Regorafenib in patients with advanced Ewing sarcoma: results of a non-comparative, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre Phase II study.

BACKGROUND: The REGOBONE multi-cohort study explored the efficacy and safety of regorafenib for patients with advanced bone sarcomas; this report details the Ewing sarcoma (ES) cohort. METHODS: Patients with relapsed ES progressing despite prior standard therapy, were randomised (2:1) to receive regorafenib or placebo. Patients on placebo could crossover to receive regorafenib after centrally confirmed progression. The primary endpoint was the progression-free rate at 8 weeks. With one-sided α of 0.05, and 80% power, at least 14/24 progression-free patients at 8 weeks were needed for success. RESULTS: From September 2014 to November 2019, 41 patients were accrued. 36 patients were evaluable for efficacy: 23 on regorafenib and 13 on placebo. Thirteen patients (56%; one-sided 95% CI [37.5%-[)) were progression-free at 8 weeks on regorafenib vs. 1 (7.7%; 95% CI [0.4%-[) on placebo. Median PFS was 11.4 weeks on regorafenib, and 3.9 weeks on placebo. Ten placebo patients crossed over to receive regorafenib after progression. The most common grade ≥3 regorafenib-related adverse events were pain (22%), asthenia (17%), thrombocytopenia (13%) and diarrhoea (13%). CONCLUSION: Although the primary endpoint was not met statistically in this randomised cohort, there is evidence to suggest that regorafenib might modestly delay tumour progression in relapsed ES after failure of prior chemotherapy.

Does COVID-19 pandemic impact cancer outcomes in metastatic setting? A comparative cohort study among metastatic patients treated at day care hospital.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 outbreak rapidly spread since early 2020 leading to the implementation of nationwide lockdowns. To cope with this sudden change, management guidelines were quickly published to adapt oncological care, with potential impact on cancer outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective comparative cohort study to assess the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 on cancer outcomes in metastatic patients. Two cohorts of metastatic patients receiving intravenous (iv) therapy in a French oncological day care hospital were assessed: a 2020 cohort during the first French lockdown, and a 2018 historical cohort before the COVID-19 pandemic. We performed a propensity score analysis to match patients from the two cohorts. After one-year follow-up, we compared progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) between cohorts. Adaptations of medical oncological treatments in 2020 were also analysed. RESULTS: The 376 patients of the 2020 cohort were matched with 376 of the 2018 cohort. No SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed in the 2020 cohort. The adjusted PFS was significantly shorter in 2020 compared to 2018 (HR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.03-1.46), as well as among patients without treatment adaptation compared to matched patients of the 2018 cohort (HR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.10-1.61). We did not observe any significant difference of PFS among the group with treatment adaptations. OS was not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Metastatic cancer patients treated during the first lockdown had a higher risk of disease progression 1 year after COVID-19 outbreak. However, oncological treatment adaptations or SARS-CoV-2 infections do not explain these results. A longer follow-up is needed to observe the impact on OS.

Impact of adjuvant trastuzumab treatment on fatigue, emotional status and quality of personal and work life of patients with localised breast cancer: results of the 'HER-ception' study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of adjuvant trastuzumab on fatigue, emotional status, and quality of personal and work life of patients treated for localised breast cancer. METHODS: In a prospective setting, we recruited age-matched localised breast cancer patients, treated by adjuvant chemotherapy with (group 1) or without IV trastuzumab (group 2), between September 2011 and May 2014. Patients completed questionnaires on quality of life (FACT-G, FACT-B), fatigue (FACIT-F, ICQ), anxiety-depression (HADS), and work life (dedicated self-questionnaire) at inclusion then at 3, 6, 9, and 15 months. RESULTS: We included 35 patients in each group. No significant difference was found between the two groups concerning return to work, fatigue, and quality of life scores at each phase of the study. In total, 39 patients (72.2%) reported having returned to work at T15, with no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.53). Significantly higher scores for'helplessness' outcomes were observed in group 1, 9, and 15 months (6.138 and 5.731; p = 0.047 and 0.048, respectively). Patients in group 1 reported higher score of anxiety-depression than group 2 at 3 months (p = 0.027) then no significant difference was observed at the other times of the study. CONCLUSION: Trastuzumab does not appear to affect fatigue and return to work in patients with localised breast cancer. The emotional well-being could be affected in patients treated by trastuzumab, with a more pronounced 'helplessness' feeling which could be more related to the additional follow-up imposed by the prescription of trastuzumab.

Supervised Physical Activity Quickly Improves Social Dimension of Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients.

