Anne-Sophie Veillard

Adjuvant Cisplatin and Vinorelbine for Completely Resected Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Subgroup Analysis of the Lung Adjuvant Cisplatin Evaluation

Background: To evaluate the impact of adjuvant cisplatin-vinorelbine in completely resected non-small cell lung cancer and identify patients likely to benefit from this regimen in the Lung Adjuvant Cisplatin Evaluation (LACE) database. The overall LACE meta-analysis showed survival benefit with cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy (5-year survival benefit of 5.4%, hazard ratio [HR] 0.89, p = 0.004). Subgroup analysis for the cisplatin-vinorelbine regimen was prespecified in the LACE statistical analysis plan. Patients randomized to cisplatin-vinorelbine or observation were the largest subgroup (41%) and the most homogeneous in terms of drug doses and eligibility. Patients and Methods: The LACE-vinorelbine cohort included trials evaluating cisplatin-vinorelbine versus observation. Overall survival was the primary end point. Other studies randomizing patients to other chemotherapy or observation (LACE-other) were also evaluated. Results: The LACE-vinorelbine cohort included 1888 patients from four studies (Adjuvant Navelbine International Trialist Association, Big Lung Trial, International Adjuvant Lung Cancer Trial, and National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group JBR.10). Baseline characteristics were similar to the LACE-other but had fewer patients with stage IA (2% versus 11%). Survival improvement at 5 years was 8.9% with cisplatin-vinorelbine versus observation (HR 0.80, 95% confidence interval: 0.70–0.91, p <0.001). Stage was a significant predictor for survival (test for trend, p = 0.02; benefit at 5 years: 14.7% [stage III], 11.6% [stage II], and 1.8% [stage I]). Similar benefits were seen for disease-free survival (HR 0.75 [0.67–0.85, p <0.001], stage III [HR 0.62, 0.50–0.76], stage II [HR 0.69, 0.57–0.83], and stage I [HR 0.95, 0.767ndash;1.19]). The overall result was statistically superior to LACE-other (LACE other HR 0.95, 0.86–1.05, interaction p = 0.04). Conclusion: In subgroup analyses, adjuvant cisplatin-vinorelbine provides a superior survival benefit and can be recommended in completely resected stages II and III non-small cell lung cancer.

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D: A Predictor of Macrovascular and Microvascular Complications in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE People with diabetes frequently develop vascular disease. We investigated the relationship between blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OH-D) concentration and vascular disease risk in type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The relationships between blood 25OH-D concentration at baseline and the incidence of macrovascular (including myocardial infarction and stroke) and microvascular (retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, and amputation) disease were analyzed with Cox proportional hazards models and logistic regression in an observational study of patients in the 5-year Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes trial. RESULTS A total of 50% of the patients had low vitamin D concentrations, as indicated by median blood 25OH-D concentration of 49 nmol/L. These patients with a blood 25OH-D concentration <50 nmol/L had a higher cumulative incidence of macrovascular and microvascular events than those with levels ≥50 nmol/L. Multivariate analysis, stratified by treatment and adjusted for relevant confounders, identified blood 25OH-D concentration as an independent predictor of macrovascular events. A 50 nmol/L difference in blood 25OH-D concentration was associated with a 23% (P = 0.007) change in risk of macrovascular complications during the study, and further adjustments for seasonality, hs-CRP, and physical activity level had little impact. The unadjusted risk of microvascular complications was 18% (P = 0.006) higher during the study, though the excess risk declined to 11–14% and lost significance with adjustment for HbA1c, seasonality, or physical activity. CONCLUSIONS Low blood 25OH-D concentrations are associated with an increased risk of macrovascular and microvascular disease events in type 2 diabetes. However, a causal link remains to be demonstrated.

Ovarian cancer in elderly patients: carboplatin and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin versus carboplatin and paclitaxel in late relapse: a Gynecologic Cancer Intergroup (GCIG) CALYPSO sub-study

BACKGROUND CALYPSO (CAeLYx in Platinum Sensitive Ovarian) patients compared carboplatin-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (C-PLD) with carboplatin-paclitaxel (C-P) in patients with late-relapsing recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC). We analyzed outcomes in patients ≥70 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS Nine hundred and seventy-six patients with taxane-pretreated ROC relapsing >6 months after first- or second-line platinum-based therapy were randomly assigned to 4-weekly C area under the curve (AUC) 5 plus PLD 30 mg/m(2) or 3-weekly C AUC 5 plus P 175 mg/m(2) for six or more cycles. RESULTS One hundred and fifty-seven (16%) patients ≥70 years (median: 74 years, C-PLD; 73 years, C-P; range 70-82 years) were included (n = 71, C-PLD; n = 86, C-P). In comparing elderly and younger, elderly patients experienced fewer grade ≥2 allergic reactions (P = 0.005) but more grade ≥2 sensory neuropathy (P = 0.007). Myelosuppression did not differ with age. Elderly patients completed planned treatment as frequently as younger (79%, C-PLD; 82%, C-P). In comparing arms within elderly patients, C-P was associated with more grade ≥2 alopecia, sensory neuropathy, arthralgia/myalgia (P < 0.001 for all), severe leukopenia plus febrile neutropenia; C-PLD was associated with more grade ≥2 hand-foot syndrome (P = 0.005). Median progression-free survival was 11.6 months (C-PLD) and 10.3 months (C-P; P = 0.44). CONCLUSIONS Patients ≥70 years experienced more neuropathy, with a higher incidence in the C-P arm. Similar to all study patients, C-PLD provided a better therapeutic index with less toxicity than C-P in elderly women with platinum-sensitive ROC.

