Edna Chow Maneval

Phase II Study of Sunitinib Administered in a Continuous Once-Daily Dosing Regimen in Patients With Cytokine-Refractory Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

PURPOSEnSunitinib has demonstrated antitumor activity in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) when given at 50 mg/d on a 4-weeks-on 2-weeks-off regimen. Herein, we report results of an open-label, multicenter phase II mRCC study of sunitinib administered on a continuous once-daily dosing regimen.nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnEligibility criteria included histologically proven mRCC with measurable disease, failure of one prior cytokine regimen, and good performance status. Patients were randomly assigned to a sunitinib starting dose of 37.5 mg/d in the morning (AM) or evening (PM). RECIST-defined objective response rate (ORR) was the primary end point. Secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), adverse events (AEs), and quality-of-life measures.nnnRESULTSnOne hundred seven patients were randomly assigned to AM (n = 54) or PM (n = 53) dosing and on study for a median 8.3 months. Eighty-three patients discontinued, 65 due to disease progression and 16 because of AEs; two patients withdrew consent. Dosing was reduced to 25 mg/d in 46 patients (43%) due to grade 3/4 AEs. The most common grade 3 treatment-related AEs were asthenia/fatigue (16%), diarrhea (11%), hypertension (11%), hand-foot syndrome (9%), and anorexia (8%). ORR was 20% with a 7.2-month median response duration. Median PFS and OS were 8.2 and 19.8 months, respectively, at median follow-up of 26.4 months. Efficacy, tolerability, and quality-of-life results were similar between patients dosed in the AM or PM.nnnCONCLUSIONnSunitinib 37.5 mg, administered on a continuous once-daily dosing regimen, has a manageable safety profile as second-line mRCC therapy, providing flexible dosing, which can be explored in combination studies.

Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Phase III Trial of Sunitinib Plus Prednisone Versus Prednisone Alone in Progressive, Metastatic, Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

PURPOSEnWe evaluated angiogenesis-targeted sunitinib therapy in a randomized, double-blind trial of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnMen with progressive mCRPC after docetaxel-based chemotherapy were randomly assigned 2:1 to receive sunitinib 37.5 mg/d continuously or placebo. Patients also received oral prednisone 5 mg twice daily. The primary end point was overall survival (OS); secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS). Two interim analyses were planned.nnnRESULTSnOverall, 873 patients were randomly assigned to receive sunitinib (n = 584) or placebo (n = 289). The independent data monitoring committee stopped the study for futility after the second interim analysis. After a median overall follow-up of 8.7 months, median OS was 13.1 months and 11.8 months for sunitinib and placebo, respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 0.914; 95% CI, 0.762 to 1.097; stratified log-rank test, P = .168). PFS was significantly improved in the sunitinib arm (median 5.6 v 4.1 months; HR, 0.725; 95% CI, 0.591 to 0.890; stratified log-rank test, P < .001). Toxicity and rates of discontinuations because of adverse events (AEs; 27% v 7%) were greater with sunitinib than placebo. The most common treatment-related grade 3/4 AEs were fatigue (9% v 1%), asthenia (8% v 2%), and hand-foot syndrome (7% v 0%). Frequent treatment-emergent grade 3/4 hematologic abnormalities were lymphopenia (20% v 11%), anemia (9% v 8%), and neutropenia (6% v < 1%).nnnCONCLUSIONnThe addition of sunitinib to prednisone did not improve OS compared with placebo in docetaxel-refractory mCRPC. The role of antiangiogenic therapy in mCRPC remains investigational.

Phase 2 Study of the Safety and Antitumor Activity of Apalutamide (ARN-509), a Potent Androgen Receptor Antagonist, in the High-risk Nonmetastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer Cohort

