Clinically decisive (dis)agreement in multidisciplinary team assessment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; a prospective, national, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Decisions regarding tumor staging, operability, resectability, and treatment strategy in patients with esophageal cancer are made at multidisciplinary team (MDT) conferences. We aimed to assess interobserver agreement from four national MDT conferences and whether this would have a clinical impact. METHODS: A total of 20 patients with esophageal cancer were included across all four upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancer centers. Fully anonymized patient data were distributed among the MDT conferences which decided on TNM category, resectability, operability, curability, and treatment strategy blinded to each other's decisions. The interobserver agreement was expressed as both the raw observer agreement and with Krippendorff's α values. Finally, a case-by-case evaluation was performed to determine if disagreement would have had a clinical impact. RESULTS: A total of 80 MDT evaluations were available for analysis. A moderate to near-perfect observer agreement of 79.2%, 55.8%, and 82.5% for TNM category was observed, respectively. Substantial agreement for resectability and moderate agreement for curability were found. However, an only fair agreement was observed for the operability category. The treatment strategies had a slight agreement which corresponded to disagreement having a clinical impact in 12 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal cancer MDT conferences had an acceptable interobserver agreement on resectability and TM categories; however, the operability assessment had a high level of disagreement. Consequently, the agreement on treatment strategy was reduced with a potential clinical impact. In future MDT conferences, emphasis should be on prioritizing the relevant information being readily available (operability, T & M categories) to minimize the risk of disagreement in the assessments and treatment strategies, and thus, delayed or suboptimal treatment.

Limitations of balloon sinuplasty in frontal sinus surgery.

Balloon sinuplasty is a tool that is used to treat selected patients with paranasal sinus pathologies. No studies have investigated the aetiology of failed access to the frontal sinus. The aim of our study was to specify the intraoperative technical failure rate and to analyse the aetiology of the failed access to predict potential technical difficulties before surgery. We retrospectively analysed the charts of patients who underwent balloon sinuplasty from November 2007 to July 2010 at three different ENT-Centres. CT-analysis of the patients with failed access was performed. Of the 104 frontal sinuses, dilation of 12 (12%) sinuses failed. The anatomy of all failed cases revealed variations in the frontal recess (frontoethmoidal-cell, frontal-bulla-cell or agger-nasi-cell) or osteoneogenesis. In one patient, a lymphoma was overlooked during a balloon only procedure. The lymphoma was diagnosed 6 months later with a biopsy during functional endoscopic sinus surgery. In complex anatomical situations of the frontal recess, balloon sinuplasty may be challenging or impossible. In these situations, it is essential to have knowledge of classical functional endoscopic sinus surgery of the frontal recess area. The drawbacks of not including a histopathologic exam should be considered in balloon only procedures.

Minimally invasive diagnosis of sarcoidosis by EBUS when conventional diagnostics fail.

BACKGROUND: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial fine-needle aspiration (EBUS) is a minimally invasive method used routinely for mediastinal staging of patients with lung cancer. EBUS has also proved to be a valuable diagnostic tool for patients with different intrathoracic lesions who remain undiagnosed despite bronchoscopy and CT-guided fine-needle aspiration. OBJECTIVE: The present study focused on EBUS for diagnosing sarcoidosis. DESIGN: During a 3-year period 308 of 601 patients who underwent EBUS at our institution were referred for further diagnostic of a radiologically suspicious lesion in the lung parenchyma (n = 195), enlarged lymph nodes in the mediastinum (n = 89), a suspicious tumor in the mediastinum or pleural disease (n = 24) but no one had a definite histological diagnosis. All charts were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 308 patients 43 (14%) were eventually diagnosed with sarcoidosis. Thirty-three (77%) were diagnosed with EBUS. In the remaining 10 patients EBUS did not provide adequate tissue samples in 4 (9%) and in 6 patients (14%) EBUS provided adequate tissue but no definite diagnosis. EBUS was significantly better to establish the diagnosis in patients with enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes compared with isolated lung parenchymal involvement (85% vs 63%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: EBUS is a valuable minimally invasive diagnostic modality to establish the diagnosis of sarcoidosis of unselected patients with undiagnosed intrathoracic lesions after conventional work up--particularly if patients have enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. This minimally invasive procedure provides a final diagnosis without exposing the patient to the risk of complications from more invasive procedures.

