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Treatment results of AML in elderly patients are unsatisfactory. In an open label randomized phase II study, we investigated whether addition of the XPO1 inhibitor selinexor to intensive chemotherapy would improve outcome in this population. 102 AML patients > 65 years of age (median 69 (65–80)) were randomly assigned to standard chemotherapy (3 + 7) with or without oral selinexor 60 mg twice weekly (both arms n = 51), days 1–24. In the second cycle, cytarabine 1000 mg/m2 twice daily, days 1–6 with or without selinexor was given. CR/CRi rates were significantly higher in the control arm than in the investigational arm (80% (95% C.I. 69–91%) vs. 59% (45–72%; p = 0.018), respectively). At 18 months, event-free survival was 45% for the control arm versus 26% for the investigational arm (Cox-p = 0.012) and overall survival 58% vs. 33%, respectively (p = 0.009). AML and infectious complications accounted for an increased death rate in the investigational arm. Irrespective of treatment, MRD status after two cycles appeared to be correlated with survival. We conclude that the addition of selinexor to standard chemotherapy does negatively affect the therapeutic outcome of elderly AML patients. (Netherlands Trial Registry number NL5748 (NTR5902), www.trialregister.nl).

The prevention of relapse is the major therapeutic challenge in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who have obtained a complete remission (CR) on intensive chemotherapy. In this randomized phase 3 study (HOVON97) in older patients (≥60 years) with AML or myelodysplastic syndrome with refractory anemia with excess of blasts, in CR/CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) after at least 2 cycles of intensive chemotherapy, we assessed the value of azacitidine as postremission therapy with respect to disease-free survival (DFS; primary end point) and overall survival (OS; secondary end point). In total, 116 eligible patients were randomly (1:1) assigned to either observation (N = 60) or azacitidine maintenance (N = 56; 50 mg/m2, subcutaneously, days 1-5, every 4 weeks) until relapse, for a maximum of 12 cycles. Fifty-five patients received at least 1 cycle of azacitidine, 46 at least 4 cycles, and 35 at least 12 cycles. The maintenance treatment with azacitidine was feasible. DFS was significantly better for the azacitidine treatment group (logrank; P = .04), as well as after adjustment for poor-risk cytogenetic abnormalities at diagnosis and platelet count at randomization (as surrogate for CR vs CRi; Cox regression; hazard ratio, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.41-0.95; P = .026). The 12-month DFS was estimated at 64% for the azacitidine group and 42% for the control group. OS did not differ between treatment groups, with and without censoring for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Rescue treatment was used more often in the observation group (n = 32) than in the azacitidine maintenance group (n = 9). We conclude that azacitidine maintenance after CR/CRi after intensive chemotherapy is feasible and significantly improves DFS. The study is registered with The Netherlands Trial Registry (NTR1810) and EudraCT (2008-001290-15).

Simple Summary Treatment results of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in elderly patients are unsatisfactory. We investigated in an open label randomized phase II study whether addition of tosedostat, an aminopeptidase inhibitor, to intensive chemotherapy would improve outcome in this population. 231 AML patients > 65 years of age were randomly assigned to receive standard chemotherapy with or without tosedostat for two cycles. We found that complete bone marrow leukemia clearance was not significantly different between both arms. After two years, survival was 33% for the standard arm versus 18% for the tosedostat arm. More patients died due to infectious complications in the tosedostat arm than after standard treatment. Also, a cardiac rhythm abnormality called atrial fibrillation was more often seen in the tosedostat arm. We conclude that the addition of tosedostat to standard chemotherapy does negatively affect the therapeutic outcome of elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Abstract Treatment results of AML in elderly patients are unsatisfactory. We hypothesized that addition of tosedostat, an aminopeptidase inhibitor, to intensive chemotherapy may improve outcome in this population. After establishing a safe dose in a run-in phase of the study in 22 patients, 231 eligible patients with AML above 65 years of age (median 70, range 66–81) were randomly assigned in this open label randomized Phase II study to receive standard chemotherapy (3+7) with or without tosedostat at the selected daily dose of 120 mg (n = 116), days 1–21. In the second cycle, patients received cytarabine 1000 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1-6 with or without tosedostat. CR/CRi rates in the 2 arms were not significantly different (69% (95% C.I. 60–77%) vs 64% (55–73%), respectively). At 24 months, event-free survival (EFS) was 20% for the standard arm versus 12% for the tosedostat arm (Cox-p = 0.01) and overall survival (OS) 33% vs 18% respectively (p = 0.006). Infectious complications accounted for an increased early death rate in the tosedostat arm. Atrial fibrillation was more common in the tosedostat arm as well. The results of the present study show that the addition of tosedostat to standard chemotherapy does negatively affect the therapeutic outcome of elderly AML patients.

Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) is a rare non-Hodgkin lymphoma with a high mortality rate. Higher incidence is reported in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, specifically in male patients that are younger than 35 years, and have been treated with thiopurine and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitor combination therapy for over 2 years. In this case report we describe a 47-year-old patient with Crohn's disease (CD) who developed HSTCL after having been treated with thiopurine monotherapy for 14 years. To our best knowledge, only eleven cases exist of patients with CD who developed HSTCL while on thiopurine monotherapy. We report the first patient with CD, older than 35 years, who developed HSTCL while on thiopurine monotherapy. This emphasizes that HSTCL risk is not limited to young men receiving both thiopurines and TNF-α inhibitors.

Background: The overall survival of patients with Multiple Myeloma has improved due to effective, often continuous, therapy. However, knowledge on the impact of long term treatment on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is limited. Methods: The HOVON87/NMSG18 study was a prospective, randomized, phase 3 study of newly diagnosed transplant ineligible multiple myeloma patients, comparing melphalan-prednisolone in combination with thalidomide or lenalidomide, followed by thalidomide or lenalidomide maintenance therapy (MPT-T or MPR-R). The EORTC QLQ-C30 and MY20 questionnaires were completed by patients at baseline, after 3 and 9 induction cycles and after 6 and 12 months of maintenance therapy. Linear mixed models and minimal important differences were used for between and within treatment arm HRQoL evaluation. Findings: 596 of 637 eligible patients participated in HRQoL reporting. Patients in both arms reported clinical relevant improvement in global QoL, future perspective, role and emotional functioning and the summary score, and less fatigue and pain, in general occurring after 6 to 12 months of maintenance only and independent of WHO performance at baseline. MPR-R treated patients reported clinically relevant worsening of diarrhoea and MPT-T treated patients reported a higher incidence of neuropathy. Patients who remained on lenalidomide maintenance therapy for at least 3 months reported clinically meaningful improvement in global QoL, role functioning and the summary score over time, without any clinical meaningful deteriorations. In contrast, patients on thalidomide reported clinically relevant worsening of peripheral neuropathy. Interpretation: Treatment with both thalidomide- and lenalidomide-based regimens improved HRQoL, in general reaching clinical relevance during maintenance therapy only. Clinical relevant diarrhea was reported by lenaldiomide-treated and clinical relevant PNP by thalidomide-treated patients. Trial Registration Number: The study was registered at www.trialregister.nl NTR1630. Funding Statement: Dutch Cancer Society KWF VU-2008 4246, Celgene Declaration of Interests: AW reports that the study was supported by Celgene and receives honoraria Takeda and grant from Amgen. MH reports compensation for work related to the study from NTNU Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine and receives grant from Celgene Aps. MS receives personal fees from Celgene, Amgen, Janssen and Takeda. SZ receives research funding from Celgene, Janssen, Takeda and Amgen and serves on advisory board for Celgene, Janssen, Takeda and Amgen. LKN has received grants from Celgene, Janssen, Amgen and Takeda, during the conduct of the study. NA receives research funding from Celgene, Janssen, Takeda and Amgen. PS receives grants from Takeda, Karyopharma, and grants and personal fees from Celgene, Janssen-Cilag. M-DL has received personal fees from Celgene. U-HM has received lecture honoraria from Amgen, Takeda, Janssen, Mundipharma, Oncopeptides and serves on advisory board for Amgen. NvdD receives grants from Celgene, Janssen pharmaceuticals, Novatis, Amgen and BMS and serves at the advisory board for Celgene, Janssen pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Amgen, Takeda, BMS, Bayer, Servier. All other authors declare no conflicting interest. Ethics Approval Statement: The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee and conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and the Good Clinical Practice Guidelines. The authors obtained written informed consent from all participants.

Background In patients with recently diagnosed multiple myeloma, the HOVON-50 phase 3 trial showed improved event-free survival for thalidomide-containing induction and maintenance regimens (in conjunction with high-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation [auto-SCT]) after a median of 52 months of follow-up, by comparison with regimens containing classical cytotoxic drugs. In this follow-up analysis, we aimed to determine the long-term effects of thalidomide in induction and maintenance therapy in multiple myeloma. Methods In this open-label, phase 3 randomised controlled trial, patients with recently diagnosed multiple myeloma were recruited from 44 Dutch and Belgian hospitals. Participants had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma of Durie-Salmon stage II or III and were aged 18-65 years. Patients were randomly assigned (1: 1) either to receive three 28-day cycles of vincristine (0.4 mg, intravenous rapid infusion on days 1-4), doxorubicin (9 mg/m(2), intravenous rapid infusion on days 1-4) and dexamethasone (40 mg, orally on days 1-4, 9-12, and 17-20; control group); or to receive the same regimen, but with thalidomide (200-400 mg, orally on days 1-28) instead of vincristine (thalidomide group). No masking after assignment to intervention was used. Patients were randomly assigned to groups, stratified by centre and treatment policy (one vs two courses of high-dose melphalan and auto-SCT). After stem cell harvest, patients received one or two courses of 200 mg/m(2) melphalan intravenously with auto-SCT. Patients with at least a partial response to high-dose melphalan and auto-SCT were eligible for maintenance therapy, starting 2-3 months after high-dose melphalan. Patients in the control group received maintenance therapy with interferon alfa (3 x 106 international units, subcutaneously, three times weekly). Patients in the thalidomide group received thalidomide as maintenance therapy (50 mg, orally, daily). Maintenance therapy was given until relapse, progression, or the occurrence of adverse events. The primary endpoint of the study was event-free survival (EFSc; censored at allogeneic stem cell transplantation), analysed by intention to treat. The study is closed for enrolment and this Article represents the final analysis. This trial was registered with the Netherlands Trial Register, number NTR238. Findings Between Nov 27, 2001 and May 31, 2005, 556 patients were enrolled in the study, of whom 536 (96%) were eligible for evaluation and were randomly allocated (268 [50%] to the control group and 268 [50%] to the thalidomide group). These 536 patients were assessed for the primary endpoint of EFSc. At an extended median follow-up of 129 months (IQR 123-136), EFSc was significantly longer in the thalidomide group compared with the control group (multivariate analysis hazard ratio [HR] 0.62, 95% CI 0.50-0.77; p

