Anthony Dowling

Phase 2 study of temozolomide and Caelyx in patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme

Temozolomide has established activity in the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Caelyx (liposomal doxorubicin) has established activity in a broad range of tumors but has not been extensively evaluated in the treatment of GBM. Phase 1 data suggest that temozolomide and Caelyx can be combined safely at full dose. In this phase 2 study, combination temozolomide (200 mg/m(2) orally, days 1-5) and Caelyx (40 mg/m(2) i.v., day 1) was given every 4 weeks to a cohort of 22 patients with recurrent GBM, who received a total of 109 cycles (median 3.5 cycles). The median age of the patients was 55 years (range, 31-80 years), and 17 were male. All patients had received radiotherapy, but only 2 had received prior chemotherapy. One patient (5%) had a complete response, 3 patients (14%) had a partial response, and 11 patients (50%) had stable disease. The median time to progression for the cohort was 3.2 months (range, 1-13 months). Median overall survival was 8.2 months (range, 1-16+ months). Seven patients (32%) were progression free at 6 months. Hematological toxicity included grade 3/4 neutropenia in 4 patients (18%) and grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia in 4 patients (18%). Grade 3 non-hematologic toxicity included rash in 3 patients (14%), nausea and vomiting in 1 patient (4%), hypersensitivity reaction to Caelyx in 3 patients (14%), and palmar-plantar toxicity in 1 patient (4%). We conclude that the combination of temozolomide and Caelyx is well tolerated, results in a modest objective response rate, but has encouraging disease stabilization in the treatment of recurrent GBM.

Information from the Internet: attitudes of Australian oncology patients

Background: Patients require accurate information about their illness to make informed decisions. Many sources of information exist, although reliability is variable. Our objective was to investigate information seeking behaviour and attitudes toward health‐related information from the Internet in a sample of Australian oncology patients.

Clinical implications of circulating tumor cells of breast cancer patients: role of epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity.

There is increasing interest in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) due to their purported role in breast cancer metastasis, and their potential as a “liquid biopsy” tool in breast cancer diagnosis and management. There are, however, questions with regards to the reliability and consistency of CTC detection and to the relationship between CTCs and prognosis, which is limiting their clinical utility. There is increasing acceptance that the ability of CTCs to alter from an epithelial to mesenchymal phenotype plays an important role in determining the metastatic potential of these cells. This review examines the phenotypic and genetic variation, which has been reported within CTC populations. Importantly, we discuss how the detection and characterization of CTCs provides additional and often differing information from that obtained from the primary tumor, and how this may be utilized in determining prognosis and treatment options. It has been shown for example that hormone receptor status often differs between the primary tumor and CTCs, which may help to explain failure of endocrine treatment. We examine how CTC status may introduce alternative treatment options and also how they may be used to monitor treatment. Finally, we discuss the most interesting current clinical trials involving CTC analysis and note further research that is required before the breast cancer “liquid biopsy” can be realized.

Phase 2 trial of temozolomide and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in the treatment of patients with glioblastoma multiforme following concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy

Concurrent and post-radiotherapy temozolomide (T) significantly improves survival in patient with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme. We aimed to assess the activity of the combination of T and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in this population. A combination of T (days 1-5, 200mg/m(2) orally) and PLD (day 1, 40 mg/m(2) intravenous) was given every 4 weeks for six cycles following chemo-radiotherapy as a post-operative treatment. The primary endpoint was 6-month progression free survival (6PFS). Of the 40 patients who enrolled (53 years median age, 73% male), the 6PFS was 58% (95% confidence interval [CI], 41-72%). The median time to progression was 6.2 months (95% CI, 5.6-8.0 months) and overall survival (OS) was 13.4 months (95% CI, 12.7-15.8 months). Thirty-four patients had measurable disease: one had a complete response (3%), 28 had stable disease (82%), and five had progressive disease (15%). Treatment was well tolerated: hematological toxicity included grade 3 neutropenia (8%). Grade 3 non-hematologic toxicity included nausea and vomiting (8%) and palmar-plantar toxicity (5%). We concluded that combination T and PLD is well tolerated but does not add significant clinical benefit regarding 6PFS and OS.

A phase II trial of primary temozolomide in patients with grade III oligodendroglial brain tumors

Glial tumors with oligodendroglial components are considered chemo-responsive. Forty newly diagnosed patients (11 anaplastic oligodendrogliomas [OD] and 29 anaplastic oligoastrocytomas [OA]) were enrolled into this multicenter, open-label, single-arm Phase II trial of first-line temozolomide (200 mg/m(2) on days 1-5 every 4 weeks for 6 cycles). The primary endpoint was 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) with response rate (RR), median PFS, and median overall survival (OS) as secondary endpoints. Of 39 evaluable patients at the 6-month time point (median follow-up, 34 months), 6-month PFS was 77% (95% confidence interval [CI], 74.5%-79.3%). There were 15 complete responses (CRs, 38%), 6 partial responses (PRs, 15%), and 9 disease stabilization (23%). The median PFS was 21 months (95% CI, 3-39 months), and the median OS was 43 months (95% CI, 20-66 months). Chromosome 1p/19q codeletions were seen in 47% (18 of 38) of the patients, and O-6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation was seen in 48% (10 of 21) of the patients. All patients with OD showed MGMT methylation and most (71%) had chromosome 1p/19q codeletions. Conversely, fewer patients with OA showed MGMT methylation (23%) or had chromosome 1p/19q codeletions (31%). The presence of either 1p/19q codeletion or MGMT methylation was associated with increased RR at 6 months but not with improved PFS or OS. Only 18% of the patients (7 of 40) experienced treatment-related grade 3/4 toxicities. This regimen was active and well tolerated. These data add to the growing body of data showing that primary chemotherapy may be an acceptable alternative to radiotherapy for patients with gliomas containing oligodendroglial histology.

