A phase II study of ifosfamide, methotrexate, etoposide, and prednisolone for previously untreated stage I/II extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type: a multicenter trial of the Korean Cancer Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Combination chemotherapy consisting of ifosfamide, methotrexate, etoposide, and prednisolone (IMEP) was active as first-line and second-line treatment for extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NTCL). METHODS: Forty-four patients with chemo-naïve stage I/II NTCL were enrolled in a prospective, multicenter, phase II study and received six cycles of IMEP (ifosfamide 1.5 g/m(2) on days 1-3; methotrextate 30 mg/m(2) on days 3 and 10; etoposide 100 mg/m(2) on days 1-3; and prednisolone 60 mg/m(2) per day on days 1-5) followed by involved field radiotherapy (IFRT). RESULTS: Overall response rates were 73% (complete remission [CR] in 11 of 41 evaluable patients [27%]) after IMEP chemotherapy and 78% (CR 18 of 27 evaluable patients [67%]) after IMEP followed by IFRT. Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were documented in 33 patients (75%) and 7 patients (16%), respectively. Only 8 patients (18%) experienced febrile neutropenia. Three-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 66% and 56%, respectively. High Ki-67 (≥70%) and Ann Arbor stage II independently reduced PFS (p = .004) and OS (p = .001), respectively. CONCLUSION: Due to the high rate of progression during IMEP chemotherapy, IFRT needs to be introduced earlier. Moreover, active chemotherapy including an l-asparaginase-based regimen should be use to reduce systemic treatment failure in stage I/II NTCL.

Noninterventional observational study using high-dose controlled-release oxycodone (CR oxycodone) for cancer pain management in outpatient clinics.

PURPOSE: Efficacy, safety, and quality of life (QoL) for patients receiving larger doses of controlled-release oxycodone (CR oxycodone) in outpatient clinics are evaluated. METHODS: The use of high-dose CR oxycodone and adjuvant drugs for pain management, pain intensity, parameters associated with quality of life, and adverse effects in cancer patients treated with high-dose CR oxycodone (≥80 mg/day) was prospectively observed for 8 weeks. Data from 486 cancer patients receiving high-dose CR oxycodone were collected from 44 hospitals during the period from February 2009 to March 2010. RESULTS: Three hundred eighteen of the total 486 patients treated with high-dose CR oxycodone were followed up for 8 weeks. Pain intensity significantly improved from a mean numeric rating scale (NRS) 5.49 to NRS 4.33 (P < 0.0001). Dosage of CR oxycodone increased from a mean of 130.0 to a mean of 174.9 (P < 0.0001). QoL including activity, walking, and sleeping significantly improved after 8 weeks. At baseline, 138 complained of adverse effects, of which constipation (30.2%) was the most common followed by dry mouth (8.8%) and dizziness (8.2%). After 8 weeks, 128 patients complained of adverse effects such as constipation (27.0%), nausea (5.7%), dry mouth (5.7%), and dizziness (5.0%). After 8 weeks of high-dose CR oxycodone, adverse effects did not increase. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that over an 8-week period, the use of high-dose CR oxycodone for cancer pain management is efficient, safe, and tolerable in outpatient clinics.

A phase II trial of erlotinib in combination with gemcitabine and capecitabine in previously untreated metastatic/recurrent pancreatic cancer: combined analysis with translational research.

BACKGROUND: To confirm the efficacy and toxicity of Erlotinib in combination with Gemcitabine and Capecitabine when used as a first-line therapy in metastatic/recurrent pancreatic cancer (PC). METHODS: Locally advanced PC was excluded. Erlotinib was given at a dose of 100 mg daily from D1 to D28. 1000 mg/m(2) of gemcitabine was given on D1,8,15 and 1660 mg/m(2)/day of capecitabine was given from D1 to 21, repeated every 4 weeks. Response was assessed every 8 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients were enrolled. Response rate and disease control rate was 32.6% (95% CI, 18.6-46.6%) and 83.7% (95% CI, 72.7-94.7%) respectively. The PFS was 6.5 months (95% CI, 3.4-9.7) and OS was 12.0 months (95% CI, 8.6-15.9). The Gr 3/4 toxicities were: neutropenia (6.8%), thrombocytopenia (3.2%), anemia (1.6%). nausea (1.6%), vomiting (1.6%), anorexia (5.3%), rash (2.4%). The EGFR expression was associated with shorter OS and ERCC2 expression was associated with longer PFS and OS. PFS and OS were not different according to K-RAS mutation or polymorphism of RRM1 and CDA. CONCLUSIONS: Erlotinib, gemcitabine and capecitabine combination showed promising efficacy and good tolerability in metastatic PC. This efficacy was observed irrespective of K-RAS mutation, and EGFR expression was poor prognostic factor for OS.

The dosing frequency of sustained-release opioids and the prevalence of end-of-dose failure in cancer pain control: a Korean multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: End-of-dose failure is commonly observed as therapeutic levels of sustained-release opioids fall. However, little is known about using these medications for cancer pain control. To determine the dosing frequency of sustained-release opioids (morphine, oxycodone, and transdermal fentanyl) and the prevalence of end-of-dose failure in clinical practice, a patient-reported survey was performed. METHODS: A multicenter survey was conducted in 56 hospitals in Korea between June and November 2008. RESULTS: The study enrolled 1,097 cancer outpatients who were prescribed oral sustained-release opioids (morphine or oxycodone) or transdermal fentanyl. Of the oral sustained-release opioid patients, 67.0% took oral sustained-release oral opioids twice daily, while 26.2% took them more than twice daily. Of the transdermal fentanyl patients, 88.8% wore the patch for 72 h. Of the enrolled patients, 48.3% experienced worsening pain just before the next sustained-release opioid dose, and 36.8% of these patients took medication earlier than the prescribed dosing schedule. Patients felt that oral sustained-release opioids gave adequate pain control lasting an average of 9.6 h, versus an average of 62.9 h for transdermal fentanyl. CONCLUSION: This survey demonstrated that sustained-release opioids are used by patients in a manner that is inconsistent with standard recommendations. End-of-dose failure is suggested to explain increased dosing frequency, and patients reported that adequate pain relief lasted for less time than was stated in the manufacturers' prescription recommendation.

