Lone H. Ottesen

Phase II and Biomarker Study of the Dual MET/VEGFR2 Inhibitor Foretinib in Patients With Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma

PURPOSE Foretinib is an oral multikinase inhibitor targeting MET, VEGF, RON, AXL, and TIE-2 receptors. Activating mutations or amplifications in MET have been described in patients with papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC). We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of foretinib in patients with PRCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients were enrolled onto the study in two cohorts with different dosing schedules of foretinib: cohort A, 240 mg once per day on days 1 through 5 every 14 days (intermittent arm); cohort B, 80 mg daily (daily dosing arm). Patients were stratified on the basis of MET pathway activation (germline or somatic MET mutation, MET [7q31] amplification, or gain of chromosome 7). The primary end point was overall response rate (ORR). RESULTS Overall, 74 patients were enrolled, with 37 in each dosing cohort. ORR by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.0 was 13.5%, median progression-free survival was 9.3 months, and median overall survival was not reached. The presence of a germline MET mutation was highly predictive of a response (five of 10 v five of 57 patients with and without germline MET mutations, respectively). The most frequent adverse events of any grade associated with foretinib were fatigue, hypertension, gastrointestinal toxicities, and nonfatal pulmonary emboli. CONCLUSION Foretinib demonstrated activity in patients with advanced PRCC with a manageable toxicity profile and a high response rate in patients with germline MET mutations.

Phase II Proof-of-Concept Study of Pazopanib Monotherapy in Treatment-Naive Patients With Stage I/II Resectable Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

PURPOSE Patients with early-stage, resectable, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are at risk for recurrent disease, and 5-year survival rates do not exceed 75%. Angiogenesis inhibitors have shown clinical activity in patients with late-stage NSCLC, raising the possibility that targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway in earlier-stage disease may be beneficial. This proof-of-concept study examined safety and efficacy of short-term, preoperative pazopanib monotherapy in patients with operable stage I/II NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients scheduled for resection received oral pazopanib 800 mg/d for 2 to 6 weeks preoperatively. Tumor response was measured by high-resolution computed tomography, permitting estimation of change in tumor volume and diameter. Gene-expression profiling was performed on 77 pre- and post-treatment lung samples from 34 patients. RESULTS Of 35 patients enrolled, 33 (94%) had clinical stage I NSCLC and two (6%) had clinical stage II NSCLC. Median treatment duration was 16 days (range, 3 to 29 days). Thirty patients (86%) achieved tumor-volume reduction after pazopanib treatment. Two patients achieved tumor-volume reduction > or = 50%, and three patients had partial response according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Pazopanib was generally well tolerated. The most common adverse events included grade 2 hypertension, diarrhea, and fatigue. One patient developed pulmonary embolism 11 days after surgery. Several pazopanib target genes and other angiogenic factors were dysregulated post-treatment. CONCLUSION Short-duration pazopanib was generally well tolerated and demonstrated single-agent activity in patients with early-stage NSCLC. Several target genes were dysregulated after pazopanib treatment, validating target-specific response and indicating a persistent pazopanib effect on lung cancer tissue. Further clinical evaluation of pazopanib in NSCLC is planned.

Plasma Cytokine and Angiogenic Factor Profiling Identifies Markers Associated with Tumor Shrinkage in Early-Stage Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Pazopanib

There is an unmet need for pharmacodynamic and predictive biomarkers for antiangiogenic agents. Recent studies have shown that soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (sVEGFR2), VEGF, and several other soluble factors may be modulated by VEGF pathway inhibitors. We conducted a broad profiling of cytokine and angiogenic factors (CAF) to investigate the relationship between baseline CAF levels, CAF changes during treatment, and tumor shrinkage in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with pazopanib, an oral angiogenesis inhibitor targeting VEGFR, platelet-derived growth factor receptor, and c-kit. Plasma samples were collected before treatment and on the last day of therapy from 33 patients with early-stage NSCLC participating in a single-arm phase II trial. Levels of 31 CAFs were measured by suspension bead multiplex assays or ELISA and correlated with change in tumor volume. Pazopanib therapy was associated with significant changes of eight CAFs; sVEGFR2 showed the largest decrease, whereas placental growth factor underwent the largest increase. Increases were also observed in stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha, IP-10, cutaneous T-cell-attracting chemokine, monokine induced by IFN-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, and IFN-alpha. Posttreatment changes in plasma sVEGFR2 and interleukin (IL)-4 significantly correlated with tumor shrinkage. Baseline levels of 11 CAFs significantly correlated with tumor shrinkage, with IL-12 showing the strongest association. Using multivariate classification, a baseline CAF signature consisting of hepatocyte growth factor and IL-12 was associated with tumor response to pazopanib and identified responding patients with 81% accuracy. These data suggest that CAF profiling may be useful for identifying patients likely to benefit from pazopanib, and merit further investigation in clinical trials.

