Reporting and impact of subsequent cycle toxicities in oncology phase I clinical trials

Abstract

Background/Aims As oncology treatments evolve, classic assumptions of toxicity associated with cytotoxic agents may be less relevant, requiring new design strategies for trials intended to inform dosing strategies for agents that may be administered beyond a set number of defined cycles. We describe the overall incidence of dose-limiting toxicities during and after cycle 1, frequency of reporting subsequent cycle toxicities, and the impact of post-cycle 1 dose-limiting toxicities on conclusions drawn from oncology phase 1 clinical trials. Methods We conducted a systematic review of subsequent cycle toxicities in oncology phase I clinical trials published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology from 2000 to 2020. We used chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression to describe predictors of reporting subsequent cycle toxicity data. Results From 2000 to 2020, we identified 489 articles reporting on therapeutic phase 1 clinical trials. Of these, 421 (86%) reported data regarding cycle 1 dose-limiting toxicities and 170 (35%) reported data on cycle 1 dose modifications. Of the trials that reported cycle 1 dose-limiting toxicities, the median percentage of patients that experienced cycle 1 dose-limiting toxicities was 8.89%. Only 47 (9.6%) publications reported on post-cycle 1 dose-limiting toxicities and only 92 (19%) reported on dose modifications beyond cycle 1. Of the trials that reported post-cycle 1 dose-limiting toxicities, the median percentage of patients that experienced post-cycle 1 dose-limiting toxicities was 14.8%. Among the 371 studies with a recommended phase 2 dose, 89% did not report whether post-cycle 1 toxicities impacted the recommended phase 2 dose. More recent year of publication was independently associated with reduced odds of reporting subsequent cycle toxicity. Conclusion Reporting of subsequent cycle toxicity is uncommon in oncology phase I clinical trial publications and becoming less common over time. Guidelines for reporting of phase I oncology clinical trials should expand to include toxicity data beyond the first cycle.