Sreenivasa Nattam

Phase III Study of Cisplatin, Etoposide, and Concurrent Chest Radiation With or Without Consolidation Docetaxel in Patients With Inoperable Stage III Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: The Hoosier Oncology Group and U.S. Oncology

PURPOSE Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is standard treatment for patients with inoperable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A phase II study by the Southwest Oncology Group using consolidation docetaxel after cisplatin (P), etoposide (E), and radiation (XRT) resulted in a median survival time (MST) of 26 months. This randomized phase III trial evaluated whether consolidation docetaxel was responsible for this improved survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eligible patients had stage IIIA or IIIB NSCLC, baseline performance status of 0 to 1, forced expiratory volume in 1 second >or= 1 L, and less than 5% weight loss. Patients received P 50 mg/m(2) intravenously (IV) on days 1, 8, 29, and 36 and E 50 mg/m(2) IV on days 1-5 and 29-33 concurrently with chest XRT to 59.40 Gy. Patients who did not experience progression were randomly assigned to docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) IV every 21 days for three cycles versus observation. The primary end point was to compare overall survival (Kaplan-Meier analysis). RESULTS On the basis of evidence of futility, a data and safety monitoring board recommended early termination after an analysis of the initial 203 patients. Patient characteristics (n = 203) were as follows: 34% female; median age, 63 years; 39.4% stage IIIA; and 60.6% stage IIIB. One hundred forty-seven (72.4%) of 203 patients were randomly assigned to docetaxel (n = 73) or observation (n = 74). Grade 3 to 5 toxicities during docetaxel included febrile neutropenia (10.9%) and pneumonitis (9.6%); 28.8% of patients were hospitalized during docetaxel (v 8.1% in observation arm), and 5.5% died as a result of docetaxel. The MST for all patients (n = 203) was 21.7 months; MST was 21.2 months for docetaxel arm compared with 23.2 months for observation arm (P = .883). CONCLUSION Consolidation docetaxel after PE/XRT results in increased toxicities but does not further improve survival compared with PE/XRT alone in patients with stage III inoperable NSCLC.

Combination cediranib and olaparib versus olaparib alone for women with recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer: a randomised phase 2 study

BACKGROUND Olaparib is a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor and cediranib is an anti-angiogenic agent with activity against VEGF receptor (VEGFR) 1, VEGFR2, and VEGFR3. Both oral agents have antitumour activity in women with recurrent ovarian cancer, and their combination was active and had manageable toxicities in a phase 1 trial. We investigated whether this combination could improve progression-free survival (PFS) compared with olaparib monotherapy in women with recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer. METHODS In our randomised, open-label, phase 2 study, we recruited women (aged ≥18 years) who had measurable platinum-sensitive, relapsed, high-grade serous or endometrioid ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, or those with deleterious germline BRCA1/2 mutations from nine participating US academic medical centres. We randomly allocated participants (1:1) according to permuted blocks, stratified by germline BRCA status and previous anti-angiogenic therapy, to receive olaparib capsules 400 mg twice daily or the combination at the recommended phase 2 dose of cediranib 30 mg daily and olaparib capsules 200 mg twice daily. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival analysed in the intention-to-treat population. The phase 2 trial is no longer accruing patients. An interim analysis was conducted in November, 2013, after 50% of expected events had occurred and efficacy results were unmasked. The primary analysis was performed on March 31, 2014, after 47 events (66% of those expected). The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01116648. FINDINGS Between Oct 26, 2011, and June 3, 2013, we randomly allocated 46 women to receive olaparib alone and 44 to receive the combination of olaparib and cediranib. Median PFS was 17·7 months (95% CI 14·7-not reached) for the women treated with cediranib plus olaparib compared with 9·0 months (95% CI 5·7-16·5) for those treated with olaparib monotherapy (hazard ratio 0·42, 95% CI 0·23-0·76; p=0·005). Grade 3 and 4 adverse events were more common with combination therapy than with monotherapy, including fatigue (12 patients in the cediranib plus olaparib group vs five patients in the olaparib monotherapy group), diarrhoea (ten vs none), and hypertension (18 vs none). INTERPRETATION Cediranib plus olaparib seems to improve PFS in women with recurrent platinum-sensitive high-grade serous or endometrioid ovarian cancer, and warrants study in a phase 3 trial. The side-effect profile suggests such investigations should include assessments of quality of life and patient-reported outcomes to understand the effects of a continuing oral regimen with that of intermittent chemotherapy. FUNDING American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (3 U01 CA062490-16S2); Intramural Program of the Center for Cancer Research; and the Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, NIH.

