Howard L. Parnes

Phase II Trial of Bevacizumab, Thalidomide, Docetaxel, and Prednisone in Patients With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE We previously demonstrated that thalidomide appears to add to the activity of docetaxel in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Phase II studies combining docetaxel with bevacizumab have had substantial antitumor activity. We hypothesized that the combination of docetaxel plus these antiangiogenic drugs with different targets would have substantial clinical activity. To explore safety and efficacy, this was tested in mice and in human patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Preclinical efficacy of the combination therapy was evaluated in PC3 xenograft mice. Sixty patients with progressive metastatic CRPC received intravenous docetaxel and bevacizumab plus oral thalidomide and prednisone. The primary end point was a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline of > or = 50%. Secondary end points included time to progression, overall survival, and safety. Results In the mouse model, combination therapy of docetaxel, bevacizumab, and thalidomide inhibited tumor growth most effectively. In the clinical trial, 90% of patients receiving the combination therapy had PSA declines of > or = 50%, and 88% achieved a PSA decline of > or = 30% within the first 3 months of treatment. The median time to progression was 18.3 months, and the median overall survival was 28.2 months in this group with a Halabi-predicted survival of 14 months. While toxicities were manageable, all patients developed grade 3/4 neutropenia. CONCLUSION The addition of bevacizumab and thalidomide to docetaxel is a highly active combination with manageable toxicities. The estimated median survival is encouraging, given the generally poor prognosis of this patient population. These results suggest that definitive clinical trials combining antiangiogenic agent combinations with docetaxel are warranted to improve treatment outcomes for patients with metastatic CRPC.

Higher incidence of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) in patients with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer treated with anti-angiogenic agents

ONJ is an important toxicity in cancer patients receiving bisphosphonate therapy. Here we report a higher than usual incidence of ONJ, 11 of 60 (18.3%, 95% Confidence Interval, CI: 9%–28%) patients enrolled in a phase II clinical trial combining bevacizumab, docetaxel, thalidomide, and prednisone (ATTP) in chemotherapy-naïve men with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The use of bisphosphonates was allowed at study entry. Our study suggests that anti-angiogenic and chemotherapy agents can predispose to the development of ONJ in men with mCRPC on zoledronic acid. Imaging modalities, such as bone scans, may be useful in following the clinical course of patients who develop ONJ.

High-Dose Versus Standard Chemotherapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer: Comparison of Cancer and Leukemia Group B Trials With Data From the Autologous Blood and Marrow Transplant Registry

PURPOSEnTo assess survival of patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) versus standard-dose chemotherapy (SDC).nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnSDC in four Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) trials was compared with hematopoietic stem-cell support in patients from the Autologous Blood and Marrow Transplant Registry. Cox proportional hazard regression incorporated potentially confounding effects. A total of 1,509 women were enrolled onto CALGB trials, and 1,188 women received HDC. No significant survival differences existed by CALGB trial or HDC regimen. Consideration was restricted to candidates for both SDC and HDC. The resulting sample included 635 SDC and 441 HDC patients. The outcome of interest was overall survival.nnnRESULTSnThe HDC group displayed better performance status. The SDC group had slightly better survival in first year after treatment. The HDC group had lower hazard of death from years 1 to 4 and had somewhat higher probability of 5-year survival (adjusted probabilities [95% confidence intervals], 23% [17% to 29%] v 15% [11% to 19%], P =.03).nnnCONCLUSIONnAfter controlling for known prognostic factors in this nonrandomized analysis of two large independent data sets, women receiving HDC versus SDC for metastatic breast cancer have a similar short-term probability of survival, and might have a modestly higher long-term probability of survival.

Pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of estramustine, docetaxel and thalidomide combination in androgen-independent prostate cancer

To evaluate the combination of docetaxel plus estramustine (which prolongs survival in patients with androgen‐independent prostate cancer, AIPC), and thalidomide (that also adds to docetaxel activity), both pre‐clinically and clinically in AIPC.

Mortality and complications after prostate biopsy in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening (PLCO) trial.

To examine mortality and morbidity after prostate biopsy in the intervention arm of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening (PLCO) trial.