Long-term follow-up of custom cross-pin fixation of 56 tumour endoprosthesis stems: a single-institution experience.

AIMS: Aseptic loosening is a major cause of failure in cemented endoprosthetic reconstructions. This paper presents the long-term outcomes of a custom-designed cross-pin fixation construct designed to minimize rotational stress and subsequent aseptic loosening in selected patients. The paper will also examine the long-term survivorship and modes of failure when using this technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A review of 658 consecutive, prospectively collected cemented endoprosthetic reconstructions for oncological diagnoses at a single centre between 1980 and 2017 was performed. A total of 51 patients were identified with 56 endoprosthetic implants with cross-pin fixation, 21 of which were implanted following primary resection of tumour. Locations included distal femoral (n = 36), proximal femoral (n = 7), intercalary (n = 6), proximal humeral (n = 3), proximal tibial (n = 3), and distal humeral (n = 1). RESULTS: The median follow-up was 132 months (interquartile range (IQR) 44 to 189). In all, 20 stems required revision: eight for infection, five for structural failure, five for aseptic loosening, and two for tumour progression. Mechanical survivorship at five, ten, and 15 years was 84%, 78%, and 78%, respectively. Mechanical failure rate varied by location, with no mechanical failures of proximal femoral constructs and distal femoral survivorship of 82%, 77%, and 77% at five, ten, and 15 years. The survivorship of primary constructs at five years was 74%, with no failure after 40 months, while the survivorship for revision constructs was 89%, 80%, and 80% at five, ten, and 15 years. CONCLUSION: The rate of mechanical survivorship in our series is similar to those reported for other methods of reconstruction for short diaphyseal segments, such as compressive osseointegration. The mechanical failure rate differed by location, while there was no substantial difference in long-term survival between primary and revision reconstructions. Overall, custom cross-pin fixation is a viable option for endoprosthetic reconstruction of short metaphyseal segments with an acceptable rate of mechanical failure. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:724-731.

Impact of the lower energy threshold on the NEMA NU2-2001 count-rate performance of a LSO based PET-CT scanner.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the lower energy threshold (LET) on the NEMA NU2-2001 count-rate performance of a LSO-based PET scanner (Siemens PET-CT Biograph Sensation 16). The quantitative measurements were focused on three different aspects: noise equivalent count rate (NEC), scatter fraction, and absolute sensitivity. METHODS: According to the NEMA-NU2-2001 protocol count-rate-performance (NEC-2R, scatter fraction) and sensitivity were evaluated performing serial measurements at LETs of 350, 375, 400, 410, 420, 430, 440, and 450 keV (the upper energy threshold was fixed to 650 keV). NEMA protocols were adapted to account for the intrinsic radioactivity of (176)Lu in the LSO crystals. RESULTS: Up to a radioactivity concentration of 8 kBq/ml the highest NEC-rates were obtained at an LET of 410 keV, between 8 and 20 kBq/ml at an LET of 420 keV and above 20 kBq/ml at an LET of 430 keV. The overall NEC maximum was 67 kcps at 430 keV (at 28 kBq/ml). The minimum scatter fraction was measured at a radioactivity concentration of approximately 0.5 kBq/ml. The scatter fraction decreased continuously from 45% at an energy threshold of 350 keV to 24% at 450 keV. The maximum sensitivity of 5.8 kcps/MBq, was obtained at an LET of 350 keV and the minimum sensitivity of 4.2 kcps/MBq at an LET of 450 keV. At the LET with the maximum NEC-rate (430 keV) the sensitivity was 4.8 kcps/MBq. CONCLUSION: The optimal count-rate performance of the LSO-based PET system was found at LETs between 410 keV and 430 keV depending on the actual radioactivity concentration placed in the scanner. A global maximum in NEC count rate was obtained at an LET of 430 keV.

