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ObjectivesCancer treatment has become increasingly successful. However, prolonging and preserving life has become an important goal of therapy since many patients generally receive palliative chemotherapy. The perception of life changes when patients are informed, that no curative treatment is possible. This raises new dilemmas for patients with incurable cancer, but only sparse information is available about the thoughts of these patients.The aim of this study was to explore how older patients experience the information on absence of curative treatment options.MethodsQualitative interviews were performed in eleven older patients with incurable upper gastrointestinal cancer receiving first-line palliative chemotherapy. Median age was 74 (65–76) years. We used a qualitative approach to collect data through semistructured individual interviews conducted at the hospital or by telephone interviews by an experienced researcher. The thematic analysis was conveyed by Braun and Clarke.ResultsThe interview findings were grouped around three main themes: hope of being cured, hearing but not comprehending, and desired milestones to reach. Further, it was determined that patients hid their feelings and avoided talking about the disease with the health professionals due to fear of being told the truth.ConclusionsReceiving information about their incurable cancer was an ongoing dilemma for the patients. Following the message, patients shared thoughts about reaching important milestones in life, spending time with their family or hope for a cure to be found.

PURPOSE: Gemcitabine has been standard of care in advanced pancreatic adenocarcinomas (PC) for almost two decades. Randomized, primarily Japanese, studies have shown promising efficacy when combined with S-1 (GemS-1); however, no data are published in Caucasian patients. We report the first study with a combination of GemS-1 in an unselected cohort of Caucasian PC patients.METHODS: In this observational cohort study, we analyzed efficacy and toxicity prospectively.RESULTS: From July 2012 to July 2014, 64 patients received at least one cycle of GemS-1. 16 patients started therapy with gemcitabine and capecitabine (GemCap) but switched to GemS-1 after median 3 cycles of GemCap due to toxicity (hand-foot syndrome). 48 patients received GemS-1 as initial therapy. For the complete cohort, median age was 68 years (range 44-80); 22 patients (34%) had locally advanced PC; 42 patients (66%) had metastatic disease. Five patients had received prior adjuvant therapy with gemcitabine and 9 pts had received prior first-line therapy. The most common adverse event was fatigue (86%), however, only grade 3 in 3%. Five patients (8%) developed febrile neutropenia. Median PFS was 8.1 (95% CI 6.9-9.0) months and median OS was 11.7 (95% CI 10.7-13.1) months in the whole GemS-1 population. In the 48 patients starting with GemS-1, median PFS was 7.7 (95% CI 6.7-8.9) months and median OS was 11.5 (95% CI 9.7-12.3) months.CONCLUSIONS: The combination of gemcitabine and S-1 is safe and associated with promising efficacy in a Caucasian population; however, this needs to be confirmed in prospective clinical trials.

Quality of life data from randomized trials are lacking in older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). In the randomized NORDIC9-study, reduced-dose S1+oxaliplatin (SOx) showed superior efficacy compared to full-dose S1 monotherapy. We hypothesized that treatment with SOx does not result in inferior quality of life. Patients with mCRC aged ≥70 years and that were not a candidate for standard combination chemotherapy were included and randomly assigned to receive either S1 or SOx. The EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire was completed at baseline, after 9, and 18 weeks. The primary endpoint was global Quality of Life (QoL) at 9 weeks. For statistical analysis, a non-inferiority design was chosen applying linear mixed effects models for repeated measurements. The results were interpreted according to statistical significance and anchor-based, clinically relevant between-group minimally important differences (MID). A total of 160 patients aged (median (Interquartile range (IQR))) 78 years (76-81) were included. The QLQ-C30 questionnaire was completed by 150, 100, and 60 patients at baseline, at 9, and 18 weeks, respectively. The difference at 9 weeks in global QoL was 6.85 (95%CI-1.94; 15.65) and 7.37 (0.70; 14.05) in the physical functioning domain in favor of SOx exceeding the threshold for MID. At 18 weeks, the between-group MID in physical functioning was preserved. Dose-reduced combination chemotherapy may be recommended in vulnerable older patients with mCRC, rather than full-dose monotherapy.

