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Background Standard management in the UK for high-risk stage 1 nonseminoma germ cell tumours of the testis (NSGCTT) is two cycles of adjuvant bleomycin, etoposide (360 mg/m2), and cisplatin (BE360P) chemotherapy, or surveillance. Objective To test whether one cycle of BE500P achieves similar recurrence rates to two cycles of BE360P. Design, setting, and participants A total of 246 patients with vascular invasion–positive stage 1 NSGCTT or combined seminoma + NSGCTT were centrally registered in a single-arm prospective study. Intervention One cycle comprising bleomycin 30000 IU on days 1, 8, and 15, etoposide 165 mg/m2 on days 1–3, and cisplatin 50 mg/m2 on days 1–2, plus antibacterial and granulocyte colony stimulating factor prophylaxis. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis The primary endpoint was 2-yr malignant recurrence (MR); the aim was to exclude a rate of ≥5%. Participants had regular imaging and tumour marker (TM) assessment for 5 yr. Results and limitations The median follow-up was 49 mo (interquartile range 37–60). Ten patients with rising TMs at baseline were excluded. Four patients had MR at 6, 7, 13, and 27 mo; all received second-line chemotherapy and surgery and three remained recurrence-free at 5 yr. The 2-yr MR rate was 1.3% (95% confidence interval 0.3–3.7%). Three patients developed nonmalignant recurrences with localised teratoma differentiated, rendered disease-free after surgery. Grade 3–4 febrile neutropenia occurred in 6.8% of participants. Conclusions BE500P is safe and the 2-yr MR rate is consistent with that seen following two BE360P cycles. The 111 study is the largest prospective trial investigating one cycle of adjuvant BE500P in high-risk stage 1 NSGCTT. Adoption of one cycle of BE500P as standard would reduce overall exposure to chemotherapy in this young population. Patient summary Removing the testicle fails to cure many patients with high-risk primary testicular cancer since undetectable cancers are often present elsewhere. A standard additional treatment in Europe is two cycles of chemotherapy to eradicate these. This trial shows one cycle has few adverse effects and comparable outcomes to those seen with two cycles., Take Home Message The 111 trial aimed to exclude a 2-yr recurrence rate of >5% with adjuvant one cycle of bleomycin, etoposide (500 mg/m2), and cisplatin (BE500Px1) in stage 1, high-risk nonseminomatous germ cell testis tumours. This was achieved, with 1.3% malignant recurrences among 236 cases. BE500Px1 should replace BE360Px2 as standard care for such patients.

The workload pressure on medical oncologists will increase in the near future. There are no comprehensive data available about the current workload of medical oncologists in Europe. Here we report the European results of a global survey of the workload of medical oncologists.An online survey was distributed through a snowball method via national oncology societies to chemotherapy-prescribing physicians in 21 European countries. We compared the workload of medical oncologists in Eastern European countries (EECs) and Western European countries (WECs). The primary measure of workload was the annual number of new cancer patient consults seen per oncologist.In total, 495 oncologists from 16 European countries completed our survey: 100 from seven EECs and 395 from nine WECs. The median number of annual consults per medical oncologist was 225 in EECs compared with 175 in WECs (P 0.001). The proportion of medical oncologists seeing more than 300 consults/year was 35% (35/100) in EECs compared with 18% (68/395) in WECs. The median number of patients seen in a full day clinic was 25 in EECs and 15 in WECs (P 0.001). Eastern European medical oncologists reported spending a median of 25 min per new consultation compared with 45 min in WECs (P 0.001). The top two reported barriers in both EECs and WECs to patient care were high clinical volumes and insufficient time for reading.The clinical workload of medical oncologists in EECs was substantially higher than in WECs. European health policymakers and educators need to address existing disparities in the workload of medical oncologist, undertake plans for future workforce supply and consider alternative models of care.

Context Denosumab, an inhibitor of receptor activator of nuclear factor κ-B ligand, is an approved treatment of giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) in adults and “skeletally mature” adolescents. Safety concerns include oversuppression of bone remodelling, with risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) and atypical femur fractures during treatment in adults and rebound hypercalcemia after treatment cessation in children. To date, ONJ has never been reported in children or adolescents. Objectives To describe serious adverse effects during and following high-dose denosumab therapy in GCTB patients. Patients Two adolescents (14 and 15 years) and a young adult (40 years) received fixed-dose denosumab for GCTB for 1.3 to 4 years (cumulative dose, 47 to 98 mg/kg), which was stopped because of development of ONJ in one adolescent and bilateral femoral cortical stress reactions in the young adult. All three patients developed rebound hypercalcemia with acute kidney injury 5.5 to 7 months after denosumab cessation. Results The ONJ necessitated surgical debridement. Rebound hypercalcemia (serum calcium, 3.1 to 4.3 mmol/L) was unresponsive to hyperhydration alone, requiring repeated doses of calcitonin or intravenous bisphosphonate treatment. Hypercalcemia recurred in two patients within 4 weeks, with normal serum calcium profiles thereafter. All patients were naive to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, bisphosphonates, and corticosteroids and were metastases free, confirming the causative role of denosumab in these complications. Conclusion These suppression-release effects of high-dose denosumab on bone remodeling raise questions about safety of fixed dosing and treatment duration. In young people, weight-adjusted dosing and safety monitoring during and after antiresorptive therapy is required.

Background Capivasertib (AZD5363) is a potent selective oral inhibitor of all three isoforms of, the serine/threonine kinase, Akt. Akt inhibitors are anticipated to have maximal efficacy in combination with chemotherapy, targeted, or anti-hormonal drugs. The FAKTION trial investigated whether the addition of capivasertib to fulvestrant improved progression-free survival in patients with aromatase inhibitor resistant advanced breast cancer.Methods In this randomised, phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, postmenopausal women aged at least18 years with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0–2 and oestrogen receptor-positive,HER2-negative, metastatic or locally advanced inoperable breast cancer who had relapsed or progressed on an aromatase inhibitor were recruited from 19 UK centres. Enrolled participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive intramuscular fulvestrant 500 mg (day 1) every 28 days (plus a loading dose onday 15 of cycle 1) with either capivasertib 400 mg or matching placebo, orally twice daily on an intermittent weekly schedule of 4 days on and 3 days off (starting on cycle 1 day 15) until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, loss to follow-up, or withdrawal of consent. Treatment allocation was done using an interactive web-response system using a minimisation method (with a 20% random element) and the following stratification factors: measurable or non-measurable disease, primary or secondary aromatase inhibitor resistance, PIK3CA status, and PTEN status. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival with a one-sided alpha of 0·20. Analyses were done by intention to treat. All recruitment is complete, and the trial is in follow-up. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01992952.Findings Between March 16, 2015, and March 6, 2018, 183 patients were screened for eligibility, of whom 140 (76%) were eligible and were randomly assigned to receive fulvestrant plus capivasertib (n=69) or fulvestrant plus placebo (n=71). Median follow-up for progression-free survival was 4·9 months (IQR 1·6–11·6). At the time of primary analysis for progression-free survival, 112 progression-free survival events had occurred, 49 (71%) in 69 patients in the capivasertib group compared with 63 (89%) of 71 in the placebo group. Medianprogression-free survival was 10·3 months (95% CI 5·0–13·2) in the capivasertib group versus 4·8 months (95% CI 3·1–7·7) in the placebo group, giving an unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 0·58 (95% CI 0·39–0·84) in favour of thecapivasertib group (two-sided p=0·0044; one-sided log rank test p-0·0018). The most common grade 3–4 adverse events were hypertension (22 [32%] of 69 patients in the capivasertib group vs 17 [24%] of 71 in the placebo group), diarrhoea (10 [14%] vs 3 [4%]), rash (14 [20%] vs 0), infection (4 [5%] vs 2 [3%]), and fatigue (1 [1%] vs 3 [4%]). Serious adverse reactions occurred only in the capivasertib group, and were acute kidney injury (2), diarrhoea (3), rash (2), hyperglycaemia (1), loss of consciousness (1), sepsis (1), and vomiting (1). One death, due to atypical pulmonary infection, was assessed as possibly related to capivasertib treatment. One further death in the capivasertib group had an unknown cause; all remaining deaths in both groups were disease related.Interpretation Progression-free survival was significantly longer in participants who received capivasertib than in those who received placebo. The combination of capivasertib and fulvestrant warrants further investigation in phase 3 trials.

