Improved Outcome with Pulses of Vincristine and Steroids in Continuation Therapy of Children with Average Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL): Final Report of the EORTC Randomized Phase III Trial 58951

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 11-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara De Moerloose ◽  
Stefan Suciu ◽  
Yves Bertrand ◽  
Francoise Mazingue ◽  
Alain Robert ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: An overview of trials dating back to the ‘70s and ‘80s has shown that addition of vincristine (VCR)+prednisone/prednisolone pulses to continuation therapy of childhood ALL, i.e. 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) + methotrexate (MTX), improved disease-free survival (DFS) (Lancet, 1996). However, a recent randomized intergroup trial (IGT) has shown that, when given to intermediate risk (age<1 or >=6 yrs or WBC>20×109/L) patients (pts) treated according to the BFM protocol, VCR+dexamethasone (DEX) pulses in continuation therapy failed to improve DFS and overall survival (Lancet, 2007). Methods: In 12/1998, EORTC CLG started the randomized phase III 58951 trial addressing 3 questions: R1) the value of DEX vs PRED in induction; R2) the value of prolonged (24 injections) vs conventional (12 injections) duration of L-asparaginase (ASPA) courses during consolidation and late intensification; R3) for average risk (AR) pts only: the value of 6 (VCR+corticosteroid) pulses every 10 weeks during continuation therapy. The corticoid of the pulses was that assigned to the patient at R1: DEX (6 mg/sm/d) or prednisolone (PRED) (60 mg/sm/d) during 7 days. AR pts were defined by being neither low risk (hyperploidy > 50 or DNI>1.16, and WBC<10×109/L and no extramedullary involvement) nor very high risk (Leukemia 2000). A total of 81 pts from the EORTC 58951 trial were included in the IGT study. Randomization was done centrally, and the main endpoint was DFS; secondary endpoints were OS and toxicity. Intent-to-treat analysis was used. Results: Between 6.1999 and 11.2004, 411 pts, ALL (N=384) and NHL (N=27), were randomized for the pulse question. In the Pulses group, 101 vs 101 pts were randomized for PRED vs DEX. At a median follow-up of 6.3 years, there were 19 vs 34 DFS events for the Pulses vs No Pulses comparison: BM (10 vs 16), CNS only (1 vs 4), other isolated (2 vs 3), BM+CNS (2 vs 5), BM+other (4 vs 4), death in CR (0 vs 2). The 6-year DFS rate from randomization was 90.6% (SE 2.1%) in the Pulses group and 82.8% (SE 2.8%) in the No Pulses group (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.54, 95% CI 0.32–0.94, 2-sided logrank p=0.027). The impact of pulses on DFS was similar in the PRED group (HR=0.56) and the DEX group (HR=0.59). In girls the treatment difference seemed to be more pronounced (HR=0.25, 99% CI 0.04–1.25; p=0.015) than in boys (HR=0.71, 99% CI 0.30–1.66; p=0.30), and also in those having been randomized to receive conventional duration of ASPA courses (HR=0.46, 99% CI 0.18–1.19; p=0.03) than in prolonged ASPA arm (HR=0.87, 99% CI 0.23–3.29; p=0.78). Grade 3–4 hepatic toxicity was lower in the Pulses group (30% vs 40%); incidence of grade 2–3 osteonecrosis was 4.4% (Pulses) vs 2% (No Pulses) and pancreatitis rate was 4.9% (Pulses) vs 2.9% (No Pulses). Conclusion: VCR+corticosteroid pulses, at long follow-up (median=6.3 yrs), significantly improved the DFS, particularly in pts having received conventional duration of ASPA. Pulses did not increase toxic effects. In future, for AR pts treated according to the BFM protocol, pulses should become a standard component of therapy.

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara De Moerloose ◽  
Stefan Suciu ◽  
Yves Bertrand ◽  
Françoise Mazingue ◽  
Alain Robert ◽  
...  

