Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining more than one drug may kill more tumor cells. It is not yet known which regimen of combination chemotherapy is more effective in treating patients with recurrent or metastatic colorectal cancer. PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to study the effectiveness of combining fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin in different ways in treating patients with recurrent or metastatic colorectal cancer.

Sex

All

Minimum age

18 Years

Maximum age

75 Years

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven locoregionally recurrent or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum Histologic or cytologic proof of adenocarcinoma consistent with colorectal cancer in a solitary lesion if plasma carcinoembryonic antigen level is no greater than normal Metastases not limited to bone, pleural effusion, or ascites Surgically resectable metastases not eligible No symptomatic brain metastasis At least one bidimensionally measurable lesion measuring at least 20 mm in one diameter outside a previously irradiated area

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 to 75 Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal Renal: No uncontrolled hypercalcemia Cardiovascular: No significant cardiac disease Pulmonary: No severe respiratory illness Neurologic: No peripheral sensory neuropathy Other: No uncontrolled infection or chronic disease No second malignancy except basal cell carcinoma of the skin or in situ carcinoma of the cervix

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior immunotherapy for locoregionally recurrent or metastatic colorectal cancer No concurrent prophylactic growth factor Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy for locoregionally recurrent or metastatic colorectal cancer At least 6 months since adjuvant chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No prior hormone therapy for locoregionally recurrent or metastatic colorectal cancer No concurrent corticosteroids Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No prior radiotherapy for locoregionally recurrent or metastatic colorectal cancer Concurrent localized analgesic radiotherapy of a bone lesion permitted unless indicative of disease progression Surgery: No prior surgery for locoregionally recurrent or metastatic colorectal cancer Other: No other concurrent investigational drug

• BACKGROUNDEfficace F, Innominato PF, Bjarnason G, Coens C, Humblet Y, Tumolo S, Genet D, Tampellini M, Bottomley A, Garufi C, Focan C, Giacchetti S, Levi F; Chronotherapy Group of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer. Validation of patient's self-reported social functioning as an independent prognostic factor for survival in metastatic colorectal cancer patients: results of an international study by the Chronotherapy Group of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Apr 20;26(12):2020-6. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2007.12.3117. PMID 18421055
• BACKGROUNDGiacchetti S, Zidani R, Perpoint B, et al.: Phase III trial of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), folinic acid (FA), with or without oxaliplatin (OXA) in previously untreated patients (pts) with metastatic colorectal cancer (MCC). [Abstract] Proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology 16: A805, 229a, 1997.
• BACKGROUNDLevi F, Zidani R, Misset JL. Randomised multicentre trial of chronotherapy with oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and folinic acid in metastatic colorectal cancer. International Organization for Cancer Chronotherapy. Lancet. 1997 Sep 6;350(9079):681-6. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(97)03358-8. PMID 9291901
• BACKGROUNDMormont MC, Bleuzen P, Lellouch J, et al.: Prognostic value of circadian rhythm assessment for survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. [Abstract] Proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology 16: A-956, 269a, 1997.
• RESULTInnominato PF, Giacchetti S, Moreau T, Smaaland R, Focan C, Bjarnason GA, Garufi C, Iacobelli S, Tampellini M, Tumolo S, Carvalho C, Karaboue A, Levi F; ARTBC International Chronotherapy Group. Prediction of survival by neutropenia according to delivery schedule of oxaliplatin-5-Fluorouracil-leucovorin for metastatic colorectal cancer in a randomized international trial (EORTC 05963). Chronobiol Int. 2011 Aug;28(7):586-600. doi: 10.3109/07420528.2011.597532. PMID 21859417
• RESULTGiacchetti S, Bjarnason G, Garufi C, Genet D, Iacobelli S, Tampellini M, Smaaland R, Focan C, Coudert B, Humblet Y, Canon JL, Adenis A, Lo Re G, Carvalho C, Schueller J, Anciaux N, Lentz MA, Baron B, Gorlia T, Levi F; European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Chronotherapy Group. Phase III trial comparing 4-day chronomodulated therapy versus 2-day conventional delivery of fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin as first-line chemotherapy of metastatic colorectal cancer: the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Chronotherapy Group. J Clin Oncol. 2006 Aug 1;24(22):3562-9. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2006.06.1440.