A phase Ib safety and tolerability study of a pan class I PI3K inhibitor buparlisib (BKM120) and gefitinib (gef) in EGFR TKI-resistant NSCLC

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Background: Overcoming EGFR TKI resistance (R) is a major clinical challenge; reported mechanisms include EGFR T790M mutation (mt), MET amplification (amp) and PIK3CA mt. As the PI3K pathway is a central convergent signaling node, we hypothesized that addition of buparlisib (BKM) could overcome EGFR TKI-R. Methods: Patients (pt) resistant to EGFR TKI (Jackman JCO 2010) were enrolled to determine safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics of BKM-gef. Using a “3+3” design, escalating doses of BKM were added to pt progressing on gef (Gp A). Pt not on gef preceding enrolment received a 2 wk run in (Gp B). Given the favorable CNS penetration of BKM, a CNS gp with brain metastases only was included. Pt had pretreatment biopsies and sequential PET-CT scans (baseline & d28). Results: 15 pt have been treated at 3 dose levels: BKM 80 mg/d (n=6), 100 mg/d (n=6), 80 mg 5d on 2d off (5/2, n=3), with gef 250 mg/d. Gp A (n=9, 1 CNS), B (n=6, 1 CNS), F:M (9:6), median age 63 (47-73) and majority >3 lines of therapy. DLT was G3 diarrhea observed in 2/6 pt at BKM100. Common adverse events (AE, all grades) include rash (80%), diarrhea (73%), fatigue (60%), anorexia (47%), mucositis (40%). Notably, 40% of pt had late (beyond DLT period) G3 toxicities such as rash and diarrhea. MTD is BKM 80/d and gef 250/d. To improve the overall safety profile, an intermittent schedule of BKM80 5/2 was also found to be feasible. In gp B, PET-CT done after 2 wk run-in of gef, 3/4 evaluable pt demonstrated reduction in SUVmax of which 1 had PR. With addition of BKM, reduction in SUVmax (>25%) was seen in 4/10 pt (gp A & B). Median PFS 2.8 m (95%CI 2.3 – 8.1), two pt in CNS gp had PFS of 2.8 and 10.7 m. Molecular analyses revealed 6/12 (50%) harbored T790M mt, 2/5 (40%) MET amp, 0/12 PI3KCA mt. In gp A, 4/9 pt (2 T790M; 1 MET amp) had clinical responses, including slight tumor shrinkage and reduced pleural effusion, but required dose reductions due to AE. PK profiles are being analyzed. Conclusions: MTD is gef 250-BKM 80/d. Antitumor activity has been observed with addition of BKM in EGFR TKI-R pt. In view of late toxicities and long t½ of BKM, exploring alternative schedules is warranted. A dose expansion cohort at MTD is currently ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT01570296.

A bioabsorbable microclip for laryngeal microsurgery: design and evaluation

Epithelial flaps created during laryngeal microsurgery require apposition to facilitate proper healing. Current technologies are restricted by minimal access of the surgical site, posing various limitations in application. In this paper, we propose a novel magnesium-based bioabsorbable microclip, discuss our design considerations and evaluate the microclip's feasibility as a miniature wound closure device. Ex vivo experiments demonstrate that the microclip fastens securely to the vocal fold, while in vivo studies show bioabsorbability and a lack of adverse side effects, suggesting that the microclips are viable as implantable devices.

Imaging the sphenoid sinus: pictorial essay

This paper focuses on the spectrum of sphenoid sinus lesions that may be seen radiologically and the mapping of disease extent. Imaging plays a central role in the assessment of sphenoid sinus disease. Although primary sphenoid sinus disease is uncommon, this sinus is nevertheless affected secondarily by a variety of pathological processes.

Isolated sphenoethmoid recess polyps

Isolated sphenoethmoid recess (SER) polyps are rare. They usually arise from the sphenoid sinus. We report six patients with SER polyps as the only abnormal clinical finding at initial presentation. All cases were investigated with outpatient biopsy and computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Pre-operative histology revealed three cases of inflammatory disease, two cases with inverted papilloma, and one case of an ectopic pituitary adenoma arising from the sphenoid sinus. One of the inflammatory polyps arose directly from the mucosa around the sphenoid ostium. The other five cases involved the sphenoid sinus. Except for the ectopic pituitary adenoma all the polyps were managed by transnasal endoscopic surgery. We emphasize that isolated SER polyps may signify existing sphenoid pathology and a pre-operative biopsy is valuable for planning surgery.

Endoscopic management of orbital apex lesions

Lesions of the orbital apex often present a diagnostic dilemma. Clinical assessment and imaging studies are helpful but a tissue biopsy is often required. The morbidity associated with transcranial approaches to the orbital apex may outweigh the benefits of obtaining a biopsy by these routes. Fine needle aspiration cytology of orbital apex lesions can be performed but there are disadvantages with this method. We describe a transnasal endoscopic technique to biopsy the orbital apex. The technique was used successfully to obtain a tissue diagnosis in six patients with orbital apex lesions. This enabled commencement of definitive treatment. There were no significant complications. The transnasal approach to the orbital apex using the endoscopes is reliable. Endoscopes provide excellent illumination, magnification, and a panoramic view of the operative field.

Sphenoid sinus mucocoele presenting with isolated oculomotor nerve palsy

We describe two cases of sphenoid sinus mucocoele. Both presented with isolated oculomotor nerve palsy. Mucocoeles involving only the sphenoid sinus are uncommon. They are probably under-diagnosed as they may be asymptomatic or cause non-specific symptoms. Nasal symptoms occur infrequently but the close relationship of the sphenoid sinus to the orbital apex means that ocular symptoms including cranial nerve palsies are a common presenting feature. Involvement of the third cranial nerve in isolation is rare but has important neurosurgical implications which must be excluded before this symptom is attributed to the sphenoid sinus.

Chondrosarcoma of the petrous apex. Dilemmas in diagnosis and treatment

A case of chrondrosarcoma of the petrous temporal bone is presented. Chondrosarcomas rarely occur intracranially and typically present apex mass. The dilemmas faced in the diagnosis and treatment of petrous apex chondrosarcomas are discussed. This case also gives interesting insight into the natural history of this tumour.

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland. An unusual cause of ear canal stenosis

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) accounts for approximately one per cent of salivary gland tumours. This tumour is gaining wider recognition following inclusion into the WHO histological classification of salivary gland tumours in 1990. Salivary gland tumours characteristically present with an enlarging mass. We describe an unusual presentation of a salivary gland tumour with stenosis of the external ear canal in the absence of a palpable mass. EMC usually arises from the salivary glands but isolated cases have been described arising primarily from the paranasal sinuses, trachea and lacrimal gland. The management of this tumour is still evolving with surgical excision being the main-stay of treatment. The efficacy of radiotherapy has not yet been established but high local recurrence rates despite apparently adequate excision and the possibility of a multicentric origin of the tumour may herald an increasing role for radiotherapy in the future. We stress the importance of awareness of adjacent structures when considering the cause of cartilaginous canal stenosis.