Eric K. Rowinsky

Radiotherapy plus cetuximab for locoregionally advanced head and neck cancer: 5-year survival data from a phase 3 randomised trial, and relation between cetuximab-induced rash and survival

BACKGROUNDnPrevious results from our phase 3 randomised trial showed that adding cetuximab to primary radiotherapy increased overall survival in patients with locoregionally advanced squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck (LASCCHN) at 3 years. Here we report the 5-year survival data, and investigate the relation between cetuximab-induced rash and survival.nnnMETHODSnPatients with LASCCHN of the oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx with measurable disease were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive either comprehensive head and neck radiotherapy alone for 6-7 weeks or radiotherapy plus weekly doses of cetuximab: 400 mg/m(2) initial dose, followed by seven weekly doses at 250 mg/m(2). Randomisation was done with an adaptive minimisation technique to balance assignments across stratification factors of Karnofsky performance score, T stage, N stage, and radiation fractionation. The trial was un-blinded. The primary endpoint was locoregional control, with a secondary endpoint of survival. Following discussions with the US Food and Drug Administration, the dataset was locked, except for queries to the sites about overall survival, before our previous report in 2006, so that an independent review could be done. Analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. Following completion of treatment, patients underwent physical examination and radiographic imaging every 4 months for 2 years, and then every 6 months thereafter. The trial is registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00004227.nnnFINDINGSnPatients were randomly assigned to receive radiotherapy with (n=211) or without (n=213) cetuximab, and all patients were followed for survival. Updated median overall survival for patients treated with cetuximab and radiotherapy was 49.0 months (95% CI 32.8-69.5) versus 29.3 months (20.6-41.4) in the radiotherapy-alone group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.73, 95% CI 0.56-0.95; p=0.018). 5-year overall survival was 45.6% in the cetuximab-plus-radiotherapy group and 36.4% in the radiotherapy-alone group. Additionally, for the patients treated with cetuximab, overall survival was significantly improved in those who experienced an acneiform rash of at least grade 2 severity compared with patients with no rash or grade 1 rash (HR 0.49, 0.34-0.72; p=0.002).nnnINTERPRETATIONnFor patients with LASCCHN, cetuximab plus radiotherapy significantly improves overall survival at 5 years compared with radiotherapy alone, confirming cetuximab plus radiotherapy as an important treatment option in this group of patients. Cetuximab-treated patients with prominent cetuximab-induced rash (grade 2 or above) have better survival than patients with no or grade 1 rash.nnnFUNDINGnImClone Systems, Merck KGaA, and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Phase II Placebo-Controlled Randomized Discontinuation Trial of Sorafenib in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

PURPOSEnThis phase II randomized discontinuation trial evaluated the effects of sorafenib (BAY 43-9006), an oral multikinase inhibitor targeting the tumor and vasculature, on tumor growth in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnPatients initially received oral sorafenib 400 mg twice daily during the initial run-in period. After 12 weeks, patients with changes in bidimensional tumor measurements that were less than 25% from baseline were randomly assigned to sorafenib or placebo for an additional 12 weeks; patients with > or = 25% tumor shrinkage continued open-label sorafenib; patients with > or = 25% tumor growth discontinued treatment. The primary end point was the percentage of randomly assigned patients remaining progression free at 24 weeks after the initiation of sorafenib.nnnRESULTSnOf 202 patients treated during the run-in period, 73 patients had tumor shrinkage of > or = 25%. Sixty-five patients with stable disease at 12 weeks were randomly assigned to sorafenib (n = 32) or placebo (n = 33). At 24 weeks, 50% of the sorafenib-treated patients were progression free versus 18% of the placebo-treated patients (P = .0077). Median progression-free survival (PFS) from randomization was significantly longer with sorafenib (24 weeks) than placebo (6 weeks; P = .0087). Median overall PFS was 29 weeks for the entire renal cell carcinoma population (n = 202). Sorafenib was readministered in 28 patients whose disease progressed on placebo; these patients continued on sorafenib until further progression, for a median of 24 weeks. Common adverse events were skin rash/desquamation, hand-foot skin reaction, and fatigue; 9% of patients discontinued therapy, and no patients died from toxicity.nnnCONCLUSIONnSorafenib has significant disease-stabilizing activity in metastatic renal cell carcinoma and is tolerable with chronic daily therapy.

