Phosphorylation of topoisomerase II by casein kinase II and protein kinase C: effects on enzyme-mediated DNA cleavage/religation and sensitivity to the antineoplastic drugs etoposide and 4'-(9-acridinylamino)methane-sulfon-m-anisidide.

The effects of serine phosphorylation on the DNA cleavage/religation equilibrium of topoisomerase II and the sensitivity of the enzyme to antineoplastic drugs were characterized. Both casein kinase II and protein kinase C were used for these studies. Each kinase incorporated a maximum of approximately 1.4 phosphate molecules per homodimer of topoisomerase II. When the enzyme was incubated with both kinases simultaneously, phosphate incorporation increased to approximately 2.6 molecules/homodimer. In the absence of antineoplastic drugs, phosphorylation had only a slight effect on the DNA cleavage/religation equilibrium of topoisomerase II. However, in the presence of etoposide or 4'-(9-acridinylamino)methane-sulfon-m-anisidide, phosphorylation attenuated the ability of drugs to stabilize enzyme-DNA cleavage complexes. Levels of drug-induced DNA cleavage products decreased approximately 33% following phosphorylation of topoisomerase II by casein kinase II, approximately 17% following modification by protein kinase C, and approximately 50% following simultaneous phosphorylation of the enzyme by both kinases. This latter 50% reduction in DNA cleavage products correlated with an approximately 2-fold increase in the apparent first order rate constant for DNA religation mediated by simultaneously modified topoisomerase II. These results strongly suggest that the sensitivity of topoisomerase II toward antineoplastic drugs can be modulated by altering the phosphorylation state of the enzyme.

Topotecan versus observation after cisplatin plus etoposide in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer: E7593--a phase III trial of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of topotecan in combination with standard chemotherapy in previously untreated patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) conducted a phase III trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients had measurable or assessable disease and an ECOG performance status of 0 to 2; stable brain metastases were allowed. All patients received four cycles of cisplatin and etoposide every 3 weeks (step 1; PE). Patients with stable or responding disease were then randomized to observation or four cycles of topotecan (1.5 mg/m(2)/d for 5 days, every 3 weeks; step 2). A total of 402 eligible patients were registered to step 1, and 223 eligible patients were registered to step 2 (observation, n = 111; topotecan, n = 112). RESULTS: Complete and partial response rates to induction PE were 3% and 32%, respectively. A 7% response rate was observed with topotecan (complete response, 2%; partial response, 5%). The median survival time for all 402 eligible patients was 9.6 months. Progression-free survival (PFS) from date of randomization on step 2 was significantly better with topotecan compared with observation (3.6 months v 2.3 months; P <.001). However, overall survival from date of randomization on step 2 was not significantly different between the observation and topotecan arms (8.9 months v 9.3 months; P =.43). Grade 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 50% and 3%, respectively, of PE patients in step 1 and 60% and 13% of topotecan patients in step 2. Grade 4/5 infection was observed in 4.6% of PE patients and 1.8% of topotecan patients. Grade 3/4 anemia developed in 22% of patients who received topotecan. No difference in quality of life between topotecan and observation was observed at any assessment time or for any of the subscale scores. CONCLUSION: Four cycles of PE induction therapy followed by four cycles of topotecan improved PFS but failed to improve overall survival or quality of life in extensive-stage SCLC. Four cycles of standard PE remains an appropriate first-line treatment for extensive-stage SCLC patients with good performance status.

Phase II study of topotecan in patients with extensive-stage small-cell carcinoma of the lung: an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Trial.