Objective Replying to germ cell tumour patients' needs, we implemented "Shared Community Follow-up"-a collaborative initiative, enabling remote delivery of specialist cancer care across large geographical areas. Blood, radiological investigations and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are completed remotely and integrated within the electronic patient records for specialist review without patients requiring appointments. We describe the service evaluation estimating the feasibility, safety and acceptability of this initiative versus traditional Standard Follow-up. Methods This cross-sectional evaluation estimated feasibility (uptake, adherence) and safety (via missed appointments, timeliness, cancellations) using routinely collected service process data. An acceptability questionnaire, evaluating patient satisfaction, was administered to 91 patients. Results The new service is feasible. Across 2 years (2014-2016), uptake increased 54% (N = 123 to N = 270) and only 4.8% (N = 13) of patients were non-adherent. Fewer missed/cancelled investigations (N = 39, 5.9% vs. N = 566, 85.5%), timelier investigations (seven vs. 14 timely investigations) and equal relapse detection suggest its safety. PROMs replaced 3 appointments/patient. Patients were as satisfied with both services (3.4/4 vs. 3.6/4). Conclusion New follow-up services, with investigations completed remotely and shared between community providers and cancer centres, offer an alternative to traditional appointments with advantages for patients and the National Health Service.

Background Pertuzumab combined with trastuzumab and docetaxel is the standard first-line therapy for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, based on results from the phase III CLEOPATRA trial. PERUSE was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of investigator-selected taxane with pertuzumab and trastuzumab in this setting. Patients and methods In the ongoing multicentre single-arm phase IIIb PERUSE study, patients with inoperable HER2-positive advanced breast cancer (locally recurrent/metastatic) (LR/MBC) and no prior systemic therapy for LR/MBC (except endocrine therapy) received docetaxel, paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel with trastuzumab [8mg/kg loading dose, then 6mg/kg every 3weeks (q3w)] and pertuzumab (840mg loading dose, then 420mg q3w) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary end point was safety. Secondary end points included overall response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results Overall, 1436 patients received at least one treatment dose (initially docetaxel in 775 patients, paclitaxel in 589, nab-paclitaxel in 65; 7 discontinued before starting taxane). Median age was 54years; 29% had received prior trastuzumab. Median treatment duration was 16months for pertuzumab and trastuzumab and 4months for taxane. Compared with docetaxel-containing therapy, paclitaxel-containing therapy was associated with more neuropathy (all-grade peripheral neuropathy 31% versus 16%) but less febrile neutropenia (1% versus 11%) and mucositis (14% versus 25%). At this preliminary analysis (52 months' median follow-up), median PFS was 20.6 [95% confidence interval (CI) 18.9–22.7] months overall (19.6, 23.0 and 18.1months with docetaxel, paclitaxel and nab-paclitaxel, respectively). ORR was 80% (95% CI 78%–82%) overall (docetaxel 79%, paclitaxel 83%, nab-paclitaxel 77%). Conclusions Preliminary findings from PERUSE suggest that the safety and efficacy of first-line pertuzumab, trastuzumab and taxane for HER2-positive LR/MBC are consistent with results from CLEOPATRA. Paclitaxel appears to be a valid alternative taxane backbone to docetaxel, offering similar PFS and ORR with a predictable safety profile. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01572038.

Bleomycin, a cytotoxic chemotherapy agent, forms a key component of curative regimens for lymphoma and germ cell tumours. It can be associated with severe toxicity, long-term complications and even death in extreme cases. There is a lack of evidence or consensus on how to prevent and monitor bleomycin toxicity. We surveyed 63 germ cell cancer physicians from 32 cancer centres across the UK to understand their approach to using bleomycin. Subsequent guideline development was based upon current practice, best available published evidence and expert consensus. We observed heterogeneity in practice in the following areas: monitoring; route of administration; contraindications to use; baseline and follow-up investigations performed, and advice given to patients. A best-practice clinical guideline for the use of bleomycin in the treatment of germ cell tumours has been developed and includes recommendations regarding baseline investigations, the use of pulmonary function tests, route of administration, monitoring and patient advice. It is likely that existing heterogeneity in clinical practice of bleomycin prescribing has significant economic, safety and patient experience implications. The development of an evidence-based consensus guideline was supported by 93% of survey participants and aims to address these issues and homogenise practice across the UK.

374 Background: Survival after orchiectomy in stage I seminoma is almost 100%. CT surveillance is an international standard of care, and avoids adjuvant therapy. In this young population, who are unlikely to die from testicular cancer, minimizing irradiation is vital. The Trial of Imaging and Surveillance in Seminoma Testis (TRISST, NCT00589537), assessed whether CTs can safely be reduced, or replaced with MRI, without an unacceptable increase in advanced relapses. Methods: TRISST is a phase III, multicenter, non-inferiority, factorial trial. Eligible men had undergone orchiectomy for stage I seminoma with no adjuvant therapy planned. Randomization was to: 7 CTs (6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 60 months (m) after randomization); 7 MRIs (same schedule); 3 CTs (6, 18, 36m); or 3 MRIs (same schedule). Follow-up was for 6 years. The primary outcome is 6-year incidence of RMH stage ≥IIC relapse, aiming to exclude an increase ≥5.7% (from 5.7% to 11.4%) with MRI (vs CT) or 3 scans (vs 7); target n=660, all contributing to both comparisons. Secondary outcomes include relapse ≥3cm, disease-free and overall survival (DFS, OS). Results: 669 men enrolled from 35 UK centers (2008-2014); mean tumor size 2.9cm, 358 (54%) were low risk (≤4cm, no rete testis invasion). Median follow-up was 72m. 82 (12%) patients relapsed. Incidence of stage ≥IIC relapse was low in all groups (n=10). More events occurred with 3 scans vs 7, though non-inferior based on design criteria: 9 (2.8%) vs 1 (0.3%), 2.5% increase, 90% CI 1.0% to 4.1% (intent-to-treat, ITT). 4/9 in 3-scan arms could potentially have been detected earlier with the 7-scan schedule. Fewer events occurred with MRI vs CT: 2 (0.6%) vs 8 (2.5%), 1.9% decrease, 90% CI -3.5% to -0.3% (ITT). Per protocol results were similar. Incidence of relapse ≥3cm was 3.7%; non-inferiority was shown for both comparisons. In all groups, most relapses were detected at scheduled imaging; very few occurred beyond 3 years (5 in 558 at risk

