Phase III randomized study to compare interferon alfa-2a in combination with fluorouracil versus fluorouracil alone in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

1996 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 2674-2681 ◽  
Author(s):  
F A Greco ◽  
R Figlin ◽  
M York ◽  
L Einhorn ◽  
R Schilsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Advanced Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Interferon Alfa ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Survival Duration ◽  
Human Interferon ◽  
Ifn Alpha ◽  
Phase Ii Studies

PURPOSE To compare the efficacy and toxicity profiles of a combination of fluorouracil (5-FU) and recombinant human interferon alfa-2a ([IFN alpha 2a] Roferon-A; Hoffmann-LaRoche, Basel, Switzerland) versus 5-FU alone in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer (ACC). PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 245 previously untreated ACC patients were randomized to receive either IFN alpha 2a (9 million IU) subcutaneously (SC) three times weekly with 5-FU (750 mg/m2/d) by continuous intravenous (CIV) infusion on days 1 to 5 and then, after a 1-week hiatus, as a weekly IV bolus at the same dose (IFN/ 5-FU), or 5-FU alone at the same dose schedule (5-FU). RESULTS There were no significant differences between IFN/5-FU and 5-FU alone in the overall response rate (24% v 17%, P = .2), duration of response (median, 6.4 v 8.1 months), time to response (plateau at 3 months), time to progressive disease ([PD] median, 4.8 v 4.9 months), or survival duration (median, 13.9 v 13.2 months). Toxicity profiles were not statistically different except for constitutional symptoms, which were more frequent and more severe with IFN/5-FU. More patients interrupted treatment for adverse events (AEs) with IFN/ 5-FU (34%) than with 5-FU alone (21%) (P = .03). The number of deaths (mostly unrelated to drug treatment) during the study (8%) was similar with both regimens. CONCLUSION The combination IFN/5-FU produced a response rate, response duration, and survival duration similar to that of 5-FU alone. The addition of IFN to 5-FU in the doses and schedules used in this study did not provide any further benefit over 5-FU alone and cannot be recommended for patients with metastatic ACC. This study confirms the value of large prospective randomized clinical trials to determine the clinical value of regimens that emerge from smaller single-center phase II studies.

scholarly journals Phase III randomized study of two fluorouracil combinations with either interferon alfa-2a or leucovorin for advanced colorectal cancer. Corfu-A Study Group.

1995 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 921-928 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Advanced Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Randomized Study ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Interferon Alfa ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Human Interferon ◽  
Biochemical Modulation ◽  
Survival Times ◽  
Colorectal Cancer Patients

PURPOSE To compare the efficacy and toxicity profiles of a combination of fluorouracil (5-FU) with recombinant human interferon alfa-2a (Roferon-A; Hoffman La-Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland) versus the combination of 5-FU with leucovorin (LV) in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 496 previously untreated colorectal cancer patients were randomized to receive either Roferon-A (9 MIU) subcutaneously three times per week, with 5-FU (750 mg/m2/d) by continuous intravenous (i.v.) infusion (CIV) on days 1 to 5, then, after a 9-day hiatus, as a weekly i.v. bolus at the same dose (IFN/5-FU); or LV (200 mg/m2/d) by i.v. infusion plus 5-FU (370 mg/m2/d) by i.v. bolus on days 1 to 5, repeated every 4 weeks (LV/5-FU). RESULTS There were no significant differences between IFN/5-FU and LV/5-FU in the overall response rate (21% v 18%), duration of response (7.3 v 6.2 months), or survival time (median, 11.0 v 11.3 months). Toxicity profiles differed; constitutional symptoms and myelosuppression were more frequent and more severe with IFN/5-FU, and gastrointestinal symptoms with LV/5-FU. More patients interrupted treatment for adverse events (AEs) with IFN/5-FU than with LV/5-FU. Five treatment-related deaths occurred with each regimen. CONCLUSION The combination IFN/5-FU produced response rates, response durations, and survival times similar to those with LV/5-FU. Biochemical modulation of 5-FU by either IFN or LV appears to result in equivalent efficacy; however, fewer patients were able to tolerate the specified IFN/5-FU combination used in this study.

