Joanne Halsey

Alteration of etoposide pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics by cyclosporine in a phase I trial to modulate multidrug resistance.

PURPOSE To determine the effects of high-dose cyclosporine (CsA) infusion on the pharmacokinetics of etoposide in patients with cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixteen patients were administered 20 paired courses of etoposide and CsA/etoposide. Etoposide was administered daily for three days, alone or with CsA, which was delivered by a loading dose and 3-day infusion. Etoposide was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and serum CsA by nonspecific immunoassay. Etoposide pharmacokinetics included area under the concentration-time curve (AUC), total and renal clearance (CL), half-life (T1/2), and volume of distribution at steady state (Vss). RESULTS CsA concentrations more than 2,000 ng/mL produced an increase in etoposide AUC of 80% (P less than .001), a 38% decrease in total CL (P < .01), a > twofold increase in T1/2 (P < .01), and a 46% larger Vss (P = .01) compared with etoposide alone. CsA levels ranged from 297 to 5,073 ng/mL. Higher CsA levels (< 2,000 ng/mL v > 2,000 ng/mL) resulted in greater changes in etoposide kinetics: Vss (1.4% v 46%) and T1/2 (40% v 108%). CsA produced a 38% decrease in renal and a 52% decrease in nonrenal CL of etoposide. Etoposide with CsA levels > 2,000 ng/mL produced a lower WBC count nadir (900/mm3 v 1,600/mm3) compared with baseline etoposide cycles. CONCLUSIONS High-dose CsA produces significant increases in etoposide systemic exposure and leukopenia. These pharmacokinetic changes are consistent with inhibition by CsA of the multidrug transporter P-glycoprotein in normal tissues. Etoposide doses should be reduced by 50% when used with high-dose CsA in patients with normal renal and liver function. Alterations in the disposition of other multidrug resistance (MDR)-related drugs should be expected to occur with modulation of P-glycoprotein function in clinical trials.

Modulation and prevention of multidrug resistance by inhibitors of P-glycoprotein

Abstract Intrinsic and acquired multidrug resistance (MDR) in many human cancers may be due to expression of the multidrug transporter P-glycoprotein (Pgp), which is encoded by the mdr1 gene. There is substantial evidence that Pgp is expressed both as an acquired mechanism (e.g., in leukemias, lymphomas, myeloma, and breast and ovarian carcinomas) and constitutively (e.g., in colorectal and renal cancers) and that its expression is of prognostic significance in many types of cancer. Clinical trials of MDR modulation are complicated by the presence of multiple-drug-resistance mechanisms in human cancers, the pharmacokinetic interactions that result from the inhibition of Pgp in normal tissues, and, until recently, the lack of potent and specific inhibitors of Pgp. A large number of clinical trials of reversal of MDR have been undertaken with drugs that are relatively weak inhibitors and produce limiting toxicities at doses below those necessary to inhibit Pgp significantly. The advent of newer drugs such as the cyclosporin PSC 833 (PSC) provides clinicians with more potent and specific inhibitors for MDR modulation trials. Understanding how modulators of Pgp such as PSC 833 affect the toxicity and pharmacokinetics of cytotoxic agents is fundamental for the design of therapeutic trials of MDR modulation. Our studies of combinations of high-dose cyclosporin (CsA) or PSC 833 with etoposide, doxorubicin, or paclitaxel have produced data regarding the role of Pgp in the clinical pharmacology of these agents. Major pharmacokinetic interactions result from the coadministration of CsA or PSC 833 with MDR-related anticancer agents (e.g., doxorubicin, daunorubicin, etoposide, paclitaxel, and vinblastine). These include increases in the plasma area under the curve and half-life and decreases in the clearance of these cytotoxic drugs, consistent with Pgp modulation at the biliary lumen and renal tubule, blocking excretion of drugs into the bile and urine. The biological and medical implications of our studies include the following. First, Pgp is a major organic cation transporter in tissues responsible for the excretion of xenobiotics (both drugs and toxins) by the biliary tract and proximal tubule of the kidney. Our clinical data are supported by recent studies in mdr-gene-knockout mice. Second, modulation of Pgp in tumors is likely to be accompanied by altered Pgp function in normal tissues, with pharmacokinetic interactions manifesting as inhibition of the disposition of MDR-related cytotoxins (which are transport substrates for Pgp). Third, these pharmacokinetic interactions of Pgp modulation are predictable if one defines the pharmacology of the modulating agent and the combination. The interactions lead to increased toxicities such as myelosuppression unless doses are modified to compensate for the altered disposition of MDR-related cytotoxins. Fourth, in serial studies where patients are their own controls and clinical resistance is established, remissions are observed when CsA or PSC 833 is added to therapy, even when doses of the cytotoxin are reduced by as much as 3-fold. This reversal of clinical drug resistance occurs particularly when the tumor cells express the mdr1 gene. Thus, tumor regression can be obtained without apparent increases in normal tissue toxicities. In parallel with these trials, we have recently demonstrated in the laboratory that PSC 833 decreases the mutation rate for resistance to doxorubicin and suppresses activation of mdr1 and the appearance of MDR mutants. These findings suggest that MDR modulation may delay the emergence of clinical drug resistance and support the concept of prevention of drug resistance in the earlier stages of disease and the utilization of time to progression as an important endpoint in clinical trials. Pivotal phase III trials to test these concepts with PSC 833 as an MDR modulator are under way or planned for patients with acute myeloid leukemias, multiple myeloma, and ovarian carcinoma.

