The purpose of this page is to capture information about complex comparisons that is not easily conveyed on the treatment regimen pages. Many complex multipart RCTs are of the "Y-shaped" format "A followed by B1 versus B2" or "A1 versus A2 followed by B" and this can be captured on the treatment regimen pages. This page will convey information on more complicated designs, such as "A followed by B versus B followed by A" or "A followed by B versus C followed by D".
Breast cancer
ARNO 95
Arm 1, monotherapy
Arm 2, sequential
Comparative efficacy
Regimen
|
Efficacy
|
Tamoxifen, then Anastrozole
|
Seems to have superior OS
|
Tamoxifen
|
Seems to have inferior OS
|
References
- Kaufmann M, Jonat W, Hilfrich J, Eidtmann H, Gademann G, Zuna I, von Minckwitz G. Improved overall survival in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer after anastrozole initiated after treatment with tamoxifen compared with continued tamoxifen: the ARNO 95 Study. J Clin Oncol. 2007 Jul 1;25(19):2664-70. Epub 2007 Jun 11. link to original article PubMed
Assikis et al. 2003
Arm 1
Arm 2
Comparative efficacy
Regimen
|
Efficacy
|
FAC, then MV
|
Seems not superior
|
Tamoxifen
|
Seems not superior
|
References
- Assikis V, Buzdar A, Yang Y, Smith T, Theriault R, Booser D, Valero V, Walters R, Singletary E, Ames F, Hortobagyi G. A phase III trial of sequential adjuvant chemotherapy for operable breast carcinoma: final analysis with 10-year follow-up. Cancer. 2003 Jun 1;97(11):2716-23. link to original article contains protocol PubMed
BCIRG-005
Arm 1, sequential
Arm 2, concurrent
Comparative efficacy
Schedule
|
Efficacy
|
Sequential (AC, then T)
|
Seems not superior
|
Concurrent (TAC)
|
Seems not superior
|
References
- Eiermann W, Pienkowski T, Crown J, Sadeghi S, Martin M, Chan A, Saleh M, Sehdev S, Provencher L, Semiglazov V, Press M, Sauter G, Lindsay MA, Riva A, Buyse M, Drevot P, Taupin H, Mackey JR. Phase III study of doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide with concomitant versus sequential docetaxel as adjuvant treatment in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-normal, node-positive breast cancer: BCIRG-005 trial. J Clin Oncol. 2011 Oct 10;29(29):3877-84. Epub 2011 Sep 12. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
BCIRG 006
Arm 1, sequential without trastuzumab
Arm 2, sequential with trastuzumab
Arm 3, concurrent with trastuzumab
Comparative efficacy
- Analyzed using a step-down design
Comparison 1
Trastuzumab-containing regimens vs. AC, then T
|
Efficacy
|
AC, then TH
|
Superior OS
|
TCH
|
Seems to have superior OS
|
Comparison 2
Trastuzumab-containing regimens
|
Efficacy
|
AC, then TH
|
Seems not superior
|
TCH
|
Seems not superior
|
References
- Slamon D, Eiermann W, Robert N, Pienkowski T, Martin M, Press M, Mackey J, Glaspy J, Chan A, Pawlicki M, Pinter T, Valero V, Liu MC, Sauter G, von Minckwitz G, Visco F, Bee V, Buyse M, Bendahmane B, Tabah-Fisch I, Lindsay MA, Riva A, Crown J; Breast Cancer International Research Group. Adjuvant trastuzumab in HER2-positive breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2011 Oct 6;365(14):1273-83. link to original article link to PMC article PubMed
BIG 1-98
Arm 1, monotherapy
Arm 2, sequential
Arm 3, monotherapy
Arm 4, sequential
Comparative efficacy
- Analyzed by several methods; efficacy here is based on the 2011 update.
