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Health Technology Assessment... Nov 2007To assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of adjuvant carmustine wafers (BCNU-W) and also of adjuvant and concomitant temozolomide (TMZ), compared with surgery with... (Review)
Review
The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of carmustine implants and temozolomide for the treatment of newly diagnosed high-grade glioma: a systematic review and economic evaluation.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of adjuvant carmustine wafers (BCNU-W) and also of adjuvant and concomitant temozolomide (TMZ), compared with surgery with radiotherapy.
DATA SOURCES
Electronic databases were searched up to August 2005.
REVIEW METHODS
Included trials were critically appraised for key elements of internal and external validity. Relevant data were extracted and a narrative synthesis of the evidence produced. Where possible, data on absolute survival at a fixed time point were meta-analysed using a random effects model. A Markov (state transition) model was developed to assess the cost-utility of the two interventions. The model compared BCNU-W or TMZ separately with current standard treatment with surgery and radiotherapy. The simulated cohort had a mean age of 55 years and was modelled over 5 years.
RESULTS
Two randomised controlled trials (RCTs) (n = 32, n = 240) and two observational studies of BCNU-W compared with placebo wafers as adjuvant therapy to surgery and radiotherapy for newly diagnosed high-grade glioma were identified. All the studies were in adults and provided data on 193 patients who had received BCNU-W. The RCT findings excluded under 65-year-olds and those with a Karnofsky Performance Status of less than 60. The largest multi-centre RCT suggested a possible survival advantage with BCNU-W among a cohort of patients with grade III and IV tumours, adding a median of 2.3 months [95% confidence interval (CI) -0.5 to 5.1]. However, analysis using per-protocol, unstratified methods shows this difference to be not statistically significant (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.03, p = 0.08). Long-term follow-up suggests a significant survival advantage using unstratified analysis. No difference in progression-free survival (PFS) was demonstrated. Subgroup analysis of those with grade IV tumours also showed no significant survival advantage with BCNU-W [hazard ratio (HR) 0.82, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.11, p = 0.20, unstratified analysis]. It is estimated that the cost of surgery and radiotherapy, with follow-up, treatment of adverse effects and end of life care is around 17,000 pounds per patient. Treatment with BCNU-W adds an additional 6600 pounds. Across the modelled cohort of 1000 patients, use of BCNU-W costs an additional 6.6 million pounds and confers an additional 122 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). On average, that is 6600 pounds per patient for 0.122 QALYs (6.3 quality-adjusted life-weeks). The base-case incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) is 54,500 pounds/QALY. In probabilistic sensitivity analyses, BCNU-W was not cost-effective in 89% of the simulations assuming a willingness to pay threshold of 30,000 pounds/QALY. In 15% of simulations, BCNU-W was dominated (i.e. did more harm than good, conferring fewer QALYs at greater cost). The cost-effectiveness acceptability curve (CEAC) suggests that it is very unlikely to be the most cost-effective option at normal levels of willingness to pay (11% probability at 30,000 pounds/QALY), only becoming likely to be the most cost-effective option at much higher levels of willingness to pay (50% probability at 55,000 pounds/QALY). Two RCTs (n = 130, n = 573) and two observational studies were included, giving evidence for 429 adult patients receiving TMZ. Currently, TMZ is licensed for use in those with newly diagnosed grade IV gliomas only. The RCTs excluded those with lower performance status and, in the larger RCT, those older than 70 years. TMZ provides a small but statistically significant median survival benefit of 2.5 months (95% CI 2.0 to 3.8), giving an HR of 0.63 (95% CI 0.52 to 0.75, p < 0.001). At 2 years, 26.5% of patients treated with TMZ were alive compared with 10.4% of those in the control arm. Median PFS is also enhanced with TMZ, giving a median 1.9 months' advantage (95% CI 1.4 to 2.7, p < 0.001). No analysis of the subgroup of patients with confirmed grade IV tumours was undertaken. Subgroup analysis of patients by O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) activity showed a significant treatment advantage for those with reduced MGMT activity but not for those with normal activity, although this analysis was based on a selected sample of patients and the test used has proved difficult to replicate. A median gain of 6.4 (95% CI 4.4 to 9.5) more life-months is seen with TMZ among those with reduced MGMT, giving an HR of 0.51 (p < 0.007). PFS is increased by a median of 4.4 months (95% CI 1.2 to 6.3), giving an HR of 0.48 (p = 0.001). The model shows a cost per patient for being treated with surgery, radiotherapy and including adverse effects of treatment and end of life care of around 17,000 pounds per patient. TMZ in the adjuvant and concomitant phase adds an additional cost of around 7800 pounds. Across the modelled cohort of 1000 patients, use of TMZ costs an additional 7.8 million pounds and confers an additional 217 QALYs. For the average patient this is 7800 pounds for an additional 0.217 QALYs (11 quality-adjusted life-weeks). The base-case ICER is 36,000 pounds/QALY. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses shows that TMZ was not cost-effective in 77% of the simulations. The CEAC suggests that there is a 23% chance that TMZ is the most cost-effective option at a willingness to pay level of 30,000 pounds/QALY, rising to be more cost-effective than no TMZ at slightly higher levels (50% probability at 35,000 pounds/QALY).