AbstractThe European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer 58951 trial for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) addressed 3 randomized questions, including the evaluation of dexamethasone (DEX) versus prednisolone (PRED) in induction and, for average-risk patients, the evaluation of vincristine and corticosteroid pulses during continuation therapy. The corticosteroid used in the pulses was that assigned at induction. Overall, 411 patients were randomly assigned: 202 initially randomly assigned to PRED (60 mg/m2/d), 201 to DEX (6 mg/m2/d), and 8 nonrandomly assigned to PRED. At a median follow-up of 6.3 years, there were 19 versus 34 events for pulses versus no pulses; 6-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 90.6% (standard error [SE], 2.1%) and 82.8% (SE, 2.8%), respectively (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.31-0.94; P = .027). The effect of pulses was similar in the PRED (HR = 0.56) and DEX groups (HR = 0.59) but more pronounced in girls (HR = 0.24) than in boys (HR = 0.71). Grade 3 to 4 hepatic toxicity was 30% versus 40% in pulses versus no pulses group and grade 2 to 3 osteonecrosis was 4.4% versus 2%. For average-risk patients treated according to Berlin-Frankfurt-Muenster–based protocols, pulses should become a standard component of therapy. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00003728.


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 134-134
Author(s):  
Veerle Mondelaers ◽  
Stefan Suciu ◽  
Barbara De Moerloose ◽  
Alina Ferster ◽  
Françoise Mazingue ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 134 Background: Asparaginase (ASP) is an essential component in combination chemotherapy for childhood ALL and NHL, as indicated by several randomized trials. However, the optimal number of ASP administrations is still unknown. We conducted a randomized phase III trial comparing conventional E.coli ASP regimen (short-ASP, 12 doses) with prolonged E.coli ASP therapy (long-ASP, 24 doses). Methods: The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Children's Leukemia Group (EORTC-CLG) phase III 58951 trial was open to de novo ALL or NHL patients (pts) < 18 y. This BFM-based study addressed 2 main randomized questions. The first evaluated the value of dexamethasone (DEX, 6mg/m2/d) vs prednisolone (PRED, 60mg/m2/d) in induction for all pts. In the second question all non-very high risk (VHR) pts were randomized for either short- or long-ASP. All patients had to receive 8×10000 U/m2 in induction. In the short-ASP arm pts had to receive 4×10000 U/m2 in late intensification; pts in the long-ASP arm had to receive 8×5000 U/m2E.coli ASP injections in consolidation and 8 (4×10000 U/m2 + 4×5000U/m2) in late intensification. Patients with grade ≥2 allergy to E.coli ASP had to be switched to equivalent doses of Erwinia or PEG ASP. Central randomization was stratified by the 1st randomized arm, risk group (VLR, AR1, AR2) and center. The primary endpoint of the study was disease-free survival (DFS), secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and toxicity. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Results: Between December 1998 and August 2008, 2038 patients were randomized for the 1st question and 1552 pts, ALL (n=1481) and NHL (n=71), were randomly assigned to receive long-ASP (n=775) or short-ASP (n=777). At a median follow-up of 7 years there were 97 vs 112 events in the long- vs short-ASP group (see table). The 8-year DFS rate was 87.0% in the long-ASP and 84.2% in short-ASP group (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.87, 95% CI 0.66–1.14, 2-sided logrank p=0.30). The 8-year OS rate was comparable in both treatment arms: 92.6% in the long-ASP group and 91.3% in the short-ASP group (HR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.61–1.29, 2-sided log rank p=0.53). Similar treatment differences were observed in each risk group, in randomized arm (PRED vs DEX), and B- and T-lineage ALL pts. The incidence of grade 3–4 infection was higher in the long- vs short-ASP group during consolidation (25.2% vs 14.5%) and late intensification (22.6% vs 15.9%). This difference was more pronounced in pts who were randomly assigned to DEX (see table). In the long- vs short-ASP group grade 2–4 allergy to ASP was 22.5% vs 0.3% in consolidation and 10.3% vs 21.5% in late intensification. During the whole treatment period, the incidence of grade 2–4 allergy was 30.5% in the long-ASP arm and 21.7% in the short-ASP arm. In the long- vs short-ASP arm approximately 67% vs 95% pts received at least the total number of E.coli or equivalent ASP administrations as planned according to the treatment arm. Conclusion: At long follow-up (median= 7 yrs) prolonged E.coli asparaginase therapy in consolidation and late intensification for VLR and AR pts did not improve significantly the outcome. Intensive ASP treatment did increase infection rate in consolidation and late intensification and resulted in more grade 2–4 allergic reactions. In the future, we aim to improve outcome rates by the use of PEG ASP and monitoring of asparaginase activity and antibody formation. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 99 (12) ◽  
pp. 4257-4264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Smita Bhatia ◽  
Harland N. Sather ◽  
Olga B. Pabustan ◽  
Michael E. Trigg ◽  
Paul S. Gaynon ◽  
...  

