J. E. Perez

Vinorelbine as first-line chemotherapy for metastatic breast carcinoma.

PURPOSE A phase II trial was performed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of vinorelbine (VNB) as first-line chemotherapy for metastatic breast carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between August 1991 and February 1993, 45 patients with metastatic breast cancer were entered onto the study. Therapy consisted of VNB 30 mg/m2 diluted in 500 mL of normal saline administered as a 1-hour intravenous infusion. Injections were repeated weekly until evidence of progressive disease (PD) or severe toxicity developed. RESULTS One patient was considered not assessable for response. An objective response (OR) was observed in 18 of 44 patients (41%; 95% confidence interval, 26% to 56%). Three patients (7%) had a complete response (CR) and 15 (34%) had a partial response (PR). The median time to treatment failure for the entire group was 6 months (range, 1 to 15), and the median duration of response was 9 months (range, 1 to 15). The median survival duration has not been reached yet. There were no treatment-related deaths. The dose-limiting toxicity was myelosuppression. Leukopenia occurred in 35 patients (78%) and was grade 3 or 4 in 16 (36%). Phlebitis was observed in 19 of 29 patients (66%) who did not have central implantable venous systems. Fifteen patients (33%) developed peripheral neurotoxicity. Myalgia occurred in 20 patients (44%). CONCLUSION VNB is an active drug against metastatic breast cancer with moderate toxicity, which justifies further evaluation in association with other agents.

Stage IV Breast Cancer: Clinical Course and Survival of Patients with Osseous Versus Extraosseous Metastases at Initial Diagnosis

The medical records of 414 patients with metastatic breast carcinoma treated between 1978 and 1986 were reviewed and 44 women were identified as having stage IV disease when the primary breast lesion was detected. Of these 44 women, 25 had metastatic disease limited to the skeleton while 19 had extraosseous lesions only. The clinical features, response to therapy, and survival were analyzed and compared for both groups. The median survival of those patients with bone-only metastases was 52 months as compared with 13 months for those with extraskeletal lesions (p = 0.0025). The response rate to first-line systemic therapy was similar for both groups (47% for bone metastases and 44% for extraosseous metastases). The median duration of response was 14 months (range, 3–55 months) for patients with bone disease and 8 months (range, 4–43 months) for those with extraskeletal lesions. We conclude that patients with metastatic breast cancer confined to the skeleton at initial diagnosis tend to follow an indolent, chronic course with prolonged survival. Therefore the increase in response rate with agressive chemotherapy should be balanced against its higher morbidity. Further studies are needed to confirm whether the better prognosis of these patients is determined by the anatomical confinement of the disease to the skeleton or merely reflects the influence of other prognostic factors.

Vinorelbine as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced cervical carcinoma

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of vinorelbine (VNB) as single-agent neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced cervical carcinoma (ACC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Between December 1993 and October 1995, 43 untreated patients with stages IIB to IVA squamous cell cervical cancer were entered onto this study. Forty-two patients are assessable for response and 43 for toxicity. The median age was 46 years (range, 28 to 65). Distribution by stages (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO]) was as follows: IIB, 18 patients; IIIA, one; IIIB, 19; and IVA, five. Therapy consisted of VNB 30 mg/m2 by 20-minute intravenous (IV) infusion repeated weekly for 12 injections and followed by radical surgery if feasible or definitive radiotherapy. Both staging and response assessment were performed by a multidisciplinary team. RESULTS One patient was considered not assessable for response. A total of 493 cycles of therapy were administered and objective remissions were observed in 19 of 42 patients (45%; 95% confidence interval, 30% to 60%). Two patients (5%) had a complete response (CR) and 17 (40%) a partial response (PR); no change (NC) was observed in 16 (38%) and progressive disease (PD) in seven (17%). Six of 19 patients (32%) who achieved objective responses (ORs) underwent surgery. The median time to failure and median survival time have not been reached yet. There were no therapy-related deaths. The dose-limiting toxicity was myelosuppression. Leukopenia occurred in 35 patients (81%) and was grade 3 or 4 in seven (17%). Twelve patients (28%) developed peripheral neuropathy, while myalgias occurred in 10 (23%). Constipation was observed in nine patients (21%), one with a prolonged ileum. Phlebitis was recorded in 18 patients (41%). In contrast, emesis and mucositis were rarely observed. No patient developed alopecia grade 3. By the end of the twelfth course of treatment, the average received dose-intensity was 85.4% of that projected. CONCLUSION VNB is an active drug against ACC with moderate toxicity. Its activity is among the highest reported for single agents. Further evaluation in association with other agents is clearly justified.

