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Background: No treatment option was available for patients with RAS-mutated (RASmt) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who progress after standard combined chemotherapies at the time of the study. After promising results in phase II, the aim of the present NEXIRI-2/PRODIGE 27 trial was to assess the 2-month non-progression rate for sorafenib (NEX) plus irinotecan (IRI), that is, NEXIRI, treatment., Methods: Patients with RASmt mCRC after failure of oxaliplatin, IRI, fluoropyrimidines, and bevacizumab were randomized between NEXIRI (IRI 120-180 mg/m 2 intravenous, D1 = D15 plus oral NEX 400 mg twice a day) versus IRI (180 mg/m 2 ) versus NEX. Primary endpoint was the 2-month non-progression rate. Secondary endpoints included progression-free and overall survival (PFS and OS), safety, and germline cyclin D1 (CCND1) rs9344 polymorphisms analyses., Results: A total of 173 patients were included, 59 in NEXIRI, 57 in IRI, and 57 in NEX arms. The 2-month non-progression rate was 52.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 39%-66%), 21.4% (10%-33%), and 19.3% (9%-30%) for NEXIRI, IRI, and NEX. Median PFS was 3.6 (95% CI: 2-4.2), 1.7 (1.7-1.8), and 2 (1.8-2.3) months and the median OS was 7.2 (5.8-9.4), 6.3 (4.8-8), and 5.6 (3.9-7.7) months for NEXIRI, IRI, and NEX, respectively. For NEXIRI rs9344CCND1 A/A genotype patients, OS was 19.6 months (95% CI: 4.8-not reached). Main grade 3 toxicities included neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, diarrhea, hand-foot syndrome, and hypertension., Conclusions: In patients with RASmt mCRC who progressed after standard combined chemotherapies, the results of 2-month non-progression rate and median PFS in the NEXIRI arm were in favor of an increase of the time before progression., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) pathways, which promote tumour growth and proliferation, are often deregulated in advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas. We assessed whether adding panitumumab (an EGFR inhibitor) or rilotumumab (a HGF inhibitor) to first-line fluoropyrimidine-based and platinum-based chemotherapy (modified oxaliplatin, leucovorin and fluorouracil [mFOLFOX6]) benefits to patients with advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma., Patients and Methods: This phase II, open-label, randomised, three-arm study enrolled patients ≥18 years, with advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-1 and no known HER2 overexpression. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1) mFOLFOX6 (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m 2 , leucovorin 400 mg/m 2 , 5-fluorouracil 400 mg/m 2 bolus then 2400 mg/m 2 over 46 h) alone or combined with panitumumab (6 mg/kg) or rilotumumab (10 mg/kg) every 2 weeks until limiting toxicity, patient's refusal or disease progression. The primary end-point was the 4-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate. Secondary end-points included overall survival (OS) and tolerance., Results: The study enrolled 162 patients in 29 French centres. The median follow-up was 23.6 months (interquartile range = 16.4-29.0). The 4-month PFS rate was 71% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 57-82) with chemotherapy alone, 57% (95% CI = 42-71) combined with panitumumab and 61% (95% CI = 47-74) combined with rilotumumab. Median OS was 13.1 months (95% CI = 8.7-16.9) with chemotherapy alone, 8.3 months (95% CI = 6.2-13.2) combined with panitumumab and 11.5 months (95% CI = 7.9-17.1) combined with rilotumumab. Adverse events grade ≥III occurred less frequently with chemotherapy alone (62%) than with panitumumab (83%) and rilotumumab (89%)., Conclusions: We found no benefit in adding panitumumab or rilotumumab to mFOLFOX6 first-line chemotherapy to treat advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma patients., Trial Registration: European Clinical Trials Database, number 2009-012797-12., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: According to the IDEA trial, 6-month adjuvant chemotherapy should remain the treatment standard in stage III T4 or N2 colon cancer. The relatively poor survival in this high-risk subgroup-a 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate of 65%-and the potential synergistic efficacy of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), oxaliplatin, and irinotecan suggest that FOLFIRINOX may be a regimen of particular interest in this setting., Patients and Methods: This multicenter international phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02967289) being conducted in 49 centers in France and Canada plans to randomize (1:1; minimization method) 640 patients aged 18 to 70 years