The expanding role of systemic treatment in non-small cell lung cancer neo-adjuvant therapy.
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Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗
Biomedical subjects
E Felip
Publications and source records attributed to E Felip.
Usefulness of predictive tests for cancer treatment.
This review highlights the numerous molecular biology findings in the field of lung cancer with potential therapeutic impact in both the near and distant future. At least six lines of research have recently emerged as potential contributors to changes in clinical practice. Abundant pre-clinical and clinical data indicate that BRCA1 mRNA expression is a differential modulator of chemotherapy sensitivity. Low levels predict cisplatin sensitivity and antimicrotubule drug resistance, and the opposite occurs with high levels. Secondly, single nucleotide polymorphisms in the ERCC1 gene influence survival and toxicity with cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The main core of recent research has centered on EGFR mutations and gene copy numbers. For the first time, EGFR mutations have been shown to predict dramatic responses in metastatic lung adenocarcinomas, with a threefold increase in time to progression and survival in patients receiving EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. In contrast, K-ras mutations confer a negative effect in these patients. Evidence has also been accumulated on the crosstalk between estrogen and EGFR receptor pathways, paving the way for clinical trials of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors plus aromatase inhibitors. microRNAs control the expression of cognate target genes, and downregulation of Dicer has been shown to be a strong predictor of relapse in surgically resected non-small-cell lung cancer patients. Finally, overexpression of the Wingless-type (Wnt) genes and methylation of Wnt antagonists like WIF and secreted frizzled related proteins have been documented in non-small-cell lung cancer and are believed to be an important mechanism of cancer stem cell maintenance.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
Randomized phase III study of 3-weekly versus weekly docetaxel in pretreated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a Spanish Lung Cancer Group trial.
BACKGROUND: Docetaxel is a widely accepted second-line treatment in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a risk of myelotoxicity. This study evaluated the efficacy and toxicity profile of two docetaxel regimens in NSCLC patients who had failed first-line non-docetaxel-based chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 259 patients from 33 Spanish centers were randomized to receive either docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) administered every 3 weeks (3W arm) or docetaxel 36 mg/m(2) given weekly (1W arm) for 6 weeks followed by 2 weeks of rest. The primary end point was 1-year survival; secondary end points were median survival, time to progression, response and toxicity. RESULTS: One-year survival was 27% in the 3W and 22% in the 1W arm. Median time to progression was also similar in the two arms. Median survival was 6.6 months in the 3W arm versus 5.4 months in the 1W arm (P = 0.075). Response rates were 9.3% in the 3W arm and 4.8% in the 1W arm. More patients in the 1W arm experienced mucositis [1W, nine patients (7.2%); 3W, two patients (1.6%); P = 0.032], while febrile neutropenia was significantly higher in the 3W arm [3W, 10 patients (7.8%); 1W, one patient (0.8%); P = 0.010]. CONCLUSIONS: Both weekly and 3-weekly docetaxel were effective and well-tolerated, with different toxicity profiles. In general, there was no indication to recommend the weekly schedule. However, the significant lower rate of febrile neutropenia observed in the weekly schedule makes it a good alternative for patients at risk of severe neutropenia.
Adult↗
Phase II trial of the novel taxane BMS-184476 as second-line in non-small-cell lung cancer.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of BMS-184476, an analog of paclitaxel, in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progressing or relapsing following at least one prior chemotherapy regimen. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-six previously treated advanced NSCLC patients received BMS-184476 at a dose of 60 mg/m(2) administered intravenously over 1 h every 21 days. RESULTS: The median number of cycles delivered per patient was five (range one to 17). Dose reduction was required in only 3.8% of cycles. Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 19.6% of patients, but no grade 4 thrombocytopenia or anemia was reported. Febrile neutropenia was observed in only two (3.6%) patients and there were no life-threatening events. Grade 3/4 peripheral sensory-motor neuropathy was reported in 9% of patients. Other non-hematological toxicities, such as nausea and vomiting, myalgia and arthralgia, diarrhea, and mucositis, were uncommon. Partial responses were observed in eight (14.3%) patients and stable disease in 33 (58.9%). Median progression-free survival was 3.7 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.7-5.4] and median overall survival was 10 months (95% CI 6-13.4). CONCLUSIONS: BMS-184476 was well tolerated at the dose of 60 mg/m(2) and showed evidence of antitumor activity in previously treated NSCLC.
