Tumor response and progression-free survival as potential surrogate endpoints for overall survival in extensive stage small-cell lung cancer: findings on the basis of North Central Cancer Treatment Group trials.

BACKGROUND: The authors investigated the putative surrogate endpoints of best response, complete response (CR), confirmed response, and progression-free survival (PFS) for associations with overall survival (OS), and as possible surrogate endpoints for OS. METHODS: Individual patient data from 870 untreated extensive stage small-cell lung cancer patients participating in 6 single-arm (274 patients) and 3 randomized trials (596 patients) were pooled. Patient-level associations between putative surrogate endpoints and OS were assessed by Cox models using landmark analyses. Trial-level surrogacy of putative surrogate endpoints were assessed by the association of treatment effects on OS and individual putative surrogate endpoints. Trial-level surrogacy measures included: R(2) from weighted least squares regression model, Spearman correlation coefficient, and R(2) from bivariate survival model (Copula R(2) ). RESULTS: Median OS and PFS were 9.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.1-10.0) and 5.5 (95% CI, 5.2-5.9) months, respectively; best response, CR, and confirmed response rates were 44%, 22%, and 34%, respectively. Patient-level associations showed that PFS status at 4 months was a strong predictor of subsequent survival (hazard ratio [HR], 0.42; 95% CI, 0.35-0.51; concordance index 0.63; P < .01), with 6-month PFS being the strongest (HR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.35-0.49; concordance index, 0.66, P < .01). At the trial level, PFS showed the highest level of surrogacy for OS (weighted least squares R(2) = 0.79; Copula R(2) = 0.80), explaining 79% of the variance in OS. Tumor response endpoints showed lower surrogacy levels (weighted least squares R(2) ≤0.48). CONCLUSIONS: PFS was strongly associated with OS at both the patient and trial levels. PFS also shows promise as a potential surrogate for OS, but further validation is needed using data from a larger number of randomized phase 3 trials.

Gabapentin for the management of hot flashes in prostate cancer survivors: a longitudinal continuation Study-NCCTG Trial N00CB.

Hot flashes are a complication of androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. A phase III study showed that use of low-dose gabapentin was well tolerated and moderately decreased the frequency of hot flashes due to androgen deprivation therapy when taken for 4 weeks. The current study, an open-label continuation of the randomized study, examined the efficacy and toxicity of gabapentin when taken for (an additional) 8 weeks. Patients were allowed to start, or continue, gabapentin and to titrate the dose to maximum efficacy, up to 900 mg/d. They were asked to complete a hot flash diary daily and keep weekly logs of toxicity, satisfaction with hot flash control, and quality of life. The moderate reduction in hot flash frequency and severity in the randomized phase of the study appeared to be maintained during this continuation phase. Men originally receiving the placebo or lowest dose of gabapentin (300 mg/d) had improved hot flash control relative to that at the end of the randomized phase. Minimal adverse effects were reported. These findings suggest that low-dose gabapentin is moderately efficacious for at least 12 weeks of hot flash treatment in men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer and seems to be well tolerated. (NCT00028572)

Pretreatment quality of life is an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in patients with advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer.

HYPOTHESIS: We conducted this pooled analysis to assess the prognostic value of pretreatment Quality of Life (QOL) assessments on overall survival (OS) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Four hundred twenty patients with advanced NSCLC (stages IIIB with pleural effusion and IV) from six North Central Cancer Treatment Group trials were included in this study. QOL assessments included the single-item Uniscale (355 patients), Lung Cancer Symptom Scale (217 patients), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung (197 patients). QOL scores were transformed to a 0 to 100 scale with higher scores representing better status and categorized using the sample median or clinically deficient score (CDS, 50). Cox proportional hazards models stratified by study were used to evaluate the prognostic importance of QOL on OS alone and in the presence of other prognostic factors such as performance status, age, gender, body mass index, and laboratory parameters. RESULTS: Pretreatment QOL accessed by Uniscale was significantly associated with OS univariately (p < 0.0001). Uniscale (p < 0.0001; hazard ratio = 1.6 for the sample median and 2.0 for the CDS categorization) and body mass index were the only significant predictors of OS multivariately. The median survival of patients who had a Uniscale score less than or equal to the CDS (50 group; and 7.8 versus 13 months for the less than or equal to sample median (83 group, respectively. The Lung Cancer Symptom Scale and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung total scores were not significant predictors of OS. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment QOL measured by Uniscale is a significant and an independent prognostic factor for OS, and QOL should be routinely integrated as a stratification factor in advanced NSCLC trials.

