Phase III randomized study of sorafenib plus doxorubicin versus sorafenib in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): CALGB 80802 (Alliance).

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 192-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghassan K. Abou-Alfa ◽  
Donna Niedzwieski ◽  
Jennifer J. Knox ◽  
Andreas Kaubisch ◽  
James Posey ◽  
...  

192 Background: An exploratory analysis of a randomized phase II study in HCC comparing doxorubicin (D) alone to doxorubicin plus sorafenib (D+S) showed a significant improvement in overall survival favoring D+S (JAMA, 2011). The results appeared promising compared to the historic outcomes seen in the pivotal sorafenib (S) trials. CALGB 80802 was designed to determine if D+S improved survival compared to S alone. Methods: Patients with histologically proven advanced HCC, no prior systemic therapy and Child-Pugh A were randomized to receive D 60 mg/m2 every 21 days plus S 400 mg PO twice daily (D+S) or S alone. For bilirubin ≥ 1.3x normal, D and S doses were halved. D was maxed out at 360 mg/m2. The study was stratified by extent of disease (locally advanced; metastatic), the primary endpoint was overall survival (OS); and secondary endpoint progression-free survival (PFS). The final analysis was to occur when 364 events were observed among 480 total patients, with 90% power to detect a 37% increase in median OS (10.7 to 14.7 months; 1-sided α = 0.05). Results: The Alliance DSMB halted the study after accrual of 346 patients (173 on each of D+S and S) when a futility boundary was crossed at a planned interim analysis. With 107 events in each arm, median OS was 9.3 months (95%CI 7.1-12.9) for D+S, and 10.5 months (95% CI 7.4-14.3) for S with a hazard ratio (HR) 1.06 (95% CI 0.8-1.4) for D+S vs. S. Median PFS was 3.6 (95% CI 2.8-4.6) and 3.2 months (95% CI 2.3-4.1), respectively (HR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.72-1.2). There were 38 deaths on treatment: 18 on D+S and 20 on S. Among these 8 [sepsis (1), dysphagia (1), pneumonia (1), cardiac (2), hepatic failure (2), and not otherwise specified (1)] on D+S, and 3 [fatigue (1), hepatic failure (1), and a secondary malignancy (1)] on S, were at least possibly related to treatment. A maximum grade 3 or 4 only hematologic adverse events (AE) occurred in 37.8% of patients on D+S and 8.1% of patients on S. Non-hematologic AEs were comparable, in 63.6% and 61.5% of patients, respectively. Conclusions: The addition of D to S resulted in higher toxicity and did not improve OS or PFS. The S median OS of about 10 months is consistent with previous reports. NCI Grant U10CA180821 Clinical trial information: NCT01015833.

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (28) ◽  
pp. 3501-3508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shukui Qin ◽  
Yuxian Bai ◽  
Ho Yeong Lim ◽  
Sumitra Thongprasert ◽  
Yee Chao ◽  
...  

Purpose To determine whether FOLFOX4 (infusional fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin) administered as palliative chemotherapy to patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) provides a survival benefit and efficacy versus doxorubicin. Patients and Methods This multicenter, open-label, randomized, phase III study in mainland China, Taiwan, Korea, and Thailand involved 371 patients age 18 to 75 years who had locally advanced or metastatic HCC and were ineligible for curative resection or local treatment. They were randomly assigned at a ratio of one to one to receive either FOLFOX4 (n = 184) or doxorubicin (n = 187). The primary end point was overall survival (OS); secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS), response rate (RR) by RECIST (version 1.0), and safety. Results At the prespecified final analysis, median OS was 6.40 months with FOLFOX4 (95% CI, 5.30 to 7.03) and 4.97 months with doxorubicin (95% CI, 4.23 to 6.03; P = .07; hazard ratio [HR], 0.80; 95% CI, 0.63 to 1.02). Median PFS was 2.93 months with FOLFOX4 (95% CI, 2.43 to 3.53), and 1.77 months with doxorubicin (95% CI, 1.63 to 2.30; P < .001; HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.79). RR was 8.15% with FOLFOX4 and 2.67% with doxorubicin (P = .02). On continued follow-up, the trend toward increased OS with FOLFOX4 was maintained (P = .04; HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.99). Toxicity was consistent with previous experiences with FOLFOX4; proportions of grade 3 to 4 adverse events were similar between treatments. Conclusion Although the study did not meet its primary end point, the trend toward improved OS with FOLFOX4, along with increased PFS and RR, suggests that this regimen may confer some benefit to Asian patients, but an OS benefit cannot be concluded from these data.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. LBA2-LBA2
Author(s):  
Rui-hua Xu ◽  
Hai-Qiang Mai ◽  
Qiu-Yan Chen ◽  
Dongping Chen ◽  
Chaosu Hu ◽  
...  

