A phase II study of SB939, a novel pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor, in patients with translocation-associated recurrent/metastatic sarcomas-NCIC-CTG IND 200†

BACKGROUND

A subgroup of sarcomas is characterized by defining chromosomal translocations, creating fusion transcription factor oncogenes. Resultant fusion oncoproteins associate with chromatin-modifying complexes containing histone deacetylases (HDAC), and lead to epigenetic transcriptional dysregulation. HDAC inhibitors were shown to be effective in vitro, reversing gene repression by these complexes, restoring PTEN expression and apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

SB939 is an oral inhibitor of classes 1 and 2 HDAC. Eligible patients with recurrent or metastatic translocation-associated sarcoma (TAS) by local pathology were treated with 60 mg/day every other day for 3 of 4 weeks. Central pathology review was conducted with fusion oncogenes characterized, and HDAC2 expression correlated with efficacy in pre-specified methods.

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients were treated with a median of 2 cycles. Fourteen patients were assessable for response with confirmed specific chromosomal translocations; 8 had a best response of stable disease (SD) (median duration 5.4 months) with no confirmed objective responses. The 3-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 49%. Among those with HDAC2 score ≥5, 7/10 had SD, versus 0/3 with HDAC2 score <5. SB939 was considered as well tolerated with <10% patients experienced ≥grade 3 toxicity.

CONCLUSION

This study was stopped prematurely due to prolonged unavailability of SB939. No objective responses were seen. Although the observed SD in HDAC2 high patients was interesting, due to the small sample size, no definitive conclusion can be drawn about the efficacy of SB939 in this patient population.

CLINICAL TRIAL

NCT01112384.

Perifosine (P) as an active agent in the treatment of patients with advanced sarcoma

10059

Background: Clinical benefit rate (CBR), defined as complete or partial responses (RECIST) or stable disease > 4 months, has been taken as evidence for the activity of mTOR inhibitors in sarcomas, (Chawla ASCO 2006). P is a novel oral alkylphosphocholine that targets the PI3K pathway upstream from mTOR by inhibiting the phosphorylation of Akt. (Kondapaka, Mol Cancer Ther 2003). P's activity against sarcomas has now been evaluated in 121 patients enrolled in one of 3 phase (ph) I trials or 4 ph II studies. Five of these studies have been published. All of the data are in the Keryx database from which this analysis was performed. Methods: Dose-schedules in the ph I trials were weekly (wkly) 100–800 mg; loading dose (LD) 300 - 1,800 following by daily (d) 50 - 21 every 21 days; LD 400 - 900 & d 50 - 100 continuously. In the ph II trials doses were LD 900 & d 150 every 21 days, LD 900 and d 100 continuously, d 50 mg continuously; wkly 900, wkly1200 & wkly 1,500. Regimens that included a wkly or LD of 1,200 mg or more or a d dose of ≥ 150 mg were more toxic and are defined as “higher dose” for this analysis. Results: 121 pts with sarcoma were entered on studies prior to 9/1/2006 and could be assessed for CBR. CBR is shown in the table below. Toxicities were mainly gastrointestinal and/or fatigue. The percentage of pts with grade 0 nausea (N), vomiting (V), diarrhea (D) and fatigue (F) for lower dose P was 40, 60, 45 and 57% respectively compared to 29, 38, 24 and 66% for higher dose P. The proportion of patients with grade 2+ N, V, D and F was 19, 15, 17 and 21% for lower dose P and 46, 31, 40 and 21% for higher dose P. Conclusions: In the ph I/II studies of P the CBR was 50%. This compares favorably with the activity of the mTOR inhibitors. There was no suggestion of greater activity in those given higher doses of P, but there was substantially more toxicity and greater earlier withdrawal from therapy with the higher doses.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Verification of imatiNib cost-effectiveness in advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor in British Columbia (VINCE)

