BRANCH: Bevacizumab With Pelvic Radiotherapy And Primary Chemotherapy in Patients With Poor-Risk Rectal Cancer

• Sponsor: National Cancer Institute, Naples (Other)
• Overall Status: Completed
• CT.gov ID: NCT01481545
• Collaborator: (none)
• Enrollment: 62
• Arm: 1
• Actual Duration (Months): 120

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and bevacizumab before surgery in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC).

Condition or Disease	Intervention/Treatment	Phase
Rectal Cancer	Radiation: Radiation therapy; Drug: Oxaliplatin; Drug: Raltitrexed; Drug: levofolinic acid; Drug: 5-fluorouracil; Drug: Bevacizumab	Phase 2

Detailed Description

To determine the pathological complete response (pCR-TRG1) rate in patients treated with 2 different schedule of bevacizumab plus primary chemotherapy and radiotherapy of the pelvic region when optimal surgery is applied.

Bevacizumab will be given by intravenous infusion at the dose of 5 mg/kg concurrent with chemotherapy and radiotherapy every 2 weeks for 4 cycles from -14 days to start chemo-radiotherapy (classical schedule) or 4 days before the concurrent administration of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for 2 cycles if the number of TRG1 was not reached in the first stage with the classical schedule Simon's methods will be used to calculate sample size.Setting a and b errors as 0.05 and 0.20, respectively, and defining as minimum activity of interest (p0) a TRG1 rate=30%. In order to demonstrate a TRG1 rate ≥50% (p1), at least 6 TRG1 on the first 15 patients, and at least 19 TRG1 on a total of 46 patients should be reported in the first and second stage, respectively.

Study Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Actual Enrollment: 62 participants
• Allocation: N/A
• Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)
• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Official Title: Bevacizumab With Pelvic Radiotherapy And Primary Chemotherapy in Patients With Poor-Risk Rectal Cancer: the BRANCH Trial
• Actual Study Start Date: Dec 1, 2006
• Actual Primary Completion Date: Jul 1, 2011
• Actual Study Completion Date: Dec 1, 2016

Arms and Interventions

Arm

Intervention/Treatment

Experimental: preoperative chemoradiotherapy Preoperative radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy plus bevacizumab

Radiation: Radiation therapy; Radiation therapy will be administered at the total dose of 45 Gy, given with five weekly fractions over a period of 5 weeks. The daily fraction dose will be 1.8 Gy; Drug: Oxaliplatin; 100 mg/m2 on day 1 every 2 weeks for 3 cycles (for patients with resectable organ metastases (M1), an additional 2 cycles of chemotherapy will be given after radiation therapy); Drug: Raltitrexed; 2.5 mg/m2 on day 1 every 2 weeks for 3 cycles (for patients with resectable organ metastases (M1) , an additional 2 cycles of chemotherapy will be given after radiation therapy); Drug: levofolinic acid; 250 mg/m2 on day 2 every 2 weeks for 3 cycles (for patients with resectable organ metastases (M1), an additional 2 cycles of chemotherapy will be given after radiation therapy); Drug: 5-fluorouracil; 800 mg/m2 on day 2 every 2 weeks for 3 cycles (for patients with resectable organ metastases (M1), an additional 2 cycles of chemotherapy will be given after radiation therapy); Drug: Bevacizumab; will be given by intravenous infusion at the dose of 5 mg/kg concurrent with chemotherapy and radiotherapy every 2 weeks for 4 cycles from -14 days to start chemo-radiotherapy (classical schedule) or 4 days before the concurrent administration of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for 2 cycles if the number of TRG1 was not reached in the first stage (statistical design) with the classical schedule (for patients with resectable organ metastases (M1), one additional administration of bevacizumab will be given after radiation therapy)

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

1. Percentage of Patients With Complete Tumor Regression Rate (TRG1) [In 8 weeks after completion of chemoradiotherapy]

   Complete tumor regression rate (TRG1) was the ratio of patients with TRG1, graded at surgical resection, and total patients included in the study, expressed in percentage. Tumor regression grade (TRG) was misured according to the Mandard Scale. Briefly,TRG1 was a complete tumor regression (regardless of the presence of acellular mucine lakes), and TRG2 was a nearly complete tumor regression with extensive fibrosis; TRG3 presented with clear evidence of residual cancer cells but with predominant fibrosis;TRG4 was a residual of cancer cells outgrowing fibrosis; TRG5 was the absence of regressive changes.