Objectives and design: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma has been linked to infection with Coxiella burnetii, potentially through overproduction of IL-10 during infection with C. burnetii. Materials and methods: Description of a case report. Results: We describe a patient with retroperitoneal non-Hodgkin lymphoma and vascular infection with C. burnetii. Immunofluorescence staining and fluorescence in situ hybridization targeting specific C. burnetii 16S rRNA were performed on the retroperitoneal lymphoma tissue sample obtained at diagnosis of NHL. Both were strongly positive for the presence of C. burnetii. Conclusions: This case provokes questions regarding a potential association between C. burnetii and NHL, and underlines the importance of further exploration of this association.

Background: The HOVON-50 phase 3 trial compared thalidomide before (thalidomide-adriamycin-dexamethasone; TAD) and after high-dose melphalan (HDM) and autologous stem cell transplantation with classical cytotoxic agents (vincristine-adriamycin-dexamethasone; VAD) prior and interferon-α after HDM in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Methods: A total of 556 MM patients were enrolled in this phase 3 randomized clinical trial. Findings: Here, we present the final analysis with an extended median follow-up of 129 months. Event-free survival (EFSc) and progression-free survival (PFSc), both censored at allogeneic stem cell transplantation, remained significantly prolonged in the thalidomide arm, compared to the control arm (EFSc: hazard ratio (HR) = 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.54 - 0.81, P

Item does not contain fulltext Despite the revolutionary change in the prognosis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients with the introduction of imatinib, patients with resistant disease still pose a considerable problem. In this multicenter, randomized phase III trial, we investigate whether the combination of high-dose imatinib and intermediate-dose cytarabine compared to high-dose imatinib alone, improves the rate of major molecular response (MMR) in newly diagnosed CML patients. This study was closed prematurely because of declining inclusion due to the introduction of second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors and only one third of the initially required patients were accrued. One hundred nine patients aged 18-65 years were randomly assigned to either imatinib 800 mg (n = 55) or to imatinib 800 mg in combination with two successive cycles of cytarabine 200 mg/m(2) for 7 days (n = 54). After a median follow-up of 41 months, 67 % of patients were still on protocol treatment. The MMR rate at 12 months was 56 % in the imatinib arm and 48 % in the combination arm (p = 0.39). Progression-free survival was 96 % after 1 year and 89 % after 4 years. Four-year overall survival was 97 %. Adverse events grades 3 and 4 were more common in the combination arm. The addition of intermediate-dose of cytarabine to imatinib did not improve the MMR rate at 12 months. However, the underpowering of the study precludes any definitive conclusions. This trial is registered at www.trialregister.nl (NTR674). 01 augustus 2013

The combination of melphalan, prednisone, and thalidomide (MPT) is considered standard therapy for newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma who are ineligible for stem cell transplantation. Long-term treatment with thalidomide is hampered by neurotoxicity. Melphalan, prednisone, and lenalidomide, followed by lenalidomide maintenance therapy, showed promising results without severe neuropathy emerging. We randomly assigned 668 patients between nine 4-week cycles of MPT followed by thalidomide maintenance until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity (MPT-T) and the same MP regimen with thalidomide being replaced by lenalidomide (MPR-R). This multicenter, open-label, randomized phase 3 trial was undertaken by Dutch-Belgium Cooperative Trial Group for Hematology Oncology and the Nordic Myeloma Study Group (the HOVON87/NMSG18 trial). The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). A total of 318 patients were randomly assigned to receive MPT-T, and 319 received MPR-R. After a median follow-up of 36 months, PFS with MPT-T was 20 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 18-23 months) vs 23 months (95% CI, 19-27 months) with MPR-R (hazard ratio, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.72-1.04; P = .12). Response rates were similar, with at least a very good partial response of 47% and 45%, respectively. Hematologic toxicity was more pronounced with MPR-R, especially grades 3 and 4 neutropenia: 64% vs 27%. Neuropathy of at least grade 3 was significantly higher in the MPT-T arm: 16% vs 2% in MPR-R, resulting in a significant shorter duration of maintenance therapy (5 vs 17 months in MPR-R), irrespective of age. MPR-R has no advantage over MPT-T concerning efficacy. The toxicity profile differed with clinically significant neuropathy during thalidomide maintenance vs myelosuppression with MPR.