10049

Background: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of imatinib in British Columbia Cancer Agency (BCCA) patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) in terms of median overall survival (OS) and median progression-free survival (PFS). Results were also compared to imatinib literature reports. Methods: A pragmatic, retrospective medical record review identified BCCA patients with advanced GIST who received imatinib or historical treatment during successive, pre-specified time periods. Data was collected on survival, duration of therapy, progression free status, and cost of drug, labour and supplies. Primary outcome was the cost-effectiveness of imatinib based on median-OS (Kaplan Meier method). Secondary outcomes were cost-effectiveness based on median overall-PFS, cost of therapy per patient, 1-year OS, and 1-year PFS. This study was conducted from the perspective of the BCCA. Sensitivity analyses varying effectiveness over the 95% CI, cost over the range of treatment duration, discounting level at 0, 3 and 5%, and comparing effectiveness to literature controls were performed. Life expectancy (mean survival), was also calculated and used in the CE sensitivity analysis. Results: Forty-six and 47 patients in the imatinib and historical groups respectively were analyzed. Median-OS in the imatinib group was 66.7 months (95% CI 61.7, infinity) compared to 7.7 months (95% CI 6.0, 12.6) in the historical group. Median-PFS was 45.3 months (95% CI 24.4, infinity) and 5.6 months (95% CI 3.5, 8.5) respectively. The 1-year OS and 1-year PFS for the imatinib group was 95.4% (95% CI 82.9, 99.2) and 81.4% (95% CI 66.1, 91.1) compared to 32.6% (95% CI 20.0, 48.1) and 17.4% (95% CI 8.3 - 32.0) in the historical group. No difference was seen between the imatinib study results and literature reports. The annual incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $15,882 per median life year gained and $23,603 per median year of PFS for imatinib. Conclusions: Imatinib for advanced GIST is a cost- effective treatment in BC. Results were robust across the range of sensitivity analyses performed.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

A phase II study of perifosine (D-21226) in patients with previously untreated metastatic or locally advanced soft tissue sarcoma: A National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group trial

BACKGROUND/PATIENTS AND METHODS: 16 adult patients with untreated measurable locally advanced or metastatic inoperable soft tissue sarcoma were treated with oral perifosine, a synthetic alkylphospholipid, believed to inhibit MAP kinase (MAP-K), protein kinase C (PKC), Akt and other regulatory proteins. Perifosine was administered orally in cycles for 21 days out of 28. Loading doses were given day 1 each cycle (900 mg cycle 1, 300 mg cycle 2+) and 150 mg daily was given days 2-21 of each cycle. Cycles were repeated until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or patient refusal.

RESULTS

Seventeen patients were enrolled; 16 and 15 were evaluable for toxicity and response, respectively. A total of 30 cycles of perifosine were administered. Most toxic effects were grade 1 or 2 and commonly included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue (> or =40%). Hematologic toxicity was generally mild. There were no significant biochemical abnormalities due to the drug reported. There were 4 serious adverse events (SAE)-none of which was related to perifosine. No objective responses were seen; 4 patients had stable disease for 1.3 to 8.2 months and the remainder of the patients had progressive disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Perifosine when given according to this dosing schedule does not show evidence of activity in a mixed population of adult soft tissue sarcoma patients.

A National Cancer Institute of Canada clinical trials group phase II study of eniluracil (776C85) and oral 5-fluorouracil in patients with advanced squamous cell head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND/PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients with recurrent head and neck cancer (HNC) following radiotherapy and/or surgery were treated with eniluracil (10 mg/m2) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (1 mg/m2) (E5F) orally twice daily for 28 days followed by a seven-day treatment free period. Thirty-five-day cycles were repeated until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or patient refusal. Doses were modified for toxicity. Standard toxicity and response criteria were used.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients were accrued; thirty-two and twenty-eight patients were evaluable for toxicity and response, respectively. Twelve patients received three or more cycles of E5F. Drug related toxicities were usually grade 1-2 intensity and included lethargy, nausea or diarrhea (> or = 25% of patients), and anorexia, rash or itch, stomatitis or vomiting (12%-24% of patients). Hematologic toxicity was generally mild; two patients experienced grade 3-5 leukopenia or thrombocytopenia. No significant biochemical toxicity was seen. One patient was withdrawn (severe nausea and vomiting) and one patient died because of drug related toxicity (thrombocytopenia). In the final analysis there were one complete and four partial responses for a 15.6% overall response.

CONCLUSIONS

E5F demonstrates activity in chemotherapy naïve patients with advanced HNC cancer with acceptable toxicity profile. Further investigation of E5F with other active agents is warranted in HNC.

Randomized trial of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil chemotherapy added to tamoxifen as adjuvant therapy in postmenopausal women with node-positive estrogen and/or progesterone receptor-positive breast cancer: a report of the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group. Breast Cancer Site Group

PURPOSE AND METHODS

By the mid 1980s, tamoxifen alone was considered standard adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women with node-positive, estrogen receptor (ER)- or progesterone receptor (PgR)-positive breast cancer. From 1984 through 1990, 705 eligible postmenopausal women with node-positive, ER- or PgR-positive breast cancer were randomized to a National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group (NCIC CTG) study that compared tamoxifen 30 mg by mouth daily for 2 years (TAM) versus TAM plus chemotherapy with all-intravenous cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2, methotrexate 40 mg/m2, and fluorouracil 600 mg/m2 given every 21 days for eight cycles (CMF).