Adjuvant bisphosphonates improve disease outcomes in postmenopausal early breast cancer (EBC) but the long-term effects are poorly described. The AZURE trial (ISRCTN79831382) was designed to determine whether adjuvant zoledronic acid (ZOL) improves disease outcomes in EBC. Previous analyses showed no effect on overall outcomes but identified benefits in postmenopausal women. Here we present the long-term risks and benefits of adjuvant ZOL with 10-years follow-up. Patients and methods: 3360 patients with stage II/III breast cancer were included in an academic, international, phase III, randomized, open label trial. Patients were followed up on a regular schedule until 10 years. Patients were randomized on a 1:1 basis to standard adjuvant systemic therapy +/− intravenous ZOL 4 mg every 3–4 weeks x6, and then at reduced frequency to complete 5 years treatment. The primary outcome was disease free survival (DFS). Secondary outcomes included invasive DFS (IDFS), overall survival (OS), sites of recurrence, skeletal morbidity and treatment outcomes according to primary tumor amplification of the transcription factor, MAF. Pre-planned subgroup analyses focused on interactions between menopausal status and treatment effects. Results: With a median follow up of 117 months [IQR 70.4–120.4), DFS and IDFS were similar in both arms (HRDFS = 0.94, 95%CI = 0.84–1.06, p = 0.340; HRIDFS = 0.91, 95%CI = 0.82–1.02, p = 0.116). However, outcomes remain improved with ZOL in postmenopausal women (HRDFS = 0.82, 95%CI = 0.67–1.00; HRIDFS = 0.78, 95%CI = 0.64–0.94). In the 79% of tested women with a MAF FISH negative tumor, ZOL improved IDFS (HRIDFS = 0.75, 95%CI = 0.58–0.97) and OS HROS = 0.69, 95%CI = 0.50–0.94), irrespective of menopause. ZOL did not improve disease outcomes in MAF FISH + tumors. Bone metastases as a first DFS recurrence (BDFS) were reduced with ZOL (HRB-DFS = 0.76, 95%CI = 0.63–0.92, p = 0.005). ZOL reduced skeletal morbidity with fewer fractures and skeletal events after disease recurrence. 30 cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw in the ZOL arm (1.8%) have occurred. Conclusions: Disease benefits with adjuvant ZOL in postmenopausal early breast cancer persist at 10 years of follow-up. The biomarker MAF identified a patient subgroup that derived benefit from ZOL irrespective of menopausal status.

Background Bleomycin is an integral part of combination chemotherapy in germ cell tumours. Pulmonary toxicity often necessitates drug cessation and death occurs in 1%–2% of patients. A continuous infusion of bleomycin might reduce lung toxicity when compared with the conventional weekly boluses given as part of standard BEP chemotherapy. Patients and methods A phase 3 trial was conducted based on 212 men with IGCCCG good prognosis metastatic germ cell tumours with 1 : 1 randomization. They were stratified for age, smoking history and renal function. Patients received either conventional BEP with weekly bleomycin (30 000 units/week i.v. bolus) or as a 90 000 unit infusion on day 1 over 72 h. The primary endpoint was CT assessed lung toxicity, secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), changes in lung function testing and quality of life. Repeated measures mixed effects model was used to analyse the data. Results CT assessed lung toxicity for the infusional and conventional arm patients were respectively 80% versus 62% at the end of treatment and 54% versus 51% at 1-year post-treatment. There was no significant difference between the two arms for CT assessed lung toxicity (estimated regression coefficient=1.4, 95% CI: −0.36, 3.16). Older patients had higher toxicity (coefficient = 4.81, 95% CI: 3.04, 6.58). Lung toxicity increased after 1 cycle and peaked at end of treatment (P ≤ 0.002) and then declined. Lung function testing did not predict for subsequent lung damage. The median follow-up was 2.5 years. Two-year PFS rate (infusional: 93%, conventional: 94%; hazard ratio=0.91, 95% CI: 0.33, 2.52) was similar. Cough (P = 0.002) but not shortness of breath (P ≥ 0.09) was associated with bleomycin toxicity. Conclusions Infusional bleomycin has no advantage over standard administration. It supports abandoning routine pulmonary function testing, instead the presence of cough should be sought and the early use of CT scanning of the chest to evaluate potential lung toxicity is preferred.

As UK health professionals specialising in the drug treatment of cancer, we think that Wise’s analysis strays into the territory of unbalanced opinion.1 We welcome discussion of topics that we debate ourselves; his article is a useful counterpoint to the hyperbole we often see in the media around incremental improvements in treatment. But he conflates problems from different …

1005 Background: The PI3K/AKT signalling pathway is frequently activated in patients (pts) with estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer (ER+BC) and has been implicated in endocrine therapy resistance. Capivasertib (AZD5363) is a highly-selective, oral, small molecule AKT inhibitor. The FAKTION trial investigated the addition of capivasertib to fulvestrant for postmenopausal women with ER+ and HER2 negative BC after relapse or disease progression on an aromatase inhibitor (AI). Methods: FAKTION is an investigator-led, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised phase II trial. Patients were recruited from 21 UK sites and randomly assigned (1:1) to fulvestrant 500mg (day 1 and 15 of cycle 1 and day 1 only of subsequent 28 day cycles) with either capivasertib 400mg bd or placebo (4 days on/3 days off starting C1D15) until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal of consent. Allocation was balanced by minimisation according to PIK3CA mutation and PTEN expression status, measurable/non-measurable disease, and primary/secondary endocrine resistance. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). The trial had 90% power to detect a hazard ratio of 0.65 at the one-sided 20% significance level. Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), objective response and clinical benefit rates, safety and the effect of PI3K/Akt pathway activation on PFS. Results: Between Mar 2015 and Mar 2018, 140 pts were randomised to fulvestrant + capivasertib (n = 69) or fulvestrant + placebo (n = 71). In the Intention-to-treat analysis, after 112 events, median PFS was 10.3 months (m) for capivasertib compared to 4.8m for placebo (Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.57; 95% CI: 0.39 to 0.84; one-sided p = 0.0017; two-sided 0.0035). Fifty-two deaths were reported. Median OS was 26.0m for capivasertib compared to 20.0m for placebo, with a survival difference starting to emerge after 12m (HR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.34 to 1.05; two-sided p = 0.071). Toxicity data and subgroup analyses including relative capivasertib benefit by PI3K/Akt pathway alteration will be presented at the conference. Conclusions: The trial met its primary endpoint. Addition of capivasertib to fulvestrant for patients with endocrine resistant advanced breast cancer resulted in significantly longer PFS and an improvement in OS. The FAKTION results warrant further investigation of capivasertib for the treatment of ER positive breast cancer. Clinical trial information: NCT01992952.

This is the accepted manuscript. The final version is available at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/gcc.22131/abstract.

The Cancer Drugs Fund is a unique national fund that supports new therapies for malignant disease that would normally be unavailable through usual funding mechanisms. This article looks at the origins, the effectiveness and the future of the fund.