Item does not contain fulltext BACKGROUND: In patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with an asymptomatic primary tumor, there is no consensus on the indication for resection of the primary tumor. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the outcome of stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with or without resection of the primary tumor treated in the phase III CAIRO and CAIRO2 studies. A review of the literature was performed. RESULTS: In the CAIRO and CAIRO2 studies, 258 and 289 patients had undergone a primary tumor resection and 141 and 159 patients had not, respectively. In the CAIRO study, a significantly better median overall survival and progression-free survival was observed for the resection compared to the nonresection group, with 16.7 vs. 11.4 months [P < 0.0001, hazard ratio (HR) 0.61], and 6.7 vs. 5.9 months (P = 0.004; HR 0.74), respectively. In the CAIRO2 study, median overall survival and progression-free survival were also significantly better for the resection compared to the nonresection group, with 20.7 vs. 13.4 months (P < 0.0001; HR 0.65) and 10.5 vs. 7.8 months (P = 0.014; HR 0.78), respectively. These differences remained significant in multivariate analyses. Our review identified 22 nonrandomized studies, most of which showed improved survival for mCRC patients who underwent resection of the primary tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Our results as well as data from literature indicate that resection of the primary tumor is a prognostic factor for survival in stage IV CRC patients. The potential bias of these results warrants prospective studies on the value of resection of primary tumor in this setting; such studies are currently being planned.

Abstract 2972 Thalidomide (T) with melphalan/prednisone (MPT) was defined as a standard treatment in elderly patients with multiple myeloma (MM) based on 5 randomized trials. Treatment with MPT not only showed improved response rate, significantly better time to response as well as quality of response but also a significant improvement of event free survival (EFS), progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). In one of these trials, HOVON 49, a prospective Health related – Quality of life (HRQoL) was initiated in order to asses the impact of T on QoL. (Wijermans et al, J Clin Oncol 28:3160-6). Patients aged >65 years with newly diagnosed symptomatic MM were randomized to receive 8 cycles of MP or MPT, followed by T maintenance in MPT arm. 284 patients were included in this HRQoL side study (MP: n=149, MPT: n=135). HRQoL was assessed with the EORTC core QoL Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and the myeloma-specific module (QLQ-MY24) at baseline and at pre-determined intervals during treatment. Treatment-related toxicity WHO grade 2–4 occurred in 60% of MP and 87% of MP-T treated patients. Most frequently found were neutropenia-related infections, neurotoxicity (mostly T induced peripheral neuropathy) and myelotoxicity. The QLQ-C30 subscales Physical Function (p=0.044) and Constipation (p This prospective study shows that the higher frequency of adverse effects associated with MPT does not translate into a negative effect on HRQoL and that MPT holds a better patient perspective. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Contains fulltext : 87501.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) The phase 3 trial HOVON-50 was designed to evaluate the effect of thalidomide during induction treatment and as maintenance in patients with multiple myeloma who were transplant candidates. A total of 556 patients was randomly assigned to arm A: 3 cycles of vincristine, adriamycin, and dexamethasone, or to arm B: thalidomide 200 mg orally, days 1 to 28 plus adriamycin and dexamethasone. After induction therapy and stem cell mobilization, patients were to receive high-dose melphalan, 200 mg/m(2), followed by maintenance with alpha-interferon (arm A) or thalidomide 50 mg daily (arm B). Thalidomide significantly improved overall response rate as well as quality of the response before and after high dose melphalan. Best overall response rate on protocol was 88% and 79% (P = .005), at least very good partial remission 66% and 54% (P = .005), and complete remission 31% and 23% (P = .04), respectively, in favor of the thalidomide arm. Thalidomide also significantly improved event-free survival from median 22 months to 34 months (P < .001), and prolonged progression free from median 25 months to 34 months (P < .001). Median survival was longer in the thalidomide arm, 73 versus 60 months; however, this difference was not significant (P = .77). Patients randomized to thalidomide had strongly reduced survival after relapse. This trial was registered on www.controlled-trials.com as ISRCTN06413384.

