Evaluation of the change of outcomes over a 10-year period in patients with stage III colon cancer: pooled analysis of 6501 patients treated with fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin in the ACCENT database

BACKGROUND

Since 2004, adjuvant 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX or FLOX) have been the standard of care for patients with resected colon cancer. Herein we examine the change of outcomes over a 10-year period in patients with stage III colon cancer who received this regimen.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Individual patient data from the ACCENT database was used to compare the outcomes in older (1998-2003) and newer (2004-2009) treatment eras for patients with stage III colon cancer who received adjuvant FOLFOX or FLOX. The outcomes were compared between the two groups by the multivariate Cox proportional-hazards model adjusting for age, sex, performance score, T stage, N stage, tumor sidedness, and histological grade.

RESULTS

A total of 6501 patients with stage III colon cancer who received adjuvant FOLFOX or FLOX in six randomized trials were included in the analysis. Patients enrolled in the new era group experienced statistically significant improvement in time to recurrence [3-year rate, 76.1% versus 73.0%; adjusted hazard ratio (HRadj) = 0.83 (95% CI, 0.74-0.92), P = 0.0008], disease-free survival (DFS) [3-year rate, 74.7% versus 72.3%; HRadj = 0.88 (0.79-0.98), P = 0.024], survival after recurrence (SAR) [median time, 27.0 versus 17.7 months; HRadj = 0.65 (0.57-0.74), P < 0.0001], and overall survival (OS) [5-year rate, 80.9% versus 75.7%; HRadj = 0.78 (0.69-0.88), P < 0.0001]. The improved outcomes remained in patients diagnosed at 45 years of age or older, low-risk patients (T1-3 and N1), left colon, mismatch repair proficient (pMMR), BRAF, and KRAS wild-type tumors.

CONCLUSION

Improved outcomes were observed in patients with stage III colon cancer enrolled in clinical trials who received adjuvant FOLFOX/FLOX therapy in 2004 or later compared with patients in the older era. Prolonged SAR calls for revalidation of 3-year DFS as the surrogate endpoint of OS in adjuvant clinical trials and reevaluation of optimal follow-up of OS to confirm the trial findings based on the DFS endpoints.

CLINICAL TRIALS NUMBERS

NCT00079274; NCT00096278; NCT00004931; NCT00275210; NCT00265811; NCT00112918.

Management of cancer-related thrombosis in the era of direct oral anticoagulants: A comprehensive review of the 2019 ITAC-CME clinical practice guidelines. On behalf of the Groupe Francophone Thrombose et Cancer (GFTC)

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common disease complication in cancer patients and the second cause of death after cancer progression. VTE management and prophylaxis are critical in cancer patients, but effective therapy can be challenging because these patients are at higher risk of VTE recurrence and bleeding under anticoagulant treatment. Numerous published studies report inconsistent implementation of existing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPG), including underutilization of thromboprophylaxis, and wide variability in clinical practice patterns across different countries and various practitioners. This review aims to summarize the 2019 ITAC-CME evidence-based CPGs for treatment and prophylaxis of cancer-related VTE, which include recommendations on the use of direct oral anticoagulants specifically in cancer patients. The guidelines underscore the gravity of developing VTE in cancer and recommend the best approaches for treating and preventing cancer-associated VTE, while minimizing unnecessary or over-treatment. Greater adherence to the 2019 ITAC guidelines could substantially decrease the burden of VTE and improve survival of cancer patients.

Eight weeks of resistance training in conjunction with glutathione and L-Citrulline supplementation increases lean mass and has no adverse effects on blood clinical safety markers in resistance-trained males

BACKGROUND

Supplementation of combined glutathione (GSH) with L-citrulline in response to a single bout of resistance exercise has been shown to increase plasma nitric oxide metabolites, nitrite and nitrate and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which may play a role in muscle protein synthesis. As a result, in response to resistance training (RT) these responses may establish a role for GSH + L-citrulline to increase muscle mass. This study attempted to determine the effects of an 8-week RT program in conjunction with GSH (Setria®) + L-citrulline, L-citrulline-malate, or placebo supplementation on lean mass and its association with muscle strength. The secondary purpose was to assess the safety of such supplementation protocol by assessing clinical chemistry markers.

METHODS

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, 75 resistance-trained males were randomly assigned to ingest GSH + L-citrulline (GSH + CIT), L-citrulline-malate, or cellulose placebo daily while also participating in 8 weeks of RT. The full dose of each supplement was delivered in capsules that were identical in weight, size, shape, and color. Participants completed testing sessions for body composition and muscle strength before and after 4 and 8 weeks of RT and supplementation. Venous blood samples were obtained before and after 8 weeks.