Erlotinib and bevacizumab in patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a phase I/II study

BACKGROUND Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a validated target in squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck, but in patients with recurrent or metastatic disease, EGFR targeting agents have displayed modest efficacy. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated angiogenesis has been implicated as a mechanism of resistance to anti-EGFR therapy. In this multi-institutional phase I/II study we combined an EGFR inhibitor, erlotinib, with an anti-VEGF antibody, bevacizumab. METHODS Between April 15, 2003, and Jan 27, 2005, patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck were enrolled from seven centres in the USA and were given erlotinib (150 mg daily) and bevacizumab in escalating dose cohorts. The primary objectives in the phase I and II sections, respectively, were to establish the maximum tolerated dose and dose-limiting toxicity of bevacizumab when administered with erlotinib and to establish the proportion of objective responses and time to disease progression. Pretreatment serum and tissues were collected and analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence quantitative laser analysis, respectively. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00055913. FINDINGS In the phase I section of the trial, ten patients were enrolled in three successive cohorts with no dose-limiting toxic effects noted. 46 patients were enrolled in the phase II section of the trial (including three patients from the phase I section) on the highest dose of bevacizumab (15 mg/kg every 3 weeks). Two additional patients were accrued beyond the protocol-stipulated 46, leaving a total of 48 patients for the phase II assessment. The most common toxic effects of any grade were rash and diarrhoea (41 and 16 of 48 patients, respectively). Three patients had serious bleeding events of grade 3 or higher. Seven patients had a response, with four showing a complete response allowing rejection of the null hypothesis. Median time of overall survival and progression-free survival (PFS) were 7.1 months (95% CI 5.7-9.0) and 4.1 months (2.8-4.4), respectively. Higher ratios of tumour-cell phosphorylated VEGF receptor-2 (pVEGFR2) over total VEGFR2 and endothelial-cell pEGFR over total EGFR in pretreatment biopsies were associated with complete response (0.704 vs 0.386, p=0.036 and 0.949 vs 0.332, p=0.036, respectively) and tumour shrinkage (p=0.007 and p=0.008, respectively) in a subset of 11 patients with available tissue. INTERPRETATION The combination of erlotinib and bevacizumab is well tolerated in recurrent or metastatic squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck. A few patients seem to derive a sustained benefit and complete responses were associated with expression of putative targets in pretreatment tumour tissue.

Multicenter, Randomized Trial for Stage IIIB or IV Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer Using Weekly Paclitaxel and Carboplatin Followed by Maintenance Weekly Paclitaxel or Observation

PURPOSE To explore the efficacy and safety of three regimens of weekly paclitaxel plus carboplatin as initial therapy and the feasibility of subsequent maintenance therapy versus observation in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Four hundred one patients were randomly assigned to one of the following arms: arm 1, paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 weekly for 3 of 4 weeks with carboplatin (area under the curve [AUC] = 6) on day 1; arm 2, paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 and carboplatin (AUC = 2) weekly for 3 of 4 weeks; or arm 3, paclitaxel 150 mg/m2 cycle 1 and 100 mg/m2 cycle 2 and carboplatin (AUC = 2) weekly for 6 of 8 weeks. Patients who responded (n = 130) at week 16 were randomly assigned to either weekly paclitaxel therapy (70 mg/m2, 3 of 4 weeks; n = 65) or observation (n = 65). RESULTS For the 390 assessable patients, the objective response rates observed with initial therapy were 32% for arm 1, 24% for arm 2, and 18% for arm 3. The median time to progression and median survival times were 30 and 49 weeks for arm 1, 21 and 31 weeks for arm 2, and 27 and 40 weeks for arm 3, respectively. The 1-year survival rates were 47% for arm 1, 31% for arm 2, and 41% for arm 3. CONCLUSION Arm 1, paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 weekly for 3 of 4 weeks with carboplatin (AUC = 6) administered on day 1, demonstrates the most favorable therapeutic index in patients with advanced NSCLC.

Phase II Trial of Cisplatin, Gemcitabine, and Bevacizumab As First-Line Therapy for Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma: Hoosier Oncology Group GU 04-75

PURPOSE Novel approaches are needed for patients with metastatic urothelial cancer (UC). This trial assessed the efficacy and toxicity of bevacizumab in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine (CGB) as first-line treatment for patients with metastatic UC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Chemotherapy-naive patients with metastatic or unresectable UC received cisplatin 70 mg/m(2) on day 1, gemcitabine 1,000 to 1,250 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8, and bevacizumab 15 mg/kg on day 1, every 21 days. RESULTS Forty-three patients with performance status of 0 (n = 26) or 1 (n = 17) and median age of 66 years were evaluable for toxicity and response. Grade 3 to 4 hematologic toxicity included neutropenia (35%), thrombocytopenia (12%), anemia (12%), and neutropenic fever (2%). Grade 3 to 5 nonhematologic toxicity included deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism (21%), hemorrhage (7%), cardiac (7%), hypertension (5%), and proteinuria (2%). Three treatment-related deaths (CNS hemorrhage, sudden cardiac death, and aortic dissection) were observed. Best response by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors was complete response in eight patients (19%) and partial response in 23 patients (53%), for an overall response rate of 72%. Stable disease lasting ≥ 12 weeks occurred in four patients (9%), and progressive disease occurred in six patients (14%). With a median follow-up of 27.2 months (range, 3.5 to 40.9 months), median progression-free survival (PFS) was 8.2 months (95% CI, 6.8 to 10.3 months) with a median overall survival (OS) time of 19.1 months (95% CI, 12.4 to 22.7 months). The study-defined goal of 50% improvement in PFS was not met. CONCLUSION CGB demonstrates promising OS and antiangiogenic treatment-related toxicities in the phase II setting of metastatic UC. The full risk/benefit profile of CGB in patients with metastatic UC will be determined by an ongoing phase III intergroup trial.