Contains fulltext : 79995.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) BACKGROUND: Fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy plus the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibody bevacizumab is standard first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer. We studied the effect of adding the anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody cetuximab to a combination of capecitabine, oxaliplatin, and bevacizumab for metastatic colorectal cancer. METHODS: We randomly assigned 755 patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer to capecitabine, oxaliplatin, and bevacizumab (CB regimen, 378 patients) or the same regimen plus weekly cetuximab (CBC regimen, 377 patients). The primary end point was progression-free survival. The mutation status of the KRAS gene was evaluated as a predictor of outcome. RESULTS: The median progression-free survival was 10.7 months in the CB group and 9.4 in the CBC group (P=0.01). Quality-of-life scores were lower in the CBC group. The overall survival and response rates did not differ significantly in the two groups. Treated patients in the CBC group had more grade 3 or 4 adverse events, which were attributed to cetuximab-related adverse cutaneous effects. Patients treated with cetuximab who had tumors bearing a mutated KRAS gene had significantly decreased progression-free survival as compared with cetuximab-treated patients with wild-type-KRAS tumors or patients with mutated-KRAS tumors in the CB group. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of cetuximab to capecitabine, oxaliplatin, and bevacizumab resulted in significantly shorter progression-free survival and inferior quality of life. Mutation status of the KRAS gene was a predictor of outcome in the cetuximab group. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00208546.)

Many cancer patients experience psychosocial problems that go unnoticed by caregivers. To improve this situation, an instrument has been developed and tested to identify such problems. This instrument, the integral checklist, was put to the test in two outpatient departments of different hospitals with an intervention and a control group (105 and 124 patients, respectively). To evaluate the efficiency of the checklist, both groups had to complete a questionnaire after consultation. Results showed that the checklist assisted specialists to be more often pro-active in discussing psychosocial problems with their patients, and more patients with psychosocial problems were referred. Most of the patients appreciated going through the checklist with their specialist. The checklist proves to fit in well with hospital routines and using it costs the specialist no extra time. It appears to be an instrument which improves efficiency of consultation. Moreover, the checklist is turned out to be useful as a management tool to divert patients’ attention away from the waiting time.

Purpose For several decades, the treatment of elderly patients with multiple myeloma (MM) has consisted of melphalan and prednisone (MP). The Dutch-Belgium Hemato-Oncology Cooperative Group (HOVON) investigated the efficacy of thalidomide added to MP (MP-T) in a randomized phase III trial. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy, toxicity, and effects on quality of life of MP-T. Patients and Methods A randomized phase III trial compared standard MP with MP-T (thalidomide 200 mg/d) in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma older than age 65 years. Maintenance therapy with thalidomide 50 mg/d was administered to patients after MP-T until relapse. The primary end point was event-free survival (EFS); response rate, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) were secondary end points. Results An intent-to-treat analysis of 333 evaluable patients showed significantly higher response rates in MP-T–treated patients compared with MP-treated patients a response (≥ partial response: 66% v 45%, respectively; P < .001; and ≥ very good partial response [VGPR]: 27% v 10%, respectively; P < .001). EFS was 13 months with MP-T versus 9 months with MP (P < .001). OS was 40 months with MP-T versus 31 months with MP (P = .05). Conclusion This study demonstrates that thalidomide improves the response rate and VGPR in elderly patients with newly diagnosed MM. MP-T also results in a better EFS, PFS, and OS.

Contains fulltext : 52831.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) BACKGROUND: The optimum use of cytotoxic drugs for advanced colorectal cancer has not been defined. Our aim was to investigate whether combination treatment is better than sequential administration of the same drugs in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. METHODS: We randomly assigned 820 patients with advanced colorectal cancer to receive either first-line treatment with capecitabine, second-line irinotecan, and third-line capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (sequential treatment; n=410) or first-line treatment capecitabine plus irinotecan and second-line capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (combination treatment; n=410). The primary endpoint was overall survival. Analyses were done by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov with the number NCT00312000. FINDINGS: 17 patients (nine in the sequential treatment group, eight in the combination group) were found to be ineligible and were excluded from the analysis. 675 (84%) patients died during the study: 336 in the sequential group and 339 in the combination group. Median overall survival was 16.3 (95% CI 14.3-18.1) months for sequential treatment and 17.4 (15.2-19.2) months for combination treatment (p=0.3281). The hazard ratio for combination versus sequential treatment was 0.92 (95% CI 0.79-1.08; p=0.3281). The frequency of grade 3-4 toxicity over all lines of treatment did not differ significantly between the two groups, except for grade 3 hand-foot syndrome, which occurred more often with sequential treatment than with combination treatment (13%vs 7%; p=0.004). INTERPRETATION: Combination treatment does not significantly improve overall survival compared with the sequential use of cytotoxic drugs in advanced colorectal cancer. Thus sequential treatment remains a valid option for patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

The current first-line choice of treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in adults, prednisone, is effective but has many side effects. Furthermore, reduction of the dose leads to a relapse of ITP in a majority of cases. Courses of high-dose dexamethasone (HD) aim to avoid these problems. We treated 36 patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent ITP with an 8-day course of HD, with a peak dose of 40 mg/day. The courses were repeated up to a maximum of six courses, with a 28-day interval. Acute and chronic effects of HD on platelet counts were observed, as well as side effects. HD led to an acute response (rise of platelet count to a level above 50 x 10(9)/l) in 83%. When HD was given as a first-line treatment, 59% of patients were still in remission after 31 months. When HD was given as a second-line treatment, 50% of patients were in remission after 5 months, declining to 25% after 54 months. Side effects were frequent but rarely dangerous. In conclusion, acute effects of HD were excellent. Long-term effects of HD as a first-line therapy of ITP were good, but its long-term effects as a second-line therapy were much poorer.

