Open AccessCetuximab Plus FOLFIRINOX (ERBIRINOX) as First‐Line Treatment for Unresectable Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Phase II Trial
Author(s) -
Assenat Eric,
Desseigne Francoise,
Thezenas Simon,
Viret Frédéric,
Mineur Laurent,
Kramar Andrew,
Samalin Emmanuelle,
Portales Fabienne,
Bibeau Frédéric,
CrapezLopez Evelyne,
Bleuse Jean Pierre,
Ychou Marc
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the oncologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.176
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1549-490X
pISSN - 1083-7159
DOI - 10.1634/theoncologist.2011-0141
Subject(s) - medicine , cetuximab , oxaliplatin , irinotecan , regimen , folfirinox , neutropenia , colorectal cancer , phases of clinical research , chemotherapy regimen , capecitabine , surgery , adverse effect , progression free survival , chemotherapy , gastroenterology , cancer
Background. Triplet chemotherapy has demonstrated manageable toxicities and a favorable response rate. The addition of cetuximab to chemotherapy can increase treatment efficacy. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of cetuximab plus 5‐fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX), the ERBIRINOX regimen, as first‐line treatment in patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Patients and Methods. In a phase II study, treatment consisted of weekly cetuximab plus biweekly. Treatment was continued for a maximum of 12 cycles and tumor response was evaluated every four cycles. The primary efficacy criterion was the complete response (CR) rate. Results. From April 2006 to April 2008, 42 patients were enrolled. The median age was 60 years (range, 32–76 years). The median duration of treatment was 5.2 months (range, 0.7–8.5 months), and a median of nine cycles was given per patient (range, 1–12 cycles). Five patients (11.9%) showed a CR, with a median duration of 23.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.8–39.7 months). The objective response rate was 80.9% (95% CI, 65.9%–91.4%). The median overall and progression‐free survival times were 24.7 months (95% CI, 22.6 months to not reached) and 9.5 months (95% CI, 7.6–10.4 months), respectively. The most frequent grade 3–4 adverse events were diarrhea (52%), neutropenia (38%), and asthenia (32%). Conclusion. The ERBIRINOX regimen appears to be effective and feasible in first‐line treatment of mCRC patients. These promising results led us to initiate a multicenter, randomized, phase II trial ([Research Partnership for Digestive Oncology] PRODIGE 14) in patients with potentially resectable mCRC.