Jean-François Morère

Microvessel density and VEGF expression are prognostic factors in colorectal cancer. Meta-analysis of the literature

We performed a meta-analysis of all published studies relating intratumoural microvessel density (MVD) (45 studies) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression (27 studies), both reflecting angiogenesis, to relapse free (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in colorectal cancer (CRC). For each study, MVD impact was measured by risk ratio between the two survival distributions with median MVD as cutoff. Eleven studies did not mention survival data or fit inclusion criteria, six were multiple publications of same series, leaving 32 independent studies for MVD (3496 patients) and 18 for VEGF (2050 patients). Microvessel density was assessed by immunohistochemistry, using antibodies against factor VIII (16 studies), CD31 (10 studies) or CD34 (seven studies). Vascular endothelial growth factor expression was mostly assessed by immunohistochemistry. Statistics were performed for MVD in 22 studies (the others lacking survival statistics) including nine studies (n=957) for RFS and 18 for OS (n=2383) and for VEGF in 17 studies, including nine studies for RFS (n=1064) and 10 for OS (n=1301). High MVD significantly predicted poor RFS (RR=2.32 95% CI: 1.39–3.90; P<0.001) and OS (RR=1.44; 95% CI: 1.08–1.92; P=0.01). Using CD31 or CD34, MVD was inversely related to survival, whereas it was not using factor VIII. Vascular endothelial growth factor expression significantly predicted poor RFS (RR=2.84; 95% CI: 1.95–4.16) and OS (RR=1.65; 95% CI: 1.27–2.14). To strengthen our findings, future prospective studies should explore the relation between MVD or VEGF expression and survival or response to therapy (e.g. antiangiogenic therapy). Assessment of these angiogenic markers should be better standardised in future studies.

Prevalence of Renal Insufficiency in Cancer Patients and Implications for Anticancer Drug Management The Renal Insufficiency and Anticancer Medications (IRMA) Study

The Renal Insufficiency and Cancer Medications (IRMA) study is a French national observational study. The results from this study of nearly 5000 patients demonstrated the high prevalence of renal impairment in a population of patients with solid tumors.

Does microsatellite instability predict the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer? A systematic review with meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Microsatellite instability (MSI) status in predicting the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer remains controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS Studies were identified through PubMed, Embase and ASCO proceedings with a combination of keywords (colorectal cancer, chemotherapy and MSI). RESULTS A MA was performed for treated and non-treated MSI population on seven studies. Statistical calculations were performed on 7 studies representing 3690 patients; mean age: 65.5 years; 810 stage II and 2444 stage III (75%). MSI-high (MSI-H) was found in 454 patients (14% of the global population), and microsatellite stable (MSS) in 2871. A total of 1444 patients received 5-fluorouracil (5FU)-based chemotherapy, whereas 1518 patients did not. For MSI-H patients, there was no statistically significant difference for RFS whether or not they received chemotherapy (5 studies); HR RFS: 0.96 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.62-1.49); HR OS (6 studies): 0.70 (95% CI: 0.44-1.09; p=0.12). Elsewhere, we found a significant interaction between MSI status (MSI-H or MSS) and therapeutic status suggesting a lesser benefit for MSI-H than for MSS patients (HR interaction RFS: 0.77 (95% CI: 0.67-0.87)). CONCLUSION We found similar RFS for treated and untreated MSI-H patients, showing that MSI-H status, in addition to being a good prognostic factor is also a predictive factor of non response.

Does delaying adjuvant chemotherapy after curative surgery for colorectal cancer impair survival? A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND In stage III colorectal cancer (CRC), adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) is usually prescribed within two months after curative surgery. Whether or not delaying initiation of CT affects survival is still debated. MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed a meta-analysis (MA) of all published studies (full papers or abstracts) comparing delayed CT with standard care. Studies were obtained from a PubMed query (keywords: CRC, adjuvant treatment, delay of CT), a review (Chau et al., 2006), cross-checking references and abstracts from the proceedings of ASCO, ASCO GI and WCGI annual meetings. We chose a cutoff delay of 8 weeks. Risk Ratios (RRs) were calculated from the recorded events (deaths, relapses). We used EasyMA software (fixed-effect model). RESULTS Fourteen studies (including four abstracts) were identified (17,645 patients; 5,952 males, 5,151 females, mean age 70 years). Of these, three could not be statistically analysed and three used another cutoff (4, 5 or 6 weeks), leaving 8 studies for main MA (13,158 patients; 3,932 males, 3,644 females, 5,942 missing data; 5,576 colon cancers, 6,677 rectal, 1,265 missing data). Delaying CT more than 8 weeks was associated to worse Overall Survival (OS) (RR: 1.20; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.15-1.26). In the MA including all studies whatever their cutoff, longer delay was similarly associated to a worse OS but not a worse Relapse-Free Survival (RFS) (five studies). CONCLUSION Adjuvant chemotherapy should be started within 8 weeks after surgery. Delaying the initiation of adjuvant CT for more than 8 weeks after surgery significantly decreased OS but not RFS. This discrepancy might be due to factors not directly related to cancer (post-operative complications, social status) or to a more accurate appraisal of death.