Background Apalutamide is a potent androgen receptor (AR) antagonist that targets the AR ligand-binding domain and prevents AR nuclear translocation, DNA binding, and transcription of AR gene targets. Objective: To evaluate the activity and safety of apalutamide in patients with high-risk nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC). Design, setting, and participants We conducted a multicenter phase 2 study of nmCRPC patients with a high risk for progression (prostate-specific antigen [PSA] ≥8 ng/ml or PSA doubling time [PSA DT] ≤10 mo). Intervention Patients received 240 mg/d apalutamide while continuing on androgen-deprivation therapy. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Primary end point was 12-wk PSA response (Prostate Cancer Working Group 2 criteria). Secondary end points included safety, time to PSA progression (TTPP), and metastasis-free survival (MFS). Results and limitations A total of 51 patients were enrolled; four patients with metastatic disease were excluded from the efficacy analysis. Patient characteristics included median age, 71 yr; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 (76%); Gleason score ≤ 7 (57%); median PSA 10.7 ng/ml; and PSA DT ≤10 mo (45%). At median follow-up of 28.0 mo, 18 patients (35%) remained in the study. Overall, 89% of patients had ≥50% PSA decline at 12 wk. Median TTPP was 24.0 mo (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.3 mo–not reached [NR]); median MFS was NR (95% CI, 33.4 mo–NR). Most of the patients discontinued study treatment (n = 33) due to disease progression (n = 11 [22%]) or adverse events (AEs) (n = 9 [18%]). The most common AE was fatigue (any grade, n = 31 [61%]) although grade ≥3 fatigue was uncommon (n = 2 [4%]). These represent the first apalutamide nmCRPC patient clinical data. Conclusions In high-risk nmCRPC patients, apalutamide was safe with robust activity based on durable PSA responses and disease control. Patient summary Antitumor activity and the safety of apalutamide in patients with nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer support continued development in this setting. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01171898

Phase I/II safety and pharmacokinetic (PK) study of ARN-509 in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC): Phase I results of a Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Consortium study.

43 Background: In CRPC, androgen receptor (AR) overexpression is associated with resistance to first-generation anti-androgen therapy such as bicalutamide. ARN-509 is a novel small molecule AR antagonist that impairs AR nuclear translocation and binding to DNA, inhibiting tumor growth and promoting apoptosis, with no partial agonist activity. Preclinical data shows that ARN-509 binds AR with 5-fold greater affinity than bicalutamide, and induces tumor regression in hormone-sensitive and CRPC xenograft models.nnnMETHODSnIn this open-label, Phase 1/2 study, mCRPC patients received ARN-509 orally on a continuous daily dosing schedule. In Phase 1 , 7 doses (30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 300 mg) were tested using standard 3x3 dose escalation criteria to assess safety, PK, and determine the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D). Preliminary anti-tumor activity was assessed by PSA kinetics, radiographic responses, circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and FDHT-PET imaging.nnnRESULTSnTwenty-four patients (median age 68 yrs, Gleason Score 8; prior docetaxel 13%) were enrolled. The most common Grade 1-2 treatment-related adverse events were fatigue (38%), nausea (29%), and pain (24%). There was only 1 treatment-related Grade 3 adverse event (abdominal pain) at 300 mg, possibly related to a higher pill burden, which led to an additional 3 patients being enrolled at the highest dose with no further dose limiting toxicities. PK was shown to be linear and dose-dependent. Twelve patients (55%) had ≥ 50% PSA declines. To date, 7 patients have discontinued the study due to progression, with the longest patient still on study for more than 1 year. FDHT-PET imaging demonstrated AR blockade at 4 weeks across multiple dose levels. Based on preclinical assessment of maximum efficacious dose, PK, and promising activity across all doses, 240 mg was selected as the RP2D.nnnCONCLUSIONSnIn this Phase 1 study, ARN-509 was shown to be safe and well tolerated, with promising preliminary activity based on PSA and pharmacodynamic evidence of AR antagonism. The Phase 2 portion of the study will enroll up to 90 patients with treatment-naïve non-metastatic and mCRPC.

ARN-509 in men with high-risk nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

7 Background: ARN-509 is a novel second-generation anti-androgen that binds directly to the ligand-binding domain of the androgen receptor, impairing nuclear translocation and DNA binding. The Phase II portion of a multicenter Phase I/II study is evaluating the activity of ARN-509 in 3 distinct patient populations of men with CRPC (high risk non-metastatic CRPC, metastatic treatment-naïve CRPC, and progressive disease after abiraterone acetate). Preliminary results for the cohort of patients with high-risk non-metastatic CRPC are presented here.nnnMETHODSnAll patients had CRPC, no radiographic evidence of metastases (pelvic lymph nodes <3 cm below the iliac bifurcation were allowed), and high risk for disease progression based on PSA value ≥ 8 ng/mL within 3 months of enrollment and/or PSA doubling time ≤ 10 months. Patients received ARN-509 at the recommended Phase II dose of 240 mg/day, previously established in Phase I (Rathkopf et al, GU ASCO 2012). The primary endpoint was PSA response rate at 12 weeks according to the Prostate Cancer Working Group 2 Criteria. Secondary endpoints included safety, time to PSA progression and 1-year metastasis-free survival. PSA assessments were collected every 4 weeks and tumor scans were performed every 16 weeks.nnnRESULTSnForty-seven patients were enrolled between November 2011 and May 2012. The median age was 71 years (range 51 to 88) and at baseline, patients presented with ECOG performance status 0 (77%), Gleason Score 8-10 (32%), and median PSA of 10.7 ng/mL. All patients received prior treatment with a LHRH analog with or without a first-generation anti-androgen. At a median treatment duration of 20 weeks, three patients discontinued the study. The most common treatment-related adverse events (AE) were fatigue (30%), diarrhea (28%), nausea (17%), rash (13%), and abdominal pain (11%). The incidence of Grade 3 AEs was 6.4%, and no seizures have been observed to date. The 12-week PSA response was 91% and the time to PSA progression has not been reached.nnnCONCLUSIONSnIn men with high-risk non-metastatic CRPC, ARN-509 is safe and well tolerated with promising preliminary activity based on high PSA response rates.nnnCLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATIONnNCT01171898.

