Outcomes of Dose-Attenuated Docetaxel in Asian Patients with Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>High levels of toxicities have been observed when docetaxel is administered at the standard dose of 75 mg/mevery 3 weeks (Q3W) in the real-world treatment of Asian patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of 2 attenuated regimens more widely used in an Asian setting to minimise toxicity - 60 mg/mQ3W and weekly docetaxel (20 mg/mto 35 mg/m).</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>Medical records of 89 CRPC patients between December 2003 and April 2013 were reviewed. Pairwise statistical analysis was performed, comparing efficacy and safety outcomes of 75 mg/mQ3W and weekly docetaxel with 60 mg/mQ3W. Treatment endpoints used were prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response (decrease of ≥50% from baseline), pain improvement after cycle 2, overall survival, time to disease progression and radiological response.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Patients who received docetaxel at 75 mg/mQ3W were younger than those who received 60 mg/mQ3W (62 years and 66 years, respectively;= 0.0489). Both groups had similar response rates. Compared with patients on 60 mg/mQ3W, more patients on weekly regimens were symptomatic at baseline (63.2% and 87.5%, respectively;= 0.0173). Longer overall survival was observed in the 60 mg/mQ3W arm than the weekly docetaxel arm (16.9 months and 10.6 months, respectively;= 0.0131), though other measures of response did not differ significantly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our data supports the use of 60 mg/mQ3W docetaxel which has similar efficacy and an acceptable toxicity profile compared to the standard 75 mg/mQ3W regimen. Weekly docetaxel has significant palliative benefits among symptomatic patients despite lower overall survival.</p>

Nasal metastases from renal cell carcinoma are associated with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center poor-prognosis classification / 癌症

Unusual sites of metastases are recognized in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the prognostic implications of these sites are not well understood. We used the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) risk classification for metastatic RCC to evaluate 912 consecutive patients with RCC managed at the Singapore General Hospital between 1990 and 2009. Among these patients, 301 had metastases either at diagnosis or during the course of illness. Nasal metastases, all arising from clear cell RCC, were identified histologically in 4 patients (1.3% of those with metastasis). All 4 patients were classified as MSKCC poor prognosis by current risk criteria. Nasal metastases were significantly associated with lung and bone metastases. The frequency of nasal metastases in patients with metastatic RCC is about 1%, occurring predominantly in patients with clear cell RCC. Nasal metastases are associated with poor prognosis as estimated by the MSKCC risk classification, with attendant implications for selection of targeted therapy, and are usually associated with multi-organ dissemination, including concurrent lung and bone involvement.

A unique pair of monozygotic twins with concordant clear cell renal cell carcinoma: a case report

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Genetic predisposition to clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) has been linked to disorders such as von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome. While twin research is a classic approach for elucidating genetic and environmental contributions to disease, no monozygotic twin-pair concordant for ccRCC in the absence of VHL syndrome has been previously reported in the literature or in major twin registries.</p><p><b>CLINICAL PICTURE</b>We describe a unique monozygotic twin-pair concordant for ccRCC, with discordant but early ages of onset of 25 and 38 respectively. Cytogenetic studies and direct sequencing for VHL gene mutations in the second twin proved unremarkable.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This is the fi rst reported case of monozygotic twins concordant for ccRCC in the absence of VHL gene mutation. The early yet discordant, age of onset of disease in both twins suggests both genetic and environmental contributions to ccRCC.</p>

Phase II trial of gemcitabine in combination with cisplatin in inoperable or advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a dismal prognosis and is notoriously chemo-resistant. We conducted a Phase II prospective study to evaluate the activity and tolerability of gemcitabine and cisplatin in chemo-naïve advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. The trial considered a "no further interest" response rate of 10% and a target response rate of 30%. Utilising a Simon's minimax two-stage design with a type I error of 0.05 and power of 80%, 25 subjects would be required. Fifteen patients would be needed in stage 1 and if fewer than 2 responses were observed, the trial would be stopped and lack of efficacy claimed.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>Patients with advanced HCC, diagnosed based on histology or by World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, were administered gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 and cisplatin 25 mg/m2 on day 1 and day 8 of a 21-day schedule. Assessment of response based on computer tomography was performed after every 2 cycles of chemotherapy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The trial was stopped early due to a lack of efficacy. A total of 15 patients were accrued. Twelve patients were hepatitis B positive and the other 3 patients were negative for both hepatitis B and C. Only 1 patient had a history of prior heavy alcohol use. Two patients had Child C liver cirrhosis, 5 patients had Child B cirrhosis, and the remaining 8 patients had Child A cirrhosis. This regime was well tolerated and there was only 1 patient who experienced grade IV toxicities. Only 5 of 15 patients experienced grade III toxicities (nausea and emesis, 1 patient; anemia, 1 patient; thrombocytopenia, 1 patient; and neutropaenia, 2 patients). Only 1 patient experienced a partial response to the combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin. A further 3 patients experienced stable disease and 11 patients progressed on chemotherapy. The median time to progression was 6 weeks. The progression-free curve showed a sharp descent in the initial part of the study, suggesting that many patients had disease progression after enrollment. The median overall survival was 18 weeks.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The progression-free survival and overall survival in our study were extremely short. Based on the results of our phase 2 study, we are unable to recommend further studies utilising gemcitabine and cisplatin combination in patients with advanced HCC.</p>

Efficacy of low-dose ketoconazole in hormone refractory prostate cancer patients at the National Cancer Centre and The Cancer Institute, Singapore

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>The advent of prostate specific antigen (PSA) has resulted in an increased incidence of early detection of prostate cancer recurrence. Patients treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) become hormone-resistant after 18 to 24 months. In patients with biochemical failure, where there is a rise in PSA but no objective evidence of metastases, or in whom there are small volume metastases but who are asymptomatic, there is no standard of care after ADT. Ketoconazole, an antimycotic which affects the synthesis of androgens and other steroids, has shown direct cytotoxic effects in prostate cancer cell lines in in-vitro studies. This study describes our experience with ketoconazole treatment for hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC).</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>A retrospective study of HRPC patients given ketoconazole at the National Cancer Centre and The Cancer Institute from 2004 to 2005 was performed. All eligible patients had histologically proven adenocarcinoma of the prostate and a rising PSA level despite ADT with orchidectomy or luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist therapy. All patients received 200 mg of ketoconazole thrice daily. Response was defined as a decline in PSA of at least 50% from the pre-treatment level and confirmed by a second PSA value 4 or more weeks later. The endpoints evaluated were the presence and duration of a response and the toxicity profile of the treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 32 patients with HRPC were treated with ketoconazole. Twelve (38%) of the 32 patients had a greater than 50% decrease in their PSA values. The median duration of response was 6.75 months. The median time to reach PSA nadir was 3.5 months. Five patients continue to exhibit progression-free response at the time of writing. Ketoconazole was generally well tolerated. Eighteen (56%) patients recorded mild toxicities related to ketoconazole. There were no grade 3 or 4 toxicities.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Low-dose ketoconazole bridges the gap in the continuum of treatment for patients who have failed ADT and in whom cytotoxic chemotherapy would have a significant impact on the quality of life. Its good toxicity profile, low cost and ease of administration makes it a viable option for this group of patients.</p>