bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment of hairy cell leukemia with 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine via the Group C protocol mechanism of the National Cancer Institute: a report of 979 patients.
Authors: Cheson B D , Sorensen J M , Vena D A , Montello M J , Barrett J A , Damasio E , Tallman M , Annino L , Connors J , Coiffier B , Lauria F
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE

To provide cladribine (CdA) to physicians for the treatment of patients with previously treated or untreated hairy cell leukemia (HCL), and to determine the response rate, response duration, survival, and toxicity with this agent.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This Group C phase II study was open to all eligible patients whose primary physician obtained written permission from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to register patients onto this protocol. Of 979 patients registered, 861 were assessable for response and 895 for toxicity.

RESULTS

The complete remission (CR) rate was 50% and the partial remission (PR) rate was 37%. At a median follow-up of 52 months, 12% of patients were reported to have progressed and 62 (7%) have died of disease.

CONCLUSION

This large experience confirms the excellent response rates and remission duration of CdA in patients with HCL. Nevertheless, the response rates in this setting, which approximates general clinical practice, were lower than in other series. In general, CdA was well tolerated, but the potential increased risk for secondary malignancies requires additional follow-up evaluation. CdA can now be considered as one of the best agents for the treatment of HCL.
Vinorelbine and Paclitaxel as First-Line Chemotherapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Acuña L. Romero , Langhi M. , Pérez J. , Acuña J. Romero , Machiavelli M. , Lacava J. , Vallejo C. , Romero A. , Fasce H. , Ortiz E. , Grasso S. , Amato S. , Rodríguez R. , Barbieri M. , Leone B.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a combination of vinorelbine (VNB) and paclitaxel (PTX) as first-line chemotherapy in metastatic breast carcinoma (MBC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between August 1995 and August 1997, 49 patients with untreated MBC received a regimen that consisted of VNB 30 mg/m2 in a 20-minute intravenous (IV) infusion on days 1 and 8 and PTX 135 mg/m2 in a 3-hour IV infusion (starting 1 hour after VNB) on day 1. Cycles were repeated every 28 days. The median age of the patients was 52 years, and 59% of patients were postmenopausal. Median performance status was 1. Dominant sites of disease were soft tissue in 6%, bone in 29%, and viscera in 65%.

RESULTS: Objective responses were recorded in 27 of 45 assessable patients (60%; 95% confidence interval, 46% to 74%). Complete remissions occurred in three patients (7%), and partial remissions occurred in 24 patients (53%). No change was recorded in 12 patients (27%), and progressive disease occurred in six patients (13%). The median time to treatment failure was 7 months, and median survival duration was 17 months. The limiting toxicity was myelosuppression, mainly leukopenia in 49 patients (100%) (grade 1 to grade 2, four patients; grade 3, 30 patients; and grade 4, 15 patients). Neutropenia was observed in 100% of patients (grade 1 to grade 2, three patients; grade 3, 11 patients; grade 4, 35 patients). Two treatment-related deaths due to febrile neutropenia were observed in patients with massive liver involvement. Peripheral neurotoxicity developed in 33 patients (67%) (grade 1, 25 patients; grade 2, eight patients); there were no grade 3 or grade 4 episodes.

CONCLUSION: The combination of VNB-PTX showed significant activity as first-line chemotherapy for patients with MBC. Myelosuppression was the dose-limiting side effect, whereas neurotoxicity was mild to moderate.
Autologous Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation for Relapsed or Refractory Hodgkin's Disease in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Baker K. Scott , Gordon Bruce G. , Gross Thomas G. , Abromowitch Minnie A. , Lyden Elizabeth R. , Lynch James C. , Vose Julie M. , Armitage James O. , Coccia Peter F. , Bierman Philip J.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To determine the treatment outcome and clinical factors that are of prognostic significance for children and adolescents with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin's disease (HD) who received treatment with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-three consecutive children and adolescents 21 years of age or younger with relapsed or refractory HD underwent HSCT.

RESULTS: At day 100 after transplantation, 29 patients (55%) were in a complete remission or maintained a continuous complete response, six (11%) had a partial response, and 11 (21%) failed to respond or had progressive disease. The failure-free survival (FFS) at 5 years was 31%, and overall survival was 43%. Twenty-one patients died of progressive HD, and nine died secondary to transplantation-related complications, including two secondary leukemias. Prognostic factors important for FFS were normal pretransplantation lactate dehydrogenase levels (5-year FFS = 42%), compared with patients with elevated LDH levels (5-year FFS = 0%) (P < .001), and disease sensitivity at the time of HSCT with FFS in untreated relapse, sensitive disease, and resistant disease 44%, 35%, and 9%, respectively (P = .06). There was no statistically significant difference in FFS or overall survival between age subgroups that were analyzed (< 13, 13 to 18, 19 to 21) or in comparison with an adult cohort.