The impact of cancer on healthcare is increasing. Therefore, it is key that all doctors receive oncology training. This study surveyed UK undergraduate medical schools to determine the extent of oncology training provided by their curricula. Data on foundation year (FY) and core medical training (CMT) programmes were obtained and analysed for the proportion of oncology posts. Of the responding medical schools, five (36%) had a defined period dedicated to oncology (mean 2 weeks). Four foundation schools were in London, with 10,094 FY posts in 1699 programmes. Of these, 1.5% of post and 8.7% of programmes were in oncology. For CMT offered by the London deanery specialty schools, 11% of CMT post and 48% of programmes included oncology. Oncology was included in 11% posts and 48% programmes offered by the London Deanery specialty schools. Our results show that � 50% of junior doctors receive dedicated undergraduate or postgrad- uate oncology training. An increase in oncology training is therefore urgently required.

In the Association of Cancer Physicians’ (ACP’s) new strategy for medical oncology in the United Kingdom, we are taking a broad view of developments which will bring benefits to patients with cancer and identifying the contributions that we can make to achieving these goals. Our consultants and their teams have contributed substantially to improvements in cancer outcomes over the past 25 years. We are greatly encouraged that over 50% of UK cancer patients now survive their disease for 10 years or more. We are at a time not only of unprecedented acceleration of knowledge with regard to all aspects of cancer, but also of rapid change in terms of patient management and new therapies. To deliver better outcomes for patients, we must overcome challenges over the next decade, such as increased demand for cancer services and financial constraint in the NHS.\ud \ud The first version of the ACP strategy was published on 13 July 2015. This second version is prepared as an update to reflect the publication of the Report of the Independent Cancer Taskforce entitled ‘Achieving World-Class Cancer Outcomes. A Strategy for England 2015–2020’ [1]. We have also responded in this strategy to helpful meetings with the President and the Senior Officers of the Royal College of Physicians. These inputs, arising soon after the initial publication of our strategy, were felt by the ACP Executive to be of sufficient importance to justify bringing forward the annual update of our strategic document.

Purpose Initial results of a randomized trial comparing carboplatin with radiotherapy (RT) as adjuvant treatment for stage I seminoma found carboplatin had a noninferior relapse-free rate (RFR) and had reduced contralateral germ cell tumors (GCTs) in the short-term. Updated results with a median follow-up of 6.5 years are now reported. Patients and Methods Random assignment was between RT and one infusion of carboplatin dosed at 7 × (glomerular filtration rate + 25) on the basis of EDTA (n = 357) and 90% of this dose if determined on the basis of creatinine clearance (n = 202). The trial was powered to exclude a doubling in RFRs assuming a 96-97% 2-year RFR after radiotherapy (hazard ratio [HR], approximately 2.0). Results Overall, 1,447 patients were randomly assigned in a 3-to-5 ratio (carboplatin, n = 573; RT, n = 904). RFRs at 5 years were 94.7% for carboplatin and 96.0% for RT (RT-C 90% CI, 0.7% to 3.5%; HR, 1.25; 90% CI, 0.83 to 1.89). One death as a result of seminoma (in RT arm) occurred. Patients receiving at least 99% of the 7 × AUC dose had a 5-year RFR of 96.1% (95% CI, 93.4% to 97.7%) compared with 92.6% (95% CI, 88.0% to 95.5%) in those who received lower doses (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.24 to 1.07; P = .08). There was a clear reduction in the rate of contralateral GCTs (carboplatin, n = 2; RT, n = 15; HR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.95; P = .03), and elevated pretreatment follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels (> 12 IU/L) was a strong predictor (HR, 8.57; 95% CI, 1.82 to 40.38). Conclusion These updated results confirm the noninferiority of single dose carboplatin (at 7 × AUC dose) versus RT in terms of RFR and establish a statistically significant reduction in the medium term of risk of second GCT produced by this treatment.

11000Background: Development of cancer services in low and middle income countries (LMIC) is a challenge. The Medical Education, Training and Fellowship (METAF) program aims to improve early detect...

Aims To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a combination of intravenous vinorelbine and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) given by continuous infusion in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer previously treated with anthracyclines and taxanes. Materials and methods Sixty-one patients with metastatic breast cancer were treated with intravenous vinorelbine 30mg/m 2 on days 1 and 8 of each 21-day cycle together with 5-FU 200mg/m 2 /day by continuous infusion. All had previously been treated with an anthracycline and 41% had also been previously treated with a taxane. All had normal haematological, renal and hepatic function and all but three had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score of 2 or better. Results The overall response rate by World Health Organization criteria was 46% (28 patients); excluding nine non-evaluable patients gave a response rate of 54%. In patients who had previously been treated with both an anthracycline and a taxane, a response rate of 50% was observed (12 of 24 patients). Severe toxicity was uncommon, as was toxicity attributable to infusional 5-FU. Myelosuppression was rarely severe, but was common and led to delay or dose reduction in 38% of treatments. Eleven patients (18%) were admitted with fever and/or neutropenia and one patient died. The median received dose intensity was vinorelbine 16mg/m 2 /week and 5-FU 143mg/m 2 /day. Conclusions The combination of vinorelbine and infusional 5-FU is active in metastatic breast cancer, including in patients previously treated with an anthracycline and a taxane. Toxicity is generally manageable, but myelosuppression is significant at this dose regimen. Recommended doses for routine clinical use are 5-FU 200mg/m 2 /day and intravenous vinorelbine 30mg/m 2 days 1 and 15 on a 28-day cycle.

Objectives: The first consensus report presented by the European Germ Cell Cancer Consensus Group (EGCCCG) in the year 2004 has found widespread approval by many colleagues throughout the world. In November 2006, the group met a second time under the auspices of the Department of Urology of the Amsterdam Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Methods: Medical oncologists, urological surgeons, radiation oncologists as well as pathologists from several European countries reviewed and discussed the data that had emerged since the 2002 conference, and incorporated the new data into updated and revised guidelines. As for the first meeting, the methodology of evidence-based medicine (EBM) was applied. The results of the discussion were compiled by the writing committee. All participants have agreed to this final update. Results: The first part of the consensus paper describes the clinical presentation of the primary tumor, its treatment, the importance and treatment of testicular intraepithelial neoplasia (TIN), histological classification, staging and prognostic factors, and treatment of stage I seminoma and non-seminoma. Conclusions: Whereas the vast majority of the recommendations made in 2004 remain valid 3 yr later, refinements in the treatment of early- and advanced-stage testicular cancer have emerged from clinical trials. Despite technical improvements, expert clinical skills will continue to be one of the major determinants for the prognosis of patients with germ cell cancer. In addition, the particular needs of testicular cancer survivors have been acknowledged. (C) 2007 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