Background Trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI, also known as TAS-102) prolongs OS in patients with chemorefractory mCRC. Inspired by the results of C-TASK FORCE (Kuboki 2017), we designed an investigator-initiated randomized trial in the last setting in mCRC patients demonstrating improved PFS and OS in patients receiving bevazicumab combined with TAS-102 as compared to patients treated with TAS-102 alone (Pfeiffer WCGI 2019). In the last line setting half of patients will not benefit from therapy as they have PD at the first evaluation performed after 2 months of therapy. In the present study we included an early response evaluation after 1 month of therapy aiming to identify patients not having any effect of therapy. In addition, we evaluated plasma CEA as a marker of response. Methods The main inclusion criteria were: histologically confirmed and chemo-refractory mCRC; PD during or after therapy with FU, irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and EGFR-inhibitor (RASwt); prior treatment with bevacizumab was allowed; PS 0-1. In arm A: FTD/TPI 35 mg/m²/dose bid from days 1-5 and 8-12; in arm B the same dose of FTD/TPI with bevacizumab (5 mg/kg), days 1 and 15 of a 28-day cycle. Response evaluation performed during treatment at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and every 8 weeks thereafter. CEA was tested at baseline and at every 2. cycle. Results 93 patients with chemo-refractory mCRC were randomized from Sep. 2017 to Oct. 2018. The median PFS was significantly improved from 2.6 months (arm A) to 4.6 months (arm B) with a HR 0.45 (95% CI, 0.29-0.72; P = 0.001). Median OS was significantly prolonged from 6.7 months (arm A) to 9.4 months (arm B) with HR 0.55 (95% CI, 0.32-0.94; P = 0.03) (Pfeiffer WCGI 2019). Sub-group analyses including predictive markers for early progression will presented. Conclusions FTD/TPI in combination with bevacizumab prolong PFS and OS and is a new option in patients with chemo-refractory mCRC. Predictive markers for early progression are ongoing and will be presented. Clinical trial identification 2016-005241-23. Legal entity responsible for the study Per Pfeiffer. Funding Servier. Disclosure C. Qvortrup: Research grant / Funding (institution): Servier. P. Pfeiffer: Research grant / Funding (institution): Servier; Research grant / Funding (institution): Merck. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

BACKGROUND: TAS-102 (trifluridine-tipiracil) has shown a significant overall survival benefit compared with placebo in patients with chemorefractory metastatic colorectal cancer. Inspired by the encouraging results of a small phase 1-2 study, C-TASK FORCE, which evaluated the combination of TAS-102 plus bevacizumab in patients with chemorefractory metastatic colorectal cancer, we aimed to compare the efficacy of TAS-102 plus bevacizumab versus TAS-102 monotherapy in patients receiving refractory therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer .METHODS: This investigator-initiated, open-label, randomised, phase 2 study enrolled patients (aged ≥18 years) with metastatic colorectal from four cancer centres in Denmark. The main inclusion criteria were histopathologically confirmed metastatic colorectal cancer refractory or intolerant to a fluoropyrimidine, irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and cetuximab or panitumumab (only for RAS wild-type), and WHO performance status of 0 or 1. Previous therapy with bevacizumab, aflibercept, ramucirumab, or regorafenib was allowed but not mandatory. Participants were enrolled and randomly assigned (1:1) in block sizes of two, four, or six by a web-based tool to receive oral TAS-102 (35 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1-5 and 8-12 every 28 days) alone or combined with intravenous bevacizumab (5 mg/kg on days 1 and 15) until progression, unacceptable toxicity, or patient decision to withdraw. Treatment assignment was not masked, and randomisation was stratified by institution and RAS mutation status. The primary endpoint was investigator-evaluated progression-free survival. All analyses were based on intention to treat. This trial is registered with EudraCT, 2016-005241-23.FINDINGS: From Aug 24, 2017, to Oct 31, 2018, 93 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to TAS-102 (n=47) or TAS-102 plus bevacizumab (n=46). The clinical cut-off date was Feb 15, 2019, after a median follow-up of 10·0 months (IQR 6·8-14·0). Median progression-free survival was 2·6 months (95% CI 1·6-3·5) in the TAS-102 group versus 4·6 months (3·5-6·5) in the TAS-102 plus bevacizumab group (hazard ratio 0·45 [95% CI 0·29-0·72]; p=0·0015). The most frequent grade 3 or worse adverse event was neutropenia (18 [38%] of 47 in the TAS-102 monotherapy group vs 31 [67%] of 46 in the TAS-102 plus bevacizumab group). Serious adverse events were observed in 21 (45%) patients in the TAS-102 group and 19 (41%) in the TAS-102 plus bevacizumab group. No deaths were deemed treatment related.INTERPRETATION: In patients with chemorefractory metastatic colorectal cancer, TAS-102 plus bevacizumab, as compared with TAS-102 monotherapy, was associated with a significant and clinically relevant improvement in progression-free survival with tolerable toxicity. The combination of TAS-102 plus bevacizumab could be a new treatment option for patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer and could be a practice-changing development.FUNDING: Servier.

