Evaluating bevacizumab in combination with FOLFIRI after the failure of platinum-etoposide regimen in patients with advanced poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma: The PRODIGE 41–BEVANEC randomized phase II study

Abstract Background: Extrapulmonary poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (EPNEC) is a lethal disease with a poor prognosis. Platinum-based chemotherapy is used as the standard first-line treatment for unresectable EPNEC. Several retrospective studies have reported the results of the utilization of temozolomide (TMZ) as a drug for the second-line treatment for EPNEC. Methods:Patients with unresectable EPNEC that were resistant to platinum-based combination chemotherapy were recruited for a prospective phase II study of TMZ monotherapy. A 200 mg/m2 dose of TMZ was administered from day 1 to day 5, every four weeks. Response rate (RR) was evaluated as the primary endpoint. The presence of O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) in EPNEC patients was also evaluated as exploratory research. Results: Thirteen patients were enrolled in this study. Primary lesions were pancreas (n=3), stomach (n=3), duodenum (n=1), colon (n=1), gallbladder (n=1), liver (n=1), uterus (n=1), bladder (n=1), and primary unknown (n=1). Each case was defined as pathological poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma from surgical resected and/or biopsied specimens. The median Ki67 labeling index was 60% (range: 22%-90%). The RR was 15.4%, progression free survival was 1.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-2.7), overall survival (OS) was 7.8 months (95% CI, 6.0-9.5), and OS from first-line treatment was 19.2 months (95% CI, 15.1-23.3). No grade 3 or 4 hematological toxicity had occurred and grade 3 nausea and appetite loss had occurred one case. One case presented MGMT deficiency and this case showed partial response. Conclusion: TMZ monotherapy is a feasible, modestly effective, and safety treatment for patients with unresectable EPNEC following platinum-based chemotherapy. MGMT deficiency may be a reliable biomarker for the response of unresectable EPNEC to TMZ. Trial registration: Registered at April 20, 2013. Registry number: UMIN000010549.

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Phase II Trial of Paclitaxel, Carboplatin, and Etoposide in Advanced Poorly Differentiated Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: A Minnie Pearl Cancer Research Network Study

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2005.05.0575 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 24 (22) ◽

pp. 3548-3554 ◽

Cited By ~ 112

Author(s):

John D. Hainsworth ◽

David R. Spigel ◽

Sharlene Litchy ◽

F. Anthony Greco

Keyword(s):

Phase Ii ◽

Neuroendocrine Carcinoma ◽

Response Rate ◽

Phase Ii Trial ◽

Small Cell ◽

Primary Site ◽

Unknown Primary ◽

Small Cell Lung ◽

Poorly Differentiated Neuroendocrine Carcinoma ◽

Poorly Differentiated

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of chemotherapy with paclitaxel, carboplatin, and etoposide in advanced adult poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas. Patients and Methods Patients eligible for this multicenter, phase II trial had metastatic poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma and had received no previous treatment. Patients with a variety of known primary sites (excepting small-cell lung cancer) and patients with unknown primary site were eligible. Patients received four courses of chemotherapy with paclitaxel, carboplatin, and etoposide, administered at 3-week intervals. After completing four courses of treatment, patients with objective response or stable disease received three courses (24 weeks) of weekly paclitaxel. Results Seventy-eight patients were treated; 62% had unknown primary site. Forty-one patients (53%) had major responses (complete response rate, 15%), and five patients remain disease free from 18 to 66 months after therapy. Response rates were similar regardless of histology (small-cell v poorly differentiated carcinoma) or primary site. The median, 2-year, and 3-year survivals for the entire group were 14.5 months, 33%, and 24%, respectively. Myelosuppression was the major toxicity, as has been reported previously with this regimen. Conclusion This prospective phase II trial provides additional evidence that this family of relatively uncommon carcinomas is initially chemosensitive, with a high overall response rate to combination chemotherapy and a minority of complete responses. The three-drug regimen evaluated in this trial is moderately toxic, and has no obvious efficacy advantages when compared with standard platinum/etoposide regimens. Treatment for advanced poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma should parallel treatments used for small-cell lung cancer.

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