Activity of intoplicine (RP60475), a new DNA topoisomerase I and II inhibitor, against human tumor colony-forming units in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Intoplicine (RP60475) is the most active analogue evaluated in the 7H-benzo[e]-pyrido-[4,3-b]-indole series of antineoplastic compounds. It exerts its activity through inhibition of DNA topoisomerase I and II. PURPOSE: This study was planned to determine plasma concentrations of intoplicine necessary for optimal clinical antitumor activity, as well as to pinpoint possible responsive tumor types that can be included in phase II clinical studies. METHODS: Tumor specimens were collected from patients as part of routine clinical measures. Single-cell suspensions were prepared from freshly obtained solid tumor biopsy specimens and were exposed to intoplicine either for 1 hour or continuously. The sensitivity of these specimens to intoplicine was evaluated in a human tumor soft-agar cloning assay. Response was considered positive when the colony-forming unit count in drug-treated samples was 50% or less than the response of control tumor samples treated with saline. RESULTS: With 1-hour exposure to intoplicine at final concentrations of 2.5 micrograms/mL and 10.0 micrograms/mL, 26% and 54% of the assessable specimens showed positive in vitro responses, respectively. With continuous exposure to intoplicine at concentrations of 0.25 micrograms/mL and 2.5 micrograms/mL, 16% and 71% of the assessable specimens showed positive responses, respectively. Activity was seen against breast (71%), non-small-cell lung (69%), and ovarian (45%) cancer colony-forming units at a intoplicine concentration of 10.0 micrograms/mL after 1-hour exposure. Incomplete cross-resistance with doxorubicin, cisplatin, fluorouracil, 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide, vinblastine, and etoposide was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Intoplicine appears to be active in vitro against a variety of human tumors, including a subgroup of tumors insensitive in vitro to standard antineoplastic compounds. If plasma levels of 10.0 micrograms/mL can be achieved in subjects in ongoing clinical trials, intoplicine could have significant clinical activity. IMPLICATIONS: These data indicate that further investigation of intoplicine is warranted.

A randomized phase I trial of chronic oral etoposide with or without granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in patients with advanced malignancies.

Data from an in vitro human tumor-cloning assay suggested synergistic cytotoxicity when etoposide (VP16) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were combined. To explore this potential, we undertook a prospectively randomized three-arm trial in a phase I setting with various schedules of VP16 and GM-CSF. Thirty-one patients were enrolled in the three-arm trial. Arm A consisted of oral VP16 daily for up to 21 days with cycles repeated every 35 days. Arm B included oral VP16 daily for up to 21 days plus concomitant GM-CSF at 5 micrograms/kg/day s.c. days 1-10. Arm C included oral VP16 daily for up to 21 days plus pretreatment with GM-CSF at the same dose for 5 days (days -6 to -2). VP16 was begun at 25 mg/m2/day on level 1 and increased to 50 mg/m2/day on level 2. Twenty-seven patients were evaluable for toxicity, nine on each arm (six patients on each arm on level 1, three patients on each arm on level 2). Neutropenia on arm B (concomitant VP16 and GM-CSF) was earlier and more profound than on arm A or C. The median absolute neutrophil count and day of nadir for arms A, B, and C were 3295, 988, and 1600/mm3 and days 23, 15, and 26, respectively. Thrombocytopenia was generally uncommon except on arm C level 2, where the median platelet count was 26,000/mm3. One partial response (arm B) in a patient with non-small cell lung cancer was seen. Dose intensity favored arm A. Neither concomitant therapy with VP16 and GM-CSF (arm B) nor pretreatment with GM-CSF (arm C) improved dose intensity over VP16 alone (arm A), and arms B and C were complicated by increased neutropenia and thrombocytopenia.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for osteosarcoma: a randomized prospective trial.

