A phase I clinical and pharmacological profile of dacarbazine with autologous bone marrow transplantation in patients with solid tumors

Summary Dacarbazine (DTIC) is a chemotherapy drug which has antitumor activity at standard doses, exhibits a steep dose-response effect in vitro, and is associated with relatively few non-hematologic toxicities. These characteristics suggest a potential role for this drug in bone marrow transplant preparative regimens. To pursue this hypothesis, 16 patients with refractory solid tumors were enrolled in a phase I study of single agent DTIC to determine the dose of DTIC requiring bone marrow reinfusion and to define the dose-limiting toxicity and maximum tolerated dose when given with autologous bone marrow rescue. Pharmacokinetics were evaluated at the 4394 mg/m² dose level. The marrow requiring dose was 2000 mg/m² when given as a single intravenous (IV) infusion. The extramyeloid dose-limiting toxicity of DTIC was hypotension, with the maximum tolerated dose of DTIC being 3380 mg/m² when given with bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Other toxicities were transient and tolerable. At 4394 mg/m² of DTIC, plasma concentrations declined biexponentially with a terminal half-life of 3 hours. The mean clearance was 10.6 L/hr/m² with a volume of distribution at steady state of 37.5 L/m² and a mean maximum plasma concentration of 150 mcg/ml. One patient with melanoma developed a partial response of short duration after receiving 2600 mg/m² of DTIC. Dacarbazine can be significantly dose escalated with an acceptable toxicity profile, when given with BMT. Future trials should focus on the addition of this drug to current BMT preparative regimens used for the treatment of patients with lymphoma.     

Phase I trial of intravenous vinzolidine (LY 104208) given on a biweekly dosing schedule

Summary Vinzolidine (VZL) is a semisynthetic vinca alkaloid with broad antitumor activity in animal models of malignancy but had unpredictable toxic effects when given orally to humans. To minimize the toxic effects due to potential erratic gastrointestinal absorption, this drug was restudied in man as an intravenous preparation given as a rapid injection every two weeks. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) on this schedule was 9.0 mg/m² with unpredictable leukopenia (usually occurring 5–14 days post treatment but appearing erratically), constipation, paralytic ileus, and inappropriate ADH syndrome as major toxicities. Nonhematologic toxicities were dose-limiting. Repetitive dosing at two week intervals was associated with leukopenia at D 14–15 in some but not all patients treated above 5.0 mg/m² precluding further treatment on schedule. In contrast, the oral MTD of this agent in our prior studies was 45 mg/m² with no evidence of delayed leukopenia. Intrapatient variability of toxicity was small; interpatient variability of toxicity was substantial and did not correlate with prior therapy. Because of the presence of delayed hematologic toxicity on repetitive dosing schedules, intravenous VZL should be given on a dosing schedule longer than 14 days. No antitumor activity was seen in this study.     

Phase I trial of motexafin gadolinium and doxorubicin in the treatment of advanced malignancies

Purpose To assess the safety, maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), and dose-limiting toxicities (DLT), of motexafin gadolinium (MGd), given in combination with doxorubicin, in patients with advanced solid tumors. Study Design The combination of MGd and doxorubicin was administered every 28 days (cycle 1) and then every 21 days (subsequent cycles). The dose of MGd, given daily for 3 days, was escalated from 1.0 mg/kg/d to 3.3 mg/kg/d, while the dose of doxorubicin was held at 30 mg/m². Results Fifteen patients received 37 cycles of treatment, for a median of 2 cycles per patient (range 0–6 cycles). Three patients (20%) completed 6 cycles of therapy. The MTD was identified as MGd, 2 mg/kg/day and doxorubicin, 30 mg/m². Dose limiting toxicities included grade 3 hypertension, pneumonia, bacteremia, and elevated GGT. Serious adverse events also included pulmonary embolism and urinary tract infection requiring hospitalization. There was no exacerbation of cardiac toxicity. No patients attained a response to treatment. Six patients (54%) had stable disease. The median time to disease progression, or to last assessment, was 49 days (range 8–195 days). Conclusions The combination of MGd and doxorubicin was fairly well tolerated. However, due to emerging preclinical data suggesting that MGd inhibits ribonucleotide reductase, further development of the combination of MGd plus doxorubicin is not recommended.     