Impact of complete response to chemotherapy on overall survival in advanced colorectal cancer: results from Intergroup N9741.

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical characteristics and survival outcomes among patients with locally advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer who achieve a complete response (CR) to systemic treatment either alone or with multimodality approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively from CRC patients enrolled onto the phase III trial N9741, a National Cancer Institute-funded and Gastrointestinal Cancer Intergroup-sponsored study coordinated by the North Central Cancer Treatment Group. Patients were randomly assigned to combinations of oxaliplatin, fluorouracil (FU)/leucovorin (LV) and irinotecan. The three treatment arms consist of IFL (irinotecan + FU/LV), FOLFOX4 (oxaliplatin + FU/LV), and IROX (irinotecan + oxaliplatin). Median follow-up was 42.6 months. RESULTS: Sixty-two (4%) of 1,508 patients had a CR to chemotherapy alone, and an additional 32 (2%) had a CR after multimodality treatment. Factors associated with achieving CR with systemic chemotherapy alone included FOLFOX4 treatment, patients with assessable disease, or a single site of metastasis. Continuing protocol treatment beyond two cycles after documentation of CR was not associated with improved survival. The rate of curative intent resection was significantly higher for patients treated with oxaliplatin-containing regimens (P = .02). Median survival was similar between patients with CR after chemotherapy alone (44.3 months) or after multimodality approach (47.4 months; P = .81). CONCLUSION: FOLFOX4 was more likely to produce a CR than were IFL or IROX. Oxaliplatin regimens were more likely to result in successful surgical resections. Patients who have CR to systemic chemotherapy alone can achieve impressive survival outcomes similar to those seen among patients who attained a CR status after multimodality treatment.

Phase II trial of oxaliplatin/irinotecan/5-fluorouracil/leucovorin for metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Individually, oxaliplatin and irinotecan have substantial activity in metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) in combination with 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin. A combination regimen using all 4 agents could potentially increase response rates in CRC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter phase II trial of oxaliplatin 85 mg/m(2) on day 1, irinotecan 175 mg/m(2) on day 1, 5-fluorouracil 240 mg/m(2) by 90-minute infusion on days 2-5, and leucovorin 20 mg/m(2) on days 2-5 of a 21-day cycle was undertaken in patients with CRC through the North Central Cancer Treatment Group. The primary endpoint was response rate, with secondary endpoints of toxicity and quality of life. RESULTS: Of 14 patients enrolled (13 evaluable), 3 partial responses were seen (23%; 95% confidence interval, 5%-54%), and 9 patients had stable disease (69%). Toxicity was significant, with 1 (8%) grade 5 event (diarrhea and dehydration) and 3 (23%) grade 4 events (leukopenia and diarrhea). The study was closed to further enrollment because of toxicity. CONCLUSION: The 4-drug regimen was extremely toxic. Future studies incorporating irinotecan- and oxaliplatin-based therapy should consider alternative schedules.

