Randomized trial of breast irradiation schedules after lumpectomy for women with lymph node-negative breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Breast irradiation after lumpectomy is an integral component of breast-conserving therapy that reduces the local recurrence of breast cancer. Because an optimal fractionation schedule (radiation dose given in a specified number of fractions or treatment sessions over a defined time) for breast irradiation has not been uniformly accepted, we examined whether a 22-day fractionation schedule was as effective as the more traditional 35-day schedule in reducing recurrence. METHODS: Women with invasive breast cancer who were treated by lumpectomy and had pathologically clear resection margins and negative axillary lymph nodes were randomly assigned to receive whole breast irradiation of 42.5 Gy in 16 fractions over 22 days (short arm) or whole breast irradiation of 50 Gy in 25 fractions over 35 days (long arm). The primary outcome was local recurrence of invasive breast cancer in the treated breast. Secondary outcomes included cosmetic outcome, assessed with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Cosmetic Rating System. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: From April 1993 through September 1996, 1234 women were randomly assigned to treatment, 622 to the short arm and 612 to the long arm. Median follow-up was 69 months. Five-year local recurrence-free survival was 97.2% in the short arm and 96.8% in the long arm (absolute difference = 0.4%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.5% to 2.4%). No difference in disease-free or overall survival rates was detected between study arms. The percentage of patients with an excellent or good global cosmetic outcome at 3 years was 76.8% in the short arm and 77.0% in the long arm; the corresponding data at 5 years were 76.8% and 77.4%, respectively (absolute difference = -0.6%, 95% CI = -6.5% to 5.5%). CONCLUSION: The more convenient 22-day fractionation schedule appears to be an acceptable alternative to the 35-day schedule.

An open-label randomized controlled trial of low molecular weight heparin compared to heparin and coumadin for the treatment of venous thromboembolic events in children: the REVIVE trial.

OBJECTIVE(S): Venous thromboembolic events (VTE) are serious complications in children and for which the standard of care, unfractionated heparin followed by oral anticoagulation (UFH/OA), is problematic. The objective of REVIVE was to compare the efficacy and safety of a low molecular weight heparin (reviparin-sodium) to UFH/OA for the treatment of VTE in children. STUDY DESIGN: This multicenter, open-label study, with blinded central outcome adjudication, randomized patients with objectively confirmed VTE to receive either reviparin-sodium or UFH/OA. Dose adjustments were made using nomograms. The efficacy outcome was based on recurrent VTE and death due to VTE during the 3-month treatment period. The safety outcomes were major bleeding, minor bleeding and death. Due to slow patient accrual, REVIVE was closed prematurely. RESULTS: At 3 months, with reviparin-sodium, 2/36 patients (5.6%) had recurrent VTE or death compared to 4/40 patients (10.0%) receiving UFH/OA (odds ratio=0.53; 95% CI=(0.05, 4.00); Fisher's exact test: 2P=0.677). There were 7 major bleeds, 2/36 (5.6%) in the reviparin-sodium group and 5/40 (12.5%) in UFH/OA group (odds ratio=0.41; 95% confidence interval 0.04, 2.76); Fisher's exact test: P=0.435). There were 5 deaths during the study period, 1 (2.8%) in the reviparin-sodium group and 4 (10.0%) in the UFH/OA group. All five deaths were unrelated to VTE but one was due to an intracranial hemorrhage in the UFH/OA group. CONCLUSIONS: Although limited by small sample size, REVIVE provides valuable information on the incidence of recurrent VTE, major bleeding and problematic issues associated with therapy of VTE in children.

Dose-finding and pharmacokinetic profiles of prophylactic doses of a low molecular weight heparin (reviparin-sodium) in pediatric patients.

INTRODUCTION: The low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), reviparin-sodium was studied in dose-finding and pharmacokinetic studies in children with central venous lines (CVLs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The dose-finding study was performed in 24 patients aged 3 days to 16 years. Dose adjustments were made using a nomogram based on anti-factor Xa levels (units (U)/ml) (target of 0.1-0.3 U/ml). The pharmacokinetic study was performed in 19 patients, 9 less than or equal to 5 kg (7 of whom were less than 3 months) and 10 greater than 5 kg (all more than 3 months). RESULTS: The dose-finding study demonstrated that children over 5 kg required 30 International Units (IU)/kilogram (kg), subcutaneous (SC) twice daily (BID), and children less than or equal to 5 kg required 50 IU/kg, SC BID, to achieve target levels. The pharmacokinetic study demonstrated that 80% of anti-factor Xa levels were within the target range with both patient groups having similar peak (average=0.26 U/ml) and trough (average=0.13 U/ml) levels. CONCLUSIONS: Peak anti-factor Xa levels (0.1-0.3 U/ml) using reviparin-sodium are achieved by administering 50 IU/kg in children greater than 3 months of age and 30 U/kg in children less than 3 months of age.