Phase I Study of Pazopanib in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors and Hepatic Dysfunction: A National Cancer Institute Organ Dysfunction Working Group Study

Purpose: Pazopanib is a potent, multitargeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor; however, there is limited information regarding the effects of liver function on pazopanib metabolism and pharmacokinetics. The objective of this study was to establish the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) and pharmacokinetic profile of pazopanib in patients with varying degrees of hepatic dysfunction. Experimental Design: Patients with any solid tumors or lymphoma were stratified into four groups based on the degree of hepatic dysfunction according to the National Cancer Institute Organ Dysfunction Working Group (NCI-ODWG) criteria. Pazopanib was given orally once a day on a 21-day cycle. A modified 3+3 design was used. Results: Ninety-eight patients were enrolled. Patients in the mild group tolerated 800 mg per day. The moderate and severe groups tolerated 200 mg per day. Pharmacokinetic data in the mild group were similar to the data in the normal group. Comparison of the median Cmax and area under the curve [AUC(0–24)] in the moderate or severe groups at 200 mg per day to the values in the normal and mild groups at 800 mg per day indicated less than dose–proportional systemic exposures in patients with moderate and severe hepatic impairment. This suggests that the lower maximum-tolerated dose in the moderate and severe group is not due to a decrease in drug clearance or alteration in the proportion of metabolites. Conclusions: In patients with mild liver dysfunction, pazopanib is well tolerated at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved dose of 800 mg per day. Patients with moderate and severe liver dysfunction tolerated 200 mg per day. Clin Cancer Res; 19(13); 3631–9. ©2013 AACR.

Low or undetectable TPO receptor expression in malignant tissue and cell lines derived from breast, lung, and ovarian tumors

BackgroundNumerous efficacious chemotherapy regimens may cause thrombocytopenia. Thrombopoietin receptor (TPO-R) agonists, such as eltrombopag, represent a novel approach for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia. The TPO-R MPL is expressed on megakaryocytes and megakaryocyte precursors, although little is known about its expression on other tissues.MethodsBreast, lung, and ovarian tumor samples were analyzed for MPL expression by microarray and/or quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and for TPO-R protein expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Cell line proliferation assays were used to analyze the in vitro effect of eltrombopag on breast, lung, and ovarian tumor cell proliferation. The lung carcinoma cell lines were also analyzed for TPO-R protein expression by Western blot.ResultsMPL mRNA was not detectable in 118 breast tumors and was detectable at only very low levels in 48% of 29 lung tumors studied by microarray analysis. By qRT-PCR, low but detectable levels of MPL mRNA were detectable in some normal (14-43%) and malignant (3-17%) breast, lung, and ovarian tissues. A comparison of MPL to EPOR, ERBB2, and IGF1R mRNA demonstrates that MPL mRNA levels were far lower than those of EPOR and ERBB2 mRNA in the same tissues. IHC analysis showed negligible TPO-R protein expression in tumor tissues, confirming mRNA analysis. Culture of breast, lung, and ovarian carcinoma cell lines showed no increase, and in fact, showed a decrease in proliferation following incubation with eltrombopag. Western blot analyses revealed no detectable TPO-R protein expression in the lung carcinoma cell lines.ConclusionsMultiple analyses of breast, lung, and ovarian tumor samples and/or cell lines show no evidence of MPL mRNA or TPO-R protein expression. Eltrombopag does not stimulate growth of breast, lung, or ovarian tumor cell lines at doses likely to exert their actions on megakaryocytes and megakaryocyte precursors.

A phase II and biomarker study (MET111644) of the dual Met/VEGFR-2 inhibitor foretinib in patients with sporadic and hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma: Final efficacy, safety, and PD results.

355 Background: Foretinib is an oral multi-kinase inhibitor targeting MET, VEGF, RON, AXL, and TIE-2 receptors. Activating mutations and/or amplifications in MET have been described in patients (pts) with papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 2 dosing regimens of single agent foretinib bisphosphate (foretinib) in pts with PRC and to explore modulation of plasma proteins indicative of target inhibition. METHODS Pts were enrolled in 2 cohorts with different dosing schedules of foretinib: 240 mg/day on days 1-5 of every 14 days (intermittent arm) or 80 mg/day (daily dosing arm). The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR) targeting an ORR of at least 25%. Pts were stratified based on status of MET pathway activation (germline or somatic MET mutation, MET [7q31] amplification, chromosome 7 gain or none of these). Plasma markers reflecting potential target effects of MET and VEGFR inhibition were also analyzed. RESULTS Overall, 74 pts were enrolled with 37 in each dosing cohort. ORR was 13.5%, progression-free survival 9.3 months, 1 year overall survival (OS) was 70% and median OS was not reached. The median duration of response was 18.5 months. Of 68 pts with adequate tumor assessment data available, 50 experienced some reduction in the sum of the longest tumor diameters (SLD) ranging from -2% to -75%. The most frequent grade 3/4 adverse events related to foretinib were fatigue (6.8%), hypertension (50%), and diarrhea (6.8%). A high rate of non-fatal pulmonary embolism was observed (11%). There were no significant differences in efficacy or safety between the two cohorts. In both arms, plasma sMET and VEGF increased and sVEGFR2 decreased after 2 cycles indicating target inhibition, but these changes were not associated with response or PFS. Outcomes based on molecular characterization are presented separately at this meeting. CONCLUSIONS In the largest clinical trial devoted to papillary RCC, foretinib demonstrated anti-tumor activity in patients with PRC, modulation of several target indicator plasma proteins, and a manageable toxicity profile.