Randomized clinical trial of high-dose levamisole combined with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin as surgical adjuvant therapy for high-risk colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: Levamisole combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was previously shown to significantly reduce tumor relapses and improve patient survival when given postoperatively in patients with resected stage III colon cancer. Laboratory investigations subsequently documented a direct dose-dependent enhancement of 5-FU cytotoxicity with increasing concentrations of levamisole against human cancer cell lines. A clinical trial was designed to test the value of levamisole given at its maximum tolerated dose in combination with 5-FU-based chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight hundred seventy-eight patients who had undergone complete surgical resection of high-risk stage II/III colon cancer were stratified by known prognostic factors and randomized to receive 1 of 2 treatment regimens: standard-dose levamisole combined with 5-FU and leucovorin; or high-dose levamisole combined with the same chemotherapy. Serum neopterin was monitored in a cohort of patients to evaluate immune function. RESULTS: Severe vomiting and neurologic side effects required reduction in the dose of levamisole that could be safely administered on the high-dose levamisole regimen. There were no significant differences in disease-free survival, overall survival, or levels of serum neopterin between the treatment regimens. CONCLUSION: It was not possible to improve the efficacy of surgical adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with high-risk colon cancer by giving levamisole at its maximum tolerated dose in combination with 5-FU and leucovorin. High rates of severe gastrointestinal and neurologic side effects were observed with the high-dose levamisole regimen.

A prognostic model for advanced stage nonsmall cell lung cancer. Pooled analysis of North Central Cancer Treatment Group trials.

BACKGROUND: A pooled analysis was performed to examine the impact of pretreatment factors on overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP) in patients with advanced-stage nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to construct a prediction equation for OS using pretreatment factors. METHODS: A pooled data set of 1053 patients from 9 North Central Cancer Treatment Group trials was used. Age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (PS), tumor stage (Stage IIIB vs. Stage IV), body mass index (BMI), creatinine level, hemoglobin (Hgb) level, white blood cell (WBC) count, and platelet count were evaluated for their prognostic significance in both univariate and multivariate analyses by using a Cox proportional-hazards model. RESULTS: Patients who had high WBC counts, low Hgb levels, PS >0, BMI < 18.5 kg/m2, and TNM Stage IV disease had significantly worse TTP and OS. Patients who had Stage IV disease with a high WBC count had a particularly poor prognosis. An equation to predict the OS of patients with Stage IV NSCLC based on pretreatment PS, BMI, Hgb level, and WBC count was constructed. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the widely accepted prognostic factors of PS, BMI, and disease stage, both of the readily available laboratory parameters of Hgb level and WBC count were found to be significant prognostic factors for OS and TTP in patients with advanced-stage NSCLC. The authors' prediction equation can be used to evaluate the benefit of a treatment in Phase II trials by comparing the observed survival of a cohort with its expected survival by using the patients' own prognostic factors in place of comparisons with historic data that may have substantially different baseline patient characteristics.

Randomized trial of tamoxifen alone or combined with fluoxymesterone as adjuvant therapy in postmenopausal women with resected estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. North Central Cancer Treatment Group Trial 89-30-52.

PURPOSE: This clinical trial evaluated the addition of fluoxymesterone (Flu) to tamoxifen (Tam) in women with resected early stage breast cancer and attempted to corroborate the findings of superiority for the combination over Tam alone seen in a previous randomized trial in metastatic disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Postmenopausal women with early stage breast cancer that was known to be estrogen receptor (ER) positive were randomized to treatment with Tam (20 mg per day orally for 5 years) alone or combined with Flu (10 mg orally twice per day for 1 year). The primary endpoint was relapse-free survival (RFS) defined as local-regional or distant recurrence including ductal carcinoma in situ of the ipsilateral, but not contralateral breast, and death from any cause. RESULTS: There were 541 eligible patients entered between 1991 and 1995 and the treatment arms were balanced with respect to patient characteristics. The median follow up of patients still alive was 11.4 years. No significant difference was found between Tam plus Flu and Tam alone in terms of RFS or overall survival. The adjusted hazard ratio (Tam+Flu/Tam) for relapse or death without relapse was estimated to be 0.84 (95% CI: 0.64-1.10) and that for death was 0.89 (95% CI: 0.67-1.18). As expected there was more virilization in women who received Flu. CONCLUSIONS: This clinical trial did not demonstrate superiority of Tam plus Flu over Tam alone as adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women with resected early breast cancer known to be ER positive.

Impact of pretreatment factors on adverse events: a pooled analysis of North Central Cancer Treatment Group advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer trials.