CONCLUSIONS
BCNU-W has not been proven to confer a significant advantage in survival for patients with grade III tumours when treated with the drug, compared with placebo. There does not appear to be a survival advantage for patients with grade IV tumours. No increase in PFS has been shown. Limited evidence suggests a small but significant advantage in both overall survival and PFS with TMZ among a mixed population with grade IV and grade III (7-8%) tumours. However, it remains unclear whether this is true in grade IV tumours alone. On the basis of best available evidence, the authors consider that neither BCNU-W nor TMZ is likely to be considered cost-effective by NHS decision-makers. However, data for the model were drawn from limited evidence of variable quality. Tumour type is clearly important in assessing patient prognosis with different treatments. Grade IV tumours are commonest and appear to have least chance of response. There were too few grade III tumours included to carry out a formal assessment, but they appear to respond better and drive results for both drugs. Future use of genetic and biomarkers may help identify subtypes which will respond, but current licensing indications do not specify these. Further research is suggested into the effectiveness of these drugs, and also into areas such as genetic markers, chemotherapy regimens, patient and carer quality of life, and patient views on survival advantages vs treatment disadvantages.
Topics: Age Factors; Aged; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Brain Neoplasms; Carmustine; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Combined Modality Therapy; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Dacarbazine; Disease-Free Survival; Drug Implants; Female; Glioma; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Models, Econometric; Neoplasm Staging; Quality of Life; Temozolomide
PubMed: 17999840
DOI: 10.3310/hta11450 -
Cell Transplantation 2023High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is a standard of care for selected patients with refractory/relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BeEAM (Bendamustine, Etoposide, Cytarabine, Melphalan) Versus BEAM (Carmustine, Etoposide, Cytarabine, Melphalan) as Conditioning Regimen Before Autologous Haematopoietic Cell Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is a standard of care for selected patients with refractory/relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), and it is also used as first-line clinical consolidation option for some aggressive NHL subtypes. Conditioning regimen prior to ASCT is one of the essential factors related with clinical outcomes post transplant. The conditioning regimen of carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, and melphalan (BEAM) traditionally is considered the standard of care for patients with lymphoma who are eligible for transplantation. Replacement of carmustine with bendamustine (BeEAM) was described as an alternative conditioning regimen in the autograft setting for patients with lymphoma. Several studies have reported inconsistent clinical outcomes comparing BeEAM and BEAM. Therefore, in the lack of well-designed prospective comparative studies, the comparison of BeEAM versus BEAM is based on retrospective trials. To compare the clinical outcomes between BeEAM and BEAM, we performed a meta-analysis of 10 studies which compared the outcomes between BeEAM and BEAM in patients autografted for lymphoma disease (HL or NHL). We searched article titles and compared transplantation with BeEAM versus BEAM in MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane library, and EMBASE database. Here, we report the results of nine main endpoints in our meta-analysis comparing BeEAM and BEAM, including neutrophil engraftment (NE), platelet engraftment (PE), overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), non-relapse mortality (NRM), relapse rate (RR), grade 3 mucositis, renal toxicity, and cardiotoxicity. We discovered that the BeEAM regimen was associated with a slightly better PFS [pooled odds ratio (OR) of 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.52-0.94, = 0.02], lower RR (0.49, 95% CI, 0.31-0.76, = 0.002), higher mucositis (3.43, 95% CI, 2.29-5.16, = 0.001), renal toxicity (4.49, 95% CI, 2.68-7.51, = 0.001), and cardiotoxicity (1.88, 95% CI, 1.03-3.40, = 0.03). We also discovered that the two groups had equivalent NE (pooled WMD -0.64, 95% CI, -1.46 to 0.18, = 0.13), PE (pooled WMD -0.3, 95% CI, -1.68 to 2.28, = 0.77), OS (0.73, 95% CI, 0.52-1.01, = 0.07), and NRM (1.51, 95% CI, 0.76-2.98, = 0.24). The results of this meta-analysis show that the BeEAM regimen is a viable alternative to BEAM. More prospective comparisons between BeEAM and BEAM are required.