An NCIC-CTG phase I dose escalation pharmacokinetic study of the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor BAY 12-9566 in combination with doxorubicin

Background: This phase I study was performed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of the oral matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor BAY 12-9566 in combination with doxorubicin in patients with advanced solid tumours, and to identify the maximum tolerated dose of these agents in combination and the dose for use in subsequent studies. Patients and methods: 14 patients were entered onto 3 dose levels consisting of escalating doses of doxorubicin (50 mg/m², 60 mg/m² and 70 mg/m²) with 800 mg po bid BAY 12-9566. At all three dose levels, patients received doxorubicin alone in cycle one on day 1. Daily oral dosing with BAY 12-9566 was started on day 8 of cycle 1, and thus doxorubicin was given concurrently with BAY 12-9566 in cycle 2. Patients were continued on treatment until a dose limiting toxicity or tumour progression occurred. Results: Pharmacokinetic studies from cycles 1 and 2 from the patients treated in the first three dose levels demonstrated that the addition of BAY 12-9566 increased the AUC_0-12h levels of doxorubicin by a median of 48%. No effects were seen on the BAY 12-9566 pharmacokinetic values. Two dose limiting toxicities were seen at the third dose level. One patient experienced grade 3 stomatitis in cycle 2, and another patient experienced grade 4 granulocytopenia in cycle 1 and grade 4 thrombocytopenia in cycle 2. Thus the maximum tolerated dose of 60 mg/m² was declared. These toxicities were those that would have been expected from doxorubicin alone. Conclusions: BAY 12-9566 can be safely administered with full doses of doxorubicin without evidence of clinical interaction. The recommended dose of doxorubicin to be combined with BAY 12-9566 800 mg po b.i.d is 60 mg/m², however, further development of BAY 12-9566 has been abandoned.This study was supported by Bayer Inc.     

Phase I/II study of amrubicin,a novel 9-aminoanthracycline,in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Purpose: Amrubicin is a novel, totally synthetic 9-aminoanthracycline. The present phase I/II study was performed to define its maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), efficacy and toxicity in the treatment of previously untreated patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and Methods: Chemonaive patients were required to have cytologically or histologically proven measurable NSCLC, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) of 0 to 2, and adequate organ functions. Amrubicin was administered by daily intravenous injection for 3 consecutive days every 3 weeks. Results: In a phase I study, four patients were enrolled at dose level 1 (40 mg/m²/day) and four at dose level 2 (45 mg/m²/day). No dose limiting toxicity (DLT), which was defined as toxicity consisting of grade 4 neutropenia and leukopenia lasting four days or more, and grade 3 or 4 toxicity other than neutropenia, leukopenia, anorexia, nausea/vomiting, and alopecia, was observed at these dose levels. Subsequently, at dose level 3 (50 mg/m²/day), 3 of 5 patients experienced DLTs (leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, or gastrointestinal complications). The MTD and recommended dose (RD) were determined to be 50 mg/m²/day and 45 mg/m²/day, respectively. Three partial responses (PRs) were achieved in 13 patients (response rate, 23.1%) in a phase I study. In a phase II study, 15 patients were assessable for efficacy and toxicity at the RD, and four PRs were obtained (response rate, 26.7%). The major toxicities were leukopenia and neutropenia, while non-hematologic toxicities were mild. The overall response rate in the combined patient population of the phase I/II study was 25.0% (7 PRs in 28 patients), with a 95% confidence interval of 10.7% to 44.9%. Conclusion: Amrubicin exerted promising antitumor activity on NSCLC with acceptable toxicity.     