A Phase I/II Multicenter Study of Single-Agent Foretinib as First-Line Therapy in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose: This phase I/II single-arm study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and activity of foretinib, an oral multikinase inhibitor of MET, ROS, RON, AXL, TIE-2, and VEGFR2, in the first-line setting in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Experimental Design: In the phase I part, advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients were dose escalated on foretinib (30–60 mg) every day using the standard 3+3 design. Once the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was determined, an additional 32 patients were dosed at the MTD in the phase II expansion cohort for assessment of efficacy and safety. Exploratory analyses were conducted to assess potential biomarkers that might correlate with clinical efficacy and survival. Results: The MTD of foretinib was established as 30 mg every day. The most frequent adverse events were hypertension, decreased appetite, ascites, and pyrexia. When dosed at 30 mg every day in the first-line setting, foretinib demonstrated promising antitumor activity. According to the modified mRECIST, the objective response rate was 22.9%, the disease stabilization rate 82.9%, and the median duration of response 7.6 months. The median time to progression was 4.2 months and the median overall survival (OS) was 15.7 months. Fifteen candidate biomarkers whose levels in the circulation were significantly altered in response to foretinib treatment were elucidated. Multivariate analyses identified IL6 and IL8 as independent predictors of OS. Conclusions: Foretinib demonstrated promising antitumor activity and good tolerability in the first-line setting in Asian advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Baseline plasma levels of IL6 or IL8 might predict the response to foretinib. Clin Cancer Res; 23(10); 2405–13. ©2016 AACR.

Correlation of germline MET mutation with response to the dual Met/VEGFR-2 inhibitor foretinib in patients with sporadic and hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma: Results from a multicenter phase II study (MET111644).

372 Background: Activating mutations and/or amplifications in MET have been described in patients (pts) with papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRC). Foretinib, an oral multi-kinase inhibitor targeting MET, VEGF, RON, AXL, and TIE-2 receptors, was evaluated in a phase 2 study in pts with PRC. An important objective of this study was to evaluate whether activation of the MET receptor pathway by mutation, amplification, or gain of chromosome 7 was predictive for or correlated with clinical outcomes. METHODS Pts were stratified based on status of MET pathway activation. Blood samples were collected at screening for determination of germline MET mutational status. Archival tumor tissue samples were obtained for the analysis of somatic MET mutation, amplification of the MET locus (7q31), and gain of chromosome 7 using standardized assays. RESULTS A total of 74 pts were enrolled on the trial (37 each in intermittent and daily dosing arms); overall efficacy and safety data are reported separately at this meeting. Sixty-seven pts were evaluable for both mutation status and response. 5/10 pts (50%) with a germline MET mutation experienced a PR, while 5 pts (50%) had SD as their best response, including 4 pts who demonstrated tumor SLD reductions of > 10%, but did not achieve PR by RECIST 1.0. Responses were also seen in pts without germline MET mutation. However, the presence of a germline MET mutation was highly predictive of a response as only 5/57 pts (9%) without a mutation experienced a PR. Other measures of MET pathway activation did not appear to correlate with activity with only 1/5 pts (20%) with somatic MET mutation having a PR; furthermore, in the absence of a concomitant MET mutation, no responses were seen in patients with MET amplification (n=2) and only 1/18 (5%) pts with a gain of chromosome 7 experienced a PR. CONCLUSIONS The presence of germline MET mutations correlated strongly with activity of the MET inhibitor foretinib in pts with PRC. These data provide early proof of principle that MET may be a valid therapeutic target in a subset of patients with PRC.

Population pharmacokinetics modeling and analysis of foretinib in adult patients with advanced solid tumors

Foretinib is a multikinase inhibitor that inhibits multiple receptor tyrosine kinases, including MET and VEGFR, with the potential for treatment of solid tumors. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) pathogenesis is associated with overexpression of MET, and physiologic changes in the livers of HCC patients may decrease CYP3A isozyme‐mediated metabolism of foretinib. A population pharmacokinetic model of foretinib was developed to explore the effect of tumor type, formulation, and other covariates. Data from 1 HCC study in Asia and 3 non‐HCC studies in the United States with varying foretinib regimens and formulations were used for analysis. A 2‐compartment model with a linear first‐order absorption and elimination and lag time in absorption adequately described foretinib pharmacokinetics in 132 advanced non‐HCC and HCC patients and identified an effect of formulations on bioavailability. The bisphosphate salt capsules and freebase tablets had a relative bioavailability 37% and 20% higher, respectively, than the solution formulation. HCC patients had ≈19.6% lower mean clearance (70.14 L/h), ≈16% lower mean volume of distribution (1725.6 L), and higher dose‐normalized exposure compared with non‐HCC patients. This could be a result of differences in metabolism in HCC patients, body weight, or activity of CYP3A isozymes between Asian and Western cancer patients.