To determine the role of chemotherapy in the multidisciplinary treatment of patients with osteosarcoma, a randomized prospective trial of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was begun in 1981. Fifty-nine patients with nonmetastatic classic intramedullary osteosarcoma were randomized; 32 received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of high-dose methotrexate, Adriamycin (Adria Laboratories, Columbus, OH), and BCD (bleomycin, cytoxan, actinomycin D), and 27 patients received no adjuvant chemotherapy. At a median follow-up of 2 years, there was a statistically significant improvement in both disease-free and overall survival in those who received adjuvant chemotherapy. In addition, there was no difference in the less than 20% disease-free or overall survival of patients treated in the 1970s who did not receive chemotherapy, as compared with the concurrent nontreatment controls. Therefore, with identical staging procedures, uniform surgical management, and standard pathologic evaluation, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy definitely improves disease-free and overall survival in patients with osteosarcoma.

Treatment-induced pathologic necrosis: a predictor of local recurrence and survival in patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy for high-grade extremity soft tissue sarcomas.

PURPOSE: To determine whether treatment-induced pathologic necrosis correlates with local recurrence and overall survival in patients who receive neoadjuvant therapy for high-grade extremity soft tissue sarcomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four hundred ninety-six patients with intermediate- to high-grade extremity soft tissue sarcomas received protocol neoadjuvant therapy. All patients underwent surgical resection after neoadjuvant therapy and had pathologic assessment of tumor necrosis in the resected specimens. RESULTS: The 5- and 10-year local recurrence rates for patients with > or = 95% pathologic necrosis were significantly lower (6% and 11%, respectively) than the local recurrence rates for patients with less than 95% pathologic necrosis (17% and 23%, respectively). The 5- and 10-year survival rates for the patients with > or = 95% pathologic necrosis were significantly higher (80% and 71%, respectively) than the survival rates for the patients with less than 95% pathologic necrosis (62% and 55%, respectively). Patients with less than 95% pathologic necrosis were 2.51 times more likely to develop a local recurrence and 1.86 times more likely to die of their disease as compared with patients with > or = 95% pathologic necrosis. The percentage of patients who achieved > or /= 95% pathologic necrosis increased to 48% with the addition of ifosfamide as compared with 13% of the patients in all the other protocols combined. CONCLUSION: Treatment-induced pathologic necrosis is an independent predictor of both local recurrence and overall survival in patients who receive neoadjuvant therapy for high-grade extremity soft tissue sarcomas. A complete pathologic response (> or = 95% pathologic necrosis) correlated with a significantly lower rate of local recurrence and improved overall survival.

Phase I clinical trial of taxotere administered as either a 2-hour or 6-hour intravenous infusion.

PURPOSE: To determine the potential efficacy and dose-limiting toxicity of taxotere, a hemisynthetic inhibitor of tubulin depolymerization. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight patients were administered taxotere in this phase I clinical trial as a 6-hour or a 2-hour infusion repeated every 21 days. Forty patients received 181 courses on the 6-hour infusion schedule, and 18 patients received 105 courses on the 2-hour infusion schedule. RESULTS: Neutropenia was the dose-limiting toxicity on both schedules. The maximally tolerated dose was 100 mg/m2 on the 6-hour infusion schedule and 115 mg/m2 on the 2-hour infusion schedule. The most prominent nonhematologic toxicities included mucositis (more prominent on the 6-hour infusion schedule), transient rash (more common on the 2-hour infusion schedule), and alopecia. Hypersensitivity reactions were seen in five patients. There was no evidence of neurotoxicity or cardiotoxicity. One partial response was noted on the 6-hour infusion schedule (one in refractory breast cancer) and four additional partial responses were noted on the 2-hour infusion schedule (two in adenocarcinoma of the lung, one in refractory breast cancer, one in cholangio-carcinoma). In addition, 10 patients had minor responses. Pharmacokinetic studies showed plasma concentrations of taxotere declined in a triexponential manner, with a terminal half-life of 11.8 hours. CONCLUSION: The recommended starting dose for phase II taxotere trials is 100 mg/m2 administered as a 2-hour infusion, repeated every 21 days. Taxotere is a promising antineoplastic agent worthy of extensive phase II testing in patients with a variety of malignancies.

Pulmonary metastases of stage IIB extremity osteosarcoma and subsequent pulmonary metastases.

