Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology - Research Publications

Permanent URI for this collection

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Item
    Thumbnail Image
    Phase II trial evaluating the feasibility of interdigitating folfox with chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced and metastatic rectal cancer
    Michael, M ; Chander, S ; McKendrick, J ; MacKay, JR ; Steel, M ; Hicks, R ; Heriot, A ; Leong, T ; Cooray, P ; Jefford, M ; Zalcberg, J ; Bressel, M ; McClure, B ; Ngan, SY (NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP, 2014-11-11)
    BACKGROUND: Patients (pts) with metastatic rectal cancer and symptomatic primary, require local and systemic control. Chemotherapy used during chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is adequate for radiosensitisation, but suboptimal for systemic control. The aim of this phase II study was to assess tolerability, local/systemic benefits, of a novel regimen delivering interdigitating intensive chemotherapy with radical CRT. METHODS: Eligible pts had untreated synchronous symptomatic primary/metastatic rectal cancer. A total of 12 weeks of treatment with split-course pelvic CRT (total 50.4 Gy with concurrent oxaliplatin and 5-FU infusion) alternating with FOLFOX chemotherapy. All pts staged with CT, MRI and FDG-PET pre and post treatment. RESULTS: Twenty-six pts were treated. Rectal primary MRI stage: T3 81% and T4 15%. Liver metastases in 81%. Twenty-four pts (92%) completed the 12-week regimen. All patients received planned RT dose, and for both agents over 88% of patients achieved a relative dose intensity of >75%. Grade 3 toxicities: neutropenia 23%, diarrhoea 15%, and radiation skin reaction 12%. Grade 4 toxicity: neutropenia 15%. FDG-PET metabolic response rate for rectal primary 96%, and for metastatic disease 60%. CONCLUSIONS: Delivery of interdigitating chemotherapy with radical CRT was feasible to treat both primary and metastatic rectal cancer. High completion and response rates were encouraging.
  • Item
    Thumbnail Image
    CAPTEM in Metastatic Well-Differentiated Intermediate to High Grade Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Single Centre Experience
    Sahu, A ; Jefford, M ; Lai-Kwon, J ; Thai, A ; Hicks, RJ ; Michael, M (HINDAWI LTD, 2019)
    INTRODUCTION: Capecitabine-temozolomide (CAPTEM) has significant activity in patients (pts) with metastatic low grade pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). However, there is limited data regarding its activity in pts with metastatic well-differentiated intermediate and high grade pancreatic and nonpancreatic NETs. The objective of this study was to assess the functional imaging response, survival, and tolerability of CAPTEM in this population. METHODS: A retrospective audit of pts with metastatic well-differentiated intermediate (WHO grade 2) or high grade (WHO grade 3) NETs treated at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre between March 2013 and March 2017. Pts received capecitabine 750 mg/m2 orally twice daily (bd) from days1 to 14 and temozolomide 100 mg/m2 bd from days 10 to 14 every 28 days. Data regarding functional imaging response, progression-free and overall survival, and toxicities was collected. RESULTS: Thirty-two pts received a median of 6 cycles (range: 2-16) of CAPTEM for grade 2 (n=21, 66%) or grade 3 (n=11, 34%), Ki67 <55% (n= 7, 21.9%) or Ki67 ≥55% (n= 4, 12.5 %) NET. Primary site included gastroenteropancreatic (n= 17, 53%), lung (n= 12, 37.5%), and unknown origin (n = 3, 9.4%). Twenty-two percent received CAPTEM as first-line therapy. After a median of 31 months of follow-up, the two-year overall survival (OS) was 42%, with a median OS of 24 months. There was a trend towards improved median progression-free survival (PFS) in pts with low grade 3 (Ki67<55%) versus high grade 3 (Ki67 ≥55%) NETs (15 vs 4 months, p= 0.11). Ten (31.3%) experienced grade 3/4 toxicity, with nausea (15.6%), thrombocytopaenia (12.5%), and fatigue (9.4%) the most common toxicities reported. CONCLUSION: CAPTEM has significant activity in patients with metastatic grades 2 and 3 NETs with manageable toxicity. The PFS benefit observed in the grade 3 subgroup with Ki67<55% warrants further evaluation in a larger randomized trial.