Comparison 1
Monotherapy
|
Efficacy
|
Letrozole
|
Superior OS
|
Tamoxifen
|
Inferior OS
|
Comparison 2
Sequential therapies
|
Efficacy
|
Letrozole, then Tamoxifen
|
Seems not superior
|
Tamoxifen, then Letrozole
|
Seems not superior
|
Comparison 3
Letrozole-containing therapies
|
Efficacy
|
Letrozole
|
Seems not superior
|
Letrozole, then Tamoxifen
|
Seems not superior
|
Tamoxifen, then Letrozole
|
Seems not superior
|
References
- Breast International Group (BIG) 1-98 Collaborative Group, Thürlimann B, Keshaviah A, Coates AS, Mouridsen H, Mauriac L, Forbes JF, Paridaens R, Castiglione-Gertsch M, Gelber RD, Rabaglio M, Smith I, Wardley A, Price KN, Goldhirsch A. A comparison of letrozole and tamoxifen in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2005 Dec 29;353(26):2747-57. Erratum in: N Engl J Med. 2006 May 18;354(20):2200. Wardly, Andrew [corrected to Wardley, Andrew ]. link to original article PubMed
- Update: Coates AS, Keshaviah A, Thürlimann B, Mouridsen H, Mauriac L, Forbes JF, Paridaens R, Castiglione-Gertsch M, Gelber RD, Colleoni M, Láng I, Del Mastro L, Smith I, Chirgwin J, Nogaret JM, Pienkowski T, Wardley A, Jakobsen EH, Price KN, Goldhirsch A. Five years of letrozole compared with tamoxifen as initial adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women with endocrine-responsive early breast cancer: update of study BIG 1-98. J Clin Oncol. 2007 Feb 10;25(5):486-92. Epub 2007 Jan 2. link to original article PubMed
- Subgroup analysis: Rasmussen BB, Regan MM, Lykkesfeldt AE, Dell'Orto P, Del Curto B, Henriksen KL, Mastropasqua MG, Price KN, Méry E, Lacroix-Triki M, Braye S, Altermatt HJ, Gelber RD, Castiglione-Gertsch M, Goldhirsch A, Gusterson BA, Thürlimann B, Coates AS, Viale G; BIG 1-98 Collaborative and International Breast Cancer Study Groups. Adjuvant letrozole versus tamoxifen according to centrally-assessed ERBB2 status for postmenopausal women with endocrine-responsive early breast cancer: supplementary results from the BIG 1-98 randomised trial. Lancet Oncol. 2008 Jan;9(1):23-8. Epub 2007 Dec 20. link to original article PubMed
- Subgroup analysis: Crivellari D, Sun Z, Coates AS, Price KN, Thürlimann B, Mouridsen H, Mauriac L, Forbes JF, Paridaens RJ, Castiglione-Gertsch M, Gelber RD, Colleoni M, Láng I, Del Mastro L, Gladieff L, Rabaglio M, Smith IE, Chirgwin JH, Goldhirsch A. Letrozole compared with tamoxifen for elderly patients with endocrine-responsive early breast cancer: the BIG 1-98 trial. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Apr 20;26(12):1972-9. Epub 2008 Mar 10. link to original article PubMed
- Update: Regan MM, Neven P, Giobbie-Hurder A, Goldhirsch A, Ejlertsen B, Mauriac L, Forbes JF, Smith I, Láng I, Wardley A, Rabaglio M, Price KN, Gelber RD, Coates AS, Thürlimann B; BIG 1-98 Collaborative Group.; International Breast Cancer Study Group (IBCSG). Assessment of letrozole and tamoxifen alone and in sequence for postmenopausal women with steroid hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: the BIG 1-98 randomised clinical trial at 8·1 years median follow-up. Lancet Oncol. 2011 Nov;12(12):1101-8. link to original article link to PMC article PubMed
BR9601
Arm 1
Arm 2
Comparative efficacy
Regimen
|
Efficacy
|
CMF x 8
|
Inferior OS
|
EC x 4, then CMF x 4
|
Superior OS
|
References
- Poole CJ, Earl HM, Hiller L, Dunn JA, Bathers S, Grieve RJ, Spooner DA, Agrawal RK, Fernando IN, Brunt AM, O'Reilly SM, Crawford SM, Rea DW, Simmonds P, Mansi JL, Stanley A, Harvey P, McAdam K, Foster L, Leonard RC, Twelves CJ; NEAT Investigators and the SCTBG. Epirubicin and cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil as adjuvant therapy for early breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2006 Nov 2;355(18):1851-62. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
CALGB 9741
Note: what is referred to in this study as concurrent is in fact the same regimen that is referred to as sequential in other studies.