Background: Older or vulnerable patients with metastatic colorectal cancer are seldom included in randomised trials. The multicentre NORDIC9 trial evaluated reduced-dose combination chemotherapy compared with full-dose monotherapy in older, vulnerable patients. Methods: This randomised, open-label phase 2 trial was done in 23 Nordic oncology clinics and included patients aged 70 years or older with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer who were not candidates for full-dose combination chemotherapy. Patients were block randomised (1:1) using a web-based tool to full-dose S-1 (30 mg/m 2 orally twice daily on days 1–14 every 3 weeks) followed by second-line treatment at progression with irinotecan (250 mg/m 2 intravenously on day 1 every 3 weeks or 180 mg/m 2 intravenously on day 1 every 2 weeks) or reduced-dose combination chemotherapy with S-1 (20 mg/m 2 orally twice daily on days 1–14) and oxaliplatin (100 mg/m 2 intravenously on day 1 every 3 weeks) followed by second-line treatment at progression with S-1 (20 mg/m 2 orally twice daily on days 1–14) and irinotecan (180 mg/m 2 intravenously on day 1 every 3 weeks). Use of bevacizumab (7·5 mg/kg intravenously on day 1 of each cycle) was optional. Treatment allocation was not masked and randomisation was stratified for institution and bevacizumab. The primary outcome was progression-free survival. Survival analyses were by intention to treat and safety analyses were done on the treated population. This trial is registered with EudraCT, number 2014-000394-39, and is closed to new participants. Findings: From March 9, 2015, to Oct 11, 2017, 160 patients with a median age of 78 years (IQR 76–81) were randomly assigned to full-dose monotherapy (n=83) or reduced-dose combination chemotherapy (n=77). At data cutoff (Sept 1, 2018; median follow-up 23·8 months [IQR 18·8–30·9]), 81 (98%) patients in the full-dose monotherapy group and 71 (92%) patients in the reduced-dose combination group had progressed or died. Median progression-free survival was significantly longer with reduced-dose combination chemotherapy (6·2 months [95% CI 5·3–8·3]) than with full-dose monotherapy (5·3 months [4·1–6·8]; hazard ratio [HR] 0·72 [95% CI 0·52–0·99]; p=0·047). Toxicity was evaluated in 157 patients who received treatment. Significantly more patients in the full-dose monotherapy group (51 [62%] of 82 patients) experienced at least one grade 3–4 adverse event than in the reduced-dose combination group (32 [43%] of 75 patients; p=0·014). Grade 3–4 diarrhoea (12 [15%] vs two [3%]; p=0·018), fatigue (ten [12%] vs three [4%]; p=0·083), and dehydration (five [6%] vs none; p=0·060) were more frequent in the full-dose monotherapy group than in the reduced-dose combination group. Treatment-related deaths occurred in three patients during first-line treatment and three patients during second-line treatment (two in the full-dose monotherapy group vs one in the reduced-dose combination group in both cases). Interpretation: Reduced-dose combination chemotherapy with S-1 and oxaliplatin for older, vulnerable patients with metastatic colorectal cancer was more effective and resulted in less toxicity than full-dose monotherapy with S-1. Reduced-dose combination chemotherapy could be a preferred treatment for this population. Funding: Taiho Pharmaceuticals, Nordic Group, the Danish Cancer Society, the Swedish Cancer Society, Academy of Geriatric Research (AgeCare), and Region of Southern Denmark.

Background: An aging population will increase the number of older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, there is limited knowledge about treatment in older patients as they are under-represented in clinical trials. The oral fluoropyrimidine S-1 is associated with a lower rate of adverse events than capecitabine and may therefore be a suitable drug for elderly. However, data on the use of S-1 in Caucasian mCRC patients are lacking/scarce. Material and methods: In the present study we evaluated safety and the efficacy of S-1 alone or in combination with oxaliplatin (SOx) or irinotecan (IRIS) in older mCRC patients. Patients who received at least one cycle of S-1 (first-line therapy), SOx (mainly first-line therapy) or IRIS (second-line therapy) were included. Results: From June 2012 to December 2014, 71 older patients received ≥1 cycle of either S-1 (n = 9), SOx (n = 44) or IRIS (n = 18) for mCRC. Median age was 76 years and most patients had a WHO performance status of 0 (32%) or 1 (56%). All patients were evaluable for response and safety. In the SOx group, 18 (41%) and 20 patients (45%) had partial response (PR) and stable disease (SD), respectively (disease control rate 86%). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 8.5 months and median overall survival (OS) was 18.5 months. In the S-1 group (median age 82 years), PR was 22%, median PFS 6.4 months and median OS 15.8 months. In the IRIS group, PR was 28%, median PFS 7.8 months and the median OS 16.5 months. In general, therapy was well tolerated; main non-hematological toxicities were fatigue and diarrhea. Conclusion: S-1 monotherapy, SOx and IRIS were well tolerated for older patients with mCRC and could become alternative regimens in older mCRC patients. These regimens are now further evaluated in the randomized ongoing NORDIC9 trial.