400 Background: The standard post-orchiectomy treatment for UK patients (pts.) presenting with high-risk stage 1 NSGCTT is 2 cycles of bleomycin, etoposide (360mg/m2) & cisplatin (BE360P) chemotherapy or surveillance with BEPx3 at recurrence. 111 (CRUK/09/011) investigates whether BE500P x1 would achieve recurrence rates similar to BE360P x2. Methods: Pts aged ≥16 yrs post-orchiectomy for vascular invasion positive stage 1 NSGCTT or combined seminoma + NSGCT, with normalised tumour markers, received 1 cycle of bleomycin30000IU day 1, 8 & 15, etoposide165mg/m2 day 1, 2 & 3, &cisplatin50mg/m2day 1 & 2. All pts received a prophylactic antibacterial & GCSF. Pts were assessed for tumour markers q2m, q3m, q4m in years (yrs) 1, 2, 3, respectively and q6m in yrs 4 & 5. CT scan of chest, abdo and pelvis was performed at 6, 12, 24 & 60months (m) with chest x-ray at other visits. Toxicity was assessed using NCI CTCAE v3. Recurrences were independently reviewed. A sample size of 236 pts excludes a 2-yr recurrence rate of ≥5% if ≤6 recurrences were observed (80% power, 5% α). Results: Between 18/2/2010 and 31/7/2014 246 pts. were recruited at 33 UK centres; 54% with NSGCTT, 46% with combined GCT. Median follow-up was 39.1m (IQR 30.0-50.8). Four patients had malignant recurrences at 5, 8, 12 and 27m. 2 yr recurrence rate in 236 treated pts = 1.3% (95% CI: 0.4 to 4.0%). All 4 pts with recurrences were treated with 2ndline chemotherapy +/- surgery, 3 are alive and free from disease, 1 died at 9m with refractory disease. In addition there were 3 non-malignant recurrences at 7, 10 and 13m with teratoma differentiated in retroperitoneal nodes (3, 4 and 4.4cm). All these pts are disease-free post RPLND surgery. 41% pts had grade 3-4 CTCAE at end of treatment (neutropenia: 31% and febrile neutropenia: 7%). The 2 yr overall survival is 99.2% (95% CI: 96.7, 99.8%). Conclusions: BE500P is safely deliverable & 2 yr recurrence rate is similar to that seen with 2 cycles BE360P. The adoption of BE500P x1 as standard would reduce overall exposure to chemotherapy in this young pt population. 111 is the biggest formal, prospective trial to date investigating adjuvant BEPx1 in high-risk stage 1 NSGCTT. Clinical trial information: ISRCTN37875250.

About one-half of all patients with testicular germ cell tumours present with a seminoma. Of these, about 85% present with stage I disease. Numerically, therefore, stage I seminoma makes up the most common patient group seen in testicular cancer clinics. Experience in the 1980s suggests that, without adjuvant treatment, about 15e20% of patients who are stage I at diagnosis relapse at some stage, usually within the subsequent 3 years, but potentially over a more extensive period of time. In the latter half of the 20th century these patients were traditionally managed with adjuvant radiotherapy to reduce this risk of relapse. Multiple studies have shown that after radiotherapy the overall risk of relapse lies between 2% and 4%. The traditional field includes radiotherapy to the para-aortic lymph nodes, renal hilar lymph nodes and the ipsilateral pelvic lymph nodes (‘dogleg’ field) to a dose of around 30 Gy in 2 Gy fractions. In the 1990s a series of trials led by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) clinical trials group showed that radiotherapy to just the para-aortic lymph nodes and to a dose of 20 Gy in 2 Gy fractions was sufficient [1,2]. However, over the last few years, this dominant role for adjuvant radiotherapy has been challenged by alternative treatment strategies and, in particular, the use of surveillance and adjuvant chemotherapy. A major driver for change has been increasing concern over the long-term toxicities of radiotherapy treatment in a young group of patients with an excellent long-term prognosis from their disease. A number of retrospective studies have suggested that patients treated by radiotherapy have an increased incidence of both leukaemia and solid malignancies. The best data probably come from an overview of populationbased tumour registries in Europe and North America initially published in 1997 and updated in 2005. This latter update includes data on over 40000 patients who have reported 2285 cases of subsequent solid cancer. For patients managed by radiotherapy alone, there was a relative risk of 2.0 (95% confidence interval 1.9e2.2) rising to 2.9 (95% confidence interval 1.9e4.2) in patients receiving combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The equivalent figure for patients receiving chemotherapy was relative risk 1.8 (confidence interval 1.3e2.5). For patients

Objective To establish whether the use of interferonalpha might result in improved survival, using two large series of patients with advanced renal cell cancer treated during studies of chemotherapy and biological therapy, respectively. Patients and methods Patients treated either in the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) chemotherapy protocols (327 patients) or in protocols employing interferon as part of a European randomized study or phase II studies at the Norwegian Radium Hospital (231 patients) were retrospectively analysed. Groups for comparison were matched by exclusion of those with an ECOG performance status >2, no prior nephrectomy, brain metastases or prior chemotherapy. Univariate analysis of prognostic factors for survival was performed by the log rank method and multivariate analysis by Cox regression. Results Univariate analysis of the whole population showed that performance status, time from diagnosis to treatment, sites of metastases and the use of interferon carried the greatest prognostic significance. In multivariate analysis, the use of interferon remained a significant predictor of survival (P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis suggested that the impact of interferon treatment was greatest in those patients with two of the following characteristics; good performance status, an interval of < 2 years from diagnosis to treatment and no more than one site of metastasis. Conclusion Although a prospective randomized trial is needed to establish definite benefit from the use of interferon in advanced renal cell cancer, this analysis supports the rationale for performing such a trial, particularly in patients with relatively good prognostic features. Patients should be entered into the Medical Research Council study comparing interferon with medroxyprogesterone acetate.

Background: \ud We used bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin (BEP), the most effective regimen in the treatment of germ cell tumours (GCTs) and increased dose-density by using pegfilgrastim to shorten cycle length. Our aim was to assess safety and tolerability.\ud \ud Methods: \ud Sixteen male patients with intermediate or poor prognosis metastatic GCT were treated with four cycles of 3-day BEP with G-CSF on a 14-day cycle for a planned relative dose-density of 1.5 compared with standard BEP.\ud \ud Results: \ud Eleven intermediate and five poor prognosis patients were treated. In all, 14 of 16 patients completed the study treatment. Toxicities were comparable to previous studies using standard BEP, except for mucositis and haematological toxicity that were more severe. The overall relative dose-density for all 16 patients was mean 1.38 (range 0.72–1.5; median 1.46). Complete response was achieved after chemotherapy alone in two patients (13%) and following chemotherapy plus surgery in nine additional patients (56%). Four patients (25%) had a partial response and normalised their marker levels. At a median follow-up of 4.4 years (range 2.1–6.8) the estimated 5-year progression-free survival probability is 81% (95% CI 64–100%).\ud \ud Conclusion: \ud Accelerated BEP is tolerable without major additional toxicity. A randomised controlled trial will be required to obtain comparative efficacy data.

