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J L Pujol

Publications and source records attributed to J L Pujol.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Pro-gastrin-releasing peptide, neuron specific enolase and chromogranin A as serum markers of small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) yields neuroendocrine properties. Pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (ProGRP), neuron specific enolase (NSE) and chromogranin A (CGA) are therefore putative serum markers in this disease. AIM: To assess any difference in the sensitivity-specificity relationship between these neuroendocrine markers regarding various control populations and disease extent. METHOD: A total of 146 patients were prospectively assessed clinically and biologically. Serum marker titrations were performed using commercial immunoradiometric assays (NSE, CGA) or ELISA (ProGRP). Areas under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC-ROC) were calculated in order to assess the sensitivity-specificity relationship of each marker and to compare marker accuracy. Maximum Youden indices were used to determine marker thresholds able to produce the best overall diagnostic information. RESULTS: Assessing the sensitivity in the SCLC population and the specificity in benign lung disease, ProGRP demonstrated the best sensitivity relationship in as much as its AUC-ROC was significantly greater than the ones calculated using NSE and CGA (respective values, 0.95, 0.89, 0.70; two-tailed Z-test <0.05). The ProGRP threshold value, which offered the best sensitivity-specificity relationship was 53 pg/ml corresponding to a 0.80 sensitivity and a 0.96 specificity. In addition, when specificity was assessed in NSCLC and again the sensitivity in the whole SCLC population, ProGRP continued to demonstrate a greater AUC-ROC in comparison with other markers. Using the 53 pg/ml threshold the specificity of this marker was excellent with no false positives in NSCLC. On the other hand, none of the markers were able to discriminate limited from extensive SCLC as suggested by the fact that AUC-ROC, constructed when sensitivity was defined as a positive test in extensive disease and specificity as a true negative test in limited disease, did not reach the upper left octant (AUC 0.65, 0.71 and 0.63 for ProGRP, NSE and CGA, respectively). CONCLUSION: ProGRP yields the best sensitivity-specificity feature in SCLC, a result deserving further studies designed to evaluate the clinical applicability of this marker.

Adult↗

Phase II study of docetaxel in the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer in routine daily practice.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of docetaxel as first- and second-line chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) under routine clinical conditions. Two hundred and three patients with advanced NSCLC received docetaxel 100 mg/m2 (1-h intravenous infusion) every 3 weeks, with oral corticosteroid pre-medication, of whom 173 were eligible. Median age was 60 (29-78) years and median Karnofsky performance status was 80% (60-100). A total of 77% of patients had metastatic disease, 33% had bone metastases and 18% had liver metastases. The treatment was second-line or more for 72 patients (35%). Overall response rates in the eligible population were 19.7% [95% CI, 12.5-23.0] for both treatments, 22.6% for first-line treatment and 13.8% for second-line treatment. Median survival was 8.3 months and 1-year survival was 35% for the overall population (8.7 months and 38%, respectively, for patients receiving first-line treatment and 7.2 months and 27%, respectively, for patients receiving second-line treatment). Neutropenia, grade 3 and 4, occurred in 57% of the cycles and 5% of patients experienced febrile neutropenia. Alopecia (62% of patients), neuro-sensory symptoms (32%), asthenia (28%), diarrhea (22%), nausea (22%) and nail disorders (20%) were the most common non-hematological adverse effects. A total of 33% of patients suffered fluid retention, despite the use of corticosteroid pre-medication, but this was only severe in 1.5% of patients. It was possible to confirm the efficacy of docetaxel as a single agent for first- and second-line chemotherapy in a large patient population treated in a community setting.

Adult↗

Is there a case for cisplatin in the treatment of small-cell lung cancer? A meta-analysis of randomized trials of a cisplatin-containing regimen versus a regimen without this alkylating agent.