PURPOSE: The objectives of the present study was to evaluate the implementation of the program in real life and the evolution of the quality of life (QoL) in breast cancer patients after 3 months of supervised PA in real life and to determine the factors associated with changes in various QoL dimensions. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was carried out in female patients with breast cancer diagnosed within a maximum of 3 yr. QoL and physical exertion intensity during the supervised physical activity (PA) sessions were assessed by the Quality of Life Questionnaire for Cancer and Borg scale, respectively. Statistical analyses comparing QoL scores between the start and the end of supervised PA program were assessed using paired Student's t -tests. Multivariate analysis was performed by linear regression with only variables with a P value <0.15 in univariate model. RESULTS: A total of 93 patients were included in the analyses. There was a significant improvement of social functioning at T3 (∆ = 11.5; P < 0.001). The improvement of social functioning was significantly and independently associated with the Borg improvement ( ß = 2.66 ± 1.31, P = 0.046), chemotherapy ( ß = 11.03 ± 5.45, P = 0.046), hormone therapy ( ß = -13.91 ± 5.51, P = 0.013), social isolation ( ß = -14.81 ± 6.55, P = 0.026), and comorbidities ( ß = -15.32 ± 5.59, P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: We observed a real enthusiasm and need among patients for practicing PA supervised by a sport trainer near their home. The increase in the intensity of exercise over time contributes to the improvement of the QoL, especially on the social functioning. These results, consistent with previous literature, reinforce the importance of exercise intensity on many dimensions of QoL. In addition, patients expressed great satisfaction with the supervised program, resulting in a strong desire to maintain long-term PA.

Treatment of 120 adult osteosarcoma patients with metachronous and synchronous metastases: A retrospective series of the French Sarcoma Group.

Treatment options for metastatic osteosarcomas are scarce. Following failure of standard first line therapy, patients who relapse present a challenging treatment dilemma, and have a poor prognosis. Surgical removal of all metastases is essential. A retrospective analysis of patients with metastatic osteosarcomas was conducted in 15 French Sarcoma Group centers. From January 2009 to December 2018, we identified 120 adult patients; 36 with synchronous and 84 with metachronous metastases with 74 males and 46 females. Mean age was 30 years (18-53). Metastatic sites were lung, bone and other in 91, 11 and 24 patients, respectively. Mean time to first metachronous metastases was 22 months (4-97). All patients except 13 (10.8%) with metachronous metastases received a first line systemic treatment for relapse, and 39 patients (32.5%) were included in a clinical trial. Eighty-one patients (67.5%) had local treatment of distant metastases. Median progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 5.5 (95% CI 4.6-6.4) and 20.5 months (95% CI 13.2-27.7) respectively for the overall group. In multivariate analysis, more than five metastases, time to first metastases <24 months, were statistically significant negative prognostic factors for OS and PFS (P = .002, ≤.001 and P = .006, ≤.001, respectively). Surgery of metastases was associated with better prognosis on OS and PFS (P = .001 and .037, respectively). The presence of bone metastases was a negative prognostic factor on OS but not on PFS (P = .021). In reference sarcoma centers, relapsed osteosarcoma patients with more than one metastasis commonly receive more than one line of systemic therapy, and are included in clinical trial if available.

Efficacy and safety of regorafenib in patients with metastatic or locally advanced chondrosarcoma: Results of a non-comparative, randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled, multicentre phase II study.

BACKGROUND: This multi-cohort trial explored the efficacy and safety of regorafenib for patients with advanced sarcomas of bone origin; this report details the cohort of patients with metastatic or locally advanced chondrosarcoma (CS), progressing after prior chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with CS, progressing despite prior standard therapy, were randomised (2:1) to receive regorafenib or placebo. Patients on placebo could crossover to receive regorafenib after centrally confirmed progressive disease. The primary endpoint was progression-free rate (PFR) at 12 weeks. With one-sided α of 0.05, and 80% power, at least 16/24 progression-free patients at 12 weeks were needed for success (P0 = 50%, P1 = 75%). RESULTS: From September 2014 to February 2019, 46 patients were included in the CS cohort, and 40 patients were evaluable for efficacy: 16 on placebo and 24 on regorafenib. Thirteen patients (54.2%; 95% CI [35.8%-[) were non-progressive at 12 weeks on regorafenib versus 5 (31.3%; 95% CI [13.2%-[);) on placebo. Median PFS was 19.9 weeks on regorafenib, and 8.0 on placebo. Fourteen placebo patients crossed over to regorafenib after progression. The most common grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events on regorafenib included hypertension (12%), asthenia (8%), thrombocytopenia (8%) and diarrhoea (8%). One episode of fatal liver dysfunction occurred on regorafenib. CONCLUSION: Although the primary endpoint was not met statistically in this small randomised cohort, there is modest evidence to suggest that regorafenib might slow disease progression in patients with metastatic CS after the failure of prior chemotherapy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02389244).