Secondary Outcome Measures

1. Number of Participants With Adverse Events [Up to 8 weeks after surgery]

   Number of Participants with Adverse Events as a Measure of Safety and Tolerability

2. Number of Patients With Sphincter Preservation [In 8 weeks after chemoradiation therapy]

   Sphincter preservation in patients with tumor < 5 cm from anal verge in 8 weeks after chemoradiation therapy

3. Progression Free Survival (PFS) [10 years]

   PFS was calculated from the date of the initial treatment until tumor progression or relapse, death for any cause or last follow up. Progression was defined using Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (RECIST v1.0), as a 20% increase in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions, or a measurable increase in a non-target lesion, or the appearance of new lesions.

4. Overall Survival (OS) [10 years]

   OS was calculated from the date of initial treatment to the date of death for any cause or last follow up.

5. Clinical Response Rate [7 weeks after chemoradiation therapy up to 11 weeks]

   Clinical response was assessed before surgery with the same imaging modalities that were used for the inclusion in the study. Clinical response rate was the ratio between complete and partial response, evaluated by RECIST CRITERIA, and total of patients evaluated, expressed in percentage of patients. Per Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (RECIST v1.0) for target lesions and assessed by MRI: Complete Response (CR), Disappearance of all target lesions; Partial Response (PR), >=30% decrease in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions; Overall Response (OR) = CR + PR.

6. Patients With Metastatic Lymphnodes at Pathology Exam After Surgery [In 8 weeks after chemoradiation therapy completion]

   Number of patients with metastatic lymphnodes at pathology exam after surgery.

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 Years and Older
• Sexes Eligible for Study: All
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) at high risk of recurrence (T4, N+, T3N0 with tumor located in the lower third of the rectum and/or circumferential resection margin (CRM) £5 mm), or LARC with resectable organ metastasis (M1).

• Age 18 years or older

• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status 0-2

• Life expectancy of at least 12 weeks

• Measurable and/or evaluable (resectable organ metastasis)lesions according to RECIST criteria

• Neutrophils > 1500 and Platelets > 100,000 /L

• Total bilirubin < or = 1.5 time the upper-normal limits (UNL) of the Institutional normal values and ASAT (SGOT) and/or ALAT (SGPT) < or = 2.5 x UNL, or < or = 5 x UNL in case of liver metastases, alkaline phosphatase < or = 2.5 x UNL, or < or = 5 x UNL in case of liver metastases.

• Creatinine clearance > 50 mL/min or serum creatinine < or = 1.5 x UNL

• Urine dipstick of proteinuria < 2+. Patients discovered to have > or = 2+ proteinuria on dipstick urinalysis at baseline, should undergo a 24-hour urine collection and must demonstrate < or = 1 g of protein/24 hr.

• Written informed consent.

• Patients must be accessible for treatment and follow up. Patients registered on this trial must be treated and followed at the participating Center

Exclusion Criteria:

• Prior radiotherapy or chemotherapy for rectal cancer.

• Untreated brain metastases or spinal cord compression or primary brain tumours

• History or evidence upon physical examination of CNS disease unless adequately treated (e.g., seizure not controlled with standard medical therapy or history of stroke).

• History of inflammatory bowel disease and/or acute/subacute bowel occlusion

• Serious, non-healing wound, ulcer, or bone fracture

• Evidence of bleeding diathesis or coagulopathy.

• Uncontrolled hypertension

• Clinically significant (i.e. active) cardiovascular disease, for example cerebrovascular accidents (≤ 6 months), myocardial infarction (≤ 6 months), unstable angina, New York Heart Association (NYHA) grade II or greater congestive heart failure, serious cardiac arrhythmia requiring medication

• Current or recent (within 10 days prior to study treatment start) ongoing treatment with anticoagulants for therapeutic purposes.

• Chronic, daily treatment with high-dose aspirin (>325 mg/day) or other medications known to predispose to gastrointestinal ulceration.

• Treatment with any investigational drug within 30 days prior to enrolment.

• Patients with known allergy to Chinese hamster ovary cell proteins, or any of the components of the study medications

• Other co-existing malignancies or malignancies diagnosed within the last 5 years with the exception of basal and squamous cell carcinoma or cervical cancer in situ

• Major surgical procedure, open biopsy, or significant traumatic injury within 28 days prior to study treatment start, or anticipation of the need for major surgical procedure during the course of the study.

