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Christian Manegold

Publications and source records attributed to Christian Manegold.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Gemcitabine (Gemzar) in non-small cell lung cancer.

Of the new chemotherapeutic substances of the last decade, gemcitabine (Gemzar, Eli Lilly) is probably the most valuable for the treatment of early and advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). When used as a single agent in both chemotherapeutically pretreated and chemotherapy-naive patients, gemcitabine shows an objective tumor regression rate of approximately 20%. Gemcitabine's unique mechanism of action and its lack of overlapping toxicity with other cytotoxic agents also define it as an ideal candidate for combination therapy. Early clinical development has included single-agent first- and second-line treatment, doublet combination regimens and incorporation into multimodality treatment strategies for operable and inoperable locally advanced nonmetastatic NSCLC. Gemcitabine/platinum-based combination chemotherapy has become the most attractive treatment standard for NSCLC patients in good clinical condition. The role of gemcitabine in the concurrent or sequential application of chemo- and radiotherapy for inoperable locally advanced NSCLC has also been addressed in several Phase I and II studies. Based on data available, gemcitabine can be safely administered in combination with radiotherapy. This review summarizes results from representative Phase I, II and III studies in order to underline gemcitabine's clinical importance for patients suffering from early and advanced NSCLC.

Animals↗

Pemetrexed: its promise in treating non-small-cell lung cancer.

The use of chemotherapy in the treatment of early and advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has increased during the past decade. One of the main reasons for the increased acceptance of chemotherapy is the development of several new cytotoxic agents with a unique mechanism(s) of action and high single-agent activity, combined with a favorable toxicity profile. Pemetrexed (Alimta) is a novel antifolate that inhibits several enzymes involved in DNA synthesis (thymidylate synthase [TS], dihydrofolate reductase [DHFR], and glycinamide ribonucleotideformyltransferase [GARFT]). Pemetrexed's toxicity is markedly reduced by folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation. The compound has been studied extensively in various tumor types, including NSCLC. In NSCLC, pemetrexed at 500 mg/m2, every 3 weeks, given i.v. over 10 minutes, has shown promising activity, and can safely be administrated with vitamin supplementation. After registration, single-agent pemetrexed will certainly add to the chemotherapeutic options available for pretreated patients and will most likely change significantly chemotherapy prescriptions in second-line chemotherapy. In first-line chemotherapy, the role of platinum-based and -free combination doublet chemotherapy with pemetrexed still needs to be defined. Phase II data indicate high efficacy combined with favorable toxicity for pemetrexed in combination with cisplatin, carboplatin (Paraplatin), oxaliplatin (Eloxatin), gemcitabine (Gemzar), and vinorelbine (Navelbine). This review summarizes the clinical experience obtained thus far during the early clinical development of pemetrexed in NSCLC.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Phase III study of pemetrexed in combination with cisplatin versus cisplatin alone in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.

PURPOSE: Patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, a rapidly progressing malignancy with a median survival time of 6 to 9 months, have previously responded poorly to chemotherapy. We conducted a phase III trial to determine whether treatment with pemetrexed and cisplatin results in survival time superior to that achieved with cisplatin alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Chemotherapy-naive patients who were not eligible for curative surgery were randomly assigned to receive pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1, or cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1. Both regimens were given intravenously every 21 days. RESULTS: A total of 456 patients were assigned: 226 received pemetrexed and cisplatin, 222 received cisplatin alone, and eight never received therapy. Median survival time in the pemetrexed/cisplatin arm was 12.1 months versus 9.3 months in the control arm (P =.020, two-sided log-rank test). The hazard ratio for death of patients in the pemetrexed/cisplatin arm versus those in the control arm was 0.77. Median time to progression was significantly longer in the pemetrexed/cisplatin arm: 5.7 months versus 3.9 months (P =.001). Response rates were 41.3% in the pemetrexed/cisplatin arm versus 16.7% in the control arm (P <.0001). After 117 patients had enrolled, folic acid and vitamin B12 were added to reduce toxicity, resulting in a significant reduction in toxicities in the pemetrexed/cisplatin arm. CONCLUSION: Treatment with pemetrexed plus cisplatin and vitamin supplementation resulted in superior survival time, time to progression, and response rates compared with treatment with cisplatin alone in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Addition of folic acid and vitamin B12 significantly reduced toxicity without adversely affecting survival time.

