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Learning Objectives After completing this course, the reader will be able to: List the recommendations in current clinical practice guidelines on epoetin alfa dosing and administration regimens for patients with cancer and chemotherapy-related anemia. Discuss the benefits associated with epoetin alfa therapy in cancer patients with anemia receiving chemotherapy, in terms of increased hemoglobin levels, lower transfusion needs, and improved quality of life. Explain how higher initial doses of once-weekly epoetin alfa followed by less frequent maintenance dosing with epoetin alfa in anemic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy may be beneficial, both to the patient and to the health care provider. Access and take the CME test online and receive one hour of AMA PRA category 1 credit atCME.TheOncologist.com Purpose. Epoetin alfa administered s.c. three times weekly or once weekly increases hemoglobin (Hb) levels, decreases transfusion requirements, and improves quality of life in anemic cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. This study assessed the feasibility of using higher initial doses of once-weekly epoetin alfa followed by less frequent maintenance doses to increase and then maintain adequate Hb levels in this population. Materials and Methods. In this open-label, nonrandomized, pilot study, anemic (baseline Hb ≤11 g/dl) cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy received initial doses of epoetin alfa of 60,000 U s.c. once weekly to increase Hb levels by at least 2 g/dl, followed by 120,000 U s.c. every 3 weeks to maintain Hb levels. The maximum treatment duration was 24 weeks. Results. The mean baseline Hb level was 10.1 ± 0.8 g/dl (n = 20). Once-weekly dosing resulted in mean Hb level increases of 1.0 ± 1.1 g/dl by week 4 and 2.9 ± 1.9 g/dl by week 8; 86% and 79% of patients evaluable at week 8 and week 12, respectively, demonstrated increases of at least 2 g/dl (target Hb level of ≥12 g/dl). Thirteen patients (65%) received at least one maintenance dose; the mean Hb level increased from 12.8 ± 1.1 g/dl before starting maintenance therapy to 13.3 ± 1.4 g/dl at the last maintenance week. Both dosage regimens were well tolerated. Conclusions. Once-weekly epoetin alfa at a dose of 60,000 U effectively increased Hb levels by week 8; 86% of patients achieved rises of at least 2 g/dl or Hb levels ≥12 g/dl. Moreover, epoetin alfa at doses of 120,000 U every 3 weeks maintained or increased Hb levels. Results from this pilot study suggest that higher initial once-weekly dosing of epoetin alfa followed by less frequent maintenance dosing appears to be feasible for treating anemia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Further evaluation of these and other epoetin alfa dosage regimens is warranted.

BACKGROUND This study evaluated the dose–response relation for zoledronic acid, a new generation high potency bisphosphonate, given as a 5-minute infusion in patients with malignant osteolytic disease. METHODS Two-hundred eighty patients with osteolytic lesions due to metastatic breast carcinoma or multiple myeloma were randomized to double-blind treatment with either 0.4, 2.0, or 4.0 mg of zoledronic acid or 90 mg pamidronate. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients receiving radiation to bone. Other skeletal-related events, bone mineral density (BMD), bone markers, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, pain and analgesic scores, and safety also were evaluated. RESULTS Zoledronic acid at doses of 2.0 and 4.0 mg and pamidronate at a dose of 90 mg each significantly reduced the need for radiation therapy to bone (P < 0.05) in contrast with 0.4 mg zoledronic acid, which did not. Skeletal-related events of any kind, pathologic fractures, and hypercalcemia also occurred less frequently in patients treated with 2.0 or 4.0 mg zoledronic acid or pamidronate than with 0.4 mg zoledronic acid. Increases in lumbar spine BMD (6.2–9.6%) and decreases in the bone resorption marker N-telopeptide (range, −37.1 to −60.8%) were observed for all treatment groups. Skeletal pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and headache were the most commonly reported adverse events. Adverse events were similar in nature and frequency with zoledronic acid and pamidronate. CONCLUSIONS A 5-minute infusion of 2.0–4.0 mg zoledronic acid was at least as effective as a 2-hour 90-mg pamidronate infusion in treatment of osteolytic metastases. A 0.4-mg dose of zoledronic acid was significantly less effective. Both zoledronic acid and pamidronate were well tolerated. Cancer 2001;91:1191–200. © 2001 American Cancer Society.

