Development of 2 Bromodomain and Extraterminal Inhibitors With Distinct Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Profiles for the Treatment of Advanced Malignancies.

Purpose: Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins are key epigenetic transcriptional regulators, inhibition of which may suppress oncogene expression. We report results from 2 independent first-in-human phase 1/2 dose-escalation and expansion, safety and tolerability studies of BET inhibitors INCB054329 (study INCB 54329-101; NCT02431260) and INCB057643 (study INCB 57643-101; NCT02711137).

Patients And Methods: Patients (≥18 years) with advanced malignancies, ≥1 prior therapy, and adequate organ functions received oral INCB054329 (monotherapy) or INCB057643 (monotherapy or in combination with standard-of-care) in 21-day cycles (or 28-day cycles depending on standard-of-care combination).

PEGylated IL-10 (Pegilodecakin) Induces Systemic Immune Activation, CD8 T Cell Invigoration and Polyclonal T Cell Expansion in Cancer Patients.

Tumor-reactive T cell exhaustion prevents the success of immune therapies. Pegilodecakin activates intratumoral CD8 T cells in mice and induces objective tumor responses in patients. Here we report that pegilodecakin induces hallmarks of CD8 T cell immunity in cancer patients, including elevation of interferon-γ and GranzymeB, expansion and activation of intratumoral CD8 T cells, and proliferation and expansion of LAG-3 PD-1 CD8 T cells.

Alisertib in Combination With Weekly Paclitaxel in Patients With Advanced Breast Cancer or Recurrent Ovarian Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: There is an unmet medical need for the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer, and new approaches are needed to improve progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival.

Objective: This phase 1/2 study evaluated the activity of alisertib in combination with weekly paclitaxel in patients with breast (phase 1) and ovarian cancer (phase 1 and phase 2).

Design, Setting, And Participants: An open-label phase 1 and randomized phase 2 clinical trial conducted from April 16, 2010, for phase 1 and March 28, 2012, to August 12, 2013, for phase 2 was conducted at 33 sites (United States, France, and Poland).

Phase I Study of the BRAF Inhibitor Vemurafenib in Combination With the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibitor Everolimus in Patients With -Mutated Malignancies.

Purpose: Parallel activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-mammalian target of rapamycin pathway represents a mechanism of primary and acquired resistance to BRAF-targeted therapy, but the two pathways have yet to be cotargeted in humans. We performed a phase I study to evaluate the safety and activity of the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib in combination with the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor everolimus in -mutated advanced solid tumors.

Patients And Methods: We performed a 3+3 dose-escalation study with escalating doses of both oral (PO) vemurafenib administered twice a day and PO everolimus administered daily.

Older adults in phase I clinical trials: a comparative analysis of participation and clinical benefit rate among older adults versus middle age and AYA patients on phase I clinical trials with VEGF/VEGFR inhibitors.

Background: Older adults aged 65 years and above remain underrepresented in cancer clinical trials. We hypothesized that older participation in early phase trials with VEGF/VEGFR (VEGF/R) inhibitors was lower than cancer prevalence in this group and lower than other age groups (middle age, adolescent/young adults [AYA]).

Results: Of 1489 patients, 278 were older adults (18%, median age 68.

Phase I study of nab-paclitaxel, gemcitabine, and bevacizumab in patients with advanced cancers.

Background: We performed a phase I modified 3 + 3 dose escalation study to evaluate the safety and activity of bevacizumab plus gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel in patients with advanced solid tumours.

Methods: Patients were given fixed dose gemcitabine plus increasing doses of nab-paclitaxel and bevacizumab. Toxicity, response, and association with VEGF polymorphism was analysed.

Clinical pharmacodynamic/exposure characterisation of the multikinase inhibitor ilorasertib (ABT-348) in a phase 1 dose-escalation trial.

Background: Ilorasertib (ABT-348) inhibits Aurora and VEGF receptor (VEGFR) kinases. Patients with advanced solid tumours participated in a phase 1 dose-escalation trial to profile the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of ilorasertib.

Methods: Ilorasertib monotherapy was administered at 10-180 mg orally once daily (Arm I, n = 23), 40-340 mg orally twice daily (Arm II, n = 28), or 8-32 mg intravenously once daily (Arm III, n = 7), on days 1, 8, and 15 of each 28-day cycle.