Determinants of Tumor Response and Survival With Erlotinib in Patients With Non—Small-Cell Lung Cancer

PURPOSEnErlotinib is a highly specific epidermal growth factor receptor (HER1/EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor. This phase II study of erlotinib in patients with HER1/EGFR-expressing non-small-cell lung cancer previously treated with platinum-based chemotherapy evaluated tumor response, survival, and symptom improvement.nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnFifty-seven patients received an oral, continuous daily dose of 150 mg of erlotinib. Assessments of objective response used WHO and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30, supplemented with a lung cancer module, Quality of Life Questionnaire LC13, was used to measure health-related quality of life. Additional analyses were performed to identify predictors of response and survival.nnnRESULTSnThe objective response rate was 12.3% (95% CI, 5.1% to 23.7%). Responses were observed regardless of type or number of prior chemotherapy regimens. Median survival time was 8.4 months (95% CI, 4.8 to 13.9 months), and the 1-year survival rate was 40% (95% CI, 28% to 54%). Erlotinib therapy was associated with tumor-related symptom improvement. The drug was well tolerated; drug-related cutaneous rash and diarrhea were observed in 75% and 56% of patients, respectively. One patient experienced toxicity consisting of severe grade 3 rash and diarrhea. Time since diagnosis and good performance status were significant predictors of survival in a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, whereas HER1/EGFR staining intensity was not. Additionally, survival correlated with the occurrence and severity of rash.nnnCONCLUSIONnErlotinib was active and well tolerated in this patient population, and further clinical development is clearly warranted. Cutaneous rash seems to be a surrogate marker of clinical benefit, but this finding should be confirmed in ongoing and future studies.

Comparison of Survival and Quality of Life in Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated With Two Dose Levels of Paclitaxel Combined With Cisplatin Versus Etoposide With Cisplatin: Results of an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Trial

PURPOSEnTreatment with cisplatin-based chemotherapy provides a modest survival advantage over supportive care alone in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To determine whether a new agent, paclitaxel, would further improve survival in NSCLC, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group conducted a randomized trial comparing paclitaxel plus cisplatin to a standard chemotherapy regimen consisting of cisplatin and etoposide.nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnThe study was carried out by a multi-institutional cooperative group in chemotherapy-naive stage IIIB to IV NSCLC patients randomized to receive paclitaxel plus cisplatin or etoposide plus cisplatin. Paclitaxel was administered at two different dose levels (135 mg/m(2) and 250 mg/m(2)), and etoposide was given at a dose of 100 mg/m(2) daily on days 1 to 3. Each regimen was repeated every 21 days and each included cisplatin (75 mg/m(2)).nnnRESULTSnThe characteristics of the 599 patients were well-balanced across the three treatment groups. Superior survival was observed with the combined paclitaxel regimens (median survival time, 9.9 months; 1-year survival rate, 38.9%) compared with etoposide plus cisplatin (median survival time, 7.6 months; 1-year survival rate, 31.8%; P =. 048). Comparing survival for the two dose levels of paclitaxel revealed no significant difference. The median survival duration for the stage IIIB subgroup was 7.9 months for etoposide plus cisplatin patients versus 13.1 months for all paclitaxel patients (P =.152). For the stage IV subgroup, the median survival time for etoposide plus cisplatin was 7.6 months compared with 8.9 months for paclitaxel (P =.246). With the exceptions of increased granulocytopenia on the low-dose paclitaxel regimen and increased myalgias, neurotoxicity, and, possibly, increased treatment-related cardiac events with high-dose paclitaxel, toxicity was similar across all three arms. Quality of life (QOL) declined significantly over the 6 months. However, QOL scores were not significantly different among the regimens.nnnCONCLUSIONnAs a result of these observations, paclitaxel (135 mg/m(2)) combined with cisplatin has replaced etoposide plus cisplatin as the reference regimen in our recently completed phase III trial.

Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of paclitaxel in combination with biricodar, a novel agent that reverses multidrug resistance conferred by overexpression of both MDR1 and MRP.