An open-label randomized controlled trial of low molecular weight heparin for the prevention of central venous line-related thrombotic complications in children: the PROTEKT trial.

OBJECTIVE(S): Central venous lines (CVLs) are major risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in children. The objective of PROTEKT was to determine if a low molecular weight heparin (reviparin-sodium) safely prevents CVL-related VTE. STUDY DESIGN: This multi-center, open-label study, with blinded central outcome adjudication, randomized patients with new CVLs to twice-daily reviparin-sodium or standard care. The efficacy outcome was based on an exit venogram at Day 30 (+14 days), or earlier in case of CVL removal, or confirmed symptomatic VTE. The safety outcomes were major bleeding and death. Due to slow and restricted patient accrual, PROTEKT was closed prematurely. RESULTS: With reviparin-sodium, 14.1% (11:78) of patients had VTE compared to 12.5% (10:80) of control patients (odds ratio=1.15; 95% confidence interval 0.42, 3.23); 2P=0.82). One patient had a major bleed and there were two deaths, all three events occurring in the standard care group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of reviparin-sodium for short-term prophylaxis of CVL-related VTE in children was safe but its efficacy remains unclear. Although underpowered, PROTEKT provided valuable information on event rates and predictors of CVL-related VTE.

Factors associated with thrombotic complications after the Fontan procedure: a secondary analysis of a multicenter, randomized trial of primary thromboprophylaxis for 2 years after the Fontan procedure.

OBJECTIVES: The study sought to identify factors associated with increased risk of thrombosis after Fontan. BACKGROUND: The Fontan procedure is the culmination of staged palliation for patients with univentricular physiology. Thrombosis is an important complication after this procedure. METHODS: An international multicenter randomized controlled trial of acetylsalicylic acid versus warfarin for thromboprophylaxis after the Fontan procedure was conducted in 111 patients, and did not show a significant difference regarding thrombotic complications. We performed a secondary analysis of this previously published manuscript to identify factors associated with thrombosis in this population. Standardized prospective data collection included independent adjudication of all events. RESULTS: At 2.5 years after randomization, time-related freedom from thrombosis was 69% (all venous, no arterial events), with 28% of thrombosis presenting with clinical signs or events. Hazard of thrombosis was highest immediately after Fontan with a gradual increase in risk during late follow-up. In multivariable models, factors associated with higher risk of thrombosis were pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.64, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04 to 12.70, p = 0.04), pulmonary artery distortion (HR: 2.35, 95% CI: 0.96 to 5.73, p = 0.06), lower pre-operative unconjugated bilirubin (HR: 0.84 µmol/l, 95% CI: 0.72 to 0.99, p = 0.04), use of central venous lines for >10 days or until hospital discharge (HR: 17.8, 95% CI: 3.97 to 79.30, p < 0.001), and lower FiO(2) 24 h after the procedure (HR: 0.67/10%, 95% CI: 0.45 to 1.00, p = 0.06). Patients on warfarin who consistently achieved minimum target international normalized ratio levels or those on acetylsalicylic acid had a decrease in risk of thrombosis compared with patients who often failed to meet target international normalized ratio level (HR: 3.53, 95% CI: 1.35 to 9.20, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: More favorable thromboprophylaxis strategies are needed in light of the difficulties in controlling warfarin therapy and the high prevalence of thrombosis in this population.