Background From July 1, 1989, through March 31, 2001, 2466 patients with stage I seminoma were evaluated in three randomized noninferiority trials: the TE10, TE18, and TE19 trials. We analyzed mature results of these studies. Methods The TE10 trial randomly assigned 478 patients to para-aortic and ipsilateral iliac lymph node (dogleg field) or para-aortic only radiation therapy (total dose = 30 Gy). The TE18 trial randomly assigned 1094 patients to a total dose of 30 or 20 Gy of radiation therapy, predominantly to a para-aortic field. The TE19 trial randomly assigned 1477 patients to radiation therapy or a single injection of carboplatin at a dose of seven times the area under the curve. Time to relapse was determined from Kaplan-Meier curves, and such data were compared by use of Cox regression models. Noninferiority in TE18 and TE19 required the upper limit of the 90% confidence intervals (CIs) (reflecting the one-sided test for noninferiority at a 5% statistical significance level) to exclude a hazard ratio (HR) of greater than 2.0 and a doubling of the 5-year relapse rates observed in the control arm. The TE10 trial was not powered to exclude clinically relevant differences in overall relapse rates but was assessed against the same criteria. Results Median follow-up times were 6.4-12 years in the three trials. We identified the noninferiority of the following treatments: 20 Gy of radiation therapy in the TE18 trial (HR of relapse = 0.63, 90% CI = 0.38 to 1.04) and carboplatin in the TE19 trial (HR of relapse = 1.25, 90% CI = 0.83 to 1.89). Para-aortic radiation therapy in the TE10 trial was associated with a hazard ratio of relapse of 1.15 (90% CI = 0.54 to 2.44). Relapse occurred after 3 years in only four (0.2%) of all 2466 patients. Computed tomography scans had little impact on the detection of relapse after radiation therapy; seven of the 904 patients allocated radiation therapy in TE19 had a relapse detected by this method. Conclusion This large and mature dataset from three randomized trials has provided support for the use of either radiation therapy or carboplatin therapy as adjuvant treatment for stage I seminoma.

Introduction We present a case of nonseminomatous germ cell tumor of the testes with acute urinary retention secondary to urethral metastasis. This presentation, and similar cases of urethral metastasis from this tumor, have not been reported previously. Case presentation A 35-year-old Caucasian man presented to hospital with a history of acute urinary retention. On examination he was found to have right testicular enlargement with raised β-human chorionic gonadotrophin, serum α-fetoprotein and lactate dehydrogenase levels. He underwent radical left inguinal orchidectomy and histology confirmed a nonseminomatous germ cell tumor of the testes. Cystoscopy carried out due to urinary retention showed penile metastasis and the biopsy confirmed metastatic malignant undifferentiated teratoma. Staging computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis showed pulmonary, pelvic nodal, ischial and penile metastasis. The diagnosis of the International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group of poor prognosis metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumor was made, following which he received four cycles of bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin chemotherapy with curative intent. He had a complete marker and an excellent radiological response. He is currently under follow up. Conclusion The unusual presentation of lymphovascular spread in this case of nonseminomatous germ cell tumor highlights the need to include routine pelvic imaging in the assessment and follow up of testicular cancer.

A study of 32 patients receiving cyclophosphamide (CY) and verapamil (VER) in addition to the drug combination vincristine, adriamycin and methyl prednisolone (VAMP) was made in which the clinical response and growth of clonogenic myeloma cells (MY-CFUc) from bone marrow aspirates were compared. At presentation, MY-CFUc were grown from 72 per cent (23/32) of the patients. After treatment with CY-VAMP or VERCY-VAMP, MY-CFUc were grown from 25 per cent (8/32) of patients of whom only 50 per cent responded clinically. The overall clinical response rate for patients receiving CY-VAMP and VERCY-VAMP was 64 per cent (9/14) and 72 per cent (13/18) respectively of whom 14 per cent in each group achieved complete remission. There was no concomitant increase in normal tissue toxicity as measured by granulocyte-macrophage colony (GM-CFUc) formation. Comparison of these data with our previous study of patients receiving VAMP alone, suggests that the addition of CY to the regimen may increase the tumour cell kill. Further clinical studies will determine whether there is a significant increase in the complete remission rate.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience of high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) with haematopoietic stem-cell support (HSC) in patients with poor risk, relapsed or refractory germ cell tumours (GCTs), as this treatment might offer effective salvage for patients with disseminated GCTs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and database for 33 patients with GCT who were treated with HDC with HSC in our centres. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were treated with either one or two cycles of carboplatin and etoposide-based HDC with HSC support, between March 1990 and October 2003. Twenty-six patients (79%) had nonseminomatous GCT, six seminoma (18%), and one (3%) a combined seminoma and teratoma. Twenty patients (60%) had previously had a clinical complete response after previous chemotherapy +/- surgery for residual disease. Most patients were treated with HDC for relapsing (49%) or relative refractory disease (30%), but seven (21%) had HDC in the first partial remission. The complete response rate to HDC was 58%. There were two treatment-related deaths (6%). As of April 2005, 18 patients were alive and disease-free with a median (range) follow-up of 72 (0.5-174) months. The 5-year overall and progression-free survival probabilities were 57% and 56%, respectively. The median (range) times to absolute neutrophil count recovery (> or = 500/microL) were 13 (9-24) and 12 (10-15) days, and for platelet count recovery ( > or = 20,000/microL) were 16 (7-50) and 13 (11-17) days, in the first and second cycles, respectively. CONCLUSION: The role of HDC with HSC support in metastatic GCTs remains controversial, and data from randomized controlled trials are needed. Our experience suggests that, in selected patients, this approach might be a useful form of salvage therapy.

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant radiotherapy is effective treatment for stage I seminoma, but is associated with a risk of late non-germ-cell cancer and cardiovascular events. After good results in initial studies with one injection of carboplatin, we undertook a large randomised trial to compare the approaches of radiotherapy with chemotherapy in seminoma treatment. METHODS: Between 1996 and 2001, 1477 patients from 70 hospitals in 14 countries were randomly assigned to receive radiotherapy (para-aortic strip or dog-leg field; n=904) or one injection of carboplatin (n=573; dose based on the formula 7x[glomerular filtration rate+25] mg), at two trial centres in the UK and Belgium. The primary outcome measure was the relapse-free rate, with the trial powered to exclude absolute differences in 2-year rates of more than 3%. Analysis was by intention to treat and per protocol. This trial has been assigned the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number ISRCTN27163214. FINDINGS: 885 and 560 patients received radiotherapy and carboplatin, respectively. With a median follow-up of 4 years (IQR 3.0-4.9), relapse-free survival rates for radiotherapy and carboplatin were similar (96.7% [95% CI 95.3-97.7] vs 97.7% [96.0-98.6] at 2 years; 95.9% [94.4-97.1] vs 94.8% [92.5-96.4] at 3 years, respectively; hazard ratio 1.28 [90% CI 0.85-1.93], p=0.32). At 2 years' follow-up, the absolute differences in relapse-free rates (radiotherapy-chemotherapy) were -1.0% (90% CI -2.5 to 0.5) by direct comparison of proportions, and 0.9% (-0.5 to 3.0) by a hazard-ratio-based approach. Patients given carboplatin were less lethargic and less likely to take time off work than those given radiotherapy. New, second primary testicular germ-cell tumours were reported in ten patients allocated irradiation (all after para-aortic strip field) and two allocated carboplatin (5-year event rate 1.96% [95% CI 1.0-3.8] vs 0.54% [0.1-2.1], p=0.04). One seminoma-related death occurred after radiotherapy and none after carboplatin. INTERPRETATION: This trial has shown the non-inferiority of carboplatin to radiotherapy in the treatment of stage I seminoma. Although the absence of disease-related deaths and preliminary data indicating fewer second primary testicular germ-cell tumours favour carboplatin use, these findings need to be confirmed beyond 4 years' follow-up