LBA2 Background: Gemcitabine-cisplatin (GP) chemotherapy is the standard 1st line treatment for locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic (r/m) NPC. Toripalimab, a humanized IgG4K monoclonal antibody specific for PD-1, provided durable responses in patients (pts) with r/m NPC as monotherapy in the ≥2nd line setting (POLARIS-02 study). The results of JUPITER-02, a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded Phase III trial of toripalimab in combination with GP chemotherapy as first-line treatment for r/m NPC are summarized. Methods: Pts with advanced NPC with no prior chemotherapy in the r/m setting were randomized (1:1) to receive toripalimab 240 mg or placebo d1 in combination with gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 d1, d8 and cisplatin 80 mg/m2 d1 every 3 weeks (Q3W) for up to 6 cycles, followed by monotherapy with toripalimab or placebo Q3W until disease progression, intolerable toxicity, or completion of 2 years of treatment. Stratification factors were ECOG PS (0 vs. 1) and extent of disease (recurrent vs. primary metastatic) at enrollment. Progression-free survival (PFS) and response were assessed by independent review committee (IRC) per RECIST v1.1. The primary endpoint was PFS by IRC in the ITT population. Secondary end points included ORR, DOR and OS. There was one prespecified interim analysis of PFS at 130 PFS events with a planned final analysis at 200 PFS events. Results: 289 pts were randomized: 146 to the toripalimab arm and 143 to the placebo arm. By May 30, 2020 as the interim analysis cutoff date, the median treatment duration was 39 weeks in the toripalimab arm and 36 weeks in the placebo arm. A significant improvement in PFS was detected for the toripalimab arm compared to the placebo arm (HR = 0.52 [95% CI: 0.36-0.74] two-sided p = 0.0003), with median PFS of 11.7 vs. 8.0 months. The 1-year PFS rates were 49% and 28% respectively. An improvement in PFS was observed across relevant subgroups, including all PD-L1 subgroups. The ORR was 77.4% vs. 66.4% (P = 0.033) and the median DOR was 10.0 vs. 5.7 months (HR = 0.50 [95% CI: 0.33-0.78]). As of Jan 15, 2021, OS was not mature, with 25 deaths in the toripalimab arm and 35 in the placebo arm (HR = 0.68 [95% CI: 0.41-1.14], P = 0.14). The incidence of Grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) (89.0% vs 89.5%); AEs leading to discontinuation of toripalimab/placebo (7.5% vs 4.9%); and fatal AEs (2.7% vs 2.8%) were similar between two arms; however, immune-related (irAEs) (39.7% vs. 18.9%) and Grade ≥3 irAEs (7.5% vs. 0.7%) were more frequent in the toripalimab arm. Conclusions: The addition of toripalimab to GP chemotherapy as 1st-line treatment for pts with advanced NPC provided superior PFS and ORR and longer DOR than GP alone with a manageable safety profile. These results support the use of toripalimab with GP chemotherapy as the new standard care for this population. Clinical trial information: NCT03581786.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (11) ◽  
pp. 1064-1072 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanita Noronha ◽  
Amit Joshi ◽  
Vijay Maruti Patil ◽  
Jaiprakash Agarwal ◽  
Sarbani Ghosh-Laskar ◽  
...  

