in the FOLFOX regimen. The objective of this Phase 1 study is to identify the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of pico administered either every 2 wks or every 4 wks with FU and LV administered every 2 wks. Methods: Each patient receives q 2 wk FU and LV: LV, 400 mg/m2, 2-hr infusion, followed by 5- FU bolus, 400 mg/m2 and then 5-FU, 2,400 mg/m2, 46 hr continuous infusion. Subjects are randomized to pico administered either every 2 or every 4 wks. Starting dose of pico for q 2 weekly regimen was 45 mg/m2 and in subsequent cohorts pico increases by 15 mg/m2. Starting dose of pico for q 4 wk regimen was 60 mg/m2 and in subsequent cohorts pico increases by 30 mg/m2 until dose limiting toxicity (DLT) establishes the MTD. Results: 23 pts have been treated to date, the first have received 32 wks of therapy. Therapy has been well tolerated, with infrequent dose delays from non-cumulative platelet and ANC toxicity and 1 episode of mild diarrhea. No DLT has been seen through the first 3 cohorts, i.e. with picoplatin, 75 mg/m2 with every dose of FU-LV or120 mg/m2 with every other dose of FU-LV. Dose escalation continues. Response assessments for 12 patients in the first 2 cohorts (6 on each pico schedule, all below the MTD) after 16 wks show 4 partial responses, 5 stable disease and 3 progressive disease. Conclusions: Picoplatin can be safely administered with 5FU and LV. A phase 2 study of FU, LV and pico will begin as soon as the MTD is identified and a safe dose and schedule are defined.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

An open randomised trial of second-line endocrine therapy in advanced breast cancer

It was previously shown that letrozole (Femara) was significantly more potent than anastrozole (Arimidex) in inhibiting aromatase activity in vitro and in inhibiting total body aromatisation in patients with breast cancer. The objective of this study was to compare letrozole (2.5 mg per day) and anastrozole (1 mg per day) as endocrine therapy in postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer previously treated with an anti-oestrogen. This randomised, multicentre and multinational open-label phase IIIb/IV study enrolled 713 patients. Treatment was for advanced breast cancer that had progressed either during anti-oestrogen therapy or within 12 months of completing that therapy. Patients had tumours that were either positive for oestrogen and/or progesterone receptors (48%) or of unknown receptor status (52%). The primary efficacy endpoint was time to progression (TTP). Secondary endpoints included objective response, duration of response, rate and duration of overall clinical benefit (responses and long-term stable disease), time to treatment failure, and overall survival, as well as general safety. There was no difference between the treatment arms in TTP; median times were the same for both treatments. Letrozole was significantly superior to anastrozole in the overall response rate (ORR) (19.1% versus 12.3%, P=0.013), including in predefined subgroups (receptor status-unknown, and soft-tissue- and viscera-dominant site of disease). There were no significant differences between the treatment arms in the rate of clinical benefit, median duration of response, duration of clinical benefit, time to treatment failure or overall survival. Both agents were well tolerated and there were no significant differences in safety. These results support previous data documenting the greater aromatase-inhibiting activity of letrozole and indicate that advanced breast cancer is more responsive to letrozole than to anastrozole as second-line endocrine therapy.