Phase I trial of etoposide with cyclosporine as a modulator of multidrug resistance.

PURPOSE To determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of cyclosporine (CsA) infusion administered with etoposide for 3 days in patients with cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Of the 72 registered patients, 26 were treated initially with CsA and etoposide. Forty-six received etoposide alone until disease progression, and 31 of these proceeded to CsA and etoposide. CsA was administered as a 2-hour loading dose (LD) and as a 3-day continuous infusion (CI); doses were escalated from 2 to 8 mg/kg LD and 5 to 24 mg/kg/d CI. RESULTS Fifty-seven patients were treated with 113 cycles of CsA with etoposide. Steady-state serum CsA levels (nonspecific immunoassay) more than 2,000 ng/mL were achieved in 91% of the cycles at CsA doses > or = 5 mg/kg LD and > or = 15 mg/kg/d CI. The major dose-related toxicity of CsA was reversible hyperbilirubinemia, which occurred in 78% of the courses with CsA levels > 2,000 ng/mL. Myelosuppression and nausea were more severe with CsA and etoposide. Other CsA toxicities included hypomagnesemia, 60%; hypertension, 29%; and headache, 21%. Nephrotoxicity was mild in 12% and severe in 2% of the cycles. Tumor regressions occurred in four patients after the addition of CsA (one non-Hodgkins lymphoma, one Hodgkins disease, and two ovarian carcinomas). Biopsy procedures for tumors from three of the four patients who responded were performed, and the results were positive for mdr1 expression. CONCLUSIONS Serum CsA levels of up to 4 mumol/L (4,800 ng/mL) are achievable during a short-term administration with acceptable toxicities when administered in combination with etoposide. The CsA dose that is recommended in adults is a LD of 5 to 6 mg/kg, followed by a CI of 15 to 18 mg/kg/d for 60 hours. CsA blood levels should be monitored and the doses should be adjusted to achieve CsA levels of 2.5 to 4 mumol/L (3,000 to 4,800 ng/mL). Reversible hyperbilirubinemia may be a useful marker of inhibition by CsA of P-glycoprotein function. When used with high-dose CsA, etoposide doses should be reduced by approximately 50% to compensate for the pharmacokinetic effects of CsA on etoposide (Lum et al, J Clin Oncol, 10:1635-1642, 1992).

Phase I trial of doxorubicin with cyclosporine as a modulator of multidrug resistance.