Royal Marsden phase III trial of fluorouracil with or without interferon alfa-2b in advanced colorectal cancer.

1995 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1297-1302 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Hill ◽  
A Norman ◽  
D Cunningham ◽  
M Findlay ◽  
V Nicolson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Advanced Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Interferon Alfa ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Metastatic Colon Cancer ◽  
Phase Ii Studies ◽  
Weekly Treatment ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Duration Of Response

PURPOSE Phase II studies have shown that the combination of interferon alfa-2b (IFN) and fluorouracil (5-FU) is active in patients with metastatic colon cancer. This study was designed to investigate whether treatment with the combination of IFN and 5-FU could improve the response rate, duration of response, or survival compared with treatment with 5-FU alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with histologically confirmed advanced colorectal cancer were randomized to receive 5-FU 750 mg/m2/d by continuous infusion for 5 consecutive days followed by weekly bolus 5-FU 750 mg/m2 either with or without IFN 10 MU subcutaneously three times weekly. Treatment was continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity for up to 12 months. RESULTS Radiologic response was observed in 26 of 106 assessable patients (25%): 10 of 52 (19%) in the group that received 5-FU plus IFN (all partial responses [PRs]) and 16 of 54 (30%) in the 5-FU-alone group (three complete responses [CRs] and 13 PRs) (P = .21). There was similarly no significant difference between the two groups in progression-free survival (median, 3 months), 1-year survival, or overall survival (median, 8 months). However, patients who received IFN did experience significantly more toxicity in the form of leukopenia (P = .013), lymphopenia (P = .01), depression (P = .014), and alopecia (P = .002), and were significantly more likely to be withdrawn due to adverse events (P = .003). There were four toxic deaths, all of which occurred in patients who had received IFN. CONCLUSION At the doses and schedules used in this study, IFN affords no benefit to 5-FU in terms of response and survival and significantly increases toxicity for patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

scholarly journals Systemic therapy for colorectal cancer

2003 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 255-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Borut Stabuc
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Colon Cancer ◽  
Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽  
Metastatic Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Adjuvant Treatment ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Oral Fluoropyrimidines ◽  
Significant Difference

Colorectal cancer alone accounts for around 200,000 deaths in Europe and represents a significant health problem. Although about fifty percent of patients are cured by surgery alone, the other half will eventually die due to metastatic disease, which includes approximately 25% of patients who have evidence of metastases at the time of diagnosis. Surgical resection of the primary tumor and regional lymph nodes is the only curative therapy for colorectal cancer. However, adjuvant chemotherapy in stage III for colon cancer following curative resection has been shown to reduce the risk of recurrence by 19-40% and of death by 16-33%. Today, 5-fluoroUracil and Leucovorin given for six months may represent the best adjuvant treatment available The contribution of levamisole to adjuvant treatment seems to be marginal, if any. The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for the patients with Dukes B colon cancer is less clear. A meta-analysis of 1,381 patients with advanced colorectal cancer showed a significant increase in response rate with the bolus 5-fluoroUracil and Leucovorin versus 5-fluoroUracil alone but no significant difference in median survival. Continuous infusion allows higher doses of 5-FU than rapid bolus infusion and improves response rate survival and time to progression. Oral fluoropyrimidines (capecitabine and Uracil/Tegafur [UFT]) are as active as intravenous fluoropyrimidines. Compared to intravenous 5FU, oral fluoropyrimidines have safety advantages clinical benefits, and are more convenient for patients. Phase III randomized clinical trials in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer demonstrate the significant superiority of combining irinotecan with 5-fluoroUracil and Leucovorin or oxaliplatin with 5-fluoroUracil and Leucovorin over the same 5-fluoroUracil and Leucovorin alone. Several phase II studies have shown that the combination of the oral fluoropyrimidines plus irinotecan or oxaliplatin is very active in metastatic colorectal cancer. Trials with agents acting on novel targets in colorectal cancer are progressing rapidly, including doxifluridine, new inhibitors of thymidylate synthase (ZD9331), oral camptothecins (Rubitecan), multitarget antifolate antimetabolite (Premetrexet), inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptor (Cetuximab), COX-2 inhibitors (celecoxib) and farnesyltransferaze inhibitors (Zarnestra). However, a few randomized trials failed to show a survival advantage compared with placebo in patients with advanced refractory colorectal cancer.

