Kaoru Matsui

CPT-11: a new derivative of camptothecin for the treatment of refractory or relapsed small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE To evaluate the activity of CPT-11, which is a new derivative of camptothecin, against refractory or relapsed small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixteen patients with refractory or relapsed SCLC were entered onto a prospective, non-randomized, single-institution phase II trial. All 16 patients had been pretreated heavily with some form of cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy. Five patients had received previous chemotherapy with cisplatin, vincristine, doxorubicin, and etoposide (CODE) as an induction therapy. Six patients had been treated with concurrent cisplatin and etoposide plus chest x-ray. The median time off chemotherapy was 7.3 months (range, 1.9 to 15.1 months). Patients were treated with a CPT-11 starting dose of 100 mg/m2 body surface given as a 90-minute intravenous (IV) infusion every week with subsequent doses based on toxicity. Fifteen patients were assessable for toxicity, response, and survival. RESULTS Seven patients (47%; 95% confidence limits for an overall response rate, 21.4% to 71.9%) responded to CPT-11 with a median duration of response of 58 days. The major toxicities were myelosuppression (predominantly leukopenia), diarrhea, and pulmonary toxicity. CONCLUSION CPT-11 is an active agent against refractory or relapsed SCLC and deserves to be studied more closely as both a single agent and in combination with other drugs to treat patients with SCLC.

Phase III Study of Docetaxel Compared With Vinorelbine in Elderly Patients With Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Results of the West Japan Thoracic Oncology Group Trial (WJTOG 9904)

PURPOSE Docetaxel has shown activity in elderly patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This randomized phase III trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of docetaxel versus vinorelbine (the current standard treatment) in elderly patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Chemotherapy-naïve patients age 70 years or older with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC and performance status 2 or lower were eligible. Patients randomly received docetaxel 60 mg/m2 (day 1) or vinorelbine 25 mg/m2 (days 1 and 8) every 21 days for four cycles. The primary end point was overall survival. Overall disease-related symptom improvement was assessed using an eight-item questionnaire. RESULTS In total, 182 patients were enrolled. Median age was 76 years (range, 70 years to 86 years). There was no statistical difference in median overall survival with docetaxel versus vinorelbine (14.3 months v 9.9 months; hazard ratio, 0.780; 95% CI, 0.561 to 1.085; P = .138). There was a significant difference in median progression-free survival (5.5 months v 3.1 months; P < .001). Response rates were also significantly improved with docetaxel versus vinorelbine (22.7% v 9.9%; P = .019). The most common grade 3 to 4 toxicities were neutropenia (82.9% for docetaxel; 69.2% for vinorelbine; P = .031) and leukopenia (58.0% for docetaxel; 51.7% for vinorelbine). Other toxicities were mild and generally well tolerated. Docetaxel improved overall disease-related symptoms over vinorelbine (odds ratio, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.09 to 3.20). CONCLUSION Docetaxel improved progression-free survival, response rate, and disease-related symptoms versus vinorelbine. Overall survival was not statistically significantly improved at this time. Docetaxel monotherapy may be considered as an option in the standard treatment of elderly patients with advanced NSCLC.

Phase III Randomized Trial of Docetaxel Plus Cisplatin Versus Vindesine Plus Cisplatin in Patients With Stage IV Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: The Japanese Taxotere Lung Cancer Study Group