PURPOSE: To determine the response rate and survival of chemotherapy-naive patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) treated with topotecan, and to determine the relationship of topotecan pharmacokinetics with response and toxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-eight patients with previously untreated, extensive-stage SCLC received 2.0 mg/m2 of topotecan daily for 5 days. The first 13 patients were treated without colony-stimulating factor (CSF) support; the next 35 patients received 5 micrograms/kg of granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for 10 to 14 days starting on day 6. Cycles were repeated every 3 weeks for a maximum of four cycles. Patients who had a partial response to topotecan after four cycles, stable disease after two cycles, or progressive disease at any time received salvage chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide. Topotecan pharmacokinetics were measured using a four-point sampling scheme. RESULTS: Of 48 patients, none had a complete response and 19 had a partial response, for an objective response rate of 39% (95% confidence interval [CI], 25.2% to 53.0%). The median response duration was 4.8 months (95% CI, 3.0 to 7.3). After a median follow-up duration of 18.2 months, the overall median survival time was 10.0 months (95% CI, 8.2 to 12.7); the 1-year survival rate was 39% (95% CI, 25.2% to 53.0%). Eight of 34 patients (24%) who received salvage chemotherapy responded. Four of 17 patients who did not respond to first-line therapy with topotecan responded to cisplatin and etoposide. The most common toxicity was hematologic. Ninety-two percent of patients treated without G-CSF developed grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, compared with 29% who received G-CSF. However, the incidence of neutropenic fevers was similar between the two groups (8% and 11%, respectively), and one patient in each group died of neutropenic fevers. There were no differences in objective tumor response, duration of response, time to treatment failure, or survival between the 13 patients who entered the study before G-CSF administration was mandated and the 35 patients who entered after and received G-CSF. There was poor correlation between the WBC count and absolute neutrophil counts (ANCs) and both the area under the curve (AUC) and maximum concentration++ (Cmx) of total topotecan in plasma. There was no correlation between the tumor response and either AUC or Cmx of total topotecan. CONCLUSION: The activity of topotecan in extensive-stage SCLC noted in this study warrants further investigation of this agent in phase III clinical trials.

Multi-institutional phase I/II trial of paclitaxel, cisplatin, and etoposide with concurrent radiation for limited-stage small-cell lung carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility of adding paclitaxel to standard cisplatin/etoposide (EP) and thoracic radiotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients were enrolled onto this study. During the phase I section of this study, the dose of paclitaxel was escalated in groups of three or more patients. Cycles were repeated every 21 days. For cycles 1 and 2, paclitaxel was administered according to the dose-escalation schema at doses of 100, 135, or 170 mg/m(2) intravenously over 3 hours on day 1. Once the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of paclitaxel (for cycles 1 and 2, concurrent with radiation) was determined, that dose was used in all subsequent patients entered onto the phase II section of this study. For cycles 3 and 4, the paclitaxel dose was fixed at 170 mg/m(2) in all patients. On day 2, cisplatin 60 mg/m(2) was administered for all cycles. On days 1, 2, and 3, etoposide 60 mg/m(2)/d (cycles 1 and 2) or 80 mg/m(2)/d (cycles 3 and 4) was administered. Chest radiation was given at 9 Gy/wk in five fractions for 5 weeks beginning on day 1 of cycle 1. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors were used during cycles 3 and 4 only. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were assessable. The MTD of paclitaxel was 135 mg/m(2), with the dose-limiting toxicity being grade 4 neutropenia. Cycles 1 and 2 were associated with grade 4 neutropenia in 32% of courses, with fever occurring in 7% of courses and grade 2/3 esophagitis in 13%. Cycles 3 and 4 were complicated by grade 4 neutropenia in 20% of courses, with fever occurring in 6% of courses and grade 2/3 esophagitis in 16%. The overall response rate was 96% (complete responses, 39%; partial responses, 57%). After a median follow-up period of 23 months (range, 9 to 40 months), the median survival time was 22.3 months (95% confidence interval, 15.1 to 34.3 months) CONCLUSION: The MTD of paclitaxel with radiation and EP treatment is 135 mg/m(2) given over 3 hours. In this schedule of administration, a high response rate and acceptable toxicity can be anticipated.

Activity of docetaxel in platinum-treated non-small-cell lung cancer: results of a phase II multicenter trial.