In a prospective phase II study, we evaluated the combination of high dose simvastatin and VAD chemotherapy in patients with refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma. Although treatment was feasible with mild side effects, only 1 of 12 patients achieved a partial response. According to our predefined criteria this was insufficient to continue the study.

The case of a 77-year-old woman with acute myeloid leukemia who developed Candida tropicalis septic arthritis of the knee after remission-inducing chemotherapy is reported. A literature review of C. tropicalis non-prosthetic arthritis is included. The isolate was susceptible to fluconazole (MIC 0.25 mg/l). She was treated with fluconazole (400 mg orally) and frequent relieving synovial aspirations. After 1 month of antifungal therapy the synovial fluid became culture negative. Fluconazole concentration in the synovial fluid and serum were 20 mg/l and 19.4 mg/l, respectively. The patient was treated for a total of 7 months and made a full recovery. This is the first report of the successful use of fluconazole in the treatment of septic arthritis due to C. tropicalis.

Background The randomised, open-label, phase III trial HOVON-50 was designed to evaluate the effect of thalidomide during induction and maintenance in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. The previous analysis showed that thalidomide improved the primary endpoint EFS, but had no impact on OS (Lokhorst et al; Blood 2010 115: 1113-1120). Method Patients with Salmon & Durie stage II or III, age 18-65 years inclusive, were randomly assigned to arm A: 3 cycles of VAD (Vincristine, Adriamycin, Dexamethasone) or to arm B, 3 cycles of TAD (Thalidomide 200 orally, days 1-28 instead of Vincristine) Thalidomide was given from day 1 until 2 weeks before the stem cell mobilization with CAD (Cyclophosphamide 1000 mg/m2 iv day 1)and G-CSF. After induction therapy patients received 1 or 2 courses of high dose Melphalan (HDM) 200 mg/m2 with autologous stem cell rescue followed by maintenance therapy with alpha-Interferon (Arm A) or Thalidomide 50 mg daily (arm B) until relapse or progression. Between November 27, 2001 and May 31, 2005, 556 patients were randomised of which 536 patients were eligible for evaluation. As of July 2013 the median follow up of the 201 patients still alive is 99 months, range 65 – 130 months. Results The best responses achieved on protocol after extended follow-up were improved and significantly higher in the patients randomized to thalidomide: ≥ PR 88% vs 80 % (p diverged and thalidomide improved median OS from 65 to 75 months. 10 years from randomization 27 % of patients randomized to alpha-Interferon are still alive and 35% of patients randomized to Thalidomide. For OS multivariate analysis showed prognostic significance for the whole group of patients for LDH (HR=1.52, 95% CI [1.15-2.00], P= 0.004) and ISS (HR=1.31, 95% CI [1.11-1.53, P=0.001]. For the secondary endpoint OS the thalidomide arm was superior when adjusted for covariates in multivariate analysis (HR = 0.80, 95% CI [0.64 – 0.99], P=0.045). The incidence of second primary malignancies (SPM) was similar between the two arms, as well as the actuarial probability to get an SPM within 5 years from start of the therapy (5-6%) or 10 years (9-10%) Conclusion After long term follow-up thalidomide in induction and maintenance treatment and in combination with HDM improves the quality of response and achieves superior EFS and OS. No increased incidence of SPM was observed as compared to patients not receiving thalidomide. This trial was registered on www. Trialregister.nl as NTR238 and was supported by the Dutch Cancer Foundation. Disclosures: Lokhorst: Genmab A/S: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria; Johnson-Cilag: Honoraria; Mudipharma: Honoraria. Minnema:Janssen Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria. Sonneveld:Janssen-Cilag: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Onyx: Honoraria; Janssen-Cilag: Research Funding; Millenium: Research Funding; Onyx: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding.

