title: Trastuzumab, paclitaxel, carboplatin, and gemcitabine in advanced human epidermal growth factor receptor-2/neu-positive urothelial carcinoma: results of a multicenter phase II National Cancer Institute trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the safety and efficacy (response rates, time to disease progression, survival) of trastuzumab, carboplatin, gemcitabine, and paclitaxel in advanced urothelial carcinoma patients and prospectively evaluated human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (Her-2/neu) overexpression rates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Advanced urothelial carcinoma patients were screened for Her-2/neu overexpression. Eligibility for therapy required human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (Her-2/neu) overexpression by immunohistochemistry (IHC), gene amplification and/or elevated serum Her-2/neu, no prior chemotherapy for metastasis, and adequate organ function including a normal cardiac function. Treatment consisted of trastuzumab (T) 4 mg/kg loading dose followed by 2 mg/kg on days 1, 8, and 15; paclitaxel (P) 200 mg/m2 on day 1; carboplatin (C; area under the curve, 5) on day 1; and gemcitabine (G) 800 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8. The primary end point was cardiac toxicity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-seven (52.3%) of 109 registered patients were Her-2/neu positive, and 48.6% were positive by IHC. Her-2/neu-positive patients had more metastatic sites and visceral metastasis than did Her-2/neu negative patients. Forty-four of 57 Her-2/neu-positive patients were treated with TPCG. The median number of cycles was six (range, 1 to 12 cycles). The most common grade 3/4 toxicity was myelosuppression. Grade 3 sensory neuropathy occurred in 14% of patients, and 22.7% experienced grade 1 to 3 cardiac toxicity (grade 3, n = 2: one left ventricular dysfunction, one tachycardia). There were three [corrected] therapy-related deaths. Thirty-one (70%) of 44 patients responded (five complete and 26 partial), and 25 (57%) of 44 were confirmed responses. Median time to progression and survival were 9.3 and 14.1 months, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We prospectively characterized Her-2/neu status in advanced urothelial carcinoma patients. TPCG is feasible; cardiac toxicity rates were higher than projected, but the majority were grade two or lower. Determining the true contribution of trastuzumab requires a randomized trial.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA. mahahuss@umich.edu
authors.forename: Maha H A
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.forename: Gary R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: MacVicar
authors.forename: Daniel P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Petrylak
authors.forename: Rodney L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: Ulka
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Vaishampayan
authors.forename: Primo N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Lara
authors.forename: Gurkamal S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Chatta
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Nanus
authors.forename: L Michael
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Glode
authors.forename: Donald L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Trump
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis*; D000068878:Trastuzumab; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D016190:Carboplatin; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D017239:Paclitaxel; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D000068878:Trastuzumab; D000093542:Gemcitabine