Nancy Harold

Survey of oxaliplatin-associated neurotoxicity using an interview-based questionnaire in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

BackgroundNew chemotherapy regimens for patients with colorectal cancer have improved survival, but at the cost of clinical toxicity. Oxaliplatin, an agent used in first-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer, causes acute and chronic neurotoxicity. This study was performed to carefully assess the incidence, type and duration of oxaliplatin neurotoxicity.MethodsA detailed questionnaire was completed after each chemotherapy cycle for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer enrolled in a phase I trial of oxaliplatin and capecitabine. An oxaliplatin specific neurotoxicity scale was used to grade toxicity.ResultsEighty-six adult patients with colorectal cancer were evaluated. Acute neuropathy symptoms included voice changes, visual alterations, pharyngo-laryngeal dysesthesia (lack of awareness of breathing); peri-oral or oral numbness, pain and symptoms due to muscle contraction (spasm, cramps, tremors). When the worst neurotoxicity per patient was considered, grade 1/2/3/4 dysesthesias and paresthesias were seen in 71/12/5/0 and 66/20/7/1 percent of patients. By cycles 3, 6, 9, and 12, oxaliplatin dose reduction or discontinuation was needed in 2.7%, 20%, 37.5% and 62.5% of patients.ConclusionOxaliplatin-associated acute neuropathy causes a variety of distressing, but transient, symptoms due to peripheral sensory and motor nerve hyperexcitability. Chronic neuropathy may be debilitating and often necessitates dose reductions or discontinuation of oxaliplatin. Patients should be warned of the possible spectrum of symptoms and re-assured about the transient nature of acute neurotoxicity. Ongoing studies are addressing the treatment and prophylaxis of oxaliplatin neurotoxicity.

Phase I and pharmacologic study of 9-aminocamptothecin given by 72-hour infusion in adult cancer patients.

PURPOSE To conduct a phase I and pharmacologic study of the new topoisomerase I inhibitor, 9-aminocamptothecin (9-AC). PATIENTS AND MATERIALS A 72-hour infusion of 9-AC was administered every 14 days to 48 solid-tumor patients at doses of 5 to 59 microg/m2/h without granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and 47 to 74 microg/m2/h with G-CSF. RESULTS Without G-CSF, two of eight patients who received 47 microg/m2/h had dose-limiting neutropenia in their initial cycle, as did both patients who received 59 microg/m2/h (with a platelet count < 25,000/microL in one). With G-CSF, zero of seven patients treated with 47 microg/m2/h had dose-limiting neutropenia in their first cycle, while dose-limiting neutropenia occurred in six of 14 patients (with platelet count < 25,000/microL in five) entered at 59 microg/m2/h. Among 39 patients entered at > or = 25 microg/m2/h 9-AC with or without G-CSF, fatigue, diarrhea, and nausea/vomiting of grade 2 severity ultimately occurred in 54%, 30%, and 38%, respectively, while grade 3 toxicities of each type occurred in 8% of patients. Steady-state 9-AC lactone concentration (Css) increased linearly from 0.89 to 10.6 nmol/L, and correlated strongly with leukopenia ( r = .85). CONCLUSION The recommended phase II dose of 9-AC given by 72-hour infusion every 2 weeks is 35 microg/m2/h without G-CSF or 47 microg/m2/h with G-CSF support. Dose escalation in individual patients may be possible according to their tolerance.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of a 72-hour infusion of 9-aminocamptothecin in adult cancer patients

PURPOSE To investigate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of 9-aminocamptothecin (9-AC) infused over 72 hours at doses of 5 to 74 micrograms/m2/h. PATIENTS AND METHODS 9-AC lactone and total (lactone plus carboxylate) plasma concentrations were measured in 44 patients with solid tumors using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay. Fifteen patients underwent extended pharmacokinetic sampling to determine the distribution and elimination kinetics of 9-AC. RESULTS At steady-state, 8.7% +/- 4.7% (mean +/- SD) of the total drug circulated in plasma as the active 9-AC lactone. Clearance of 9-AC lactone was uniform (24.5 +/- 7.3 L/h/m2) over the entire dose range examined; however, total 9-AC clearance was nonlinear and increased at higher dose levels. In 15 patients treated at dose levels > or = 47 micrograms/m2/h, the volume of distribution at steady-state for 9-AC lactone was 195 +/- 114 L/m2 and for total 9-AC it was 23.6 +/- 10.6 L/m2. The elimination half-life was 4.47 +/- 0.53 hours for 9-AC lactone and 8.38 +/- 2.10 hours for total 9-AC. In pharmacodynamic studies, dose-limiting neutropenia correlated with steady-state lactone concentrations (Css) R2 = .77) and drug dose (R2 = .71). CONCLUSION Plasma 9-AC concentrations rapidly declined to low levels following the end of a 72-hour infusion and the mean fraction of total 9-AC circulating in plasma as the active lactone was less than 10%. The pharmacokinetics of 9-AC may have a great impact on its clinical activity and should be considered in the design of future clinical trials of this topoisomerase I inhibitor.