A multicenter, randomized trial comparing heparin/warfarin and acetylsalicylic acid as primary thromboprophylaxis for 2 years after the Fontan procedure in children.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and warfarin for thromboprophylaxis after the Fontan procedure. BACKGROUND: Fontan surgery is the definitive palliation for children with single-ventricle physiology. Thrombosis is an important complication; the optimal thromboprophylaxis strategy has not been determined. METHODS: We performed a multicenter international randomized trial of primary prophylactic anticoagulation after Fontan surgery. Patients were randomized to receive for 2 years either ASA (5 mg/kg/day, no heparin phase) or warfarin (started within 24 h of heparin lead-in; target international normalized ratio: 2.0 to 3.0). Primary endpoint (intention to treat) was thrombosis, intracardiac or embolic (all events adjudicated). At 3 months and 2 years after the Fontan procedure, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms were obtained as routine surveillance. Major bleeding and death were primary adverse outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 111 eligible patients were randomized (57 to ASA, 54 to heparin/warfarin). Baseline characteristics for each group were similar. There were 2 deaths unrelated to thrombosis or bleeding. There were 13 thromboses in the heparin/warfarin group (3 clinical, 10 routine echo) and 12 thromboses in the ASA group (4 clinical, 8 routine echo). Overall freedom from thrombosis 2 years after Fontan surgery was 19%, despite thrombosis prophylaxis. Cumulative risk of thrombosis was persistent but varying and similar for both groups (p = 0.45). Major bleeding occurred in 1 patient in each group. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference between ASA and heparin/warfarin as primary thromboprophylaxis in the first 2 years after Fontan surgery. The thrombosis rate was suboptimal for both regimens, suggesting alternative approaches should be considered. (International Multi Centre Randomized Clinical Trial Of Anticoagulation In Children Following Fontan Procedures; NCT00182104).

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of erythropoietin in non-small-cell lung cancer with disease-related anemia.

PURPOSE: Previous trials have suggested a quality-of-life (QOL) improvement for anemic cancer patients treated with erythropoietin, but few used QOL as the primary outcome. We designed a trial to investigate the effects of epoetin alfa therapy on the QOL of anemic patients with advanced non-small-cell carcinoma of the lung (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. The proposed sample size was 300 patients. Eligible patients were required to have NSCLC unsuitable for curative therapy and baseline hemoglobin (Hgb) levels less than 121 g/L. Patients were assigned to 12 weekly injections of subcutaneous epoetin alpha or placebo, targeting Hgb levels between 120 and 140 g/L. The primary outcome was the difference in the change in Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Anemia scores between baseline and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Reports of thrombotic events in other epoetin trials prompted an unplanned safety analysis after 70 patients had been randomly assigned (33 to the active arm and 37 to the placebo arm). This revealed a significant difference in the median survival in favor of the patients on the placebo arm of the trial (63 v 129 days; hazard ratio, 1.84; P = .04). The Steering Committee closed the trial. Patient numbers compromised the interpretation of the QOL analysis, but a positive Hgb response was noted with epoetin alfa treatment. CONCLUSION: An unplanned safety analysis suggested decreased overall survival in patients with advanced NSCLC treated with epoetin alfa. Although infrequent, other similar reports highlight the need for ongoing trials evaluating erythropoietin receptor agonists to ensure that overall survival is monitored closely.

Randomized trial of long-term follow-up for early-stage breast cancer: a comparison of family physician versus specialist care.

PURPOSE: Most women with breast cancer are diagnosed at an early stage and more than 80% will be long-term survivors. Routine follow-up marks the transition from intensive treatment to survivorship. It is usual practice for routine follow-up to take place in specialist clinics. This study tested the hypothesis that follow-up by the patient's family physician is a safe and acceptable alternative to specialist follow-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter, randomized, controlled trial was conducted involving 968 patients with early-stage breast cancer who had completed adjuvant treatment, were disease free, and were between 9 and 15 months after diagnosis. Patients may have continued receiving adjuvant hormonal therapy. Patients were randomly allocated to follow-up in the cancer center according to usual practice (CC group) or follow-up from their own family physician (FP group). The primary outcome was the rate of recurrence-related serious clinical events (SCEs). The secondary outcome was health-related quality of life (HRQL). RESULTS: In the FP group, there were 54 recurrences (11.2%) and 29 deaths (6.0%). In the CC group, there were 64 recurrences (13.2%) and 30 deaths (6.2%). In the FP group, 17 patients (3.5%) compared with 18 patients (3.7%) in the CC group experienced an SCE (0.19% difference; 95% CI, -2.26% to 2.65%). No statistically significant differences (P < .05) were detected between groups on any of the HRQL questionnaires. CONCLUSION: Breast cancer patients can be offered follow-up by their family physician without concern that important recurrence-related SCEs will occur more frequently or that HRQL will be negatively affected.