Phase I trial of Adozelesin using the treatment schedule of daily × 5 every 3 weeks

Summary CC-1065 is a unique alkylating agent that preferentially binds in the minor groove of double-stranded DNA at adenine-thymine-rich sites. Although it has broad antitumor activity in preclinical models its development was discontinued because of deaths observed during preclinical toxicology studies. Adozelesin is a potent synthetic analog that was chosen for clinical development because it had a similar preclinical antitumor spectrum, but did not produce deaths similar to CC-1065 at therapeutic doses. Phase I evaluations using a variety of Adozelesin treatment schedules have been conducted. This report describes our experience using a multiple dose treatment schedule. Endpoints including antitumor response, maximum tolerated dose, dose limiting toxicity as well as other toxicities and the recommended Phase II starting dose were determined. Adozelesin was given as a 10 minute IV infusion for 5 consecutive days every 21 days or upon recovery from toxicity. The dose range evaluated was 6–30 mcg/m²/day. All patients had refractory solid tumors and had received prior cytotoxic treatment. Thirty-three patients (22 men: 11 women) were entered onto the study and 87 courses were initiated. Dose limiting toxicity was cumulative myelosuppression (leucopenia, thrombocytopenia). The maximum tolerated dose was 30 mcg/m²/day. The only other significant toxicity was an anaphylactoid syndrome that occurred in 2 patients. A partial response was observed in a patient with refractory soft tissue sarcoma. The recommended Phase II starting dose of Adozelesin using a 10 minute IV infusion for 5 consecutive days is 25 mcg/m²/day to be repeated every 4–6 weeks to allow recovery from myelotoxicity, based on our experience. Additional Phase I and II studies with Adozelesin are recommended.     

Phase I study of JM-216 (an oral platinum analogue) in combination with paclitaxel in patients with advanced malignancies

This phase I study wasconducted to determine the dose limitingtoxicity, maximum tolerated doses, andrecommended phase II doses of thecombination of JM-216 and paclitaxel. Patients received paclitaxel intravenouslyover one hour on day 1 of each cycle. OralJM-216 was administered on days 1–5starting after the paclitaxel infusion. Cycles were repeated every 21 days. Patients were accrued at nine differentdosing combinations. JM-216 doses rangedfrom 10–80 mg/m²/day and werecombined with paclitaxel doses of 150, 175,or 200 mg/m². Forty-three patientswere treated with 146 cycles of therapy. Dose-limiting toxicity, consisting offebrile neutropenia and grade 3thrombocytopenia, was encountered in 2patients at the seventh dose level (JM-21680 mg/m²/day + paclitaxel175 mg/m²). Two intermediate doselevels were explored. The first level(JM-216 70 mg/m²/day + paclitaxel175 mg/m²) produced dose-limitingthrombocytopenia in 1 of 6 patients. However, two additional patients alsodemonstrated delayed recovery fromthrombocytopenia following treatment. As aresult, a second intermediate dose level(JM-216 60 mg/m²/day + paclitaxel200 mg/m²) was filled with sixpatients. No dose-limiting toxicities werereported in any patients at this doselevel. The combination of oral JM-216 andpaclitaxel is well-tolerated with minimalnon-hematologic and reversible hematologictoxicity. The recommended dose for phaseII study is JM-216 60 mg/m²/day for 5days and paclitaxel 200 mg/m² on day 1repeated every 21 days. Higher doses ofJM-216 are associated with more severethrombocytopenia and delayed hematologicrecovery resulting in subsequent dosingdelays.     

Pemetrexed combined with paclitaxel: a dose-finding study evaluating three schedules in solid tumors

Summary  The objectives of this phase I study were to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), recommended phase II dose (RD), antitumor activity, safety, and pharmacokinetics of pemetrexed–paclitaxel combination. Patients (N = 95) with advanced solid tumors were assigned to three schedules (21-day cycles [q21d]). Starting doses for each schedule of pemetrexed and paclitaxel, respectively, were: (S1) 400 and 135 mg/m² on d1; (S2) 400 mg/m² d1 and 40 mg/m² d1 and d8; S3) 400 mg/m² d8 and 30 mg/m² d1 and d8. MTD was 500/135 mg/m² (S1), 400/40 mg/m² (S2), and 500/120 mg/m² (S3). Most common dose limiting toxicities were febrile neutropenia, fatigue, and neuromotor toxicities. Most common toxicity was grade 3/4 lymphopenia. Four patients had partial response, 43 patients had stable disease. The RD determined was pemetrexed 500 mg/m² (d8) and paclitaxel 90 mg/m² (d1 and d8), q21d. The combination was well tolerated and showed efficacy in thyroid carcinoma and mesothelioma.     