with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤ 1. Randomization occurs within 42 days (with treatment initiated within 56 days) after curative-intent R0 surgical resection of a pT4N1 or pT1-4N2 colon adenocarcinoma. Patients will be randomized to receive adjuvant modified FOLFIRINOX (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m 2 , leucovorin 400 mg/m 2 , irinotecan 180 mg/m 2 , and 5-FU 2.4 g/m 2 over 46 hours) or modified FOLFOX6 (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m 2 , leucovorin 400 mg/m 2 , 5-FU bolus 400 mg/m 2 , then 2.4 g/m 2 over 46 hours) every 2 weeks for 24 weeks (12 cycles). Patients will be followed for 5 years after the end of adjuvant chemotherapy. A gain of 9% in 3-year DFS (primary end point) is expected (74% in the experimental arm vs. 65% in the control arm; α, 5% [2-sided log-rank test]; 1-β, 80%). Secondary end points of this study include 2-year DFS, overall survival, and toxicity., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Fluorouracil and irinotecan-based, and gemcitabine-based regimens, are the standard of care in the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. New approaches are needed to improve survival and quality of life. Whether a sequential approach alternating irinotecan, fluorouracil and gemcitabine may be effective and tolerable in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer is unknown., Methods: In this randomised, multicentre, open-label, phase 2 trial, patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma, World Health Organisation (WHO) performance status 0-1, and bilirubin levels <1.5 upper limit of normal values (ULN) were randomised 1:1 to receive as first-line treatment either FOLFIRI.3 (irinotecan, leucovorin and fluorouracil) alternating with fixed-dose rate gemcitabine as 2-month periods (FIRGEM, arm A), or fixed-dose rate gemcitabine alone (arm B). Treatment was continued until disease progression or limiting toxicity. The primary end-point was the crude progression-free survival (PFS) rate at 6 months. The study is registered with EudraCT (N° 2006-005703-34)., Results: Between October 2007 and March 2011, 98 patients were enroled. The observed 6-month PFS rate was 43.5% (95% confidence interval (CI), [28.6-58.4%]) in arm A reaching the Fleming decision rules criteria to reject H0 and 26.1% (95% CI [12.9-39.3%]) in arm B. Objective response rates were 37% (23-51%) in arm A and 10% (1-19%) in arm B. Median PFS (5.0 versus 3.4 months, hazard ratio (HR)=0.59 [0.38-0.90]) and overall survival (11.0 versus 8.2 months, HR=0.71 [0.46-1.10]) were higher in arm A compared to arm B. The most frequent grade 3-4 toxicities were neutropenia (49%/24%; febrile neutropenia, 4%/0% in arms A/B), diarrhoea (arm A, 12% and arm B, 0%), and nausea/vomiting (8%/4%). No toxic deaths occurred., Conclusion: The FIRGEM strategy appears to be effective and feasible in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background & Aims: The current standard treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is sorafenib. This drug is effective but generally does not induce tumor shrinkage and other treatment options are still needed., Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included all consecutive patients with advanced HCC treated with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GEMOX) between 2001 and 2010. Survival curves were drawn with the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate prognostic factors., Results: Two hundred four consecutive patients were treated with GEMOX (median age, 60 years; men, 86%; underlying cirrhosis, 76%). Grade 3-4 toxicity was observed in 44% of the patients (thrombocytopenia 24%, neutropenia 18%, diarrhea 14%, neurotoxicity 12%) leading to treatment discontinuation in 16% of the cases. The overall response and disease control rates were 22% (95% CI, 16-27) and 66% (95% CI, 59-72), respectively. No clinical or biological factors were associated with the treatment response, and 8.5% of the patients were subsequently eligible for curative-intent therapies after downstaging. Median PFS, TTP, and OS were 4.5 (95% CI, 4-6), 8 (95% CI, 6-11), and 11 months (95% CI, 9-14), respectively. In multivariate analysis, gender (p=0.03), underlying cirrhosis (p=0.01), CLIP score (p=0.03), and response to GEMOX (p<0.0001) were independently associated with OS., Conclusions: This large study confirms that GEMOX is effective with manageable toxicity in patients with advanced HCC. Tumor responses permitted potentially curative treatment that was not initially feasible in a significant proportion of patients., (Copyright © 2012 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Adding oxaliplatin to adjuvant 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy improves 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) after resection of stage III colon cancer. Several studies suggest that patients with tumors exhibiting defective mismatch repair (MMR) do not benefit from adjuvant 5-FU chemotherapy, but there are few data on 5-FU-oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) adjuvant chemotherapy in this setting. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of MMR status for DFS in patients with stage III colon cancer receiving adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy., Experimental Design: MMR status was determined by microsatellite instability testing or immunohistochemistry in 303 unselected patients with stage III colon cancer receiving adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy in 9 centers. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association between MMR status and 3-year DFS., Results: The 3-year DFS rate was significantly higher in the 34 patients (11.2% of the study population) with defective MMR tumors (90.5%) than in patients with proficient MMR tumors (73.8%; log-rank test; HR = 2.16; 95% CI, 1.09-4.27; P = 0.027). In multivariate analysis, MMR status remained an independent significant prognostic factor for DFS (HR = 4.48; 95% CI, 1.34-14.99; P = 0.015)., Conclusion: MMR status is an independent prognostic biomarker for DFS in patients with stage III colon cancer receiving adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy., (©2011 AACR.)

Background: Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is a rare tumor with poor prognosis. First-line platinum-based chemotherapy is active in patients with advanced SBA, but data regarding second-line chemotherapy are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI regimen) as second-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced SBA., Methods: We analyzed all consecutive patients who received second-line chemotherapy with FOLFIRI among 93 patients with advanced SBA included from 1996 to 2008 in a previous retrospective multicenter study. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated from the start of second-line chemotherapy using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox models were applied for multivariate analyses., Results: Among 51 patients who received second-line chemotherapy, 28 patients (male, 57%; median age, 54 years; metastatic disease, 96%) were treated with FOLFIRI after progression (n = 24) or limiting toxicity (n = 4) to first-line FOLFOX (n = 19) or LV5FU2-cisplatin (n = 9). Grade 3-4 toxicity was observed in 48% of patients (grade 3-4 neutropenia, 37%). After a median follow-up of 21.5 months, all patients had tumor progression, and 22 patients died. Objective response rate was 20%, and disease control rate was 52%. Median PFS and OS were 3.2 and 10.5 months, respectively. No clinical, biological, or tumor characteristics were associated with PFS or OS by multivariate analysis., Conclusions: Second-line chemotherapy with FOLFIRI produced disease control in half of patients with advanced SBA after failure with first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Nevertheless, the short median PFS warrants the evaluation of other treatments including targeted therapies., (Copyright © 2010 American Cancer Society.)

Background: Small-bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is a rare tumor of poor prognosis. Data on the efficacy of chemotherapy for advanced SBA are scarce., Patients and Methods: All patients with advanced SBA who received frontline chemotherapy from 1996 to 2008 were eligible for this retrospective multicenter study., Results: Ninety-three consecutive patients were included. In the entire population, the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) times were 6.6 and 15.1 months, respectively. Median PFS times among patients treated with LV5FU2 (n = 10), FOLFOX (n = 48), FOLFIRI (n = 19) and LV5FU2-cisplatin (n = 16) were 7.7, 6.9, 6.0 and 4.8 months, respectively, while median OS times were 13.5, 17.8, 10.6 and 9.3 months, respectively. In multivariate analysis, World Health Organization performance status (PS) (P < 0.0001) and elevated serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (P = 0.02) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) (P = 0.03) were the only variables significantly associated with poor OS. In the subgroup of patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy, multivariate analysis showed that LV5FU2-cisplatin was associated with poorer PFS (P < 0.0001) and OS (P = 0.02) compared with FOLFOX., Conclusions: This is the largest study of chemotherapy in advanced SBA. Baseline PS and CEA and CA 19-9 levels were the main prognostic factors. FOLFOX seems to be the most effective platinum-based chemotherapy regimen.