Topics: Humans; Carmustine; Transplantation, Autologous; Bendamustine Hydrochloride; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Cytarabine; Etoposide; Melphalan; Cardiotoxicity; Mucositis; Retrospective Studies; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin
PubMed: 37350429
DOI: 10.1177/09636897231179364 -
Journal of Neuro-oncology Oct 2019An increased incidence in hematologic toxicity has been reported with the addition of bevacizumab to lomustine for patients with recurrent or progressive high grade... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
PURPOSE
An increased incidence in hematologic toxicity has been reported with the addition of bevacizumab to lomustine for patients with recurrent or progressive high grade gliomas (HGG). Data regarding incidence of toxicity with combination bevacizumab and carmustine is limited. The purpose of this study is to compare toxicity of single agent carmustine and carmustine plus bevacizumab for patients with HGGs.
METHODS
This single center retrospective study at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center included pathologically confirmed HGG with age ≥ 18 years who received carmustine between January 2003 and May 2017.
RESULTS
Sixty-five patients with HGGs collectively received 110 doses of BCNU during the specified time period. Sixteen patients received single agent BCNU (30 doses); 49 patients received combination bevacizumab with BCNU (80 doses). There was no significant difference in incidence or grade of toxicity between single agent and combination therapy with respect to hepatotoxicity, leukopenia, lymphopenia, neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. Rates of grade 3 and 4 neutropenia (20% vs 13.8%, p = 0.55) and thrombocytopenia (23.3% vs 23.8%, p = 1) did not differ between single agent BCNU versus combination therapy. When stratified based on dose ( < 150 mg/m, 150 mg/m, > 150 mg/m), there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with respect to grade 3 and 4 neutropenia or thrombocytopenia.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study to report the toxicity of carmustine with or without bevacizumab for the treatment of recurrent and refractory HGG. The addition of bevacizumab to carmustine did not increase incidence or grade of hematologic toxicity when compared to single agent carmustine.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bevacizumab; Brain Neoplasms; Carmustine; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Glioma; Hematologic Diseases; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Grading; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Retrospective Studies; Young Adult
PubMed: 31432377
DOI: 10.1007/s11060-019-03266-0 -
European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy :... Jan 2023The aim of this study was to determine and compare the physicochemical stability of two carmustine-containing medicinal products licensed and marketed in Europe as...
Physicochemical stability of carmustine-containing medicinal products after reconstitution and after dilution to ready-to-administer infusion solutions stored refrigerated or at room temperature.
INTRODUCTION
The aim of this study was to determine and compare the physicochemical stability of two carmustine-containing medicinal products licensed and marketed in Europe as Carmustin Obvius (Medac GmbH) and Carmubris (Tillomed Pharma GmbH). Reconstituted stock solutions and diluted ready-to-administer infusion solutions of the two products were investigated.
METHODS
Reconstituted carmustine stock solutions (3.3 mg/mL) and ready-to-administer infusion solutions (0.2 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mL) prepared in prefilled 5% glucose injection solution PP/PE bags were stored at 22°C or 2-8°C over a maximum period of 66 hours protected from light. Samples were taken immediately after reconstitution or dilution and after 3.5, 6, 8.5 and 11 hours when stored at 22°C or after (12), 24, 48 and 60 hours when stored at 2-8°C, followed by 3- and 6-hour storage at 22°C (60+3 hours, 60+6 hours). Physicochemical stability was determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection, measurement of pH, osmolarity and inspection for visible particles or colour changes.
RESULTS
Carmustin Obvius and Carmubris reconstituted stock solutions were physicochemically stable for at least 48 hours when stored at 2-8°C. Carmustin Obvius and Carmubris infusion solutions 0.2 mg/mL were physicochemically stable for at least 8.5 hours and 60 hours when stored at 22°C and 2-8°C, respectively. After subsequent storage of the 60-hour refrigerated test solutions for 3 hours at 22°C, the carmustine concentrations averaged the 90% limit and fell below the 90% limit after 6 hours. Carmustin Obvius infusion solutions 1.0 mg/mL were physicochemically stable for at least 8.5 hours when stored at 22°C and for 60 hours when stored at 2-8°C.