Arm 1, sequential
Arm 2, dose-dense sequential
Arm 3, "concurrent"
Arm 4, dose-dense "concurrent"
Comparative efficacy
- Analyzed using a 2 x 2 factorial design
Comparison 1
Dose density
|
Efficacy
|
Dose-dense (q2wk)
|
Seems to have superior OS
|
Standard (q3wk)
|
Seems to have inferior OS
|
Comparison 2
Schedule
|
Efficacy
|
Concurrent
|
Seems not superior
|
Sequential
|
Seems not superior
|
References
- Citron ML, Berry DA, Cirrincione C, Hudis C, Winer EP, Gradishar WJ, Davidson NE, Martino S, Livingston R, Ingle JN, Perez EA, Carpenter J, Hurd D, Holland JF, Smith BL, Sartor CI, Leung EH, Abrams J, Schilsky RL, Muss HB, Norton L. Randomized trial of dose-dense versus conventionally scheduled and sequential versus concurrent combination chemotherapy as postoperative adjuvant treatment of node-positive primary breast cancer: first report of Intergroup Trial C9741/Cancer and Leukemia Group B Trial 9741. J Clin Oncol. 2003 Apr 15;21(8):1431-9. Epub 2003 Feb 13. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
DBCG 07-READ
Arm 1
Arm 2, "EC-D"
Comparative efficacy
Regimen
|
Efficacy
|
DC x 6
|
Seems not superior
|
EC x 3, then D x 3
|
Seems not superior
|
References
- Ejlertsen B, Tuxen MK, Jakobsen EH, Jensen MB, Knoop AS, Højris I, Ewertz M, Balslev E, Danø H, Vestlev PM, Kenholm J, Nielsen DL, Bechmann T, Andersson M, Cold S, Nielsen HM, Maae E, Carlsen D, Mouridsen HT. Adjuvant cyclophosphamide and docetaxel with or without epirubicin for early TOP2A-normal breast cancer: DBCG 07-READ, an open-label, phase III, randomized trial. J Clin Oncol. 2017 Aug 10;35(23):2639-2646. Epub 2017 Jun 29. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
FNCLCC PACS 01
Arm 1
Arm 2
Comparative efficacy
Regimen
|
Efficacy
|
FEC x 6
|
Seems to have inferior OS
|
FEC x 3, then D x 3
|
Seems to have superior OS
|
References
- Roché H, Fumoleau P, Spielmann M, Canon JL, Delozier T, Serin D, Symann M, Kerbrat P, Soulié P, Eichler F, Viens P, Monnier A, Vindevoghel A, Campone M, Goudier MJ, Bonneterre J, Ferrero JM, Martin AL, Genève J, Asselain B. Sequential adjuvant epirubicin-based and docetaxel chemotherapy for node-positive breast cancer patients: the FNCLCC PACS 01 Trial. J Clin Oncol. 2006 Dec 20;24(36):5664-71. Epub 2006 Nov 20. link to original article PubMed
GEICAM 9906
Arm 1
Arm 2
Comparative efficacy
Regimen
|
Efficacy
|
FEC x 6
|
Inferior DFS
|
FEC x 4, then T
|
Superior DFS
|
References
- Martín M, Rodríguez-Lescure A, Ruiz A, Alba E, Calvo L, Ruiz-Borrego M, Munárriz B, Rodríguez CA, Crespo C, de Alava E, López García-Asenjo JA, Guitián MD, Almenar S, González-Palacios JF, Vera F, Palacios J, Ramos M, Gracia Marco JM, Lluch A, Alvarez I, Seguí MA, Mayordomo JI, Antón A, Baena JM, Plazaola A, Modolell A, Pelegrí A, Mel JR, Aranda E, Adrover E, Alvarez JV, García Puche JL, Sánchez-Rovira P, Gonzalez S, López-Vega JM; GEICAM 9906 Study Investigators. Randomized phase 3 trial of fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide alone or followed by paclitaxel for early breast cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2008 Jun 4;100(11):805-14. Epub 2008 May 27. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
Intergroup Exemestane Study
Arm 1, monotherapy
Arm 2, sequential
Comparative efficacy
Note: reported efficacy is based on the 2007 update.