PURPOSE Few randomized trials have demonstrated survival benefit of combination chemotherapy involving new agents plus cisplatin compared with classic combination chemotherapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The primary aim of this study was to test whether docetaxel plus cisplatin (DC) improves survival compared with vindesine plus cisplatin (VdsC) in patients with previously untreated stage IV NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eligible, stage IV, chemotherapy-naive patients (n = 311) were randomly assigned to receive docetaxel 60 mg/m(2) intravenously on day 1 plus cisplatin 80 mg/m(2) intravenously on day 1 of a 3- or 4-week cycle, or vindesine 3 mg/m(2) intravenously on days 1, 8, and 15 plus cisplatin 80 mg/m(2) intravenously on day 1 of a 4-week cycle. Cross-over administration of docetaxel and vindesine was prohibited for both treatment groups. RESULTS Overall, 302 patients were eligible for evaluation. The DC arm demonstrated significant improvements compared with the VdsC arm in overall response rates (37% v 21%, respectively; P <.01) and median survival times (11.3 v 9.6 months, respectively; P =.014). Two-year survival rates were 24% for the DC arm compared with 12% for the VdsC arm. The physical domain of the Quality of Life for Cancer Patients Treated with Anticancer Drugs measure was significantly better in the DC arm than in the VdsC arm (P =.020). Toxicity was predominantly hematologic and was more severe in the VdsC arm. CONCLUSION As first-line treatment for stage IV NSCLC, DC resulted in greater clinical benefit in terms of response rate (with marked improvements in overall and 2-year survival rates) and quality of life than did treatment with VdsC.

Phase II clinical study of photodynamic therapy using mono-l-aspartyl chlorin e6 and diode laser for early superficial squamous cell carcinoma of the lung

Photofrin is the most commonly used photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT). The major side effect of Photofrin is cutaneous photosensitivity. A second generation photosensitizer, mono-L-aspartyl chlorin e6 (NPe6) has shown anti-tumor efficacy and rapid clearance from skin. Therefore, we conducted a phase II clinical study to investigate the anti-tumor effects and safety of NPe6 in patients with early superficial squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Enrollment criteria consisted of endoscopically evaluated early stage lung cancer with normal chest X-ray and CT images, no lymph node or distant metastasis. Tumors were located no more peripherally than subsegmental bronchi, the peripheral margin had to visible, and the tumor size had to not more than 2 cm in diameter. The histologic type of the tumor had to squamous cell carcinoma. Laser irradiation (100 J/cm2) using a diode laser was performed at 4 h after administration of NPe6 (40 mg/m2). Among 41 patients with 46 lesions, 40 with 45 lesions were eligible for safety evaluation, and 35 patients with 39 lesions were judged as eligible for efficacy evaluation. No serious adverse drug reactions were observed. Disappearance of skin photosensitivity was recognized within 2 weeks in 28 of 33 patients (84.8%) and in all the other seven patients first tested at 15-18 days. Complete response (CR) was seen in 84.6% of lesions (82.9% of patients). This study demonstrated excellent anti-tumor effects and safety, especially low skin photosensitivity in patients with early stage lung cancer. PDT using the second generation photosensitizer NPe6 and a diode laser will likely become a standard modality of PDT for central type early superficial squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

Phase II study of S-1, a novel oral fluorouracil, in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel oral anticancer fluoropyrimidine derivative, S-1, in patients receiving initial chemotherapy for unresectable, advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Between June 1996 and July 1998, 62 patients with NSCLC who had not received previous chemotherapy for advanced disease were enrolled in this study. 59 patients (22 stage IIIB and 37 stage IV) were eligible for the evaluation of efficacy and safety. S-1 was administered orally, twice daily, after meals. 3 dosages of S-1 were prescribed according to body surface area (BSA) so that they would be approximately equivalent to 80 mg m–2day–1: BSA < 1.25 m2, 40 mg b.i.d.; BSA≥1.25 but <1.5 m2; 50 mg b.i.d., and BSA≥1.5 m2: 60 mg b.i.d. One cycle consisted of consecutive administration of S-1 for 28 days followed by a 2-week rest period, and cycles were repeated up to 4 times. The partial response (PR) rate of the eligible patients was 22.0% (13/59); (95% confidence interval: 12.3–34.7%). A PR was observed in 22.7% (5/22) of the stage IIIB patients and 21.6% (8/37) of the stage IV patients. The median response duration was 3.4 months (1.1–13.7 months or longer). Grade 4 neutropenia was observed in one of the 59 patients (1.7%). The grade 3 or 4 toxicities consisted of decreased haemoglobin level in 1.7% of patients (1/59), neutropenia in 6.8% (4/59), thrombocytopenia in 1.7% (1/59), anorexia in 10.2% (6/59), diarrhoea in 8.5% (5/59), stomatitis in 1.7% (1/59), and malaise in 6.8% (4/59), and their incidences were relatively low. There were no irreversible, severe or unexpected toxicities. The median survival time (MST) of all patients was 10.2 months (95% confidence interval: 7.7–14.5 months), and the one-year survival rate was 41.1%. The MST of the stage IIIB patients was 7.9 months, and that of the stage IV patients was 11.1 months. The one-year survival rates of the stage IIIB and IV patients were 30.7% and 47.4%, respectively. S-1 was considered to be an active single agent against NSCLC. Further study of S-1 with other active agents is warranted.

