Final results of a phase I study of oral belinostat (PXD101) in patients with solid tumors

3531

Background: Belinostat (Bel) is a histone deacetylase inhibitor with broad preclinical activity. IV Bel is well-tolerated with clinical activity at 1 g/m2 daily x5, q3w. Methods: Patients (pts) were treated with multiple schedules (see table) to assess safety, pharmacokinetics (PK) and efficacy. PK was done on day (d) 1 (fasting) and d7 (non-fasting) along with serial ECGs. Results: 92 pts, median age 60 (range 32–89) have been included. Major cancer types included colorectal (22%), prostate (17%), bladder (11%). Most frequent related adverse events (AEs), any grade (gr), were fatigue (53%), nausea (49%), anorexia (36%), vomiting (27%), diarrhea (25%). Only related gr 3/4 AE noted by more than 1 pt was fatigue. Hematological tox included gr 2: anemia (6 pts), leucopenia (2 pts), and thrombocytopenia (1 pt). Two events of gr 2 QTc prolongation were reported. Recommended dose (RD) for continuous dosing was determined as 250 mg, QD or BID, based on dose limiting toxicity (DLT; gr 3 if not indicated) seen in 2 pts in cohort 2A: dehydration and fatigue. Based on overall tolerability and DLTs (cohort 2C fatigue; 3C gr 2 nausea/vomiting/diarrhea; 4C atypical chest pain, elevated creatinine; 2D atrial fibrillation, hypokalemia, fatigue) the RD for d1–14 dosing was determined as 750 mg QD, with option for intra-pt dose escalation if limited tox. For d1–5 dosing, evaluation of the highest dose-cohort is not finalized; 1 pt had gr 3 psychosis, but also experienced same event 16d after treatment stopped. Exposure of Bel in plasma correlates with dose; PK on d1/d7 indicate a possible effect of food. To date, 33 pts (41%) have SD; 5 pts ≥6 months (d on treatment: 710 adenoidcystic, +488 bladder, 485 renal, 196 rectal, 182 prostate), and 12 pts 3–6 months. Conclusions: Oral Bel can be delivered safely with multiple schedules. The safety profile and long stabilizations in multiple tumor types makes Bel an interesting option for further evaluation as a monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy.

[Table: see text]

[Table: see text]

PROPEL: Results of the pivotal, multicenter, phase II study of pralatrexate in patients with relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL)

8561

Background: Pralatrexate is a novel targeted antifolate designed to accumulate preferentially in cancer cells. PROPEL, a pivotal phase 2, non-randomized, open-label, international study, is the largest prospective study in patients (pts) with relapsed or refractory PTCL. Methods: Pts received 30 mg/m2 of pralatrexate intravenously weekly for 6 of 7 weeks, supplemented with B12 and folic acid. Primary endpoint = objective response rate (ORR); secondary endpoints = response duration, progression-free survival, and overall survival. Eligibility criteria: histologically confirmed PTCL, disease progression after ≥ 1 prior treatment, and ECOG performance status ≤ 2. Pathology was confirmed by independent central review, response to therapy was assessed by independent central review using International Workshop Criteria (IWC). Results: 115 pts were enrolled, 109 were evaluable for efficacy. 111 treated pts included 76 males (68%) and 35 females (32%). Pts had failed a median of 3 prior regimens and thus were heavily pre-treated. 78 pts (70%) failed CHOP, 18 (16%) had previous autologous stem cell transplant. 25% of pts never responded to any prior therapy; 53% did not respond to last prior therapy. The majority (59 pts, 53%) had PTCL not-otherwise specified. The ORR by central review was 27% (n = 29). 11 pts (10% overall, 38% of responders) had a complete response (CR), 18 pts (17%) had a partial response (PR), and 23 (21%) had stable disease. ORR by investigators assessment was 39% (n = 42). The median duration of response cannot be accurately estimated at this time, though responses of > 1 year have been observed. 69% of responses were after just 1 cycle. 5 responding pts went on to transplant. The most frequent Grade (Gr) 3–4 adverse events were mucosal inflammation (Gr 3 = 17%, Gr 4 = 4%) and thrombocytopenia (Gr 3 = 14%, Gr 4 = 19%). Conclusions: The results of PROPEL show that pralatrexate exhibits substantial activity in pts with relapsed or refractory PTCL, as assessed by a rigorous central review, with durable CRs /PRs, irrespective of the amount of prior therapy.

