Background The concept of risk assessment for clinical trials has been discussed before, but no comprehensive structured procedure leading to risk-adapted quality management has been published so far. Such a procedure is of particular interest for noncommercial trials in order to optimally use the sparse resources.Purpose To provide a structured procedure for risk analysis in clinical trials. To propose strategies for on-site monitoring adapted to the risks identified.Results The risk analysis refers to the risk of noncompliance with the main objectives of Good Clinical Practice. It takes into account risks of the study intervention compared to the risks a patient would run if treated outside a protocol as well as further potential risks regarding patient safety, patient rights, or the credibility of results. The risk analysis is based on detailed questionnaires, which are used to draw up (a) an on-site monitoring strategy recommendation, (b) a list of trial-specific tasks to be covered by on-site monitoring, and (c) a specification of further quality management measures e.g., central monitoring measures. The resulting risk-adapted monitoring strategies focus on the trial's critical aspects, and differ in terms of the recommended extent of on-site activities.Limitations The effectiveness of the proposed risk analysis and risk-adapted monitoring has not yet been confirmed. However, the ADAMON project (prospective cluster-randomised study of trial-specific adapted strategies for on-site monitoring in combination with additional quality management measures) has been started in Germany to investigate whether a trial-specific, risk-adapted, reduced on-site monitoring strategy is as effective as an intensive monitoring strategy with regard to the occurrence of serious or critical audit findings. Twelve clinical trials planning to recruit more than 3200 patients participate in this investigation.Conclusions Our proposal will provide sponsor-investigators and other noncommercial sponsors with an instrument that may facilitate risk analysis and the implementation of targeted quality management measures. Clinical Trials 2009; 6: 585-596. http://ctj.sagepub.com.

For Investigator Initiated Trials (IITs) alternative risk-adapted monitoring strategies are discussed in order to fulfill rules and regulations, taking into consideration the restricted resources. In this systematic review investigations, presenting quantitative data about data quality and protocol compliance in clinical trials, are analyzed. The results are discussed taking into account the quality assurance procedures implemented. Based on a systematic MEDLINE retrieval, 21 studies could be identified in which data and process quality in clinical trials were investigated and assessed by site visits with source data verification or review of copied source data in the study center and quantitative information about data quality and protocol compliance was available. The majority of investigations were performed by three organizations: European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) (n=7), National Cancer Institute (NCI) (n=7) and investigations of the Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) (n=4). In addition three investigations of other study groups were identified. The investigations were published between 1981 and 2003. In the majority of cases oncological trials were investigated (n=19) with a focus on radiotherapy trials (n=8). In the EORTC-trials an overall good data quality was assessed (80–90% correct data). Singular problems were found with respect to protocol compliance and reporting of adverse reactions and serious unexpected events. Good quality was also observed with respect to the correct inclusion of patients into trials. By the NCI a standardized audit system was introduced and implemented within cooperative study groups. In the context of these audits different criteria were assessed and a good data quality and protocol compliance were measured. Deficits occurred in about 5% of the cases with respect to informed consent, correct application of inclusion criteria, protocol compliance, assessment of outcome criteria, assessment of toxicity, adequate data reporting and data verification. In some investigations problems with treatment compliance (10-20%), drug dose deviations (10%) and drug accountability (15%) were identified. By the TROG a quality assurance procedure was implemented, based on central monitoring of copied source data. By this approach major problems with protocol compliance could be reduced to less than 10% together with a good data quality with an error rate under 5%. The correct handling of in- and exclusion criteria was a problem in individual cases. In summary we found out that good data quality and good to moderate protocol compliance were reported by the study groups that are included in the systematic review. Due to the authors this is mainly due to an established quality assurance system, taking into consideration that audits itself may be an influential factor. Generally, minor problems were observed with respect to informed consent, correct handling of in- and exclusion criteria and data quality, however, in some studies there were problems with protocol compliance. Overall, number and type of deficits depend on study type, quality management and organization of the study group. Fraud was detected only in very few cases. The available evidence refers mainly to established study groups; for data quality and protocol compliance outside these groups only few information is available. However, it should be taken into consideration, that the analysis was performed, at least partly, by the study groups themselves and is not based on independent audits (e.g. external audits). The analysis cannot answer the question whether the results would have been replicable if a strict review according to criteria of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) would have been performed. From the systematic review consequences have to be taken for planning a prospective controlled trial comparing different monitoring strategies. The main influence factor for data quality and protocol compliance in a clinical trial is the quality management system. Quality management covers several other measures apart from monitoring. In order to assess monitoring strategies, all quality assurance procedures within a clinical trial have to be taken into consideration. For the comparison of different monitoring strategies adequate outcome parameter have to be defined (e.g. severe deficits with respect to inclusion and exclusion criteria, safety). The analysis indicates that with good quality management and no extensive on-site monitoring severe errors were detected only at relative low frequency. It could well be that with an efficient quality management system differences between monitoring strategies would be small. In order to demonstrate statistical equivalence of monitoring strategies, only small differences can be accepted which again leads to consequences for the sample-size calculation. In addition, it must be taken into consideration that within a controlled trial an independent audit is necessary to assess the effect of different monitoring strategies on the safety of patients and the quality of data. Audits however may be a possible influence factor for data quality and protocol compliance and may complicate the evaluation of the benefit of a monitoring strategy.