INTRODUCTION: This pooled analysis was performed to examine the impact of pretreatment factors on severe (grade 3 or higher) adverse events (AE) in patients with advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: A pooled data set of 1053 participants from nine North Central Cancer Treatment Group clinical trials was used. Age, gender, performance status, tumor stage, body mass index, serum creatinine levels, hemoglobin levels, white blood cell counts, and platelet counts were evaluated univariately and multivariately using logistic regression. The magnitude of the effects of the pretreatment factors after adjusting for type of chemotherapy agent (platinum versus no platinum) was explored in the final multivariate model. RESULTS: Women and older participants had a significantly greater risk for experiencing severe hematologic and non-hematologic AE. Participants with performance status >0 had an increased risk for severe non-hematologic AE. For every one unit (10/L) increase in pretreatment white blood cell count, there was an 11% reduction in the odds of experiencing a severe hematologic AE. The magnitude of these effects on the end points remained similar after adjusting for type of chemotherapy agent. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment factors of gender, age, performance status, and hematologic parameters were significant predictors of severe AE among patients with advanced stage NSCLC. This suggests the need to control or adjust for factors that predispose patients to an increased risk of severe AE. These findings can aid in tailoring therapy to individual patients and in the proper design of future clinical trials.

Two concurrent phase II trials of paclitaxel/carboplatin/trastuzumab (weekly or every-3-week schedule) as first-line therapy in women with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer: NCCTG study 983252.

PURPOSE: The efficacy and tolerability of 2 different schedules of paclitaxel/carboplatin/trastuzumab for HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer (MBC) were evaluated in this parallel multicenter phase II trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients received every-3-week therapy (n = 43) consisting of a 200 mg/m(2) dose of paclitaxel/carboplatin area under the curve (AUC) of 6 mg/mL per minute and trastuzumab (an initial 8 mg/kg dose and subsequent 6 mg/kg doses) administered every 21 days for 8 cycles or weekly therapy (n = 48) consisting of an 80-mg/m(2) dose of paclitaxel/carboplatin AUC of 2 mg/mL per minute for 3 of 4 weeks, with weekly trastuzumab (an initial 4-mg/kg dose and subsequent 2-mg/kg doses) administered every 4 weeks for 6 cycles. Trastuzumab was continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. HER2 status was confirmed by a central laboratory review. RESULTS: The overall response rate (ORR) with every-3-week therapy was 65% (90% confidence interval [CI], 51%-77%), with a median time to disease progression of 9.9 months and median overall survival (OS) time of 2.3 years. The ORR with weekly therapy was 81% (90% CI, 70%-90%), with a median time to disease progression of 13.8 months and a median OS time of 3.2 years. Hematologic and nonhematologic toxicities occurred significantly less frequently with weekly therapy versus every-3-week therapy: grade 3/4 neutropenia (52% vs. 88%); grade 3 thrombocytopenia (4% vs. 30%); and grade 3 neurosensory toxicity (2% vs. 19%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Every-3-week and weekly regimens of paclitaxel/carboplatin/trastuzumab are highly active in women with HER2-overexpressing MBC. However, fewer patients developed severe neutropenia, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia with the weekly schedule.

Phase II trial of dolastatin-10 in patients with advanced breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Phase II multicenter cooperative group study investigated the efficacy and toxicity of the novel anti-microtubule agent dolastatin-10 in patients with advanced breast cancer. PATIENT AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients with measurable metastatic breast cancer were treated with dolastatin-10 at a dose of 400 mcg/m2 by intravenous bolus once every 3 weeks. Patients must have received a total of 1 or 2 prior chemotherapy regimens and have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2. Patients received this treatment as either a first (n = 11) or second-line (n = 10) chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Eighteen patients (86%) had received a prior anthracycline. The National Cancer Institute provided the dolastatin-10. RESULTS: One out of 21 patients (5%; 95% CI: 0-24%) achieved a partial remission for a duration of 113 days. Four patients maintained stable disease for a median of 87 days. A total of 58 courses of dolastatin-10 were administered. Patients received a median of two cycles of dolastatin-10. Hematologic toxicity was moderate, with 8 patients developing grade 4 neutropenia, and 5 with grade 3 neutropenia; one grade 3 febrile neutropenia was observed. These episodes of grade 3 and 4 neutropenia were experienced on 36% of the treatment cycles. Non-hematologic toxicity was uncommon. CONCLUSION: While the toxicity profile of dolastatin-10 was acceptable, it had minimal activity in this advanced breast cancer study. We are not pursuing further clinical trials of this agent in the setting of advanced breast cancer.

