A randomised, phase II trial of the DNA-hypomethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (decitabine) in combination with carboplatin vs carboplatin alone in patients with recurrent, partially platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: Our previous laboratory and clinical data suggested that one mechanism underlying the development of platinum resistance in ovarian cancer is the acquisition of DNA methylation. We therefore tested the hypothesis that the DNA hypomethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytodine (decitabine) can reverse resistance to carboplatin in women with relapsed ovarian cancer. METHODS: Patients progressing 6-12 months after previous platinum therapy were randomised to decitabine on day 1 and carboplatin (AUC 6) on day 8, every 28 days or carboplatin alone. The primary objective was response rate in patients with methylated hMLH1 tumour DNA in plasma. RESULTS: After a pre-defined interim analysis, the study closed due to lack of efficacy and poor treatment deliverability in 15 patients treated with the combination. Responses by GCIG criteria were 9 out of 14 vs 3 out of 15 and by RECIST were 6 out of 13 vs 1 out of 12 for carboplatin and carboplatin/decitabine, respectively. Grade 3/4 neutropenia was more common with the combination (60% vs 15.4%) as was G2/3 carboplatin hypersensitivity (47% vs 21%). CONCLUSIONS: With this schedule, the addition of decitabine appears to reduce rather than increase the efficacy of carboplatin in partially platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer and is difficult to deliver. Patient-selection strategies, different schedules and other demethylating agents should be considered in future combination studies.

A multicenter, randomized trial of flat dosing versus intrapatient dose escalation of single-agent carboplatin as first-line chemotherapy for advanced ovarian cancer: an SGCTG (SCOTROC 4) and ANZGOG study on behalf of GCIG.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study is to demonstrate that intrapatient dose escalation of carboplatin would improve the outcome in ovarian cancer compared with flat dosing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with untreated stage IC-IV ovarian cancer received six cycles of carboplatin area under the curve 6 (AUC 6) 3 weekly either with no dose modification except for toxicity (Arm A) or with dose escalations in cycles 2-6 based on nadir neutrophil and platelet counts (Arm B). The primary end-point was progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: Nine hundred and sixty-four patients were recruited from 71 centers. Dose escalation was achieved in 77% of patients who had ≥1 cycle. The median AUCs (cycle 2-6) received were 6.0 (Arm A) and 7.2 (Arm B) (P < 0.001). Grade 3/4 non-hematological toxicity was higher in Arm B (31% versus 22% P = 0.001). The median PFS was 12.1 months in Arm A and B [hazard ratio (HR) 0.99; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.85-1.15; P = 0.93]. The median overall survival (OS) was 34.1 and 30.7 months in Arms A and B, respectively (HR 0.98; 95% CI 0.81-1.18, P = 0.82). In multivariate analysis, baseline neutrophil (P < 0.001), baseline platelet counts (P < 0.001) and the difference between white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil count (P = 0.009) had a significant adverse prognostic value. CONCLUSIONS: Intrapatient dose escalation of carboplatin based on nadir blood counts is feasible and safe. However, it provided no improvement in PFS or OS compared with flat dosing. Baseline neutrophils over-ride nadir counts in prognostic significance. These data may have wider implications particularly in respect of the management of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.

Modern chemotherapy management of recurrent ovarian cancer: a multicentre study.

AIMS: The natural history of ovarian cancer has changed over the last 10 years due to more effective drug treatments. The aim of this multicentre audit of the management of recurrent ovarian cancer was to examine the usage of newer drugs in light of the publication of National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients presenting with a first or subsequent relapse of ovarian cancer between August 2001 and February 2003 in nine UK National Health Service centres were identified. Data were recorded retrospectively and prospectively from point of entry into the study and included the modality of primary cancer treatment, the treatment of each subsequent relapse and outcome. RESULTS: In total, 245 evaluable patients were entered on to the database. The mean age was 62 years. All patients received a platinum-based chemotherapy regimen as first-line treatment. One hundred and fifty-five patients (63%) went on to receive third-line chemotherapy and 82 (34%) received fourth-line chemotherapy. The median survival from first relapse was estimated to be in excess of 12 months from our data. The efficacies of the chemotherapy agents used are comparable with the results of published phase III trials. CONCLUSION: This study shows that multicentre audit is feasible and provides useful information on current clinical practice on which to base future research.