PURPOSE: Although several new chemotherapeutic agents are promising as primary therapy in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), few have demonstrated activity in platinum-refractory disease. Based on encouraging results reported in two single-institution studies of docetaxel in this setting, we performed a multicenter phase II trial evaluating this novel taxane in previously treated NSCLC patients prospectively categorized by platinum response status. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty patients with NSCLC previously treated with platinum-based chemotherapy received docetaxel at a dose of 100 mg/m(2) intravenously over 1 hour, repeated every 21 days, accompanied by dexamethasone 8 mg orally twice daily for 5 days. Forty-seven patients (59%) were defined as platinum-refractory based on response status to prior therapy. RESULTS: The median number of cycles delivered per patient was four (range, one to 21 cycles). Partial response was observed in 13 (16%) of 80 of patients, with similar response rates in platinum-sensitive and platinum-refractory patients. The median survival time was 7 months, and the 1-year survival rate was 25%. Docetaxel was relatively well tolerated in this previously treated population. Grade IV neutropenia was common in patients (77%) but typically of brief duration. Febrile neutropenia was observed in 11 patients (14%), with no fatal infections. Severe fluid retention was rare (4% of patients). CONCLUSIONS: This multicenter phase II trial confirms antitumor activity and encouraging survival with docetaxel therapy in platinum-treated and platinum-refractory NSCLC. To validate these results, a phase III trial randomizing platinum-treated patients to docetaxel or best supportive care is underway.

Phase II study of irinotecan plus cisplatin in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the antitumor efficacy and safety of a combination of irinotecan (CPT-11) and cisplatin in patients with inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A secondary objective was to characterize the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of CPT-11 and its active metabolite, SN-38. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC were treated with repeated 4-week courses comprising CPT-11 (60 mg/m(2)) administered on days 1, 8, and 15, and a single dose of cisplatin (80 mg/m(2)) after CPT-11 administration on day 1. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were enrolled, including 33 men and 19 women. The median age was 61 years (range, 29 to 79 years). Southwest Oncology Group performance status was 0 in 12 patients, 1 in 32 patients, and 2 in eight patients. Eleven and 41 patients had stage IIIB and IV disease, respectively. Objective responses occurred in 28.8% of patients (15 of 52; 95% confidence interval, 16.5% to 41.2%). The median survival duration was 9.9 months (range, 1.6 to 30.8 months). The 1-year survival rate was 37%. Grade 3/4 adverse events consisted primarily of nausea (32. 7% ) or vomiting (13.5%), late-onset diarrhea (17.3%), and neutropenia (46.1%). The study design led to preferential modification of CPT-11 doses, resulting in CPT-11 dose attenuations to < or = 40 mg/m(2) in the majority of patients (31 of 52; 60%), whereas dose reductions of cisplatin were uncommon. CPT-11 pharmacokinetic parameters were comparable to those reported previously in single-agent studies. CONCLUSION: CPT-11/cisplatin is an active combination regimen with manageable toxicity in the therapy of stage IIIB/IV NSCLC. Future studies should be designed with schedules and dose modification provisions that avoid unnecessary CPT-11 dose reductions to exploit more directly the therapeutic synergy of these agents.

Randomized phase III trial of docetaxel versus vinorelbine or ifosfamide in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer previously treated with platinum-containing chemotherapy regimens. The TAX 320 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Study Group.

PURPOSE: To confirm the promising phase II results of docetaxel monotherapy, this phase III trial was conducted of chemotherapy for patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had previously failed platinum-containing chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 373 patients were randomized to receive either docetaxel 100 mg/m(2) (D100) or 75 mg/m(2) (D75) versus a control regimen of vinorelbine or ifosfamide (V/I). The three treatment groups were well-balanced for key patient characteristics. RESULTS: Overall response rates were 10.8% with D100 and 6.7% with D75, each significantly higher than the 0.8% response with V/I (P =.001 and P =.036, respectively). Patients who received docetaxel had a longer time to progression (P =.046, by log-rank test) and a greater progression-free survival at 26 weeks (P =.005, by chi(2) test). Although overall survival was not significantly different between the three groups, the 1-year survival was significantly greater with D75 than with the control treatment (32% v 19%; P =.025, by chi(2) test). Prior exposure to paclitaxel did not decrease the likelihood of response to docetaxel, nor did it impact survival. There was a trend toward greater efficacy in patients whose disease was platinum-resistant rather than platinum-refractory and in patients with performance status of 0 or 1 versus 2. Toxicity was greatest with D100, but the D75 arm was well-tolerated. CONCLUSION: This first randomized trial in this setting demonstrates that D75 every 3 weeks can offer clinically meaningful benefit to patients with advanced NSCLC whose disease has relapsed or progressed after platinum-based chemotherapy.