Background: New systemic therapies are needed to improve the prognosis of patients with advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In a Phase II trial involving previously untreated patients with advanced HCC, the more favorable schedule from a previous pilot study was evaluated., Methods: Thirty-four patients with previously untreated advanced-stage HCC were prospectively enrolled. The GEMOX regimen consisted of gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) on Day 1 and oxaliplatin 100 mg/m(2) on Day 2. The treatment was repeated every 2 weeks until disease progression or limiting toxicity., Results: Thirty-two patients were assessable for efficacy and 33 for toxicity. In all, 323 treatment cycles were administered. No toxic deaths occurred. Hematological grade 3-4 toxicity consisted of thrombocytopenia (27% of patients) and neutropenia (24%), including 2 febrile neutropenia and anemia (9%). Grade 3 oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity was observed in 3 (9%) patients. The overall response rate was 18% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8-34) and disease stabilization was observed in 58% of patients (including 5 minor responses), giving a disease control rate of 76%. Median progression-free and overall survival times were, respectively, 6.3 months (95% CI: 4.3-10.1 months) and 11.5 months (95% CI: 8.5-14.3 months). Treatment was significantly more effective in patients with nonalcoholic cirrhosis than in those with alcoholic cirrhosis., Conclusions: The GEMOX regimen seems to be well tolerated and active in advanced HCC, especially in patients with underlying nonalcoholic liver disease. A Phase II study of the GEMOX regimen plus cetuximab is ongoing., ((c) 2007 American Cancer Society.)

Background: The purpose of the study was to prospectively evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the FOLFIRI.3 regimen in patients with unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma., Patients and Methods: Chemotherapy-naive patients with histologically proven advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma were treated with the FOLFIRI.3 regimen, consisting of irinotecan 90 mg/m(2) as a 60-min infusion on day 1, leucovorin 400 mg/m(2) as a 2-h infusion on day 1, followed by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 2000 mg/m(2) as a 46-h infusion and irinotecan 90 mg/m(2), repeated on day 3, at the end of the 5-FU infusion, every 2 weeks., Results: Forty patients were enrolled, of whom 29 (73%) had metastatic disease. A total of 441 cycles were delivered (1-53). Grade 3-4 neutropenia occurred in 35% of the patients, accompanied by fever in two cases. Other relevant grade 3-4 toxic effects were nausea-vomiting (27%) and diarrhea (25%). Grade 2 alopecia occurred in 48% of the patients. There were no treatment-related deaths. The confirmed response rate was 37.5%. Stable disease was observed in 27.5% of the patients. The median progression-free and overall survivals were 5.6 months and 12.1 months, respectively. The 1-year survival rate was 51%., Conclusion: The FOLFIRI.3 regimen seems to be active on advanced pancreatic cancer and to have a manageable toxicity profile. The lack of cross-resistance between FOLFIRI.3 and gemcitabine-based regimens allows efficient second-line therapies.