RESULTS

Leg press was increased with RT but was not significantly different between groups (p > 0.05); however, bench press strength was not increased with RT (p > 0.05). There were no significant changes in total body mass, fat mass, or total body water during 8 weeks of RT and supplementation. Lean mass increased in both GSH + CIT when compared to PLC; however, the increase was significant only after 4 weeks. Lean mass and strength were positively correlated (p < 0.05) in GSH + CIT, but not CIT-malate or PLC. Neither RT nor supplementation had any significant effects on blood clinical chemistry variables (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Compared to PLC, supplementation of GSH + CIT during resistance training increased lean mass after 4 weeks of RT and was positively associated with muscle strength. However, after 8 weeks of RT there were no significant differences in any of the measured variables.

Effects of 2% Dehydration on Lactate Concentration During Constant-Load Cycling

Green, JM, Miller, B, Simpson, J, Dubroc, D, Keyes, A, Neal, K, Gann, J, and Andre, T. Effects of 2% dehydration on lactate concentration during constant-load cycling. J Strength Cond Res 32(7): 2066-2071, 2018-The lactate [La] threshold (LT) can predict endurance performance potential. Dehydration may alter LT. This study examined effects of dehydration on [La] response during constant-load cycling. Recreationally fit (V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak = 48.7 ± 5.2 ml·kg·min) male participants (n = 9) completed 2 × 40-minute constant-load cycling trials; euhydrated (HYD) and after previous evening passive (water bath) dehydration (2% body weight, DEH) (HYD and DEH counterbalanced). Lactate, heart rate (HR), 10-point Omni ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and rectal temperature (Trec) were measured after warm-up (WU) and at 10, 20, 30, and 40 minutes. Before cycling, urine specific gravity (USG) was measured and participants estimated perceived recovery status (PRS). Urine specific gravity DEH (1.027 ± 0.004) was significantly greater than HYD (1.013 ± 0.007). After WU, [La] was significantly greater (all time points) for DEH (∼4.1 mmol·L) vs. HYD (∼3.5 mmol·L) with similar results for HR (DEH: ∼167, HYD: ∼158 b·min). For DEH, RPE was significantly greater (∼1 unit) at 20, 30, and 40 minutes, and Trec was significantly greater at 30 and 40 minutes (∼0.4° C). DEH (vs. HYD) also resulted in significantly different resting HR (93 ± 6, vs. 85 ± 7 b·min), significantly greater session RPE (7.7 ± 1.1 vs. 5.3 ± 1.1), and significantly lower subjective feelings of recovery (PRS = 6.4 ± 2.9, vs. 9.0 ± 1.5). Current results indicate systematic changes in [La] and associated physiological responses result from previous day dehydration. Hydration status should be a concern in paradigms where [La] assessment is used.

Combined L-citrulline and glutathione supplementation increases the concentration of markers indicative of nitric oxide synthesis

Background

Nitric oxide (NO) is endogenously synthesized from L-arginine and L-citrulline. Due to its effects on nitric oxide synthase (NOS), reduced glutathione (GSH) may protect against the oxidative reduction of NO. The present study determined the effectiveness of L-citrulline and/or GSH on markers indicative of NO synthesis in in vivo conditions with rodents and humans and also in an in vitro condition.

Methods

In phase one, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with either 0.3 mM L-citrulline, 1 mM GSH (Setria®) or a combination of each at 0.3 mM. In phase two, Sprague–Dawley rats (8 weeks old) were randomly assigned to 3 groups and received either purified water, L-citrulline (500 mg/kg/day), or a combination of L-citrulline (500 mg/kg/day) and GSH (50 mg/kg/day) by oral gavage for 3 days. Blood samples were collected and plasma NOx (nitrite + nitrate) assessed. In phase three, resistance-trained males were randomly assigned to orally ingest either cellulose placebo (2.52 g/day), L-citrulline (2 g/day), GSH (1 g/day), or L-citrulline (2 g/day) + GSH (200 mg/day) for 7 days, and then perform a resistance exercise session involving 3 sets of 10-RM involving the elbow flexors. Venous blood was obtained and used to assess plasma cGMP, nitrite, and NOx.