• Pregnant or lactating women. Women of childbearing potential with either a positive or no pregnancy test at baseline. Postmenopausal women must have been amenorrheic for at least 12 months to be considered of non-childbearing potential. Sexually active males and females (of childbearing potential) unwilling to practice contraception during the study.

Contacts and Locations

Locations

No locations specified.

Sponsors and Collaborators

• National Cancer Institute, Naples

Investigators

• Principal Investigator: Antonio Avallone, M.D., National Cancer Institute, Naples

Study Documents (Full-Text)

None provided.

More Information

Publications

None provided.

• Responsible Party: National Cancer Institute, Naples
• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01481545
• Other Study ID Numbers: BRANCH; 2008-003989-26
• First Posted: Nov 29, 2011
• Last Update Posted: Feb 3, 2021
• Last Verified: Sep 1, 2020

• Keywords provided by National Cancer Institute, Naples: locally advanced; high risk; preoperative therapy
• Additional relevant MeSH terms: Rectal Neoplasms; Leucovorin; Bevacizumab; Fluorouracil; Oxaliplatin; Raltitrexed; Levoleucovorin

Study Results

Participant Flow

Arm/Group Title	Concomitant - Schedule A	Sequential - Schedule B
Arm/Group Description	Preoperative radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy plus bevacizumab Patients received three biweekly cycles of OXATOM/FUFA during RT. Bevacizumab was given 2 weeks before the start of chemoradiotherapy, and on the same day of chemotherapy for 3 cycles (concomitant-schedule A)	Preoperative radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy plus bevacizumab Patients received three biweekly cycles of OXATOM/FUFA during RT. Bevacizumab was given 4 days prior to the first and second cycle of chemotherapy (sequential-schedule B).
Period Title: Overall Study
STARTED	16	46
COMPLETED	11	40
NOT COMPLETED	5	6

Baseline Characteristics

Arm/Group Title	Concomitant - Schedule A	Sequential - Schedule B	Total
Arm/Group Description	Preoperative radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy plus bevacizumab Patients received three biweekly cycles of OXATOM/FUFA during RT. Bevacizumab was given 2 weeks before the start of chemoradiotherapy, and on the same day of chemotherapy for 3 cycles (concomitant-schedule A)	Preoperative radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy plus bevacizumab Patients received three biweekly cycles of OXATOM/FUFA during RT. Bevacizumab was given 4 days prior to the first and second cycle of chemotherapy (sequential-schedule B).	Total of all reporting groups
Overall Participants	16	46	62
Age (years) [Median (Full Range) ]
Median (Full Range) [years]	55	61	58
Sex: Female, Male (Count of Participants)
Female	7 43.8%	18 39.1%	25 40.3%
Male	9 56.3%	28 60.9%	37 59.7%
Race/Ethnicity, Customized (Count of Participants)
Italian	16 100%	46 100%	62 100%
Region of Enrollment (Count of Participants)
Italy	16 100%	46 100%	62 100%
Distance of mesorectal Fascia (MRF) < 5 mm (Count of Participants)
Count of Participants [Participants]	13 81.3%	35 76.1%	48 77.4%

Outcome Measures

1. Primary Outcome

Title	Percentage of Patients With Complete Tumor Regression Rate (TRG1)
Description	Complete tumor regression rate (TRG1) was the ratio of patients with TRG1, graded at surgical resection, and total patients included in the study, expressed in percentage. Tumor regression grade (TRG) was misured according to the Mandard Scale. Briefly,TRG1 was a complete tumor regression (regardless of the presence of acellular mucine lakes), and TRG2 was a nearly complete tumor regression with extensive fibrosis; TRG3 presented with clear evidence of residual cancer cells but with predominant fibrosis;TRG4 was a residual of cancer cells outgrowing fibrosis; TRG5 was the absence of regressive changes.
Time Frame	In 8 weeks after completion of chemoradiotherapy

Outcome Measure Data

Analysis Population Description

[Not Specified]

Arm/Group Title	Concomitant - Schedule A	Sequential - Schedule B
Arm/Group Description	Preoperative radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy plus bevacizumab Patients received three biweekly cycles of OXATOM/FUFA during RT. Bevacizumab was given 2 weeks before the start of chemoradiotherapy, and on the same day of chemotherapy for 3 cycles (concomitant-schedule A)	Preoperative radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy plus bevacizumab Patients received three biweekly cycles of OXATOM/FUFA during RT. Bevacizumab was given 4 days prior to the first and second cycle of chemotherapy (sequential-schedule B).
Measure Participants	16	46
Number [percentage of participants]	12.5 78.1%	50 108.7%