Fluorouracil and leucovorin with or without interferon alfa-2b in advanced colorectal cancer: analysis of a prospective randomized phase III trial. Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group.

1996 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 2682-2687 ◽  
Author(s):  
P A Kosmidis ◽  
N Tsavaris ◽  
D Skarlos ◽  
D Theocharis ◽  
E Samantas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Advanced Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Interferon Alfa ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Psychological Reactions ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B

PURPOSE To investigate if double modulation of fluorouracil (5-FU) with leucovorin (folinic acid [FA]) and interferon alfa-2b (IFN 2b) improves responses and survival in comparison to single modulation of 5-FU with FA. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred six patients with histologically confirmed advanced colorectal cancer, measurable disease, and without previous chemotherapy were prospectively randomized into two groups. Patients in group A received 5-FU 450 mg/m2 as an intravenous bolus in the midinfusion of FA weekly. FA was given at a dose of 200 mg/m2 in 500 mL 0.9% normal saline solution in 2-hour infusion. Patients in group B received exactly the same regimen plus IFN 2b 5 million units subcutaneously three times weekly. RESULTS All patients were well balanced in both groups regarding age, sex, performance status, number, and site of metastasis. One hundred two patients were assessable. All patients have died. There was no difference in response between the two groups (7.8% v 9.8%). Median survival was 10.1 months in group A, and 7.2 months in group B (P = .00189). Median time to progression was 8.4 and 5.2 months, respectively (P = .00196). Overall, better performance status and older age had a positive impact on survival. Toxicity was the most important and catastrophic aspect of this study. Patients who received IFN 2b had significantly worse anemia, neutropenia, diarrhea, anorexia, weight loss, flu-like syndrome, and psychological reactions. CONCLUSION Based on this final analysis, the addition of IFN 2b to the combination of 5-FU and FA enhances toxicity and contributes to decreased survival.

Phase II trial of hepatic arterial infusion of fluorouracil and recombinant human interferon alfa-2b for liver metastases of colorectal cancer refractory to systemic fluorouracil and leucovorin.

1997 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 1432-1438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Z Patt ◽  
A Hoque ◽  
R Lozano ◽  
R Pozdur ◽  
J Chase ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Metastases ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Liver Tumors ◽  
Hepatic Arterial Infusion ◽  
Interferon Alfa ◽  
Survival Duration ◽  
Common Side Effect ◽  
Human Interferon ◽  
Arterial Infusion ◽  
Median Response

PURPOSE To determine the toxicity, response rate, and survival in patients treated with hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of fluorouracil (5-FU) plus recombinant human interferon alfa-2b (rIFN-alpha 2b) (Intron-A; Schering-Plough, Inc, Kenilworth, NJ) for colorectal carcinoma (CRC) liver metastases refractory to systemic 5-FU plus leucovorin (LCV). PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty-eight patients were given a 6-hour HAI of rIFN-alpha 2b 5 MU/m2 followed by an 18-hour HAI of 5-FU, 1,500 mg/m2 daily for 5 days. Twenty-nine patients were treated through percutaneously placed catheters and 19 through implantable infusion pumps (Shiley Infusaid Inc, Noorwood, MA). Treatment cycles were repeated every 28 to 35 days. RESULTS There were three (6.6%) complete remissions (CRs) and 12 (26.6%) partial remissions (PRs), for a CR plus PR rate of 33.3% among 45 assessable patients (95% confidence interval [CI], 20% to 49%). The median response duration was 7 months, while median survival duration was 15 months. Grade 3 to 4 treatment-related toxic effects included mucositis (40%), neutropenia (42%), and thrombocytopenia (12%). No hepatobiliary toxicity was encountered in any of the patients. Treatment was discontinued because of progressive liver disease in 23 patients and extrahepatic progression in 16, while six patients continue treatment through an infusaid pump. CONCLUSION HAI of 5-FU plus rIFN-alpha 2b is well tolerated, devoid of hepatobiliary toxicity, and can produce a response rate of 33.3% among patients refractory to bolus intravenous (IV) 5-FU plus LCV. The lack of hepatobiliary toxicity may permit salvage HAI with floxuridine (FUDR) in patients whose liver tumors fail to respond to HAI of 5-FU plus rIFN-alpha 2b. Because diarrhea was not a common side effect of HAI of 5-FU plus rIFN-alpha 2b, it would be of interest to investigate whether alternating HAI of 5-FU and rIFN-alpha 2b with systemic irinotecan (CPT-11) will decrease the incidence of both hepatic and extrahepatic disease progression.

