DOSAGE Study: a Multicenter Randomized Phase III Trial of DOSe-reduced Chemotherapy for Advanced Colorectal Cancer in Older Patients
The goal of this phase III, open-label, non-inferiority randomized controlled clinical trial is compare upfront dose-reduced chemotherapy with the standard dose chemotherapy in older patients ( ≥70 years) with metastasized colorectal cancer, with regard to progression-free survival (PFS). The choice between monotherapy (a fluoropyrimidine) and doublet chemotherapy (a fluoropyrimidine with oxaliplatin) will be made for each individual patient based on expected risk of chemotherapy toxicity (according to the G8 screening). Patients classified as low risk of toxicity will be randomized between doublet chemotherapy in either full-dose, or with an upfront dose-reduction of 25%. Patients classified as high risk will be randomized between monotherapy in either full-dose or upfront dose-reduction. Primary outcome is PFS. Secondary endpoints include grade ≥3 toxicity, QoL, physical functioning, overall survival, number of treatment cycles, dose reductions, hospital admissions, cumulative received dosage and cost-effectiveness.
• Patients aged 70 years or older with colorectal cancer and distant metastases without localized treatment options.
• Patients who are candidates for first-line palliative chemotherapy as judged by their treating oncologist
• Being able to understand the Dutch language
• Adequate bone marrow and organ function: Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \> 1.5 x 10\^9 mmol/L, Hemoglobin (Hb) \> 6.0 mmol/L, Platelets \>100 x 109 / L, Serum bilirubin ≤ 2 x upper limit of normal (ULN), serum transaminases ≤ 3 x ULN without presence of liver metastases or ≤ 5x ULN with presence of liver metastases.