[Table: see text]

A phase I/II trial of the kinesin spindle protein (KSP) inhibitor SB-743921 dosed q14d without and with prophylactic G-CSF in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) or Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)

8578

Background: KSP is a mitotic kinesin essential for cell cycle progression. SB-743921 (SB-921), a selective KSP inhibitor, blocks mitotic spindle assembly with cell cycle arrest in mitosis and cell death. In the first-in-humans (FIH) trial, the MTD was 4 mg/m2 q21d. Since neutropenia was the major DLT, with recovery by ∼d15, a q14d schedule without (-GCSF) and with prophylactic G-CSF (+GCSF) is being explored. Methods: In phase I of this phase I/II trial, DLT and MTD of SB-921 given on d1 and d15 q28d (-GCSF) and (+GCSF) will be determined. Eligible patients (pts) have relapsed or refractory HL or NHL, aggressive (a) or indolent (i), have had at least 1 prior chemotherapy (CT) regimen, and have relapsed after or were not candidates for stem cell transplant. This is a standard 3+3 dose escalation trial design, starting at 2 mg/m2 and escalating by 1 mg/m2. Once DLT (-GCSF) is identified, (+GCSF) dosing starts at the (-GCSF) MTD, escalating until (+GCSF) DLT is identified. Results: 39 pts were treated (-GCSF) at 6 dose levels (2–7 mg/m2). 5 pts had DLT: 1/3 at 4 (grade 3 hepatic enzymes; found retrospectively); 2/10 at 6 (both sepsis with neutropenia), and 2/7 at 7 (both grade 4 neutropenia lasting >5d) mg/m2. MTD (-GCSF) was 6 mg/m2. 12 pts were treated with SB-921 (+GCSF) at 6 (n=4), 7 (n=3), 8 (n=3) and 9 (n=2) mg/m2, with 1 DLT of neutropenia at 9 mg/m2. Expansion of the 9 mg/m2 (+GCSF) cohort to n=6 is ongoing. For all 51 pts treated to date, mean age was 52 yr; 53% were male; 39% HL, 33% aNHL, and 28% iNHL; 76% had ≥3 prior CT regimens. The most frequent grade 3/4 toxicity was neutropenia: 58% at ≥MTD (-GCSF) and 42% (+GCSF). Other grade 3/4 events were uncommon. There was no neuropathy or alopecia >grade 1. There were 2 partial responses (PR), both in elderly pts with HL with ≥2 prior CT regimens, 1 at 6 (-GCSF) and 1 at 8 (+GCSF) mg/m2, ongoing at Cycle 4+. Conclusions: The MTD of SB-921 (-GCSF) on a q14d schedule was 6 mg/m2. This dose density (0.43 mg/m2/d) is >2-fold higher than in the FIH trial with a q21d schedule (0.19 mg/m2/d). Dose escalation (+GCSF) is continuing. SB-921 is well tolerated with minimal toxicity other than hematologic. Activity has been observed in HL, with 2 PRs at doses ≥6 mg/m2.

[Table: see text]

Percutaneous management of a traumatic arteriovenous fistula

The diagnosis of arteriovenous fistulae can be inhibited by inadequate clinical information and the presence of non specific signs. We describe how a patient was diagnosed with an arteriovenous fistula 19 years following penetrating trauma. We describe our successful treatment of this fistula using radiological endovascular techniques.

Schedule of bortezomib administration may be an important determinant of single-agent activity in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular (FL) lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)