Evaluation of shark cartilage in patients with advanced cancer: a North Central Cancer Treatment Group trial.

BACKGROUND: Shark cartilage has been a popular complementary or alternative medicine intervention. The basis for this popularity is the claim that sharks rarely get cancer because of the high proportion of cartilage in the shark's body. However, early studies were equivocal. Therefore, a clinical trial was conducted to look at the impact of shark cartilage in patients with advanced cancer. The primary goal of this trial was to determine whether a shark cartilage product improved overall survival for patients with advanced cancer who were getting standard care. Secondary research goals were to evaluate toxicities, tolerability, and quality of life associated with this shark cartilage product. METHODS: The study was a two-arm, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, clinical trial. Patients with incurable breast or colorectal carcinoma had to have good performance status and organ function. Patients could be receiving chemotherapy. Patients were all to receive standard care and then to be randomly selected to receive either a shark cartilage product or an identical-appearing and smelling placebo 3 to 4 times each day. RESULTS: Data on a total of 83 evaluable patients were analyzed. There was no difference in overall survival between patients receiving standard care plus a shark cartilage product versus standard care plus placebo. Likewise, there was no suggestion of improvement in quality of life for patients receiving the shark cartilage, compared with those receiving placebo. CONCLUSION: This trial was unable to demonstrate any suggestion of efficacy for this shark cartilage product in patients with advanced cancer.

Phase II study of gemcitabine plus cisplatin in patients with metastatic breast cancer: a North Central Cancer Treatment Group Trial.

BACKGROUND: This 2-stage, phase II cooperative group trial examined the efficacy and toxicity of 1000 mg/m2 gemcitabine plus 25 mg/m2 cisplatin weekly for 3 weeks and repeated every 28 days for patients with previously treated metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: Eligible patients had to have measurable metastatic disease. Progression on prior treatment with at least 1 chemotherapy program for metastatic disease and 1 prior anthracycline and/or taxane-containing regimen in either the metastatic or adjuvant setting was required. Patients who had received more than 2 chemotherapy treatments were not eligible for this study. RESULTS: Fifty-eight eligible patients were entered on this 2-stage study. A 38% incidence of grade 4 thrombocytopenia observed in the first stage of accrual required lowering the chemotherapy doses to 800 mg/m2 gemcitabine plus 20 mg/m2 cisplatin weekly for the first 3 weeks of a 4-week cycle during the second stage of the study. The overall response rate was 29% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11-52%) among patients receiving the original study dose and 32% (95% CI, 18-50%) for patients receiving the lower dose. In the original- and lower-dose groups, median time to progression was 30.7 weeks (95% CI, 12.7-43.4 weeks) and 26.0 weeks (95% CI, 19.0-32.1 week), respectively. Median survival of the original- and low-dose groups was 67.9 weeks (95% CI, 42.3-90.6 weeks) and 54.1 weeks (95% CI, 41.6-73.6 weeks), respectively. Hematologic toxicities were more manageable in the lower-dose group, whereas the nonhematologic toxicity profile was similar in the 2 dose groups. CONCLUSIONS: The response rate of this combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin is similar to that reported by other investigators but may not differ substantially from reports with single-agent gemcitabine in this patient population. The original dose level we used had unacceptable toxicity, which required lowering the doses of both gemcitabine and cisplatin by 20% to achieve acceptable toxicity and preserve clinical activity.