PURPOSE To study the effects of cyclosporine (CsA), a modulator of multidrug resistance (MDR), on the pharmacokinetics and toxicities of doxorubicin. PATIENTS AND METHODS Nineteen patients with incurable malignancies entered this phase I trial. Initially patients received doxorubicin alone (60 or 75 mg/m2) as a 48-hour continuous intravenous (i.v.) infusion. Patients whose tumors did not respond received CsA as a 2-hour loading dose of 6 mg/kg and a 48-hour continuous infusion of 18 mg/kg/d with doxorubicin. Target CsA levels were 3,000 to 4,800 ng/mL (2.5 to 4.0 mumol/L). Doxorubicin doses were reduced to 40% of the prior dose without CsA, and then escalated until myelosuppression equivalent to that resulting from doxorubicin alone was observed. Doxorubicin pharmacokinetics were analyzed with and without CsA. RESULTS Thirteen patients received both doxorubicin alone and the combination of doxorubicin and CsA. Mean CsA levels were more than 2,000 ng/mL for all cycles and more than 3,000 ng/mL for 68% of cycles. Dose escalation of doxorubicin with CsA was stopped at 60% of the doxorubicin alone dose, as four of five patients at this dose level had WBC nadirs equivalent to those seen with doxorubicin alone. Nonhematologic toxicities were mild. Reversible hyperbilirubinemia occurred in 68% of doxorubicin/CsA courses. The addition of CsA to doxorubicin increased grade 1 and 2 nausea (87% v 47%) and vomiting (50% v 10%) compared with doxorubicin alone. There was no significant nephrotoxicity. Paired pharmacokinetics were studied in 12 patients. The addition of CsA increased the dose-adjusted area under the curve (AUC) of doxorubicin by 55%, and of its metabolite doxorubicinol by 350%. CONCLUSION CsA inhibits the clearance of both doxorubicin and doxorubicinol. Equivalent myelosuppression was observed when the dose of doxorubicin with CsA was 60% of the dose of doxorubicin without CsA. Understanding these pharmacokinetic interactions is essential for the design and interpretation of clinical trials of MDR modulation, and should be studied with more potent MDR modulators.

Clinical trials of modulation of multidrug resistance pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic considerations

A growing body of evidence indicates that expression of the mdr1 gene, which encodes the multidrug transporter, P‐glycoprotein, contributes to chemotherapeutic resistance of human cancers. Expression of this protein in normal tissues such as the biliary tract, intestines, and renal tubules suggests a role in the excretion of toxins. Modulation of P‐glycoprotein function in normal tissues may lead to decreased excretion of drugs and enhanced toxicities.

Phase II Study of Gefitinib, Fluorouracil, Leucovorin, and Oxaliplatin Therapy in Previously Treated Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE To investigate the gefitinib, fluorouracil (FU), leucovorin, and oxaliplatin regimen (IFOX) in previously treated patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eligible patients had stage IV colorectal adenocarcinoma and had demonstrated progression or intolerance to a prior chemotherapy regimen not including oxaliplatin. Each cycle consisted of 14 days. Cycle 1 consisted of oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 intravenously (IV) during 2 hours on day 1, hours 0 to 2; leucovorin 200 mg/m2 IV on days 1 and 2, hours 0 to 2; FU 400 mg/m2 IV push on days 1 and 2; and FU 600 mg/m2 IV on days 1 and 2, hours 2 to 24 (FOLFOX-4). All subsequent cycles consisted of FOLFOX-4 with gefitinib at 500 mg/d administered orally throughout the 14-day cycle. RESULTS Twenty-seven patients were enrolled onto the study. The median number of prior chemotherapy regimens was two, and 74% of all patients received prior irinotecan. Nine of the 27 patients (33%) and six of the 20 patients (30%) who had prior FU and irinotecan had a partial response by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Group criteria. Median overall survival was 12.0 months. Median event-free survival was 5.4 months. Grade 3 to 4 toxicities included neutropenia (48%), diarrhea (48%), nausea (22%), and vomiting (15%). CONCLUSION IFOX is an active regimen in patients with previously treated metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma, demonstrating higher response rates than those reported with FOLFOX-4 alone in a similar patient population.