A phase I study of TRC105 anti-endoglin (CD105) antibody in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

TRC105 is a chimeric immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody that binds endoglin (CD105). This phase I open‐label study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of TRC105 in patients with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

Peripheral neuropathy associated with weekly oral 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and eniluracil.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)-associated neurotoxicity is uncommon; symptoms may occur abruptly or more gradually during the course of chemotherapy. Peripheral neuropathy with 5-FU therapy has only rarely been reported. Two patients treated in a phase I trial of oral 5-FU, leucovorin and eniluracil, an inhibitor of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), developed delayed onset symptoms of unsteady gait and reduced sensation in the legs. Magnetic resonance imaging scans of the brain and neurologic examination did not support a CNS basis for the condition. Electromyograms and nerve conduction studies revealed sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Other common etiologies of peripheral neuropathy were excluded. The neurological condition of these patients stabilized after 5-FU dose reduction and partial resolution gradually occurred when protocol therapy was stopped. Although CNS symptoms may rarely complicate 5-FU therapy, peripheral neuropathy is unexpected. Patients with DPD deficiency treated with conventional doses of 5-FU typically develop acute CNS toxicity shortly after therapy, accompanied by extremely high systemic exposure to 5-FU. Patients with normal 5-FU clearance may also experience CNS toxicity, particularly with high-dose schedules, and both parent drug and its catabolites may be contributory. Since DPD was profoundly inhibited during eniluracil therapy in these two patients, it is likely that 5-FU or its active metabolites were contributing factors to the peripheral neuropathy.

Phase I and Pharmacokinetic Trial of Weekly Oral Fluorouracil Given With Eniluracil and Low-Dose Leucovorin to Patients With Solid Tumors

PURPOSE Fluorouracil (5-FU) given as a weekly, high-dose 24-hour infusion is active and tolerable. We evaluated an oral regimen of eniluracil (which inactivates dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase [DPD]), 5-FU, and leucovorin to simulate this schedule. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients received a single 24-hour infusion of 5-FU (2,300 mg/m(2) on day 2) with leucovorin (15 mg orally [PO] bid on days 1 through 3) to provide reference pharmacokinetic data. Two weeks later, patients began treatment with eniluracil (20 mg) and leucovorin (15 mg) (PO bid on days 1 through 3) and 5-FU (10 to 15 mg/m(2) PO bid on day 2). RESULTS Dose-limiting toxicity (diarrhea, neutropenia, and fatigue) was seen with 5-FU 15 mg/m(2) PO bid on day 2 given weekly for either 6 of 8 weeks or 3 of 4 weeks, whereas five of seven patients tolerated 5-FU 10 mg/m(2) PO bid given weekly for 3 of 4 weeks. Eniluracil led to a 35-fold reduction in 5-FU clearance. Fluoro-beta-alanine, a 5-FU catabolite, was not detected in plasma during oral 5-FU-eniluracil therapy. DPD activity was markedly suppressed in all patients during eniluracil therapy; the inactivation persisted after the last eniluracil dose; percentages of baseline values were 1.8% on day 5, 4.5% on day 12, and 23.6% on day 19. CONCLUSION The recommended oral dosage of 5-FU (10 mg/m(2) PO bid) given with eniluracil and leucovorin is approximately 115-fold lower than the reference dosage for 24-hour infusional 5-FU. This difference is greater than expected given the reduction in 5-FU clearance. DPD inactivation persisted for several weeks after completion of eniluracil therapy.