Phase 2 study of frontline bortezomib in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND Preliminary results indicated that bortezomib (B) (Velcade*) as a single agent may have activity in pretreated NSCLC patients with similar or lesser toxicity compared to chemotherapy. This phase II study was initiated to determine the efficacy of single-agent B in chemonaïve patients with advanced NSCLC. An early tumor assessment (after 6 weeks of therapy) was performed to allow for rapid and appropriate management of non-responding patients. METHODS Patients received B (1.5 mg/m2) twice a week for 2 consecutive weeks (days 1, 4, 8, and 11) followed by a 10-day rest period. The primary endpoint was non-progression rate (NPR) after 6 weeks of treatment. Secondary endpoints included response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. Exploratory analyses included FDG-PET response at 6 weeks and circulating tumors cell (CTC) assessment at day 1 of each cycle in a subset of patients. RESULTS 18 patients were enrolled from 06/06 to 02/07 from 3 French institutions. DEMOGRAPHICS male/female 15/3; median age 66 (54-79); PS 0/1/2, 3/12/3; pathology: adenocarcinoma 11, squamous cell carcinoma 5, large-cell carcinoma 2; smoking status never/former/current 1/10/7; stage IIIB/IV 2/16. Seventeen patients received B and 16 were assessable (1 early withdrawal and 1 progression at D26). The most frequent toxicity was fatigue (17 patients). Twelve patients (71%) had at least one grade 3 toxicity: 4 haematological, 1 infection, 5 gastro-intestinal toxicity, 9 fatigue, 1 neuropathy. The non-progression rate was 59% [33-82%] at 6 weeks (10/17 patients). No objective response was seen. With a median follow-up of 12.3 months, the median PFS and OS were 2.4 and 9.8 months respectively. Eleven deaths occurred. No PET response was observed, and CTC were detected only in 1 out of 8 patients evaluated. CONCLUSIONS Although according to the protocol rules the trial should not be stopped, the lack of any objective response either by CT-scan or PET-CT, along with substantial toxicity, did not argue in favor of the current strategy of B as a single agent in the front-line setting of NSCLC.

Rates and predictors of risk of stroke and its subtypes in diabetes: a prospective observational study

Background Small vessel disease is reported to be a more common cause of ischaemic stroke in people with diabetes than in others. However, population based studies have shown no difference between those with and those without diabetes in the subtypes of stroke. We determined the rates and predictors of risk of stroke and its subtypes in the Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) trial. Methods 9795 patients aged 50–75 years with type 2 diabetes were followed up for a median of 5 years. Annual rates were derived by the Kaplan–Meier method and independent predictors of risk by Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. Results The annual rate of stroke was 6.7 per 1000 person years; 82% were ischaemic and caused by small artery disease (36%), large artery disease (17%) and embolism from the heart (13%); 10% were haemorrhagic. Among the strongest baseline predictors of ischaemic or unknown stroke were age (60–65 years, HR 1.98; >65 years, HR 2.35) and a history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) (HR 2.06). Other independent baseline predictors were male sex, smoking, history of hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, nephropathy, systolic blood pressure and blood low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, HbA1c and fibrinogen. A history of peripheral vascular disease, low high density lipoprotein, age and history of hypertension were associated with large artery ischaemic stroke. A history of diabetic retinopathy, LDL cholesterol, male sex, systolic blood pressure, smoking, diabetes duration and a history of stroke or TIA were associated with small artery ischaemic stroke. Conclusions Older people with a history of stroke were at highest risk of stroke, but the prognosis and prognostic factors of subtypes were heterogeneous. The results will help clinicians quantify the absolute risk of stroke and its subtypes for typical diabetes patients.

Circulating dipeptidyl peptidase-4 activity correlates with measures of hepatocyte apoptosis and fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity: A dual cohort cross-sectional study.