To the Editor,The oral fluoropyrimidine capecitabine is widely used in cancer therapy for solid tumours. It is often preferred over intravenous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) due to its patient convenience ...

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a disease of the older population. The current demographic ageing leads to more elderly patients and is expected to further increase the number of patients with CRC. The objective of the present paper is to outline incidence, mortality and prevalence from 1980 to 2012 and survival data from 1968 to 2012 in Danish CRC patients focusing on the impact of ageing. Material and methods Data were derived from the NORDCAN database with comparable data on cancer incidence, mortality, prevalence and relative survival in the Nordic countries, where the Danish data are delivered from the Danish Cancer Registry and the Danish Cause of Death Registry with follow-up for death or emigration until the end of 2013. This study focuses on the elderly population categorized in six age groups. Results The incidence of CRC has increased over the past three decades. Incidence rate has increased in patients with colon cancer, but showed a decreasing trend in the oldest patients with rectal and anal cancer. Mortality has diminished in younger patients with colon cancer, but increased with increasing age. However, mortality did not increase proportionally to incidence. In rectal and anal cancer mortality has decreased, except among the oldest patients. This correlates to a decreasing incidence rate. Prevalence is widely increasing mainly because of increased incidence and longer survival, which is reflected in the increasing one- and five-year age-specific relative survival after a diagnosis of colon, rectal and anal cancer. Conclusion The incidence of CRC is increasing, especially in older citizens, and mortality increases with older age. There is limited knowledge on how to optimize treatment in older CRC patients and future focus must be how to select and tailor the treatment for older CRC patients.

Background: Most patients (pts) with mCRC are older than 70 years, but they are underrepresented in clinical trials. NORDIC9 evaluated efficacy of palliative treatment strategies based on S-1, which has previously demonstrated less toxicity but similar efficacy as 5FU, and here we present initial results.Methods: Older mCRC pts (≥70 years) who were not candidates for full-dose combination therapy, were randomized to full-dose monotherapy (Arm A: S-1 30 mg/m2 po bid d 1-14 q3w, followed by irinotecan upon progression) or reduced (80\ combination therapy (Arm B: S-1 20 mg/m2 po bid d 1-14 + oxaliplatin 100 mg/m2 iv d 1 q3w, followed by S-1 + irinotecan q3w). Addition of bevacizumab (7.5 mg/kg iv d 1) before randomization was optional. Geriatric screening tools (G-8, VES-13, handgrip strength, Timed-Up-and-Go), Charlson Comorbidity Index and quality of life were evaluated at baseline. Blood samples and tumor tissue were prospectively collected. Primary endpoint was PFS. Secondary endpoints were response rate, survival and correlations between screening tools, efficacy and safety.

10032 Background: More than half of the patients (pts) diagnosed with mCRC are older, but they are underrepresented in clinical trials. Data about the best treatment strategy in pts who are not candidates for standard full-dose combination therapy is scanty. Here we present a preplanned safety analysis in the NORDIC 9 trial. Methods: NORDIC 9 explores treatment of older mCRC pts (≥70 years) who are not candidates for full-dose combination therapy. Pts receive full dose monotherapy (Arm A: S-1 30 mg/m2 po bid day 1-14 q3w, followed by irinotecan upon progression or reduced dose (80%) combination therapy (Arm B: S-1 20 mg/m2 po bid day 1-14 + oxaliplatin 100 mg/m2 iv day 1 q3w, followed by reduced dose S-1 + irinotecan q3w). Bevacizumab (7.5 mg/kg iv day 1) may be added at the discretion of the treating clinician. Geriatric screening tools (eg G-8 and VES-13) and quality-of-life are evaluated at baseline. Blood samples and tumor tissue are prospectively collected. Primary endpoint is PFS. Secondary endpoints are correlations between the geriatric screening and safety but also efficacy. Results: The safety analysis was performed when 50 pts had received 3 cycles. 12 pts received bevacizumab. Median age was 79 (range 70-88) years, 26 pts were male, performance status was 0 (43%), 1 (38%) or 2 (19%). Five (10%) pts discontinued therapy after only 1 cycle due to toxicity (n = 2) or PD/clinical deterioration (n = 3); 45 pts (90%) continued therapy beyond 3 cycles. Pts receiving only 1 cycle had numerically a worse G-8 and VES-13 score. Grade 3-4 non-hematological toxicity was fatigue (6%), diarrhea (10%), nausea (4%) and vomiting (6%), and was experienced by 10 pts, 6 of them received ≥3 cycles of treatment. There was no hand-foot-syndrome, cardiac or hematological grade 3-4 toxicity. Dose intensity for S-1 was 0.98 (0.7-1.0) (arm A) and 0.93 (0.6-1.0) (Arm B), respectively, and for oxaliplatin 0.99 (0.4-1.0). Conclusions: The safety committee recommends to continue the trial without dose adjustments according to the original design. February 2017, 118 of planned 150 pts had been included. Clinical trial information: EudraCT no 2014-000394-39.