Adult↗
ESMO Minimum Clinical Recommendations for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
ESMO Minimum Clinical Recommendations for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC).
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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
The biology of non-small-cell lung cancer: identifying new targets for rational therapy.
Lung cancer, and in particular non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), remains the leading cause of cancer death throughout the world. Almost three decades ago, the major concern was to identify whether cisplatin or cisplatin-based chemotherapy enhanced survival in metastatic NSCLC, and whether any survival benefit compensated for cisplatin-related toxicity. Over the last 10 years, significant advances have been achieved in molecular biology, including the identification of critical genes related to the pathogenesis of NSCLC, which have formed the basis for new targeted therapeutic approaches. These new approaches include novel agents against established chemotherapeutic targets such as thymidylate synthetase as well as agents that inhibit novel targets such as growth factor receptors and proteins important in angiogenesis. With the advent of genomic technologies that can identify patterns of gene expression, the hope is that therapy will be tailored to the genetic pattern of the patients's tumor, and individualized treatments that minimize toxicity and maximize efficacy can be developed.
Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗
Cisplatin plus gemcitabine versus a cisplatin-based triplet versus nonplatinum sequential doublets in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a Spanish Lung Cancer Group phase III randomized trial.
PURPOSE: To compare the survival benefit obtained with cisplatin plus gemcitabine, a cisplatin-based triplet, and nonplatinum sequential doublets in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Stage IIIB to IV NSCLC patients were randomly assigned to receive cisplatin 100 mg/m2 day 1 plus gemcitabine 1,250 mg/m2 days 1 and 8, every 3 weeks for six cycles (CG); cisplatin 100 mg/m2 day 1 plus gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 and vinorelbine 25 mg/m2 days 1 and 8, every 3 weeks for six cycles (CGV); or gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 plus vinorelbine 30 mg/m2 days 1 and 8, every 3 weeks for three cycles, followed by vinorelbine 30 mg/m2 days 1 and 8 plus ifosfamide 3 g/m2 day 1, every 3 weeks for three cycles (GV-VI). RESULTS: Five hundred fifty-seven patients were assigned to treatment (182 CG, 188 CGV, 187 GV-VI). Response rates were significantly inferior for the nonplatinum sequential doublet (CG, 42%; CGV, 41%; GV-VI, 27%; CG v GV-VI, P =.003). No differences in median survival or time to progression were observed. Toxicity was higher for the triplet: grade 3 to 4 neutropenia (GC, 32%; CGV, 57%; GV-VI, 27%; P <.05); neutropenic fever (CG, 4%; CGV, 19%; GV-VI, 5%; P <.0001); grade 3 to 4 thrombocytopenia (CG, 19%; CGV, 23%; GV-VI, 3%; P =.0001); and grade 3 to 4 emesis (GC, 22%; GCV, 32%; GV-VI, 6%; P <.0001). CONCLUSION: On the basis of these results, CG remains a standard regimen for first-line treatment of advanced NSCLC.
Adult↗
Three-week schedule of irinotecan and cisplatin in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a multicentre phase II study.
A phase II multicentre study of a 3-week schedule of irinotecan (CPT-11) and cisplatin providing the highest recommended dose intensity of both agents in combination, was conducted in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Seventy-four stage IIIB (not suitable for radiotherapy) or stage IV NSCLC patients were enrolled to receive CPT-11 200 mg/m(2) i.v. and cisplatin 80 mg/m(2) i.v. on day 1 every 3 weeks. Relative dose-intensities for CPT-11 and cisplatin were 92 and 95%, respectively. No complete responses were observed. Twenty-five patients out of 73 obtained a partial response (34.2%). Partial responses were confirmed in 18 patients (24.7%: 95% CI, 15.3-36.1%). Median survival overall was 8.2 months, 9.7 months for patients with baseline performance status (PS) 0 and 1, and 4 months for patients with PS 2. The 1-year survival rate was 31%. Major clinical toxicities were grade 3 and 4 delayed diarrhoea (29% of patients) and febrile neutropenia (14% of patients). In conclusion, the present once-every-3-week schedule of CPT-11 and cisplatin is feasible and active in PS 0-1 advanced NSCLC patients, but results do not seem superior to those reported with other schedules.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Sequential dose-dense paclitaxel followed by topotecan in untreated extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer: a Spanish Lung Cancer Group phase II study.