Phase II study of two-weekly temozolomide in patients with high-grade gliomas

Palliative chemotherapy has an increasing role in the management of recurrent high-grade gliomas. Temozolomide is a well-tolerated agent that results in objective responses and stabilisation of disease. Theoretically, temozolomide may be more effective when given in a prolonged schedule rather than the standard 5 days-monthly schedule. This Phase II study examined the efficacy and toxicity of temozolomide when given in a two-weekly schedule. Twenty-five patients received 150 mg/m2 temozolomide daily for seven days alternating with seven days of no treatment. One cycle of temozolomide was a total of two weeks treatment in every 28 days. Of the 25 evaluable patients, there was one complete response (4%), four partial responses (16%) and 10 patients had disease stablisation (40%). The progression free survival at 6 months was 56%. Two-weekly temozolomide was well tolerated with only four episodes of Grade 3 thrombocytopenia. Overall, two-weekly temozolomide is an active and well tolerated schedule, but does not appear to improve on the activity of temozolomide using the standard 5-day schedule.

Prolonged life-threatening hypoglycaemia following dose escalation of octreotide LAR in a patient with malignant polysecreting pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour

Summary This paper details the case of a 77-year-old male with refractory hypoglycaemia due to inoperable metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (pNET) co-secreting insulin and gastrin. Multiple medical therapies were trialled with limited success, and we describe the complications experienced by our patient. Somatostatin analogues can ameliorate hypoglycaemia and may have tumour-stabilising effects; however, in our case resulted in paradoxical worsening of hypoglycaemia. This rendered our patient hospital dependent for glycaemic support including continuous dextrose infusion. Although this is a reported adverse effect with initiation of therapy, we describe successful initiation of short-acting octreotide as an inpatient followed by commencement of long-acting octreotide. Hypoglycaemic collapse occurred only after dose titration of long-acting octreotide. We outline the pitfalls of somatostatin analogue therapy and the mechanisms that may contribute to worsening hypoglycaemia. This rare side effect cannot be reliably predicted, necessitating close supervision and glucose monitoring during therapy. Our patient achieved disease stabilisation and gradual resolution of hypoglycaemia with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), an emerging therapeutic option for metastatic neuroendocrine tumours with high efficacy and low toxicity. We present a brief but comprehensive discussion of currently available and novel therapies for insulin secreting pNETs. Learning points Hypoglycaemia due to malignant insulin secreting pNET is frequently severe and may be life-threatening despite supportive therapies. Octreotide can ameliorate hypoglycaemia, and may have anti-proliferative and tumour-stabilising effects in malignant pNETs that are surgically unresectable. Paradoxical worsening of hypoglycaemia may occur with octreotide initiation and dose titration, necessitating close supervision and glucose monitoring. PRRT is emerging as a therapeutic option with high efficacy and low toxicity.

Living longer with adult high-grade glioma:setting a research agenda for patients and their caregivers

The long-term survival of patients with adult high-grade glioma (HGG) remains poor, but for those who do live longer functional status and neurocognitive ability may be influenced by residual or recurrent tumour, or treatment-related complications. The aim of this review was to examine the current literature regarding the quality of life and experience of patients living longer with adult HGG and their caregivers, with a view to understanding the burden of treatment on patient abilities and deficits over time. Medline, PsychINFO and CINAHL databases were searched for the core concept of HGG in combination with an aspect of quality of long-term survival. Key findings of the 12 included studies were identified and synthesised thematically. There is a paucity of dedicated studies which have investigated the experiences of this cohort. The strength of existing literature is limited by the systematic exclusion of the poorest functioning patients and the under-representation of caregiver perspectives. Discrepancies in how patients view their quality of life were highlighted, despite consistent findings of significant physical and functional impairment. This review confirmed the presence of important differences between patient and caregiver views regarding patient abilities following treatment. Caregiver burden was found to be high, due to multiple dynamic and relentless stressors. The true experience of patients living longer with adult HGG and their caregivers remains unclear, particularly for patients with poorer neurocognitive and functional outcomes. Further research is required to clarify and replicate findings, explore discrepancies between patient and caregiver views, and to specifically investigate how caregiver needs and experiences may evolve over time.

A retrospective cohort study of metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy, with an exploratory analysis of changing serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels

Aim:  To examine the relationship between changes in serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels and survival during oxaliplatin‐based chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Central nervous system metastases in women with HER‐2 positive metastatic breast cancer after treatment with trastuzumab

Background:  Historically, central nervous system (CNS) metastases have been reported to occur in 10–16% of women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) with a median survival of less than 1 year after diagnosis of CNS disease. A higher rate of CNS metastases has been described in women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) over‐expressing HER‐2 who receive trastuzumab therapy.