Background
Simvastatin has demonstrated anti-tumor activity in preclinical studies via tumor cell senescence, anti-angiogenesis, and apoptosis. This phase II trial evaluated the efficacy and toxicity profile of conventional FOLFIRI chemotherapy plus simvastatin in metastatic colorectal cancer patients.
Methods
Patients received irinotecan 180 mg/m2 as a 90-min infusion followed by leucovorin 200 mg/m2 in a 2-h infusion, and then 5-FU 400 mg/m2 bolus injection followed by 2,400 mg/m2 as a 46-h continuous infusion. Treatment cycles were repeated every 2 weeks until documented disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or patient’s refusal. Simvastatin 40 mg tablet was given once daily per oral everyday during the period of chemotherapy without a rest.
Results
From October 2005 to June 2006, 49 patients were enrolled. The overall response rate (ORR) was 46.9% (95% CI, 31.0–58.8) by intent-to-treat analysis and 45.8% (95% CI, 33.3–62.8) by per-protocol analysis. There were one complete response (CR) and 22 partial responses (PRs). Both CR and PRs were confirmed at least 4 weeks later. The disease-control rate was 83.7% (95% CI, 73.4–94.0). The median follow-up duration was 25.6 months (range, 20.9–28.8 months). The median survival of all patients was 21.8 months (95% CI, 14.4, 29.2). The median TTP was 9.9 months (95% CI, 6.4, 13.3). No patients experienced additional adverse effect that was definitely caused by simvastatin drug therapy in this trial.
Conclusion
The combination of simvastatin plus FOLFIRI was a feasible regimen with promising antitumor activity.