Bone-Only Versus Visceral-Only Metastatic Pattern in Breast Cancer: Analysis of 150 Patients

The medical records of 510 patients with metastatic breast cancer were retrospectively reviewed. Seventy-seven patients with metastases confined to skeleton and 73 patients bearing visceral-only disease were identified. All patients had a disease-free interval ≤ months and received systemic therapy with any of the following modalities: chemotherapy, hormonotherapy, or chemohormonotherapy. The clinical features, response to treatment, and survival were analyzed and compared for both groups. Median survival of patients with osseous metastases was 28 months, while it was 13 months for those patients with a visceral pattern (p < 0.001). Response rates to first and second line systemic therapy for both metastatic patterns showed no significant differences, suggesting a similar degree of sensitivity or resistance in both groups. Objective regression to first therapy was 45% in the group with bony disease and 41% among patients with visceral involvement; median duration of response was 16 months and 13 months, respectively. In both groups progressive disease conserved the original metastatic pattern in most patients. We conclude that although a superiority in survival was evident for the osseous metastatic pattern, for these patients efforts should be made to select the least aggressive therapy in order to avoid excessive toxicity. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Vinorelbine and Paclitaxel as First-Line Chemotherapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer

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.

Sequential Therapy With Methotrexate and 5-Fluorouracil in the Treatment of Advanced Colorectal Carcinoma

Twenty-nine patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma were entered in this study to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a sequential chemotherapeutic schedule with methotrexate (MTX), 200 mg/m2 intravenously (IV) (push injection) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 1,200 mg/m2 in continuous IV infusion, using a 20-hour time interval. All patients received calcium leucovorin (LV), 25 mg, intramuscularly (IM) every six hours for eight doses beginning 24 hours after methotrexate administration. Courses were administered every 15 days. Of the 24 patients evaluable for response, 11 (46%) had major objective regressions (one complete remission [CR] and ten partial remissions [PR]). The survival rate of patients who responded to treatment was 60% at 16 months, whereas patients with no change and those in whom the disease progressed had a median survival of 9 months and 3 months, respectively. The median duration of response has not yet been reached in patients who presented objective tumor regression, and was 7.5 months in those with no change. Significant differences were found between objective regression and no change (P less than .0005) and between no change and tumor progression (P less than .05). All patients were evaluable for toxicity. There were three toxic-related deaths (10%) because of severe myelosuppresion, sepsis, and hemorrhage. These promising results, despite important toxicity, reveal the synergism between the two chemotherapeutic agents and also indicate that the response rate achieved could be a consequence of the 20-hour interval and high dose of 5-FU. Further studies are necessary to determine the optimal time interval and the adequate 5-FU dose.

Ifosfamide and vinorelbine as first-line chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer.

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the combination of ifosfamide (IFX) and vinorelbine (VNB) as first-line chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Between August 1993 and August 1995, 45 patients with untreated MBC received a regimen that consisted of IFX 2 g/m2 by 1-hour intravenous (i.v.) infusion on days 1 to 3, mesna 400 mg/m2 by i.v. bolus at hours 0 and 4 and 800 mg/m2 orally at hour 8 on days 1 to 3, and VNB 35 mg/m2 by 20-minute i.v. infusion on days 1 and 15. Courses were repeated every 28 days. During the first course only, half-dose VNB (17.5 mg/m2) was administered on days 8 and 22. The median age was 53 years and 30 patients (67%) were postmenopausal. Dominant sites of disease were soft tissue in nine patients, bone in seven, and visceral in 29. RESULTS Objective responses (ORs) were recorded in 25 of 43 assessable patients (58%; 95% confidence interval, 43% to 73%). Complete remissions (CRs) occurred in six patients (14%) and partial remissions (PRs) in 19 (44%). No change (NC) was recorded in 10 patients (23%) and progressive disease (PD) in eight patients (19%). The median time to treatment failure was 12 months and the median survival duration 19 months. Myelosuppression was the limiting toxicity, mainly leukopenia in 32 patients (74%). In contrast, anemia and thrombocytopenia were mild. Other significant toxicities included peripheral neuropathy in nine patients (21%), constipation in 15 (35%), and myalgias in 11 (26%). CONCLUSION IFX/VNB is an active combination against MBC with moderate toxicity and deserves further evaluation.