Weekly irinotecan and cisplatin in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a multicenter phase II study.

The combination of weekly irinotecan (CPT-11) and monthly cisplatin has shown promising activity in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in previous Phase I and II studies. However, same-day administration of these agents may better exploit their therapeutic synergy and minimize toxicities. This multicenter Phase II study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combination of weekly CPT-11 and weekly cisplatin in patients with advanced NSCLC. Patients with chemotherapy-naive stage IIIB or IV NSCLC were treated with repeated cycles of therapy comprising weekly treatment with both cisplatin and CPT-11 for 4 weeks, followed by a 2-week rest. The starting doses of CPT-11 and cisplatin were 65 and 30 mg/m2, respectively. Treatment was continued until the occurrence of disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or a maximum of six cycles. Fifty patients were enrolled. The median age was 59 years (range, 44-79 years). Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was 0 in 22 patients, 1 in 19 patients, and 2 in 9 patients. Seven and 43 patients had stages IIIB and IV disease, respectively. Five patients had brain metastasis. Patients received a median of three 6-week cycles (range, 1-6). The objective response rate was 36% (18 of 50; 95% confidence interval, 24-54%) and included 18 partial responses. Median time to tumor progression was 6.9 months (range, 0.6-15.2). The median survival was 11.6 months (range, 0.16-21.9 months), and the 1-year survival rate was 46%. Grade 3/4 nonhematological toxicities included vomiting (12%) and diarrhea (26%). Grade 3/4 hematological toxicities included anemia (14%), neutropenia (26%), and thrombocytopenia (14%). Relative dose intensities for CPT-11 and cisplatin were 89 and 62%, respectively. Weekly combined administration of CPT-11 and cisplatin achieved a promising overall response rate, median time to tumor progression, and median survival in patients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC. The regimen was well tolerated, and the planned dose intensity was well maintained. Further evaluation of this combination in NSCLC is warranted.

Phase I study of the antineovascularization drug CM101.

CM101 is a bacterial polysaccharide that induces neovascular inflammation in malignant tumors. Fifteen patients with refractory malignancies received CM101 i.v. by a 15-min infusion every other day, three times in 1 week, at doses ranging from 1 unit (7.5 microgram)/kg to 5 units/kg. Serum was analyzed for anti-CM101 IgG and IgM weekly. Plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 8, interleukin 10, MIP-1alpha, and soluble E-selectin, were analyzed from -15 min to 12 h during each treatment. Dose-limiting toxicities, including grade IV dyspnea and arrhythmia, were encountered at the 5-unit/kg level. Toxicities occurred primarily within the first 12 h after therapy and included mild-to-moderate fever and chills, nausea, cough, headache, facial flushing, dyspnea, myalgias, and acute tumor-related pain. No patient developed detectable antibodies to CM101. All patients experienced marked time- and dose-dependent elevations in all cytokines studied. Three patients experienced tumor shrinkage. The results show that CM101 can be safely administered at doses that produce evidence for severe, and possibly tumor-specific, inflammation. Further study is necessary to better characterize the mechanism of action and determine the optimal dose and schedule of this new agent.

Paclitaxel by either 1-hour or 24-hour infusion in combination with carboplatin in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: preliminary results comparing sequential phase II trials.