The incidence of thyroid abnormalities in adults irradiated for lymphoma.

The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence of thyroid abnormalities in neck irradiated lymphoma patients. Of the 298 patients who had irradiation to the neck for lymphoma between 1966-1988, 174 were found to be alive and free of disease. These patients were invited to participate in the study. From the 174, 93 were able to participate (group 1). Two control groups were recruited; both were sex and aged matched. One group (group 2) consisted of lymphoma patients who were treated with chemotherapy (n=39) or irradiation to areas other than the neck (n=16). The other group (group 3) consisting of healthy volunteers (n=35) recruited from hospital staff and minor surgery attendees, had never had lymphoma or radiotherapy. All participants were required to complete a past medical history and thyroid symptom questionnaire, had blood taken for assays of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroglobulin antibodies, thyroid peroxidase antibodies, sodium iodide symporter antibodies and TSH receptor antibodies and underwent ultrasound and clinical examination of the neck. A significant percentage of patients who had been irradiated in the neck had abnormalities on ultrasound, compared to groups 2 and 3 (77% vs 42% vs 24%). Abnormal TSH levels were found to be significantly more common in neck irradiated patients compared to the other groups (50% vs 9% vs 5%). There is a clear difference between neck irradiated patients and control groups. The importance of screening irradiated patients for thyroid abnormalities is re-emphasised.

The impact of virtual simulation in palliative radiotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Radiotherapy is widely used to palliate local symptoms in non-small-cell lung cancer. Using conventional X-ray simulation, it is often difficult to accurately localize the extent of the tumour. We report a randomized, double blind trial comparing target localization with conventional and virtual simulation. METHODS: Eighty-six patients underwent both conventional and virtual simulation. The conventional simulator films were compared with digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs) produced from the computed tomography (CT) data. The treatment fields defined by the clinicians using each modality were compared in terms of field area, position and the implications for target coverage. RESULTS: Comparing fields defined by each study arm, there was a major mis-match in coverage between fields in 66.2% of cases, and a complete match in only 5.2% of cases. In 82.4% of cases, conventional simulator fields were larger (mean 24.5+/-5.1% (95% confidence interval)) than CT-localized fields, potentially contributing to a mean target under-coverage of 16.4+/-3.5% and normal tissue over-coverage of 25.4+/-4.2%. CONCLUSIONS: CT localization and virtual simulation allow more accurate definition of the target volume. This could enable a reduction in geographical misses, while also reducing treatment-related toxicity.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the thyroid: a retrospective review of all patients diagnosed in Nottinghamshire from 1973 to 1992.

The pathological and clinical features were reviewed of all primary non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) of the thyroid gland diagnosed between 1973 and 1992 in the population (1.1 million) served by the Nottingham and North Nottinghamshire Health Authorities. Of the 43 patients with histologically proven NHL, three had low grade mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas (Stage IEA, 2; Stage IIEA, 1), 35 had intermediate or high grade lymphomas, Stage IEA or IIEA (intermediate MALT, 2; high grade MALT, 14; B-cell diffuse centroblastic, 17; anaplastic large cell (Ki-1) of null cell type, 1; high grade unclassifiable, 1), and one had unclassifiable NHL Stage IIEA. One patient had Stage IIIEA disease (high grade MALT) and three had stage IVA disease (high grade MALT, 2; B-cell diffuse centroblastic, 1). The median age was 68 years (range 45-86) with a female: male ratio of 6:1. For the 35 patients with intermediate or high grade thyroid NHL (Stages IEA and IIEA) the 5- and 10-year cause specific survival was 60%. The 21 patients treated between 1985 and 1992 initially with chemotherapy (except stage IEA (< 5 cm diameter) had a 5-year cause specific survival of 69% (95% CI 48-90) compared with 46% (95% CI 19-73) for the 14 patients treated between 1973 and 1984 with initial radiotherapy (Chi 2 = 1.62). The survival of those patients with intermediate or high grade MALT lymphomas was not significantly greater than of those patients with B-cell diffuse centroblastic NHL.