Phase II Study of the Gemzar, Taxotere and Xeloda Regimen (GTX) for Inoperable or Metastatic Adenocarcinoma of the Biliary System
18 Years
N/A
Both
Biliary Cancer
Trial Information
Phase II Study of the Gemzar, Taxotere and Xeloda Regimen (GTX) for Inoperable or Metastatic Adenocarcinoma of the Biliary System
After initial presentation of our data concerning this regimen (in pancreatic cancer) at the
2003 and 2004 ASCO meetings, a number of practitioners began using the regimen for
pancreatic cancer patients. More importantly, several of these investigators began using
the same regimen for patients with unresectable and metastatic biliary tree cancers, such as
cholangiocarcinoma. In personal communications with us, they have cited the absence of
reasonable alternatives as the primary reason to experiment with novel regimens. They have
described to us case reports, whereby patients with cholangiocarcinoma had objective
responses to this regimen. Personally, our group, in a pilot study, has treated 5 patients
with the GTX regimen, and has documented 3 partial responses and 1 stable disease in 3
patients afflicted with cholangiocarcinoma and 2 with gall bladder cancer. In this
prospective study (to date 08/09), three patients have been enrolled and two of them
achieved a partial response, by RECIST parameters, of >30% reduction in tumor size by cycle
3 (the first evaluation point). Therefore, we believe that GTX will show efficacy in
treating this disease.
Indeed, there is clinical evidence of efficacy of these drugs in cholangiocarcinomas. In a
phase II trial, single agent gemcitabine produced a 30% partial response rate and a 30%
stable disease rate in chemotherapy-naïve, cholangiocarcinoma patients.(8) A retrospective
review of patients treated with combination fluorouracil (continuous infusion) and
gemcitabine (30 minute infusion) demonstrated a 33% response rate and a 30% stable disease
rate, with a median survival of 5.3 months. The low, observed rate of grade 3-4
myelosuppression (11%) suggests this is a well tolerated regimen.(9) Likewise, gemcitabine
and docetaxel have been combined in the treatment of these cancers, resulting in a 33%
response rate and a 36% stable disease rate (3). We hope to improve upon these studies by
substituting a sixty minute infusion rate for gemcitabine instead of the traditional thirty
minute infusion, and by substituting capecitabine for infused fluorouracil. In addition, we
have tested the GTX regimen in 2 cell lines in our lab: one cholangiocarcinoma and one gall
bladder human line. We found that when GTX is given all at once to the cells, there is no
increased cytotoxicity, but when given in the amount and dosing sequence that mimics the GTX
regimen of this protocol, there is significant synergistic cytotoxicity. This synergism
produces approximately a 3-fold increase in cell kill as compared with any other combination
of the drugs or from any single drug in the GTX regimen. Given our laboratory data in
cholangiocarcinoma cell lines that demonstrates synergy between these drugs, we are
optimistic that we can produce superior results with less toxicities.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the intrahepatic or extrahepatic biliary
tract including cholangiocarcinoma, gallbladder cancer and ampullary cancer (ampula
of vater).
- Prior therapy with gemcitabine, Xeloda or docetaxel is acceptable if he/she only
received and failed one of the 3 drugs.
- Prior experimental drug therapies such as Phase I agents are acceptable.
- Measurable disease: Any mass measurable by RECIST 1.1 parameters by CT or MRI scans
of metastatic and primary tumor sites
- Ineligible for other high priority national or institutional studies
- Prior radiation and surgery allowed:
- 3 weeks since surgery or last chemotherapy
- 4 weeks since RT
- Non pregnant females with a negative serum β-HCG test within 1 week of starting the
study, who are not breast feeding. Men and women of childbearing potential must be
willing to consent to using effective contraception while on treatment and for a
reasonable period thereafter.
- Clinical Parameters Life expectancy > 3 months Age ≥ 18 y.o Performance status 0-2
(ECOG) (See Appendix IV) Peripheral Neuropathy must be ≤ grade 1 Able to tolerate
oral chemotherapeutic medications
- Required initial laboratory data
CBC with Differential Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) Liver Function Tests (LFTs) Serum β-HCG
(non-menopausal females) Tumor Specific Tests Hepatitis B and C Tests Pulse Oximetry on
Room Air >90%
- Informed Consent: Each patient must be completely aware of the nature of his/her
disease process and must willingly give consent after being informed of the
experimental nature of the therapy, alternatives, potential benefits, side-effects,
risks, and discomforts.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Hypersensitivity: Patients with a history of severe hypersensitivity reaction to
docetaxel or other drugs formulated with polysorbate 80 must be excluded.
- Prior malignancy in last 5 years other than: curatively treated carcinoma in-situ of
the cervix, non-melanoma skin cancer, DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) or early stage
(I or II) prostate cancer previously treated with curative intent by radiation and/or
surgery and is now cancer free.
- Known serious medical or psychiatric illness preventing informed consent or intensive
treatment (e.g., serious infection).
- Patients with CNS metastases shall be excluded.
- Patients with compromised immune systems are at increased risk of toxicity and lethal
infections when treated with marrow-suppressive therapy. Therefore, HIV-positive
patients are excluded from the study.
- Patients with currently active inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis,
Crohn's) or sclerosing cholangitis will be excluded. A history of these IBD's or
sclerosing cholangitis is acceptable if the disease is in remission or quiescent.
- Active infection with non-A hepatitis virus (Hepatitis B and C) will be excluded
Type of Study:
Interventional
Study Design:
Allocation: Non-Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment
Outcome Measure:
Response rate
Outcome Time Frame:
10 weeks
Safety Issue:
Yes
Principal Investigator
Robert L Fine, MD
Investigator Role:
Principal Investigator
Investigator Affiliation:
Columbia University
Authority:
United States: Institutional Review Board
Study ID:
AAAB3329
NCT ID:
NCT00868998
Start Date:
August 2005
Completion Date:
October 2010
Related Keywords:
- Biliary Cancer
- Biliary Tract Neoplasms
Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Columbia University Medical Center | New York, New York 10032 |