Cognitive rehabilitation program to improve cognition of cancer patients treated with chemotherapy: A 3-arm randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: There is no treatment for cancer-related cognitive impairment, an important adverse effect that negatively impacts quality of life (QOL). We conducted a 3-arm randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation (CR) on cognition, QOL, anxiety, and depression among cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. METHODS: Patients who reported cognitive complaints during or after completing chemotherapy were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 12-week CR programs: computer-assisted CR with a neuropsychologist (experimental group A), home cognitive self-exercises (active control group B), or phone follow-up (active control group C). Subjective cognition was assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog), objective cognition was assessed by neuropsychological tests, QOL was assessed by the FACT-General, and depression and anxiety were assessed by psychological tests. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with a 7-point improvement in the FACT-Cog perceived cognitive impairment (PCI) score. RESULTS: Among the 167 enrolled patients (median age, 51 years), group A had the highest proportion of patients with a 7-point PCI improvement (75%), followed by groups B (59%) and C (57%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P = .13). Compared with groups B and C, the mean difference in PCI score was significantly higher in group A (P = .02), with better perceived cognitive abilities (P < .01) and a significant improvement in working memory (P = .03). Group A reported higher QOL related to cognition (FACT-Cog QOL) (P = .01) and improvement in depression symptoms (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a benefit of a computer-based CR program in the management of cancer-related cognitive impairment and complaints.

A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized phase II trial assessing the activity and safety of regorafenib in non-adipocytic sarcoma patients previously treated with both chemotherapy and pazopanib.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) management remains an unmet medical need. We assessed the activity and safety of regorafenib in patients with metastatic non-adipocytic STS who were previously treated with both chemotherapy and pazopanib. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter comparative randomized phase II trial included patients with histologically proven advanced and inoperable STS. Patients receiving placebo were offered optional cross-over for centrally confirmed disease progression. Primary end-point was centrally reviewed Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours-based progression-free survival (PFS), analysed on the intent-to-treat data set. In total, 24 events were required for 90% power, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.33 (median PFS, 3.6 versus 1.2 months), and 1-sided α = 0.1 (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01900743). RESULTS: From December 2015 to October 2017, 37 patients were randomized; 18 to regorafenib and 19 to placebo. Thirteen patients assigned to placebo switched to regorafenib after progression. Median follow-up was 27.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 24.4-not reached). We observed a significant PFS benefit of regorafenib compared with placebo (adjusted HR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.15-0.74; p = 0.0007 median PFS = 2.1 versus 1.1 months, respectively), and a large and nearly significant overall survival (OS) benefit despite the cross-over (adjusted HR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.23-1.06; p = 0.007; median OS = 17.8 versus 8.2 months). Before cross-over, the most common grade III or higher adverse events were lymphopenia (5 versus 1, respectively), diarrhoea (4 versus 0), dyspnoea (3 versus 1), skin toxicity (3 versus 0), arterial hypertension (2 versus 0), and increased transaminases (2 versus 0). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated a meaningful clinical anti-tumour activity with regorafenib in heavily pre-treated patients with non-adipocytic STS.

Methotrexate-Etoposide-Ifosfamide Compared with Doxorubicin-Cisplatin-Ifosfamide Chemotherapy in Osteosarcoma Treatment, Patients Aged 18-25 Years.

Purpose: The French standard chemotherapy for osteosarcoma combines high-dose methotrexate (HDM) and etoposide-ifosfamide (EI) in children and adolescents, and API-AI (doxorubicin-cisplatin-ifosfamide) in adults. We herein present the results of M-EI and API-AI in 18- to 25-year-old patients. Methods: Patients, 18-25 years old, received either M-EI or API-AI regimens. M-EI comprised seven M and two EI doses preoperatively then M-EI in standard-risk patients (good histological response without metastasis) and five M-AP (methotrexate-doxorubicin-cisplatin) in high-risk patients (poor histological response, metastasis, and/or unresectable primary), postoperatively. API-AI comprised three API and two AI doses preoperatively, then two AI and two PI in standard-risk patients and five EI in high-risk patients, postoperatively. Results: We analyzed 95 patients 18-25 years of age: 55 received M-EI and 40 API-AI. The groups had similar baseline characteristics. Eighty-nine patients (94%) had surgery. Twenty-nine of 55 M-EI patients (60%) and 16/40 API-AI patients (41%) had good histological responses to preoperative chemotherapy. At 5 years, event-free survival was 50% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 39-60) and overall survival was 65% (95% CI: 54-74). Acute toxicity was similar, without treatment-related deaths. Conclusions: Survival outcomes with M-EI and API-AI were not significantly different. Tolerance was acceptable with both regimens. HDM is thus feasible for young adults. However, our study limitations preclude any definitive conclusions.