CONCLUSION: HSCT is an effective treatment modality that can result in long-term cures and should be considered for children and adolescents with relapsed HD.
Totally Implantable Venous Access Ports Systems for Patients Receiving Chemotherapy for Solid Tissue Malignancies: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Examining the Safety, Efficacy, Costs, and Impact on Quality of Life
Authors: Bow Eric J. , Kilpatrick Marilyn G. , Clinch Jennifer J.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To examine the safety, efficacy, costs, and impact on quality of life of venous access ports implanted at the outset of a course of intravenous cancer chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adults beginning a course of intravenous chemotherapy at two university-affiliated hospitals were randomly allocated to have venous access using a surgically implanted venous access port (Port-a-Cath; Pharmacia, Canada Inc, Montreal, Québec, Canada) or using standard peripheral venous access. All accesses were documented by number, route, purpose, and procedure duration. Outcome measurements included port complications, access strategy failure, access-related anxiety and pain, quality of life (Functional Living Index–Cancer [FLI-C]), and costs.

RESULTS: Port complication rates were low (0.23/1,000 days). Failure occurred in two (3.4%) of 59 port subjects and 16 (26.7%) of 60 controls (P = .0004) at a median period of 26 days after randomization (95% confidence interval, 8 to 92). Peripheral accesses in port subjects took less time, had less access-related anxiety and pain, and were less costly to perform than in controls. Allocation had no effect on FLI-C scores. Peripheral access failure correlated with allocation to the control group (P = .007), higher pain scores with intravenous (IV) starts (P = .003), and anxiety with IV starts (P = .01). Venous accessing overall in port patients was four times more costly than that in controls ($2,178/patient v $530/patient, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Ports were safe and effective but had no detectable impact on functional quality of life, despite less access-related anxiety, pain, and discomfort. Because only approximately one quarter of control patients ultimately required central venous access, economic considerations suggest that port-use policies should be based upon defined criteria of need.
Phase II Trial of Oral Estramustine, Oral Etoposide, and Intravenous Paclitaxel in Hormone-Refractory Prostate Cancer
Authors: Smith David C. , Esper Peg , Strawderman Myla , Redman Bruce , Pienta Kenneth J.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To evaluate the combination of intravenous (IV) paclitaxel, oral estramustine, and oral etoposide in patients with advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients with carcinoma of the prostate that was progressing despite hormonal therapy and who had undergone antiandrogen withdrawal (if previously treated with an antiandrogen) were enrolled onto this phase II trial. Patients were treated with oral estramustine 280 mg tid and oral etoposide 100 mg/d for 7 days, with paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 IV over 1 hour on day 2 of each 21-day treatment cycle. Patients received a maximum of six cycles of therapy.

RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were assessable for response. Twenty-two had measurable disease at baseline; response was not assessable in six of these patients. Overall response was 45% (10 of 22 patients; 95% confidence interval [CI], 24% to 68%), and response was 63% (10 of 16) in assessable patients. Twenty-six patients had a ≥ 50% decrease from their baseline prostate-specific antigen levels during therapy, for a response rate of 65% (95% CI, 48% to 79%) by this criterion. Median duration of response was 3.2 months, with an estimated median survival of 12.8 months. Major toxicities of therapy were leukopenia (eight patients had ≥ grade 4 leukopenia) and anemia. Hematologic toxicity seemed to be associated with liver metastases. Serial measurements in 24 patients using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Prostate (FACT-P) showed no significant change in quality of life (QOL) as a result of therapy.

CONCLUSION: The combination of IV paclitaxel, oral estramustine, and oral etoposide is active in patients with advanced prostate cancer. The regimen is tolerable and does not have a significant impact on QOL as measured by the FACT-P in a limited sample of patients.
Paclitaxel Resistance in Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer Associated With Beta-Tubulin Gene Mutations
Authors: Monzó Mariano , Rosell Rafael , Sánchez José Javier , Lee Jin S. , O'Brate Aurora , González-Larriba José Luis , Alberola Vicente , Lorenzo Juan Carlos , Núñez Laura , Ro Jae Y. , Martín Cristina
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: The mechanisms that cause chemoresistance in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients have yet to be clearly elucidated. Paclitaxel is a tubulin-disrupting agent that binds preferentially to beta-tubulin. Tubulins are guanosine triphosphate (GTP)–binding proteins. Beta-tubulin is a GTPase, whereas alpha-tubulin has no enzyme activity. We reasoned that polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing of the beta-tubulin gene could reveal more information regarding the connection between beta-tubulin mutations and primary paclitaxel resistance.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Constitutional genomic DNA and paired tumor DNA were isolated from 49 biopsies from 43 Spanish and six American stage IIIB and IV NSCLC patients who had been treated with a 3-hour, 210 mg/m2 paclitaxel infusion and a 24-hour, 200 mg/m2 infusion, respectively. Oligonucleotides specific to beta-tubulin were designed for PCR amplification and sequencing of GTP- and paclitaxel-binding beta-tubulin domains.

RESULTS: Of 49 patients with NSCLC, 16 (33%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 20.7% to 45.3%) had beta-tubulin mutations in exons 1 (one patient) or 4 (15 patients). None of the patients with beta-tubulin mutations had an objective response, whereas 13 of 33 (39.4%; 95% CI, 22.8% to 56%; P = 0.01) patients without beta-tubulin mutations had complete or partial responses. Median survival was 3 months for the 16 patients with beta-tubulin mutations and 10 months for the 33 patients without beta-tubulin mutations (P = .0001).