Meta-analysis of randomized trials testing the biochemical modulation of fluorouracil by methotrexate in metastatic colorectal cancer. Advanced Colorectal Cancer Meta-Analysis Project.

1994 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 960-969 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Tumor Response ◽  
Advanced Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Biochemical Modulation

PURPOSE Even though fluorouracil (5FU) remains the standard treatment of advanced colorectal cancer, almost 90% of patients treated with 5FU alone do not achieve an objective response to chemotherapy. Biochemical modulation of 5FU by methotrexate (MTX) is an attempt to increase the sensitivity of tumor cells to 5FU. However, despite the inclusion of several hundreds of patients in randomized clinical trials, no definitive evidence is available on the clinical benefit of 5FU/MTX over 5FU alone. A meta-analysis was performed to assess this benefit objectively and quantitatively for tumor response rate and overall survival. DESIGN The meta-analysis was based on individual data of 1,178 patients included in eight randomized clinical trials comparing 5FU alone with 5FU/MTX. Patient data were provided by all principal investigators. The analyses were performed by an independent secretariat, and then discussed with all collaborators. RESULTS Tumor response rate was 10% for patients allocated to 5FU alone (complete response [CR] rate, 2%; partial response [PR] rate, 8%) compared with 19% for patients allocated to 5FU/MTX (CR rate, 3%; PR rate, 16%). This difference was highly significant, with an overall response odds ratio (OR) of 0.51 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37 to 0.70) (P < .0001). Median overall survival times were 9.1 months and 10.7 months in the 5FU-alone and 5FU/MTX groups, respectively. This difference was also statistically significant, with an overall survival OR of 0.87 (95% CI, 0.77 to 0.98) (P = .024). Logistic regression model and Cox regression model showed that performance status and randomized treatment were the only two significant predictors of tumor response and survival. CONCLUSION It is concluded that the modulation of 5FU by MTX doubles the response rate to 5FU, and yields a small improvement in survival.

scholarly journals Phase I/II trial of dose-reduced capecitabine in elderly patients with advanced colorectal cancer

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 261 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.D. Vincent ◽  
D. Breader ◽  
M.C. Cripps ◽  
D.J. Jonker ◽  
P. Klimo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Phase I ◽  
Advanced Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group ◽  
Survival Duration ◽  
Ecog Performance Status ◽  
Pelvic Radiation

BackgroundCombination chemotherapy is associated with improved outcomes in trials of selected fit patients with advanced colorectal cancer (acrc). For older or less-fit patients, combination chemotherapy is associated with greater toxicity and less benefit. Capecitabine monotherapy is a reasonable option for those patients, but the optimal dose remains controversial.MethodsA multicentre phase i/ii trial of reduced-dose capecitabine (2000 mg/m2, days 1–14 every 21 days) was conducted in 221 patients representing one or more of the following subsets: age greater than 65 years (n = 167), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ecog) performance status of 1 or greater (n = 139), elevated lactate dehydrogenase (ldh) (n = 105), or prior pelvic radiation (n = 54). Based on phase i results, patients with prior pelvic radiation received capecitabine 750 mg/m2 twice daily. The goal was to ascertain efficacy in a design that was unlikely to cause high levels of toxicity.Results Median age in the patient cohort was 72 years. A median of 5 and a mean of 8 capecitabine cycles were given (range: 0–50 cycles). Grade 3 or 4 toxicity occurred in 25% of patients during the first 3 cycles (8.1% hand–foot syndrome, 7.7% diarrhea). The response rate was 13.6%, with a 69.7% disease control rate. Median progression-free survival (pfs) was 5.6 months. Post progression, 56 patients received further capecitabine monotherapy (median of 4 additional cycles). Median overall survival duration for the patients was 14.3 months. Median survival was significantly higher for those who, at baseline, had an ecog performance status of 0 (compared with 1 or more) and normal ldh (compared with elevated ldh).Conclusions Toxicity is less with dose-reduced capecitabine than with historical full-dose capecitabine, with only a small trade-off in efficacy, seen as a lower objective response rate. The improved tolerability could lead to an increased number of cycles of therapy, and pfs appears to be consistently higher at the lower dose. Those observations should, in the absence of a head-to-head clinical trial, be viewed as compelling evidence that 1000 mg/m2, or even 750 mg/m2, twice daily is an appropriate dose in elderly or frail patients with acrc.