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

To determine the safety and clinical efficacy of two anti‐angiogenic agents, bevacizumab and lenalidomide, with docetaxel and prednisone.

A Phase I Pharmacologic and Pharmacogenetic Trial of Sequential 24-Hour Infusion of Irinotecan Followed by Leucovorin and a 48-Hour Infusion of Fluorouracil in Adult Patients with Solid Tumors

Purpose: In preclinical studies, sequential exposure to irinotecan (CPT-11) then fluorouracil (5-FU) is superior to concurrent exposure or the reverse sequence; a 24-hour infusion of CPT-11 may be better tolerated than shorter infusions. Experimental Design: CPT-11 was first given at four levels (70-140 mg/m2/24 hours), followed by leucovorin 500 mg/m2/0.5 hours and 5-FU 2,000 mg/m2/48 hours on days 1 and 15 of a 4-week cycle. 5-FU was then increased in three cohorts up to 3,900 mg/m2/48 hours. Results: Two patients had dose-limiting toxicity during cycle 1 at 140/3,900 of CPT-11/5-FU (2-week delay for neutrophil recovery; grade 3 nausea despite antiemetics); one of six patients at 140/3,120 had dose-limiting toxicity (grade 3 diarrhea, grade 4 neutropenia). Four of 22 patients with colorectal cancer had partial responses, two of which had prior bolus CPT-11/5-FU. The mean 5-FU plasma concentration was 5.1 μmol/L at 3,900 mg/m2/48 hours. The end of infusion CPT-11 plasma concentration averaged 519 nmol/L at 140 mg/m2/24 hours. Patients with UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT1A1; TA)6/6 promoter genotype had a lower ratio of free to glucuronide form of SN-38 than in patients with ≥1 (TA)7 allele. Thymidylate synthase genotypes for the 28-base promoter repeat were 2/2 (13%), 2/3 (74%), 3/3 (13%); all four responders had a 2/3 genotype. Conclusions: Doses (mg/m2) of CPT-11 140/24 hours, leucovorin 500/0.5 hours and 5-FU 3,120/48 hours were well tolerated.

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. METHODS Among 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. RESULTS Median 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%. CONCLUSIONS The 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. CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION NCT00942578.

Feasibility of continuing docetaxel-based therapy in patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) that experience hypersensitivity reactions (HSR).

132 Background: Patients that receive docetaxel are observed closely for HSRs. Severe HSRs have been reported in patients premedicated with corticosteroids. The rate of allergic reactions reported in the TAX 327 trial (n=332) was 8% (any grade) and 1% (grade 3/4). In TAX 327 treatment was stopped after a total of 10 cycles of docetaxel. A recent trial conducted at the NCI has included patients treated with docetaxel-based therapy until radiographic progression with no cap on total dose or cycle number. Most patients have had significantly more than 10 cycles (median greater than 16 with a range of 1 to 48; however, some cycles did not include docetaxel). Given the increased incidence of HSR to docetaxel on our protocols, we developed guidelines for the clinical management of HSRs to docetaxel. METHODS We reviewed the literature on taxane HSRs and developed a 4-step clinical management guideline for the prevention and treatment of HSRs to docetaxel. Our guidelines utilize increasing amounts of H1/H2 antihistamines, corticosteroids, slower infusion rates of docetaxel, and/or decreasing concentrations of docetaxel. RESULTS From August 2009 to present, 63 mCRPC patients have been treated with docetaxel-based therapy. Twenty-three patients (37%) have experienced a HSR to docetaxel. HSRs initially occurred at cycle 1 (17%), cycle 2 (48%), cycle 3 (17%), cycle 4 (n=2), cycle 14 (n=1), cycle 16 (n=1). All patients were re-challenged with docetaxel using our 4-step clinical management guideline approach. Ten patients continued docetaxel without further HSRs. The remaining 13 patients continued to experience HSRs but were able to safely complete each infusion of docetaxel. No patients required discontinuation of therapy. Of the 23 patients with HSRs, 21 received more than 10 cycles of therapy with a median of 17 and a range of 1 to 38. CONCLUSIONS Patients with mCRPC disease that is taxane sensitive and who experience HSR to docetaxel can continue to receive docetaxel safely. Most of these patients demonstrated a continued PSA, clinical, and radiographic response to therapy.