Adult↗

Phase II study of pemetrexed with and without folic acid and vitamin B12 as front-line therapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

PURPOSE: This phase II clinical study evaluated the efficacy of pemetrexed for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with a histologically proven diagnosis of MPM, chemotherapy-naive measurable lesions, and adequate organ function received pemetrexed (500 mg/m2) intravenously over 10 minutes every 3 weeks. After a protocol change, most patients also received folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation to improve safety. RESULTS: A total of 64 patients were enrolled. Nine (14.1%) of the 64 patients had a partial response. The Kaplan-Meier estimate for median overall survival was 10.7 months. Forty-three patients received vitamin supplementation for all courses of therapy, and 21 patients did not. Seven of the nine responders were vitamin supplemented. The median overall survival was 13.0 months for supplemented patients and 8.0 months for nonsupplemented patients. Vitamin-supplemented patients completed more cycles of therapy than nonsupplemented patients (median, six v two cycles, respectively). Grade 3/4 neutropenia (23.4%) and grade 3/4 leukopenia (18.8%) were the most common laboratory toxicities. Fatigue and febrile neutropenia were the most commonly reported nonlaboratory events (grade 3, 6.3%; grade 4, 0.0% each). The incidence of these toxicities was generally lower in the supplemented patients. CONCLUSION: Single-agent pemetrexed for MPM resulted in a moderate response rate (14.1%) and median overall survival of 10.7 months. Patients supplemented with folic acid and vitamin B12 tolerated treatment better (less toxicity and more cycles of treatment) and had a 5-month greater median overall survival than nonsupplemented patients. These results indicate that patients with MPM could benefit from single-agent pemetrexed treatment combined with vitamin supplementation.

Adult↗

Stereotactic intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and inverse treatment planning for advanced pleural mesothelioma. Feasibility and initial results.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Complex-shaped malignant pleural mesotheliomas (MPMs) with challenging volumes are extremely difficult to treat by conventional radiotherapy due to tolerance doses of the surrounding normal tissue. In a feasibility study, we evaluated if inversely planned stereotactic intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) could be applied in the treatment of MPM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight patients with unresectable lesions were treated after failure of chemotherapy. All patients were positioned using noninvasive patient fixation techniques which can be attached to the applied extracranial stereotactic system. Due to craniocaudal extension of the tumor, it was necessary to develop a special software attached to the inverse planning program KonRad, which can connect two inverse treatment plans and consider the applied dose of the first treatment plan in the area of the matchline of the second treatment plan. RESULTS: Except for one patient, in whom radiotherapy was canceled due to abdominal metastasis, treatment could be completed in all patients and was well tolerated. Median survival after diagnosis was 20 months and after IMRT 6.5 months. Therefore, both the 1-year actuarial overall survival from the start of radiotherapy and the 2-year actuarial overall survival since diagnosis were 28%. IMRT did not result in clinically significant acute side effects. By using the described inverse planning software, over or underdosage in the region of the field matchline could be prevented. Pure treatment time ranged between 10 and 21 min. CONCLUSION: This study showed that IMRT is feasible in advanced unresectable MPM. The presented possibilities of stereotactic IMRT in the treatment of MPM will justify the evaluation of IMRT in early-stage pleural mesothelioma combined with chemotherapy in a study protocol, in order to improve the outcome of these patients. Furthermore, dose escalation should be possible by using IMRT.

Aged↗

Pemetrexed (Alimta, MTA, multitargeted antifolate, LY231514) for malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Regimens with antimetabolites such as gemcitabine administered alone or in combination with cisplatin have shown promising phase II study data. Accordingly, antifolate agents are of considerable interest. Pemetrexed (Alimta; Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN), a folate-based inhibitor of thymidylate synthase., is currently under phase III investigation. The Evaluation of Mesothelioma in a Phase III Trail of Pemetrexed with Cisplatin (EMPHACIS) trial is the first phase III randomized study in mesothelioma with survival as the primary end point; it showed statistically significant superiority of the pemetrexed/cisplatin combination over cisplatin low-dose folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation significantly reduced the toxicity observed with the use of pemetrexed/cisplatin will soon be recommended for malignant pleural mesothelioma as first-line standard chemotherapy.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗

Advanced NSCLC: new cytostatic agents.

There are several new cytostatic agents under investigation for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer either as first or second-line. In this review we will present the current information about oxaliplatin, epothilones, irinotecan and alimta.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Chemotherapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma.

This paper covers the outcome of previously conducted clinical trials on chemotherapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma and presents data from recent phase II and phase III trials. In contrast to conventional cytotoxic drugs, which have barely produced response rates exceeding 30%, recently introduced chemotherapeutic agents and their combinations promise to be more effective. Especially pemetrexed has yielded response rates of up to 45% in combination with platinum compounds. Furthermore, raltitrexed-oxaliplatin has shown promising activity and gemcitabine was found to improve quality of life in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma when applied as a single agent or in combination with cisplatin. Based on robust phase III study results, pemetrexed-cisplatin may soon be considered with chemotherapy for this aggressive disease.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