Chemotherapy is the backbone of small-cell lung cancer therapy. However, optimal drug combinations and schedules remain to be defined and there is hitherto no world-wide accepted standard regimen. Cisplatin, an alkylating agent with high putative toxicity is currently widely used although its effectiveness in this disease has not been established firmly. We conducted a meta-analysis of published data reporting trials randomizing a cisplatin-containing regimen versus a regimen without this alkylating agent in order to determine possible differences in survival response and toxicity. Nineteen trials have been identified in medical literature (4054 evaluable patients). Ten trials randomized patients to receive a cisplatin-etoposide regimen versus a regimen without any of these two drugs. A subgroup analysis was, therefore, carried out in the nine remaining trials that randomly allocated patients between two regimens differing in the absence or presence of cisplatin, whereas etoposide was given (or not given) in both arms (1579 evaluable patients). The DerSimonian and Laird method was used to estimate the size effects and the Peto and Yusuf method was used in order to generate the odds ratios (OR) of reduction in risk of death and the increase in probability of being responders to chemotherapy. There was no significant difference between the cisplatin-containing regimen and the regimen without this drug when the risk of toxic-death was taken into account with respective probabilities of 3.1 and 2.7% (NS). Patients randomized in a cisplatin-containing regimen had an increase in probability of being responders with an OR of 1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.18-1.55; P < 10(-5) corresponding to an increase of objective (partial plus complete) response rate from 0.62 to 0.69 (a result taking into account a significant heterogeneity). Patients treated with a cisplatin-containing regimen benefited from a significant reduction of risk of death at 6 months and 1 year with respective OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.75-0.98, P = 0.03, and or 0.80, 95% CI 0.69-0.93, P = 0.002 (no statistical heterogeneity). This corresponded to a significant increase in the probability of survival of 2.6% and 4.4% at 6 months and 1 year respectively. The meta-analysis restricted to the subset of nine trials without etoposide treatment imbalance reached similar conclusions. A cisplatin-containing regimen yields a higher response rate and probability of survival than does a chemotherapy containing others alkylating agents without a perceptible increase in risk of toxic-death.

Adult↗

Phase I-II study of high dose epirubicin plus cisplatin in unresectable non-small-cell lung cancer: searching for the maximal tolerated dose.

The purpose of this study was to search for the maximal tolerated dose of cisplatin in the cisplatin plus high-dose epirubicin combination for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. The following range of cisplatin dosages were tested in a phase I study: 75, 90, 105, and 120 mg/m2 in combination with epirubicin 120 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. Eligibility consisted of previously untreated stage IIIb or IV non-small-cell lung cancers, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status less than or equal to 2, age less than or equal to 70 years, measurable disease, adequate blood counts, chemistry, cardiac function, and no brain metastasis. The maximal tolerated dose was defined as the dose level of cisplatin for which two of three patients or three of six patients developed one or more limiting toxicities during the first course of therapy. Afterward, the maximal tolerated dose of cisplatin was adopted in a subsequent phase II study. Three centers enrolled 42 patients: 18 in phase I and 24 in phase II. The maximal tolerated dose was almost reached at the last dose level (i.e., 120 mg/m2). Taking into account the total duration of the treatment, the real dose intensity for patients treated at the fourth dose level (120 mg/m2) did not differ from that of the third dose level (105 mg/m2). The latter dosage was therefore considered as the maximal tolerated one. In the subsequent phase II study, the median number of cycles received per patient was three (range: one to eight). Fifty percent required a dose reduction of either epirubicin, cisplatin, or both. The main toxicity was neutropenia, resulting in 10 episodes of febrile grade IV neutropenia requiring readmission. Other toxicities were mild to moderate. There was no toxic-related death. On intent-to-treat analysis, 10 patients (33%) achieved an objective response. Among them were three complete responders. Median survival was 8 months. We observed neither detraction nor improvement of quality of life as assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30-LC13. Given every 3 weeks in combination with epirubicin 120 mg/m2, the maximal tolerated cisplatin dose is 105 mg/m2. This combination yields activity in non-small-cell lung cancer.

Adult↗

Survival of patients with resected N2 non-small-cell lung cancer: evidence for a subclassification and implications.