PURPOSE: This study investigated prognostic factors in nonmetastatic high-grade extremity osteosarcoma and the prognosis following resection of subsequent pulmonary metastases, with emphasis on the effect of chemotherapy-induced tumor necrosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 111 consecutive patients with high-grade nonmetastatic extremity osteosarcoma treated with preoperative chemotherapy and surgical resection, with additional review of 36 patients who had subsequent pulmonary metastases resected. RESULTS: The overall 5-year survival rate was 53%. In resected primary tumors, tumor-free resection margin (P < .001) and increasing chemotherapy-induced tumor necrosis (> 90% threshold, P < .003) correlated with increased metastasis-free survival. Relative risk factors for metastases were as follows: tumor-containing resection margin (most likely to metastasize); poor response to preoperative chemotherapy and/or lack of postoperative chemotherapy (next worse prognosis); and excellent response to preoperative chemotherapy (> or = 90% necrosis) combined with postoperative chemotherapy (best prognosis). The 5-year survival rate following pulmonary metastasis resection was 23%, whereas a 0% 4-year survival rate followed development of bony metastases (P < .001). The extent of tumor necrosis in resected pulmonary metastases did not affect prognosis. Survival was best in patients with three or fewer pulmonary nodules (P < .048), four or fewer recurrent pulmonary nodules (P < .047), unilateral pulmonary metastases (P < .037), or longer intervals between primary tumor resection and metastases (P < .082). CONCLUSION: Intensive preoperative and postoperative chemotherapy combined with complete resection of both primary and metastatic pulmonary osteosarcomas is justified, with a goal of 100% tumor necrosis and excision. Although current treatment regimens allow effective salvage therapy for a few patients with pulmonary metastases, more effective systemic treatment is needed.

Phase I and pharmacokinetic trial of weekly CPT-11.

PURPOSE: We conducted a phase I and pharmacokinetic trial of CPT-11 (irinotecan) to characterize the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), toxicities, pharmacokinetic profile, and antitumor effects in patients with refractory solid malignancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We treated 32 patients with CPT-11 administered as a 90-minute intravenous infusion every week for 4 consecutive weeks followed by a 2-week rest period. Dose levels ranged from 50 to 180 mg/m2/wk. We determined concentrations of the lactone (active) and total (lactone plus carboxylate) forms of CPT-11 and its metabolite, SN-38, in the plasma and urine of selected patients during and after drug infusion. RESULTS: Grade 4 diarrhea was the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) at the 180-mg/m2/wk dose level. Other toxicities attributed to CPT-11 included dehydration, nausea, vomiting, and asthenia. Hematologic toxicity was mild in most patients. The terminal plasma half-life for CPT-11 (total) was 7.9 +/- 2.8 hours, for CPT-11 (lactone) 6.3 +/- 2.2 hours, for SN-38 (total) 13.0 +/- 5.8 hours, and for SN-38 (lactone) 11.5 +/- 3.8 hours. We observed significant correlations between drug dose and peak plasma concentration (Cpmax) and between drug dose and area under the concentration curve (AUC) for CPT-11, but not for SN-38. CONCLUSION: The MTD for CPT-11 in this patient population was 150 mg/m2/wk when administered on a weekly-times-four schedule repeated every 6 weeks. At dose levels greater than 150 mg/m2/wk, diarrhea is dose-limiting.

Phase I and pharmacologic study of oral topotecan administered twice daily for 21 days to adult patients with solid tumors.