A phase I trial of BMS-247550 (NSC# 710428) and gemcitabine in patients with advanced solid tumors

Summary The purpose of this study is to establish the maximum tolerated dose and define the dose-limiting toxicity of the investigational epothilone BMS-247550 in combination with fixed dose-rate gemcitabine. Patients with advanced, recurrent solid tumors who had received ≤2 prior cytotoxic regimens for recurrent disease were treated with gemcitabine over 90 min on days 1 and 8 plus BMS-247550 over 3 h on day 8, every 21 days in a phase I study. Dose-limiting toxicity definitions were based on severe myelosuppression, or grade 3 or 4 treatment-related non-hematologic toxicity, or dose delay of greater than 2 weeks due to treatment toxicity observed in the first treatment cycle. Dose cohort 1 received gemcitabine 900 mg/m² and BMS-247550 20 mg/m². Grade 4 neutropenia lasting ≥7 days occurred in one of six patients. Two of three patients in cohort 2 (gemcitabine 900 mg/m² plus BMS-247550 30 mg/m²) had dose-limiting toxicities of grade 4 neutropenia. An additional three patients were treated at dose level 1 with no additional dose-limiting toxicities observed. At an intermediate dose level (gemcitabine 750 mg/m² plus BMS-247550 30 mg/m²), two of six patients experienced a dose-limiting toxicity (febrile neutropenia and grade 3 hypophosphatemia in 1, grade 3 hypophosphatemia and grade 3 hyponatremia in (1), and five of six patients experienced dose delays. In the final cohort (gemcitabine 750 mg/m² plus BMS-247550 25 mg/m²), two of two patients experienced a dose-limiting toxicity. Treatment-related toxicites included neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenic fever, hypophosphotemia, and hyponatremia. Nine of 14 patients evaluable for response had stable disease. The maximum tolerated dose for this schedule is gemcitabine 900 mg/m² over 90 min days 1 and 8 plus BMS-247550 20 mg/m² on day 8. Attempts to increase the dose of BMS-247550 by decreasing the gemcitabine dose did not sufficiently ameliorate myelosuppression. Stable disease was observed in some patients with prior taxane exposure.     

Phase I trial of edatrexate plus carboplatin in advanced solid tumors: amelioration of dose-limiting mucositis by ice chip cryotherapy

Purpose: Edatrexate (10-Edam) is a methotrexate analog with improved intracellular transport, polyglutamation, and antitumor activity compared to the parent compound. Edatrexate shows schedule-dependent synergism with platinum compounds in preclinical studies. We performed a phase I trial to determine toxicities and establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of edatrexate in combination with carboplatin. Based on the short initial plasma half-life of edatrexate, prophylactic ice chip cryotherapy was used to reduce the severity of mucositis. Patients and methods: Forty-six chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced solid tumors were treated. Edatrexate was given weekly for 5 doses (50% on day 8), and then every other week, followed by carboplatin at a fixed dose of 350 mg/m² on day 1 and then every 4 weeks for 8 cycles. Edatrexate dose was increased at increments of 10 mg/m²/dose level beginning at 60 mg/m²/week (range 60–120 mg/m²). Results: All patients were assessable for toxicity and response analysis. The median number of cycles administered per patients was 4. This combination chemotherapy regimen was well tolerated. Using ice chip cryotherapy, no grade IV mucositis was observed. Grade III mucositis occurred in only 7/46 pts and was not dose-related. Protocol-defined dose-limiting toxicity occurred at a edatrexate dose level of 120 mg/m², yielding an MTD of 110 mg/m². Responding tumor types included non-small cell and small lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and bladder cancer. Conclusions: 1) This phase I study demonstrated the safety and tolerability of this edatrexate and carboplatin combination. 2) Dose-limiting mucositis did not occur allowing escalation of edatrexate dose above levels previously achieved with this edatrexate dose schedule. This was most likely a result of prophylactic ice chip cryotherapy. 3) An edatrexate dose of 110 mg/m² with ice chip cryotherapy is recommended for Phase II trials of this combination.     