Purpose Chemoradiation with cisplatin 100 mg/m2 given once every 3 weeks is the standard of care in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer (LAHNSCC). Increasingly, low-dose once-a-week cisplatin is substituted because of perceived lower toxicity and convenience. However, there is no level 1 evidence of comparable efficacy to cisplatin once every 3 weeks. Patients and Methods In this phase III randomized trial, we assessed the noninferiority of cisplatin 30 mg/m2 given once a week compared with cisplatin 100 mg/m2 given once every 3 weeks, both administered concurrently with curative intent radiotherapy in patients with LAHNSCC. The primary end point was locoregional control (LRC); secondary end points included toxicity, compliance, response, progression-free survival, and overall survival. Results Between 2013 and 2017, we randomly assigned 300 patients, 150 to each arm. Two hundred seventy-nine patients (93%) received chemoradiotherapy in the adjuvant setting. At a median follow-up of 22 months, the estimated cumulative 2-year LRC rate was 58.5% in the once-a-week arm and 73.1% in the once-every-3-weeks arm, leading to an absolute difference of 14.6% (95% CI, 5.7% to 23.5%); P = .014; hazard ratio (HR), 1.76 (95% CI, 1.11 to 2.79). Acute toxicities of grade 3 or higher occurred in 71.6% of patients in the once-a-week arm and in 84.6% of patients in the once-every-3-weeks arm ( P = .006). Estimated median progression-free survival in the once-a-week arm was 17.7 months (95% CI, 0.42 to 35.05 months) and in the once-every-3-weeks arm, 28.6 months (95% CI, 15.90 to 41.30 months); HR, 1.24 (95% CI, 0.89 to 1.73); P = .21. Estimated median overall survival in the once-a-week arm was 39.5 months and was not reached in the once-every-3-weeks arm (HR, 1.14 [95% CI, 0.79 to 1.65]; P = .48). Conclusion Once-every-3-weeks cisplatin at 100 mg/m2 resulted in superior LRC, albeit with more toxicity, than did once-a-week cisplatin at 30 mg/m2, and should remain the preferred chemoradiotherapy regimen for LAHNSCC in the adjuvant setting.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard S. Finn ◽  
Baek-Yeol Ryoo ◽  
Philippe Merle ◽  
Masatoshi Kudo ◽  
Mohamed Bouattour ◽  
...  

PURPOSE Pembrolizumab demonstrated antitumor activity and safety in the phase II KEYNOTE-224 trial in previously treated patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). KEYNOTE-240 evaluated the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab in this population. PATIENTS AND METHODS This randomized, double-blind, phase III study was conducted at 119 medical centers in 27 countries. Eligible patients with advanced HCC, previously treated with sorafenib, were randomly assigned at a two-to-one ratio to receive pembrolizumab plus best supportive care (BSC) or placebo plus BSC. Primary end points were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS; one-sided significance thresholds, P = .0174 [final analysis] and P = .002 [first interim analysis], respectively). Safety was assessed in all patients who received ≥ 1 dose of study drug. RESULTS Between May 31, 2016, and November 23, 2017, 413 patients were randomly assigned. As of January 2, 2019, median follow-up was 13.8 months for pembrolizumab and 10.6 months for placebo. Median OS was 13.9 months (95% CI, 11.6 to 16.0 months) for pembrolizumab versus 10.6 months (95% CI, 8.3 to 13.5 months) for placebo (hazard ratio [HR], 0.781; 95% CI, 0.611 to 0.998; P = .0238). Median PFS for pembrolizumab was 3.0 months (95% CI, 2.8 to 4.1 months) versus 2.8 months (95% CI, 2.5 to 4.1 months) for placebo at the first interim analysis (HR, 0.775; 95% CI, 0.609 to 0.987; P = .0186) and 3.0 months (95% CI, 2.8 to 4.1 months) versus 2.8 months (95% CI, 1.6 to 3.0 months) at final analysis (HR, 0.718; 95% CI, 0.570 to 0.904; P = .0022). Grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred in 147 (52.7%) and 62 patients (46.3%) for pembrolizumab versus placebo; those that were treatment related occurred in 52 (18.6%) and 10 patients (7.5%), respectively. No hepatitis C or B flares were identified. CONCLUSION In this study, OS and PFS did not reach statistical significance per specified criteria. The results are consistent with those of KEYNOTE-224, supporting a favorable risk-to-benefit ratio for pembrolizumab in this population.