NORDIC9 : A randomized phase II trial exploring treatment of older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) by comparing full dose monotherapy (S-1 followed by irinotecan) with reduced combination regimen (S-1/oxaliplatin followed by S-1/irinotecan)

Colorectal cancer is a disease of the elderly. As older and frail patients are under-represented in clinical trials, most of the evidence available on treatment of older metastatic colorectal patients with cancer originates from pooled analyses of the older patients included in large prospective clinical trials and from community-based studies. The aging process is highly individual and cannot be based on the chronological age alone. It is characterised by a decline in organ function with an increased risk of comorbidity and polypharmacy. These issues can result in an increased susceptibility to the complications of both the disease and treatment. Therefore, evaluation of performance status and the chronological age alone is not sufficient, and additionally assessment must be included in the treatment decision process. In the present review, we will focus on clinical aspects of treating older and frail metastatic colorectal patients with cancer, but also on the present knowledge on how to select and tailor therapy for this particular group of patients. Trial registration number EudraCT 2014-000394-39, pre-results.

e15258 Background: Gemcitabine (Gem) has been the standard of care for untreated Caucasian patients (pts) with unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinomas (PC) for almost two decades. Randomized, prima...

Quality of life data from randomized trials are lacking in older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). In the randomized NORDIC9-study, reduced-dose S1+oxaliplatin (SOx) showed superior efficacy compared to full-dose S1 monotherapy. We hypothesized that treatment with SOx does not result in inferior quality of life. Patients with mCRC aged ≥ 70 years and that were not a candidate for standard combination chemotherapy were included and randomly assigned to receive either S1 or SOx. The EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire was completed at baseline, after 9, and 18 weeks. The primary endpoint was global Quality of Life (QoL) at 9 weeks. For statistical analysis, a non-inferiority design was chosen applying linear mixed effects models for repeated measurements. The results were interpreted according to statistical significance and anchor-based, clinically relevant between-group minimally important differences (MID). A total of 160 patients aged (median (Interquartile range (IQR))) 78 years (76–81) were included. The QLQ-C30 questionnaire was completed by 150, 100, and 60 patients at baseline, at 9, and 18 weeks, respectively. The difference at 9 weeks in global QoL was 6.85 (95%CI -1.94, 15.65) and 7.37 (0.70, 14.05) in the physical functioning domain in favor of SOx exceeding the threshold for MID. At 18 weeks, the between-group MID in physical functioning was preserved. Dose-reduced combination chemotherapy may be recommended in vulnerable older patients with mCRC, rather than full-dose monotherapy.

Introduction: Cancer treatment has become increasingly successful; however, many patients are not cured and prolonging life becomes an important goal of therapy. The perception of life changes when patients are informed that no curative treatment is available. This raises new dilemmas for patients with incurable cancer, but only sparse information is available about the thoughts of these patients. The aim of this study was to explore how the information affects and is experienced by older patients. Material and Methods: We used a qualitative approach and data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews conducted at the hospital or by telephone interviews by an experienced researcher. The study sample comprised eleven patients with incurable upper gastrointestinal cancer receiving first-line palliative chemotherapy (Median age 73 years). The thematic analysis was inspired by Braun & Clarke. Results: The interview findings were grouped around three main themes: hope of being cured, hearing but not comprehending, and desired milestones to reach. Further, it was determined that patients hid their feelings and avoided talking about their disease with the doctor due to fear of being told the truth. Conclusions: Receiving information about their incurable cancer by the doctor was an ongoing dilemma for the patients. Following the message, patients shared thoughts about reaching important milestones in life, spending time with their family, or hope for a cure to be found before it was too late. Most patients were afraid to talk with their doctor about the prognosis but still had hope for the nearest future.