PURPOSE To determine the efficacy and safety of 21 monthly cycles of pamidronate therapy in patients with advanced multiple myeloma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with stage III myeloma and at least one lytic lesion received either placebo or pamidronate 90 mg intravenously administered as a 4-hour infusion monthly for 21 cycles. At study entry, the patients were stratified according to whether they were to receive first-line (stratum 1) or second-line (stratum 2) antimyeloma chemotherapy. Skeletal events (pathologic fracture, radiation or surgery to bone, and spinal cord compression) and hypercalcemia were assessed monthly. RESULTS The results of the first nine previously reported cycles are extended to 21 cycles. Of the 392 randomized patients, efficacy could be evaluated in 198 who received pamidronate and 179 who received placebo. After 21 cycles, the proportion of patients who developed any skeletal event was lower in the pamidronate-group (P = .015). The mean number of skeletal events per year was less in the pamidronate-group (1.3) than in placebo-treated patients (2.2; P = .008). Although survival was not different between the pamidronate-treated group and placebo patients overall, stratum 2 patients who received pamidronate lived longer than those who received placebo (14 v 21 months, P = .041). Pamidronate was safe and well tolerated during the 21 cycles of therapy. CONCLUSION Long-term monthly infusions of pamidronate as an adjunct to chemotherapy are superior to chemotherapy alone in reducing skeletal events in stage III multiple myeloma patients, and may improve the survival of patients on salvage therapy.

Background Bisphosphonates such as pamidronate disodium inhibit osteoclast-induced bone resorption associated with cancer that has metastasized to bone. Methods Women with stage IV breast cancer who were receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy and had at least one lytic bone lesion were given either placebo or pamidronate (90 mg) as a two-hour intravenous infusion monthly for 12 cycles. Skeletal complications, including pathologic fractures, the need for radiation to bone or bone surgery, spinal cord compression, and hypercalcemia (a serum calcium concentration above 12 mg per deciliter [3.0 mmol per liter] or elevated to any degree and requiring treatment), were assessed monthly. Bone pain, use of analgesic drugs, performance status, and quality of life were assessed throughout the trial. Results The efficacy of treatment was evaluated in 380 of 382 randomized patients, 185 receiving pamidronate and 195 receiving placebo. The median time to the occurrence of the first skeletal complication was greater in the pa...

Background Skeletal complications are a major clinical manifestation of multiple myeloma. These complications are caused by soluble factors that stimulate osteoclasts to resorb bone. Bisphosphonates such as pamidronate inhibit osteoclastic activity and reduce bone resorption. Methods Patients with stage III multiple myeloma and at least one lytic lesion received either placebo or pamidronate (90 mg) as a four-hour intravenous infusion given every four weeks for nine cycles in addition to antimyeloma therapy. The patients were stratified according to whether they were receiving first-line (stratum 1) or second-line (stratum 2) antimyeloma chemotherapy at entry into the study. Skeletal events (pathologic fracture, irradiation of or surgery on bone, and spinal cord compression), hypercalcemia (symptoms or a serum calcium concentration >12 mg per deciliter [3.0 mmol per liter]), bone pain, analgesic-drug use, performance status, and quality of life were assessed monthly. Results Among 392 treated patients, th...

Purpose: Docetaxel, an active agent for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), has demonstrated activity as a radiosensitizer in numerous pre-clinical studies. We conducted a phase I trial to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) of weekly Docetaxel, Carboplatin with concurrent thoracic radiation therapy (TRT) in patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC. Patients and methods: In this phase I clinical trial, Docetaxel was administered weekly as a 1-h intravenous infusion for 6 weeks with a starting dose of 20 mg/m 2 . Docetaxel doses were escalated by 10 mg/m 2 increments in successive cohorts of three patients. DLT was defined as grade ≥3 nonhematologic and hematologic toxicity according to RTOG toxicity criteria. Once the DLT of Docetaxel alone was reached, weekly Carboplatin (AUC 2) was added at a DLT-2 dose of Docetaxel (two dose levels below that of dose limiting toxicity). Docetaxel doses were again escalated at 10 mg/m 2 increments in successive cohorts of three new patients to define further DLT and MTD of Docetaxel/Carboplatin with TRT. TRT was administered to the primary tumor and regional lymph nodes (40 Gy) followed by a boost to the tumor (20 Gy). Results: Fifteen patients were entered onto this study with Docetaxel alone through three dose escalations (from 20 to 40 mg/m 2 weekly). The DLT of weekly Docetaxel/TRT was esophagitis and the MTD was 30 mg/m 2 per week for 6 weeks. Nine more patients were added with the Docetaxel/Carboplatin/TRT regimen. The DLT of weekly Docetaxel/Carboplatin with TRT was esophagitis and the MTD of Docetaxel was 20 mg/m 2 per week with weekly Carboplatin (AUC 2). There were 2 complete responses and 13 partial responses in 25 evaluable patients (RR 60%). Conclusions: This combination regimen has activity with manageable toxicity in patients with stage III NSCLC. A phase II study is planned to define activity.