European organization for research and treatment of cancer (EORTC) 08957 phase II study of topotecan in combination with cisplatin as second-line treatment of refractory and sensitive small cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the activity and toxicity of a combined regimen of topotecan and cisplatin in "sensitive" (s) and "refractory" (r) small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients treated previously. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Patients with measurable SCLC and progressive disease after one first-line regimen were eligible for the study. Patients were enrolled in two separate groups: r group (patients who failed first-line treatment <3 months from treatment discontinuation) and s group (patients who responded to first-line treatment and progressed >or=3 months after treatment discontinuation). Cisplatin was given i.v. at the dose of 60 mg/m(2) on day 1, and topotecan was administered as a daily i.v. infusion at the dose of 0.75 mg/m(2) from day 1 to 5, every 3 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 110 eligible (68 s and 42 r) patients were enrolled from 24 institutions. The main patient characteristics were as follows: median age 60 (s) and 55 (r) years, median performance status 1 for both (s) and (r). Seventy-four percent (s) and 67% (r) had extensive stage disease, including 22% and 36%, respectively, with brain metastases. A total of 398 chemotherapy courses were administered [median 4 (s) and 3 (r) per patient]. The most frequent and serious toxicity was myelosuppression. Grade IV neutropenia occurred in 62% (s) and 49% (r) of patients, with a 19% (s) and 15% (r) incidence of febrile neutropenia, and grade IV thrombocytopenia in 54% (s) and 44% (r). Most of these toxicities occurred during the first chemotherapy course and led to topotecan dose reduction and/or delay in the following courses. Grade III-IV nonhematological toxicity was uncommon. Five deaths possibly related to toxicity occurred among s patients only. Objective responses have been documented in 20 s patients, 19 partial responses and 1 complete response, (29.4% response rate; 95% confidence interval, 19-42), whereas, among r patients, 10 partial responses have been observed (23.8% response rate; 95% confidence interval, 12-39). Median survival for s and r was 6.4 and 6.1 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of cisplatin and topotecan, at this dose and schedule, shows activity and promising results in patients with refractory SCLC, with reversible myelosuppression being the main side effect. Additional development of this regimen, using better-tolerated schedules, is warranted in patients with refractory SCLC.

Adult↗

Standard versus intensified chemotherapy with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support in small-cell lung cancer: a prospective European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Lung Cancer Group Phase III Trial-08923.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact on survival of increasing dose-intensity (DI) of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and etoposide (CDE) in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Previously untreated SCLC patients were randomized to standard CDE (cyclophosphamide 1,000 mg/m(2) and doxorubicin 45 mg/m(2) on day 1, and etoposide 100 mg/m(2) on days 1 to 3 every 3 weeks, for five cycles) or intensified CDE (cyclophosphamide 1,250 mg/m(2) and doxorubicin 55 mg/m(2) on day 1, and etoposide 125 mg/m(2) on days 1 to 3 with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [G-CSF] 5 micro g/kg/d on days 4 to 13 every 2 weeks, for four cycles). Projected cumulative dose was almost identical on the two arms, whereas projected DI was nearly 90% higher on the intensified arm. Two hundred forty-four patients were enrolled. The first 163 patients were also randomized (2 x 2 factorial design) to prophylactic antibiotics or placebo to assess their impact on preventing febrile leukopenia (FL). This report focuses on chemotherapy DI results. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 54 months, 216 deaths have occurred. Actually delivered DI on the intensified arm was 70% higher than on the standard arm. Intensified CDE was associated with more grade 4 leukopenia (79% v 50%), grade 4 thrombocytopenia (44% v 11%), anorexia, nausea, and mucositis. FL and number of toxic deaths were similar on the two arms. The objective response rate was 79% for the standard arm and 84% for the intensified arm (P =.315). Median survival was 54 weeks and 52 weeks, and the 2-year survival rates were 15% and 18%, respectively (P =.885). CONCLUSION: A 70% increase of CDE actual DI does not translate into an improved outcome in SCLC patients.

Adult↗

Pemetrexed for diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma.

The treatment of diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is currently less than satisfactory. Survival statistics are best for the epithelial subtype and for tumors that can be completely removed by surgery. Radiotherapy provides no survival benefit and is used only to palliate symptoms or to prevent growth along needle tracks and incisions. The response to chemotherapeutic agents is poor, and to date there is no standard cytotoxic treatment. Antimetabolites may have some activity, and one trial of high-dose methotrexate has suggested a moderate response rate. There is also no evidence that any chemotherapy regimen given as a part of multimodality treatment, including radiotherapy and surgery, can improve survival. Recently, a renewed interest in MPM led to clinical trials with promising preliminary results for several agents alone or in combination, including gemcitabine, raltitrexed, vinorelbine, and pemetrexed. Pemetrexed, a folate-based inhibitor of thymidylate synthase and other enzymes, is currently under investigation in multiple malignancies. A phase I study of pemetrexed in combination with cisplatin showed a remarkable response rate of approximately 50% in patients with the epithelial subtype of MPM. This led to a large international study of the combination of pemetrexed plus cisplatin.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