CONCLUSION: We have identified beta-tubulin gene mutations as a strong predictor of response to the antitubulin drug paclitaxel; these mutations may represent a novel mechanism of resistance and should be examined prospectively in future trials of taxane-based therapy in NSCLC.
Clinical Significance of Apoptosis-Related Factors p53, Mdm2, and Bcl-2 in Advanced Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Baekelandt M. , Kristensen G. B. , Nesland J. M. , Tropé C. G. , Holm R.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To investigate the prognostic and predictive relevance of p53, Mdm2, and Bcl-2 protein expression in advanced ovarian cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Tumor biopsy specimens from 185 consecutive and homogeneously treated patients with stage III ovarian cancer were examined immunohistochemically for expression of p53, Mdm2, and Bcl-2 proteins. Both uni- and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors were performed, and correlations with classical clinicopathologic parameters and response to chemotherapy were examined.

RESULTS: Forty-nine percent and 39% of cases were considered positive for expression of p53 and Bcl-2, respectively. p53 expression was correlated with loss of histologic differentiation and Bcl-2 expression with smaller residual disease after primary surgery. The absence of p53 expression and the presence of Bcl-2 expression were associated with improved survival but not with overall response to chemotherapy, although a positive correlation was found between Bcl-2 expression and the possibility of obtaining a completely negative second-look laparotomy. Expression of Mdm2 was found in 17% of cases. Although correlations were found with known favorable clinicopathologic factors, no prognostic significance was demonstrated for Mdm2 in this patient group. In multivariate analyses, histologic type, degree of differentiation, residual disease, and p53 alone or combined with Bcl-2 expression were found to be independently associated with overall survival.

CONCLUSION: p53, and especially the combination of p53 and Bcl-2 expression data, represents an independent prognostic predictor in stage III ovarian cancer. Despite their role in the apoptotic process, p53 and Bcl-2 do not seem to be clinically useful predictors of response to combination chemotherapy in these patients.
Conservative Treatment for Girls With Nonmetastatic Rhabdomyosarcoma of the Genital Tract: A Report From the Study Committee of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology
Authors: Martelli Hélène , Oberlin Odile , Rey Annie , Godzinski Jan , Spicer Richard D. , Bouvet Nathalie , Haie-Meder Christine , Terrier-Lacombe Marie-Josée , Sanchez de Toledo José , Spooner David , Sommelet Danielle , Flamant Françoise , Stevens Michaël C.G.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To report the results of a conservative multimodal approach in girls with nonmetastatic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) of the genital tract, treated in International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) Malignant Mesenchymal Tumors 84 and 89 protocols.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1984 to 1994, 38 girls with RMS of the genital tract (vulva, vagina, uterus) were treated in SIOP protocols. With the exception of patients with rare small tumors, which were resected at the start of the studies, all patients received initial chemotherapy (CHT) (ifosfamide, vincristine, and actinomycin D). Local treatment including surgery, brachytherapy (BT), and external-beam radiotherapy (ERT) was given only to girls who did not achieve complete remission (CR) with CHT or who subsequently relapsed.

RESULTS: The primary tumor originated in the vulva or vagina in 27 girls and in the uterus in 11. The overall survival rate (± SE) was 91% ± 6% at 5 years, and the event-free survival rate was 78% ± 7%. At a median follow-up of 5 years, 30 girls were alive and in first CR and five were alive and in second CR. Four patients treated with complete resection of the tumor at diagnosis received less CHT. Thirteen patients were treated with CHT alone. In 17 patients, local treatment was necessary to achieve complete local control, for a residual mass after initial CHT (10 patients), for viable tumor on biopsy (three patients), or for local relapse (four patients). The local treatment used was radiotherapy (RT) (ERT in three patients, BT in seven), radical surgery with uterine ablation (three patients), RT and radical surgery (three patients), and conservative surgery with RT (one patient).

CONCLUSION: Girls with nonmetastatic RMS of the genital tract have an excellent prognosis. We found no difference in outcome between uterine and vulvovaginal RMS. Local treatment does not seem necessary in patients who have a complete response to CHT. When a local treatment is needed, BT may be an alternative to radical surgery or ERT.
Gemcitabine and Paclitaxel: Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Interactions in Patients With Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Kroep Judith R. , Giaccone Giuseppe , Voorn Daphne A. , Smit Egbert F. , Beijnen Jos H. , Rosing Hilde , van Moorsel Catharina J.A. , van Groeningen Cornelis J. , Postmus Pieter E. , Pinedo Herbert M. , Peters Godefridus J.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To assess possible pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between gemcitabine and paclitaxel in a phase I/II study in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with advanced NSCLC received the following in a 3-week schedule: gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 (30 minutes, days 1 and 8) and paclitaxel 150 (n = 9) or 200 mg/m2 (n = 9) before gemcitabine (3 hours, day 1). Plasma pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in mononuclear cells were studied.