Randomized Phase III Trial of Platinum-Doublet Chemotherapy Followed by Gefitinib Compared With Continued Platinum-Doublet Chemotherapy in Japanese Patients With Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Results of a West Japan Thoracic Oncology Group Trial (WJTOG0203)

PURPOSE Gefitinib is a small molecule inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase. We conducted a phase III trial to evaluate whether gefitinib improves survival as sequential therapy after platinum-doublet chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced stage (IIIB/IV) NSCLC, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 to 1, and adequate organ function were randomly assigned to either platinum-doublet chemotherapy up to six cycles (arm A) or platinum-doublet chemotherapy for three cycles followed by gefitinib 250 mg orally once daily, until disease progression (arm B). Patients were stratified by disease stage, sex, histology, and chemotherapy regimens. The primary end point was overall survival; secondary end points included progression-free survival, tumor response, safety, and quality of life. Results Between March 2003 and May 2005, 604 patients were randomly assigned. There was a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival in arm B (hazard ratio [HR], 0.68; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.80; P < .001); however, overall survival results did not reach statistical significance (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.03; P = .11). In an exploratory subset analysis of overall survival by histologic group, patients in arm B with adenocarcinoma did significantly better than patients in arm A with adenocarcinoma (n = 467; HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.65 to 0.98; P = .03). CONCLUSION This trial failed to meet the primary end point of OS in patients with NSCLC. The exploratory subset analyses demonstrate a possible survival prolongation for sequential therapy of gefitinib, especially for patients with adenocarcinoma.

CPT-11 in combination with cisplatin for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the maximum-tolerated dose and the dose-limiting toxicities of CPT-11, a new derivative of camptothecin, in combination with a fixed dose of cisplatin in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-seven previously untreated patients with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC were assessable for toxicity, and 26 were assessable for response. The initial dose of CPT-11 was 30 mg/m2 given as a 90-minute intravenous (IV) infusion on days 1, 8, and 15 in combination with cisplatin (80 mg/m2 IV on day 1) given every 4 weeks. The dose of CPT-11 was escalated in increments of 10 mg/m2 until severe or life-threatening toxic effects were observed. RESULTS Significant toxicity was infrequent up to 60 mg/m2 of CPT-11. The maximum-tolerated toxicity was reached at a dose of 70 mg/m2. Three of six patients either had leukocyte count nadirs of less than 2,000/microL or experienced grade 4 diarrhea during the first cycle of therapy at 70 mg/m2. The major toxic effects were leukopenia and diarrhea. There were 14 partial responses (54%) among the 26 patients. CONCLUSIONS A combination of CPT-11 and cisplatin seems to be effective against NSCLC with acceptable toxicities. The recommended dose for phase II studies is 60 mg/m2 of CPT-11 on days 1, 8, and 15, and 80 mg/m2 of cisplatin on day 1 every 4 weeks.