In a few years, oxaliplatin became a standard treatment of colorectal cancer not only in metastatic situation but also in the adjuvant setting. In the others gastro-intestinal malignancies such as oesophageal, stomach, pancreatic, liver and biliary tract cancers, the effectiveness of the current chemotherapies is unfortunately most often disappointing. Several teams thus decided to evaluate oxaliplatin, essentially in polychemotherapy regimens and sometimes in combination with radiotherapy. Many clinical trials are in progress, others will begin soon. Nevertheless, the results of the first studies already presented are promising, especially the gemcitabine and oxaliplatin combination on 2 days schedule in treating patients with advanced pancreatic, biliary tract and the fluoropyrimidine and oxaliplatin in treating patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Purpose: Gemcitabine (Gem) is the standard treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer. Given the promising phase II results obtained with the Gem-oxaliplatin (GemOx) combination, we conducted a phase III study comparing GemOx with Gem alone in advanced pancreatic cancer., Patients and Methods: Patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were stratified according to center, performance status, and type of disease (locally advanced v metastatic) and randomly assigned to either GemOx (gemcitabine 1 g/m2 as a 100-minute infusion on day 1 and oxaliplatin 100 mg/m2 as a 2-hour infusion on day 2 every 2 weeks) or Gem (gemcitabine 1 g/m2 as a weekly 30-minute infusion)., Results: Three hundred twenty-six patients were enrolled; 313 were eligible, and 157 and 156 were allocated to the GemOx and Gem arms, respectively. GemOx was superior to Gem in terms of response rate (26.8% v 17.3%, respectively; P = .04), progression-free survival (5.8 v 3.7 months, respectively; P = .04), and clinical benefit (38.2% v 26.9%, respectively; P = .03). Median overall survival (OS) for GemOx and Gem was 9.0 and 7.1 months, respectively (P = .13). GemOx was well tolerated overall, although a higher incidence of National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria grade 3 and 4 toxicity per patient was observed for platelets (14.0% for GemOx v 3.2% for Gem), vomiting (8.9% for GemOx v 3.2% for Gem), and neurosensory symptoms (19.1% for GemOx v 0% for Gem)., Conclusion: These results confirm the efficacy and safety of GemOx, but this study failed to demonstrate a statistically significant advantage in terms of OS compared with Gem. Because GemOx is the first combined treatment to be superior to Gem alone in terms of clinical benefit, this promising regimen deserves further development.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the metastatic irinotecan plus oxaliplatin (MIROX) strategy (adjuvant FOLFOX-7 followed by FOLFIRI), in patients with resectable metastatic colorectal cancer., Patients and Methods: Forty-seven patients with resectable metastases of colorectal cancer were prospectively enrolled onto this study. Treatment consisted of six cycles of leucovorin 400 mg/m(2), oxaliplatin 130 mg/m(2) in a 120-minute infusion, and fluorouracil (FU) 2,400 mg/m(2) in a 46-hour infusion, every 2 weeks (FOLFOX-7), followed by six cycles of leucovorin 400 mg/m(2), irinotecan 180 mg/m(2) in a 90-minute infusion, bolus FU 400 mg/m(2), and FU 2,400 mg/m(2) as a 46-hour infusion, every 2 weeks (FOLFIRI). Surgery was performed before chemotherapy in 25 patients and after six cycles of FOLFOX-7 in 22 patients (six cycles of FOLFIRI were administered after surgery)., Results: All but one of the patients underwent curative surgery. Two patients refused postoperative chemotherapy. Tolerability was generally good. The main toxicities were grade 3 to 4 neutropenia (13%) and thrombocytopenia (11%); no febrile neutropenia or bleeding occurred, and there were no deaths caused by toxicity. Two pathologically confirmed complete responses and 15 partial responses were obtained with FOLFOX-7 in the 22 patients who received this regimen before surgery (overall response rate, 77%; 95% CI, 68 to 86). The median disease-free survival time was 21 months; the median overall survival has not yet been reached. The 2-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 89% and 47%, respectively., Conclusion: The MIROX strategy is feasible and well tolerated by patients with resectable metastatic colorectal cancer. Progression-free and overall survival rates are promising, with a median of 38 months of follow-up. This strategy currently is being compared with the leucovorin and FU regimen in a phase III trial.