RESULTS: Gemcitabine did not influence paclitaxel pharmacokinetics at 150 and 200 mg/m2 (area under the concentration-time curve [AUC], 7.7 and 8.8 μmol/ L · h, respectively; maximum plasma concentration [Cmax], 3.2 and 4.0 μmol/L, respectively), and paclitaxel did not influence that of gemcitabine (Cmax, 30 ± 3 μmol/L) and 2′,2′-difluorodeoxyuridine. Paclitaxel, however, dose-dependently increased the Cmax of gemcitabine triphosphate (dFdCTP), the active metabolite of gemcitabine, from 55 ± 10 to 106 ± 16 pmol/106 cells. No significant difference in the AUC of dFdCTP was observed. Moreover, the gemcitabine-paclitaxel combination significantly increased ribonucleotide levels, most pronounced for adenosine triphosphate (six- to seven-fold). Postinfusion paclitaxel AUC was related to pretreatment hepatic function (bilirubin: r = 0.79; P < .001) and to the percentage decrease in platelets (r = 0.61; P = .009). The latter was also related to the duration of paclitaxel concentration above 0.1 μmol/L (r = 0.62; P = .007). Gemcitabine Cmax was related to the percentage decrease in platelets (r = 0.58; P = .01), pretreatment hepatic function (bilirubin: r = 0.77; P < .001), and to plasma creatinine (r = 0.5; P = .03). The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics were not related to response or survival.

CONCLUSION: Gemcitabine and paclitaxel pharmacokinetics were related to the percentage decrease in platelets. Paclitaxel did not affect the pharmacokinetics of gemcitabine, nor did gemcitabine affect the pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel, but paclitaxel increased dFdCTP accumulation. This might enhance the antitumor activity of gemcitabine.
Randomized 2 × 2 Trial Evaluating Hormonal Treatment and the Duration of Chemotherapy in Node-Positive Breast Cancer Patients: An Update Based on 10 Years’ Follow-Up
Authors: Sauerbrei W. , Bastert G. , Bojar H. , Beyerle C. , Neumann R. L. A. , Schmoor C. , Schumacher M. ,   for the German Breast Cancer Study Group
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: In 1984, the German Breast Cancer Study Group started a multicenter randomized trial to compare six versus three cycles of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil (CMF) starting perioperatively and to investigate the additional effect of tamoxifen as adjuvant treatment in node-positive breast cancer patients treated with mastectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1984 to 1989, 473 patients were randomized from 41 institutions. After a median follow-up of approximately 10 years for overall survival (OS) and 9 years for event-free survival (EFS), the treatment groups were compared with respect to OS and EFS. Results based on a median follow-up of 56 months have been published earlier.

RESULTS: Estimated cumulative locoregional incidence rate after 10 years was 19.9%; the corresponding rate of distant recurrences was 41.3%. Concerning duration of chemotherapy, we did not find any difference between six and three cycles of CMF (EFS: relative risk [RR] in multivariate analysis = 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74 to 1.21 OS: RR = 0.90; 95% CI, = 0.69 to 1.18). Treatment with tamoxifen resulted in an improvement in outcome (EFS: RR = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.61 to 1.07, OS: RR = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.55 to 1.0) although it proved not significant. Number of positive lymph nodes and progesterone receptor were the dominant prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION: In this study, we observed some tendency in favor of hormonal treatment, which is in agreement with the literature. Concerning duration of chemotherapy, the results of this study provide further evidence that a reduction to three cycles of CMF is possible without increasing the risk of recurrence or death. For a definitive conclusion, however, further investigations are required.
Treatment of Leptomeningeal Metastases Evaluated by Interphase Cytogenetics
Authors: van Oostenbrugge R.J. , Hopman A.H. N. , Arends J.W. , Ramaekers F.C. S. , Twijnstra A.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: Although cytologic examination of CSF is the primary method for the evaluation of response to therapy for leptomeningeal metastases (LMMs), the procedure’s sensitivity decreases throughout the course of protracted therapy. We studied whether this response could be monitored more accurately through the detection of numerical chromosomal aberrations by interphase cytogenetics, using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven patients treated for LMMs and with a known numerical aberration for chromosome 1 in their pretreatment CSF were included in this study. Up to 16 consecutive CSF samples were analyzed by means of the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique for cells with aberrant chromosome 1 content. The results of routine cytology and FISH analyses were compared and were correlated with each patient’s neurologic status.

RESULTS: Routine cytology detected malignancies in only 24 of the 76 samples, all of which were classified as chromosomally abnormal by FISH (except for two samples that could not be evaluated). Moreover, FISH demonstrated aneusomic cells in 32 additional samples, which could therefore be classified as malignant. The FISH results correlated better with patient neurologic status in that more malignant cells were detected in the CSF of neurologically deteriorating patients.

CONCLUSION: Using FISH in addition to performing routine cytologic examination of CSF led to a more accurate evaluation of response to treatment in patients treated for LMMs.
Phase I-II Study of Paclitaxel, Cisplatin, and Gemcitabine in Advanced Transitional-Cell Carcinoma of the Urothelium
Authors: Bellmunt J. , Guillem V. , Paz-Ares L. , González-Larriba J.L. , Carles J. , Batiste-Alentorn E. , Sáenz A. , López-Brea M. , Font A. , Nogué M. , Bastús R. , Climent M.A. , de la Cruz J.J. , Albanell J. , Banús J.M. , Gallardo E. , Diaz-Rubio E. , Cortés-Funes H. , Baselga J. ,   for the Spanish Oncology Genitourinary Group
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To determine the maximum-tolerated dose and the antitumor activity of a combination of paclitaxel, cisplatin, and gemcitabine in advanced transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urothelium.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with measurable, previously untreated, locally advanced or metastatic TCC and with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤ 2 and creatinine clearance ≥ 55 mL/min were eligible. Cisplatin was given on day 1 at a fixed dose of 70 mg/m2. Paclitaxel and gemcitabine were given on days 1 and 8 at increasing dose levels. Cycles were repeated every 21 days to a maximum of six cycles.

RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were registered. In phase I, 15 patients were entered at four different dose levels. Dose-limiting toxicity consisted of early onset (after the first cycle) grade 2 asthenia (two of six patients) and grade 3 asthenia (one of six patients) at dose level 4. A paclitaxel dose of 80 mg/m2 and gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 was recommended for phase II, and 46 additional patients were entered at this level for a total of 49 patients. Main nonhematologic toxicity was grade 2 asthenia in 18 patients, with early onset in five patients, and grade 3 in four patients. Grade 3/4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 27 (55%) and 11 (22%) patients, respectively. Overall, febrile neutropenia was seen in 11 patients, and one toxic death occurred because of neutropenic sepsis. The combination was active at all dose levels. In total, 58 of 61 eligible patients were assessable for response; 16 complete responses (27.6%) and 29 partial responses (50%) were observed for an overall response rate of 77.6% (95% confidence interval, 60% to 98%). The median survival time (MST) available for the phase I part of the study is 24.0 months. MST has not been reached for the whole group with the current follow-up.

CONCLUSION: This combination of paclitaxel, cisplatin, and gemcitabine is feasible and highly active in patients with advanced TCC of the urothelium. Further evaluation of this regimen in patients with TCC is warranted.
Improving Survival Without Reducing Quality of Life in Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients by Increasing the Dose-Intensity of Chemotherapy With Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Support: Results of a British Medical Research Council Multicenter Randomized Trial
Authors: Thatcher Nicholas , Girling David J. , Hopwood Penelope , Sambrook Robert J. , Qian Wendi , Stephens Richard J. ,   for the Medical Research Council Lung Cancer Working Party
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: The treatment of small-cell lung cancer patients with good performance status aims to improve survival. Dose-intensification could be a way to achieve improved survival but can be limited by neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Preliminary, nonrandomized feasibility studies showed that doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide (ACE) could be given every 2 (instead of the usual 3) weeks with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (lenograstim; Chugai-Rhône-Poulenc, Tokyo, Japan) support. The present multicenter randomized trial was designed to examine whether such dose-intensification improves survival while maintaining acceptable toxicity levels.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients were randomized to receive six cycles of ACE either every 3 weeks (control [C] group) or every 2 weeks with G-CSF (G group). The standard dose-intensity of ACE was increased by 50% in group G.

RESULTS: Four hundred and three patients (G group: n = 201; C group: n = 202) were randomized. The received dose-intensity was 34% higher in the G group than in the C group. Complete response rates were 40% for the G group and 28% for the C group (P = .02), and overall rates were 78% for the G group and 79% for the C group. Survival was longer in the G group (hazard ratio = 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.65 to 0.99; P = .04), survival rates for the G and C groups being 47% and 39% at 12 months and 13% and 8% at 24 months, respectively. Metastasis-free survival, nonhematologic toxicity, and quality of life were similar in the two groups. In the G group, there was less neutropenia but more thrombocytopenia and more frequent blood and platelet transfusions.

CONCLUSION: Increasing the dose-intensity of ACE with G-CSF support improved survival while maintaining acceptable toxicity.
Treatment of Patients With Metastatic Renal Carcinoma With a Combination of Subcutaneous Interleukin-2 and Interferon Alfa With or Without Fluorouracil
Authors: Négrier Sylvie , Caty Armelle , Lesimple Thierry , Douillard Jean-Yves , Escudier Bernard , Rossi Jean-François , Viens Patrice , Gomez Frédéric ,   for the Groupe Français d’Immunothérapie, Fédération Nationale des Centres de Lutte Contre le Cancer
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: Subcutaneous recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) and recombinant interferon alfa-2a (rIFNα-2a) have been used extensively in the treatment of metastatic renal cancer. Most results, coming from noncontrolled phase II trials, showed inconsistent rates of response. More recently, the addition of fluorouracil (FU) was proposed to improve the efficacy of these regimens.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The role of a subcutaneous combination of rIL-2 and rIFNα-2a with or without FU was investigated. Patients were randomly assigned to receive a combination of rIL-2 and rIFNα-2a at weeks 1, 3, 5, and 7 or the same combination together with a continuous infusion of FU at weeks 1 and 5. The major end points of this multicenter, randomized trial were progression-free survival, response rate, and toxicity. Overall survival was a secondary end point. Tumor responses were reviewed by an independent committee. Analysis of the results was performed on an intention-to-treat basis.

RESULTS: One hundred thirty-one patients were enrolled. There was no difference in toxicity between the arms, and no toxic death was observed. One partial response was observed in arm A and five in arm B. Progression-free survival did not differ between the arms, and rates at 1 year were 12% and 15% in arms A and B, respectively. No statistically significant differences were detected in any end point.