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 4601-4601 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Buanes ◽  
J. Maurel ◽  
W. Liauw ◽  
M. Hebbar ◽  
J. Nemunaitis

4601 Background: A phase I/II study with GV1001, a telomerase peptide vaccine, showed a median overall survival (OS) of 8.6 months in non-resectable PC (Bernhardt SL et al, Br J Cancer. 2006;95:1474–1482). This phase III trial was conducted to determine the impact on overall survival of G monotherapy vs. GV1001 in sequential combination with G in unresectable and metastatic PC. Methods: Eligible patients (pts) had chemotherapy-naive, advanced PC and ECOG performance status 0–1. Pts were randomized 1:1 to receive arm A: G (1,000 mg/m2 30 min i.v.) weekly for 7 weeks (w), 1w off and then 3w during 4-weekly cycles, or arm B: GV1001 0.56 mg s.c. plus GM-CSF as immune adjuvant on days 1, 3, 5, 8, 15, 22, 36, then every 4 weeks. Patients who progressed clinically or radiologically during GV1001 continued on GV1001 and concomitant gemcitabine. CT scans were performed every 8 weeks. The primary end-point was OS. A sample size of 520 patients allowed the detection of a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.73 (B/A), with 2α = 0.05 and 90% power. Results: Between June 2006 and May 2008, 365 pts were enrolled (A / B; 182 / 183). The study was stopped prematurely due to a preliminary analysis with 178 events showing no survival benefit of GV1001. Pts were well balanced for baseline characteristics: male 59.3% / 62.8%; median age 61y / 61y; ECOG PS 0 34.3% / 36.7%; locally advanced 22.4% / 20.7%. As of August 2008, 238 pts (A / B : 114 / 124) had died. Median OS was 7.3 / 5.9 months (HR 0.8; 95% CI 0.6–1.0). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3.7 / 1.9 months (HR 0.5; 95%CI 0.4–0.7). Grade 3–4 AEs: gastrointestinal 6% / 8%, infection 5% / 5%, vascular disorders 2% / 3%, neutropenia 6% / 3%. Conclusions: GV1001 did not show efficacy in sequential combination with G in advanced PC. The advantage of G monotherapy over the sequential combination may be due to the delayed treatment with G in arm B. [Table: see text]


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. CRA9011-CRA9011 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Schwartzentruber ◽  
D. Lawson ◽  
J. Richards ◽  
R. M. Conry ◽  
D. Miller ◽  
...  

CRA9011 Background: In a phase II study, 13 (42%) of 31 patients with metastatic melanoma receiving high-dose (HD) IL-2 plus gp100:209–217(210M) peptide experienced objective responses (S.A. Rosenberg, et al, Nature Medicine 4: 321–327, 1998). Other studies showed a lower response rate (RR) but no randomized studies have been done. Methods: A prospective randomized phase III trial was conducted at 21 centers with 185 patients. Eligibility: stage IV or locally advanced stage III cutaneous melanoma, HLA A0201, no brain metastases, eligible for HD IL-2, and no previous HD IL-2 or gp100:209–217(210M). Arm 1 received HD IL-2 alone (720,000 IU/kg/dose) and Arm 2 gp100:209–217(210M) peptide + Montanide ISA followed by HD IL-2. The primary objective was clinical response. Secondary objectives were toxicity, disease free/progression free survival, immunologic response and quality of life. Central HLA typing, pathology review, and blinded response assessment were done at the NIH. Central data monitoring was done by The EMMES Corp. and a Data Safety Monitoring Board. Results: Numbers of patients enrolled, treated, and evaluable for response in Arm 1 were 94, 93, and 93 respectively; in Arm 2 91, 86, and 86. Toxicities were consistent with HD IL-2 ± vaccine. Investigator assessed RR showed significant improvement in overall RR for Arm 2=22.1% vs 9.7% (P=0.0223, Chi-Square) and progression free survival (PFS) in favor of Arm 2=2.9 months (1.7–4.5) vs 1.6 (1.5–1.8) (P=0.0101). Median overall survival favors Arm 2=17.6 months (11.8–26.6) vs 12.8 (8.7–16.3) (P=0.0964). Blinded response review is ongoing. Conclusions: RR and PFS were superior with peptide vaccine and HD IL-2 compared to HD IL-2 alone. This represents the first evidence of clinical benefit of vaccination in patients with melanoma. [Table: see text]


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (30) ◽  
pp. 3467-3474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurie H. Sehn ◽  
Andre Goy ◽  
Fritz C. Offner ◽  
Giovanni Martinelli ◽  
M. Dolores Caballero ◽  
...  