Our group previously described the activity of carboplatin plus paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) (given as a 24-hour infusion) in 51 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. To facilitate outpatient administration, the regimen was modified to infuse paclitaxel over 1 hour. Between February 1995 and August 1996, 63 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer were accrued by the Vanderbilt Cancer Center and its affiliate network. The first four patients received paclitaxel 175 mg/m2; all subsequent patients received paclitaxel 200 mg/m2. The carboplatin dose was determined using the Calvert formula, with a target area under the concentration-time curve of 6. Cycles were repeated every 4 weeks, to a maximum of six cycles. The median age of the patients was 62 years. There were 43 men and 20 women. Ten patients were stage IIIB and 53 were stage IV. Patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status < or =2 were enrolled. There were three complete remissions and 13 partial remissions, for an overall response rate of 25%. Median survival was 32 weeks. This compares with a response rate of 27% and a median survival of 38 weeks observed in our previous study, using 24-hour paclitaxel plus the same dose of carboplatin. Grade 3/4 leukopenia occurred in 47% versus 3% of treatment cycles in the 24-hour versus 1-hour patient groups, respectively. Febrile neutropenia was similar and occurred in 7% versus 4% of treatment cycles. Grade 1 to 3 neurotoxicity occurred in 7% versus 41% of patients in the 24-hour versus 1-hour schedule groups, respectively. Likewise, the incidence of grade 1 to 3 arthralgia/myalgia was greater among patients receiving 1-hour infusion of paclitaxel (3.5% v 28%). Although not randomized, these data suggest that survival may be comparable whether paclitaxel is given by short or prolonged infusion in advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Toxicity profiles differ, however, with greater myelosuppression following 24-hour paclitaxel, but a higher incidence of neurotoxicity and arthralgia/myalgia with the 1-hour infusion.

Pilot study of vinorelbine (navelbine) and paclitaxel in patients with refractory non-small cell lung cancer.

Eighteen patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer were treated with a combination of intravenous vinorelbine (Navelbine; Burroughs Wellcome Co, Research Triangle Park, NC; Pierre Fabre Medicament, Paris, France) 25 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 and intravenous paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 on day 2 every 3 weeks. All patients were given granulocyte colony-stimulating factor 5 micrograms/kg/d subcutaneously on days 3 through 7 and 9 through 17 or until the absolute neutrophil count reached 10 x 10(9)/L or higher. One patient was enrolled in this study too recently to be assessed. The mean age of the remaining 17 patients was 59 years (age range, 33 to 75 years); all but one patient had refractory disease, mostly to cisplatin-containing regimens. Four patients were ineligible (two because of poor performance status and two because of previous exposure to vinblastine). Three partial responses were observed, with durations of 46, 64, and 140+ days. Four patients had stable disease and four had progressive disease. The most common side effect was neutropenia (five grade 4 and one grade 3); two patients died of leukopenic sepsis in the first cycle. Peripheral neuropathy was also common (four grade 1 and one grade 2 sensory neuropathy). Other toxic effects were anemia and nausea and vomiting. The median survival was 153 days in all patients and 179 days in eligible patients. The preliminary results in this ongoing study of combination vinorelbine and paclitaxel as second-line therapy for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer are promising, and using this regimen as first-line therapy is warranted.

Concurrent paclitaxel, carboplatin, and radiation therapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Combination chemotherapy plus radiation therapy for non-small cell lung cancer has several theoretical advantages: the potential of chemotherapy to radiosensitize tumors, the possibility of improved local control due to combined treatment, and the opportunity for spatial cooperation, attacking disease both locally and systemically and thus potentially increasing response and, ultimately, survival. The combination of radiotherapy plus standard chemotherapy (etoposide plus cisplatin) has yielded limited success; therefore, new and novel chemotherapies have been sought. Paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ), the prototype of a novel class of drugs, the taxanes, has proven feasible both alone and with other agents in combined-modality regimens with radiation. Concurrent paclitaxel/carboplatin/radiotherapy appears to offer a relatively safe and more active regimen to control local and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer than the current standard. This report reviews the range of experience with paclitaxel-based combined-modality therapy.

Chronic oral etoposide in the treatment of lung cancer.

Etoposide is used commonly to treat both small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. It is usually administered intravenously over 3 to 5 consecutive days, and usually given in combination with cisplatin. Preclinical cellular and clinical pharmacokinetic studies have demonstrated that etoposide is schedule-dependent and is optimally administered at low doses over prolonged periods of time. Recent early phase clinical trials have demonstrated that oral etoposide can be administered safely for 14 to 21 consecutive days. This schedule has demonstrated outstanding activity in patients with both recurrent and previously untreated small cell lung cancer. Activity against non-small cell lung cancer has also been reported; response rates are similar to those seen with the most active single agents used in the treatment of the disease. Chronic oral etoposide also has the advantages of outpatient convenience and tolerable side effects. This overview discusses the role of chronic oral etoposide in the management of small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. The scientific rationale, results of early phase clinical trials, ongoing research, and future directions regarding the chronic administration of this important antineoplastic drug are also reviewed.