Phase I and pharmacologic study of irinotecan in combination with cisplatin for advanced lung cancer

We have conducted a Phase I trial to determine the maximum tolerated dose of CPT-11 together with a fixed dose of cisplatin in patients with advanced lung cancer, and the dose-limiting toxicities of this combination. Fourteen previously untreated patients with stage IIIB or IV disease were treated with CPT-11 (90-min intravenous infusion on days 1, 8, and 15) plus cisplatin (60 mg m-2, intravenously on day 1). The starting dose of CPT-11 was 60 mg m-2, and diarrhea was the dose-limiting toxicity at the 90 mg m-2 dose level. All three patients (all four cycles) given 90 mg m-2 of CPT-11 experienced grade 3 diarrhea. Hematologic toxicity was relatively mild. Elimination of CPT-11 was biphasic with a mean (+/- s.d.) beta half-life of 11.36 +/- 7.26 h. The mean terminal half-life of the major metabolite (7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin; SN-38) was 22.13 +/- 13.28 (s.d.) h, and modest escalation of the CPT-11 dose from 80 mg m-2 to 90 mg m-2 resulted in a statistically significant apparent increase in the plasma concentrations of SN-38. There were one complete response (7%) and five partial responses (36%) among the 14 patients for an overall response rate of 43%. The recommended dose for Phase II studies is 80 mg m-2 of CPT-11 and 60 mg m-2 of cisplatin.

Randomized phase II study of first-line carboplatin-paclitaxel with or without bevacizumab in Japanese patients with advanced non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE This multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase II study (JO19907) compared the efficacy and safety of first-line carboplatin-paclitaxel (CP) alone with bevacizumab-CP in Japanese patients with advanced non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS Chemonaïve patients with stage IIIB, IV or recurrent non-squamous NSCLC were eligible for participation. Patients were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive bevacizumab-CP or CP alone. Chemotherapy was repeated for up to 6 cycles or until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Bevacizumab recipients who completed ≥3 cycles of chemotherapy could continue bevacizumab as monotherapy until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS After confirming the tolerability of bevacizumab-CP in a small number of patients, 180 patients were recruited, of whom 121 were assigned to bevacizumab-CP and 59 to CP alone. Hazard ratio (HR) for PFS was 0.61 with bevacizumab-CP versus CP alone (p=0.0090; median 6.9 versus 5.9 months). Objective response rate was significantly higher with bevacizumab-CP than with CP alone (60.7% versus 31.0%; p=0.0013). Median overall survival was >22 months in both treatment groups (HR 0.99; p=0.9526). No new safety signals were detected. CONCLUSION Study JO19907 met its primary endpoint, demonstrating that the addition of bevacizumab to first-line CP significantly improves PFS in Japanese patients with advanced non-squamous NSCLC. This prolonged PFS by bevacizumab did not translate into OS benefit with the extremely longer underlying survival compared to historical data. No new safety signals were identified in this population. (Japan Pharmaceutical Information Center [JAPIC] registration number: CTI-060338).

Combination of irinotecan and etoposide for treatment of refractory or relapsed small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE To determine the response rate, survival, and toxicity of irinotecan (CPT-11), a topoisomerase I inhibitor, combined with etoposide, a topoisomerase II inhibitor, in refractory or relapsed small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-five patients with refractory or relapsed SCLC were entered onto the trial. All 25 patients had been pretreated with some form of cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy and had also received previous etoposide- or anthracyclinecontaining chemotherapy. The median time off chemotherapy was 6.7 months (range, 0.9 to 23.5). Patients were treated at 4-week intervals using CPT-11 (a starting dose of 70 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1, 8, and 15) plus etoposide (80 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1 to 3), with a subsequent dose based on toxicity. In addition, recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF; 2 microg/kg/d) was given from day 4 to day 21, except on the days of CPT-11 administration. RESULTS All patients were assessable for toxicity and survival. Twenty-four patients were assessable for response. There were 14 partial responses (PRs) and three complete responses (CRs), for an overall response rate of 71% (95% confidence interval, 53% to 89%). The median response duration was 4.6 months. Median survival was 271 days. Major toxicities were myelosuppression (predominantly leukopenia) and diarrhea. Grade 3 to 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 56% and 20% of patients, respectively. Grade 3 to 4 diarrhea was observed in 4%. There was one treatment-related death due to severe myelosuppression. CONCLUSION A combination of CPT-11 and etoposide with rhG-CSF support is an active therapy against refractory or relapsed SCLC and deserves to be studied more extensively in a phase III trial.