Results

In phase one, nitrite levels in cells treated with L-citrulline and GSH were significantly greater than control (p < 0.05). In phase two, plasma NOx with L-citrulline + GSH was significantly greater than control and L-citrulline (p < 0.05). In phase three, plasma cGMP was increased, but not significantly (p > 0.05). However, nitrite and NOx for L-citrulline + GSH were significantly greater at 30 min post-exercise when compared to placebo (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Combining L-citrulline with GSH augments increases in nitrite and NOx levels during in vitro and in vivo conditions.

mFOLFOX-bevacizumab or XELOX-bevacizumab then bevacizumab (B) alone or with erlotinib (E) in first-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): Interim safety analysis of DREAM study

4077

Background: Anti-VEGF or EGFR inhibitors demonstrated clinical activity in combination with chemotherapy (CT) in mCRC. The DREAM trial compares, after an induction CT of 6 cy of FOLFOX-B or XELOX-B, a maintenance with B ± E. We report here a pre-planned safety analysis of induction (I) and maintenance (M) phase for the first 200 patients. Methods: Patients (pts) with untreated mCRC were randomly assigned to 2 arms (I): mFOLFOX+B (n=100), or mXELOX+B (n=100). mFOLFOX-B: LV 400 mg/m2, Oxaliplatin (ox) 100 mg/m2, B 5 mg/kg d1, 5FU ci 2.4g/m2 46h, q2w, mXELOX-B: Ox 100 mg/m2 d1, capecitabine 2.5 g/m2 d1–7, B 5mg/kg, q2w. To date, 117 pts with a disease control after 6 cy have had a 2nd randomisation (M): B alone (7.5 mg/kg q3w, n=56) or B+E 150 mg/d (n=61) until PD. Results: Pts characteristics were: sex: 124M/76F, median age: 62.4 years (26–80), primary tumors: colon 152, rectum 53, synchronous metastases: 150 pts, > 1 metastase site: 115, PS 0/1: 134/66, Alk. Ph.>UNL: 87 pts, and LDH>UNL: 88pts. For I, 92 pts in mFOLFOX-B and 93 in XELOX-B were evaluable for toxicity (tox). Tox (%) for mFOLFOX-B/XELOX-B were: any toxicity grade (gr) 3 or 4: 21/30; neutropenia gr 3 6/1, gr 4 0/2; febrile neutropenia gr 3 1/1, gr 4 0/1; thrombopenia gr 3 0/1, gr 4 0/2; anemia gr 2 8/15, gr 3 2/1; nausea gr 2 17/15, gr 3 4/6; vomiting gr 2 10/12, gr 3 2/5; mucositis gr 2 6/6, gr 3 0/4; diarrhea gr 2 8/12, gr 3 5/20, gr 4 0/1; neuropathy gr 2 23/17 gr 3 3/1; HFS gr 2 0/7, gr 3 0/2; hypertension gr 2 2/3, gr 3 1/0; proteinuria gr 2 1/5; SAEs 14/25. For M, 56 pts in B and 61 pts in B+E were evaluable. Tox (% B/B+E) were: neutropenia gr 2 0/3; thrombopenia gr 2 2/0; nausea gr 2 2/2, gr 3 2/0; vomiting gr 3 2/0; mucositis gr 2 2/3; diarrhea gr 2 0/6, gr 3 2/6; skin tox gr 1 9/31, gr 2 0/38, gr 3 0/16, gr 4 0/2; proteinuria gr 2 5/5; hypertension gr 1 9/15, gr 2 3/8, gr 3 3/0. Conclusions: This interim safety analysis demonstrated that induction with mFOLFOX-B or XELOX-B as well as maintenance with B or B + E appears to be well-tolerated, without unexpected side effects. The DREAM study is ongoing, with a prolonged induction phase of 6 months (3 mo with ox then 3 mo with fluoropyrimidines-B) before randomisation for maintenance therapy.

[Table: see text]

Cetuximab efficacy and safety in a retrospective cohort of elderly patients with heavily pretreated metastatic colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Few data are available from clinical trials for elderly patients receiving cetuximab.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The clinical data of consecutive patients aged > or =70 years given cetuximab for metastatic CRC were retrospectively captured from hospital pharmacy registries in seven centers.

RESULTS

Fifty-six patients received cetuximab+/-with irinotecan. Median age was 76 years (70-84), 86% of patients were pretreated with fluoropyrimidines, irinotecan and oxaliplatin and 69.6% had documented resistance to irinotecan. Objective response rate was 21% (95% CI: 11-32%). The median progression-free survival was 4.4 months (95% CI: 3.0-5.7 months) and the median overall survival was 16.0 months (95% CI: 13.5-18.5 months). Skin rash occurred in 75% of the patients (11% grade 3) and diarrhea in 80% (20% grades 3-4).

CONCLUSION

Tolerability of cetuximab was acceptable in elderly patients with pretreated metastatic CRC. Efficacy appeared similar to that observed in younger patients.