Adjuvant Chemotherapy in cfHPV-DNA Plasma Positive Patients: A Biomarker In Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer

Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Cell-free Human Papillomavirus Deoxyribonucleic Acid (cfHPV-DNA) Plasma Positive Patients: A Biomarker In Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer (CC)

This study hypothesizes that patients who persist with cell-free human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid (cfHPV-DNA) plasma expression at the end of standard treatment, can derive the benefit of using adjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer (CC). After standard treatment based on concomitant chemoradiotherapy regime, a qualitative and quantitative research of cfHPV-DNA in plasma of patients will be conducted. Patients who have positive research for plasma cfHPV-DNA at the end of chemoradiotherapy treatment will be randomized to receive two additional cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy or observation. Patients will be followed with conduction of computed tomography (CT) scan of the thorax and magnetic resonance (MRI) of abdomen and pelvis and clinical and gynecological examination at every four months.

A prospective, randomized, multicenter, national, superiority, parallel, clinical trial, design to evaluate the use of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer selected by cfDNA-HPV biomarker. Patients will be randomized by stratified randomization process to belong to one of the groups: control (Group B) or intervention (Group C), emphasizing homogeneity of risk factors between them. A randomized list will be generated by using a suitable software, using variable size blocks (2 or 4), with stratification for site and staging. The confidentiality of the randomization list will be maintained through an automated, centralized, Internet-based randomization system, available 24 hours a day (RedCap). Selected patients must receive standard treatment based on concomitant chemoradiotherapy regime, with dose of radiation of 40-50 greys (Gy) (considering additional boost of 10-15 Gy in lymph nodes, radiologically or surgically, compromised) and brachytherapy of 30-40 Gy and cisplatin 40mg/m2 weekly. After four weeks of the end of treatment, a qualitative and quantitative research of cfHPV-DNA in plasma of patients will be conducted. Those with a negative qualitative research result will leave the study. Patients who have positive research for plasma 16, 18, 26, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 53, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68, 69, 73, 82 cfHPV-DNA at the end of chemoradiotherapy treatment will be randomized to receive two additional cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy or observation. In those cases in which the duration of radiochemotherapy treatment exceeds 84 days, patients must undergo imaging examination (chest, abdomen and pelvis CT) in order to exclude pre-randomization metastatic disease. Patients will be followed with conduction of computed tomography (CT) scan of the thorax and magnetic resonance (MRI) of abdomen and pelvis and clinical and gynecological examination at every four months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2018 stage IB3 to IVA will be included prospectively.
• Previous standard treatment based on concomitant chemoradiotherapy regimen.
• Karnofsky performance status score ≥70, with estimated life expectancy ≥12 weeks,
• Immunocompetent,
• Positive research for types 16, 18, 26, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 53, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68, 69, 73, 82 cfHPV-DNA in plasma at the end of chemoradiotherapy,
• Proper hematological, liver and kidney functions. Inclusion criteria will include absolute neutrophils count ≥1.5 x 109/L, platelets ≥100 x 10/L, serum bilirubin ≤ 2.0 x upper limit of normal (ULN), calculated creatinine clearance ≥50 mL/min and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 x ULN.
• Patients of child-bearing potential were obligated to use an approved contraceptive method during and for 3 months after the study;
• Agree with research procedures, by signing the Informed Consent Form (ICF).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous cervical cancer or other malignancies,
• Pregnant women,
• Inability to perform concurrent cisplatin based-chemoradiotherapy.
• Tumors containing different HPV genotypes
• Absence of anatomopathological examination to prove the diagnosis and/or staging examinations.