2. Secondary Outcome

Title	Number of Participants With Adverse Events
Description	Number of Participants with Adverse Events as a Measure of Safety and Tolerability
Time Frame	Up to 8 weeks after surgery

Outcome Measure Data

Analysis Population Description

[Not Specified]

Arm/Group Title	Concomitant - Schedule A	Sequential - Schedule B
Arm/Group Description	Preoperative radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy plus bevacizumab Patients received three biweekly cycles of OXATOM/FUFA during RT. Bevacizumab was given 2 weeks before the start of chemoradiotherapy, and on the same day of chemotherapy for 3 cycles (concomitant-schedule A)	Preoperative radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy plus bevacizumab Patients received three biweekly cycles of OXATOM/FUFA during RT. Bevacizumab was given 4 days prior to the first and second cycle of chemotherapy (sequential-schedule B).
Measure Participants	16	46
Count of Participants [Participants]	7 43.8%	22 47.8%

3. Secondary Outcome

Title	Number of Patients With Sphincter Preservation
Description	Sphincter preservation in patients with tumor < 5 cm from anal verge in 8 weeks after chemoradiation therapy
Time Frame	In 8 weeks after chemoradiation therapy

Outcome Measure Data

Analysis Population Description

[Not Specified]

Arm/Group Title	Concomitant - Schedule A	Sequential - Schedule B
Arm/Group Description	Preoperative radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy plus bevacizumab Patients received three biweekly cycles of OXATOM/FUFA during RT. Bevacizumab was given 2 weeks before the start of chemoradiotherapy, and on the same day of chemotherapy for 3 cycles (concomitant-schedule A)	Preoperative radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy plus bevacizumab Patients received three biweekly cycles of OXATOM/FUFA during RT. Bevacizumab was given 4 days prior to the first and second cycle of chemotherapy (sequential-schedule B).
Measure Participants	16	46
Count of Participants [Participants]	13 81.3%	41 89.1%

4. Secondary Outcome

Title	Progression Free Survival (PFS)
Description	PFS was calculated from the date of the initial treatment until tumor progression or relapse, death for any cause or last follow up. Progression was defined using Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (RECIST v1.0), as a 20% increase in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions, or a measurable increase in a non-target lesion, or the appearance of new lesions.
Time Frame	10 years

Outcome Measure Data

Analysis Population Description

PFS for the schedule A was not calculated because the number of TRG1 (2 out of 16 patients) was statistically inconsistent with the hypothesis of activity (30%) to be tested and, consequently, the accrual was early terminated.

Arm/Group Title	Sequential - Schedule B	Concomitant - Schedule A
Arm/Group Description	Preoperative radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy plus bevacizumab Patients received three biweekly cycles of OXATOM/FUFA during RT. Bevacizumab was given 4 days prior to the first and second cycle of chemotherapy (sequential-schedule B).	Preoperative radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy plus bevacizumab Patients received three biweekly cycles of OXATOM/FUFA during RT. Bevacizumab was given 2 weeks before the start of chemoradiotherapy, and on the same day of chemotherapy for 3 cycles (concomitant-schedule A)
Measure Participants	46	16
Number [participants]	37 231.3%	11 23.9%

5. Secondary Outcome

Title	Overall Survival (OS)
Description	OS was calculated from the date of initial treatment to the date of death for any cause or last follow up.
Time Frame	10 years

Outcome Measure Data

Analysis Population Description

OS for the schedule A was not calculated because the number of TRG1 (2 out of 16 patients) was statistically inconsistent with the hypothesis of activity (30%) to be tested and, consequently, the accrual was early terminated.

Arm/Group Title	Sequential - Schedule B	Concomitant - Schedule A
Arm/Group Description	Preoperative radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy plus bevacizumab Patients received three biweekly cycles of OXATOM/FUFA during RT. Bevacizumab was given 4 days prior to the first and second cycle of chemotherapy (sequential-schedule B).	Preoperative radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy plus bevacizumab Patients received three biweekly cycles of OXATOM/FUFA during RT. Bevacizumab was given 2 weeks before the start of chemoradiotherapy, and on the same day of chemotherapy for 3 cycles (concomitant-schedule A)
Measure Participants	46	16
Number [participants]	40 250%	11 23.9%