Long-term survival of patients given hormonal therapy for metastatic endometrial stromal sarcoma.

Endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) is a rare neoplasm, mainly observed in premenopausal women. We describe two women 44 and 34 years old at the time ESS diagnosis, who developed lung metastases 3 and 6 years, respectively, after initial treatment: hysterectomy without (case 1) or with oophorectomy (case 2), followed by hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for the latter. Their estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) were analyzed biochemically in metastatic lung tissue, yielding respective concentrations of ER 242 and 184, and PR 910 and 100 fmol/mg of cytosol protein. Both patients started treatment with the aromatase inhibitor aminoglutethimide (500 mg qid) after surgery for the first patient and after stopping HRT for the second. Under aromatase-inhibitor therapy, both patients achieved a complete response, patient 1 remains disease-free with 14+ years of follow-up, and patient 2 with 7+ years. Our data suggest that an aromatase inhibitor may be an effective treatment for ESS. Furthermore, routine ER and PR analyses could be useful to predict the response to hormonal therapy in ESS.

Lung cancer in patients with HIV infection and review of the literature

Background. The improved survival of patients since the use of highly active antiretroviral treatments has lead to the reporting of non-AIDS defining tumors, such as lung cancer.Methods. Analysis of the records of 22 HIV-infected patients with lung cancer (LC) diagnosed in three hospitals located in the Paris area (France).Results. Twenty-one patients were smokers. The patients (86% male, 14% female) had a median age of 45 yr (range, 33–64 yr). Risk factors for HIV infection were intravenous drug use in 5 patients, homosexual transmission in 10 patients, and heterosexual transmission in 7 patients. At diagnosis of LC, seven patients had previously developed a CDC-defined AIDS manifestation, the median CD4 cell count was 364/mm3 (range 20–854/mm3) and median HIV1 RNA viral load was 3000 copies/mL. The most frequent histological subtype was squamous cell carcinoma (11 cases). A stage III–IV disease was observed in 75% of the patients. Only one patient had a small-cell lung carcinoma. Twenty-one patients received combined specific therapy, of which six patients underwent surgery for the LC. The median overall survival was 7 mo. No opportunistic infections occurred during LC therapy.Conclusions. LC occurs at a young age in HIV-infected smokers. LC is not associated with severe immunodeficiency. The prognosis is poor because of their initial extensive disease and a poor response to therapy. However, surgery appears to improve outcome in much the same way as in the general population.

Two years of high-dose cyclophosphamide and 5-fluorouracil followed by surgery after 3 months for acute inflammatory breast carcinomas. A phase ii study of 25 cases with a median follow-up of 35 months

Twenty‐five consecutive cases of inflammatory breast carcinoma were treated with high‐dose cyclophosphamide and 5‐fluorouracil in 5‐day courses every 3 weeks for 2 years, with totalMastectomy performed after the third course. The toxicity was high but acceptable in 24 of the patients, provided the doses were decreased. Tumor was found at surgery in all 24 patients, and the lymph nodes were involved in 19 of 24 cases. The median follow‐up was 35 months (range, 16–76 months). Thirteen relapses were observed, three of which were exclusively locoregional. The median disease‐free survival was 46 months. The expected median survival is greater than 6 years. Six patients were treated with radiotherapy for regional recurrences. The good results obtained with this severe form of the disease confirm: (1) that chemotherapy is highly effective in primary tumors and (2) that initial radiotherapy is not necessary in theManagement of this disease.

IFCT-0401 Trial: a phase II study of gefitinib administered as first-line treatment in advanced adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar carcinoma subtype.