CONCLUSION: The subcutaneous combination of rIL-2 and rIFNα-2a with or without FU does not benefit patients with metastatic renal carcinoma. Neither of these regimens can be recommended as standard treatment. The results of the subcutaneous cytokine regimen seem disappointing.
What Threshold for Adjuvant Therapy in Older Breast Cancer Patients?
Authors: Extermann Martine , Balducci Lodovico , Lyman Gary H.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To consider the question of when to prescribe adjuvant treatment for elderly breast cancer patients, particularly when comorbidities are present. Knowledge of the threshold relapse risks above which adjuvant treatment is worth prescribing would enhance decision making.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A Markov analysis of data from the medical literature was conducted. Patients aged 65 to 85 years were considered, along with three levels of comorbidity. The threshold risk of relapse at 10 years (RR10), at which time treatment provides absolute reduction or reduction of an absolute 1% in relapse or mortality, was evaluated.

RESULTS: The threshold RR10 for an absolute reduction in mortality risk by adjuvant treatment was low through the age of 85 years. However, for an absolute 1% reduction, the effect of treatment on relapse and the effect of treatment on mortality increasingly diverged. The threshold RR10 for an absolute 1% reduction in relapse risk remained fairly low (5% to 6% for tamoxifen, 12% to 19% for chemotherapy). The threshold RR10 for an absolute 1% reduction in mortality risk, although starting close to the RR10 for an absolute 1% reduction in relapse risk, rose sharply. For tamoxifen, the difference between the two was 4% for an average 65-year-old, 6% at the age of 75 years, and 15% at the age of 85 years. For chemotherapy, the differences were 6%, 12%, and 30%, respectively. Similarly, thresholds increased with increasing comorbidity. In older and sicker patients, the maximum benefit was reached after 5 years rather than 10 years.

CONCLUSION: Older breast cancer patients can expect a reduction in relapse that is fairly similar to that of younger patients. However, the effect on mortality diverges markedly, and attention should be paid to this difference in clinical decision making. Comorbidity should be considered in recommendations for adjuvant treatment, including clinical practice guidelines.
Bone Marrow Features Improve Prognostic Efficiency in Multivariate Risk Classification of Chronic-Phase Ph1+ Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia: A Multicenter Trial
Authors: Kvasnicka Hans Michael , Thiele Juergen , Schmitt-Graeff Annette , Diehl Volker , Zankovich Rudolf , Niederle Norbert , Leder Lutz-Dietrich , Schaefer Hans Eckart
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: Multivariate risk classifications for chronic (stable)-phase Ph1+ chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) are generally focused on hematologic variables, and the putative prognostic property of bone morphology has been neglected or even contested so far.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 510 consecutively recruited patients in first chronic phase Ph1+ CML and pretreatment bone marrow biopsy specimens were entered onto this multicenter observational trial to evaluate the effect of bone marrow histopathology. According to generally accepted criteria, patients with any signs of accelerated disease were excluded. Treatment modalities included administration of interferon alfa-2b (IFN) and chemotherapy with hydroxyurea (HU) or busulfan. Immunohistochemical and morphometric techniques were applied to identify marrow cells and to quantify fiber density. Patients were separated into learning and validation samples, and classification and regression tree (CART) analysis was performed to establish a prognostic decision tree.

RESULTS: CART analysis of the validation sample (123 patients with HU therapy) revealed the amount of erythroid precursors in the bone marrow, myelofibrosis, and splenomegaly as the most important prognostic features. Three risk profiles with significantly different survival patterns were established, with median survival times ranging from 33 to 108 months (two-sided log-rank test, P = .0001). The new score was confirmed by application to the learning sample with IFN therapy (two-sided log-rank test, P = .0002). Furthermore, risk status defined by the new score was significantly correlated with the occurrence of blast transformation.

CONCLUSION: Our data strongly implicate that prognostic classification of chronic-phase Ph1+ CML can be significantly improved by the inclusion of morphologic parameters. The variables of the presented scoring system may be easily assessed by routinely processed aspirates and bone marrow trephines.
No Disadvantage in Outcome of Using Matched Unrelated Donors as Compared With Matched Sibling Donors for Bone Marrow Transplantation in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Second Remission
Authors: Saarinen-Pihkala Ulla M. , Gustafsson Göran , Ringdén Olle , Heilmann Carsten , Glomstein Anders , Lönnerholm Gudmar , Abrahamsson Jonas , Bekassy Albert N. , Schroeder Henrik , Mellander Lotta ,   for the Nordic Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: We evaluated the outcome of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in second remission (2CR), comparing bone marrow transplantation (BMT) using either matched sibling donors or unrelated donors (URDs).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 65 patients, aged 2 months to 20 years at BMT, with ALL in 2CR underwent allogeneic BMT at seven Nordic centers during 1990 to 1997. Of the first relapses, 85% were in bone marrow; 46% occurred on therapy, and 54%, off therapy. The preparative regimens were cyclophosphamide plus total-body irradiation ± antithymocyte/antilymphocyte globulin, busulfan plus cyclophosphamide ± antithymocyte/antilymphocyte globulin, or cytarabine plus total-body irradiation. Of the allografts, 37 were from HLA-matched siblings and 28 were from URDs.

RESULTS: In the sibling versus URD graft recipient groups, the posttransplantation 5-year event-free survival was 39% versus 54% (P = .4), the estimated posttransplantation relapse rate was 76% versus 40% (P = not significant [NS]), and the toxic death rate was 19% versus 11% (P = NS). The incidence of significant (grade 2 to 4) acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 38% versus 64% (P < .05) and was 14% versus 32% (P < .10) for severe (grade 3 to 4) acute GVHD; the incidence of chronic GVHD was 26% versus 57% (P < .05) and was 13% versus 22% (P = NS) for extensive chronic GVHD in the sibling and URD groups.

