Comparing Chemotherapy Regimens for Unknown Primary Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): G Huebner, H Link, C H Kohne, M Stahl, A Kretzschmar, S Steinbach, G Folprecht, H Bernhard, S E Al-Batran, P Schoffski, C Burkart, F Kullmann, B Otremba, M Menges, M Hoffmann, U Kaiser, A Aldaoud, A Jahn
Primary Institution: Westpfalz-Klinikum, Germany
Hypothesis
Does the combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin provide better outcomes than gemcitabine and vinorelbine in patients with carcinoma of unknown primary?
Conclusion
The paclitaxel/carboplatin regimen showed clinically meaningful activity compared to gemcitabine/vinorelbine in patients with carcinoma of unknown primary.
Supporting Evidence
- Paclitaxel/carboplatin showed a practicability rate of 52.4%.
- Gemcitabine/vinorelbine had a practicability rate of 42.2%.
- The median overall survival was 11.0 months for paclitaxel/carboplatin and 7.0 months for gemcitabine/vinorelbine.
- Response rates were 23.8% for paclitaxel/carboplatin and 20.0% for gemcitabine/vinorelbine.
Takeaway
Doctors tested two types of chemotherapy to see which one works better for patients with cancer that doesn't have a known starting point. One type worked better than the other.
Methodology
Patients were randomized to receive either paclitaxel/carboplatin or gemcitabine/vinorelbine, with the primary endpoint being the rate of practicability defined by treatment cycles and survival.
Potential Biases
Selection bias may have influenced the results due to the heterogeneity of the disease.
Limitations
The study included a high-risk population, and no complete remissions were observed.
Participant Demographics
Patients aged 18-80 with histologically/cytologically proven adeno- or undifferentiated metastatic CUP.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI 36–68% for arm A; 95% CI 28–58% for arm B
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website