Whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) with or without oral topotecan (TPT) in patients (pts) with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with brain metastases: Final analysis of an open-label phase III study.
2031 Background: Brain metastases from NSCLC occur in ~ 20% of pts and if untreated are associated with a 1 to 2 month overall survival (OS). Pre-clinical studies show that TPT added to radiation results in a radiotherapy enhancement ratio of 1.4 to 1.6. This trial was designed to test the effect of TPT co-administered with WBRT on OS. Methods: Pts with NSCLC and at least one measurable brain lesion were eligible. 472 pts were randomized to WBRT (3 Gy/day x 10 days) or WBRT and TPT 1.1 mg/m2/day for 10 days. Stratification factors: number of brain metastases and recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) class. Two weeks following WBRT, systemic anti-cancer therapy could be restarted at the treating physician’s discretion. Results: 468 pts were in the modified ITT population; 235 pts (WBRT + TPT) and 233 pts (WBRT+ best supportive care [BSC]). Of the 235 pts administered WBRT + TPT, 91 also received TPT after WBRT. The treatment arms were balanced for gender, age and smoking history. Median daily TPT dose was 2.25 mg. The median OS in the TPT arm was not better than in the BSC alone arm; 4.0 months (95%CI 3.4,4.8) vs.3.6 months (95%CI 3.0, 4.0), respectively; HR 0.88 (0.73, 1.07), P=0.1862. In the ITT population analysis by stratification variables, RPA class (I vs. II/III) was significantly different (HR 0.59) whereas baseline brain lesions (1 vs >1) were not (HR 0.97). Complete response and overall response rates in the WBRT+ TPT were 10% and 27%, and with BSC 5% and 26%, respectively. There were no differences in time to response or neurologic signs and symptoms. All adverse events (AEs) were more frequent in the TPT arm (87% vs. 64%) as were AEs related to study treatment (57% vs. 21%), serious AEs (41% vs. 18%) and fatal AEs (5% vs. 0%). The AEs more frequently seen in the TPT arm were typical for TPT (hematologic toxicity, febrile neutropenia and diarrhea). Conclusions: The study did not achieve its primary objective. There was no difference in OS achieved by the addition of TPT to WBRT. AEs were more common in the TPT arm. Clinical trial information: NCT00390806.