Docetaxel as Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients With Advanced Cervical Carcinoma

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel as single-agent neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locoregionally advanced cervical carcinoma. Between April 1998 and August 2000, 38 untreated patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages IIB to IVA were entered onto this study. The median age was 44 years (range: 25–66 years). Stages: IIB 22 patients, IIIB 15 patients, and IVA 1 pt. Treatment consisted of docetaxel 100 mg/m2 IV infusion during 1 hour. Standard premedication with dexamethasone, diphenhydramine, and ranitidine was used. Cycles were repeated every 3 weeks for three courses, followed by radical surgery when it was judged appropriate, or definitive radiotherapy. Both staging and response assessment were performed by a multidisciplinary team. 106 cycles of therapy were administered; all patients were evaluable for TX, whereas 35 were evaluable for response (3 patients refused further treatment after the first cycle of therapy). Complete response (CR): 1 patient (3%); partial response: 11 patients (31%), for an overall objective response rate of 34% (95% CI: 15–53%); no change (NC): 16 patients (46%); and progressive disease: 7 patients (20%). Six patients (17%) underwent surgery and a pathologic CR was confirmed in 1 of them. The median time to treatment failure and the median survival have not been reached yet. The limiting toxicity was leukopenia in 25 patients (69%) (G1–G2: 14 patients, G3: 10 patients, and G4: 1 patient). Neutropenia: 28 patients (78%) (G1-G2: 10 patients, G3: 8 and G4: 10). Myalgias: 17 patients (47%) (G1-G2: 15 patients and G3: 2 patients). Emesis: 21 patients (55%) (G1-G2: 19 patients and G3: 2 patients). Alopecia G3: 13 patients (36%); rash cutaneous 26 patients (68%) (G1-G2: 22 patients and G3: 4 patients). There were no hypersensitivity reactions or fluid-retention syndrome. The received dose intensity was 91% of that projected. Docetaxel is an active drug against advanced cervical carcinoma with moderate toxicity. Further evaluation in association with other agents is clearly justified.

Biochemical modulation of 5-fluorouracil by methotrexate in patients with advanced gastric carcinoma

A phase II trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a modulation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) by methotrexate (MTX) (with leucovorin (LV) rescue) as first-line chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced (inoperable) or metastatic gastric carcinoma. From July 1993 through August 1996, 36 patients with advanced gastric carcinoma received a regimen that consisted of: MTX 200 mg/m2 diluted in 250 ml normal saline by intravenous infusion over 20 minutes at hour 0; 5-FU 1,200 mg/m2 intravenous push injection at hour 20. Beginning 24 hours after MTX administration all patients received LV 15 mg/m2 intramuscularly every 6 hours for six doses. Cycles were repeated every 15 days. One patient was not assessable for response. Objective regression was observed in 15 of 37 patients (43%; 95% confidence interval, 26%-60%). One patient (3%) achieved complete response and 14 (40%) achieved partial response. No change was recorded in 14 patients (40%) and progressive disease was noted in six patients (17%). The median time to treatment failure was 7 months and the median survival was 12 months. Toxicity was within acceptable limits but one therapy-related death resulting from severe leukopenia occurred. The dose-limiting toxicity was mucositis. Five episodes of grade 3 or 4 stomatitis were observed and caused dosage modifications of MTX and 5-FU. Biochemical modulation of 5-FU by MTX appears as an attractive modality in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Further investigation both in experimental and clinical fields is needed to clearly define its role and to design the best modulatory strategy.

Ifosfamide and vinorelbine as first-line chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma.

We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of the novel combination of ifosfamide (IFX) and vinorelbine (VNB) as first-line chemotherapy in patients with stage IIIB and IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Between March 1993 and November 1994, 44 patients (17 stage IIIB; 27 stage IV) received a regimen consisting of IFX, 2 g/m2 in a 1-h infusion, days 1-3; mesna, 400 mg/m2 in an i.v. bolus at hours 0 and 4 and 800 mg orally at hour 8, days 1-3; and VNB, 35 mg/ m2 in a 20-min infusion, days 1 and 15. During the first course only, a half dose of VNB (17.5 mg/m2) was administered on days 8 and 22. Courses were repeated every 28 days. Forty patients were fully evaluable for response, and 44 were assessable for toxicity. Objective regression was recorded in 13 of 40 patients (33%). No patient achieved a complete response. Thirteen patients presented a partial response (33%); 17 (42%) had no change; and progressive disease was observed in 10 (25%). The median duration of response was 10 months, and the median time to treatment failure for the whole group was 4 months. Median survival was 11 months. The dose-limiting toxic effect was myelosuppression. Leukopenia occurred in 25 patients (57%) and was grade 3 or 4 in 8 patients (18%). Twelve patients (27%) developed peripheral neurotoxicity, while five had mild IFX-induced CNS toxicity. Phlebitis was observed in 15 of 30 patients (50%) who did not have central implantable venous systems. The IFX-VNB combination exhibited an activity against NSCLC that was among the highest reported for non-cisplatin-containing regimens, with a toxicity profile that was easily managed.