Phase III Study of Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, and Fluorouracil (CAF) Plus Leucovorin Versus CAF for Metastatic Breast Cancer: Cancer and Leukemia Group B 9140

PURPOSEnTo determine whether biochemical modulation with LV (leucovorin) enhances the efficacy of CAF (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and fluorouracil) against metastatic breast cancer.nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnWomen with histologically confirmed stage IV breast cancer, Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) performance status 0 to 2, and no prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease were randomly assigned to receive CAF (cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2 day 1, doxorubicin 40 mg/m2 day 1, and fluorouracil [FU] 200 mg/m2 intravenous bolus days 1 to 5) with or without LV (LV 200 mg/m2 over 30 minutes days 1 to 5 given 1 hour before FU).nnnRESULTSnTwo hundred forty-two patients were randomly assigned to treatment; 124 patients had visceral crisis and 40 patients had a CALGB performance status score of 2. The median follow-up was 6 years. The two study arms were similar with regard to serious adverse events; four patients died from treatment-related causes, two patients on each study arm. Predictive variables for time to treatment failure and survival were visceral disease and performance status. The overall response rate was 29% for CAF versus 28% for CAF plus LV. The median time to treatment failure (9 months) and median survival (1.7 years) did not differ by treatment arm.nnnCONCLUSIONnModulation of CAF with LV improved neither response rates nor survival among women with metastatic breast cancer, compared with CAF alone. Multivariate analyses confirmed the prognostic importance of performance status and visceral crisis. However, the overall and complete response rates, response durations, time to treatment failure, and survival were the same in the two treatment arms.

Preclinical and correlative studies of cabozantinib (XL184) in urothelial cancer (UC).

314 Background: Mounting evidence supports Met as a target in urothelial cancer (UC). Activated Met can promote angiogenesis and tumor growth by upregulating VEGF and may play a role in UC pathogenesis. Cabozantinib inhibits both VEGFR2 and Met pathways. In this study, we assessed shed Met (sMet) levels in the urine and serum of UC patients (pts) and cabozantinibs effects on HGF-driven UC cell growth and invasion.nnnMETHODSnsMet levels in serum and urine samples from 31 pts with UC (23 metastatic, 8 muscle-invasive) were correlated with stage, presence of visceral metastases and urinary source. The effects of cabozantinib on 4 human UC-derived cell lines were studied in vitro. Intact RT4, TCC-SUP, T24M2 and T24M3 cells at 80% confluence were serum deprived 16 h, then left untreated or treated with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and/or cabozantinib prior to analysis of Met, phospho- (p)Met, pAkt, Akt, pMAPK and MAPK by immunoassay or immunoblotting. Cabozantinib effects on basal and HGF-induced UC cell invasion, proliferation and soft agar growth were measured.nnnRESULTSnMedian serum Met levels were modestly higher in pts with metastatic versus muscle-invasive disease. Urinary Met levels were clearly higher in pts with visceral metastasis (p=0.0111) and in urine from ileal conduits and neobladders compared to normally voided urine, regardless of stage (p=0.0489). Met content in UC cell lines was low in RT4 and higher in T24M2, T24M3 and TCC-SUP. Basal pMet content was universally low, increased significantly by HGF and this was reversed by cabozantinib. HGF-driven increases in pAkt/Akt and pMAPK/MAPK in all 4 cell lines were reversed by cabozantinib, as were HGF-enhanced UC cell invasion, proliferation and anchorage independent growth.nnnCONCLUSIONSnMedian urinary sMet is significantly higher in pts with visceral metastasis and in specimens from ileal conduits and neobladders relative to normally voided urine. UC cell Met content in culture increased with disease grade; HGF stimulated activation of Met and known effectors, and enhanced invasion, growth rate and anchorage-independent growth; cabozantinib effectively reversed these HGF-driven effects. These data support evaluation of cabozantinib in pts with metastatic UC.

Phase II trial of bevacizumab and lenalidomide with docetaxel and prednisone in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