Purpose: Intergroupe Francophone de Cancérologie Thoracique-0401 phase II trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of gefitinib as a first-line treatment for patients with adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar carcinoma subtype (ADC-BAC). Methods: Chemotherapy-naive patients (n = 88) with advanced ADC-BAC were treated with 250 mg/d of gefitinib. The primary objective was assessment of disease control rate (DCR [objective response + stable disease]) at 3 months using World Health Organization criteria. A disease control rate of 25% or greater would be of interest in this patient population. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicity were the secondary criteria. Clinical and disease characteristics that conferred a favorable prognosis under gefitinib were also analyzed. Results: Disease control was achieved in 25 patients (29.4%); 11 patients (12.9%) had partial response and 14 (16.4%) had stable disease. Median PFS was 2.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.3–3.2) and median OS was 13.2 months (95% CI, 10.2–17.3). Never smokers, patients with low respiratory symptoms score, occurrence of cutaneous rash, and nonmucinous ADC-BAC subtype were associated with increased probability of disease control. Nonmucinous ADC-BAC was associated with increased PFS and OS at 3 years. Patients with nonmucinous BAC had longer OS and PFS compared with patients with other ADC-BAC variants; median PFS for nonmucinous BAC was 11.3 months (95% CI, 3.2–14.7), whereas it was 2.6 months (95% CI, 2.1–3) for mucinous BAC. As expected, toxicity was low, with dermatological problems, diarrhea, and nausea being the most common adverse events. Conclusion: Results from the Intergroupe Francophone de Cancérologie Thoracique-0401 trial demonstrate that gefitinib combines efficacy with low toxicity and is, therefore, suitable as a first-line treatment of advanced ADC-BAC, particularly in patients with nonmucinous BAC subtype.

Dose-finding, pharmacokinetic and phase II study of docetaxel in combination with gemcitabine in patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND The good efficacy-toxicity ratio of both docetaxel and gemcitabine in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) stimulates the investigation of the combination of these drugs as a first line chemotherapy. This two-step study firstly aimed at determining the maximum tolerated and recommended doses of docetaxel given every 3 weeks in combination with a fixed dose of gemcitabine; the phase I study paid particular attention to pharmacokinetics. Afterwards, the safety and efficacy of the recommended dose was carefully assessed in the phase II-step. METHODS The following range of docetaxel dosages were tested in the phase I study; 60, 75, 85, and 100 mg m(-2) given on day 8 in combination with gemcitabine 1000 mg m(-2) delivered on days 1 and 8 of a 3-week cycle. Haematopoietic growth factors were not allowed. The treatment was delivered on an outpatient basis. Main eligibility criteria consisted of stage III b or IV histologically proven NSCLC, Eastern Co-operative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status PS < or =2, age < or =70 years, measurable disease, adequate blood counts, chemistry, and no symptomatic brain metastasis. RESULTS Four centres enrolled 49 patients (eight having been pre-treated); 16 in phase I and 33 in phase II. The maximal tolerated dose was almost reached at the last dose level (i.e. docetaxel, 100 mg m(-2)). Consequently, we considered the 85 mg m(-2) level as the recommended dose. There was a positive relationship of the docetaxel dose to the area under the curve of this drug. Toxicity was assessable in all patients. Among the 200 cycles delivered, 192 were assessable for this feature. Main toxicity was grade 3-4 neutropenia affecting 23 patients (47% of the population; 23% of the cycles). Six febrile episodes were recorded leading to two treatment-related deaths. Another patient died from congestive cardiac failure. In addition, six patients experienced interstitial pneumonitis, (one half considered as severe), two of them having received the recommended dose. All patients recovered from this toxicity after corticosteroids. Fourteen patients out of the whole population (29%; 95% CI [17-43], including ten patients receiving the recommended dose), achieved an objective response. Median follow-up was 14 months (range, 0.3-29.4). Median survival was 11.2 months (95% CI [8.3-13.2]), and the 1-year survival rate was 45%. CONCLUSION Gemcitabine, 1000 mg m(-2) days 1 and 8 in combination with docetaxel, 85 mg m(-2), day 8, given every 3 weeks could be considered as an active regimen with manageable toxicities in locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC. This study deserves further comparisons with classical platinum-based regimens.

Upfront association of carboplatin plus pemetrexed in patients with brain metastases of lung adenocarcinoma

Approximately 10% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have brain metastases at the time of diagnosis. When surgical resection is not possible, whole brain radiotherapy is the standard of care, with a cerebral response rate of approximately 30%. We report our experience with an upfront association of carboplatin and pemetrexed (areas under the curve, 5 and 500 mg/m(2), respectively), every 3 weeks, in 30 patients presenting with newly diagnosed brain metastases and NSCLC. Cerebral MRIs were performed every 6-9 weeks. The radiologic response rates were assessed according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Overall survival was also determined. Twenty-six patients were evaluable for response, and the objective cerebral response rate (complete and partial response) in the intent-to-treat population was 40% (12 of 30 patients). Event-free survival was 31 weeks, and median overall survival was 39 weeks. The upfront association of carboplatin plus pemetrexed allows simultaneous treatment of cerebral and systemic disease in patients with NSCLC with newly diagnosed brain metastases and appears to be particularly interesting in terms of radiologic response and overall survival. Further clinical studies are warranted.