PURPOSE: Topotecan is a specific inhibitor of topoisomerase I. Recently bioavailability of an oral formulation of approximately 30% with limited variability was reported. We conducted a phase I and pharmacokinetic study of the oral formulation of topotecan to characterize the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), toxicities, pharmacokinetics, and antitumor effects in patients with refractory malignancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were treated with oral topotecan given twice daily for 21 days, with cycles repeated every 28 days. In subsequent cohorts, the dose was escalated from 0.15 to 0.6 mg/m2 twice daily. Pharmacokinetics were performed on day 1 and 8 of the first course using a validated high-performance liquid chromatographic assay and noncompartmental pharmacokinetic methods. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients entered the study; one patient was not assessable for toxicity and response as therapy was prematurely interrupted on request of the patient who had not experienced toxicity. Thirty patients received a total of 59 courses. The dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was reached at a dose of 0.6 mg/m2 twice daily and consisted of diarrhea, which started subacutely at a median onset on day 15 (range, 12 to 20) and resolved after a median of 8 days (range, 7 to 16). Other toxicities were mild, including leukocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, nausea, and vomiting. The MTD was 0.5 mg/m2 twice daily. No responses were observed. Pharmacokinetics showed a substantial variation of the area under the plasma concentration-time curve at time point "t" [AUC(t)] of topotecan and ring-opened product hydroxyacid. A significant correlation was observed between the percentage of decrease in WBC count versus the AUC(t) of topotecan (r = .75), which was modeled by a sigmoidal maximal effect concentration (Emax) function. CONCLUSION: The DLT in this phase I study for chronic oral topotecan for 21 days was diarrhea. The recommended dose for phase II studies is 0.5 mg/m2 twice daily.

Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of temozolomide on a daily-for-5-days schedule in patients with advanced solid malignancies.

PURPOSE: To determine the principal toxicities, characterize the pharmacokinetics (PKs) and pharmacodynamics (PDs) of temozolomide (TMZ) on a daily-for-5-days schedule, and recommend a dose for subsequent disease-directed studies in both minimally pretreated (MP) and heavily pretreated (HP) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients received TMZ as a single oral dose daily for 5 consecutive days every 28 days. TMZ doses were escalated from 100 to 150, and 150 to 200 mg/m(2)/d in separate cohorts of MP and HP patients. PK plasma was sampled on days 1 and 5. TMZ concentrations were analyzed and pertinent PK parameters were related to the principal toxicities of TMZ in PD analyses. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were treated with 85 courses of TMZ. Thrombocytopenia and neutropenia were the principal dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of TMZ on this schedule. The cumulative rate of severe myelosuppressive effects was unacceptably high at TMZ doses exceeding 150 mg/m(2)/d in both MP and HP patients. TMZ was absorbed rapidly with maximum concentrations achieved in 0.90 hours, on average, and elimination was rapid, with a half-life and systemic clearance rate (Cl(S/F)) averaging 1.8 hours and 115 mL/min/m(2), respectively. When clearance was normalized to body-surface area (BSA), interpatient variability in Cl(S/F) was reduced from 20% to 13% on day 1 and from 16% to 10% on day 5. Patients who experienced DLT had significantly higher maximum drug concentration( )(median 16 v 9.5 microg/mL, P =. 0084) and area under the concentration-time curve (median 36 v 23 microg-h/mL, P =.0019) values on day 5. CONCLUSION: Prior myelosuppressive therapy was not a determinant of toxicity. TMZ 150 mg/m(2)/d administered as a single oral dose daily for 5 days every 4 weeks is well tolerated by MP and HP patients, with higher doses resulting in unacceptably high rates of severe hematologic toxicity. TMZ doses should be individualized according to BSA rather than use of a prespecified oral dose for all individuals. TMZ is an optimal agent to develop in combination with other cytotoxic, biologic, and targeted therapeutics for patients with relevant malignancies.

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.

Initial phase I evaluation of the novel thymidylate synthase inhibitor, LY231514, using the modified continual reassessment method for dose escalation.