Paclitaxel plus carboplatin in the treatment of patients with advanced lung cancer: a Vanderbilt University Cancer Center phase II trial (LUN-46).

In studies conducted by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, treatment with either paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) or carboplatin was associated with an improvement in 1-year survival in patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Based on these findings, a phase II trial of carboplatin plus paclitaxel was conducted in patients with advanced NSCLC to determine the activity and toxicity of this regimen. Eligibility requirements included stage IIIB or IV histologically confirmed NSCLC, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 to 2, no prior chemotherapy, and adequate hematologic, renal, hepatic, and cardiac functions. Paclitaxel was administered intravenously over 24 hours at a dose of 135 mg/m2 (28 patients) or 175 mg/m2 (23 patients), followed by a 1-hour infusion of carboplatin on day 2. Carboplatin was administered at a dose of 300 mg/m2 (16 patients) or, using the Calvert formula, a dose calculated to achieve an area under the concentration-time curve of 6 mg/mL x min (35 patients). Treatment was repeated every 28 days for a total of six cycles. Among the 51 eligible patients, 34 were men and 17 were women; their median age was 60 years and their median Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was 1. Six patients had stage IIIB and 45 had stage IV disease. Grade 3 or 4 granulocytopenia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 47% and 3% of treatment cycles, respectively. The most common nonhematologic toxicities noted included nausea and emesis, neuropathy, and arthralgia and myalgia. There were no complete responses and 14 partial responses, for an overall response rate of 27% (95% confidence interval, 17% to 41%). Median survival was 38 weeks and the survival rate at 1 year was 32%. Paclitaxel plus carboplatin, as given in this study, was found to be a moderately active regimen in patients with advanced NSCLC. This regimen warrants comparison with existing cisplatin-based regimens in a prospective randomized trial.

Paclitaxel plus carboplatin for advanced lung cancer: preliminary results of a Vanderbilt University phase II trial--LUN-46.

Based on their good activity and minimal toxicity in non-small cell lung cancer and other cancers, we initiated a phase II trial of carboplatin plus paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) in the treatment of patients with previously untreated stage IIIB and IV non-small cell lung cancer. Among 51 patients treated, the overall response rate was 27.5% (14 partial responses). Seventeen patients had stable disease, while 16 patients experienced disease progression after two cycles of treatment. Apart from myelosuppression, toxicity has been modest, with fewer than 5% of patients experiencing grade 3 or greater nonhematologic toxicity. Objective response and survival rates were modestly improved among patients given the higher of two paclitaxel doses (175 mg/m2 v 135 mg/m2). These data suggest that paclitaxel plus carboplatin warrants further study in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

Carboplatin plus oral etoposide in the management of advanced, non-small cell lung cancer: preliminary results of a Vanderbilt trial.

Twenty-eight patients with unresectable, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were treated with carboplatin/oral etoposide. Carboplatin was administered intravenously on day 1 at a dose of 300 mg/m2 (12 patients) or 350 mg/m2 (16 patients); oral etoposide was administered at a dose of 50 mg/m2/d for 21 consecutive days. Treatment was repeated every 28 days. Patient characteristics included male:female ratio of 23:5, median age of 60 years, median Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 1, weight loss of 5% or more in seven patients; stage IIIB disease in two patients and stage IV in 26. Twenty-five patients were evaluable for response and seven (28%) achieved a partial response (95% confidence interval, 14% to 48%). Median duration of response was 3+ months (range, 2+ to 6+) and median survival was 4+ months (range, 1+ to 10+). Myelosuppression was the predominate toxicity; leukocyte and platelet nadirs occurred between days 22 and 29, with median counts of 2,900/microL and 172,000/microL, respectively. The median interval between the start of cycle 1 and the start of cycle 2 was 33 days (range, 26 to 42). Carboplatin/oral etoposide is a moderately active regimen against advanced NSCLC that can be administered in an outpatient setting with manageable toxicity. Its impact on survival remains to be determined.

Paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil in metastatic breast cancer: the US experience.

Paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) is an effective drug in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC). In the salvage setting, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and folinic acid have proved to be effective against MBC as well. Recent preclinical data suggest that paclitaxel plus 5-FU has additive cytotoxicity. Given these observations, we initiated a phase II trial in which 38 women with MBC have been treated with a combination of all three drugs. All patients are currently evaluable for toxicity and 34 are evaluable for response. All women had histologically proven and assessable disease. Patients with prior exposure to paclitaxel were ineligible. Patient characteristics include a median age of 51 years (age range, 31 to 73 years) and a median performance status of 1 (range, 0 to 2). Thirty-three patients have received prior chemotherapy, of whom 23 had adjuvant chemotherapy only. Fifty-eight percent of the patients (22 of 38) had received prior doxorubicin or mitoxantrone; four patients had only hormonal therapy. Four patients had bone-only disease, and three patients had lymphangitic spread or cytologically positive pleural effusion as the only evaluable disease. Treatment consisted of paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 over 3 hours (day 1 only), followed by folinic acid 300 mg over 1 hour, followed by 5-FU 350 mg/m2 on days 1 to 3. Patients received standard paclitaxel premedications. To date, 175 cycles have been administered (median cycle length, 29 days; median number of cycles per patient, five). Toxicities included grade 3/4 infections in nine cycles (5%), grade 3/4 mucositis in three cycles, grade 3/4 nausea/vomiting in three cycles, grade 1 paresthesias in 12 patients (32%), alopecia 100%, and 17 cycles (10%) associated with dose reduction. Based on Cancer and Leukemia Group B toxicity criteria, arthralgia/myalgias were modest and graded mild (32 cycles), moderate (nine cycles), or severe (two cycles). There were two major hypersensitivity reactions, prompting removal of those patients from further protocol treatment. Four patients are unassessable for response due to hypersensitivity reactions (two) and unevaluable disease (two). Among the 34 patients evaluable for response, there were three complete responses, 18 partial responses, one minor response, nine stable disease, and three progressive disease (response rate, 62%). Responses were seen in patients who had received prior doxorubicin or mitoxantrone (11 of 22 patients) and in anthracycline/naive patients (10 of 16 patients). Responses were observed in all metastatic sites: soft tissue, viscera, and bone. Paclitaxel/5-FU/folinic acid appears to be an effective and well-tolerated outpatient regimen for women with MBC, even after failure of anthracycline-containing therapy.

Preliminary analysis of a phase II study of paclitaxel, carboplatin, and hyperfractionated radiation therapy for locally advanced inoperable non-small cell lung cancer.

We conducted a prospective phase II study to determine the response rate, toxicity profile, and survival rate among patients with locally advanced unresectable non-small cell lung cancer receiving concurrent weekly paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ), carboplatin, and hyperfractionated radiation therapy followed by two cycles of adjuvant paclitaxel and carboplatin. The weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin regimen was designed to optimize the radiosensitizing properties of paclitaxel during the concurrent phase of treatment. Thirty-two patients with unresectable stage IIIA and IIIB non-small cell lung cancer from Vanderbilt Cancer Center Affiliate Network institutions entered the study from June 1996 until February 1997. Weekly intravenous paclitaxel (50 mg/m2 over 1 hour) and weekly carboplatin (area under the concentration-time curve of 2) plus concurrent hyperfractionated chest radiotherapy (1.2 Gy twice daily [69.6 Gy total]) delivered for 6 weeks were followed by two cycles of paclitaxel (200 mg/m2) and carboplatin (area under the concentration-time curve of 6). Among 22 patients evaluable for response, one (4.5%) achieved a complete response and 16 (72.7%) achieved partial response, for an overall response rate of 77%. Among 23 patients evaluable for toxicity, esophagitis was the principal finding: grade 3 or 4 esophagitis occurred in eight patients (35%). Grade 3 and 4 pulmonary toxicities each occurred in 26% of patients. Thus, weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin plus concurrent hyperfractionated radiotherapy is a well-tolerated outpatient regimen with an encouraging response rate that is at least equivalent to more toxic chemoradiation regimens. These findings indicate that further clinical evaluation of weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin/hyperfractionated radiotherapy is warranted in phase III trials.