6. Secondary Outcome

Title	Clinical Response Rate
Description	Clinical response was assessed before surgery with the same imaging modalities that were used for the inclusion in the study. Clinical response rate was the ratio between complete and partial response, evaluated by RECIST CRITERIA, and total of patients evaluated, expressed in percentage of patients. Per Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (RECIST v1.0) for target lesions and assessed by MRI: Complete Response (CR), Disappearance of all target lesions; Partial Response (PR), >=30% decrease in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions; Overall Response (OR) = CR + PR.
Time Frame	7 weeks after chemoradiation therapy up to 11 weeks

Outcome Measure Data

Analysis Population Description

[Not Specified]

Arm/Group Title	Sequential - Schedule B	Concomitant - Schedule A
Arm/Group Description	Preoperative radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy plus bevacizumab Patients received three biweekly cycles of OXATOM/FUFA during RT. Bevacizumab was given 4 days prior to the first and second cycle of chemotherapy (sequential-schedule B).	Preoperative radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy plus bevacizumab Patients received three biweekly cycles of OXATOM/FUFA during RT. Bevacizumab was given 2 weeks before the start of chemoradiotherapy, and on the same day of chemotherapy for 3 cycles (concomitant-schedule A)
Measure Participants	46	16
Number [percentage of participants]	40 250%	20 43.5%

7. Secondary Outcome

Title	Patients With Metastatic Lymphnodes at Pathology Exam After Surgery
Description	Number of patients with metastatic lymphnodes at pathology exam after surgery.
Time Frame	In 8 weeks after chemoradiation therapy completion

Outcome Measure Data

Analysis Population Description

[Not Specified]

Arm/Group Title	Sequential - Schedule B	Concomitant - Schedule A
Arm/Group Description	Preoperative radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy plus bevacizumab Patients received three biweekly cycles of OXATOM/FUFA during RT. Bevacizumab was given 4 days prior to the first and second cycle of chemotherapy (sequential-schedule B).	Preoperative radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy plus bevacizumab Patients received three biweekly cycles of OXATOM/FUFA during RT. Bevacizumab was given 2 weeks before the start of chemoradiotherapy, and on the same day of chemotherapy for 3 cycles (concomitant-schedule A)
Measure Participants	46	16
Number [participants]	14 87.5%	5 10.9%

Adverse Events

Time Frame	5 years
Arm/Group Title	Concomitant - Schedule A		Sequential - Schedule B
Arm/Group Description	Preoperative radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy plus bevacizumab Patients received three biweekly cycles of OXATOM/FUFA during RT. Bevacizumab was given 2 weeks before the start of chemoradiotherapy, and on the same day of chemotherapy for 3 cycles (concomitant-schedule A)		Preoperative radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy plus bevacizumab Patients received three biweekly cycles of OXATOM/FUFA during RT. Bevacizumab was given 4 days prior to the first and second cycle of chemotherapy (sequential-schedule B).
All Cause Mortality
	Concomitant - Schedule A		Sequential - Schedule B
	Affected / at Risk (%)	# Events	Affected / at Risk (%)	# Events
Total	5/16 (31.3%)		6/46 (13%)
Serious Adverse Events
	Concomitant - Schedule A		Sequential - Schedule B
	Affected / at Risk (%)	# Events	Affected / at Risk (%)	# Events
Total	7/16 (43.8%)		14/46 (30.4%)
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Neutropenia	7/16 (43.8%)		14/46 (30.4%)
Other (Not Including Serious) Adverse Events
	Concomitant - Schedule A		Sequential - Schedule B
	Affected / at Risk (%)	# Events	Affected / at Risk (%)	# Events
Total	7/16 (43.8%)		22/46 (47.8%)
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Hypertension	4/16 (25%)		11/46 (23.9%)
Neutropenia	7/16 (43.8%)		9/46 (19.6%)
Gastrointestinal disorders
Diarrhoea	6/16 (37.5%)		16/46 (34.8%)
Nausea/Vomiting	7/16 (43.8%)		22/46 (47.8%)
Proctitis	4/16 (25%)		14/46 (30.4%)
General disorders
Asthenia	4/16 (25%)		10/46 (21.7%)

Limitations/Caveats

[Not Specified]

More Information

Certain Agreements

All Principal Investigators ARE employed by the organization sponsoring the study.

There is NOT an agreement between Principal Investigators and the Sponsor (or its agents) that restricts the PI's rights to discuss or publish trial results after the trial is completed.