PURPOSE: Patients who suffer from non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with ipsilateral mediastinal lymph node involvement (N2) belong to a heterogeneous subgroup of patients. We analyzed the prognosis of patients with resected N2 NSCLC to propose homogeneous patient subgroups. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present study comprised 702 consecutive patients from six French centers who underwent surgical resection of N2 NSCLC. Initially, two groups of patients were defined: patients with clinical N2 (cN2) and those with minimal N2 (mN2) disease were patients in whom N2 disease was and was not detected preoperatively at computed tomographic scan, respectively. RESULTS: The median duration of follow-up was 52 months (range, 18 to 120 months). A multivariate analysis using Cox regression identified four negative prognostic factors, namely, cN2 status (P <. 0001), involvement of multiple lymph node levels (L2+; P <.0001), pT3 to T4 stage (P <.0001), and no preoperative chemotherapy (P <. 01). For patients treated with primary surgery, 5-year survival rates were as follows: mN2, one level involved (mN2L1, n = 244): 34%; mN2, multiple level involvement (mN2L2+, n = 78): 11%; cN2L1 (n = 118): 8%; and cN2L2+ (n = 122): 3%. When only patients with mN2L1 disease were considered, the site of lymph node involvement according to the American Thoracic Society numbering system had no prognostic significance (P =.14). Preoperative chemotherapy was associated with a better prognosis for those with cN2 (P <.0001). Five-year survival rates were 18% and 5% for cN2 patients treated with and without preoperative chemotherapy, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study has identified homogeneous N2 NSCLC prognostic subgroups and suggests different therapeutic approaches according to the subgroup profile.

Adolescent↗

Concomitant brain radiotherapy and vinorelbine-ifosfamide-cisplatin chemotherapy in brain metastases of non-small cell lung cancer.

AIM: To determine whether or not brain radiotherapy and concomitant three-drug chemotherapy is feasible and yields anti-tumour activity in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and brain metastases at time of presentation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three previously untreated patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer and brain metastasis were prospectively included in this feasibility study. Most of the patients had neurological symptoms and an Eastern Collaborative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance index over 2. Treatment consisted of three courses of whole brain radiotherapy (18 Gy in 10 fractions) and vinorelbine, 30 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8, ifosfamide, 1.5 g/m2 daily from day 1 through day 3 with uromitexan uroprotection, and cisplatin, 100 mg/m2 on day 2. A cycle restarted every 28 days. RESULTS: Eighteen patients completed the three-cycle programme. All patients were affected by a grade 4 neutropenia and 14 of them experienced a febrile episode. Other toxicities were mild to moderate and manageable. Received-dose intensities of vinorelbine, ifosfamide and cisplatin were 80, 90 and 90%, respectively. Overall response rate was 30%. Specific evaluation of brain response demonstrated complete response for seven patients, and partial response in six (objective brain response rate, 56%). All responders benefited by a remission of symptoms and improvement of performance index. Median survival from start of protocol was 7.6 months. CONCLUSION: Although the high rate of toxicity requiring re-admission, concomitant brain radiotherapy plus vinorelbine, ifosfamide and cisplatin chemotherapy is feasible in patients suffering from brain metastasis, and demonstrates an anti-tumour activity for this particular subset of stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. The development of such an aggressive approach needs further comparative evaluation.

Adult↗

Markov model and markers of small cell lung cancer: assessing the influence of reversible serum NSE, CYFRA 21-1 and TPS levels on prognosis.