Randomized Phase Ib/II Study of Gemcitabine Plus Placebo or Vismodegib, a Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitor, in Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

Purpose Sonic hedgehog (SHH), an activating ligand of smoothened (SMO), is overexpressed in > 70% of pancreatic cancers (PCs). We investigated the impact of vismodegib, an SHH antagonist, plus gemcitabine (GV) or gemcitabine plus placebo (GP) in a multicenter phase Ib/randomized phase II trial and preclinical PC models. Patients and Methods Patients with PC not amenable to curative therapy who had received no prior therapy for metastatic disease and had Karnofsky performance score ≥ 80 were enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned in a one-to-one ratio to GV or GP. The primary end point was progression-free-survival (PFS). Exploratory correlative studies included serial SHH serum levels and contrast perfusion computed tomography imaging. To further investigate putative biologic mechanisms of SMO inhibition, two autochthonous pancreatic cancer models (KrasG12D; p16/p19fl/fl; Pdx1-Cre and KrasG12D; p53R270H/wt; Pdx1-Cre) were studied. Results No safety issues were identified in the phase Ib portion (n = 7), and the phase II study enrolled 106 evaluable patients (n = 53 in each arm). Median PFS was 4.0 and 2.5 months for GV and GP arms, respectively (95% CI, 2.5 to 5.3 and 1.9 to 3.8, respectively; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.54 to 1.21; P = .30). Median overall survival (OS) was 6.9 and 6.1 months for GV and GP arms, respectively (95% CI, 5.8 to 8.0 and 5.0 to 8.0, respectively; adjusted hazard ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.69 to 1.58; P = .84). Response rates were not significantly different. There were no significant associations between correlative markers and overall response rate, PFS, or OS. Preclinical trials revealed no significant differences with vismodegib in drug delivery, tumor growth rate, or OS in either model. Conclusion The addition of vismodegib to gemcitabine in an unselected cohort did not improve overall response rate, PFS, or OS in patients with metastatic PC. Our preclinical and clinical results revealed no statistically significant differences with respect to drug delivery or treatment efficacy using vismodegib.

A phase II study of lapatinib in recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Purpose: This study sought to determine the efficacy and safety profile of lapatinib in patients with recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Experimental Design: This phase II multiinstitutional study enrolled patients with recurrent/metastatic SCCHN into two cohorts: those without (arm A) and those with (arm B) before exposure to an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor. All subjects were treated with lapatinib 1,500 mg daily. Primary endpoints were response rate (arm A) and progression-free survival (PFS; arm B). The biologic effects of lapatinib on tumor growth and survival pathways were assessed in paired tumor biopsies obtained before and after therapy. Results: Forty-five patients were enrolled, 27 in arm A and 18 in arm B. Diarrhea was the most frequent toxicity occurring in 49% of patients. Seven patients experienced related grade 3 toxicity (3 fatigue, 2 hyponatremia, 1 vomiting, and 1 diarrhea). In an intent-to-treat analysis, no complete or partial responses were observed, and stable disease was the best response observed in 41% of arm A (median duration, 50 days, range, 34–159) and 17% of arm B subjects (median, 163 days, range, 135–195). Median PFS was 52 days in both arms. Median OS was 288 (95% CI, 62–374) and 155 (95% CI, 75–242) days for arms A and B, respectively. Correlative analyses revealed an absence of EGFR inhibition in tumor tissue. Conclusion: Lapatinib as a single agent in recurrent/metastatic SCCHN, although well tolerated, appears to be inactive in either EGFR inhibitor naive or refractory subjects. Clin Cancer Res; 18(8); 2336–43. ©2012 AACR.