CONCLUSION: BMT with matched URD allografts offers at least equal survival for children with ALL in 2CR, as compared with allografts from matched sibling donors. URD allografts were not associated with a higher toxic mortality rate, although both acute and chronic GVHD were more frequent with URD. Indications for using matched URD allografts in ALL 2CR can be considered the same as for using matched sibling donors.
Prognostic Factors Analysis of 17,600 Melanoma Patients: Validation of the American Joint Committee on Cancer Melanoma Staging System
Authors: Balch Charles M. , Soong Seng-Jaw , Gershenwald Jeffrey E. , Thompson John F. , Reintgen Douglas S. , Cascinelli Natale , Urist Marshall , McMasters Kelly M. , Ross Merrick I. , Kirkwood John M. , Atkins Michael B. , Thompson John A. , Coit Daniel G. , Byrd David , Desmond Renee , Zhang Yuting , Liu Ping-Yu , Lyman Gary H. , Morabito Aberto
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) recently proposed major revisions of the tumor-node-metastases (TNM) categories and stage groupings for cutaneous melanoma. Thirteen cancer centers and cancer cooperative groups contributed staging and survival data from a total of 30,450 melanoma patients from their databases in order to validate this staging proposal.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: There were 17,600 melanoma patients with complete clinical, pathologic, and follow-up information. Factors predicting melanoma-specific survival rates were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Follow-up survival data for 5 years or longer were available for 73% of the patients.

RESULTS: This analysis demonstrated that (1) in the T category, tumor thickness and ulceration were the most powerful predictors of survival, and the level of invasion had a significant impact only within the subgroup of thin (≤ 1 mm) melanomas; (2) in the N category, the following three independent factors were identified: the number of metastatic nodes, whether nodal metastases were clinically occult or clinically apparent, and the presence or absence of primary tumor ulceration; and (3) in the M category, nonvisceral metastases was associated with a better survival compared with visceral metastases. A marked diversity in the natural history of pathologic stage III melanoma was demonstrated by five-fold differences in 5-year survival rates for defined subgroups. This analysis also demonstrated that large and complex data sets could be used effectively to examine prognosis and survival outcome in melanoma patients.

CONCLUSION: The results of this evidence-based methodology were incorporated into the AJCC melanoma staging as described in the companion publication.
Final Version of the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging System for Cutaneous Melanoma
Authors: Balch Charles M. , Buzaid Antonio C. , Soong Seng-Jaw , Atkins Michael B. , Cascinelli Natale , Coit Daniel G. , Fleming Irvin D. , Gershenwald Jeffrey E. , Houghton Alan , Kirkwood John M. , McMasters Kelly M. , Mihm Martin F. , Morton Donald L. , Reintgen Douglas S. , Ross Merrick I. , Sober Arthur , Thompson John A. , Thompson John F.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To revise the staging system for cutaneous melanoma under the auspices of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prognostic factors analysis described in the companion publication (this issue), as well as evidence from the published literature, was used to assemble the tumor-node-metastasis criteria and stage grouping for the melanoma staging system.

RESULTS: Major changes include (1) melanoma thickness and ulceration but not level of invasion to be used in the T category (except for T1 melanomas); (2) the number of metastatic lymph nodes rather than their gross dimensions and the delineation of clinically occult (ie, microscopic) versus clinically apparent (ie, macroscopic) nodal metastases to be used in the N category; (3) the site of distant metastases and the presence of elevated serum lactic dehydrogenase to be used in the M category; (4) an upstaging of all patients with stage I, II, and III disease when a primary melanoma is ulcerated; (5) a merging of satellite metastases around a primary melanoma and in-transit metastases into a single staging entity that is grouped into stage III disease; and (6) a new convention for defining clinical and pathologic staging so as to take into account the staging information gained from intraoperative lymphatic mapping and sentinel node biopsy.

CONCLUSION: This revision will become official with publication of the sixth edition of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual in the year 2002.
Primary Cutaneous Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma of Ann Arbor Stage I: Preferential Cutaneous Relapses but High Cure Rate With Doxorubicin-Based Therapy
Authors: Sarris Andreas H. , Braunschweig Ira , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Duvic Madeleine , Ha Chul S. , Rodriguez M. Alma , Hagemeister Frederick B. , McLaughlin Peter , Romaguera Jorge , Cox James , Cabanillas Fernando
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: Establish frequency, presenting features, response and relapse patterns, and outcome of primary cutaneous non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (PCNHL).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Review of untreated patients, older than 16 years, presenting between 1971 and 1993 with cutaneous lymphoma, not mycosis fungoides, and Ann Arbor stage I.