Second malignant neoplasms are a serious complication after successful treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). With improvement in survival, it is important to assess the impact of contemporary risk-based therapies on second neoplasms in ALL survivors. A cohort of 8831 children diagnosed with ALL and enrolled on Children's Cancer Group therapeutic protocols between 1983 and 1995 were observed to determine the incidence of second neoplasms and associated risk factors. The median age at diagnosis of ALL was 4.7 years. The cohort had accrued 54 883 person-years of follow-up. Sixty-three patients developed second neoplasms, including solid, nonhematopoietic tumors (n = 39: brain tumors n = 19, other solid tumors n = 20), myeloid leukemia or myelodysplasia (n = 16), and lymphoma (n = 8). The cumulative incidence of any second neoplasm was 1.18% at 10 years (95% confidence interval, 0.8%-1.5%), representing a 7.2-fold increased risk compared with the general population. The risk was increased significantly for acute myeloid leukemia (standardized incidence ratio [SIR] 52.3), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (SIR 8.3), parotid gland tumors (SIR 33.4), thyroid cancer (SIR 13.3), brain tumors (SIR 10.1), and soft tissue sarcoma (SIR 9.1). Multivariate analysis revealed female sex (relative risk [RR] 1.8), radiation to the craniospinal axis (RR 1.6), and relapse of primary disease (RR 3.5) to be independently associated with increased risk of all second neoplasms. Risk of second neoplasms increased with radiation dose (1800 cGy RR 1.5; 2400 cGy RR 3.9). Actuarial survival at 10 years from diagnosis of second neoplasms was 39%. Follow-up of this large cohort that was treated with contemporary risk-based therapy showed that the incidence of second neoplasms remains low after diagnosis of childhood ALL.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 2441-2441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Santos ◽  
Lee Stern ◽  
Laura Katz ◽  
Thelma Watson ◽  
Gause Barry

Abstract Malignant B-cells in Follicular Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma expresses a clonal idiotype immunoglobulin which can serve as the basis for a patient-specific anti-idiotype vaccine. In a previous single-arm Phase II study by Bendandi, et al (Nature Med5:1171–1177, 1999), we evaluated the ability of tumor-specific idiotype (Id) conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) administered concurrently with granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) adjuvant to induce complete remissions and molecular remissions in treated patients. The vaccine formulation induced a tumor-specific cytotoxic CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell response in patients in first complete remission after standard chemotherapy, as well as achieved molecular remissions in 8 of 11 of these patients. Data available at the time of this abstract for the 20-patient cohort, indicates a median follow-up of 9.167 years. 9 patients (45 %) remain in continuous first CR at their most recent follow-up (either in 2004 or 2005), and overall survival is 95%. The data further indicates the median disease free survival for the cohort is 96.5 months (8.04 years). To date there have been no additional reported mortalities in this cohort. As of August 2005, we report the progress of the Phase III clinical trial for this vaccine, opened in January 2000 by the NCI to evaluate the impact of this hybridoma-based Id vaccine on disease-free survival in a group of up to 375 previously untreated patients who have attained a CR or CRu from PACE [Prednisone, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide, and Etoposide (ProMACE without methotrexate)] chemotherapy, and who are randomized to receive either vaccine or control. To date, 187 patients have been accrued onto the study. Of those patients, 145 (77.5%) achieved a CR or Cru and are being followed in this ongoing clinical trial.


2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 569-569 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Moebus ◽  
H. Lueck ◽  
C. Thomssen ◽  
N. Harbeck ◽  
U. Nitz ◽  
...  