Phase I study of 17-allylamino-17 demethoxygeldanamycin,gemcitabine and/or cisplatin in patients with refractory solid tumors

Purpose: To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and characterize the dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) of 17-AAG, gemcitabine and/or cisplatin. Levels of the proteins Hsp90, Hsp70 and ILK were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PMBC) lysates to assess the effects of 17-AAG. Experimental design: Phase I dose-escalating trial using a “3 + 3” design performed in patients with advanced solid tumors. Once the MTD of gemcitabine + 17-AAG + cisplatin was determined, dose escalation of 17-AAG with constant doses of gemcitabine and cisplatin was attempted. After significant hematologic toxicity occurred, the protocol was amended to evaluate three cohorts: gemcitabine and 17-AAG; 17-AAG and cisplatin; and gemcitabine, 17-AAG and cisplatin with modified dosing. Results: The 39 patients enrolled were evaluable for toxicity and response. The MTD for cohort A was 154 mg/m² of 17-AAG, 750 mg/m² of gemcitabine, and 40 mg/m² of cisplatin. In cohort A, DLTs were observed at the higher dose level and included neutropenia, hyperbilirubinemia, dehydration, GGT elevation, hyponatremia, nausea, vomiting, and thrombocytopenia. The MTD for cohort C was 154 mg/m² of 17-AAG and 750 mg/m² of gemcitabine, with one DLT observed (alkaline phosphatase elevation) observed. In cohort C, DLTs of thrombocytopenia, fever and dyspnea were seen at the higher dose level. The remaining cohorts were closed to accrual due to toxicity. Six patients experienced partial responses. Mean Hsp90 levels were decreased and levels of Hsp70 were increased compared to baseline. Conclusions: 17-AAG in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin demonstrated antitumor activity, but significant hematologic toxicities were encountered. 17-AAG combined with gemcitabine is tolerable and has demonstrated evidence of activity at the MTD. The recommended phase II dose is defined as 154 mg/m² of 17-AAG and 750 mg/m² of gemcitabine, and is currently being investigated in phase II studies in ovarian and pancreatic cancers. There is no recommended phase II dose for the cisplatin-containing combinations.     

Phase I dose escalation study of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Caelyx®) in combination with topotecan in patients with advanced malignancies

Summary Aims of this study were to determine the toxicity profile and the recommended dose of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Caelyx) in combination with topotecan in patients with advanced malignancies. Caelyx: 35 (DLI) or 40 (DLII) mg/m²/d1 was followed by 0.5 mg/m²/d topotecan daily for 5 days, every 4 weeks. Twenty-three patients received a total of 82 cycles. At DLII, 2/6 patients experienced dose-limiting toxicity consisting of grade 4 neutropenia lasting for more than 7 days and febrile neutropenia. At DLI, 4/18 and 2/18 patients presented febrile neutropenia and grade 4 sustained neutropenia, respectively. Non-hematological toxicities were mild to moderate. One patient with ovarian cancer presented a complete response. The hematological toxicity was a dose limiting factor that led to the recommended dose of 35 mg/m² Caelyx on day 1 with 0.5 mg/m²/d topotecan on days 1–5. This study results suggest that alternative schedules of this combination are required. Comment: Hervé Ghesquières and Sandrine Faivre contributed equally to this work and shall be regarded as joint first authors.Conflicts of interest: None of the authors declared conflicts of interest.     