CONCLUSION
According to the physicochemical stability data, the shelf life (95% limit) of the refrigerated stock solutions is 48 hours and the shelf life (90% limit) of ready-to-administer infusion solutions (0.2 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mL) is 60 hours at 2-8°C or 8.5 hours at 22°C under light protection. These results facilitate the use of both medicinal products in a pharmacy-based centralised cytotoxic preparation unit.
Topics: Carmustine; Temperature; Antineoplastic Agents; Europe; Drug Stability
PubMed: 33952587
DOI: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2020-002597 -
Computational Intelligence and... 2022Gastric cancer is the second most frequent cause of cancer death worldwide, although much geographical variation in incidence exists. Prevention and personalized...
BACKGROUND
Gastric cancer is the second most frequent cause of cancer death worldwide, although much geographical variation in incidence exists. Prevention and personalized treatment are regarded as the best options to reduce gastric cancer mortality rates (Hartgrink et al., 2009). Numerous studies have suggested that Notch1 and its ligands are overexpressed in gastric cancer, and its knockdown can inhibit the proliferation and survival of gastric cancer cells.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of Notch1 on the stemness and drug sensitivity of human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells.
METHODS
Highly expressed Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD1) and Notch1-shRNA lentiviral expression vector were used to infect human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells cultured in vitro, and western blot and immunofluorescence staining were used to identify highly expressed NICD and Notch1 silenced cells. The percentage of CD133+ cells was analyzed by flow cytometry, the expression of nestin and CFAP by immunofluorescence staining, the formation rate of tumor cell spheres and the tumorigenicity of SCID mice in vivo, and the regulation of cell stemness by Notch1. The sensitivity of each group of cells to the chemotherapeutic drugs teniposide (VM-26) and carmustine (BCNU) was also detected by the MTT method.
RESULTS
The stemness phenotype of tumor cells with the increased NICD expression was enhanced, such as an increased proportion of CD133+ cells, enhanced nestin expression, decreased GFAP expression, increased tumor cell sphere formation rate and tumorigenic rate of SCID mice implantation, and decreased sensitivity to VM-26 and BCNU. In contrast, the stemness phenotype of tumor cells with downregulated Notch1 gene expression was significantly suppressed, while the sensitivity to VM-26 and BCNU was increased.
CONCLUSION
High Notch1 expression increased the stemness of SGC-7901 cells and decreased the sensitivity of SGC-7901 cells to chemotherapeutic drugs.
Topics: Animals; Carmustine; Cell Line, Tumor; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Mice; Mice, SCID; Neoplastic Stem Cells; Nestin; Receptor, Notch1; Signal Transduction; Stomach Neoplasms; Teniposide
PubMed: 35515501
DOI: 10.1155/2022/1098394 -
Neuro-oncology Mar 2015Glioblastoma (GBM) remains an almost universally fatal diagnosis. The current therapeutic mainstay consists of maximal safe surgical resection followed by radiation... (Review)
Review
Glioblastoma (GBM) remains an almost universally fatal diagnosis. The current therapeutic mainstay consists of maximal safe surgical resection followed by radiation therapy (RT) with concomitant temozolomide (TMZ), followed by monthly TMZ (the "Stupp regimen"). Several chemotherapeutic agents have been shown to have modest efficacy in the treatment of high-grade glioma (HGG), but blood-brain barrier impermeability remains a major delivery obstacle. Polymeric drug-delivery systems, developed to allow controlled local release of biologically active substances for a variety of conditions, can achieve high local concentrations of active agents while limiting systemic toxicities. Polymerically delivered carmustine (BCNU) wafers, placed on the surface of the tumor-resection cavity, can potentially provide immediate chemotherapy to residual tumor cells during the standard delay between surgery and chemoradiotherapy. BCNU wafer implantation as monochemotherapy (with RT) in newly diagnosed HGG has been investigated in 2 phase III studies that reported significant increases in median overall survival. A number of studies have investigated the tumoricidal synergies of combination chemotherapy with BCNU wafers in newly diagnosed or recurrent HGG, and a primary research focus has been the integration of BCNU wafers into multimodality therapy with the standard Stupp regimen. Overall, the results of these studies have been encouraging in terms of safety and efficacy. However, the data must be qualified by the nature of the studies conducted. Currently, there are no phase III studies of BCNU wafers with the standard Stupp regimen. We review the rationale, biochemistry, pharmacokinetics, and research history (including toxicity profile) of this modality.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; Brain Neoplasms; Carmustine; Drug Implants; Glioblastoma; Humans; Infusion Pumps, Implantable; Polymers; Survival Analysis; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 25746091
DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nou360 -
Proceedings of the Royal Society of... Dec 1973
Review
Topics: Carmustine; Chlorambucil; Colonic Neoplasms; Cyclophosphamide; Drug Therapy, Combination; Fluorouracil; Humans; Methotrexate; Nitrogen Mustard Compounds; Rectal Neoplasms; Vincristine
PubMed: 4591085
DOI: No ID Found -
British Medical Journal Mar 1953
Topics: Carmustine; Cobalt; Cobalt Radioisotopes; Etoposide; Humans; Neoplasms; Radioactivity
PubMed: 13032445
DOI: No ID Found -
Neurology(R) Neuroimmunology &... Nov 2022Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) is increasingly used to treat aggressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). This procedure is believed to...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) is increasingly used to treat aggressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). This procedure is believed to result in an immune reset and restoration of a self-tolerant immune system. Immune reconstitution has been extensively studied for T cells, but only to a limited extent for B cells. As increasing evidence suggests an important role of B cells in MS pathogenesis, we sought here to better understand reconstitution and the extent of renewal of the B-cell system after aHSCT in MS.
METHODS
Using longitudinal multidimensional flow cytometry and immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) repertoire sequencing following aHSCT with BCNU + Etoposide + Ara-C + Melphalan anti-thymocyte globulin, we analyzed the B-cell compartment in a cohort of 20 patients with MS in defined intervals before and up to 1 year after aHSCT and compared these findings with data from healthy controls.
RESULTS
Total B-cell numbers recovered within 3 months and increased above normal levels 1 year after transplantation, successively shifting from a predominantly transitional to a naive immune phenotype. Memory subpopulations recovered slowly and remained below normal levels with reduced repertoire diversity 1 year after transplantation. Isotype subclass analysis revealed a proportional shift toward IgG1-expressing cells and a reduction in IgG2 cells. Mutation analysis of IgH sequences showed that highly mutated memory B cells and plasma cells may transiently survive conditioning while the analysis of sequence cluster overlap, variable (IGHV) and joining (IGHJ) gene usage and repertoire diversity suggested a renewal of the late posttransplant repertoire. In patients with early cytomegalovirus reactivation, reconstitution of naive and memory B cells was delayed.
DISCUSSION
Our detailed characterization of B-cell reconstitution after aHSCT in MS indicates a reduced reactivation potential of memory B cells up to 1 year after transplantation, which may leave patients susceptible to infection, but may also be an important aspect of its mechanism of action.
Topics: Antilymphocyte Serum; Carmustine; Cytarabine; Etoposide; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; Melphalan; Multiple Sclerosis
PubMed: 36229189
DOI: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000200027 -
Cells Jun 2021Cortical dysplasias are alterations in the organization of the layers of the brain cortex due to problems in neuronal migration during development. The neuronal...
Cortical dysplasias are alterations in the organization of the layers of the brain cortex due to problems in neuronal migration during development. The neuronal component has been widely studied in experimental models of cortical dysplasias. In contrast, little is known about how glia are affected. In the cerebellum, Bergmann glia (BG) are essential for neuronal migration during development, and in adult they mediate the control of fine movements through glutamatergic transmission. The aim of this study was to characterize the morphology and intracellular calcium dynamics of BG and astrocytes from mouse cerebellum and their modifications in a model of cortical dysplasia induced by carmustine (BCNU). Carmustine-treated mice were affected in their motor coordination and balance. Cerebellar dysplasias and heterotopias were more frequently found in lobule X. Morphology of BG cells and astrocytes was affected, as were their spontaneous [Ca] transients in slice preparation and in vitro.
Topics: Animals; Astrocytes; Calcium Signaling; Carmustine; Cells, Cultured; Cerebellum; Malformations of Cortical Development; Mice, Transgenic; Motor Activity; Neuroglia
PubMed: 34201497
DOI: 10.3390/cells10071581