PURPOSEnTo evaluate the feasibility of administering biricodar (VX-710; Incel, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc, Cambridge, MA), an agent that modulates multidrug resistance (MDR) conferred by overexpression of both the multidrug resistance gene product (MDR1) P-glycoprotein and the MDR-associated protein (MRP) in vitro, in combination with paclitaxel. The study also sought to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of paclitaxel that could be administered with biologically relevant concentrations of VX-710 and characterize the toxicologic and pharmacologic profiles of the VX-710/ paclitaxel regimen.nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnPatients with solid malignancies were initially treated with VX-710 as a 24-hour infusion at doses that ranged from 10 to 120 mg/m2 per hour. After a 2-day washout period, patients were re-treated with VX-710 on an identical dose schedule followed 8 hours later by paclitaxel as a 3-hour infusion at doses that ranged from 20 to 80 mg/m2. The pharmacokinetics of both VX-710 and paclitaxel were studied during treatment with VX-710 alone and VX-710 and paclitaxel. Thereafter, patients received VX-710 and paclitaxel every 3 weeks.nnnRESULTSnVX-710 alone produced minimal toxicity. The toxicologic profile of the VX-710/paclitaxel regimen was similar to that reported with paclitaxel alone; neutropenia that was noncumulative was the principal dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). The MTD levels of VX-710/ paclitaxel were 120 mg/m2 per hour and 60 mg/m2, respectively, in heavily pretreated patients and 120/60 to 80 mg/m2 per hour in less heavily pretreated patients. At these dose levels, VX-710 steady-state plasma concentrations (Css) ranged from 2.68 to 4.89 microg/mL, which exceeded optimal VX-710 concentrations required for MDR reversal in vitro. The pharmacokinetics of VX-710 were dose independent and not influenced by paclitaxel. In contrast, VX-710 reduced paclitaxel clearance. At the two highest dose levels, which consisted of VX-710 120 mg/m2 per hour and paclitaxel 60 and 80 mg/m2, pertinent pharacokinetic determinants of paclitaxel effect were similar to those achieved with paclitaxel as a 3-hour infusion at doses of 135 and 175 mg/m2, respectively.nnnCONCLUSIONnVX-710 alone is associated with minimal toxicity. In combination with paclitaxel, biologically relevant VX-710 plasma concentrations are achieved and sustained for 24 hours, which simulates optimal pharmacologic conditions required for MDR reversal in vitro. The acceptable toxicity profile of the VX-710/ paclitaxel combination and the demonstration that optimal pharmacologic conditions for MDR reversal are achievable support a rationale for further trials of VX710/paclitaxel in patients with malignancies that are associated with de novo or acquired resistance to paclitaxel caused by overexpression of MDR1 and/or MRP.

Phase I Study of EKB-569, an Irreversible Inhibitor of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors

PURPOSEnThe maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the dose-limiting toxicities of EKB-569, a selective, irreversible inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), when administered orally once daily on an intermittent-dose schedule (14 days of a 28-day cycle) or on a continuous-dose schedule (each day of a 28-day cycle), were determined in patients with advanced solid tumors.nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnPlanned dose escalation was 25, 50, 75, 125, 175, and 225 mg. Pharmacokinetic sampling was performed on days 1 and 14 for the intermittent-dose cohort and on days 1 and 15 for the continuous-dose cohort.nnnRESULTSnThirty patients received a median of two cycles (range, one to 10 cycles) in the intermittent-dose cohort; 29 patients received a median of three cycles (range, one to eight cycles) in the continuous-dose cohort. Dose-limiting toxicity was grade 3 diarrhea, and the MTD was 75 mg EKB-569 per day for both cohorts. Other common toxicities included rash, nausea, and asthenia. Exposure to EKB-569 was dose proportional. At the MTD, the mean +/- standard deviation terminal half-life was 21.7 +/- 4.2 hours and peak concentration increased 1.2-fold from day 1 to day 14/15. No major antitumor responses were observed. However, one patient with non-small-cell lung cancer and one with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma had stable disease for 33 and 24 weeks, respectively.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe MTD of once-daily oral EKB-569 is 75 mg. The tolerable toxicity profile and long half-life of this irreversible EGFR inhibitor warrant its further evaluation as a single agent and in combination with other drugs.

Activity of multitargeted antifolate (Pemetrexed disodium, LY231514) in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma: Results from a phase II study

The aim of this study was to confirm the activity and assess the safety profile of multitargeted antifolate (MTA) for patients with metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 in human cancer: concise review and rationale for development of IMC-18F1 (Human antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1).

The human vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐1 (VEGFR‐1, or Flt‐1) is widely expressed in normal and pathologic tissue and contributes to the pathogenesis of both neoplastic and inflammatory diseases. In human cancer, VEGFR‐1 mediated signaling is responsible for both direct tumor activation and angiogenesis. VEGFR‐1 mediated activation of nonmalignant supporting cells, particularly stromal, dendritic, hematopoietic cells, and macrophages, is also likely important for cancer pathogenesis. VEGFR‐1 is also hypothesized to enable the development of cancer metastases by means of activation and premetastatic localization in distant organs of bone marrow‐derived hematopoietic progenitor cells, which express VEGFR‐1. IMC‐18F1 is a fully human IgG1 antibody that binds to VEGFR‐1 and has been associated with the inhibition of cancer growth in multiple in vitro and human tumor xenograft models. The preliminary results of phase 1 investigations have also indicated a favorable safety profile for IMC‐18F1 at doses that confer antibody concentrations that are associated with relevant antitumor activity in preclinical models. Cancer 2010;116(4 suppl):1027–32.