Optimisation of chemotherapy prescription and preparation in an ambulatory unit: Validation of the OPTIMA program.

OBJECTIVE: We implemented the two-step OPTIMA program to anticipate chemotherapy prescription which aims to assess the discrepancy rate between anticipated and real prescription and its impact on waiting time and quality of care. METHODS: This prospective study included cancer patients receiving any intravenous chemotherapy. The OPTIMA program consists in a nurse phone call and a blood sample two days before the planned treatment. Collected information and biological results were used by a physician to issue a non-effective (step 1) or effective (step 2) anticipated prescription the day before the consultation. The real prescription was given as usual by another physician on the day of the consultation. Waiting time was collected, and patients' satisfaction with care was assessed with the OUT-PATSAT35 questionnaire. RESULTS: Respectively, 540 and 979 consultations (283 and 294 patients) were analysed in both steps. The discrepancy rate was 8.7% (step 1). In routine practice, the OPTIMA program (step 2) reduced patients' waiting time (median time 55 vs. 95 min, p < 0.001). A high general care satisfaction score was observed in both steps (80.7% and 80.2%). CONCLUSIONS: This anticipation program demonstrated the accuracy of chemotherapy prescription, whatever the regimen and cancer site, and its impact on waiting time optimisation.

Efficacy and safety of regorafenib in adult patients with metastatic osteosarcoma: a non-comparative, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 study.

BACKGROUND: Regorafenib has proven activity in patients with pretreated gastrointestinal stromal tumours and colorectal and hepatocellular carcinoma. We designed REGOBONE to assess the efficacy and safety of regorafenib for patients with progressive metastatic osteosarcoma and other bone sarcomas. This trial comprised four parallel independent cohorts: osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and chordoma. In this Article, we report the results of the osteosarcoma cohort. METHODS: In this non-comparative, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial, patients aged 10 years or older with histologically confirmed osteosarcoma whose disease had progressed after treatment with one to two previous lines of chemotherapy for metastatic disease and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1 were enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive either oral regorafenib (160 mg/day, for 21 of 28 days) or matching placebo. Patients in both groups also received best supportive care. Randomisation was done using a web-based system and was stratified (permuted block) by age at inclusion (<18 vs ≥18 years old). Investigators and patients were masked to treatment allocation. Patients in the placebo group, after centrally confirmed progressive disease, could cross over to receive regorafenib. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients without disease progression at 8 weeks. Analyses were done by modified intention to treat (ie, patients without any major entry criteria violation who initiated masked study drug treatment were included). All participants who received at least one dose of study drug were included in the safety analyses. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02389244, and the results presented here are the final analysis of the osteosarcoma cohort (others cohorts are ongoing). FINDINGS: Between Oct 10, 2014, and April 4, 2017, 43 adult patients were enrolled from 13 French comprehensive cancer centres. All patients received at least one dose of assigned treatment and were evaluable for safety; five patients were excluded for major protocol violations (two in the placebo group and three in the regorafenib group), leaving 38 patients who were evaluable for efficacy (12 in the placebo group and 26 in the regorafenib group). 17 of 26 patients (65%; one-sided 95% CI 47%) in the regorafenib group were non-progressive at 8 weeks compared with no patients in the placebo group. Ten patients in the placebo group crossed over to receive open-label regorafenib after centrally confirmed disease progression. 13 treatment-related serious adverse events occurred in seven (24%) of 29 patients in the regorafenib group versus none of 14 patients in the placebo group. The most common grade 3 or worse treatment-related adverse events during the double-blind period of treatment included hypertension (in seven [24%] of 29 patients in the regorafenib group vs none in the placebo group), hand-foot skin reaction (three [10%] vs none), fatigue (three [10%] vs one [3%]), hypophosphataemia (three [10%] vs none), and chest pain (three [10%] vs none). No treatment-related deaths occurred. INTERPRETATION: Regorafenib demonstrated clinically meaningful antitumour activity in adult patients with recurrent, progressive, metastatic osteosarcoma after failure of conventional chemotherapy, with a positive effect on delaying disease progression. Regorafenib should be further evaluated in the setting of advanced disease as well as potentially earlier in the disease course for patients at high risk of relapse. Regorafenib might have an important therapeutic role as an agent complementary to standard cytotoxic chemotherapy in the therapeutic armamentarium against osteosarcoma. FUNDING: Bayer HealthCare.