Results of combined-modality therapy for limited-stage small cell lung carcinoma in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: A Phase III trial was conducted by the North Central Cancer Treatment Group to determine whether chemotherapy (etoposide and cisplatin) plus either twice-daily radiotherapy (BIDRT) or once-daily radiotherapy (QDRT) resulted in a better outcome for patients with limited-stage small cell lung carcinoma (LD-SCLC). No difference in survival was identified between the two arms. The current analysis examined the relation between age and outcome for patients treated during this trial. METHODS: The current study included 263 patients with LD-SCLC and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of < or = 2 who were randomized to receive QDRT or split-course BIDRT. The outcomes of the 209 (79%) younger patients (age < 70 years old) were compared with the 54 (21%) elderly patients (age > or = 70 years old). RESULTS: Elderly patients presented with significantly greater weight loss and poorer performance status. The 2-year and 5-year survival rates were 48% and 22% for younger patients compared with 33% and 17% for older patients (P = 0.14). One specific toxicity (i.e., Grade > or = 4 pneumonitis [according to National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria]) occurred in 0% of those patients age < 70 years compared with 6% of older patients (P = 0.008). Grade 5 toxicity occurred in 1 of 209 (0.5%) patients age < 70 years compared with 3 of 54 (5.6%) older patients (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Despite having more weight loss, poorer performance status, increased pulmonary toxicity, and more deaths due to treatment, survival was not found to be significantly worse in older individuals. Fit elderly patients with LD-SCLC can receive combined-modality therapy with the expectation of relatively favorable long-term survival. Future research should focus on ways to decrease toxicity especially in the elderly.

Phase III, randomized, double-blind study of epoetin alfa compared with placebo in anemic patients receiving chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: To determine whether weekly epoetin alfa could improve hemoglobin (HgB) levels, reduce RBC transfusions, and improve quality of life (QOL) in patients with advanced cancer and with anemia after receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This double-blind, placebo-controlled study randomly assigned patients to placebo or epoetin alfa (Ortho Biotech, Bridgewater, NJ) 40,000 U subcutaneous weekly for 16 weeks. QOL, HgB, and RBC transfusions were measured pretreatment and monthly. RESULTS: The study accrued 344 patients; 330 were assessable for efficacy and 305 were assessable for QOL. Placebo-treated patients had a mean increase in HgB of 0.9 g/dL (range, -3.8 to +5.3) compared with 2.8 g/dL (range, -2.2 to +7.5) for epoetin-treated patients (P < .0001). During the study, 31.7% of placebo-treated patients achieved a > or = 2 g/dL HgB increase compared with 72.7% of epoetin-treated patients (P < .0001). The incidence of RBC transfusion for placebo and epoetin treatment arms was 39.6% and 25.3% (P = .005), respectively. The placebo group received 256 units of RBCs compared with 127 units in the epoetin group (P < .0001). The incidence of toxicity in the groups was similar. Changes in the average QOL scores from baseline to the end of the study were similar in the two groups (P = not significant). The HgB responders (irrespective of treatment arm) had a mean change in Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT) fatigue score from a baseline of +5.1 compared with -2.1 for the nonresponders (P = .006). CONCLUSION: Epoetin alfa significantly improved HgB and reduced transfusions in this patient population. These results support the use of weekly epoetin alfa as an ameliorative agent for cancer-related anemia.

Investigating the utility of serum cytokine measurements in a multi-institutional cancer anorexia/weight loss trial.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) have been implicated in the cancer anorexia/weight loss syndrome. However, previous smaller studies have yielded conflicting results as to whether circulating, serum concentrations of these cytokines are in fact elevated. As the translational component of a large multi-institutional trial, this study assessed the clinical value of serum concentrations of these cytokines in patients with this syndrome. METHODS: Patients with incurable cancer with anorexia and/or weight loss were eligible. All underwent weekly weight measurements and appetite assessment for the first month and then monthly assessments thereafter. Serum was obtained at baseline and at 1 month, and all three cytokines were measured with the Immunolite assay. RESULTS: A total of 118 patients participated. At baseline, 99%, 54%, and 47% of patients' samples had undetectable IL-1beta, TNFalpha, and IL-6, respectively. Similar results were obtained at 1 month. No correlations were observed between serum cytokine concentrations and changes in weight or appetite. Baseline serum IL-6 predicted a diminished survival but only after adjustment for age and cancer site. CONCLUSION: Serum concentrations of IL-1beta, TNFalpha, and IL-6, as measured in this study, provide data of limited clinical value for patients with the cancer anorexia/weight loss syndrome.