Phase I study of high dose etoposide phosphatase with filgrastim (G-CSF) in the treatment of advanced refractory malignancies

Purpose: To define the maximum tolerated dose of etoposide phosphate when used with G-CSF in the treatment of patients with refractory malignancies.Patients and methods: Eleven patients with advanced cancer refractory to standard therapy were treated with etoposide phosphate given over 1–2 hours on three consecutive days. The first cohort of patients received a total dose of 1596 mg/m² (equivalent to etoposide 1400 mg/m²); doses were escalated in subsequent patient cohorts. G-CSF 5 µg/kg was administered subcutaneously from day 4 until the total leukocyte count rose to > 10,000/µL. Two courses were given at 28 day intervals.Results: Toxicity produced by high dose etoposide phosphate included myelosuppression and mucositis. Three of five patients treated at the 2280 mg/m² dose level (equivalent to etoposide 2000 mg/m²) had dose limiting toxicities (grade 4 leukopenia for 7 days, 2 patients; grade 4 mucositis + leukopenia, 1 patient). In addition, median days with severe thrombocytopenia (< 50,000/µL) rose to six days at this dose. Other toxicity was uncommon.Conclusions: In pretreated patients, the maximum tolerated dose of etoposide phosphate with G-CSF is 1938 mg/m² (equivalent to etoposide 1700 mg/m²). Dose-limiting toxicities were myelosuppression and mucositis, as with high dose etoposide. Etoposide phosphate can be substituted for etoposide in high dose regimens; due to its greater solubility, administration can be more rapid, requires less fluid volume, and is not associated with acidosis.     

Echinomycin: The first bifunctional intercalating agent in clinical trials

Summary Echinomycin is a quinoxaline antibiotic that was originally isolated from Streptomyces echinatus. Based on its antitumor activity against two i.p. implanted murine tumors, the B16 melanoma, and the P388 leukemia, it was brought into clinical trials by the National Cancer Institute. Recent studies on its cytotoxic action have related its antitumor activity with its ability to bifunctionally intercalate with double stranded DNA.Toxicologic studies were carried out in CDF₁ mice and beagle dogs using intravenous injections. For the mice studies the dose ranges were 288–692 mcg/kg (864–2076 mcg/m²) by single bolus, and 112–254 mcg/kg/day (336–762 mcg/m²/day) for five consecutive days. In the dog, dose ranges studied were 8.9–89.4 mcg/kg (178–1788 mcg/m²) by single bolus, and 3.4–33.5 mcg/kg/day (68–670 mcg/m²/day) for five consecutive days. The major toxic effects were found in the gastrointestinal, hepatic, and lymphoreticular systems. These were reversible at all but the highest dose, in dogs that had been treated for five consecutive days.Phase I clinical trials using various intravenous schedules were sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. Nausea, vomiting, reversible liver enzyme abnormalities, and allergic reactions were the most common toxicities encountered. Based on results from these studies, the National Cancer Institute has recently begun phase II trials in a broad range of diseases. These trials will further characterize echinomycin's toxic effects and its antitumor activity.     

A phase II trial of doxorubicin and interferon alpha 2b in advanced,non-medullary thyroid cancer

Summary Background: The combination of doxorubicin and interferon alpha is supported by preclinical data. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of this combination in patients with advanced thyroid cancer. Patients and methods: Patients with locally recurrent or metastatic, radioiodine- refractory thyroid cancer, excluding medullary carcinoma, were treated with interferon alpha-2b 12 million units/m² subcutaneously on days 1–5 and doxorubicin 40 mg/m² intravenously, on day 3, every 28 days. Results: 17 patients, 15 with well differentiated and 2 with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, were enrolled; median age was 69 years. Three patients had received radiation plus low dose doxorubicin previously. In 16 patients assessable for response, 1 patient (6%), who had follicular carcinoma, achieved a partial response and 10 patients (62.5%) stable disease as best response. Median time to progression was 5.9 months and median overall survival 26.4 months. In 14 evaluable patients, 5 (36%) had a thyroglobulin response (30% or more reduction in serum levels). Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 76% of patients and neutropenic fever in 24%. Other grade 3/4 adverse events included fatigue (41%), rigors (18%), fever (6%), nausea/vomiting (29%), anorexia (29%), stomatitis (24%), vision disturbances (18%), neuropathy (18%), and hyponatremia (6%). One patient developed heart failure. Conclusions: Doxorubicin and interferon alpha was associated with considerable toxicities but modest antitumor activity in patients with advanced, non-medullary thyroid cancer.     

