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DOSAGE Study: Upfront Dose-Reduced Chemotherapy in Older Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Phase 3
Recruiting
Conditions
Candidates for Palliative Chemotherapy
Colorectal Cancer
Older Patients
Metastatic Cancer
Interventions
Drug: Doublet Chemotherapy, Dose-reduced (75%)
Drug: Monotherapy, Dose-reduced (75%)
Drug: Monotherapy, Standard Dose (100%)
Drug: Doublet Chemotherapy, Standard Dose (100%)
Registration Number
NCT06275958
Lead Sponsor
Leiden University Medical Center
Brief Summary

The goal of this phase III, open-label, non-inferiority randomized controlled clinical trial is compare upfront dose-reduced chemotherapy with the standard dose chemotherapy in older patients ( ≥70 years) with metastasized colorectal cancer, with regard to progression-free survival (PFS). The choice between monotherapy (a fluoropyrimidine) and doublet chemotherapy (a fluoropyrimidine with oxaliplatin) will be made for each individual patient based on expected risk of chemotherapy toxicity (according to the G8 screening). Patients classified as low risk of toxicity will be randomized between doublet chemotherapy in either full-dose, or with an upfront dose-reduction of 25%. Patients classified as high risk will be randomized between monotherapy in either full-dose or upfront dose-reduction.

Primary outcome is PFS. Secondary endpoints include grade ≥3 toxicity, QoL, physical functioning, overall survival, number of treatment cycles, dose reductions, hospital admissions, cumulative received dosage and cost-effectiveness.

Detailed Description

Treating older adults with chemotherapy remains a challenge, as they are strongly underrepresented in clinical trials and no robust guidelines for treating older patients exist. Moreover, older adults are at increased risk of chemotherapy-related toxicity, resulting in decreased quality of life (QoL), increased hospital admissions and high health care costs. Therefore, the aim of the DOSAGE study is to demonstrate that upfront dose-reduced chemotherapy in patients with metastasized colorectal cancer is non-inferior to full-dose treatment with regard to progression-free survival (PFS). Treatment plans (monotherapy or doublet chemotherapy) will be based on expected risk of treatment toxicity for the individual patient (according to the Geriatric 8 (G8) questionnaire). The investigators expect that this treatment strategy will lead to less grade ≥3 toxicity, less early treatment continuation and hospitalizations and a better QoL and physical functioning.

The DOSAGE study is a phase III, open-label, non-inferiority, randomized controlled clinical trial in patients aged ≥70 years with metastasized colorectal cancer eligible for palliative chemotherapy. All participating patients will undergo geriatric screening by the G8 questionnaire and will be classified as "low risk of toxicity" (G8-score of 15 or higher) or "high risk of toxicity" (G8-score of 14 or lower or judged as "high toxicity risk" by their treating oncologist). Patients classified as low risk will be randomized between a fluoropyrimidine and oxaliplatin in either full-dose, or with an upfront dose-reduction of 25%. Patients classified as high risk will be randomized between fluoropyrimidine monotherapy in either full-dose or upfront dose-reduction. Addition of targeted treatment (bevacizumab or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition) is allowed. Patients with a moderate renal impairment (GFR 30- 50 mL/min) will be treated with 25% reduced starting dose of capecitabine when randomized for full dose treatment and treated with 40% reduced starting dose when randomized for upfront dose reduction.

Primary outcome is PFS. Secondary endpoints include grade ≥3 toxicity, QoL, physical functioning, overall survival, number of treatment cycles, dose reductions, hospital admissions, cumulative received dosage and cost-effectiveness. Given a non-inferiority margin of 8 weeks, 587 patients will be included (293/292 patients per arm).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
587
Inclusion Criteria
  • Patients aged 70 years or older with colorectal cancer and distant metastases without localized treatment options.
  • Patients who are candidates for first-line palliative chemotherapy as judged by their treating oncologist
  • Being able to understand the Dutch language
  • Adequate bone marrow and organ function: Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) > 1.5 x 10^9 mmol/L, Hemoglobin (Hb) > 6.0 mmol/L, Platelets >100 x 109 / L, Serum bilirubin ≤ 2 x upper limit of normal (ULN), serum transaminases ≤ 3 x ULN without presence of liver metastases or ≤ 5x ULN with presence of liver metastases.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Patients who received prior palliative chemotherapy
  • Patients in whom local treatment of metastases is scheduled (i.e. liver surgery or stereotactic radiotherapy)
  • Candidates for triple chemotherapy
  • Patients who received prior adjuvant chemotherapy in the one year before inclusion in the study (chemotherapy before that time is allowed)
  • Patients with complete or incomplete dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency
  • Patients with Microsatellite instable (MSI)-high colorectal cancer
  • Patients with HIV or active hepatitis
  • Patients with severe kidney failure (defined as GFR ≤30ml/min)
  • Patients with severe cognitive deficits making informed consent not possible