BACKGROUND: Poor survival rates in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients prompted us to evaluate a sequential dose-dense schedule of paclitaxel followed by topotecan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-three patients with previously untreated, extensive-stage SCLC received three cycles of paclitaxel 250 mg/m(2) over 3 h every 14 days followed by three cycles of topotecan 2.5 mg/m(2) for 5 days every 21 days. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was given after every cycle. Patients progressing at any time and those not achieving complete response (CR) subsequently received four cycles of standard-dose etoposide-cisplatin. RESULTS: A total of 118 cycles of paclitaxel were administered with minimal hematological toxicity. Grade 2/3 peripheral neuropathy was observed in 21% of patients. Response rate to paclitaxel was 48.8%, and 25.6% had stable disease (SD). Thirty-two patients achieving SD or response to paclitaxel subsequently received a total of 90 topotecan cycles. Topotecan-related toxicities included febrile neutropenia in 15.6% of patients with one toxic death, grade 3/4 anemia in 25% of patients and grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia in 31.3%. Non-hematological toxicities were mild. At completion of sequential paclitaxel-topotecan treatment the overall response rate was 55.8% (22 partial response, two CRs). Median survival for all patients was 10.5 months and median progression-free survival was 8.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: Sequential treatment with dose-dense paclitaxel followed by topotecan is feasible despite significant hematological toxicity during topotecan treatment. This schedule is an active regimen in extensive-stage SCLC and merits further investigation.
Adult↗
Phase II trial of paclitaxel plus gemcitabine in patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer.
PURPOSE: Given the cisplatin-related myelotoxicity and nonhematologic toxicities, we were prompted to undertake a study of the noncisplatin combination of paclitaxel plus gemcitabine to evaluate the efficacy, tolerance, and survival of this combination in patients with locally advanced and metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients received gemcitabine 2,000 mg/m(2) and paclitaxel 150 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 15 of a 28-day cycle, for a maximum of eight cycles. RESULTS: Between December 1997 and June 1998, 89 untreated NSCLC patients were enrolled; 30 (34%) had stage IIIB disease (23 with malignant pleural effusion and seven without), and 59 (66%) had stage IV disease. Eighty-six percent of patients had a performance status of 0 or 1. The median number of cycles administered was four (range, one to eight cycles). The mean dose-intensity for both paclitaxel and gemcitabine was nearly 100%. Hematologic and nonhematologic toxicities were mild. Thirty-eight patients received second-line chemotherapy after completion of the study. The overall intent-to-treat response rate was 32.2%, with a higher response rate for stage IIIB patients (43.3%) than for stage IV patients (26.3%). Overall median survival was 9.9 months, and 1-year survival was 38.8% (14.2 months for stage IIIB and 7.7 months for stage IV; P =.007). Median survival was 10.2 months for patients with a performance status of 0 or 1 and 4.8 months for patients with a performance status of 2 (P =.007). CONCLUSION: A biweekly paclitaxel/gemcitabine regimen was well tolerated, with an acceptable response rate and a reasonable median survival time, especially in patients with good performance status. It merits further exploration in future studies.
Adult↗
Predicting response to paclitaxel/carboplatin-based therapy in non-small cell lung cancer.
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a systemic illness. The majority of newly diagnosed patients depend on systemic chemotherapy to improve outcome. Among the new chemotherapeutic agents recently tested, paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) has shown convincing single-agent activity in advanced NSCLC. The two initial phase II studies using paclitaxel alone showed a 1-year survival rate of 40%, comparable to that seen with combination regimens. Paclitaxel/carboplatin is one of several standard regimens for patients with stage IIIB to IV disease. It is as effective as any other new agent/platinum combination studied to date; it is easy to administer and well tolerated. Identification of the molecular and genetic events involved in each step of tumor progression seems to be crucial both to understanding lung cancer and for the development of new pharmacologic compounds that target specific cellular processes affecting growth and proliferation. An innovative strategy is to combine established chemotherapy with these new compounds. Resistance to available chemotherapy drugs is the major obstacle to effective chemotherapy. Genetic abnormalities could play a role in outlining some patterns of chemoresistance. Acquired resistance to paclitaxel can be mediated by several mechanisms, including overexpression of p-glycoprotein, altered expression of beta-tubulin isotypes, intrinsic or acquired mutations in beta-tubulin, and expression of novel genes. Beta-tubulin mutations were recently identified in 33% of 49 NSCLC patients, none of whom had an objective response to paclitaxel treatment. Cisplatin resistance is associated with several molecular alterations, including overexpression of metallothionein and the mRNA level of the excision repair cross-complementing (ERCC1) gene. Early detection of circulating cancer cells in peripheral blood would enable more accurate lung cancer staging. Furthermore, sequential measurements of DNA concentration may be used to monitor the effects of therapy. Serum DNA can be used as a surrogate for detecting genetic abnormalities and as a potential guide for customizing treatment. We analyzed the presence of beta-tubulin mutations in serum DNA from NSCLC patients and from healthy individuals. Beta-tubulin mutations were detected in 42% of the 131 patients and in none of the control group. Several clinical studies are proposed to develop more customized approaches in lung cancer.