Phase I and Pharmacokinetic Study of Pemetrexed Administered Every 3 Weeks to Advanced Cancer Patients With Normal and Impaired Renal Function

PURPOSEnThis phase I study was conducted to determine the toxicities, pharmacokinetics, and recommended doses of pemetrexed in cancer patients with normal and impaired renal function.nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnPatients received a 10-minute infusion of 150 to 600 mg/m2 of pemetrexed every 3 weeks. Patients were stratified for independent dose escalation by measured glomerular filtration rate (GFR) into four cohorts ranging from > or = 80 to less than 20 mL/min. Pemetrexed plasma and urine pharmacokinetics were evaluated for the first cycle. Patients enrolled after December 1999 were supplemented with oral folic acid and intramuscular vitamin B12.nnnRESULTSnForty-seven patients were treated with 167 cycles of pemetrexed. Hematologic dose-limiting toxicities occurred in vitamin-supplemented patients (two; 15%) and non-supplemented patients (six; 18%), and included febrile neutropenia (four patients) and grade 4 thrombocytopenia (two patients). Nonhematologic toxicities included fatigue, diarrhea, and nausea, and did not correlate with renal function. Accrual was discontinued in patients with GFR less than 30 mL/min after one patient with a GFR of 19 mL/min died as a result of treatment-related toxicities. Pemetrexed plasma clearance positively correlated with GFR (r2 = 0.736), resulting in increased drug exposures in patients with impaired renal function. With vitamin supplementation, pemetrexed 600 mg/m2 was tolerated by patients with a GFR > or = 80 mL/min, whereas patients with a GFR of 40 to 79 mL/min tolerated a dose of 500 mg/m2.nnnCONCLUSIONnPemetrexed was well tolerated at doses of 500 mg/m2 with vitamin supplementation in patients with GFR > or = 40 mL/min. Additional studies are needed to define appropriate dosing for renally impaired patients receiving higher dose pemetrexed with vitamin supplementation.

Phase I, pharmacokinetic (PK), and pharmacodynamic (PD) study of AP23573, an mTOR Inhibitor, administered IV daily X 5 every other week in patients (pts) with refractory or advanced malignancies

3076 Background: AP23573, a non-prodrug rapamycin analog, potently inhibits mTOR, a downstream effector of the PI3K/Akt and nutrient signaling pathways. AP23573 demonstrated potent inhibition of proliferation in vitroin several human tumor cell lines and elicited antitumor activity in vivo in multiple xenograft animal models.nnnMETHODSnThis dose escalation trial utilizes an accelerated titration scheme to determine safety, tolerability and maximum tolerated dose of AP23573 administered without premedication as 30-minute IV infusion daily x 5 days every 2 weeks for 4-week cycles. It also is designed to characterize the PK profile, evaluate potential PD markers using western blot analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and immunohistochemical analysis of skin biopsies, and ascertain preliminary data on antitumor activity.nnnRESULTSnAs of 01 Dec 03: 11 pts (6M/5F), median age 57 yrs (range 23-65 yrs), were treated with AP23573 doses ranging from 3 to 28 mg in 5 dose level cohorts (total cycles, 32; median cycles, 2/pt). No dose-limiting toxicity or AP23573-related serious adverse events have been observed. Side effects for first cycle included grade (gr) 2 anemia (2 pts); gr 3 transient transaminase elevation (1 pt with hepatocellular cancer); gr 2 mucositis (2 pts); gr 1 skin rash (2 pts). PK analyses (doses 3 to 12.5 mg) suggest a mean AP23573 half-life of 44-54 hours. PD analyses (doses 3 and 6.25 mg) indicate rapid (within 1 hr) and prolonged (up to 10 days between doses) inhibition of mTOR activity as demonstrated by >80% decrease in phosphorylated 4EBP1 levels in PBMCs. Of 8 evaluable pts, one partial response has been observed in a pt with metastatic renal cell cancer; (6.25 mg) and 1 pt with metastatic sarcoma (3 mg) has had stable disease > 6 months.nnnCONCLUSIONSnAP23573 can be administered safely using this schedule, and has exhibited antitumor activity as well as evidence of a substantial PD effect. Patient dosing and enrollment are ongoing. Further dose escalation as well as exploration of the relationship between PD (PBMC and skin) and PK are planned. [Table: see text].