scholarly journals Interferon alfa-2a and interleukin-2 with or without cisplatin in metastatic melanoma: a randomized trial of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Melanoma Cooperative Group.

1997 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 2579-2588 ◽  
Author(s):  
U Keilholz ◽  
S H Goey ◽  
C J Punt ◽  
T M Proebstle ◽  
R Salzmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metastatic Melanoma ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Interferon Alfa ◽  
Survival Duration ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Ifn Alpha ◽  
Cytokine Treatment

PURPOSE The combination of interferon alfa-2a (IFN alpha) and high-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) is active in metastatic melanoma. The addition of cisplatin (CDDP) has resulted in response rates greater than 50%. This study was performed to determine whether the addition of CDDP to a cytokine treatment regimen with IFN alpha and high-dose IL-2 influences survival of patients with metastatic melanoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with advanced metastatic melanoma were randomly assigned to receive treatment with IFN alpha 10 x 10(6) U/m2 subcutaneously on days 1 through 5 and a high-dose intravenous decrescendo regimen of IL-2 on days 3 through 8 (18 mIU/ m2/6 hours, 18 mIU/m2/12 hours, 18 mIU/m2/24 hours, and 4.5 mIU/m2/24 hours x 3) without (arm A) or with (arm B) CDDP 100 mg/m2 on day 1. Treatment cycles were repeated every 28 days to a maximum of four cycles. RESULTS One hundred thirty-eight patients with advanced metastatic melanoma, of whom 87% had visceral metastases, were accrued for the trial. Both regimens were feasible in a multicenter setting. The objective response rate was 18% without and 33% with CDDP (P = .04). The progression-free survival was 53 days without and 92 days with CDDP (P = .02, Wilcoxon; P = .09, log-rank). There was no statistically significant difference in survival between treatment arms, with a median overall survival duration for all patients of 9 months. CONCLUSION The addition of CDDP to cytokine treatment with IFN alpha and IL-2 does not influence survival of patients with advanced metastatic melanoma, despite a significant increase in response rate and progression-free survival.

Modulation of fluorouracil by leucovorin in patients with advanced colorectal cancer: evidence in terms of response rate. Advanced Colorectal Cancer Meta-Analysis Project.

1992 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 896-903 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Tumor Response ◽  
Advanced Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Survival Difference ◽  
Number Of Patients

PURPOSE A meta-analysis was performed on nine randomized clinical trials that compared fluorouracil (5-FU) with 5-FU plus intravenous (IV) leucovorin (LV) for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. DESIGN The analysis was based on the most recently updated individual patient data from all trials. The end points of interest were tumor response and overall survival. RESULTS Therapy with 5-FU plus LV administered either as weekly or monthly regimens showed a highly significant benefit over single-agent 5-FU in terms of tumor response rate (23% v 11%; response odds ratio (OR), 0.45; P less than 10(-7)). This increase in response did not result in a discernable improvement of overall survival (survival OR, 0.97; P = .57). The large number of patients who did not respond to treatment in both groups, and cross-overs from 5-FU alone to 5-FU plus LV are discussed as plausible explanations for the lack of a survival difference. CONCLUSION These results confirm the advantage of 5-FU plus leucovorin over 5-FU alone in terms of objective tumor response. They also suggest that in planning future trials, tumor response should not be considered a valid surrogate end point for survival in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

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