To date, there is little information on the impact of more aggressive treatment regimen such as BEACOPP (bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone) on the fertility of male patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). We evaluated the impact of BEACOPP regimen on fertility status in 38 male patients with advanced-stage HL enrolled into trials of the German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG). Before treatment, 6 (23%) patients had normozoospermia and 20 (77%) patients had dysspermia. After treatment, 34 (89%) patients had azoospermia, 4 (11%) had other dysspermia, and no patients had normozoospermia. There was no difference in azoospermia rate between patients treated with BEACOPP baseline and those given BEACOPP escalated (93% vs 87%, respectively; P > .999). After treatment, most of patients (93%) had abnormal values of follicle-stimulating hormone, whereas the number of patients with abnormal levels of testosterone and luteinizing hormone was less pronounced-57% and 21%, respectively. In univariate analysis, none of the evaluated risk factors (ie, age, clinical stage, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, B symptoms, large mediastinal mass, extranodal disease, and 3 or more lymph nodes) was statistically significant. Male patients with HL are at high risk of infertility after treatment with BEACOPP.

Fourth interim analysis of the HD R2 study, a european multicenter trial for patients with relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma

Introduction The prospectively randomized HD15 multicenter trial of the German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG) included advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma patients comparing 8 cycles of BEACOPP escalated with 6 cycles or 8 cycles time-condensed BEACOPP baseline . One other main study endpoint was the prognostic value of 18 F-fluorodesoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) following chemotherapy. The aim was to specify the negative predictive value of PET (NPV) in patients with residual tumour mass after chemotherapy. Methods Entry criteria for the PET question were partial remission (PR) after the end of chemotherapy with at least one involved nodal site measuring more than 2.5 cm in diameter by computed tomography (CT). Exclusion criteria included diabetes, elevated blood sugar levels and skeletal involvement with risk of instability. Calculations were restricted to those cases with either progressive disease (PD) or relapse within 12 months after PET or at least 12 months of follow-up. A total of 275 patients were eligible for this analysis. The assessment was based on those patients confirmed by an expert panel as being PET-negative. CT verification was performed to identify false positive PET findings. The NPV was defined as the proportion of patients without progression or relapse within 12 months. Results 9/216 patients with PET-negative residues and 9/59 patients with PET-positive residues had PD or relapse within one year of follow-up. The NPV was 0.958% (95% CI 0.931 – 0.985%). In 244/245 cases with PET-negative residual masses, no irradiation was given. In the 62/66 cases with PET-positive residues, additional radiotherapy was performed. Progression/relapse rates were significantly different between those patients with residual mass being PET-negative or PET-positive (p=0.0053). PET-negative patients, who were assessed as partial response by CT, had a prognosis similar to those in complete remission. There was no significant difference in the progression free survival in this trial and the prior GHSG trials HD12 (arms pooled) and HD9 (arm C) for advanced-stage HL (p=0.266). Importantly, the proportion of patients receiving radiotherapy decreased from 70% (HD9-C) to 39% (HD12) and 12% (HD15). Discussion The high NPV of PET suggests that radiotherapy following 6 or 8 cycles of BEACOPP might be restricted to those patients who are PET-positive after chemotherapy.