Localized Myxofibrosarcomas: Roles of Surgical Margins and Adjuvant Radiation Therapy.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to describe the outcome and prognostic factors for adults treated for localized myxofibrosarcoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We conducted a retrospective multicenter study of 425 nonmetastatic patients who underwent surgery between January 1996 and December 2015 in French National Group and were enrolled in the Conticabase. Pathologic diagnosis was systematically reviewed by expert pathologists. The endpoints were relapse-free and metastasis-free survival. Log-rank tests and Cox models have been used to identified prognostic factors. RESULTS: Median age was 66 years; 53% were males; 85% of cases occurred in limbs or superficial trunk; median size was 60 mm; 47% and 39% were grades 2 and 3, respectively; 66% had R0 resection and 34% R1 resection. Adjuvant radiation therapy was given to 65% of patients, neoadjuvant radiation therapy to 3%, neoadjuvant chemotherapy to 7%, and adjuvant chemotherapy to 13%. The median follow-up was 51 months. The 5-year local relapse-free survival was 67%; independent prognostic factors for local relapse were R1 resection (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.26; P = .001) and adjuvant radiation therapy (HR = 0.35; P = .0001) (ie, R1 resection and no adjuvant radiation therapy increase the hazard ratio). In stratified analysis, adjuvant radiation therapy was beneficial after R0 resection (P = .0020) and after R1 resection (P = .0001). The 5-year overall survival was 80%. The 5-year metastasis-free survival was 83%. Independent prognostic factors for metastatic relapse were grade 3 disease (HR = 1.975; P = .0001) and tumor size (HR = 1.006; P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: This large series of myxofibrosarcoma confirms the high rate of local relapse. Combination of R0 resection and adjuvant radiation therapy provided the best local control. In parallel with an increasing rate of R0 resection and adjuvant radiation therapy, we observed a constant improvement in both metastatic and local relapse-free survival during the study.

Outcome of 449 adult patients with rhabdomyosarcoma: an observational ambispective nationwide study.

Five-year overall survival (OS) of localized RMS exceeds 70% in children (<18) but is very poor in adult patients. We analyzed the outcome and prognostic factors (PF) of a national series of adult patients with RMS in a large study. The study population consisted of two different cohorts: a retrospective cohort (157 adult patients treated in 13 reference centers between 05/1981 and 02/2010) and the prospective cohort (292 patients with RMS diagnosed and treated between 01/2010 and 12/2014 in France) included in the NetSarc database. A descriptive analysis of patients' characteristics and prognostic factors was conducted on both series which were compared. In the retrospective series, histological subtypes were embryonal (E-RMS) for 21% of patients, alveolar (A-RMS) for 35% of patients, and "adult-type" P-RMS (pleomorphic, spindle cell RMS, not otherwise specified) (P) for 44% patients. This distribution significantly differed in the prospective cohort: A-RMS: 18%; E-RMS: 17%; and P-RMS 65%. With a median follow-up of 8.5 years, 5-year OS for localized RMS and advanced RMS (with nodes and/or metastases) was 43% and 5%, respectively, (P < 0.0001), and median OS was 51, 33, and 16 months for E-RMS, A-RMS, and P-RMS, respectively, in the retrospective cohort. The median OS was less than 40 months for the prospective nationwide cohort for the entire population. In a multivariate analysis of the retrospective study, independent prognostic factors for OS were A-RMS, R0 resection, and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). For localized RMS, age and use of pediatric chemotherapy (CT) regimen are independent prognostic factors. Adult patients with RMS have a poorer overall survival than pediatric patients, and survival varies considerably across histological subtypes.

Safety and efficacy of regorafenib in patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma (REGOSARC): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial.