Regimen
|
Efficacy
|
Tamoxifen x 5y
|
Might have inferior OS
|
Tamoxifen x 2-3y, then Exemestane x 2-3y (5y total)
|
Might have superior OS
|
References
- Coombes RC, Hall E, Gibson LJ, Paridaens R, Jassem J, Delozier T, Jones SE, Alvarez I, Bertelli G, Ortmann O, Coates AS, Bajetta E, Dodwell D, Coleman RE, Fallowfield LJ, Mickiewicz E, Andersen J, Lønning PE, Cocconi G, Stewart A, Stuart N, Snowdon CF, Carpentieri M, Massimini G, Bliss JM, van de Velde C; Intergroup Exemestane Study. A randomized trial of exemestane after two to three years of tamoxifen therapy in postmenopausal women with primary breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2004 Mar 11;350(11):1081-92. link to original article PubMed
- Update: Coombes RC, Kilburn LS, Snowdon CF, Paridaens R, Coleman RE, Jones SE, Jassem J, Van de Velde CJ, Delozier T, Alvarez I, Del Mastro L, Ortmann O, Diedrich K, Coates AS, Bajetta E, Holmberg SB, Dodwell D, Mickiewicz E, Andersen J, Lønning PE, Cocconi G, Forbes J, Castiglione M, Stuart N, Stewart A, Fallowfield LJ, Bertelli G, Hall E, Bogle RG, Carpentieri M, Colajori E, Subar M, Ireland E, Bliss JM; Intergroup Exemestane Study. Survival and safety of exemestane versus tamoxifen after 2-3 years' tamoxifen treatment (Intergroup Exemestane Study): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2007 Feb 17;369(9561):559-70. link to original article PubMed
Mavroudis et al. 2017
Arm 1, sequential
Arm 2, concurrent
Comparative efficacy
Schedule
|
Efficacy
|
Sequential
|
Might have superior DFS
|
Concurrent
|
Might have inferior DFS
|
References
- Mavroudis D, Saloustros E, Boukovinas I, Papakotoulas P, Kakolyris S, Ziras N, Christophylakis C, Kentepozidis N, Fountzilas G, Rigas G, Varthalitis I, Kalbakis K, Agelaki S, Hatzidaki D, Georgoulias V. Sequential vs concurrent epirubicin and docetaxel as adjuvant chemotherapy for high-risk, node-negative, early breast cancer: an interim analysis of a randomised phase III study from the Hellenic Oncology Research Group. Br J Cancer. 2017 Jul 11;117(2):164-170. Epub 2017 Jun 22. link to original articlecontains verified protocol PubMed
NEAT
Arm 1
Arm 2
Comparative efficacy
Regimen
|
Efficacy
|
CMF x 6
|
Inferior OS
|
EC x 4, then CMF x 4
|
Superior OS
|
References
- Poole CJ, Earl HM, Hiller L, Dunn JA, Bathers S, Grieve RJ, Spooner DA, Agrawal RK, Fernando IN, Brunt AM, O'Reilly SM, Crawford SM, Rea DW, Simmonds P, Mansi JL, Stanley A, Harvey P, McAdam K, Foster L, Leonard RC, Twelves CJ; NEAT Investigators and the SCTBG. Epirubicin and cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil as adjuvant therapy for early breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2006 Nov 2;355(18):1851-62. link to original article contains verified protocol PubMed
NSABP B-38
Arm 1, sequential without gemcitabine
Arm 1, sequential with gemcitabine
Arm 3, concurrent
Comparative efficacy
Schedule
|
Efficacy
|
Sequential (ddAC, then ddP)
|
Seems not superior
|
Sequential (ddAC, then ddPG)
|
Seems not superior
|
Concurrent (TAC)
|
Seems not superior
|
References
- Swain SM, Tang G, Geyer CE Jr, Rastogi P, Atkins JN, Donnellan PP, Fehrenbacher L, Azar CA, Robidoux A, Polikoff JA, Brufsky AM, Biggs DD, Levine EA, Zapas JL, Provencher L, Northfelt DW, Paik S, Costantino JP, Mamounas EP, Wolmark N. Definitive results of a phase III adjuvant trial comparing three chemotherapy regimens in women with operable, node-positive breast cancer: the NSABP B-38 trial. J Clin Oncol. 2013 Sep 10;31(26):3197-204. Epub 2013 Aug 12. link to original article link to PMC article contains verified protocol PubMed
TACT2
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
Comparative efficacy
- Analyzed using a 2 x 2 factorial design
Comparison 1
Dose density of epirubicin
|
Efficacy
|
Dose-dense (q2wk)
|
Seems not superior
|
Standard (q3wk)
|
Seems not superior
|
Comparison 2
Capecitabine vs. CMF
|
Efficacy
|
Capecitabine
|
Non-inferior TTR
|
CMF
|
Non-inferior TTR
|
References
- Cameron D, Morden JP, Canney P, Velikova G, Coleman R, Bartlett J, Agrawal R, Banerji J, Bertelli G, Bloomfield D, Brunt AM, Earl H, Ellis P, Gaunt C, Gillman A, Hearfield N, Laing R, Murray N, Couper N, Stein RC, Verrill M, Wardley A, Barrett-Lee P, Bliss JM; TACT2 Investigators. Accelerated versus standard epirubicin followed by cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil or capecitabine as adjuvant therapy for breast cancer in the randomised UK TACT2 trial (CRUK/05/19): a multicentre, phase 3, open-label, randomised, controlled trial. Lancet Oncol. 2017 Jul;18(7):929-945. Epub 2017 Jun 7. link to original article link to PMC article contains verified protocol PubMed