Safety and antitumor activity of apalutamide (ARN-509) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer with and without prior abiraterone acetate and prednisone

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of apalutamide before or after treatment with abiraterone acetate and prednisone (AAP) in patients with progressive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Experimental Design: Two cohorts were studied: AAP-naïve and post-AAP patients who had received ≥6 months of AAP. Patients had progressive mCRPC per rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and/or imaging, without prior chemotherapy exposure. All received apalutamide 240 mg/day. Primary endpoint was ≥50% decline in 12-week PSA according to Prostate Cancer Working Group 2 criteria. Secondary endpoints included time to PSA progression and time on treatment. Results: Forty-six patients enrolled in the AAP-naïve (n = 25) and post-AAP (n = 21) cohorts. The 12-week PSA response rate was 88% (22/25) and 22% (4/18), median time to PSA progression was 18.2 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 8.3 months–not reached) and 3.7 months (95% CI, 2.8–5.6 months), and median time on treatment 21 months (range, 2.6–37.5) and 4.9 months (range, 1.3–23.2), for the AAP-naïve and post-AAP cohorts, respectively. Eighty percent (95% CI, 59–93) and 64% (95% CI, 43–82) of AAP-naïve and 43% (95% CI, 22–66) and 10% (95% CI, 1–30) of post-AAP patients remained on treatment for 6+ and 12+ months, respectively. Common treatment-emergent adverse events in both cohorts were grade 1 or 2 fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain. Conclusions: Apalutamide was safe, well tolerated, and demonstrated clinical activity in mCRPC, with 80% of AAP-naïve and 43% of post-AAP patients, remaining on treatment for 6 months or longer. Clin Cancer Res; 23(14); 3544–51. ©2017 AACR.

5-Fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6) plus sunitinib or bevacizumab as first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer: a randomized Phase IIb study.

Background Sunitinib is an oral inhibitor of tyrosine kinase receptors implicated in tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. In this randomized, multicenter, open-label Phase IIb study, sunitinib plus mFOLFOX6 (oxaliplatin plus leucovorin plus 5-fluorouracil) was compared with bevacizumab plus mFOLFOX6 as first-line therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Methods Patients were stratified by performance status, baseline lactate dehydrogenase level, and prior adjuvant treatment, and randomized 1:1 to receive sunitinib 37.5 mg/day for 4 weeks on and 2 weeks off plus mFOLFOX6 every 2 weeks or bevacizumab 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks plus mFOLFOX6 every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival. Secondary endpoints included objective response rate, overall survival, safety, and quality of life. Results Enrollment was closed early following accrual of 191 patients, based on an interim analysis showing an inferior trend in the primary progression-free survival efficacy endpoint for sunitinib. Ninety-six patients were randomized to sunitinib plus mFOLFOX6 and 95 to bevacizumab plus mFOLFOX6. Median progression-free survival was 9.3 months and 15.4 months, respectively, but the objective response rate was similar between the study arms. Median overall survival was 23.7 months and 34.1 months, respectively. Dose reductions and interruptions were more common with sunitinib. Hematologic toxicity was more common in the sunitinib arm. Conclusion While the results of the sunitinib arm are comparable with those of previously reported FOLFOX combinations, the sunitinib-based combination was associated with more toxicity than that observed with bevacizumab and mFOLFOX6. The bevacizumab arm had an unexpectedly good outcome, and was much better than that seen in the Phase III trials. Combination therapy with sunitinib plus mFOLFOX6 is not recommended for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.