BACKGROUND: Regorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor with proven activity in refractory gastrointestinal stromal tumours and chemotherapy-refractory advanced colorectal cancers. We assessed this agent's efficacy and safety in patients with metastatic soft tissue sarcomas previously treated with anthracycline. METHODS: In this randomised, double-blind, phase 2 trial undertaken in France and Austria, we enrolled patients aged 18 years and older with advanced soft tissue sarcomas who had received previous doxorubicin or other anthracycline treatment. These patients were randomly assigned (1:1) into one of the following four cohorts: liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, and other sarcomas. Participants were treated with oral regorafenib (160 mg per day 3 weeks on and 1 week off) or matched placebo. Patients receiving placebo were offered optional crossover in case of centrally confirmed disease progression. The random allocation schedule was computer-generated with permuted blocks of four patients, with two stratification factors: country (France or Austria) and previous exposure to pazopanib (yes or no). Eligibility criteria included patients with histologically proven advanced and inoperable soft tissue sarcomas with intolerance or failure to doxorubicin or other anthracycline-based chemotherapy and at least one unidimensionally or bidimensionally measurable lesion according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST; version 1.1). The primary endpoint was RECIST-based progression-free survival after central radiological review in the intention-to-treat population. Patients, physicians, and radiologists of the panel were masked to treatment allocation. This study is still open for recruitment for an additional stratum (patients previously treated with pazopanib) and registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01900743. FINDINGS: From Aug 5, 2013, to Nov 26, 2014, 182 patients were randomly assigned to one of four cohorts and included in the final analysis. At the cutoff date (Jan 7, 2016), the number of required events was reached for the four cohorts. In the liposarcoma cohort, progression-free survival was 1·1 months (95% CI 0·9-2·3) with regorafenib versus 1·7 months (0·9-1·8) with placebo (HR 0·89 [95% CI 0·48-1·64] p=0·70). In the leiomyosarcoma cohort, progression-free survival was 3·7 months (95% CI 2·5-5·0) with regorafenib versus 1·8 (1·0-2·8) months with placebo (HR 0·46 [95% CI 0·46-0·80] p=0·0045). In the synovial sarcoma cohort, progression-free survival was 5·6 months (95% CI 1·4-11·6) with regorafenib versus 1·0 (0·8-1·4) with placebo (HR 0·10 [95% CI 0·03-0·35] p<0·0001). In the other sarcoma cohort, progression-free survival was 2·9 months (95% CI 1·0-7·8) with regorafenib versus 1·0 (0·9-1·9) with placebo (HR 0·46 [95% CI 0·25-0·81] p=0·0061). Before crossover, the most common clinically significant grade 3 or higher adverse events were arterial hypertension (17 [19%] events in the 89 patients in the regorafenib group vs two [2%] events in the 92 patients in the placebo group), hand and foot skin reaction (14 [15%] vs no events) and asthenia (12 [13%] vs six [6%]). One treatment-related death occurred in the regorafenib group due to liver failure. INTERPRETATION: Regorafenib has an important clinical antitumour effect in non-adipocytic soft tissue sarcomas, improving progression-free survival. Regorafenib should be further evaluated in this setting, and its therapeutic role has to be defined in the context of the growing therapeutic armamentarium, already including one approved multikinase inhibitor, pazopanib. FUNDING: Bayer HealthCare.

How to improve the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting? The French NAVI study.

PURPOSE: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) still remain frequent. The procedure for announcing the diagnosis (PAD) was an emblematic measure of the first French Plan Cancer aiming at providing patients with time to listen, information after cancer diagnosis, and discussion on treatments and their side effects. We aimed at assessing the risk factors of CINV, focusing on patients' satisfaction with the PAD. METHODS: This prospective multicentre study assessed the frequency and intensity of CINV among chemonaïve patients during the first cycle of treatment. CINV was defined by ≥1 emetic episode or reported nausea intensity ≥3 on a 0-10 scale. Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors related to global CINV onset including satisfaction with the PAD (satisfaction score ≥the median on a 0-10 scale). RESULTS: Data from 291 patients (women, 85.2%; mean age, 57 years) were analyzed. Most patients (69.4%) received highly emetogenic chemotherapy regimens and 77.7% received antiemetic drugs consistent with international guidelines. Acute, delayed and overall CINV were experienced by 40.4, 34.8 and 52.4% of patients, respectively. Sixty-seven per cent of patients were satisfied with the PAD. No relation was noted between PAD satisfaction and CINV onset. The nausea and vomiting dimension of the QLQ-C30 questionnaire before chemotherapy (OR 3.62), motion sickness history (OR 2.73), highly emetogenic CT (OR 2.73), anxiety (OR 1.99) and younger age (OR 1.96) were independent predictive factors. CONCLUSIONS: Although patients were mostly satisfied with the PAD, half of them experienced CINV. A state of anxiety could be identified during the PAD to be managed.

Paclitaxel Given Once Per Week With or Without Bevacizumab in Patients With Advanced Angiosarcoma: A Randomized Phase II Trial.