207 Background: Angiogenesis may be vital to mCRPC. Previously, we had shown the potent anti-tumor activity of dual antiangiogenic therapy by combining thalidomide (T) and bevacizumab (B) with docetaxel (D) and prednisone (P) in mCRPC (Ning JCO 2010). We hypothesized that combining lenalidomide (L), an analogue of T, with B, D, and P would have a more favorable efficacy/toxicity profile.nnnMETHODSnAll patients (pts) had chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC. 3 pts received R 15 mg daily, 3 pts had 20 mg daily, and the rest had 25 mg daily for 14 days of every 21-day cycle (C). All pts received D 75 mg/m2 and B 15 mg/kg on day 1 with P 10 mg and enoxaparin daily throughout each C. Pegfilgrastim was given on day 2. PSA was assayed each C with imaging after C2 and then after every 3C.nnnRESULTSn47 of the planned 51 pts have been enrolled. Median age was 66 (51-82), Gleason score 8 (5-10), on-study PSA 91.6 ng/ml (0.15-3520), pre-study PSA doubling time 1.43 months (0.52-6.73), number of Cs 14 (1-31), and PFS was 19.3 months as of this analysis. Among 45 pts who have completed ≥2 cycles, 39 (86.7%) and 30 (66.7%) had PSA declines of ≥50% and ≥75%, respectively. Of 29 pts with measurable disease there were 2 CR, 21 PR, and 6 SD (79.3% overall RR). 10/47 pts were taken off study for radiographic disease progression and 5/47 for other reasons. Grade ≥3 toxicities included neutropenia (24/47), anemia (9/47), thrombocytopenia (5/47), weight loss (1/47), hypertension (3/47), and febrile neutropenia (4/47). Other toxicities included perianal fistula (3/47), rectal fissure (1/47), myocardial infarction (1/47), and osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) (16/47, 34.0%). At the time of diagnosis of ONJ, 9/16 pts were on bisphosphonates and 3/16 had used bisphosphonates previously. Although the incidence of ONJ was higher than the 18.3% reported by Ning, a recent study of carboplatin plus weekly docetaxel reported an incidence of 29.3%.nnnCONCLUSIONSnDual antiangiogenic therapy with, B and L, plus D and P was associated with high PSA (86.7%) and tumor (79.3%) responses with manageable toxicities. Further studies are underway to explore the high incidence of ONJ.

Mortality and Complications Following Prostate Biopsy in the PLCO Cancer Screening Trial

To examine mortality and morbidity after prostate biopsy in the intervention arm of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening (PLCO) trial.

Use of supportive measures to improve outcome and decrease toxicity in docetaxel-based antiangiogenesis combinations.

128 Background: We have recently completed accrual of 63 patients (pts) to our study combining lenalidomide (L), with bevacizumab (B), docetaxel (D), and prednisone (P) (ART-P). Due to the lack of improved survival and the increased toxicity of anti-angiogenic docetaxel combinations in the MAINSAIL and CALGB 90410 trials we attempted to contrast and compare our studies with the failed phase III trials.nnnMETHODSnAmong the first 52 pts on the ART-P, 3 received L 15 mg daily, 3 had 20 mg daily, and the rest had 25 mg daily for 14 days of every 21-day cycle (C). We later enrolled 11 more pts at L 15 mg. All pts received D 75 mg/m2 and B 15 mg/kg on day 1 with P 10 mg and enoxaparin daily throughout each C. Pegfilgrastim was given on day 2. Patients on CALGB 90410 received D 75 mg/m2 and B 15 mg/kg on day 1 with P 10 mg and on MAINSAIL received D 75 mg/m2, L 25 mg daily for 14 days of every 21-day cycle with daily P. Patients on CALGB 90410 and MAINSAIL did not receive enoxaparin or pegfilgrastim prophylactically.nnnRESULTSnMedian number of Cs in ART-P was 16 (3-38). PFS was 22 months and median OS has not been reached. Pts with measurable disease had 1 CR and 25 PR (86.7% RR). Two patients (3%) had deep vein thromboses. Of 1,219 cycles given, 14 cycles were complicated by febrile neutropenia (FN) (1.1%). There were no treatment related deaths. In comparison, median number of Cs in MAINSAIL L+DP arm was 6, with a PFS of 45 weeks and an OS of 77 weeks. Thirty-four pts (6.5%) developed pulmonary emboli and there were 2 deaths due to toxicity in the experimental arm. Nearly 12% of Cs were complicated by FN. In the experimental arm of CALGB 90410 trial, median OS was 22.6 months with median PFS of 9.9 months. Median number of Cs was 8, and 19 pts developed thromboses/emboli (3.6%). In addition, 7% of patients developed FN and treatment related deaths were reported at 4%.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe use of supportive care allows the ART-P combination to be given for more cycles than were given in MAINSAIL and CALGB 90401 potentiating a longer PFS, RR and possibly OS with an improved toxicity profile. This data demonstrates the potential importance of supportive measures and is hypothesis generating for future combination studies.nnnCLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATIONnNCT00942578.