569 Background: Dose-dense chemotherapy has been shown to have a significant advantage in disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in high risk breast cancer pts, but leads to a higher number of RBC transfusions (CALGB C9741, AGO-ETC). Controversial results have been reported regarding the influence of Epoetin-alpha on DFS and OS in cancer pts. Methods: From 12/98 until 4/03, 1,284 pts were recruited into a multi-center phase-III trial. Breast cancer pts with at least 4 involved lymph nodes and below 65 years of age were randomized between a standard regimen (4 × EC followed by 4 × Paclitaxel) and a dose-dense arm consisting of three courses each of epirubicin (150 mg/m2), paclitaxel (225 mg/m2) and cyclophosphamide (2,500 mg/m2) at 2 weeks interval (ETC). A second randomization ± Epoetin-alpha was performed in the ETC arm only (150 IU/kg/sc three times weekly). Results: In 10/06, 1255 (98%) pts were evaluable. 658 pts were randomized in the dose-dense ETC arm, of whom 333 received Epoetin-alpha. Median follow- up is 62 months. Anemia was seen significantly more often in the ETC-arm alone compared to treatment with Epoetin-alpha (p<0.0001). Altogether, 11% of all patients were treated with RBC transfusions. Standard EC->T treatment resulted in 1% RBC transfusions, but 28% in the ETC arm alone vs. 13% in the ETC + Epoetin-alpha-arm (p<0.0001) received RBC transfusions. Despite this significantly higher transfusion rate the median Hb-value dropped from 12,8g/dl at cycle 1 to 10,7g/dl at cycle 9 in the ETC arm alone. In contrast the same value remained stable with Epoetin-alpha (12,4g/dl at cycle 1 and 9 each). At a median follow-up of 62 months, there is no difference between the ETC-arm alone and the ETC + Epoetin-alpha-arm concerning 5-year DFS and OS ((71% vs. 72% (p=0.86) and 83% vs. 81% (p=0.89)). Conclusions: The dose-dense adjuvant ETC-regimen significantly improves DFS and OS but is combined with relevant hematological toxicity. Epoetin-alpha significantly reduces the number of RBC transfusions and prevents anemia. However, the prevention of anemia has no influence on DFS and OS in the adjuvant treatment with dose-dense ETC. [Table: see text]


Blood ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 863-871 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciana Annino ◽  
Maria Luce Vegna ◽  
Andrea Camera ◽  
Giorgina Specchia ◽  
Giuseppe Visani ◽  
...  

Abstract The GIMEMA ALL 0288 trial was designed to evaluate the impact of a 7-day prednisone (PDN) pretreatment on complete remission (CR) achievement and length, the influence of the addition of cyclophosphamide (random I) to a conventional 4-drug induction on CR rate and duration, and whether an early post-CR intensification (random II) by an 8-drug consolidation could improve CR duration. Median follow-up of this study was 7.3 years. From January 1988 to April 1994, among 794 adult (&gt; 12 but &lt; 60 years) patients registered, 778 were eligible. Their median age was 27.5 years; 73% had B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 22% had T-lineage disease; 18% showed associated myeloid markers; 47 of 216 analyzed patients (22%) had Philadelphia chromosome–positive ALL. Response to PDN pretreatment was observed in 65% of cases. CR was achieved in 627 patients (82%). Resistant patients and induction death rates were 11% and 7%, respectively. Random II was applied to 388 patients with CR; 201 had maintenance alone and 187 had consolidation followed by maintenance. The relapse rate was 60%; isolated central nervous system relapses were 8% of all CRs and 13% of all relapses. Median survival (overall survival [OS]), continuous complete remission (CCR), and disease-free survival (DFS) were 2.2, 2.4, and 2 years, respectively. PDN pretreatment response resulted the main independent factor influencing CR achievement, OS, CCR, and DFS; the addition of cyclophosphamide in induction significantly influenced CR achievement in a multivariate analysis. Neither induction intensification nor early consolidation appeared to influence CCR and DFS duration. For the first time PDN pretreatment response proved to be a powerful factor predicting disease outcome in adult ALL patients.


2020 ◽  
pp. JCO.20.02529
Author(s):  
Christina Peters ◽  
Jean-Hugues Dalle ◽  
Franco Locatelli ◽  
Ulrike Poetschger ◽  
Petr Sedlacek ◽  
...  

PURPOSE Total body irradiation (TBI) before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is efficacious, but long-term side effects are concerning. We investigated whether preparative combination chemotherapy could replace TBI in such patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS FORUM is a randomized, controlled, open-label, international, multicenter, phase III, noninferiority study. Patients ≤ 18 years at diagnosis, 4-21 years at HSCT, in complete remission pre-HSCT, and with an HLA-compatible related or unrelated donor were randomly assigned to myeloablative conditioning with fractionated 12 Gy TBI and etoposide versus fludarabine, thiotepa, and either busulfan or treosulfan. The noninferiority margin was 8%. With 1,000 patients randomly assigned in 5 years, 2-year minimum follow-up, and one-sided alpha of 5%, 80% power was calculated. A futility stopping rule would halt random assignment if chemoconditioning was significantly inferior to TBI (EudraCT: 2012-003032-22; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01949129 ). RESULTS Between April 2013 and December 2018, 543 patients were screened, 417 were randomly assigned, 212 received TBI, and 201 received chemoconditioning. The stopping rule was applied on March 31, 2019. The median follow-up was 2.1 years. In the intention-to-treat population, 2-year overall survival (OS) was significantly higher following TBI (0.91; 95% CI, 0.86 to 0.95; P < .0001) versus chemoconditioning (0.75; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.81). Two-year cumulative incidence of relapse and treatment-related mortality were 0.12 (95% CI, 0.08 to 0.17; P < .0001) and 0.02 (95% CI, < 0.01 to 0.05; P = .0269) following TBI and 0.33 (95% CI, 0.25 to 0.40) and 0.09 (95% CI, 0.05 to 0.14) following chemoconditioning, respectively. CONCLUSION Improved OS and lower relapse risk were observed following TBI plus etoposide compared with chemoconditioning. We therefore recommend TBI plus etoposide for patients > 4 years old with high-risk ALL undergoing allogeneic HSCT.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Slawomir Kroczka ◽  
Konrad Stepien ◽  
Izabela Witek-Motyl ◽  
Tomasz Klekawka ◽  
Eryk Kapusta ◽  
...  