PURPOSE: To determine the toxicities, maximal-tolerated dose (MTD), pharmacokinetic profile, and potential antitumor activity of LY231514, a novel thymidylate synthase (TS) inhibitor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with advanced solid tumors were administered LY231514 intravenously over 10 minutes, weekly for 4 weeks, every 42 days. Dose escalation was based on the modified continual reassessment method (MCRM), with one patient treated at each minimally toxic dose level. Pharmacokinetic studies were performed in all patients. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were administered 58 courses of LY231514 at doses that ranged from 10 to 40 mg/m2/wk. Reversible neutropenia was the dose-limiting toxicity. Inability to maintain the weekly treatment schedule due to neutropenia limited dose escalation on this schedule. Nonhematologic toxicities observed included mild fatigue, anorexia, and nausea. At the 40-mg/m2/wk dose level, the mean harmonic half-life, maximum plasma concentration, clearance, and apparent volume of distribution at steady-state were 2.02 hours, 11.20 micrograms/mL, 52.3 mL/min/m2, and 6.64 L/m2, respectively. No major antitumor responses were observed; however, minor responses were achieved in two patients with advanced colorectal cancer. CONCLUSION: The dose-limiting toxicity, MTD, and recommended phase II dose of LY231514 when administered weekly for 4 weeks every 42 days are neutropenia, 40 mg/m2, and 30 mg/m2, respectively.

Phase II trial of docetaxel in patients with advanced cutaneous malignant melanoma previously untreated with chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: A phase II study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of docetaxel in patients with metastatic malignant melanoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 1992 and March 1994, 40 patients with metastatic malignant melanoma and no prior chemotherapy were treated with docetaxel 100 mg/m2 administered intravenously over 1 hour every 21 days. None of the patients had brain metastasis. Toxicity and follow-up data are provided. RESULTS: One patient had a histologically confirmed complete response that lasted for 14+ months. Four patients had partial responses, bringing the overall response rate to 12.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6% to 30%). A patient with a partial response had a single chest-wall metastasis and was rendered free of disease surgically after a maximal response to docetaxel and remained free of tumor recurrence after 18+ months. Tumor was stabilized in 22 patients. The overall median survival time was 13 months. The main hematologic toxicity was neutropenia, which was severe but transient. Peripheral neuropathy was the limiting nonhematologic toxicity in three patients. Other important toxicities included cutaneous toxicity, fluid retention, oral mucositis, and hypersensitivity reactions. Preadministration of dexamethasone and diphenhydramine reduced the incidence of hypersensitivity reactions, cutaneous toxicities, and fluid retention. CONCLUSION: Docetaxel has definite but low-level activity against malignant melanoma. Further investigation of this drug should be conducted in multidrug combination programs.

Phase I and pharmacologic study of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor SU101 in patients with advanced solid tumors.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical feasibility and pharmacologic behavior of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) tyrosine kinase inhibitor SU101, administered on a prolonged, intermittent dosing schedule to patients with advanced solid malignancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients were treated with SU101 doses ranging from 15 to 443 mg/m(2) as a 24-hour continuous intravenous (IV) infusion weekly for 4 weeks, repeated every 6 weeks. Pharmacokinetic studies were performed to characterize the disposition of SU101 and its major active metabolite, SU0020. Immunohistochemical staining of PDGF-alpha and -beta receptors was performed on malignant tumor specimens obtained at diagnosis. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were treated with 52 courses (187 infusions) of SU101. The most common toxicities were mild to moderate nausea, vomiting, and fever. Two patients experienced one episode each of grade 3 neutropenia at the 333 and 443 mg/m(2) dose levels. Dose escalation of SU101 above 443 mg/m(2)/wk was precluded by the total volume of infusate required, 2.5 to 3.0 L. Individual plasma SU101 and SU0020 concentrations were described by a one-compartment model that incorporates both first-order formation and elimination of SU0020. SU101 was rapidly converted to SU0020, which exhibited a long elimination half-life averaging 19 +/- 12 days. At the 443 mg/m(2)/wk dose level, trough plasma SU0020 concentrations during weeks 2 and 4 ranged from 54 to 522 micromol/L. Immunohistochemical studies revealed PDGF-alpha and -beta receptor staining in the majority (15 of 19) of malignant neoplasms. CONCLUSION: SU101 was well tolerated as a 24-hour continuous IV infusion at doses of up to 443 mg/m(2)/wk for 4 consecutive weeks every 6 weeks. Although further dose escalation was precluded by infusate volume constraints, this SU101 dose schedule resulted in the achievement and maintenance of substantial plasma concentrations of the major metabolite, SU0020, for the entire treatment period.

