Everolimus after transarterial liver therapy of metastases from gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors: The FFCD 1104-EVACEL-GTE phase II study

Everolimus after hepatic arterial embolisation therapy of metastases from gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumours: The FFCD 1104-EVACEL-GTE phase II study

Abstract Background Hepatic arterial embolisation therapy (HAET) is a treatment of liver metastases of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumours (GI-NETs). HAET increases circulating vascular endothelial growth factor levels. Everolimus is a treatment in NETs that may have antiangiogenic activity. Methods This phase II study was conducted in patients with predominant and progressive liver metastases from GI-NETs. Everolimus was initiated 7–30 days after HAET. The hypothesis was that everolimus after HAET would increase hepatic progression-free survival (hPFS) rate at 24 months from 35% to 50%. Results Among the 74 patients included, 88% had small-bowel primary tumour, 43% had grade I and 57% …

Gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel until progression or alternating with FOLFIRI.3, as first-line treatment for patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma: The Federation Francophone de Cancérologie Digestive-PRODIGE 37 randomised phase II study (FIRGEMAX)

Abstract Background Chemotherapy is effective in metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (mPA), but new approaches are still needed to improve patients' survival and quality of life. We have previously published good efficacy and tolerability results on a sequential treatment strategy of gemcitabine followed by an intensified FOLFIRI (5FU+irinotecan) regimen. In the present study, we evaluated the same sequence but replaced gemcitabine by the new gemcitabine + nab-paclitaxel standard first-line combination. Patients and methods We randomised chemotherapy-naive patients with proven mPA, bilirubin levels ≤1.5 upper limit of normal values and performance status 0–2 to alternately receive gemcitab…