PURPOSE Pamidronate, an aminobisphosphonate, has been shown to lower the risk of skeletal complications associated with lytic bone lesions for up to 1 year in women with stage IV breast cancer who received chemotherapy. We studied the long-term effectiveness and safety of continued treatment with intravenous pamidronate infusions for up to 2 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS Three hundred eighty-two women with metastatic breast cancer and lytic bone lesions who received chemotherapy were randomly assigned to receive either 90 mg of pamidronate or placebo intravenously every 3 to 4 weeks in this double-blind, multicenter, parallel-group trial. Patients were evaluated monthly for 2 years for skeletal complications, which included pathologic fractures, need for radiation or surgery to treat bone complications, spinal cord compression, and hypercalcemia. Bone pain, analgesic use, bone biochemical markers, performance status, quality of life, radiologic response in bone, and survival were also evaluated. RESULTS As in the first year of treatment, the proportion of patients with any skeletal complication was significantly less for the pamidronate than the placebo group at 15, 18, 21, and 24 months (P < .001). The proportions of patients with any pathologic fracture (i.e., vertebral and nonvertebral fractures), need for radiation or surgery to treat bone complications, and hypercalcemia were also statistically less for the pamidronate than the placebo group. The median time to the first skeletal complication was 13.9 months in the pamidronate-treated women and 7.0 months in the placebo group (P < .001). Long-term treatment did not result in any unexpected adverse events. Survival did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION The risk for osteolytic bone lesion complications in metastatic breast cancer was significantly decreased with monthly infusions of 90 mg of pamidronate, and this effect was maintained for at least 2 years. Pamidronate is a useful adjunct to standard chemotherapy in the palliative treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

643 Background: The addition of trastuzumab to chemotherapy results in survival benefits in HER2+ MBC. Preclinical data suggests synergism between vinorelbine and docetaxel plus trastuzumab, with phase II trials of vinorelbine or docetaxel plus trastuzumab demonstrating significant activity with minimal toxicity. Recognizing the prerequisite to long term disease free survival is achievement of initial complete responses, we evaluated weekly trastuzumab administered with docetaxel and vinorelbine as 1st line therapy of HER2+ MBC. Methods: Primary end points were feasibility and toxicity of the regimen. Eligible patients (pts) had measurable disease, ECOG PS 0–2, 3+ HER2 overexpression by IHC or FISH, normal LVEF, and no prior chemotherapy or trastuzumab for MBC. Pts received vinorelbine (25mg/m2) and docetaxel (30mg/m2), days 1 & 8 q21 days. Trastuzumab was given at 4 mg/kg day 1 followed by 2 mg/kg/wk. Results: 35 pts have been treated with 29 evaluable for response. Median age was 58 years (range 41 - 79...

Seventeen ambulatory patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer received one or two courses of high-dose induction chemotherapy consisting of cyclophosphamide (100 mg/kg) plus etopside (1,200 mg/m2) followed by four or five cycles of conventional-dose cyclophosphamide (1,000 mg/m2), doxorubicin (40 mg/m2), and vincristine (1.4 mg/m2) (CAV) given every 21 days. No additional chemotherapy was given until relapse or progression was documented. Response was assessed initially after high-dose induction therapy and again after completion of all chemotherapy. After induction therapy, 16/17 (94%) patients had achieved an objective response, including five (29%) complete responses and 11 (65%) partial responses. Two partially responding patients improved to a complete response after CAV, while one partial responder progressed and one patient died of an intercurrent illness while receiving CAV. Thus, the overall response after completing all chemotherapy was 15/16 (94%), including seven (44%) complete responses and eight (50%) partial responses. Median response duration was six months (range, 3 to 11 months), and overall median survival was ten months (range, 2 to 17 months). All 31 courses of induction therapy were associated with leukopenia (less than 1,000/microL), 81% with thrombocytopenia (less than 20,000/microL), and 77% with fever (greater than 38.5 degrees C). Seven episodes of bacteremia and one axillary abscess were documented, and there was one treatment-related death (6%). These toxicities are similar to that produced by high-dose etoposide alone. High-dose cyclophosphamide combined with high-dose etoposide can be administered to ambulatory patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer without requiring bone marrow transplantation to reestablish hematopoiesis. Complete response and median survival rates, however, are similar to those obtained with less intensive therapy.