Purpose Obinutuzumab (GA101), a novel glycoengineered type II anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, demonstrated responses in single-arm studies of patients with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This is the first prospective, randomized study comparing safety and efficacy of obinutuzumab with rituximab in relapsed indolent lymphoma. The primary end point of this study was the overall response rate (ORR) in patients with follicular lymphoma after induction and safety in patients with indolent lymphoma. Patients and Methods A total of 175 patients with relapsed CD20+ indolent lymphoma requiring therapy and with previous response to a rituximab-containing regimen were randomly assigned (1:1) to four once-per-week infusions of either obinutuzumab (1,000 mg) or rituximab (375 mg/m2). Patients without evidence of disease progression after induction therapy received obinutuzumab or rituximab maintenance therapy every 2 months for up to 2 years. Results Among patients with follicular lymphoma (n = 149), ORR seemed higher for obinutuzumab than rituximab (44.6% v 33.3%; P = .08). This observation was also demonstrated by a blinded independent review panel that measured a higher ORR for obinutuzumab (44.6% v 26.7%; P = .01). However, this difference did not translate into an improvement in progression-free survival. No new safety signals were observed for obinutuzumab, and the incidence of adverse events was balanced between arms, with the exception of infusion-related reactions and cough, which were higher in the obinutuzumab arm. Conclusion Obinutuzumab demonstrated a higher ORR without appreciable differences in safety compared with rituximab. However, the clinical benefit of obinutuzumab in this setting remains unclear and should be evaluated within phase III trials.


2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 5516-5516 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Remenar ◽  
C. Van Herpen ◽  
J. Germa Lluch ◽  
S. Stewart ◽  
T. Gorlia ◽  
...  

5516 Background: So far, the Wayne State regimen combining 100 mg/m2 cisplatin on day 1 and 1000 mg/m2/d continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil over 5 days (PF), is the gold standard in advanced SCCHN. Improvement of PF induction chemotherapy by adding a taxane has been suggested from phase II studies and 2 randomized phase III trials. We now report the final analysis of EORTC 24971. Methods: Eligible were patients (pts) with unresectable stage III/IV SCCHN (no distant metastases), 18 to 70 yrs of age, PS≤1, and adequate hematologic, renal and hepatic function. Pts were stratified by primary disease site (oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx) and treatment center and randomized to PF (as above) or TPF (T 75 mg/m2/1h, P 75 mg/m2/1h, both d1, F 750 mg/m2/d, d1–5) q 3 wks, for 4 cycles unless progression (PD) or unacceptable toxicity, or refusal. Thereafter (interval 4–7 wks), all pts not in PD received radiotherapy (RT: conventional [66–70 Gy], accelerated [max. 70 Gy] / hyperfractionated [max. 74 Gy]). Surgery was allowed before RT (neck) or 3 months after RT (primary, neck). Primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), and 348 pts and 260 events were needed to detect a 50% increase in median PFS (10 vs 15 mo) with 85% power. Results: Between April 1999 and March 2002, 358 pts were accrued (181 PF, 177 TPF). At a median follow-up (FUP) of 32 mo, PFS was significantly improved with TPF (HR 0.72, p = 0.0071; median 8.2 vs 11.0 mo). A 51 mo median FUP showed an overall survival (OS) benefit with TPF (HR 0.71, p = 0.0052; median 14.2 vs 18.6 mo). Estimated 3-yr survival rates are 23.9% (95% CI: 17.9%;30.5%) for PF and 36.5% (29.3%;43.6%) for TPF. Response rate also favored TPF (53.6% vs 67.8%, p = 0.006). There was more severe (G3+4) leucopenia (41.6% vs 22.9%) and neutropenia (76.9% vs 52.5%) with TPF, and more severe thrombocytopenia with PF (17.9% vs 5.2%). Severe alopecia occured more with TPF (55.5% vs 11.7%); hearing loss (2.8% vs 0%) and toxic death (7.8% vs 3.7%) more with PF. Conclusions: TPF (→ RT) is superior to PF (→ RT) for PFS, OS (including long-term), response rate, and is better tolerated. [Table: see text]


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 8039-8039
Author(s):  
V. Hirsh ◽  
R. Ramlau ◽  
J. von Pawel ◽  
P. Zatloukal ◽  
G. Vera ◽  
...  