Abstract 2758 Background Imatinib (IM) is considered the first line therapy for newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Despite the increased overall survival and event free survival attained with IM, patients with unsatisfactory responses due to IM resistance still pose a considerable challenge. Addition of cytarabine to IM has shown synergistic anti-proliferative effects in in-vitro studies as well as in clinical trials. We conducted a prospective, multicenter, phase III trial (HOVON 78) comparing high dose IM or high dose IM combined with 2 successive cycles of standard-dose cytarabine in newly diagnosed CML patients. At the time our study was set out, high dose IM (600 or 800 mg) showed significantly higher molecular response rates than 400 mg in a HOVON dose escalation study (HOVON 51) of the combination of IM and cytarabine. Patients and methods This study started in June 2006, but was closed prematurely in April 2010 because of declining inclusion most probably due to excellent evolving results of IM monotherapy and the introduction of second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Newly diagnosed CML patients between the age of 18 and 65 years in first chronic phase ≤ 2 months were randomized between IM monotherapy 800 mg daily (arm A) or IM 800 mg combined with 2 successive cycles of daily cytarabine 200 mg/m2 in 1–2 hours infusion for 7 days (arm B), followed by IM monotherapy. The first cycle of cytarabine was given as soon as possible, preferably within 14–28 days from the start of IM, whereas the second cycle was started after hematopoietic recovery (i.e. platelets > 100×109/l and WBC > 2.0×109/l). Response to treatment was assessed by hematological, cytogenetic and molecular analyses at regular intervals and was scored according to the ELN criteria. Reasons for going off protocol treatment were progression, excessive toxicity or intolerance of treatment, intercurrent death, no compliance of the patient or major protocol violation. The primary endpoint was the achievement of a major molecular response (MMR) at 12 months, and was compared between the 2 treatment arms using logistic regression. Secondary endpoints were progression free survival, overall survival and toxicity. The analyses were done according to the intention to treat principle, and were based on data available as of August 8, 2011. In order to detect with 80% power an improvement in 12-months' MMR from 60% to 75% (2-sided significance level alpha=0.05), 330 patients were required. Results One hundred and ten eligible patients from 19 Dutch and 2 Belgian centers were enrolled, 55 in each arm. One patient in arm B withdrew consent. The median age of the patients was 45 years (range, 17–65). Sokal risk scores were equally divided between the two groups, but arm A contained more patients with high Euro risk score (24 vs 7%, p = 0.03). Median follow up is 31 months (range, 0–57). So far, 34 patients went off protocol treatment; 16 in arm A and 18 in arm B. Reasons for going off protocol were progression to accelerated phase, blast crisis or progression from major molecular response (3 and 1 patients in arm A and arm B, respectively), excessive toxicity (7 vs 11), and other (6 vs 6). Nine patients in arm B only received one cycle of cytarabine. Cytarabine dose was reduced in one patient only in the first cycle. Although the molecular response data of 4 patients are not yet available, the proportion of patients who achieved a MMR at 12 months was similar between the two treatment arms; 51% in arm A and 47% in arm B (OR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.38–1.76, p = 0.60; adjusted for Sokal score), PFS at 48 months was 91% in both treatment arms (p = 0.80). OS at 48 months was 100% in arm A and 92% in arm B. Three patients died. One patient in arm A died of conduction abnormality, 49 months after start of therapy. This patient had switched to dasatinib treatment because of IM resistance. Two patients in arm B died, both having progressed to blast crisis. One died at 39 months due to aspergillus infection after allogenic stem cell transplantation, and one patient on dasatinib treatment died at 9 months due to an intracerebral bleeding. Forty SAEs occurred in 29 patients, 7 (in 6 patients) in arm A and 33 (23 patients) in arm B (p Conclusion IM in combination with cytarabine is not superior compared to IM alone in achieving MMR at 12 months. Patients receiving combination therapy had significantly more toxicity. Disclosures: Janssen: Novartis: Consultancy. Ossenkoppele:Novartis: Consultancy.

Patient characteristics were as follows: 27 men, 14 women; median age, 61 years (range, 41-70 years); isotype (21 IgG, 12 IgA, 6 light chain only, 2 nonsecretory); and Durie-Salmon stage (31 stage III, 8 stage II, 2 stage I). Thirty-four patients who were at least 18 months from HDT were compared with a control group that received the same induction (VAD/ZDex) and HDT but without any thalidomide maintenance at our institution. CDT treated and control groups had similar disease isotype, Durie-Salmon stage, and response to HDT after 3 months. Results: Median duration of CDT consolidation was 4 months (range, 1-6 months). Cyclophosphamide dose was reduced in 20 (49%) patients because of grade 2 neutropenia. Median thalidomide dose was 100 mg daily. Fifteen (37%) patients developed grade 1 neuropathy. Two (5%) patients withdrew because of adverse side effects. There were no incidences of febrile neutropenia or DVT. Median follow-up from HDT is 31 months (range, 8-54 months) in CDT-treated patients and 42 months (range, 19-102 months) in the control group. CDT consolidation improved depth of response to HDT. VGPR/CR rate was increased from 33% (11 patients) at 3 months following HDT to 55% (18 patients) at 12 months. No improvement in depth of response was seen in the control group. Median PFS was longer in CDT treated patients (24 months vs. 17 months control group; P = .02). Conclusion: CDT consolidation following HDT is safe and well tolerated and improves depth of response.