Antineoplastic Agents↗
The role of chemotherapy in early non-small-cell lung cancer management.
Great advances have been made in chemotherapy in advanced and metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and a major milestone was reached with the administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in stage IIIA N2 disease. The systemic nature of lung cancer has been confirmed by many genetic analyses documenting micrometastases in negative lymph nodes and bone marrow, and mRNA gene overexpression as a surrogate of cancer cells has been identified in peripheral blood. Furthermore, serum or plasma cell-free tumor DNA has been observed even in tumors with a diameter of less than 2 cm. Pharmacogenetic screening can lead to tailored chemotherapy even in patients with early disease through the use of a genetic tool kit that will allow us to optimize the use of chemotherapy by using serial measurements of serum DNA that can help to detect residual disease and re-assess the chemosensitivity of sub-clinical micrometastatic disease. The ongoing (neo)adjuvant taxol/carboplatin hope (NATCH) trial is testing the value of three cycles of chemotherapy given pre- or post-operatively compared with surgery alone and will analyze genetic abnormalities in serum DNA at three different points during patient follow-up. Our major concern in this review is to analyze the pros and cons of chemotherapy in NSCLC. Although this review is not a formal meta-analysis, we have discussed the most relevant published studies in this field. We conclude that not only is there no evidence of detrimental effects of chemotherapy, in fact, there are many indications that chemotherapy induces response in up to 80% of patients and downgrades N2 disease in up to 50% of patients. This translates into significantly better survival when accompanied by complete resection. Since at least 50% of patients with stage IB disease develop distant metastases, it seems logical to explore the role of chemotherapy in early disease.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
New strategies in the treatment of resectable non-small cell lung cancer.
Non-small cell lung cancer is a systemic illness. Given the systemic nature of lung cancer, it seems that chemotherapy should play an essential role. In stage IIIA disease neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus surgical resection improves survival when compared with surgical resection alone. However, randomized trials using postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with 'older' drugs has shown no substantial improvement in survival. Since new chemotherapeutic agents may provide additional benefits, there are various studies incorporating new agents in the resectable disease treatment setting. One focus for ongoing research is to find better treatment approaches in earlier stages of disease. Some data suggest that induction chemotherapy in stage I-II is feasible and appears not to compromise surgery. Another promising more individual approach is to tailor chemotherapy according to the pattern of genetic variants or abnormalities found in DNA and/or RNA extracted from the bloodstream. Furthermore, at present many types of new agents are available for testing as 'consolidation treatment' following induction treatment, including, angiogenesis inhibitors, antibodies to growth factor receptors, gene therapy and vaccines.
Antineoplastic Agents↗
Novel approaches in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer.
A wealth of data indicates that certain genetic abnormalities can target specific cytotoxic drugs and intervene at an early step as a mechanism of resistance in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer. Therefore prescribing certain combinations of cytotoxic anticancer agents to a vast majority of these patients is futile. Genetic abnormalities have been found to be useful surrogate markers for response, particularly in colorectal cancer: thymidylate synthase mRNA and ERCC1 mRNA levels. In addition, beta-tubulin mutations may also confer paclitaxel resistance in patients. An important target to be explored for gemcitabine resistance is the assessment of a particular region in chromosome 11p15.5 wherein lies the ribonucleotide reductase gene that could affect gemcitabine metabolism. Shedding light on this genetic framework, several proposed customized chemotherapy studies could help validate the relevance of these markers.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
Role of multimodality treatment for lung cancer.
Locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is, in fact, a systemic disease requiring a multimodality approach for optimal treatment. The role of preoperative chemotherapy has been established and is now an accepted treatment for resectable Stage IIIA NSCLC. Several studies have addressed the feasibility and efficacy of preoperative chemotherapy followed by surgery. All these induction chemotherapy trials have reported a high radiographic response rate, high respectability rate and improved survival in completely resected patients. The findings of three published randomized trials indicate that the survival rate of Stage IIIA patients is better with induction chemotherapy plus surgical resection than with resection alone. More recently, Phase II trials using concurrent chemoradiotherapy have been tested with encouraging results. Chemo-therapy combined with thoracic radiotherapy has emerged as a primary treatment option for locally advanced, unresectable NSCLC. Randomized trials and subsequent meta-analyses have shown a clear survival benefit with platinum-based combination chemotherapy administered with thoracic radiation-as compared to radiation alone-in treating inoperable Stage IIIA and IIIB lung cancer. Combined modality treatment in locally advanced NSCLC continues to evolve and is the subject of ongoing research. Despite clinical advances, many aspects of the management of these patients are yet to be fully clarified: Is surgical resection really necessary for Stage IIIA patients? What is the value of altered-fractionation radiotherapy and three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy? What is the optimal sequencing of radiotherapy and chemotherapy? In this regard, new chemotherapeutic agents may provide additional benefits in the multimodality approach, and it is for this reason that various studies are underway which have incorporated new agents in the front line setting. Finally, a better understanding of the biology of tumors could well help us to optimize treatments. In the future, molecular classification of NSCLC may provide a useful tool when making therapy-related decisions.
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗
Preoperative high-dose cisplatin versus moderate-dose cisplatin combined with ifosfamide and mitomycin in stage IIIA (N2) non small-cell lung cancer: results of a randomized multicenter trial.
Preoperative chemotherapy has become an accepted treatment for stage IIIA (N2) non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The majority of induction regimens employ cisplatin, although the importance of cis-platin dose in combination is unclear. A randomized trial was conducted to address whether higher pre-operative cisplatin doses result in improved survival and increased pathologic complete response in NSCLC. Patients with stage IIIA clinically enlarged and biopsy-proven N2 lesions were randomly assigned to receive either high-dose cisplatin (HDCP) (100 mg/m2) or moderate-dose cisplatin (MDCP) (50 mg/ m2) in combination with ifosfamide (3 g/m2) and mitomycin (6 mg/m2). Disease was restaged after 3 cycles, and those patients with response or stable disease underwent thoracotomy. From March 1993 to February 1997, 83 patients were randomized: 46 received HDCP, and 37 received MDCP. Clinical characteristics were well matched. Radiographic response rate was 59% for HDCP patients and 30% for MDCP patients (P = 0.01). Thoracotomy was performed in 71 patients (86%), 58 of whom had resectable disease. Complete resection rate was 61% in the HDCP group, and 51% in the MDCP group (P = 0.5). Postoperative mortality was 11%. Pathologic complete response was observed in one patient who received MDCP. Median survival in the HDCP and MDCP groups was 13 and 11 months, respectively (P = 0.3). In conclusion, higher radiographic response rate is observed in patients who receive HDCP, but this study fails to show any significant improvement in either overall survival or pathologic complete response in this group of patients.
Clinical Trial↗
Is the evidence in favour of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in stage IIIA (N2) non-small cell lung cancer solid enough?
In stage IIIA (N2) non-small cell lung cancer, single modality therapy with either surgery or radiation is curative in very few cases. The rationale behind neoadjuvant chemotherapy lies in the eradication of micrometastatic disease, which is often present when ipsilateral mediastinal or subcarinal lymph nodes (N2) are involved. Several studies have addressed the feasibility and efficacy of preoperative chemotherapy followed by surgery. All of these induction chemotherapy trials have reported a high radiographic response rate, high resectability rate and improved survival in completely resected patients. The findings reported in three published randomized trials indicate that the survival rate of stage IIIA patients is better with induction chemotherapy plus surgical resection than with resection alone. Phase II trials using preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy have been tested with encouraging results. Combined modality treatment in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer continues to evolve and is the subject of ongoing research. New chemotherapeutic agents should be integrated into the neoadjuvant setting to improve results. A better understanding of the biology of tumours could well help in the optimization of these new agents. No doubt, in the future, molecular classification of non-small cell lung cancer will provide a useful tool for making therapy-related decisions.
Antineoplastic Agents↗