PURPOSE: The aim of this randomized, phase II trial was to explore the activity and safety of adding bevacizumab to paclitaxel once per week in treatment of angiosarcomas (AS). METHODS: Patients were treated with paclitaxel alone (90 mg/m(2) per week for six cycles of 28 days each; arm A) or with paclitaxel combined with bevacizumab (10 mg/kg once every 2 weeks; arm B). In the combination treatment arm, bevacizumab was administered after the six cycles of chemotherapy as maintenance therapy (15 mg/kg once every 3 weeks) until intolerance or progression occurred. Stratification factors were superficial versus visceral AS and de novo versus radiation-induced AS. The primary end point was the 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate, which was based on RECIST, version 1.1. Statistical assumptions were P0 = 20%, P1 = 40%, a = 10%, and b = 20%. P0 was the PFS rate at 6 months defining inactive drug, and P1 was the PFS rate at 6 months defining promising drug. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients were enrolled, and 50 were randomly assigned in 14 centers. The most common primary sites were the breast (49%) and skin (12%). There were 17 (34%) visceral and 24 (49%) radiation-induced AS. The performance status was 0 in 24 patients (49%) and 1 in the remaining 25 patients (51%). The median follow-up time was 14.5 months. Both treatment regimens were considered active, with 6-month PFS rates of 54% (14 of 26) in arm A and 57% (14 of 24) in arm B. The median overall survival rates were 19.5 months in arm A and 15.9 months in arm B. Toxicity was higher with the combination arm and included one fatal drug-related toxicity (intestinal occlusion). CONCLUSION: The primary objective was met in both treatment arms. However, the present data do not support additional clinical investigation of combined paclitaxel/bevacizumab for the treatment of advanced AS.

Trabectedin in combination with doxorubicin for first-line treatment of advanced uterine or soft-tissue leiomyosarcoma (LMS-02): a non-randomised, multicentre, phase 2 trial.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic leiomyosarcomas of uterine or soft-tissue origin have poor prognosis and moderate chemosensitivity. Trabectedin has shown activity in pretreated leiomyosarcoma. We did a single-group, multicentre, phase 2 trial (LMS-02) to assess the effect of first-line doxorubicin and trabectedin combination on disease control and survival. METHODS: Adults (18 years to physiological age ≤70 years) with measurable metastatic or unresectable uterine leiomyosarcoma or soft-tissue leiomyosarcoma who had not received any previous chemotherapy were enrolled at 19 centres in France. Treatment consisted of 60 mg/m(2) intravenous doxorubicin followed by 1·1 mg/m(2) trabectedin in a 3 h intravenous infusion on day 1, both by the central venous route, and 6 mg subcutaneous pegfilgrastim on day 2, repeated every 3 weeks for up to six cycles. Surgery for residual disease was permitted. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving disease control, defined as complete or partial response or stable disease. Stratification was done by anatomical site and analyses were per protocol. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02131480. FINDINGS: Between July 28, 2010, and May 10, 2013, 109 patients were enrolled and treated, of whom 108 were assessable for response: 47 in the uterine leiomyosarcoma group and 61 in the soft-tissue leiomyosarcoma group. 32 (68%) patients in the uterine leiomyosarcoma group and 45 (74%) in the soft-tissue leiomyosarcoma group received all six cycles of treatment. Of 47 patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma, 28 (59·6%, 95% CI 44·3-73·6) achieved a partial response and 13 (27·7%, 15·6-42·6) stable disease; 41 (87·2%, 74·3-95·2) patients achieved disease control. Of 61 patients with soft-tissue leiomyosarcoma, two (3·3%, 95% CI 0·4-11·7) achieved a complete response, 22 (36·1%, 25·0-50·8) had a partial response, and 32 (52·5%, 40·8-67·3) had stable disease; 56 (91·8%, 81·9-97·3) of patients achieved disease control. The most common grade 3-4 treatment-associated adverse events were neutropenia (84 [78%] of 108 patients), increased alanine aminotransferase concentration (42 [39%]), thrombocytopenia (40 [37%]), anaemia (29 [27%]), febrile neutropenia (26 [24%]), and fatigue (21 [19%]). INTERPRETATION: Despite expected but manageable toxic effects, these results support the activity of doxorubicin plus trabectedin as first-line treatment for uterine leiomyosarcoma and soft-tissue leiomyosarcoma. This combination should be developed further in a phase 3 trial against the present standard of care. FUNDING: Pharmamar and Amgen.

Trabectedin in patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma: a retrospective national analysis of the French Sarcoma Group.