A multi-center phase II study of S-1 plus paclitaxel as first-line therapy for patients with advanced or recurrent unresectable gastric cancer.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of S-1 and paclitaxel combination therapy for patients with advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: Eligible patients had previously untreated advanced or relapsed gastric cancer with measurable lesion(s) and an ECOG PS of 0-2. Treatment consisted of S-1 35 mg/m(2) p.o. b.i.d. on days 1-14 followed by a 7-day off plus paclitaxel 70 mg/m(2) i.v. on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients (M/F = 37/19) were enrolled. The median age was 59 years. The median number of cycles administered was six (range 1-18). Out of the 53 patients evaluated, there was 1 (1.9%) CR, 20 (37.7%) confirmed PRs, 5 (9.4%) unconfirmed PRs, 21 (39.6%) SDs, and 6 (11.3%) PDs. The objective tumor response was 39.6%. The median time to progression was 29 weeks. The median survival was 51 weeks. All 56 patients were assessed for treatment safety. The treatment was well tolerated with grade 3/4 neutropenia in 20%/13%, grade 3 febrile neutropenia in 7%, grade 2/3 diarrhea in 9%/4%, vomiting in 11%/0%, stomatitis in 4%/4%, and neuropathy in 4%/0% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: S-1 and paclitaxel combination treatment is an effective regimen with a favorable toxicity profile in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Docetaxel plus epirubicin as first-line chemotherapy in MBC (KCSG 01-10-05): phase II trial and the predictive values of circulating HER2 extracellular domain and vascular endothelial growth factor.

The anthracyclines and taxanes are considered to be the most active drugs in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). We conducted a multicenter phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the docetaxel plus epirubicin combination chemotherapy as first-line treatment in MBC and performed a prospective assessment of the predictive values of circulating HER2 extracellular domain (ECD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) and epirubicin 75 mg/m(2) were given intravenously every 3 weeks. Prophylactic G-CSF was not used. Pretreatment serum HER2 ECD and VEGF levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Forty MBC patients were enrolled, and 39 patients were evaluable for toxicities and 38 for response. Complete response was observed in 3 (7.9%) patients, partial response in 20 (52.6%) (overall response rate 60.5%), stable disease in 11 (28.9%) and disease progression in 4 (10.5%). After a median follow-up of 22.5 months, the median duration of response was 28 weeks, median time to disease progression was 32 weeks, and median survival was 15.8 months. Two-hundred and fifteen cycles of treatment were administered (median, 6 cycles per patient). Grade 3 and 4 neutropenia were observed during 24 (11.2%) and 74 (35%) cycles respectively, and grade 3 or 4 febrile neutropenia in 24 (11.2%) cycles. Elevated circulating HER2 ECD levels were found to be associated with a shorter response duration (p<0.005) and shorter time to progression (p<0.005). However, elevated VEGF levels were not found to be correlated with response rate or survival. We concluded that the docetaxel and epirubicin combination is an effective first-line treatment in MBC patients and that elevated serum HER2 ECD levels, but not circulating VEGF levels, predict a poor outcome.

Bone marrow immunoscintigraphy using technetium-99m anti-granulocyte antibody in multiple myeloma.

Conventional skeletal radiography and bone scan have certain limitations in the initial evaluation of bone and bone marrow lesions in multiple myeloma (MM). In this study we investigated the value of bone marrow immunoscintigraphy (BMIS) using anti-granulocyte monoclonal antibody (AGA) for the diagnosis of bone involvement of MM, in comparison with bone scan and skeletal radiography. Whole-body BMIS using technetium-99m-labelled AGA was performed in 22 MM patients (15 male, 7 female) and the imaging findings compared with those of skeletal radiography and (99m)Tc-methylene diphosphonate bone scan. The findings of bone marrow aspiration and serum biochemical findings were also compared with BMIS findings. Abnormal findings of BMIS were defined as presence of a focal photon defect in the axial skeleton or expansion of peripheral bone marrow. A total of 124 focal lesions were detected in 19 subjects (86%) by skeletal radiography, bone scan or BMIS. BMIS detected 92 lesions (74%) in 19 subjects, whereas skeletal radiography detected 58 focal lesions (47%) in 14 and bone scan 40 lesions (32%) in 11. Fifty-one (41%) of the 124 lesions were only seen on BMIS. Spine and pelvic lesions were better visualised by BMIS, whereas skull lesions were better seen with skeletal radiography, and bone scan detected more lesions in the ribs. Marrow expansion was noted in 15 subjects (68%) on BMIS, and its grade correlated with marrow cellularity and myeloma cell percentage in bone marrow aspirates ( P=0.0055 and P=0.0541, respectively). BMIS revealed abnormal lesions in one of three stage II patients and 17 out of 19 stage III patients. The number of lesions of the thoracolumbar vertebrae on BMIS was correlated with cellularity ( P=0.0393), but not with myeloma cell percentage ( P=0.1262). These findings suggest that the results of BMIS with (99m)Tc-labelled AGA correlate with clinical stage, and thus reflect the functional status of bone marrow in MM patients. BMIS might be useful for the detection of bone involvement of MM when skeletal radiography or bone scan is inconclusive, especially for vertebral lesions.