8039 Background: AVAiL, an international placebo-controlled phase III trial, showed that Bv-based therapy significantly improved PFS and response rate in patients with advanced/recurrent NSCLC. This report summarizes overall safety findings from AVAiL. Methods: AVAiL randomized 1,043 patients with untreated locally advanced, metastatic or recurrent non-squamous NSCLC to C 80mg/m2 (d1) and G 1,250mg/m2 (d1 and d8) q3w for up to 6 cycles plus either Bv 7.5mg/kg q3w (n=331 with safety data), Bv 15mg/kg q3w (n=329) or placebo (n=326). Bv/placebo was administered until disease progression. Primary endpoint was PFS; secondary endpoints included OS, response rate, and safety. Safety was measured using NCI-CTC version 3.0 criteria for adverse events (AEs). Results: At final analysis, the median/maximum duration of Bv therapy was 4.9/28.5 mo (Bv 7.5) and 4.3/23.4 mo (Bv 15). The most common AEs overall were hematological and gastrointestinal (GI), and occurred in similar proportions of pts in the Bv and placebo arms. Grade ≥3 AEs occurred in 80%, 83%, and 77% of pts in the Bv 7.5, Bv 15 and placebo arms, respectively. The most common grade ≥3 adverse events were hematological, mainly neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Neutropenia was reported in 43% (Bv 7.5), 40% (Bv 15) and 34% (placebo) of pts. Grade ≥3 AEs of special interest included hypertension (7%, 9% and 2%), proteinuria (2%, 3% and 0%), bleeding (4%, 5% and 2%) and hemoptysis (0.5%, 1.2% and 1.3%). The incidence of grade 5 hemoptysis was low (0.9%, 0.9% and 0% of pts, respectively). The incidence of GI perforations (<1%), thromboembolic events (≤8%), CHF (≤1%) and wound healing complications (<1%) was low and similar between treatment arms. The incidence of serious AEs was 39%, 45% and 36% in the Bv 7.5, Bv 15 and placebo arms, respectively. No new safety signals were reported. Conclusions: After E4599, AVAiL further demonstrated the efficacy of Bv in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced NSCLC. Final safety data confirm the well established and manageable safety profile of Bv-based therapy in pts with advanced NSCLC. [Table: see text]


2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. LBA503-LBA503 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. R. Bonnefoi ◽  
J. Bogaerts ◽  
M. Piccart ◽  
L. Mauriac ◽  
P. Fumoleau ◽  
...  

LBA503 Background: Predictive markers of response to chemotherapy are lacking. Preclinical data suggest that p53 mutated tumors are resistant to anthracyclines and sensitive to taxanes. However, clinical data are contradictory. Using a functional yeast assay to detect biologically important mutations, this study tested the hypothesis that docetaxel confers a greater advantage over anthracyclines in p53 mutated tumors (mut) than p53 wild type (wt). Methods: Patients (pts) with locally advanced/inflammatory or large operable tumors were randomized to either a standard anthracycline regimen (arm A) or a taxane-based treatment (arm B). In arm A pts received 6 cycles of FEC 100, or tailored FEC + G-CSF (Swedish cohort). In arm B docetaxel (T) 100mg/m2 was given for 3 cycles, followed by 3 cycles of epirubicin 90mg/m2and T 75mg/m2 q3 weeks (T-ET). After chemotherapy, pts underwent surgery followed by radiotherapy. Endocrine therapy and/or trastuzumab were given according to each center's policy. Fresh frozen tumor biopsies were mandatory before starting chemotherapy: frozen sections were examined centrally and the p53 test was done when the invasive tumor cell content was > 20%. cDNA derived from tumor-extracted RNA was transfected into yeast (Flaman et al. PNAS 1995): tumors were deemed p53 wt when there were < 20% red colonies (background) and p53 mut > 20%. The three co-primary comparisons for the endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) were between arms A and B in p53 mut, p53 wt, and the entire trial population, each at a p=0.02. The sample size gave sufficient power for an interaction test for outcomes between p53 mut and wt at p<0.05. Results: From April 2001 to November 2006, 1,856 patients were included. A total of 386 pts (21%) were ineligible (including 292 pts with <20% tumor cells and 67 without sample). No unexpected toxicity was observed. At the time of analysis 675 events were registered after a median follow-up time of 57 months. The results are summarized below. Conclusions: p53 is not a predictive factor of response or resistance to taxanes, although it is, as expected, prognostic (<0.001). PFS is not statistically significantly different between FEC and T-ET arms at the 2% cutoff level. [Table: see text] [Table: see text]


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document