Background: Combination chemotherapy with continuous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin in a monthly regimen is one of the standard treatments for advanced gastric carcinoma. This study evaluated the new LV5FU2-P regimen, designed to improve efficacy and tolerance of the 5-FU plus cisplatin combination., Patients and Methods: Forty-three patients with advanced or metastatic gastroesophageal junction or gastric carcinoma were prospectively included in the study. They were treated every 14 days with cisplatin 50 mg/m(2) on day 2 plus folinic acid 200 mg/m(2)/day as a 2-h intravenous (i.v.) infusion on days 1 and 2, plus bolus 5-FU 400 mg/m(2)/day on days 1 and 2, plus continuous 5-FU 600 mg/m(2)/day as a 22-h i.v. infusion on days 1 and 2. Ten patients received a simplified regimen (folinic acid 40 mg/m(2) day 1 + bolus 5-FU 400 mg/m(2) day 1 + continuous 5-FU 2400 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 2 with cisplatin 50 mg/m(2) on day 2)., Results: All the patients were assessable for response and 42 for toxicity. One patient achieved a complete response and 15 a partial response, for an overall response rate of 37.2% [95% confidence interval (CI) 22.1% to 52.3%]. The median progression-free survival was 7.2 months (95% CI 5.4-10.9) and the overall survival was 13.3 months (95% CI 10.1-16.4). There were no treatment-related deaths. Hematological and gastrointestinal toxicities were the most common severe toxicities., Conclusions: LV5FU2-P is an active and well tolerated regimen in the treatment of advanced gastroesophageal junction or gastric carcinomas. It warrants evaluation comparatively with other active regimens.

Background: New therapies are needed to improve the prognosis of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Various gemcitabine-oxaliplatin combinations have been tested recently in patients with ovarian and pancreatic carcinoma, yielding interesting results with little toxicity. Therefore, the authors evaluated the activity and toxicity of two such combinations in patients with HCC., Methods: Twenty-one patients were enrolled prospectively in the study. Eleven patients received gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 on Day 1 and oxaliplatin 100 mg/m2 on Day 2 (GEMOX-1), and 10 patients received gemcitabine 1500 mg/m2 on Day 1 followed by oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 on Day 1 (GEMOX-2). Treatment was repeated every 2 weeks until disease progression developed or until unacceptable adverse effects occurred., Results: All patients were assessable for response and toxicity. Four patients (19%) achieved objective responses (95% confidence interval, 13-26%), including 3 patients in the GEMOX-1 group and 1 patient in the GEMOX-2 group. Ten patients (48%) had stable disease, and 7 patients (33%) experienced disease progression. The median progression-free survival was 5 months, and the median overall survival was 12 months. Fifty-four percent of patients in the GEMOX-1 group and 50% of patients in the GEMOX-2 group had received previous systemic chemotherapy or cisplatin-based chemoembolization. Grade 3-4 hematologic toxicity, according to National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria, consisted of thrombocytopenia (GEMOX-1 vs. GEMOX-2, 18% vs. 40%) and neutropenia (0% vs. 30%). No Grade 3-4 nonhematologic toxicity was observed, except for 1 episode of Grade 3 diarrhea. Grade 1 neurotoxicity and Grade 2 neurotoxicity (specific scale), respectively, were observed in 4 patients and 7 patients receiving GEMOX-1 and in 7 patients and 1 patient receiving GEMOX-2., Conclusions: Gemcitabine-oxaliplatin combination therapy is feasible in patients with advanced HCC. The GEMOX-1 regimen was tolerated better than the GEMOX-2 regimen. Currently, the GEMOX-1 regimen is being evaluated in a Phase II study in previously untreated patients with HCC., (Copyright 2003 American Cancer Society.)