AIM: The French Sarcoma Group performed this retrospective analysis of the 'RetrospectYon' database with data of patients with recurrent advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS) treated with trabectedin 1.5 mg/m(2) as a 24-h infusion every three weeks. METHODS: Patients who achieved non-progressive disease after six initial cycles could receive long-term trabectedin treatment until disease progression. RESULTS: Overall, 885 patients from 25 French centres were included. Patients received a median of four trabectedin cycles (range: 1-28). The objective response rate was 17% (six complete/127 partial responses) and 50% (n = 403) of patients had stable disease for a disease control rate of 67%. After a median follow-up of 22.0 months, median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 4.4 and 12.2 months, respectively. After six cycles, 227/304 patients with non-progressive disease received trabectedin until disease progression and obtained a significantly superior median PFS (11.7 versus 7.6 months, P<0.003) and OS (24.9 versus 16.9 months, P < 0.001) compared with those who stopped trabectedin treatment. Deaths and unscheduled hospitalisation attributed to drug-related events occurred in 0.5% and 9.4% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this real-life study demonstrate that treatment with trabectedin of patients with STS yielded comparable or improved efficacy outcomes versus those observed in clinical trials. A long-term treatment with trabectedin given until disease progression is associated with significantly improved PFS and OS.

Interruption versus continuation of trabectedin in patients with soft-tissue sarcoma (T-DIS): a randomised phase 2 trial.

BACKGROUND: The benefit or harm of trabectedin discontinuation in patients with non-progressive soft-tissue sarcoma remains unclear. We report the final analysis of a phase 2 trial investigating the clinical benefit of continuation of trabectedin treatment until progression versus interruption of therapy after six treatment cycles in patients with advanced soft-tissue sarcoma. METHODS: For this open-label, non-comparative, multicentre, phase 2 study, eligible adult patients with advanced soft-tissue sarcomas, who had previously received doxorubicin-based chemotherapy and were able to receive trabectedin, were enrolled from 14 centres of the French Sarcoma Group. Trabectedin was administered at a dose of 1·5 mg/m(2) through a central venous line as a 24-h continuous infusion every 3 weeks. After the initial six cycles of trabectedin, patients who were free from progressive disease were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio either to continuous treatment or therapy interruption. Randomisation was done centrally by a computer-generated system using permuted blocks of four patients, stratified by tumour grade and performance status. Patients allocated to the interruption group were allowed to restart trabectedin in case of progressive disease. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival at 6 months after randomisation, analysed by intention to treat. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01303094. RESULTS: In 178 evaluable patients, 91 (51%) patients had not progressed after six cycles. Of these patients, 53 patients were randomly assigned to the two treatment groups: 27 to the continuation group and 26 to the interruption group. Overall, patients in the two groups received a similar median number of trabectedin cycles (continuation group: 11 cycles [range 6-31+] vs interruption group: 11 [range 6-23+]). After randomisation, progression-free survival at 6 months was 51·9% (95% CI 31·9-68·6) in the continuation group versus 23·1% (9·4-40·3) in the interruption group (p=0·0200). The occurrence of treatment-related grade 3 adverse events (four [16%] of 25 patients in the continuation group vs three [14%] of 21 in the interruption group) and grade 4 adverse events (one [4%] vs none) was similar in both groups. The most common grade 3 and 4 toxicities were alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase increases (one [4%] in the interruption group vs three [14%] in the continuation group), neutropenia (two [8%] vs two [10%]), and intestinal occlusion (one [4%] vs one [5%]). INTERPRETATION: We do not recommend trabectedin discontinuation in patients with advanced, doxorubicin-refractory soft-tissue sarcoma who have not progressed after six cycles of treatment. FUNDING: The French National Cancer Institute (INCa) and PharmaMar SA.

Prognostic factors and impact of adjuvant treatments on local and metastatic relapse of soft-tissue sarcoma patients in the competing risks setting.

BACKGROUND: In the medical literature many analyses of outcomes of sarcoma patients were performed without regard to the problem of "competing risks." METHODS: We analyzed local relapse-free and metastasis-free survival in a population of 3255 adult patients with a primary soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) included in the French Sarcoma Group database. Cumulative incidence of local and metastatic relapse was estimated by accounting for death as a competing event. RESULTS: On multivariate analysis, age, tumor site, histological subtype, and grade were independent adverse prognostic factors for local relapse, whereas tumor depth and size had no influence. Histological subtype, tumor depth, tumor size, and grade were independent adverse prognostic factors for metastatic relapse. Despite a higher incidence of competing deaths in patients managed with adjuvant radiotherapy than in patients not receiving radiotherapy, adjuvant radiotherapy was associated with a significant benefit in terms of local relapse-free survival. Despite a similar cumulative incidence of competing deaths in patients with grade 2 and grade 3 disease, we found that the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy was present only in patients with grade 3 and not in patients with grade 2 disease. CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of competing risks, tumor biology reflected by histological grade is a crucial predictor of local relapse, whereas tumor depth and size have poor if any influence. Grade could also predict the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with STS.