Initial report of the phase I trial of the hypoxic cell radiosensitizer SR-2508

From March 15, through August 31, 1983, 37 patients have been entered on the RTOG Phase I trial of SR-2508. The drug was given intravenously three times weekly for three weeks. The starting total dose was 11.7 g/m2 and the highest total dose given was 32 g/m2. The lower lipophilicity of SR-2508 has produced the expected decrease in terminal half-life (5.4 hrs) of drug excretion and increase in total drug excreted unchanged in the urine (71%) compared to misonidazole or desmethylmisonidazole. The maximum single dose (3.7 g/m2) administered was well tolerated. With multiple doses peripheral neuropathy is the dose-limiting toxicity. The lowest cumulative dose producing toxicity was 21.6 g/m2, the highest non-toxic dose was 29.7 g/m2. The use of an individual patients drug exposure as measured by the area under the curve of drug concentration vs time may be an excellent predictor of toxicity. This may eventually permit individualization of dose and prevention of serious toxicity. A single dose of 2 g/m2 will produce a tumor concentration of drug (approx. 100 micrograms/ml) that will yield a sensitizer enhancement ratio of 1.5 to 1.7. Using a starting dose of 2 g/m2 three times weekly, patients are now being studied on a five week drug schedule to further evaluate predictability of drug toxicity in preparation for clinical trials of drug efficacy.

Phase I trial of the hypoxic cell radiosensitizer SR-2508: The results of the five to six week drug schedule☆☆☆

Sixty-five patients were entered on the long schedule of the Phase I trial of SR-2508. The planned total doses ranged from 30 to 40.8 g/m2 using various treatment schema including daily, split course, and every-other-day schedules. The individual dose size was 2 g/m2 for 56 patients and 1.7 g/m2 for nine. In contrast to misonidazole and desmethylmisonidazole, more SR-2508 can be administered as the duration of therapy is lengthened. All six patients on the 30 g/m2 step tolerated the drug without toxicity. This total dose was not achievable in the three week schedule. Additionally, a number of patients did not develop neuropathy at a cumulative dose of 40.8 g/m2. Although the analysis is not yet complete, a given patients drug exposure as measured by their total AUC (mMxhr), defined as the area-under-the-curve of serum concentration of SR-2508 vs. time for a single dose times the number of doses given, is useful in predicting toxicity for that patient. The recommended starting schedule for the Phase II and III trials is 34 g/m2 over a 6 week period (2 g/m2 every other day). A total AUC of approximately 39 mMxhr should be tolerable. The drug regimen must be altered for patients who have a high AUC. Therefore, it is mandatory to have an accurate and rapid pharmacokinetic analysis for each patient. The clinical efficacy of the hypoxic cell sensitizers remains to be proven. However, using the guidelines derived from the Phase I trial, SR-2508 should be a relatively safe drug, producing minor or no toxicity.

Modification of cisplatin toxicity with diethyldithiocarbamate.

Diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC), a heavy metal-chelating agent, has been shown to decrease cisplatin (CP) toxicity in preclinical studies. This phase I dose-escalation study was undertaken to investigate DDTC as a chemoprotector in patients with advanced cancer. Thirty-five courses of CP in doses ranging from 120 to 160 mg/m2 were given intravenous (IV) bolus to 19 patients. DDTC at 4 g/m2 was infused over 1 hour, starting 45 minutes after CP. There was minimal nephrotoxicity with a mean creatine clearance of 99 mL/min +/- 4 pretreatment and 86 mL/min +/- 4 on day 21. Two courses were associated with a WBC count less than 2,000/mm3 and one course with a platelet count of 15,000/mm3. Two patients had grade 2 neurotoxicity. Hearing loss occurred in 11 patients: five greater than or equal to 20 dB, five greater than or equal to 40 dB, and one greater than or equal to 60 dB. All patients who received cranial irradiation had ototoxicity compared with 43% of those without radiation (P less than .05). All patients experienced toxicity during the DDTC infusion, including hypertension, flushing, diaphoresis, agitation, and local burning. We conclude that DDTC can protect against CP nephrotoxicity at doses up to 160 mg/m2. Ototoxicity became the dose-limiting factor.

A Phase II trial of aprinocarsen, an antisense oligonucleotide inhibitor of protein kinase C α, administered as a 21-day infusion to patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma

It has been postulated that protein kinase C α (PKC‐α) plays a pivotal role in signal transduction in tumor cancer cells. Aprinocarsen, a 20‐base antisense oligonucleotide, has shown ability to inhibit PKC‐α protein expression and inhibit tumor growth in human xenograft models. In a previous Phase I trial, the authors demonstrated the safety and some evidence of activity in ovarian carcinoma of aprinocarsen administered as a 21‐day, continuous, intravenous infusion.