Background: Unresectable biliary tract carcinoma (BTC) is associated with a very poor prognosis. To improve efficacy and tolerance of the 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/cisplatin combination in BTC, we designed a new therapeutic schedule, the LV5FU2-P regimen., Patients and Methods: Twenty-nine patients with advanced or metastatic BTC were prospectively enrolled in the study. The treatment (LV5FU2-P regimen) consisted of a biweekly administration of a 2-h infusion of leucovorin 200 mg/m(2), a 400 mg/m(2) bolus of 5-FU followed by a 22-h continuous infusion of 600 mg/m(2) 5-FU on two consecutive days and cisplatin 50 mg/m(2) on day 2. Clinical symptoms, performance and weight changes were monitored., Results: Objective responses were observed in 10 patients (34%) (95% confidence interval 23% to 45%) including one complete response and nine partial responses (stabilization 38%, progression 28%). Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 6.5 and 9.5 months, respectively. Weight gain was observed in 45% of patients and performance status improved in 60%. One patient had a grade 4 thrombocytopenia, and grade 3 toxicity occurred in 41% of patients. There were no treatment-related deaths., Conclusions: This study, one of the largest phase II trials performed for this disease, shows that the LV5FU2-P regimen is an active and well-tolerated chemotherapy for advanced and metastatic BTC.

Aim: To prospectively evaluate efficacy and tolerance of the 5-fluorouracil + folinic acid + cisplatin (LV5FU2-P) combination in the treatment of unresectable pancreatic carcinoma., Patients and Methods: Between March 1998 and June 2000, 35 patients, mean age 61 years (37-75), with advanced (n=2) or metastatic (n=33) pancreatic cancer and initial performance status (WHO) of 0 (n=9), 1 (n=14) or 2 (n=12) were enrolled in the study. Two consecutive groups of patients were treated twice monthly, the first group (n=19) received the LV5FU2 regimen: a 2 hour-infusion of leucovorin 200 mg/m(2), 5-FU bolus 400 mg/m(2), followed by 22-hour continuous infusion of 5-FU 600 mg/m(2) on 2 consecutive days and cisplatin 50 mg/m(2) on day 2. The second group (n=16) received a simplified schedule with bolus leucovorin 40 mg/m(2), 5-FU bolus 400 mg/m(2) on day 1, followed by 5-FU 2400 mg/m(2) 48-hour infusion and cisplatin 50 mg/m(2) on day 2. Clinical symptoms and performance status were monitored together with weight changes. Tumor assessment was performed every 2 months., Results: Three patients (9%) exhibited grade 4 neutropenia and grade 3 toxicity occurred in 31% of the patients (neutropenia: n=3, thrombocytopenia: n=1, vomiting: n=3, mucositis: n=3, diarrhea: n=1). There were no treatment-related deaths. Objective response was observed in 10 patients (29%, 95% confidence interval: 20-40%) including one complete response. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 4.5 and 9 months, respectively. Six-months and 1-year survival rates were 70% and 25%, respectively. Weight gain was observed in 40% of the patients and performance status improved in 50%., Conclusion: LV5FU2-P regimen is active and well tolerated. It should be compared to gemcitabine as a first line therapy in advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer.

To improve the efficacy and tolerance of the 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/cisplatin combination in metastatic esophageal cancer, we designed a new therapeutic schedule, the HLFP regimen. 42 patients with metastatic oesophageal adenocarcinoma (n=10) or squamous cell carcinoma (n=32) were prospectively enrolled in the study. All had bidimensionally measurable disease. The HLFP regimen consisted of twice-monthly oral administration of hydroxyurea 1 g/m(2) on days 0, 1 and 2; a 2-h infusion of leucovorin 200 mg/m(2) and a bolus of 5-FU 400 mg/m(2) followed by a 22-h infusion of 5-FU 600 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 2; and, every two cycles, 80 mg/m(2) cisplatin on day 3. Relief of dysphagia and other symptoms were monitored, together with body weight changes. Major objective responses were observed in 24 patients (57%, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 42-72%), including four complete responses (10%). The median progression-free survival and overall survival times were 8 and 12.7 months, respectively. Weight gain was observed in 48% of patients, and dysphagia improved in 76%. Grade 3-4 toxicity occurred in 40% of patients, with grade 4 neutropenia in 12% and grade 3 thrombocytopenia, vomiting and diarrhoea in 7-9% of patients. There were no treatment-related deaths. These results suggest that the HLFP regimen is an active and well-tolerated chemotherapy for metastatic oesophageal carcinoma.