RESULTS: We identified 46 patients, 27 males, with median age of 57 years. Treatment was radiotherapy in 10 patients, doxorubicin-based therapy in 33 patients that was followed by radiotherapy in 25 patients, and other combination with radiotherapy in one patient. The complete response rate was 95%. After a median follow-up of 140 months (range, 61 to 284 months), 18 patients have relapsed, and 14 have died from lymphoma. The first failure was exclusively cutaneous in 50% of relapses. For the 44 treated patients, progression-free survival (PFS; actuarial ± SE) was 61% ± 7% and survival was 58% ± 9% at 12 years. For the 18 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, after doxorubicin-based regimens, PFS was 71% ± 12% (P = .0003) versus 0% after radiotherapy; survival was 77% ± 12% versus 25% ± 22% (P = 004), respectively. For the nine patients with follicular center-cell lymphoma treated with combined modality, the 12-year PFS was 89% ± 11% and survival 70% ± 18%.

CONCLUSION: PCNHL is rare, and its first relapse is exclusively cutaneous in 50% of patients. Patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma are curable with doxorubicin-based regimens but not with radiotherapy. Prospective studies in PCNHL should define the cytogenetics, the basis for cutaneous tropism, the prognosis of histologic subtypes, and the role of radiotherapy.
Which Patients With Microscopic Disease and Rhabdomyosarcoma Experience Relapse After Therapy? A Report From the Soft Tissue Sarcoma Committee of the Children’s Oncology Group
Authors: Smith Lynn M. , Anderson James R. , Qualman Stephen J. , Crist William M. , Paidas Charles N. , Teot Lisa A. , Pappo Alberto S. , Link Michael P. , Grier Holcombe E. , Wiener Eugene S. , Breneman John C. , Raney R. Beverly , Maurer Harold M. , Donaldson Sarah S.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To identify which patients with rhabdomyosarcoma and microscopic residual disease (group II) are likely to not respond to therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six hundred ninety-five patients with group II tumors received chemotherapy and 90% received radiation therapy on Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS)-I to IRS-IV (1972 to 1997). Tumors were subgrouped depending on the presence of microscopic residual disease only (subgroup IIa), resected positive regional lymph nodes, (subgroup IIb), or microscopic residual disease and resected positive regional lymph nodes (subgroup IIc).

RESULTS: Overall, the 5-year failure-free survival rate (FFSR) was 73%, and patients with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma treated on IRS-IV fared especially well (5-year FFSR, 93%; n = 90). Five-year FFSRs differed significantly by subgroup (IIa, 75% and n = 506; IIb, 74% and n = 101; IIc, 58% and n = 88; P = .0037) and treatment (IRS-I, 68%; IRS-II, 67%; IRS-III, 75%; IRS-IV, 87%; P < .001). Multivariate analysis revealed positive associations between primary site (favorable), histology (embryonal), subgroup IIa or IIb, treatment (IRS-III/IV), and better FFSRs. Patterns of treatment failure revealed local failure to be 8%, regional failure, 4%, and distant failure, 14%. The relapse pattern noted over the course of IRS-I to IRS-IV shows a decrease in the systemic relapse rates, particularly for patients with embryonal histology, suggesting that improvement in FFSRs is primarily a result of improved chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION: Group II rhabdomyosarcoma has an excellent prognosis with contemporary therapy as used in IRS-III/IV, and those less likely to respond can be identified using prognostic factors: histology, subgroup, and primary site. Patients with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma are generally cured, although patients with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma or undifferentiated sarcoma, particularly subgroup IIc at unfavorable sites, continue to need better therapy.
Induction Chemotherapy With Mitomycin, Epirubicin, Cisplatin, Fluorouracil, and Leucovorin Followed by Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Hong Ruey-Long , Ting Lai-Lei , Ko Jenq-Yuh , Hsu Mow-Ming , Sheen Tzung-Shiahn , Lou Pei-Jen , Wang Chuan-Cheng , Chung Na-Na , Lui Louis Tak
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: Survival in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is compromised by distant metastasis. Because mitomycin is active against hypoxic and G0 cells, which may help to eradicate micrometastasis, we investigated the effect of mitomycin-containing cisplatin-based induction chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Recruited for this study were American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 1992 staging system stage IV NPC patients with the following adverse features: obvious intracranial invasion, supraclavicular or bilateral neck lymph node metastasis, large neck node (> 6 cm), or elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level. Patients were given three cycles of chemotherapy before radiotherapy. The chemotherapy comprised a 3-week cycle of mitomycin, epirubicin, and cisplatin on day 1 and fluorouracil and leucovorin on day 8 (MEPFL).

RESULTS: From January 1994 to December 1997, 111 patients were recruited. The median follow-up period was 43 months. The actuarial 5-year overall survival rate was 70% (95% confidence interval [CI], 60% to 80%; n = 111). For patients having completed radiotherapy (n = 100), the 5-year locoregional control rate was 70% (95% CI, 55% to 84%) and the distant metastasis–free rate was 81% (95% CI, 73% to 89%). The 5-year distant metastasis–free rate of N3a and N3b disease of AJCC 1997 staging system were 79% (95% CI, 62% to 95%) and 74% (95% CI, 60% to 89%), respectively. By Cox multivariate analysis, high pretreatment serum LDH level (P = .04) and neck nodal enlargement before radiotherapy (P = .001) were adverse prognostic factors of survival.

CONCLUSION: The good 5-year survival of N3 disease supports the effectiveness of induction MEPFL in the primary treatment of advanced NPC. Further investigation to incorporate concurrent chemoradiotherapy is warranted.