A pilot study of protracted low dose cisplatin and etoposide with concurrent thoracic radiotherapy in unresectable stage III nonsmall cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: A Phase II study to evaluate the response rate and toxicity of daily protracted cisplatin and etoposide with concurrent chest irradiation in patients with locally advanced, unresectable nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty-one patients with histologically confirmed locally advanced inoperable NSCLC (Stage IIIA or IIIB) were entered on study. Radiotherapy consisted of 50.4 Gy in 1.8 Gy fractions followed by a 10 Gy boost in 2 Gy fractions. Chemotherapy included the following: Cisplatin was given at 5 mg/m2 i.v. Monday-Friday before RT weeks 1-6. Etoposide was given at 25 mg/m2 i.v. M-F weeks 1, 2, 5, and 6, with 50 mg/m2 p.o. daily on the same weekends. Because of severe myelosuppression in the first two patients, etoposide only was subsequently changed to 20 mg/m2 i.v. M-F weeks 1, 2, 5, and 6. RESULTS: Twenty patients were eligible and evaluable. The overall response rate was 65% (95% confidence interval 41-85%). The median progression-free survival was 43 weeks. The median overall survival was 50.2 weeks with a 1-year survival rate of 45%. Five patients (25%) developed severe radiation pneumonitis, leading to early closure of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Combining daily protracted cisplatin and etoposide with concurrent thoracic irradiation in patients with locally advanced unresectable NSCLC yields a high overall response rate and a median survival that is at least comparable to other combined modality trials. However, future studies using protracted radiosensitizing chemotherapy should be approached cautiously in light of the high incidence of severe radiation pneumonitis encountered in this trial.

A phase II study of paclitaxel, carboplatin, and hyperfractionated radiation therapy for locally advanced inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer (a Vanderbilt Cancer Center Affiliate Network Study).

PURPOSE: We conducted a prospective phase II study to determine the response rate, toxicity, and survival rate of concurrent weekly paclitaxel, carboplatin, and hyperfractionated radiation therapy (paclitaxel/carboplatin/HFX RT) followed by 2 cycles of paclitaxel and carboplatin for locally advanced unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin regimen was designed to optimize the radiosensitizing properties of paclitaxel during the concurrent phase of treatment. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty-three patients with unresectable stage IIIA and IIIB NSCLC from the Vanderbilt Cancer Center and Affiliate Network (VCCAN) institutions were entered onto the study from June 1996 until May 1997. Weekly intravenous (IV) paclitaxel (50 mg/m(2)/l-hour) and weekly carboplatin (AUC 2) plus concurrent hyperfractionated chest RT (1.2 Gy/BID/69.6 Gy) were delivered for 6 weeks followed by 2 cycles of paclitaxel (200 mg/m(2)) and carboplatin (AUC 6). RESULTS: Forty-two patients were evaluable for response and toxicities. Three patients achieved a complete response (7.2%) and 30 patients achieved a partial response (71.4%), for an overall response rate of 78.6% [95% C.I. (66.2%-91.0%)]. The 1- and 2-year overall and progression-free survival rates of all 43 patients were 61.6% and 35% respectively, with a median survival time of 14.3 months. The median follow-up time was 14 months. Esophagitis was the principal toxicity. Grade 3 or 4 esophagitis occurred in 11 patients (26%). There was an incidence of 7% grade 3 and 9.5% grade 4 pulmonary toxicities. CONCLUSIONS: Weekly paclitaxel, carboplatin, plus concurrent hyperfractionated RT is a well-tolerated outpatient regimen. The response rate from this regimen is encouraging and appears to be at least equivalent to the more toxic chemoradiation trials. These findings warrant further clinical evaluation of weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin/HFX RT in a phase III study.