Phase II trial of irinotecan in patients with progressive or rapidly recurrent colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate irinotecan (CPT-11; Yakult Honsha, Tokyo, Japan) in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma that had recurred or progressed following fluorouracil (5-FU)-based therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were treated with irinotecan 125 to 150 mg/m2 intravenously (IV) every week for 4 weeks, followed by a 2-week rest. Forty-eight patients were entered onto the study and all were assessable for toxicity. Forty-three patients completed one full course of therapy and were assessable for response. RESULTS: One complete and nine partial responses were observed (response rate, 23%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10% to 36%). The median response duration was 6 months (range, 2 to 13). The median survival time was 10.4 months and the 1-year survival rate was 46% (95% CI, 39% to 53%). Grade 4 diarrhea occurred in four of the first nine patients (44%) treated on this study at the 150-mg/m2 dose level. The study was amended to reduce the starting dose of irinotecan to 125 mg/m2. At this dose, nine of 39 patients (23%) developed grade 4 diarrhea. Aggressive administration of loperamide also reduced the incidence of grade 4 diarrhea. Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in eight of 48 patients (17%), but was associated with bacteremia and sepsis in only case. CONCLUSION: Irinotecan has significant single-agent activity against colorectal cancer that has progressed during or shortly after treatment with 5-FU-based chemotherapy. The incidence of severe diarrhea is reduced by using a starting dose of irinotecan 125 mg/m2 and by initiating loperamide at the earliest signs of diarrhea. These results warrant further clinical evaluation to define the role of irinotecan in the treatment of individuals with colorectal cancer.

A Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of temozolomide and cisplatin in patients with advanced solid malignancies.

Temozolomide (TMZ) is an oral imidazotetrazinone that is spontaneously converted to 5-(3-methyltriazen-1-yl)imidazole-4-carboxamide (MTIC) at physiological pH. MTIC methylates DNA at the O6 position of guanine, although this lesion may be repaired by the enzyme O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGAT). In this study, TMZ was combined with cisplatin (CDDP), because both agents have single-agent activity against melanoma and other tumor types. Additionally, CDDP has been shown to inactivate AGAT, and subtherapeutic concentrations of CDDP have been shown to increase the sensitivity of leukemic blasts to TMZ. This Phase I study sought to determine the toxicities, recommended dose, and pharmacological profile of the TMZ/CDDP combination. Patients were treated with oral TMZ daily for 5 consecutive days together with CDDP on day 1 (4 h after TMZ) every 4 weeks at the following TMZ (mg/m2/day)/CDDP (mg/m2) dose levels: 100/75, 150/75, 200/75, and 200/100. Plasma samples were obtained on days 1 and 2 to evaluate the pharmacokinetic parameters of TMZ alone and in combination with CDDP. Fifteen patients received a total of 44 courses of TMZ/CDDP. The principal toxicities of the regimen consisted of neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, nausea, and vomiting, which were intolerable in two of six new patients treated at the 200/100 mg/m2 dose level. Of five patients receiving 17 courses at the next lower dose level (200/75 mg/m2), none experienced dose-limiting toxicity. Antitumor activity was observed in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, and leiomyosarcoma of the uterus. Pharmacokinetic studies of TMZ revealed the following pertinent parameters (mean +/- SD): time to maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) = 1.1+/-0.6 h (day 1) and 1.7+/-0.9 h (day 2); elimination half-life (t1/2) = 1.74+/-0.22 h (day 1) and 2.35+/-0.70 h (day 2); and clearance (Cl(s)/F) = 115+/-27 ml/min/m2 (day 1) and 141+/-109 ml/min/m2 (day 2). TMZ drug exposure, described by the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUCinfinity) and the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), was similar on days 1 and 2. On the basis of these results, the recommended doses for Phase II clinical trials are TMZ 200 mg/m2/day for 5 days with 75 mg/m2 CDDP on day 1, every 4 weeks. The addition of CDDP did not affect the tolerable dose of single-agent TMZ (200 mg/m2/day x 5 days), nor did it substantially alter the pharmacokinetic behavior of TMZ.