High serum NSE and advanced tumour stage are well-known negative prognostic determinants of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) when observed at presentation. However, such variables are reversible disease indicators as they can change during the course of therapy. The relationship between risk of death and marker level and disease state during treatment of SCLC chemotherapy is not known. A total of 52 patients with SCLC were followed during cisplatin-based chemotherapy (the median number of tumour status and marker level assessments was 4). The time-homogeneous Markov model was used in order to analyse separately the prognostic significance of change in the state of the serum marker level (NSE, CYFRA 21-1, TPS) or the change in tumour status. In this model, transition rate intensities were analysed according to three different states: alive with low marker level (state 0), alive with high marker level (state 1) and dead (absorbing state). The model analysing NSE levels showed that the mean time to move out of state 'high marker level' was short (123 days). There was a 44% probability of the opposite reversible state 'low marker level' being reached, which demonstrated the reversible property of the state 'high marker level'. The relative risk of death from this state 'high marker level' was about 2.24 times greater in comparison with that of state 0 'low marker level' (Wald's test; P < 0.01). For patients in state 'high marker level' at time of sampling, the probability of death increased dramatically, a transition explaining the rapid decrease in the probability of remaining stationary at this state. However, a non-nil probability to change from state 1 'high marker level' to the opposite transient level, state 0 'low marker level', was observed suggesting that, however infrequently, patients in state 1 'high marker level' might still return to state 0 'low marker level'. Almost similar conclusions can be drawn regarding the three-state model constructed using the tumour response status. For the two cytokeratin markers, the Markov model suggests the lack of a true reversible property of these variables as there was only a very weak probability of a patient returning to state 'low marker level' once having entered state 'high marker level'. In conclusion, The Markov model suggests that the observation of an increase in serum NSE level or a lack of response of the disease at any time during follow-up (according to the homogeneous assumption) was strongly associated with a worse prognosis but that the reversion to a low mortality risk state remains possible.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Neoadjuvant etoposide, ifosfamide, and cisplatin followed by concomitant thoracic radiotherapy and continuous cisplatin infusion in stage IIIb non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the applicability and safety of an ifosfamide, cisplatin, and etoposide (VIP) regimen as a neoadjuvant chemotherapy to a concomitant thoracic radiotherapy and cisplatin continuous infusion in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-four patients (stage IIIb in 43 and stage IIIa in 1) entered a study of VIP, followed by concomitant thoracic radiotherapy and cisplatin continuous infusion. Chemotherapy consisted of three courses of cisplatin 25 mg/m2, ifosfamide 1.5 g/m2 (with uroprotection), and etoposide 100 mg/m2 given on days 1 to 4 of a 21-day cycle with hematopoietic support using recombinant human methionyl granulocyte colony stimulating factor. Patients who achieved a response or a stabilization were planned to receive a split-course normofractionated thoracic radiotherapy (first course: 30 Gy/10; 4-week rest period; second course: 25 Gy/10). A continuous cisplatin infusion of 6 mg/m2 daily was administered using an autonomous chemotherapy delivery device. Total plasma platinum titration was performed daily during the two courses in five of the patients. Analyses were done on an intent-to-treat basis. RESULTS: Thirty-nine of the 44 patients received the three-cycle chemotherapy program. Received dose intensity was 82%. Thirty-eight patients received the radiotherapy and, among them, 35 received the complete concomitant continuous cisplatin infusion. Objective (complete) response rates were 48% (7%) at the end of chemotherapy and increased up to 61% (16%) by the end of radiotherapy. At the end of the first radiotherapy cycle, the mean total plasma platinum concentration was twice as high as that of the residual postinduction chemotherapy concentration. During induction chemotherapy, myelosuppression was the limiting toxicity requiring hospital readmission in 23 patients. During radiotherapy, the main toxicity was acute esophagitis. A relatively high rate of pulmonary fibrosis was observed using the subjective objective management analytic--late effects of normal tissue score without life-threatening pulmonary function impairment. None of the patients died from toxic reactions. Probability of survival at 1, 2, and 3 years was 49%, 19%, and 5%, respectively. Primary cause of failure was a local relapse in 63% of the patients, brain metastases in 24%, and hematogeneous metastases to other sites in 13%. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant VIP followed by concomitant radiotherapy-chemotherapy is feasible, but the split-course radiotherapy did not prevent a high rate of local recurrences. The high rate of toxic reactions requiring hospital readmission limits further development of such an aggressive regimen in NSCLC.

Adult↗

[Epidemiology, prognostic factors, staging, and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer].

Non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer death among the world. The incidence of adenocarcinoma is rising while squamous cell carcinoma decreases. The biology of NSCLC is characterized by a multistep carcinogenesis. During the last years, changing in the management of NSCLC have occurred. The lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection are now the references. Postoperative radiotherapy has failed to improve survival, but hyperfractionated radiotherapy seems to be interesting for inoperable patients. The platin-based chemotherapy is now considered as standard treatment for stage IV. Gene therapy and angiogenesis inhibitors are currently under development.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗

Predictive factors of tumor response and prognostic factors of survival during lung cancer chemotherapy.

The aim of this study was (i) to determine predictive factors of a complete response to chemotherapy in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and predictive factors of an objective response in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and (ii) to determine whether prognostic factors are different with regard to treatment response and survival. Ninety-nine patients with SCLC and two hundred and two patients with NSCLC received chemotherapy. The following variables were recorded prior to treatment: tumor, node, metastasis status, performance status, body weight loss, blood leukocyte count, serum sodium, serum albumin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase, serum NSE, serum TPS, and serum CYFRA 21-1. Tumor response was analyzed at the 10th week. Analysis of survival were done using the landmark method. Hazard ratios of the significant prognostic variables of survival were calculated using the Cox's model. Odds ratios of the significant predicting factors of response were calculated by stepwise logistic regression. In SCLC, the significant determinants of poor survival were: lack of complete response (HR: 2.04), weight loss (HR: 1.76), high serum LDH level (HR: 1.64), and high serum TPS level (HR: 2.47). A high serum TPS level was the only factor among those studied able to predict lack of achievement of complete response (OR: 0.39). In NSCLC, significant determinants of poor survival were: no objective response (HR: 2.28), poor performance status (HR: 2.52), presence of metastases (HR: 1.51), and high serum CYFRA 21-1 level (HR: 1.84). On the other hand, a high serum TPS level (OR: 0.50), the presence of metastases (OR: 0.45), and a leukocyte blood count over 10,000/microl (OR: 0.43) were independent determinants for a patient not to achieve an objective response. We concluded that the predictive factors of complete response in SCLC remain to be defined. On the other hand, in NSCLC three variables contribute to the prediction of an objective response. Finally, determinants of survival differ from predictive factors of response.