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Background: We previously demonstrated the significant activity of bortezomib for the treatment of FL and MCL. The activity in MCL has been confirmed in a multi-center study leading to the recent approval by the FDA. The demonstrated activity was observed on the twice weekly schedule. Recent data using bortezomib in combination with rituximab suggested that weekly bortezomib was less toxic and possibly equally as efficacious as twice weekly bortezomib. This study does not allow a determination of weekly single agent activity alone. We sought to evaluate the single agent activity of bortezomb in FL and MCL administered on a weekly schedule. Methods: Pts with FL and MCL were treated with bortezomib at a dose of 1.8 mg/m2 weekly for 4 of 6 consecutive weeks. To date, 20 pts (12 FL, 8 MCL) have been treated on this schedule, of which 18 are assessable for response. Two pts were inevaluable: 1 pt received steroids for bronchitis (MCL); and 1 pt (FL) with grade 2 diarrhea withdraw consent making her data inaccessible. Results: The range of cycles administered was 1 to 8, with a median of 2. The weekly dosing schedule was well tolerated with 1 pt. developing neuropathy (grade 3). Fourteen pts completed at least two cycles of therapy and underwent restaging. Two pts had a PR (both FL), 8 had SD (5 FL, 3 MCL) and 4 had POD (2 FL, 2 MCL). The other 4 evaluable patients are now being restaged. Conclusions: These data suggest weekly dosing with bortezomib may not be as effective as twice weekly. Typically, bortezomib administered on the twice weekly schedule has an ORR of 30% in MCL and 50% in FL. Additionally, the frequency of pts. experiencing POD appears to be less common on the twice weekly schedule. One difference in the schedules is the dose intensity and dose density. A cycle of twice weekly bortezomib administers 1.7 mg/m2/week, while a weekly schedule administers only 1.2 mg/m2/week, a 30% difference in dose intensity and a 100% difference in dose density (1.33 × per week vs. .67 × per week). What remains unclear from a pharmacologic perspective is the relative importance of high Cmax vs high AUC exposures, and their impact on both toxicity and efficacy. These data suggest that schedule is critical in the activity of bortezomib.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Alteration in the laboratory profile of a lupus anticoagulant in a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

We describe a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who developed a lupus anticoagulant (LA) detectable by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), dilute Russell's viper venom time (DRVVT) and kaolin clotting time (KCT). IgM anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) were elevated. At a later admission, and following treatment for the lymphoma, routine coagulation screening showed an elevated prothrombin time (PT) without correction in mixing tests using a recombinant thromboplastin. Routine APTT was below the reference range and ACA levels were normal. Raw data for one-stage factor assays demonstrated the presence of an inhibitor. Analysis for LA was undertaken by DRVVT, KCT, activated seven lupus anticoagulant assay, Taipan snake venom time, platelet neutralisation procedures (PNP), Ecarin time and PT using rabbit brain thromboplastin. The results revealed a LA capable of prolonging the clotting times of the PNPs and PT using recombinant thromboplastin, but that was corrected using Ecarin venom, modified PNP and brain thromboplastin. The antibody also demonstrated the lupus anticoagulant co-factor effect. The factor VIII: C was markedly raised which may have masked the LA in the APTT. The changing laboratory profile over time demonstrates the effects of LA heterogeneity and variations in sensitivity and specificity of assays for the detection of antiphospholipid antibodies.

Randomized clinical trial of the effects of preoperative and postoperative oral nutritional supplements on clinical course and cost of care

BACKGROUND

Postoperative oral nutritional supplementation has been shown to be of clinical benefit. This study examined the clinical effects and cost of administration of oral supplements both before and after surgery.

METHODS

This was a randomized clinical trial conducted in three centres. Patients undergoing lower gastrointestinal tract surgery were randomized to one of four groups: group CC received no nutritional supplements, group SS took supplements both before and after surgery, group CS received postoperative supplements only, and group SC were given supplements only before surgery. Preoperative supplements were given from the time it was decided to operate to 1 day before surgery. Postoperative supplements were started when the patient was able to take free fluids and continued for 4 weeks after discharge from hospital. Data collected included weight change, complications, length of stay, nutritional intake, anthropometrics, quality of life and detailed costings covering all aspects of care.

RESULTS

Some 179 patients were randomized, of whom 27 were withdrawn and 152 analysed (CC 44, SS 32, CS 35, SC 41). Dietary intake was similar in all four groups throughout the study. Mean energy intake from preoperative supplements was 536 and 542 kcal/day in the SS and SC groups respectively; that 2 weeks after discharge from hospital was 274 and 361 kcal/day in the SS and CS groups respectively. There was significantly less postoperative weight loss in the SS group than in the CC and CS groups (P < 0.050), and significantly fewer minor complications in the SS and CS groups than the CC group (P < 0.050). There were no differences in the rate of major complications, anthropometrics and quality of life. Mean overall costs were greatest in the CC group, although differences between groups were not significant.

CONCLUSION

Perioperative oral nutritional supplementation started before hospital admission for lower gastrointestinal tract surgery significantly diminished the degree of weight loss and incidence of minor complications, and was cost-effective.