We report the final results of a prospectively randomized study that compared the combination of epirubicin, cisplatin and protracted venous infusion fluorouracil (5-FU) (ECF regimen) with the standard combination of 5-FU, doxorubicin and methotrexate (FAMTX) in previously untreated patients with advanced oesophagogastric cancer. Between 1992 and 1995, 274 patients with adenocarcinoma or undifferentiated carcinoma were randomized from eight oncology centres in the UK and analysed for response and survival. The overall response rate was 46% (95% confidence interval (CI), 37–55%) with ECF, and 21% (95% CI, 13–28%) with FAMTX (P = 0.00003). The median survival was 8.7 months with ECF and 6.1 months with FAMTX (P = 0.0005). The 2-year survival rates were 14% (95% CI, 8–20%) for the ECF arm, and 5% (95% CI, 2–10%) for the FAMTX arm (P = 0.03). Histologically complete surgical resection following chemotherapy was achieved in ten patients in the ECF arm (three pathological complete responses to chemotherapy) and three patients in the FAMTX arm (no pathological complete responses). The ECF regimen resulted in a response and survival advantage compared with FAMTX chemotherapy. The probability of long-term survival following surgical resection of residual disease is increased by this treatment. The high response rates seen with ECF support its use in the neoadjuvant setting. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaign

The combination of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) has reported activity in the treatment of advanced colorectal carcinoma. Laboratory studies of IFN-beta suggest that this agent may offer theoretical advantages over IFN-alpha in combination with 5-FU. A total of 27 patients with advanced or recurrent colorectal carcinoma were treated in a non-randomized open phase II study with a combination of 5-fluorouracil (750 mg m(-1) daily for 5 days as a continuous intravenous (i.v.) infusion followed, from day 15, by i.v. bolus 750 mg m(-2) every 7 days) and recombinant interferon-beta [r-hIFN-beta-1a; 9 MIU (total dose) by subcutaneous injection from day 1 on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday throughout the treatment period]. Toxicity was less than that seen with this schedule of 5-FU in combination with IFN-alpha. Among 21 evaluable patients, four objective responses were seen. Recombinant human interferon-beta-1a in combination with 5-FU is an acceptable regimen in terms of toxicity. However, the study did not demonstrate a superior response rate when compared with previous reports of treatment with 5-FU alone or in combination with IFN-alpha.

4535 Background: Bleomycin is an integral part of combination chemotherapy in germ cell tumours. Pulmonary symptoms often dictate drug cessation and death occurs in 1-2% of patients. Circumstantial evidence suggests that continuous infusion may be less toxic. Methods: We conducted a randomized phase 3 study to see whether infusional bleomycin was associated with less pulmonary toxicity. Patients were stratified for smoking, renal dysfunction and age and were randomized to receive either conventional BEP with weekly bleomycin (3,0000 units /week iv over 30min) or the same doses but administered as a 90,000 unit infusion on day 1 over 72 hours. The primary endpoint was CT proven lung toxicity, secondary endpoints included PFS and changes in lung function testing. CT scans and lung function testing were conducted after 1 cycle, end of treatment and 1 year post treatment. Sample size of 210 was calculated to detect a difference of 16% Bleomycin damage with 80% power at the 5% level of significance using 2-sided test. Results: The median follow-up was 2.5 years. At day 21 of the treatment, 52% patients in the infusional arm had grade 1 or above toxicity compared to 55% in the conventional. At the end of treatment the results were 84% vs. 60% and at one year it was 65% vs. 59%. Repeated measures mixed effects model shows no significant difference in percentage of grade 1 and above toxicity between the two arms (Difference=1.63, P=0.09, 95% CI: -0.28, 3.54). However, there was a significantly higher level of grade 2 and above toxicity in patients in the infusion arm (difference=0.8; 95% CI 0.11 to 1.49). Toxicity level was the highest at the end of treatment and in older patients (Age>30). Lung function testing between the two arms failed to show any differences. Two-years PFS rate was 93% in both arms (hazard ratio infusion vs conventional was 0.91; 95% CI 0.33 to 2.52). There was an association between toxicity after 1 cycle and subsequent toxicity at end of treatment and at 1 year (p=0.003). Conclusions: Infusional bleomycin has no advantage over standard administration of bleomycin. Clinical trial information: 08648791.

Background : Circulating tumour cells in the peripheral blood may be important for haematogenous spread of disease. The detection of these cells may therefore be a poor prognostic indicator. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of target tumour-specific protein expression has been used as a sensitive and specific method for the detection of these tumour cells. Initial reports by our laboratory and others suggested RT-PCR amplification of the enzyme tyrosinase is a useful method for detection of melanoma cells in peripheral blood [1-3]. Patients and methods : In this report, we have evaluated the application of RT-PCR for tyrosinase mRNA as a detection method for melanoma cells in a series of 24 patients with advanced, metastatic malignant melanoma. A single round RT-PCR method is described. Results : The single round RT-PCR was as sensitive as previously described nested PCR methods, and had the advantage of reduced contamination risks. Blood samples from three out of the twenty-four patients were positive. Conclusions : The frequency of tumour cell detection in peripheral blood from patients with advanced disease was lower than previously reported. It may be only small numbers of circulating tumour cells are present at any one time in the peripheral blood of patients with malignant melanoma. If this is the case increased sampling will improve detection frequency. Alternatively, dissemination of melanoma through peripheral blood may be a rare event. In our experience, RT-PCR for tyrosinase mRNA as a staging test for melanoma patients must be interpreted cautiously.

Testicular cancer is unlikely to be discovered through self examination.1 Self examination does, however, increase awareness of the disease in men and their partners, lessen the stigma and fear of presentation, and ensure that most patients present with surgically curable (stage I) disease. Most stage I patients can be managed by surveillance, with chemotherapy reserved for the small proportion …

e15011 Background: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) permits shorter cycle intervals and increased dose density with potential for improved therapeutic ratio. We report a phase II study...

4520 Background: High risk stage I NSGCT is characterised by vascular or lymphatic invasion within the primary tumour. This group comprises ∼50% of stage I pts with, (untreated) a relapse rate of 35–40%. Options for the management of such pts include adjuvant chemotherapy, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (± adjuvant chemotherapy) and surveillance, each achieving similarly high cure rates. An FDG PET scan may be able to aid discrimination between pts without occult metastatic disease, for whom surveillance is an attractive option, and those requiring immediate therapy. Methods: High risk (vascular invasion +ve) CS1 NSGCT pts underwent FDG PET scanning within ∼8 weeks of orchidectomy. PET+ve pts went off study, PET -ve pts were followed on surveillance. The primary outcome measure was the -ve predictive value of PET, defined as the 2-year relapse-free rate (RFR) in pts with a negative PET scan. Assuming a RFR of ∼90%, to exclude a RFR < 80% with 80% power (5% significance), ∼100 PET negative pts were required from ∼135 scanned pts. All baseline CT scans were subject to central review blinded to PET result and relapse status and, in relapsed pts, a retrospective comparison of the CT and PET scan results. Results: Pts were registered between 5/02 and 1/05, when the trial was stopped early by the independent Data Monitoring Committee due to an unacceptably high relapse rate in the PET-ve pts. 116 pts were registered of whom 111 underwent PET scans. 88 pts (79%) were PET-ve; 87 proceeded to surveillance and one requested adjuvant chemotherapy. With median follow-up of 11 months, 33 of the 87 pts on surveillance relapsed for a one-year relapse-free rate of 63% 90% CI (54%, 72%). The PET +ve/relapse rate was 69% in patients with normal markers pre-orchidectomy (n = 36) and 41% in those with raised markers (n = 66). There has been one death (suicide) amongst the PET -ve pts. The radiology and PET scan review will be completed by May 2006. Conclusions: Though PET identified a proportion of pts with disease not detected by CT scan the relapse rate amongst PET -ve pts remains high. The study results therefore suggest that 18FDG PET scanning is not able to identify pts at sufficiently low risk of relapse to replace other treatment options in this setting. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

