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M. Longo



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    O27 - Clinical Trials and Practice (ID 142)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Oral Abstract Session
    • Track: Other Topics
    • Presentations: 1
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      O27.02 - Preliminary results from the FRAGMATIC trial: A randomised Phase III clinical trial investigating the effect of FRAGMin® Added to standard Therapy In patients with lung Cancer. (ID 1799)

      16:25 - 16:35  |  Author(s): M. Longo

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background
      Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is common in lung cancer patients and the incidence is increased by treatments including radiotherapy, surgery and chemotherapy. Research suggests a survival benefit in cancer patients receiving long term low moecular weight heparin (LMWH). LMWH may also have antimetastatic effects through the inhibition of P-selectin. This trial was developed to investigate whether or not adding LMWH to standard treatment increases overall survival. The study is funded by a research grant from Cancer Research UK (C13275/A5323) and free drug and an educational grant from Pfizer. The trial is sponsored by Velindre NHS Trust, and coordinated by the Wales Cancer Trials Unit, Cardiff, UK.

      Methods
      An open label, multi-centre, Phase III randomised controlled trial in patients with lung cancer comparing anticancer treatment according to local practice plus dalteparin (Fragmin®), with anticancer treatment alone. Eligible patients had a histopathological or cytological diagnosis of primary bronchial carcinoma (SCLC or NSCLC) within the previous 7 weeks, performance status 0, 1, 2 or 3 and were willing and able to inject daily subcutaneous injection. The dalteparin was given as a daily 5,000 IU subcutaneous injection for 24 weeks. The primary outcome measure is overall survival and the secondary outcome measures include toxicity, VTE-free survival, metastasis-free survival, quality of life, and cost utility. To detect an advantage of 5% in overall survival at 1 year (to 30%) a total of 2200 patients were required (1100 in each arm).

      Results
      2202 patients were enrolled and randomised in 4 years. The two groups were well balanced for key variables. 60% were men; the median age was 65 years; 82% had NSCLC (5% Stages I and II, 38% Stage III, 57% Stage IV) and 18% SCLC (63% Extensive Disease); 85% had WHO PS 0 or 1; 95% received chemotherapy as first treatment. 56% of those in the dalteparin arm received at least 90 of the 168 planned injections. By 1/8/2013 there had been 1891 deaths recorded and, on advice from the Independent Data Monitoring Committee, the primary results have been released. There was no significant difference in overall survival (HR 0.97; 95% CI 0.89-1.06) nor in metastasis-free survival. Exploratory subgroup analyses do not suggest a significant survival advantage in any subgroup. Dalteparin use was not associated with a significant increase in major bleeding complications. There were 78 (7.1%) confirmed VTEs in the control group and 47 (4.1%) in the treatment group.

      Conclusion
      This large RCT which recruited mainly good PS lung cancer patients having chemotherapy, has confirmed that prophylactic dalteparin reduces the risk of VTE events without a significant increase in major bleeding. The baseline VTE risk of 7% and relative risk reduction of 40% are consistent with previous studies. There was no significant difference in overall survival. These results do not support a policy of routine prophylactic anticoagulation of all lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

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