LBA8015 Background: The HD9 trial was designed to compare standard and dose escalated versions of a novel chemotherapy BEACOPP in advanced Hodgkin lymphoma. The previous analysis in 2004 showed improved tumor control and overall survival due to dose escalation. The present 10 year analysis in March 2007 aimed to update and confirm these results and to monitor late effects. Methods: Patients aged 16–65 years with untreated Hodgkin lymphoma stage IIB/IIIA and risk factors or stage IIIB/IV were randomized to (A) 4 double cycles COPP/ABVD, (B) 8 cycles standard-dose BEACOPP or (C) 8 cycles increased-dose BEACOPP (doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide and etoposide at 140%, 192% and 200% of standard doses, respectively), each followed by irradiation of initial bulky and residual disease. Accrual of at least 900 patients was planned so as to detect a 9–10% improvement in the primary endpoint, freedom from treatment failure (FFTF), with a power of 80% (alpha=5%). Results: 1196 of 1201 eligible, randomized patients were evaluable (261, 469 and 466 in arms A, B and C, respectively). Median follow-up times were 122, 111 and 107 months in arms A, B and C respectively (29–32 months longer than in 2004). Corresponding 10-year FFTF rates were 64%, 70% and 82% respectively (p<0.0001). FFTF was significantly better in the increased-dose arm than in the standard-dose arm (p<0.0001). 10-year overall survival rates were 75%, 80% and 86% respectively (p=0.0005). Overall survival was also significantly better in the increased-dose arm than in the standard-dose arm (p=0.0053). Death due to HL was 11.5%, 8.1% and 2.8% in arms A, B and C respectively. 74 second malignancies were documented: 1, 7 and 14 acute myeloid leukemias (AML); 7, 8 and 5 non-Hodgkin lymphomas; 7, 16 and 9 solid tumors/others in arms A, B and C respectively. The corresponding overall secondary malignancy rates were 6.7% , 8.9% and 6.8%. Conclusions: Even after 10 years, dose escalation of BEACOPP chemotherapy results in a stabilized significant improvement in long-term FFTF and OS rates. The risk of secondary AML, although increased in this study after increased-dose BEACOPP, amounts to 0.9% in the succeeding study with increased BEACOPP with 1502 patients and 4 years median follow-up. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Purpose: The role of radiotherapy (RT) after intensive chemotherapy in patients with advanced stage Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is still unclear. The German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG) randomized HD12 trial was designed to test whether consolidative RT in the region of initial bulky disease and of residual disease is necessary after effective chemotherapy. A quality control program based on a multidisciplinary panel of radiation oncologists, radiologists, and medical oncologists who reviewed all patients' staging and restaging imaging was initiated.Methods and Materials: A total of 1661 patients aged 16 to 65 years with HL in Stage IIB (large mediastinal mass and/or E-lesions) or Stage III to IV were randomized from January 1999 to January 2003 according to a factorial design between: 8 esc.BEACOPP + RT (arm A), 8 esc.BEACOPP non-RT (arm B), 4+4BEACOPP + RT (arm C), 4+4BEACOPP non-RT (arm D).Results: In the fifth interim analysis, 1449 patients were eligible for the arm comparison with regard to RT. After a median observation time of 48 months the FFTF rate was 86% and the OS 92%. The FFTF was 95% in the RT arms A+C and 88 % in the non-RT arms B+D: no sequential significant difference. One thousand and eighty four patients were evaluated by the panel. The panel defined initial bulky disease in 800 patients and residual disease in 600 patients. The panel recommended continuation of therapy according to the randomization for 934 of 1084 patients and additive RT independently from the randomization arm for 145 of 1084 patients.Conclusions: The study showed that RT can be reduced substantially after effective chemotherapy. However, because of the irradiation of 10% of patients in the non-RT arms, equivalent effectiveness of a non-RT strategy cannot be proved. A substantial limitation of consolidative RT according to expert panel recommendations appears to be possible without reducing effectiveness. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc.

