Randomized phase III trial in elderly patients comparing LV5FU2 with or without irinotecan for first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (FFCD 2001-02)

BACKGROUND

Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) frequently occurs in elderly patients. However, data from a geriatric tailored randomized trial about tolerance to and the efficacy of doublet chemotherapy (CT) with irinotecan in the elderly are lacking. The benefit of first-line CT intensification remains an issue in elderly patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Elderly patients (75+) with previously untreated mCRC were randomly assigned in a 2 × 2 factorial design (four arms) to receive 5-FU (5-fluorouracil)-based CT, either alone (FU: LV5FU2 or simplified LV5FU2) or in combination with irinotecan [IRI: LV5FU2-irinotecan or simplified LV5FU2-irinotecan (FOLFIRI)]. The CLASSIC arm was defined as LV5FU2 or LV5FU2-irinotecan and the SIMPLIFIED arm as simplified LV5FU2 or FOLFIRI. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary end points were overall survival (OS), safety and objective response rate (ORR).

RESULTS

From June 2003 to May 2010, 71 patients were randomly assigned to LV5FU2, 71 to simplified LV5FU2, 70 to LV5FU2-irinotecan and 70 to FOLFIRI. The median age was 80 years (range 75-92 years). No significant difference was observed for the median PFS: FU 5.2 months versus IRI 7.3 months, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.84 (0.66-1.07), P = 0.15 and CLASSIC 6.5 months versus SIMPLIFIED 6.0 months, HR = 0.85 (0.67-1.09), P = 0.19. The ORR was superior in IRI (P = 0.0003): FU 21.1% versus IRI 41.7% and in CLASSIC (P = 0.04): CLASSIC 37.1% versus SIMPLIFIED 25.6%. Median OS was 14.2 months in FU versus 13.3 months in IRI, HR = 0.96 (0.75-1.24) and 15.2 months in CLASSIC versus 11.4 months in SIMPLIFIED, HR = 0.71 (0.55-0.92). More patients presented grade 3-4 toxicities in IRI (52.2% versus 76.3%).

CONCLUSION

In this elderly population, adding irinotecan to an infusional 5-FU-based CT did not significantly increase either PFS or OS. Classic LV5FU2 was associated with an improved OS compared with simplified LV5FU2.

CLINICALTRIALSGOV

NCT00303771.

Diagnosis of liver fibrosis using FibroScan and other noninvasive methods in patients with hemochromatosis: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

The role of hepatic iron overload in the development of hepatic fibrosis in patients with hemochromatosis is well-established. Transient elastography (FibroScan) is a new noninvasive, rapid, reproducible bedside method, allowing assessment of liver fibrosis by measuring liver rigidity.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate liver fibrosis with FibroScan and other noninvasive biochemical methods in patients with hemochromatosis (C282Y homozygosity) compared with control patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 2004 through October 2006, all consecutive patients with hemochromatosis were evaluated for liver fibrosis using noninvasive methods (FibroScan and biochemical markers). These patients were compared with patients who had chronic cytolysis and no fibrosis on liver biopsy.

RESULTS

One hundred and three consecutive patients (57 cases and 46 controls) were fully investigated. Median FibroScan values were similar in both groups, 5.20 kPa versus 4.9 kPa, respectively. No differences were observed between cases and controls for all biochemical markers. A strong correlation was observed between FibroScan and many biochemical markers, although ferritin levels did not correlate with FibroScan values. The prevalence of patients with FibroScan values greater than 7.1 kPa (cut-off level for significant fibrosis) was 22.8% in patients with hemochromatosis and 0% in the controls (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

FibroScan and biochemical markers could be reliable noninvasive methods for detecting liver fibrosis in patients with hemochromatosis. Such patients have high FibroScan values more often than do control patients. Further longitudinal and prospective studies are necessary to confirm these preliminary data.

Cetuximab in combination with irinotecan/5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/folinic acid (FA) (FOLFIRI) in second and third-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): Safety and efficacy analysis

