E-Newsletter - February 2022
Spotlight on Alliance Trials

MARCH IS ... National colorectal cancer Awareness month

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. CRC strikes men and women with almost equal frequency, while someone with a family history of colorectal cancer has a 10 to 15 percent chance of developing the disease. Currently, Alliance has three active CRC trials now enrolling participants. Take a look.

Frank Sinicrope, MD, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN leads Alliance A021502 (Randomized trial of FOLFOX alone or combined with atezolizumab as adjuvant therapy for patients with stage III colon cancer and deficient DNA mismatch repair or microsatellite instability (ATOMIC)). 

Alliance A021502 is an active phase III trial that studies combination chemotherapy and atezolizumab to see how well it works compared with combination chemotherapy alone in treating patients with stage III colon cancer and deficient deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) mismatch repair. Drugs used in combination chemotherapy, such as oxaliplatin, leucovorin calcium, and fluorouracil, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as atezolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving combination chemotherapy with atezolizumab may work better than combination chemotherapy alone in treating patients with colon cancer. this trial opened on September 12, 2017. To learn more about this trial, visit CT.gov. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02912559) | Alliance Member Site

Kimmie Ng, MD, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, leads Alliance A021703 (Randomized double-blind phase III trial of vitamin D3 supplementation in patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer (SOLARIS)).

Alliance A021703 (SOLARIS) is a phase III trial that looks at how well vitamin D3 given with standard chemotherapy and bevacizumab works in treating patients with colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Vitamin D3 helps the body use calcium and phosphorus to make strong bones and teeth. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as leucovorin calcium, fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan hydrochloride, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as bevacizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving vitamin D3 with chemotherapy and bevacizumab may work better in shrinking or stabilizing colorectal cancer. It is not yet known whether giving high-dose vitamin D3 in addition to chemotherapy and bevacizumab would extend patients' time without disease compared to the usual approach (chemotherapy and bevacizumab). This trial opened on September 30, 2019. To learn more about this trial, visit CT.gov. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04094688) | Alliance Member Site

Ellen M. Lavoie Smith, PhD, RN, FAAN, of the University of Alabama School of Nursing, leads Alliance A221805 (Duloxetine to prevent oxaliplatin-Induced chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II to phase III study). 

Alliance A221805 is a phase II/III trial that studies the best dose of duloxetine and how well it works in preventing pain, tingling, and numbness (peripheral neuropathy) caused by treatment with oxaliplatin in patients with stage II-III colorectal cancer. Duloxetine increases the amount of certain chemicals in the brain that help relieve depression and pain. Giving duloxetine in patients undergoing treatment with oxaliplatin for colorectal cancer may help prevent peripheral neuropathy. The trial opened on May 1, 2020. To learn more about this trial, visit CT.gov. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04137107) | Alliance Member Site


 

For other articles in this issue of the Alliance E-News newsletter, see below.