PURPOSE:Standardized response criteria are needed to interpret and compare clinical trials and for approval of new therapeutic agents by regulatory agencies.METHODS:The International Working Group response criteria (Cheson et al, J Clin Oncol 17:1244, 1999) were widely adopted, but required reassessment because of identified limitations and the increased use of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (PET), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and flow cytometry. The International Harmonization Project was convened to provide updated recommendations.RESULTS:New guidelines are presented incorporating PET, IHC, and flow cytometry for definitions of response in non-Hodgkin's and Hodgkin's lymphoma. Standardized definitions of end points are provided.CONCLUSION:We hope that these guidelines will be adopted widely by study groups, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and regulatory agencies to facilitate the development of new and more effective therapies to improve the outcome of patients with lymphoma.

Abstract Introduction: As a consequence of the impressive long-term remission rates in Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL), the reduction of treatment-related complications is becoming increasingly important. The most important treatment-related toxicities are secondary malignancies, infertility, pulmonary, cardiac, and thyroid dysfunction. Here, we report results of the prospectively planned LENT-SOMA questionnaire to determine female gonadal toxicities in women successfully treated for HL. Patients and methods: Between 1998 and 2002, the GHSG has conducted the fourth generation of clinical trials for the treatment of early, intermediate and advanced stage HL (HD 10–12) involving a total of approximately 4000 evaluable patients. The LENT-SOMA questionnaire was sent out to the participating centers 2, 5 and 10 years after a patient’s randomisation to evaluate cardiac, pulmonary, and gonadal dysfunction after HL treatment. To focus on female gonadal toxicities, questions referred to the menstrual cycle, infertility, and osteoporosis. Results: Overall, approximately 1.900 (50%) LENT-SOMA questionnaire after 2 years were identified. A total of 568 questionnaire were evaluable for the question of menstrual cycle after therapy. Amenorrhea was most frequent in women with advanced stage after treatment with 8 cycles of escalated BEACOPP compared to treatment consisting of 4 cycles of escalated BEACOPP plus 4 cycles of BEACOPP baseline (45% vs. 19%, p<0.0001). A regular cycle was most commonly reported in women treated with two or four cycles of ABVD (98.8% and 95.9%). The frequency of gonadal dysfunction will be evaluated according to treatment modality (chemotherapy, chemo- and radiotherapy) and it will be analysed with respect to age. Conclusion: Female gonadal toxicities after HL treatment include amenorrhea, infertility and osteoporosis. The first analysis of the LENT-SOMA questionnaire focussing on female gonadal dysfunction will be presented.

Background: The optimal treatment of elderly patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is still a matter of debate. Since many of these patients receive combined modality treatment, we evaluated the impact of different radiation field sizes, that is extended-field (EF) or involved-field (IF) technique when given after four cycles of chemotherapy.Patients and methods: In the multicenter HD8 study of the German Hodgkin Study Group, 1204 patients with early-stage unfavorable HL were randomized to receive four cycles of chemotherapy followed by either radiotherapy (RT) of 30 Gy EF + 10 Gy to bulky disease (arm A) or 30 Gy IF + 10 Gy to bulky disease (arm B). A total of 1064 patients were assessable for the analysis. Of these, 89 patients (8.4%) were 60 years or older.Results: Elderly patients had a poorer risk profile. Acute toxicity from RT was more pronounced in elderly patients receiving EF-RT compared with IF-RT [World Health Organization (WHO) grade 3/4: 26.5% versus 8.6%)]. Freedom from treatment failure (FFTF, 64% versus 87%) and overall survival (OS, 70% versus 94%) after 5 years was lower in elderly patients compared with younger patients. Importantly, elderly patients had poorer outcome when treated with EF-RT compared with IF-RT in terms of FFTF (58% versus 70%; P = 0.034) and OS (59% versus 81%; P = 0.008).Conclusion: Elderly patients with early-stage unfavorable HL generally have a poorer risk profile and outcome when compared with younger patients. Treatment with EF-RT instead of IF-RT after chemotherapy has a negative impact on survival of elderly patients and should be avoided.