Introduction: The Dutch cooperative group HOVON started a randomised phase III study in elderly patients with multiple myeloma (MM) in September 2002 comparing the standard Melphalan and Prednisone (MP) treatment with the combination Melphalan, Prednison and Thalidomide (MPT) (HOVON 49 study). Patients with previous untreated multiple myeloma > 65 years of age with a stage IB or higher were candidates for this trial. Melphalan was given in a dose of 0.25 mg/kg and prednisone 1 mg/kg for 5 days every 4 weeks. Thalidomide was given daily in a dose of 200 mg.. A maximum of 8 cycles was planned. In case of ongoing improvement of response further therapy was allowed till a plateau phase was reached. When a good response and a plateau phase was reached the patients on MPT received maintenance therapy with Thalidomide 50 mg/day until disease progression. Responses were assessed using the IMWG criteria. The primary endpoint was Event Free Survival (EFS). Progression Free Survival (PFS), Overall Survival (OS) and Response Rate (RR) were secondary endpoints. The study was powered for 420 patients. However accrual decreased significantly after the publications of 2 other trials comparing MP with MPT. Therefor the HOVON monitoring board decided to stop the trial when 344 patients had been included. Results: 344 patients from 59 centers were registered. 11 patients were not eligible and 3 patients were excluded for lack of signed informed consent or insufficient data at the time of evaluation. The 333 remaining patients, had been randomized to MP (n=168)and MPT (n=165. The arms were well matched for age, sex, stage of the disease, performance status and type of M-protein. The best response on protocol with MPT was 66% (CR 2%, VGPR 28% and PR 36%) as compared to 47% with MP (CR 2%, VGPR 8% and PR 37%), respectively (p Toxicity: Grade 2,3 and 4 toxicity of any type was seen in 60% of the patients in the MP arm and in 88% of the MPT patients. This difference was mainly due to grade 2 and grade 3 neurotoxicity. No differences between the two arms were seen for other toxicities. Death during protocol treatment was 31% in the MP arm and 39% in de MPT arm. After three cycles only 36% of the patients used the full Thalidomide dose and after 6 cycles this was only 28%. Only one third of the patients received cycle 3 of Melphalan as planned according the protocol Conclusions: In this randomised phase III study the addition of Thalidomide to MP resulted in a significant better RR. The quality of the responses (number of VGPR and PFS after CR/PR) and time to response were in favour of MPT. EFS and PFS were significantly better in MPT treated patients. Thalidomide added significantly to the toxicity (mainly neurotoxicity) of the treatment. We were unable to confirm the positive effect with Thalidomide as part of front-line therapy on OS perhaps probably because a substantial number of the MP patients received Thalidomide as the second line therapy. Moreover the study might be underpowered due to premature stopping of the inclusion.

The randomised, open-label, phase III trial HOVON-50 was designed to evaluate whether the addition of Thalidomide to AD and HDM would prolong event-free survival (EFS) in patients with newly diagnosed MM. Patients with Salmon & Durie stage II or III, age 18–65 years inclusive were randomly assigned to arm A: 3 cycles of VAD or to arm B, the same regimen but with Thalidomide 200 orally, days 1–28 instead of Vincristine (TAD). Thalidomide was started at day 1 of the first TAD cycle and was stopped 2 weeks before stem cell mobilization was started. Patients in arm B received thrombosis prophylaxis consisting of subcutaneously Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH). Stem cells were mobilized using the CAD regimen, including cyclophosphamide 1000 mg/m2 iv day 1, and G-CSF. After induction therapy all patients were to receive 1 or 2 courses of high dose Melphalan (HDM) 200 mg/m2 with autologous stem cell rescue followed by maintenance therapy with ƒÑ-Interferon (3 „e 106 IU, thrice weekly, arm A) or Thalidomide 50 mg daily (arm B). Between November 27, 2001 and May 31, 2005, 556 patients were randomised of which 18 patients were not eligible, while from 2 patients data were incomplete. EFS was defined as time from randomisation to induction failure, progression, or death from any cause. Patients (n=109) who received a non-myeloablative allogeneic transplant after HDM 1 before progression, were censored at the date of allo-SCT; those patients were usually entered into the HOVON-54 trial. Both arms were comparable with regard to age, myeloma stage and prognostic factors. Best responses achieved on protocol were significantly higher in the patients randomized to thalidomide: Minimal PR rates were 87% and 79 % (pULN at diagnosis and higher ISS were identified as adverse prognostic factors for response and survival endpoints. Abnormalities of chromosome 13 as determined by FISH or conventional karyotyping had no prognostic impact. 96 patients (18%) went off protocol treatment without receiving HDM, mainly due to excessive toxicity (5 %), intercurrent death (4%) or ineligibility for further treatment (3%) comparable in both arms. IFN maintenance in 34% of patients of which 23 % stopped due to toxicity. Thalidomide maintenance started in 57% of patients in arm B of which 63% stopped due to toxicity Thalidomide resulted in significantly higher response rates and improved EFS and PFS. However, this did not translate into better overall survival