Intrahepatic expression of dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP4), and circulating DPP4 (cDPP4) levels and its enzymatic activity, are increased in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and in type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or obesity. DPP4 has been implicated as a causative factor in NAFLD progression but few studies have examined associations between cDPP4 activity and NAFLD severity in humans. This study aimed to examine the relationship of cDPP4 activity with measures of liver disease severity in NAFLD in subjects with diabetes and/or obesity.

Plasma homocysteine and the risk of venous thromboembolism: insights from the FIELD study.

Abstract Background: The lipid-lowering effect of fenofibrate is accompanied by a rise in plasma homocysteine (HCY), a potential risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE). This study investigated the relationship between HCY and the risk of VTE in patients treated with fenofibrate. Methods: The relationship between HCY and deep-vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism was investigated in 9522 participants of the 5-year Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) trial. All subjects received fenofibrate during a 6-week active run-in phase before randomization. A Cox proportional-hazards model was used to assess the effect of HCY on risk of venous thromboembolic events. Results: During active-drug run-in, HCY rose on average by 6.5 μmol/L, accompanied by a substantial rise in plasma creatinine (+12%). Fenofibrate-induced changes in HCY and creatinine were fully reversible in the placebo group but persisted in the treatment group until reversing at the end of therapy. During follow-up, 1.8% had at least one episode of deep-vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism: 103 on fenofibrate and 68 on placebo (log-rank p=0.006). In multivariate analysis, every 5 μmol/L higher baseline HCY was associated with 19% higher risk of VTE. Fenofibrate treatment was associated with 52% higher risk, but the change in HCY with fenofibrate was not significantly associated with VTE after adjustment for baseline HCY. Conclusions: Hyperhomocysteinemia is prospectively associated with VTE. Fenofibrate may predispose individuals with high pretreatment HCY towards VTE. The fenofibrate-induced increase in HCY did not, however, explain the risk associated with fenofibrate therapy.

Rising prevalence of human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancer in Australia over the last 2 decades.

This study provides Australian data on the characteristics of human papillomavirus (HPV)‐related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) over the last 2 decades.

The prognostic significance of hypoxia inducing factor 1-α in oropharyngeal cancer in relation to human papillomavirus status

OBJECTIVES This study examines the prognostic significance of hypoxia inducing factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression in relation to human papillomavirus (HPV) status in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Clinical details on 233 oropharyngeal SCCs were extracted from institutional databases. Recurrence in any form or death from any cause was recorded for a median of 51 months after diagnosis. HIF-1α expression was evaluated by semiquantitative immunohistochemistry and HPV status was determined by HPV E6-targeted multiplex real-time PCR and p16 immunohistochemistry. Determinants of recurrence and mortality hazards were modeled using Cox regression with censoring at dates of last follow-up. RESULTS The HIF-1α positivity rate was 58.8%. HIF-1α positivity was associated with higher T category (T3/T4 vs. T1/T2, 64.2% vs. 48.4%, p=0.001) and lower grade (Grade 1-2 vs. 3, 62% vs. 46.9%, p=0.001). There was no significant association between HIF-1α expression and HPV status. After adjustment for clinico-pathological variables, HPV status but not HIF-1α was a strong predictor of outcome. The combination of HPV and HIF-1α was not a prognostic variable but the worst outcomes were seen in those with HPV negative and HIF-1α positive cancers. There was no statistically significant evidence of an interaction between HPV and HIF-1α. CONCLUSIONS The degree of hypoxia as measured by HIF-1α expression does not differ between HPV positive and HPV negative cancers. The role of hypoxia in HPV negative oropharyngeal cancer warrants further investigation.

Panitumumab added to docetaxel, cisplatin and fluoropyrimidine in oesophagogastric cancer: ATTAX3 phase II trial.

Background:This randomised phase II study evaluated the efficacy and safety of panitumumab added to docetaxel-based chemotherapy in advanced oesophagogastric cancer.Methods:Patients with metastatic or locally recurrent cancer of the oesophagus, oesophagogastric junction or stomach received docetaxel and a fluoropyrimidine with or without panitumumab for 8 cycles or until progression. The primary end point was response rate (RECIST1.1). We planned to enrol 100 patients, with 50% expected response rate for combination therapy.Results:A total of 77 patients were enrolled. A safety alert from the REAL3 trial prompted a review of data that found no evidence of adverse outcomes associated with panitumumab but questionable efficacy, and new enrolment was ceased. Enrolled patients were treated according to protocol. Response rates were 49% (95% CI 34–64%) in the chemotherapy arm and 58% (95% CI 42–72%) in the combination arm. Common grade 3 and 4 toxicities included infection, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhoea and fatigue. At 23.7 months of median follow-up, median progression-free survival was 6.9 months vs 6.0 months and median overall survival was 11.7 months vs 10.0 months in the chemotherapy arm and the combination arm, respectively.Conclusions:Adding panitumumab to docetaxel-based chemotherapy for advanced oesophagogastric cancer did not improve efficacy and increased toxicities.