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Doublet therapy, dose-reduced (low toxicity risk based on G8)Doublet Chemotherapy, Dose-reduced (75%)Low risk of toxicity: G8-score of 15 or higher
Fluoropyrimidine monotherapy, dose-reduced (high toxicity risk based on G8)Monotherapy, Dose-reduced (75%)High risk of toxicity: G8-score of 14 or lower or judged as "high toxicity risk" by their treating oncologist
Fluoropyrimidine monotherapy, full dose (high toxicity risk based on G8)Monotherapy, Standard Dose (100%)High risk of toxicity: G8-score of 14 or lower or judged as "high toxicity risk" by their treating oncologist
Doublet therapy, full dose (low toxicity risk based on G8)Doublet Chemotherapy, Standard Dose (100%)Low risk of toxicity: G8-score of 15 or higher
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Progression-Free SurvivalTime from randomization until either radiological or clinical progression or death, whichever occurs first, assessed up to at least one year.
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Dose delay during treatmentThrough study duration, an average of 8 months
Quality of Life QuestionnaireAt 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after randomization

Measured by EORTC Core QLQ-C30 questionnaire

Overall SurvivalTime between randomization until death, assessed up to at least one year.
Unplanned hospitalizationsThe first year after treatment initiation
Physical functioning QuestionnaireAt 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after randomization

Measured by Katz-Activities of Daily Living (ADL) questionnaire

Grade 3-5 chemotherapy-related toxicityThrough study duration, an average of 8 months

According to the CTCAE V5

Number of completed treatment cyclesThrough study duration, an average of 8 months
Dose reductions during treatmentThrough study duration, an average of 8 months

Defined as ≥25% reduction of the initial dosage

Cumulative received dosageThrough study duration, an average of 8 months

Adjusted for BSA

Cost-effectiveness1 year

Trial Locations

Locations (36)

Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis

🇳🇱

's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands

Noordwest Ziekenhuisgroep

🇳🇱

Alkmaar, Netherlands

Ziekenhuis Amstelland

🇳🇱

Amstelveen, Netherlands

Amsterdam UMC

🇳🇱

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Rijnstate

🇳🇱

Arnhem, Netherlands

Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis

🇳🇱

Assen, Netherlands

Rode Kruis Ziekenhuis

🇳🇱

Beverwijk, Netherlands

Haaglanden Medisch Centrum

🇳🇱

Den Haag, Netherlands

Hagaziekenhuis

🇳🇱

Den Haag, Netherlands

Slingeland Ziekenhuis

🇳🇱

Doetinchem, Netherlands

Ziekenhuis Gelderse Vallei

🇳🇱

Ede, Netherlands

Catharina Ziekenhuis

🇳🇱

Eindhoven, Netherlands

Treant

🇳🇱

Emmen, Netherlands

Admiraal de Ruyter Ziekenhuis

🇳🇱

Goes, Netherlands

Beatrixziekenhuis

🇳🇱

Gorinchem, Netherlands

Groene Hart Ziekenhuis

🇳🇱

Gouda, Netherlands

Saxenburgh

🇳🇱

Hardenberg, Netherlands

St. Jansdal Ziekenhuis

🇳🇱

Harderwijk, Netherlands

Elkerliek Ziekenhuis

🇳🇱

Helmond, Netherlands

Tergooi MC

🇳🇱

Hilversum, Netherlands

Medisch Centrum Leeuwarden

🇳🇱

Leeuwarden, Netherlands

Leiden University Medical Center

🇳🇱

Leiden, Netherlands

Alrijne Ziekenhuis

🇳🇱

Leiderdorp, Netherlands

Canisius Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis

🇳🇱

Nijmegen, Netherlands

Laurentius Ziekenhuis

🇳🇱

Roermond, Netherlands

Bravis ziekenhuis

🇳🇱

Roosendaal, Netherlands

Ikazia Ziekenhuis

🇳🇱

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Maasstad Ziekenhuis

🇳🇱

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Ommelander Ziekenhuis

🇳🇱

Scheemda, Netherlands

ZorgSaam Zorggroep Zeeuws-Vlaanderen

🇳🇱

Terneuzen, Netherlands

Bernhoven

🇳🇱

Uden, Netherlands

Diakonessenhuis

🇳🇱

Utrecht, Netherlands

St Antonius

🇳🇱

Utrecht, Netherlands

VieCuri Medisch Centrum

🇳🇱

Venlo, Netherlands

Streekziekenhuis Koninging Beatrix

🇳🇱

Winterswijk, Netherlands

Zaans Medisch Centrum

🇳🇱

Zaandam, Netherlands

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