Nicholas Thatcher

PURPOSE: For patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), further chemotherapy is routinely considered at relapse after first-line therapy. However, proof of clinical benefit has not been documented. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study randomly assigned patients with relapsed SCLC not considered as candidates for standard intravenous therapy to best supportive care (BSC) alone (n = 70) or oral topotecan (2.3 mg/m2/d, days 1 through 5, every 21 days) plus BSC (topotecan; n = 71). RESULTS: In the intent-to-treat population, survival (primary end point) was prolonged in the topotecan group (log-rank P = .0104). Median survival with BSC was 13.9 weeks (95% CI, 11.1 to 18.6) and with topotecan, 25.9 weeks (95% CI, 18.3 to 31.6). Statistical significance for survival was maintained in a subgroup of patients with a short treatment-free interval (< or = 60 days). Response to topotecan was 7% partial and 44% stable disease. Patients on topotecan had slower quality of life deterioration and greater symptom control. Principal toxicities with topotecan were hematological: grade 4 neutropenia, 33%; grade 4 thrombocytopenia, 7%; and grade 3/4 anemia, 25%. Comparing topotecan with BSC, infection grade 2 was 14% versus 12% and sepsis 4% versus 1%; other grade 3/4 events included vomiting 3% versus 0, diarrhea 6% versus 0, dyspnea 3% versus 9%, and pain 3% versus 6%. Toxic deaths occurred in four patients (6%) in the topotecan arm. All cause mortality within 30 days of random assignment was 13% on BSC and 7% on topotecan. CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy with oral topotecan is associated with prolongation of survival and quality of life benefit in patients with relapsed SCLC.

PURPOSE: Temozolomide is a well-tolerated oral alkylating agent with activity in the CNS. A multicenter, open-label, phase II study was conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of temozolomide in patients with brain metastases from metastatic melanoma (MM) who did not require immediate radiotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients had histologically confirmed MM to the brain, and no prior radiotherapy or radiosurgery for brain metastases. Previously untreated patients received temozolomide at 200 mg/m(2)/d x 5 days; previously treated patients received 150 mg/m(2)/d x 5 days every 28 days. Treatment continued for 1 year or until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. RESULTS: Of 151 patients enrolled, 117 had received no prior systemic chemotherapy, and 34 had received prior chemotherapy for MM. Among previously untreated patients, 25% had more than four brain lesions, eight (7%) achieved an objective response (one complete and seven partial), and 34 (29%) had stable disease in brain metastases. Median overall survival was 3.5 months. Among previously treated patients, 21% had more than four brain lesions, one had a partial response, and six (18%) had stable disease in brain metastases. Median overall survival was 2.2 months. Temozolomide was well tolerated, with four (3%) patients discontinuing because of adverse events. Grade 3/4 hematologic toxicities included thrombocytopenia (3%), neutropenia (2%), and leukopenia (1%). Headache (9%) and vomiting (8%) were the most common nonhematologic grade 3/4 adverse events. CONCLUSION: Temozolomide was well tolerated and demonstrated activity in the treatment of brain metastases from MM. Further evaluation of temozolomide combination therapy is warranted.

PURPOSE: The treatment of small-cell lung cancer patients with good performance status aims to improve survival. Dose-intensification could be a way to achieve improved survival but can be limited by neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Preliminary, nonrandomized feasibility studies showed that doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide (ACE) could be given every 2 (instead of the usual 3) weeks with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (lenograstim; Chugai-Rhône-Poulenc, Tokyo, Japan) support. The present multicenter randomized trial was designed to examine whether such dose-intensification improves survival while maintaining acceptable toxicity levels. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients were randomized to receive six cycles of ACE either every 3 weeks (control [C] group) or every 2 weeks with G-CSF (G group). The standard dose-intensity of ACE was increased by 50% in group G. RESULTS: Four hundred and three patients (G group: n = 201; C group: n = 202) were randomized. The received dose-intensity was 34% higher in the G group than in the C group. Complete response rates were 40% for the G group and 28% for the C group (P = .02), and overall rates were 78% for the G group and 79% for the C group. Survival was longer in the G group (hazard ratio = 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.65 to 0.99; P = .04), survival rates for the G and C groups being 47% and 39% at 12 months and 13% and 8% at 24 months, respectively. Metastasis-free survival, nonhematologic toxicity, and quality of life were similar in the two groups. In the G group, there was less neutropenia but more thrombocytopenia and more frequent blood and platelet transfusions. CONCLUSION: Increasing the dose-intensity of ACE with G-CSF support improved survival while maintaining acceptable toxicity.