Phase I trial of weekly docetaxel,weekly doxorubicin,daily oral cyclophosphamide,and G-CSF (ConTAC Regimen)in advanced malignancies

Purpose: This was a phase I study evaluating the dose limiting toxicity (DLT) and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of weekly docetaxel, doxorubicin and daily oral cyclophosphamide with G-CSF support (ConTAC regimen). Patients and Methods: Cohorts of 3–6 patients with advanced breast or other solid malignancies were entered at subsequently higher dose levels until dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) were noted in 2 or more patients per dose level during the first 6 weeks of therapy. This study escalated dosages of docetaxel and doxorubicin simultaneously, while the dose of oral cyclophosphamide was fixed at 60 mg/m² daily. Results: Sixteen patients were enrolled. Grade 3–4 adverse events during the first 6 weeks of treatment were neutropenia (n = 1 at dose level #1 and n = 3 at dose level #4), anemia (n = 2 at dose levels 1 and 4), and nausea/vomiting (n = 1 at dose level #4). After 6 weeks of therapy, grade 3–4 toxicities included anemia (n = 3), neutropenia (n = 7), Hand-Foot syndrome (n = 2) and grade 3 cystitis and pneumonia (n = 1 at dose level #4). Five patients with advanced breast cancer and 1 patient with metastatic lung cancer responded to the chemotherapy. Conclusions: Grade 4 neutropenia was the DLT. The MTD, was established at dose level #3 (doxorubicin at 25 mg/m² and docetaxel at 25 mg/m² weekly with oral cyclophosphamide dose of 60 mg/m² daily). Myelosuppression at that dose level was moderate with G-CSF given concurrently.     

A phase I and pharmacokinetic study of VNP40101M,a new alkylating agent,in patients with advanced or metastatic cancer

Summary Purpose: VNP40101M is a new alkylating agent that demonstrated broad anti-tumor activity in murine tumor models. A phase I trial was initiated to determine the toxicities, maximum tolerated dose, and pharmacokinetics of VNP40101M by short IV infusion. Study design: The starting dose was 3 mg/m² every four weeks, and was escalated in successive cohorts as follows: 6, 12, 24, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mg/m². Beyond 100 mg/m², dose increments were 25%. Initially, 1–2 patients were assigned to a dose level. Intra-patient dose escalation was permitted. With the first instance of a drug-related grade 2 adverse event, all dose levels required assessment of 3–6 patients. Pharmacokinetic parameters were assessed in the first cycle and any cycle with a change in dose. Results: Twenty-six patients in 13 dose levels ranging from 3–305 mg/m² were evaluated. Dose-related thrombocytopenia was the major toxicity, with the nadir occurring at a median of day 27. At 305 mg/m², six of eight patients developed grade 3 thrombocytopenia, including one event that met the definition for DLT. Other dose-related toxicities included moderate granulocytopenia, anemia, and a mild infusion-related syndrome consisting of acute headache and facial flushing. The granulocyte nadir occurred at a median of day 34, and recovery of both thrombocytopenia and neutropenia to < grade 2 occurred at a median of day 43. VNP40101M peak plasma concentrations and AUC were linear with dose. The elimination half-life was short and estimated to be approximately 15 minutes. Conclusions: The MTD and recommended dose for phase II trials is 305 mg/m² every six weeks. Phase II trials in less heavily pre-treated patient populations are warranted.Supported by Vion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.     