PURPOSE Phase II studies have shown that the combination of interferon alfa-2b (IFN) and fluorouracil (5-FU) is active in patients with metastatic colon cancer. This study was designed to investigate whether treatment with the combination of IFN and 5-FU could improve the response rate, duration of response, or survival compared with treatment with 5-FU alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with histologically confirmed advanced colorectal cancer were randomized to receive 5-FU 750 mg/m2/d by continuous infusion for 5 consecutive days followed by weekly bolus 5-FU 750 mg/m2 either with or without IFN 10 MU subcutaneously three times weekly. Treatment was continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity for up to 12 months. RESULTS Radiologic response was observed in 26 of 106 assessable patients (25%): 10 of 52 (19%) in the group that received 5-FU plus IFN (all partial responses [PRs]) and 16 of 54 (30%) in the 5-FU-alone group (three complete responses [CRs] and 13 PRs) (P = .21). There was similarly no significant difference between the two groups in progression-free survival (median, 3 months), 1-year survival, or overall survival (median, 8 months). However, patients who received IFN did experience significantly more toxicity in the form of leukopenia (P = .013), lymphopenia (P = .01), depression (P = .014), and alopecia (P = .002), and were significantly more likely to be withdrawn due to adverse events (P = .003). There were four toxic deaths, all of which occurred in patients who had received IFN. CONCLUSION At the doses and schedules used in this study, IFN affords no benefit to 5-FU in terms of response and survival and significantly increases toxicity for patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE We report the results of a prospectively randomized study that compared the combination of epirubicin, cisplatin, and protracted venous infusion fluorouracil (5-FU) (ECF regimen) with the standard combination of 5-FU, doxorubicin, and methotrexate (FAMTX) in previously untreated patients with advanced esophagogastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Two hundred seventy-four patients with adenocarcinoma or undifferentiated carcinoma were randomized and analyzed for survival, tumor response, toxicity, and quality of life (QL). RESULTS The overall response rate was 45% (95% confidence interval [CI], 36% to 54%) with ECF and 21% (95% CI, 13% to 29%) with FAMTX (P = .0002). Toxicity was tolerable and there were only three toxic deaths. The FAMTX regimen caused more hematologic toxicity and serious infections, but ECF caused more emesis and alopecia. The median survival duration was 8.9 months with ECF and 5.7 months with FAMTX (P = .0009); at 1 year, 36% (95% CI, 27% to 45%) of ECF and 21% (95% CI, 14% to 29%) of FAMTX patients were alive. The median failure-free survival duration was 7.4 months with ECF and 3.4 months with FAMTX (P = .00006). The global QL scores were better for ECF at 24 weeks, but the remaining QL data showed no differences between either arm of the study. Hospital-based cost analysis on a subset of patients was similar for each arm and translated into an increment cost of $975 per life-year gained. CONCLUSION The ECF regimen results in a survival and response advantage, tolerable toxicity, better QL and cost-effectiveness compared with FAMTX chemotherapy. This regimen should now be considered the standard treatment for advanced esophagogastric cancer.

Stage I seminoma accounts for 40e45% of testicular cancers [1,2], 800e900 UK cases annually [3]. After orchidectomy, care includes one of three main options: adjuvant chemotherapy (one to two cycles of carboplatin), para-aortic radiotherapy or, as more than 80% of patients are cured by surgery [4,5], surveillance incorporating regular imaging. Relapse rates after adjuvant therapy are about 4e5% [6]. However, salvage therapy is highly effective and causespecific survival approaches 100%, irrespective of initial management [7]. Given such excellent prospects, and the young age of patients, long-term implications and risks must be considered. Avoidance of treatment side-effects through the use of surveillance may be a sensible and safe approach. Here we consider current evidence regarding the efficacy and potential risks of these management options. Based on surveys of UK oncologists treating testis cancer patients in 2005 and 2009,we assess currentmanagement practices and trends over time. We highlight the limitations of evidence relating to optimal surveillance strategies and the resultant variation in practice. Finally, we introduce an ongoing Medical Research Council (MRC) randomised controlled trial (RCT), the Trial of Imaging and Schedule in Seminoma Testis (TRISST), designed to address knowledge gaps and pave the way for a standardised approach.

Objective To confirm the activity and evaluate the toxicity of the combination of subcutaneous interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) with intravenous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in patients with advanced and recurrent renal carcinoma and of performance status 0-2. Additionally, to examine protease, complement and neutrophil activation as potential mediators of IL-2 toxicity. Patients and methods Fifty-five patients were treated in an 8-week cycle with IFN-alpha (6 MU/m2 on day 1 in weeks 1 and 4 and thrice weekly in weeks 2-3, and 9 MU/m2 thrice weekly in weeks 5-8) IL-2 (20 MU/m2 on days 3-5 in weeks 1 and 4 and 5 MU/m2 thrice weekly in weeks 2-3) and 5-FU (750 mg/m2 on day 1 of weeks 5-8). Patients responding to the first cycle were eligible to continue with further cycles. Toxicity and effects on quality of life were assessed using World Health Organization criteria and the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Serum levels of C3a, prekallikrein and elastase-alpha 1 proteinase inhibitor (elastase-alpha 1-antitrypsin) were assayed in a subset of patients before, during and after the administration of high-dose IL-2 in week 1. Results There were partial remissions in nine patients, with responses in 24% (95% CI 10-38%) of evaluable patients and 16% of all patients. Amongst 25 evaluable patients who had undergone nephrectomy, the response rate was 32% (95% CI 14-50%), whereas there was only one response amongst 22 patients who had not undergone nephrectomy. The median survival for patients with stable disease or partial remission exceeded 22 months. Outcome and survival were related to performance status, number of sites of metastases and nephrectomy. This group of patients was of relatively poor performance status and 18 patients (36%) failed to complete one 8-week treatment cycle. Cardiovascular and renal toxicities were less than those seen with intravenous IL-2 schedules but 44% of patients experienced at least one grade III toxicity and only 14% reported less than two grade II toxicities. Plasma levels of elastase-alpha 1 proteinase inhibitor exceeded the normal range in three of seven patients tested before treatment and increased in all seven patients after treatment with IL-2. The same three patients had raised levels of C3a before treatment and in all patients examined, C3a increased after treatment with IL-2. In contrast, plasma prekallikrein concentrations were below normal before treatment and decreased further afterwards. Conclusions This study confirms the activity of this regimen in patients of good performance status, with limited sites of disease and in those who are fit for nephrectomy, but also showed that treatment was associated with considerable toxicity. The administration of IL-2 is associated with protease activation which may be a suitable target for pharmacological intervention in attempts to ameliorate toxicity.