Analysis of Variance↗

[Biological perspectives].

The tumour biology of non-small cell bronchial cancer integrates recent developments and a dynamic schema of the phenomena of tumour progression and diffusion of the metastatic disease. There is no leap of known biological disruption between Stage II and Stage III. The latter is defined by anatomical criteria and is a transition in the continuum of the natural history of these cancers. The moto for the tumour progression is the genotypic instability and phenotypic diversification. Metastatic microscopic disease constitutes the first cause of failure in the treatment of Stage III non-small cell bronchial cancer. Among prognostic factors for survival emphasis is placed on the alterations of p53 expression, different types of aneuploidy, anomalies of the expression of cellular adhesion molecules and finally, tumour diversification towards a metastatic phenotype.

Aneuploidy↗

[Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in the surveillance of small cell cancers. An evaluation of the prognostic information using Markov's model].

RATIONALE: An elevated serum NSE concentration is generally a bad prognostic sign when a diagnosis of small cell lung cancer is made. However, the marker may vary from time to time crossing the discriminant threshold (12.5 ng/ml) in one direction or the other. These variations are presumed to reflect the progress of the disease but it has not been shown that the risk of death from the disease is changed by alterations in the serum concentration of NSE. To resolve this question we have used Markov's mathematical model (homogeneous over time and in three states). METHOD: A prospective study has included 52 patients suffering from small cell cancer and treated with chemotherapy based on cisplatin. The NSE was measured following each treatment and three monthly in subsequent follow up. Markov's model was studying the intensities of transition and the risks of death between the two following transient states: living with an NSE concentration of < or = to 12.5 ng/ml, living with an NSE concentration of > 12.5 ng/ml, and an absorbing state: death. RESULTS: When a level of > 12.5 ng/ml was noted the mean time of maintaining in this state was short (123 days). During this time when a transfer was effected in 44 per cent of cases there is turn towards the opposite state (living with a concentration < 12.5 ng/ml) showing the real reversibility between the two transient states. When a patient had an elevated concentration of serum NSE the risk of death was 2.23 times greater than in the opposite state (living with a low NSE; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The observation of an elevated NSE concentration at any time in the follow up of patients suffering from small cell cancer was strongly associated with an elevated risk of death but a return from this state towards a state of less risk (living with a low NSE level) remains possible. This works suggests that the NSE levels may be useful in the follow up of small cell lung cancer.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

[New cytotoxics in the treatment of bronchial cancers].