Introduction: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer with one of the highest survival rates. Long-term complications that occur after intensive oncological treatment often impair normal daily functioning. However, existing data on peripheral nervous system condition in ALL survivors remain conflicting.Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 215 ALL survivors. Patients were treated with New York (NY, n = 45), previous modified Berlin–Frankfurt–Münster (pBFM, n = 64), and BFM95 (n = 106) protocols. Time elapsed between the end of the treatment and the control examination varied from 0.3 to 20.9 years. The analyzed patients underwent a neurophysiological analysis with electroneurography (ENG) of motor (median and peroneal) and sensory (median and sural) nerves as well as electromyography (EMG) of tibialis anterior, vastus lateralis, and interosseous I muscles. To estimate the influence of radiotherapy on recorded neurophysiological responses, a joint analysis of NY, and pBFM groups was performed.Results: Clinical symptoms of polyneuropathy were noted among 102 (47.4%) children during the ALL therapy and in 111 (51.6%) during follow-up. At the time of treatment, polyneuropathy was diagnosed in 57.8% participants from NY group, 35.9%—pBFM and 50.0%—BFM95 (p = 0.145). A significantly higher incidence of polyneuropathy was observed during a follow-up in the NY group (68.9%; p &lt; 0.001 vs. pBFM, p = 0.002 vs. BFM95). The most frequent abnormality within all the protocols was demyelination (NY: 44.4%, pBFM: 59.4%, BFM95: 41.5%), in contrast to the least frequently registered isolated axonal changes. The negative influence of oncological treatment on neurophysiological parameters in ALL survivors was observed. Complex disorders of motor nerves, sensory nerves, and motor unit potentials were registered. Motor-sensory neuropathy was the most frequently found pathology in all analyzed protocols. The harmful effect of radiotherapy was also observed in EMG results.Conclusions: Detailed neurophysiological analysis in long-term childhood ALL survivors has shown generalized abnormalities in registered parameters. To our knowledge, the current study is the largest and one of the most comprehensive ones among those examining disturbances in ENG and EMG in this group of patients. Moreover, we are the first ones to demonstrate the negative influence of radiotherapy on peripheral nerve conduction parameters.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 8-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yves Bertrand ◽  
Stefan Suciu ◽  
Yves Benoit ◽  
Alain Robert ◽  
Brigitte Nelken ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: there is some biologic and clinical evidence that DEX is more efficient than PRED at similarly anti-inflammatory doses in the treatment of childhood ALL. Previous trials have called for PRED doses (40 mg/sm/d) lower than those of PRED traditionally used in EORTC trials. In order to check whether the claimed superiority of DEX might be dose-dependent, we conducted a randomized phase III trial comparing DEX (6 mg/sm/d) to PRED (60 mg/sm/d) (conventional dose) in induction therapy. Methods: the trial was opened in 12/1998 to all newly diagnosed children with ALL up to 18 y. of age. After the opening of the Interfant trial in 1999, children <1 y. old were registered in the latter. Ph1 pts recruited in this 58951 trial were kept in the present analysis because the switch to the EsPhALL was only after induction. The treatment regimen was of BFM type, without CNS radiation even in case of initial CNS leukemia. Randomization was done either on day 1 of the prephase (whenever feasible) or on day 8. In the latter case, PRED was administered before day 8. Non-very high risk pts were further randomized to prolong versus conventional duration of L-asparaginase courses during consolidation and late intensification. Part of average risk pts were also randomized (N=384) for the addition of pulses of VCR + glucocorticoid (same as that assigned for induction) in continuation therapy. Randomization was done centrally, stratification factors being disease, WBC, age, sex, timing of randomization and center. The main endpoint was EFS; secondary endpoints were OS and toxicity. Two interim analyses were foreseen in the protocol. Intent-to-treat analysis was used. Results: between 12/1998 and 2/2008, a total of 1853 ALL pts were randomized; as of 2/2008, 1703 pts were evaluable for EFS analysis. At a median follow up of 4.3 y., the 5 y. EFS rate was 82.1% (SE 1.5%) for the pts in the DEX arm and 82.4% (SE 1.5%) in the PRED arm (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.99, 98.8% CI 0.72–1.36, p=0.94); the futility boundary was crossed. In precursor-B ALL pts, the 5 y. EFS rate was 84.2% (DEX) vs 84.1% (PRED) (HR=0.95, p=0.75) and in precursor-T ALL the 5y. EFS rate was 70.7% vs 72.0% (HR=1.06, p=0.83). Isolated and combined CNS relapse crude rates were 1.1% each (DEX) vs 1.6% and 2.2% (PRED) respectively (resp.). The 5-y CNS incidence rate was 2.9% (DEX) vs 4.9% (PRED), the non-CNS incidence rate was 10.9% (DEX) vs 9.4% (PRED), and the 5-yr death in CR incidence rate was 2.7% (DEX) vs 2.1% (PRED). During induction the incidence of grade 3–4 infection was very similar in the two arms. During post-induction consolidation (“protocol IB”), it was higher in the DEX arm (23.5% vs 21.1%), in particular in pts randomized to prolonged L-asparaginase arm: 29.1% (DEX) vs 21.8% (PRED). Conclusion: DEX and PRED, used at the doses of resp. 6 and 60 mg/sm/d during induction, had equal efficacy. DEX decreased by 2.0% the 5-yr CNS incidence rate but increased by 1.5% the non-CNS incidence rate and by 0.6% the death in CR incidence rate. DEX in induction entails a higher infection rate during the consolidation, particularly when L-asparaginase is pursued throughout this phase. The optimal dosage of either glucocorticoid, compatible with acceptable toxicity, remains to be determined.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 483-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremie H. Lefevre ◽  
Laurent Mineur ◽  
Marine Cachanado ◽  
Eric Rullier ◽  
Philippe Rouanet ◽  
...  