Phase I/II trial of dipyridamole, 5-fluorouracil,leukovorin, and mitoxantrone in metastatic breast cancer

Summary Based upon the hypothesis that dipyridamole would potentiate the cytotoxicity of mitoxantrone and the combination of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leukovorin, we performed a phase I/II trial of the combination of dipyridamole, 5-FU, leukovorin, and mitoxantrone in patients with metastatic breast cancer. The dose of dipyridamole was fixed at 175 mg/m² by mouth every 6 h (700 mg/m²/day), based upon a previous phase I trial of oral dipyridamole with 5-FU and leukovorin. Dipyridamole therapy began 24 h prior to the first dose of chemotherapy and continued until 24 h after the last dose of chemotherapy for each course of treatment. At the initial dose level, leukovorin 200 mg/m² was given intravenously immediately prior to 5-FU 375 mg/ m² intravenously on days 1–5. Mitoxantrone 6 mg/m² was given as a single dose on day 3. Unacceptable toxicity was observed at this dose level, leading to successive dose decrements rather than dose increments. The maximum tolerated dose was leukovorin 200 mg/m² days 1–2, 5-FU 375 mg/m² days 1–2, mitoxantrone 6 mg/m² on day 2, and dipyridamole 175 mg/m² every 6 h on days 0–3. Two responses were produced in 15 patients. This regimen is not recommended for further investigation in the treatment of breast cancer.     

Phase 1 study of the novel vascular disrupting agent plinabulin (NPI-2358) and docetaxel

Background Plinabulin (NPI-2358) is a vascular disrupting agent (VDA) that destabilizes tumor vascular endothelial cell architecture resulting in selective collapse of established tumor vasculature producing anti-tumor activity alone or in combination with cytotoxic agents. The objective of this study was to assess the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of plinabulin combined with docetaxel. Patients and Methods Patients received 75 mg/m² docetaxel on day 1 and plinabulin on days 1 and 8 intravenously in 21 day cycles. Plinabulin was escalated from the biologically effective dose (BED) of 13.5 mg/m² to the standard single agent dose of 30 mg/m² using a “3+3” design. Results Thirteen patients were enrolled. Adverse events were consistent with those of both agents alone. Fatigue, pain, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting were the most common events. One dose limiting toxicity of nausea, vomiting, dehydration and neutropenia occurred. The RP2D was 30 mg/m² of plinabulin with 75 mg/m² docetaxel. Pharmacokinetics did not indicate drug-drug interactions. Of the 8 patients with NSCLC evaluable for response, 2 achieved a partial response and 4 demonstrated lesser decreases in tumor measurements. Conclusions The combination of full doses of plinabulin and docetaxel is tolerable. With encouraging antitumor activity, this supported further development of this combination.     

A phase I trial of vinorelbine in combination with mitoxantrone in patients with refractory solid tumors

Vinorelbine (Navelbine®) is a unique semi-synthetic vinca-alkaloid with a favorable safety profile that has demonstrated significant antitumor activity in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, advanced breast cancer, advanced ovarian cancer and Hodgkin's disease. The most common dose-limiting toxicity is neutropenia, while other reported toxicities are minimal. Mitoxantrone (Novantrone®) is an anthracene derivative that has demonstrated antitumor activity in patients with breast cancer, ovarian cancer, acute leukemia, and lymphoma. Mitoxantrone also has a very favorable toxicity profile with significantly less nausea and vomiting, alopecia, and stomatitis as compared with anthracyclines. The dose-limiting toxicity for mitoxantrone is leukopenia. The study was designed to determine the safety and maximally tolerated dose of IV vinorelbine used in combination with a fixed dose of mitoxantrone for the treatment of patients with refractory solid tumors. Vinorelbine was administered on days 1 and 8 of the treatment regimen as a short IV infusion. The starting dose was 15 mg/m². Mitoxantrone was administered as a 20-min infusion on day 1 only at a fixed dose of 10 mg/m². Seventeen patients with solid malignancies were entered in the study. For personal reasons, one patient decided to discontinue the treatment after day 1 of cycle 1. Therefore, 16 patients were evaluable for toxicity. The main toxicity was myelosuppression which was dose-limiting and resulted in dose reductions and delays. The use of G-CSF had a minimal overall impact on this regimen. Stable disease was observed in three cases. In patients previously treated with chemotherapy, the maximally tolerated dose was defined as vinorelbine 20 mg/m² on days 1 and 8 and mitoxantrone 10 mg/m² on day 1 without growth factor support. These doses can be recommended for phase II study of the regimen as salvage treatment.