Vandetanib and indwelling pleural catheter for non-small-cell lung cancer with recurrent malignant pleural effusion

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND

Non-small-cell lung cancer patients with malignant pleural effusion have a poor overall median survival (4.3 months). VEGF is a key regulator of pleural effusion production. It is unknown if pharmacological inhibition of VEGF signaling modifies the disease course of non-small-cell lung cancer patients with recurrent malignant pleural effusion. We report the final results of a single-arm phase II clinical trial of the VEGF receptor inhibitor, vandetanib, combined with intrapleural catheter placement in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer and recurrent malignant pleural effusion, to determine whether vandetanib reduces time to pleurodesis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Non-small-cell lung cancer patients with proven metastatic disease to the pleural space using pleural fluid cytology or pleural biopsy who required intrapleural catheter placement were eligible for enrollment. On the same day of the intrapleural catheter insertion, the patients were started on a daily oral dose of 300 mg vandetanib, for a maximum of 10 weeks. The primary end point was time to pleurodesis, with response rate as the secondary end point. Exploratory analyses included measurement of pleural fluid cytokines and angiogenic factors before and during therapy.

RESULTS

Twenty eligible patients were included in the trial. Eleven patients completed 10 weeks of treatment. Median time to pleurodesis was 35 days (95% confidence interval, 15-not applicable). Median time to pleurodesis in the historical cohort was 63 days (95% confidence interval, 45-86) when adjusted for Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤ 2.

CONCLUSION

Vandetanib therapy was well tolerated; however, it did not significantly reduce time to pleurodesis.

BATTLE-2 program: A biomarker-integrated targeted therapy study in previously treated patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

TPS8118

Background: New strategies incorporating a personalized medicine approach for NSCLC treatment are increasingly explored and were pioneered in the prospective, biomarker-driven clinical program titled Biomarker-integrated Approaches of Targeted Therapy for Lung Cancer Elimination (BATTLE-1) (Kim et al Cancer Discov 2011;1:44). Effective therapeutic strategies for mutant KRAS and other biomarkers of resistance in refractory NSCLC remain an unmet medical need. The BATTLE-2 clinical study is using EGFR, PI3K/AKT and MEK inhibitors and is designed to identify biomarkers for optimal patient selection for these therapies, with a long-term goal to significantly improve the survival of NCSLC patients (pts) (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01248247). Methods: This is a four-arm, open-label, multi-center, biopsy-driven, adaptive randomization, phase II clinical trial in refractory NSCLC pts (failed at least 1 prior line of therapy). After a study-entry tumor biopsy, pts are adaptively randomized, based on KRAS status, to 4 trial arms: erlotinib, erlotinib plus the AKT inhibitor MK-2206, MK-2206 plus the MEK inhibitor selumetinib, and sorafenib. The primary objective is 8-week disease control rate (DCR). Baseline tumor testing includes KRAS and EGFR mutations and EML4/ALK translocation, the latter two being exclusion criteria. The trial is conducted in 2 stages. In Stage 1, 200 evaluable pts are adaptively randomized (AR) based on observed 8-week DCR and KRAS status while predictive biomarkers are being developed. In Stage 2, the AR model is refined to include the most predictive biomarkers tested in Stage 1, with subsequent Stage 2 AR based on the new algorithm, to a total of 400 evaluable pts. Selection of Stage 2 single and/or composite markers (“signatures”) follows a rigorous, internally and externally reviewed statistical analysis. All Stage 1 and 2 randomization biomarker assays are CLIA-certified. 219 pts have been enrolled and 124 pts randomized. 100 pts are evaluable for the 8-week DCR endpoint. Accrual updates, demographics, and further details will be presented at the meeting. Supported by NCI R01CA155196-01A1. Clinical trial information: NCT01248247.

The BATTLE trial: personalizing therapy for lung cancer

The Biomarker-integrated Approaches of Targeted Therapy for Lung Cancer Elimination (BATTLE) trial represents the first completed prospective, biopsy-mandated, biomarker-based, adaptively randomized study in 255 pretreated lung cancer patients. Following an initial equal randomization period, chemorefractory non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients were adaptively randomized to erlotinib, vandetanib, erlotinib plus bexarotene, or sorafenib, based on relevant molecular biomarkers analyzed in fresh core needle biopsy specimens. Overall results include a 46% 8-week disease control rate (primary end point), confirm prespecified hypotheses, and show an impressive benefit from sorafenib among mutant-KRAS patients. BATTLE establishes the feasibility of a new paradigm for a personalized approach to lung cancer clinical trials.

SIGNIFICANCE

The BATTLE study is the first completed prospective, adaptively randomized study in heavily pretreated NSCLC patients that mandated tumor profiling with "real-time" biopsies, taking a substantial step toward realizing personalized lung cancer therapy by integrating real-time molecular laboratory findings in delineating specific patient populations for individualized treatment.