3558

Background: The Folfiri regimen demonstrated high efficacy and favorable safety profile compared to irinotecan plus bolus 5-FU/FA (IFL regimen) or irinotecan alone. Folfiri is a standard option in first line treatment of mCRC. Cetuximab, an IgG1 monoclonal antibody targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is commonly expressed in mCRC, is approved in France in combination with irinotecan after failure of an irinotecan-based therapy. We have prospectively evaluated the combination cetuximab-FOLFIRI in patients with mCRC refractory to FOLFIRI administered in first line treatment. Methods: Patients with EGFR-expressing mCRC, who progressed following first line treatment with FOLFIRI regimen were eligible for this study. Treatment consisted of cetuximab (initial dose 400 mg/m2 followed by 250mg/m2/week) combined with FOLFIRI (given every 2 weeks: irinotecan 180 mg/m2, FA 400 mg/m2 and 5-FU 400 mg/m2 bolus plus 2400 mg/m2/46-h infusion) until either disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Tumor reponse was assessed by CT scan every 2 months (OMS criteria), and adverses events were registered. Results: 41 patients where included from 09/2004 to 11/2005. 78% Male/ 22% Female, mean age 63 years, median KPS 80, 68% colon primary tumour. 5 patients were treated in second line, 24 patients in third line and 12 in fourth line or more. 40 patients are evaluable for response. They were 8 objective responses (20%) and 11 patients with stable disease (27.5%). The median progression free survival was 4,3 months and the median overall survival was 5 months. 61 % of the 41 patients experienced grade 3–4 adverses events, the most frequent of which were leucopenia (16%), asthenia (9%), vomiting and diarrhoea (5%), and acneiform skin rash in 11 patients (24%), severe xerosis (7%). 6/11 patients who experienced acneiform eruption grade 3 were alive at 12 months. Conclusions: The combination of cetuximab with FOLFIRI demonstrated promising efficacy and acceptable safety profile without increasing chemotherapy adverse reactions. A prospective randomised trial would confirm the advantage of FOLFIRI over irinotecan alone in combination with cetuximab.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Diagnosis of liver fibrosis by transient elastography (FibroScan) and non-invasive methods in Crohn's disease patients treated with methotrexate

BACKGROUND

Methotrexate is an effective treatment in Crohn's disease, which may induce liver fibrosis with high cumulative doses. Transient elastography (FibroScan, Echosens, Paris, France) is a new non-invasive rapid, allowing assessment of liver fibrosis by measurement of liver stiffness.

AIM

A prospective study to evaluate liver fibrosis with FibroScan and non-invasive biochemical methods in Crohn's disease patients treated with methotrexate.

METHODS

Consecutive Crohn's disease patients had evaluation of liver fibrosis with non-invasive methods. Two subgroups of patients were compared: cumulative dose of methotrexate of more than 1500 mg (group 1) and naive for methotrexate (group 2). Liver biopsy was performed in patients with persistent liver enzyme abnormalities or FibroScan value >8.7 kPa.

RESULTS

Fifty-four consecutive Crohn's disease patients were fully investigated (45 females, mean age 41 +/- 14 years). Median FibroScan values were similar in group 1 (n = 21) and in group 2 (n = 33), 5.5 and 4.5 kPa, respectively. FibroScan values were not correlated with the cumulative dose of methotrexate.

CONCLUSION

In Crohn's disease patients treated with a high dose of methotrexate, significant liver fibrosis is rare and not accurately detected with liver enzymes abnormalities. FibroScan could be recommended and liver biopsy could be performed only with patients with high values and/or with chronic liver enzymes abnormalities.

Diagnosis of cirrhosis by transient elastography (FibroScan): a prospective study

BACKGROUND

Transient elastography (FibroScan) is a new, non-invasive, rapid, and reproducible method allowing evaluation of liver fibrosis by measurement of liver stiffness. In cirrhotic patients, liver stiffness measurements range from 12.5 to 75.5 kPa. However, the clinical relevance of these values is unknown. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the accuracy of liver stiffness measurement for the detection of cirrhosis in patients with chronic liver disease.

METHODS

A total of 711 patients with chronic liver disease were studied. Aetiologies of chronic liver diseases were hepatitis C virus or hepatitis B virus infection, alcohol, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, other, or a combination of the above aetiologies. Liver fibrosis was evaluated according to the METAVIR score.

RESULTS

Stiffness was significantly correlated with fibrosis stage (r=0.73, p<0.0001). Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (95% confidence interval) were 0.80 (0.75-0.84) for patients with significant fibrosis (F>2), 0.90 (0.86-0.93) for patients with severe fibrosis (F3), and 0.96 (0.94-0.98) for patients with cirrhosis. Using a cut off value of 17.6 kPa, patients with cirrhosis were detected with a positive predictive value and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 90%. Liver stiffness was significantly correlated with clinical, biological, and morphological parameters of liver disease. With an NPV>90%, the cut off values for the presence of oesophageal varices stage 2/3, cirrhosis Child-Pugh B or C, past history of ascites, hepatocellular carcinoma, and oesophageal bleeding were 27.5, 37.5, 49.1, 53.7, and 62.7 kPa, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Transient elastography is a promising non-invasive method for detection of cirrhosis in patients with chronic liver disease. Its use for the follow up and management of these patients could be of great interest and should be evaluated further.