title: Maintenance treatment with capecitabine and bevacizumab in metastatic colorectal cancer (CAIRO3): a phase 3 randomised controlled trial of the Dutch Colorectal Cancer Group.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The optimum duration of first-line treatment with chemotherapy in combination with bevacizumab in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer is unknown. The CAIRO3 study was designed to determine the efficacy of maintenance treatment with capecitabine plus bevacizumab versus observation.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this open-label, phase 3, randomised controlled trial, we recruited patients in 64 hospitals in the Netherlands. We included patients older than 18 years with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer, with stable disease or better after induction treatment with six 3-weekly cycles of capecitabine, oxaliplatin, and bevacizumab (CAPOX-B), WHO performance status of 0 or 1, and adequate bone marrow, liver, and renal function. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either maintenance treatment with capecitabine and bevacizumab (maintenance group) or observation (observation group). Randomisation was done centrally by minimisation, with stratification according to previous adjuvant chemotherapy, response to induction treatment, WHO performance status, serum lactate dehydrogenase concentration, and treatment centre. Both patients and investigators were aware of treatment assignment. We assessed disease status every 9 weeks. On first progression (defined as PFS1), patients in both groups were to receive the induction regimen of CAPOX-B until second progression (PFS2), which was the study's primary endpoint. All endpoints were calculated from the time of randomisation. Analyses were done by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00442637.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between May 30, 2007, and Oct 15, 2012, we randomly assigned 558 patients to either the maintenance group (n=279) or the observation group (n=279). Median follow-up was 48 months (IQR 36-57). The primary endpoint of median PFS2 was significantly improved in patients on maintenance treatment, and was 8·5 months in the observation group and 11·7 months in the maintenance group (HR 0·67, 95% CI 0·56-0·81, p<0·0001). This difference remained significant when any treatment after PFS1 was considered. Maintenance treatment was well tolerated, although the incidence of hand-foot syndrome was increased (64 [23%] patients with hand-foot skin reaction during maintenance). The global quality of life did not deteriorate during maintenance treatment and was clinically not different between treatment groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maintenance treatment with capecitabine plus bevacizumab after six cycles of CAPOX-B in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer is effective and does not compromise quality of life.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Dutch Colorectal Cancer Group (DCCG). The DCCG received financial support for the study from the Commissie Klinische Studies (CKS) of the Dutch Cancer Foundation (KWF), Roche, and Sanofi-Aventis.
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors: Lieke H J
authors: LH
authors: Simkens
authors: Department of Biostatistics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors: Harm
authors: H
authors: van Tinteren
authors: Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: May
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Amphia Hospital, Breda, Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology, Tergooi Hospital, Blaricum, Netherlands.
authors: Albert J
authors: AJ
authors: ten Tije
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, Netherlands.
authors: Geert-Jan M
authors: GJ
authors: Creemers
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Tergooi Hospital, Blaricum, Netherlands.
authors: Olaf J L
authors: OJ
authors: Loosveld
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Ikazia Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
authors: Felix E
authors: FE
authors: de Jongh
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Orbis Medical Center, Sittard, Netherlands.
authors: Frans L G
authors: FL
authors: Erdkamp
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Ommelander Hospital Group, Delfzijl, Netherlands.
authors: Zoran
authors: Z
authors: Erjavec
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Groene Hart Hospital, Gouda, Netherlands.
authors: Adelheid M E
authors: AM
authors: van der Torren
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
authors: Jolien
authors: J
authors: Tol
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Vlietland Hospital, Schiedam, Netherlands.
authors: Hans J J
authors: HJ
authors: Braun
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Wilhemina Hospital, Assen, Netherlands.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Nieboer
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Medical Center Alkmaar, Alkmaar, Netherlands.
authors: Jacobus J M
authors: JJ
authors: van der Hoeven
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Bethesda Hospital, Hoogeveen, Netherlands.
authors: Janny G
authors: JG
authors: Haasjes
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.
authors: Rob L H
authors: RL
authors: Jansen
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Atrium Medical Center, Heerlen, Netherlands.
authors: Jaap
authors: J
authors: Wals
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors: Annemieke
authors: A
authors: Cats
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Elkerliek Hospital, Helmond, Netherlands.
authors: Veerle A
authors: VA
authors: Derleyn
authors: Departement of Medical Oncology, Isala Klinieken, Zwolle, Netherlands.
authors: Aafke H
authors: AH
authors: Honkoop
authors: Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Mol
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors: Cornelis J A
authors: CJ
authors: Punt
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands. Electronic address: m.koopman-6@umcutrecht.nl.
authors: Miriam
authors: M
authors: Koopman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000069287:Capecitabine; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000069287:Capecitabine; D005472:Fluorouracil