Randomized phase II study of two irinotecan schedules for patients with metastatic breast cancer refractory to an anthracycline, a taxane, or both.

PURPOSE: A pressing need exists for agents active against anthracycline- or taxane-refractory metastatic breast cancer (MBC), or both. Previous clinical trials suggested that irinotecan might have such activity. We conducted this multicenter phase II study to assess efficacy and tolerability of two irinotecan schedules. PATIENTS AND METHODS: MBC patients who experienced disease progression after one to three chemotherapy regimens, including at least one anthracycline- or taxane-based regimen, were randomly assigned to irinotecan in 6-week cycles comprising 100 mg/m(2) weekly for 4 weeks, then a 2-week rest (weekly) or 240 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks. RESULTS: The weekly arm had 52 assessable patients; the every-3-weeks arm had 51 assessable patients. In the weekly arm, the objective response (complete regression [CR] + partial regression [PR]) rate was 23% (one CR, 11 PR; 95% CI, 13% to 37%). Median response duration was 4.9 months (range, 1.9 to 15.9 months), and median overall survival was 9.7 months (95% CI, 8.0 to 14.2 months). In the every-3-weeks arm, the objective response rate was 14% (nine PR; 95% CI, 6% to 26%), median response duration was 4.2 months (range, 3.1 to 13.9 months), and median overall survival was 8.6 months (95% CI, 7.0 to 12.3 months). Treatment generally was well tolerated, especially in the weekly arm. Grade 3 to 4 adverse events with > or = 10% incidence included neutropenia (29%) and diarrhea (17%) in the weekly arm and neutropenia (36%), vomiting (20%), dyspnea (18%), nausea (16%), and diarrhea (12%) in the every-3-weeks arm. CONCLUSION: Irinotecan is active with good tolerability in refractory MBC. Irinotecan (especially weekly) warrants additional study as monotherapy and in combination regimens in this setting.

Long-term results of a phase III trial comparing once-daily radiotherapy with twice-daily radiotherapy in limited-stage small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: This Phase III study was performed to determine whether twice-daily (b.i.d.) radiotherapy (RT) resulted in better survival than once-daily (q.d.) RT for patients with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LD-SCLC). METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 310 patients with LD-SCLC initially received three cycles of etoposide and cisplatin. Subsequently, the 261 patients without significant progression were randomized to two cycles of etoposide and cisplatin plus either q.d. RT (50.4 Gy in 28 fractions) or split-course b.i.d. RT (24 Gy in 16 fractions, a 2.5-week break, and 24 Gy in 16 fractions) to the chest. Patients then received a sixth cycle of etoposide and cisplatin followed by prophylactic cranial RT. RESULTS: Follow-up ranged from 4.6 to 11.9 years (median, 7.4 years). The median survival and 5-year survival rate from randomization was 20.6 months and 21% for patients who received q.d. RT compared with 20.6 months and 22% for those who received b.i.d. RT (p = 0.68), respectively. No statistically significant differences were found in the rates of progression (p = 0.68), intrathoracic failure (p = 0.45), in-field failure (p = 0.62), or distant failure (p = 0.82) between the two treatment arms. No statistically significant difference was found in the overall rate of Grade 3 or worse (p = 0.83) or Grade 4 or worse toxicity (p = 0.95). Grade 3 or worse esophagitis (p = 0.05) was more common in the b.i.d. arm. Grade 5 toxicity occurred in 4 (3%) of 130 patients who received b.i.d. RT compared with 0 (0%) of 131 who received q.d. RT (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Although this study did not demonstrate an advantage to split-course b.i.d. RT, the long-term survival was favorable, likely reflecting the positive influences of concurrent combined modality therapy and prophylactic cranial RT.