Improved efficacy using rituximab and brief duration, high intensity chemotherapy with filgrastim support for Burkitt or aggressive lymphomas: cancer and Leukemia Group B study 10 002

To improve long‐term outcomes for Burkitt leukaemia/lymphoma (BL) or aggressive lymphomas in adults, we assessed the benefit of adding rituximab and filgrastim support to a dose‐dense modified chemotherapy regimen from the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) 9251 trial. One hundred and five patients (aged 19–79 years) were enrolled; 27% were >60 years old; 47% had high or high‐intermediate risk by International Prognostic Index (IPI) criteria. Common severe toxicities included stomatitis/upper gastrointestinal toxicity (69%), renal insufficiency (10%), neurological events (25%) and pulmonary events (18%). Seven died from treatment‐related causes (one central nervous system bleed, four infections, two respiratory failure); five were >60 years old. Results in this adult population are encouraging as complete response (CR) was observed in 83% and 4‐year event‐free (EFS) and overall survivals (OS) were 74% and 78%, respectively. Results compare favourably to our prior chemotherapy alone study (CALGB 9251) but despite this, high‐risk patients still had worse outcomes. In conclusion, short duration, intensive chemo‐immunotherapy is feasible and should be considered in adults with BL as it results in high remission rates and durable remissions.

Bevacizumab (B) plus gemcitabine (G) in patient (pts) with advanced pancreatic cancer (PC): Updated results of a multi-center phase II trial

4009 Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors are overexpressed in PC. In preclinical models, anti-VEGF antibodies suppress PC growth and potentiate the activity of gemcitabine. High VEGF expression correlates with advanced stage and decreased survival in PC pts. These data suggest that anti-VEGF therapy may have utility in PC. Bevacizumab (Avastin) is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody to VEGF. METHODS We are conducting a phase II trial of BG in advanced PC pts at 8 centers. Eligible pts have no prior chemotherapy (except 5-FU as a radiosensitizer); PS 0-2; measurable disease; no tumor invasion of major vessels; no bleeding or thrombosis. G 1000 mg/m2 is given over 30 minutes days (D) 1, 8, 15 every 28 D. B 10 mg/kg is given D 1, 15 every 28D. CT scans are obtained every 2 cycles. Plasma VEGF levels are obtained pretreatment. 45 pts enrolled 11/01-12/03. Pt characteristics: male 47%; median age 61 (range 42-83); PS: 0/1/2: 62%/36%/2%; stage IV 100%; liver metastases 80%; prior radiation 18%. RESULTS 182 cycles of BG have been administered (median 3, range <1-11). 42 pts are currently evaluable for response in this ongoing trial (median follow-up 5.7 months). There are 9 confirmed partial responses (21% PR) lasting a median of 9.4 months. 19 pts (45%) had stable disease lasting a median of 5.4 months. Median time to progression is 5.8 months (95% CI: 4.8, 9.1). Median survival is 9.0 months (95% CI: 7.4, 12.4); 6-month survival is 74%. Grade ¾ toxicities (% pts): neutropenia 33%; leukopenia 30%; thrombocytopenia 7%; thrombosis 12%; bowel perforation 5%; hypertension, proteinuria, and headache 2% each. Grade 5 toxicities: 1 gastrointestinal bleed, 1 bowel perforation. Pretreatment plasma VEGF levels in 32 pts (range 0-586 pg/ml) showed no correlation with either response (Fishers exact test p=1.00) or survival (Log rank test p=0.70). CONCLUSION BG is active and well-tolerated in advanced PC. The median survival of 9.0 months and the 74% 6-month survival are encouraging. A randomized phase III trial of BG vs. G is in development in the Cancer and Leukemia Group B. Supported by NCI grant N01-CM-17102. [Table: see text].

Arsenic Trioxide in Patients With Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreas Refractory to Gemcitabine : A Phase II Trial of the University of Chicago Phase II Consortium

Objectives:There is no effective therapy for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer who fail initial therapy with gemcitabine. Arsenic trioxide has potent antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects in pancreatic cancer cell lines. We conducted a multicenter phase II trial in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer who experienced disease progression on or after a gemcitabine-containing regimen. Methods:Arsenic trioxide 0.3 mg/kg was administered intravenously over 1 hour daily for 5 consecutive days every 28 days. Restaging computed tomography scans were obtained every 2 cycles. Results:Thirteen patients were enrolled between December 2002 and November 2003. Twenty-four cycles were administered (median 2; range 1–2). There were no grade 3/4 hematologic toxicities; grade 1/2 anemia and leukopenia occurred in 50% and 25% of patients, respectively. Grade 3 toxicities included fatigue and thrombosis in 17% of patients. Only 1 patient developed a prolongation of the QTc interval. There were no objective responses. Median progression-free survival was 1.6 months (95% confidence interval, 1.2–1.9). Median survival was 3.8 months (95% confidence interval, 1.6–6.8). Conclusions:Despite promising in vitro data, arsenic trioxide has no activity in pancreatic cancer patients who develop progressive disease after gemcitabine. Multicenter phase II trials are feasible in this patient population, and novel agents are clearly needed.