Reporting the trajectories of adverse events over the entire treatment course in patients with recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer treated with platinum-based combination chemotherapy regimens: A graphical approach to trial adverse event reporting

Abstract

Background: Clinical trials report adverse events (AEs) in a dense table focusing on the frequency of 'worst grade' AEs experienced over the duration of treatment. There is usually no granular information provided on the timing and trajectory of AEs or whether they are likely to worsen, improve, or remain constant over time.

Patients and methods: Non-hematologic (NH) AE data was extracted from the CALYPSO trial comparing carboplatin with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (CD) to carboplatin with paclitaxel (CP) in recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC). Generalised estimating equations (GEE) were used to assess the risk and trajectory of combined Grade 2 or higher (G2+) AE and of each specific AE. The risk of G2+AE was also compared between treatment arms.

Results: The study included 976 patients and AE were reported for the duration of treatment. Most patients experienced at least one G2+NHAE (CP:CD, 96.0%:80.6%). Risk of combined G2+AE increased with CP (4.1% per-cycle) but decreased with CD (0.8%, P <0.01). When alopecia and sensory neuropathy were excluded, risk of G2+ AE decreased by 2.7% per-cycle, with no significant difference between treatment arms. G2+ nausea improved (15.2% per-cycle, P <0.01). G2+ sensory neuropathy worsened (29.3% per-cycle, P <0.01). Fatigue was stable (17% per-cycle, P =0.06) whilst G2+ pain decreased over time (13.4% per-cycle, P <0.01), with no difference between treatment arms.

Conclusion: Existing trial data can be used to provide AE trajectories as illustrated here for ROC. These trajectories have utility in guiding treatment choice and potentially optimising AE management with novel therapies and treatment combinations.

Keywords: Adverse events; Chemotherapy; Ovarian cancer; Toxicity.