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in overall survival, recurrence-free survival, locoregional recurrence-free survival, or distant recurrence-free survival between the two treatment arms. However, there was significantly greater severe toxicity, which included leukopenia (P < .0001), nausea and vomiting (P < .0001), and thromboembolic events (P < .0001), as well as significantly more mild or greater toxicity, which included thrombocytopenia (P = .04), anemia (P = .02), infection (P = .0004), mucositis (P = .0001), diarrhea (P = .0001), and neurologic toxicity (P = .006), in women who received TAM plus CMF.

CONCLUSION

The addition of CMF to TAM adds no benefit and considerable toxicity in this group of women.

Phase II study of topotecan (NSC 609 699) in patients with recurrent or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma

BACKGROUND

New drugs are needed for treatment of unresectable or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma. Topotecan, a semisynthetic derivative of the alkaloid, camptothecin, exerts its cytotoxic effect through inhibition of topoisomerase I.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-two adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma entered this phase II study of topotecan, administered at 1.5 mg/m2/day IV x 5 days every 3 weeks. All had measurable disease and none had received previous chemotherapy.

RESULTS

There were 3 partial responses (10.3%; 95% CI 2.2-27.4%) in 29 evaluable patients. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia occurred in 25 patients, and there was a 17% incidence of infection/neutropenic fever leading to one toxic death.

CONCLUSIONS

Topotecan, in this dose and schedule, has low activity in adult soft tissue sarcoma.

Phase II trial of 10-EDAM in advanced soft tissue sarcoma. A study of the Canadian Sarcoma Group and the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group

BACKGROUND

Inoperable locally recurrent soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are incurable with chemotherapy. Therefore the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group are performing phase II studies in an attempt to find better drugs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-one evaluable patients with incurable soft tissue sarcoma were treated with the antifol 10-EDAM at a dose of 80 mg per m2/week.

RESULTS

Mucositis was the most common toxicity. Only 41% of patients received > or = 90% of the planned dose time because of dose modification mainly for grade 1 mucositis. Two patients died after neutropenic episodes. Toxicity otherwise was generally mild (< grade 2). One patient had a pathologically confirmed complete response but relapsed after four months. Another had a partial response lasting 16 weeks. Eleven other patients had stabilization of disease.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, 10-EDAM was not found to be an effective agent to treat advanced soft tissue sarcoma.

Quality of life, appetite, and weight change in patients receiving dose-intensive chemotherapy

Quality of life was assessed by self-report questionnaires in 30 patients receiving dose-intensive chemotherapy for either non-small-cell lung cancer (20 patients) or recurrent head and neck cancer (10 patients). Megestrol acetate was given daily to try to improve appetite and prevent the weight loss usually associated with this chemotherapy. Appetite did not change significantly overall during the first 4 weeks of chemotherapy, but it did improve in those patients still receiving chemotherapy at 8 weeks. Changes in global quality of life were significantly correlated with changes in appetite, fatigue, energy level, and physical function. Thus, these parameters may have more relevance to patients' perceptions of quality of life than does weight change, and should be used more frequently as endpoints in studies of supportive care and palliative treatment of patients with cancer.

Combination chemotherapy with doxorubicin, dacarbazine, and ifosfamide in advanced adult soft tissue sarcoma. Canadian Sarcoma Group--National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group

Forty-three adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma entered a pilot study of combination chemotherapy comprising 50 mg of doxorubicin/m2 by intravenous bolus, 850 mg of dacarbazine/m2 by 1-hour infusion, and 5 g of ifosfamide/m2 by 24-hour infusion with mesna uroprotection. The overall response rate in 40 assessable patients was 25% with two complete remissions. Twenty-four episodes of infection occurred in 148 courses (16%). These infections were usually associated with neutropenia (granulocyte count less than 0.5 X 10(9)/L), which occurred in 70% of the courses. These results do not differ from those elicited by each agent alone, and may reflect inadequacies of dose intensity or scheduling, or evaluation in a study population with adverse prognostic factors.

Perioperative chemotherapy for primary sarcoma of bone

Preoperative chemotherapy for primary osteosarcoma has usually been accompanied by a prolonged delay between withdrawal before operation and resumption after. This is because animal studies showed impaired wound healing associated with perioperative chemotherapy. Clinical studies, however, have not shown this to be the case. The authors describe their experience in eight patients who had osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma of the extremities and received one to three cycles of chemotherapy preoperatively. Chemotherapy consisted of Adriamycin, cis-platinum and vincristine. Definitive surgery on the primary tumour was done 1 to 4 days after the last dose. Amputation was performed on seven patients and tumour resection for limb salvage on one. No wound healing or infectious complications were encountered. The ensuing course of chemotherapy was not delayed by the surgical procedure. The authors conclude that it is feasible to combine neoadjuvant chemotherapy and early surgery in the management of high-grade primary bone sarcoma.