483 Background: There are controversial data on the impact of a long waiting period between radiochemotherapy (RCT) and resection for rectal cancer on the rate of complete pathological response (pCR = ypT0N0). The impact on the oncological prognosis is also unknown. We present the 3 years survival results of the GRECCAR6 trial. Methods: The GRECCAR6 trial was a phase III, multicentre, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, controlled trial. Patients with cT3/T4 or TxN+ tumours assessed by radiological examination (MRI and/or endo-ultrasound) of the mid or lower rectum who had received RCT (45-50 Gy with intravenous 5-FU or capecitabine) were included and randomized between 7 weeks or 11 weeks of waiting period. Primary endpoint was the pCR rate. Secondary endpoints were overall, disease-free survival and rate of recurrences. Results: A total of 265 patients from 24 participating centres were enrolled between October 2012 and February 2015. Among them, 253 patients underwent surgery with mesorectal excision. The rate of pCR was 17% (43/253). Mean follow-up from surgical resection was 32±8 months. 25 deaths occurred with a 89% OS at 3 years. DFS was 67.7% at 3 years due to 77 deaths or recurrences. 3-years local and distant recurrences rates were 9.2% and 24.9%, respectively. The group of randomization had no impact on the OS (p = 0.9486) and the DFS (p = 0.8672). Distant (p = 0.8589) and local (p = 0.5780) recurrences were also not influenced by the waiting period. Patients with a pCR had an excellent prognosis with an overall survival of 94.5% versus 87.9% for the remaining patients at 3 years (p = 0.232) and a DFS of 89.6% versus 63.4% (p = 0.0025). On multivariate analysis, DFS was influenced by low rectal tumors (OR=1.74; [1.03; 2.94], p = 0.037), R1 resection (OR = 2.03; [1.18; 3.50], p = 0.011), ypT3-T4 (OR = 2.4; [1.12; 5.19], p = 0.0245) and N+ (OR = 2.85; [1.76; 4.61], p < 0.001). Conclusions: Waiting 4 weeks longer after radiochemotherapy has no influence on the oncological outcomes of T3/T4 rectal cancers. Clinical trial information: NCT01648894.


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