This review presents a synthesis of published studies on the activity of the newer cytotoxic drugs in the treatment of bronchial cancer. It also touches on the early indications of recent results which until now have only been the subject of oral presentations. The taxanes form a new class of anti-cancer drug. Myelosuppression is their limiting factor. These are very active cytotoxic drugs but their toxological profile makes them difficult to use in polychemotherapy. The anti-tumour activity of docetaxel (Taxotere) has been shown. For non-small cell cancer (CNPC) the objective response (OR) is of the order of 26% in new patients and 21% in those who have been pre-treated with a combination of drugs based on Cisplatine. For paclitaxel (Taxol) the OR is around 25% in new patients. In association with a course of cisplatine the efficacy would be dose dependent. For small cell cancer (CPC) it enables a level of OR around 38% as monochemotherapy. Inhibitors of topoisomerase I (topotecan, irinotecan) form another new class of therapy. Myelosuppression again limits their toxicity. Diarrhoea is an additional toxicity of irinotecan (Campto). The inhibitors of topoisomerase I seem particularly active as monochemotherapy in the treatment of smal cell cancer. Haematological toxicity makes them difficult in association. The activity of topotecan (Hycantin) in the treatment of non-small cell carcinoma remains to be studied. For this indication irinotecan would enable an OR of 33% in new patients. The new anti-metabolite, gemcitabine (Gemzar) is characterised by a different mode of action from other cytotoxics used in the treatment of bronchial cancer. For non-small cell carcinoma it is active as monotherapy and in association with cisplatine. Its activity is more modest in the treatment of CPC but few studies are available for this indication. Its toxic profile makes it promising to be used in association. The new spindle drug vinorelbine (Navelbine) is active as monotherapy or associated with cisplatine in the treatment of non-small cell carcinoma. The limiting toxicity is haematological. Its neurotoxicity is moderate compared to agents in the same therapeutic class. These different cytotoxic drugs arouse a ligitimate interest but the optimal therapeutic schemas for their use remain poorly understood (with the exception of vinorelbine). Their place in the therapeutic arsenal remains to be defined whilst waiting for the results of Phase III studies, their routine use cannot be recommended.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Concomitant brain radiotherapy and high-dose ifosfamide in brain relapses of lung cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with lung cancer and brain metastasis were prospectively included in this feasibility study (four small-cell and 16 non-small-cell lung cancers). There were two previously untreated patients and 18 pretreated patients for whom brain metastases constituted the first relapse after a treatment-free interval following chemotherapy for the primary lung cancer. Most of the patients had neurological symptoms and an ECOG performance index over 2. Treatment consisted of three courses of whole brain radiotherapy (18 Gy in 10 fractions) and ifosfamide: 3 g/m2 daily from day 1 through day 4, i.e., during the first four days of radiotherapy with uromitexan uroprotection and haematopoietic support (r-HuG-CSF). RESULTS: Seventeen patients completed the three-cycle programme. Sixteen patients had grade 4 neutropenia and six of them experienced a febrile episode. Other toxicities were mild to moderate and manageable. The received dose-intensity of ifosfamide was 90%. Response evaluation demonstrated stable disease for two patients, partial response for eight, complete response for six and progression for four. All responders benefited by a remission of symptoms and improvement of performance index. Median survival from start of protocol was 13 months. CONCLUSION: Brain radiotherapy plus high-dose ifosfamide is feasible in patients suffering from brain recurrences of lung cancer.

Adult↗

Dose-intensity of a four-drug chemotherapy regimen with or without recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer: a multicenter randomized phase III study.

PURPOSE AND METHODS: We investigated whether a high-dose chemotherapy regimen of cyclophosphamide 1,800 mg/m2, 4'-epidoxorubicin 60 mg/m2, etoposide 330 mg/m2, and cisplatin 120 mg/m2 given monthly for four cycles with recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) support (5 micrograms/kg daily for 10 days) could improve the survival of patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) compared with a standard-dose regimen (cyclophosphamide 1,200 mg/m2, 4'-epidoxorubicin 40 mg/m2, etoposide 225 mg/m2, and cisplatin 100 mg/m2) given monthly for six cycles. Planned cumulative doses of the drugs were the same in both treatment arms except for cisplatin (which was 80% in the higher-dose plus rhGM-CSF group). RESULTS: At the time of the preplanned interim analysis, 125 patients, 60 in the standard-dose group and 65 in the higher-dose plus rhGM-CSF group, had entered the study; 116 were eligible, 55 in the standard-dose group and 61 in the higher-dose group. All patients were included in the analyses. The cumulative doses of each drug actually delivered were significantly higher in the standard-dose group. No difference in response rates was observed between the two groups. There were significantly greater hematologic toxicities, documented infections, and transfusions of RBCs and platelets in the higher-dose plus rhGM-CSF group. Patients in this group proved to have a shorter survival duration and a shorter time to relapse than patients in the standard-dose group (median overall survival: standard-dose, 10.8 months; higher-dose, 8.9 months; log-rank test with adjustment for prognostic variables, P = .0005; respective probabilities of relapse at 1 year, 77 +/- 0.6 and 96 +/- 2.2; log-rank test, P = .013). CONCLUSION: A 50% increase in dose-intensity for this four-drug regimen could not be achieved with GM-CSF due to excessive toxicity in patients with extensive-stage SCLC.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

[CYFRA 21-1].

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Antigens, Neoplasm↗