Phase I study of the investigational oral mTORC1/2 inhibitor sapanisertib (TAK-228): tolerability and food effects of a milled formulation in patients with advanced solid tumours.

Background: Sapanisertib (TAK-228) is an investigational, orally available, potent and highly selective mTORC1/2 inhibitor demonstrating promise in numerous malignancies. This phase I study (NCT02412722) evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and antitumour activity of single-agent TAK-228 (milled capsules), administered daily (QD) or weekly (QW) and in combination with paclitaxel in patients with advanced solid tumours. Pharmacokinetic comparisons of milled versus unmilled TAK-228 and the impact of food were also investigated.

Phase I Dose-Escalation Study of Anti-CTLA-4 Antibody Ipilimumab and Lenalidomide in Patients with Advanced Cancers.

Preclinical data suggest that combining a checkpoint inhibition with immunomodulatory derivative can increase anticancer response. We designed a dose-escalation study using a 3 + 3 design to determine the safety, maximum tolerated dose (MTD) or recommended phase II dose (R2PD) and dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody ipilimumab (1.5-3 mg/kg intravenously every 28 days × 4) and lenalidomide (10-25 mg orally daily for 21 of 28 days until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity) in advanced cancers.

Aurora A Functional Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Correlates With Clinical Outcome in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors Treated With Alisertib, an Investigational Aurora A Kinase Inhibitor.

Background: Alisertib (MLN8237) is an investigational, oral, selective Aurora A kinase inhibitor. Aurora A contains two functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; codon 31 [F/I] and codon 57 [V/I]) that lead to functional changes. This study investigated the prognostic and predictive significance of these SNPs.

Effects of rifampin, itraconazole and esomeprazole on the pharmacokinetics of alisertib, an investigational aurora a kinase inhibitor in patients with advanced malignancies.

Aim Two studies investigated the effect of gastric acid reducing agents and strong inducers/inhibitors of CYP3A4 on the pharmacokinetics of alisertib, an investigational Aurora A kinase inhibitor, in patients with advanced malignancies. Methods In Study 1, patients received single doses of alisertib (50 mg) in the presence and absence of either esomeprazole (40 mg once daily [QD]) or rifampin (600 mg QD). In Study 2, patients received single doses of alisertib (30 mg) in the presence and absence of itraconazole (200 mg QD).

Phase I clinical trial of combination imatinib and ipilimumab in patients with advanced malignancies.

Background: Imatinib mesylate can induce rapid tumor regression, increase tumor antigen presentation, and inhibit tumor immunosuppressive mechanisms. CTLA-4 blockade and imatinib synergize in mouse models to reduce tumor volume via intratumoral accumulation of CD8+ T cells. We hypothesized that imatinib combined with ipilimumab would be tolerable and may synergize in patients with advanced cancer.

First-in-human trial of multikinase VEGF inhibitor regorafenib and anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab in advanced cancer patients.

Background: The combination of multikinase VEGF inhibitor regorafenib and anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab overcomes intrinsic and acquired resistance in both EGFR-sensitive and EGFR-resistant preclinical models of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: Utilizing a standard 3+3 design, a phase I study was designed to determine safety, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of the regorafenib plus cetuximab combination among patients with advanced cancer including CRC. Comprehensive genomic profiling was performed on the exceptional responder.

Responses of metastatic basal cell and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas to anti-PD1 monoclonal antibody REGN2810.

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) share exposure to UV light as the dominant risk factor, and these tumors therefore harbor high mutation burdens. In other malignancies, high mutation burden has been associated with clinical benefit from therapy with antibodies directed against the Programmed Death 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint receptor. Highly mutated tumors are more likely to express immunogenic tumor neoantigens that attract effector T cells, which can be unleashed by blockade of the PD-1 immune checkpoint.

Phase I dose-escalation study of the mTOR inhibitor sirolimus and the HDAC inhibitor vorinostat in patients with advanced malignancy.

Preclinical models suggest that histone deacetylase (HDAC) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors have synergistic anticancer activity. We designed a phase I study to determine the safety, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), recommended phase II dose (RP2D), and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of combined mTOR inhibitor sirolimus (1 mg-5 mg PO daily) and HDAC inhibitor vorinostat (100 mg-400 mg PO daily) in patients with advanced cancer. Seventy patients were enrolled and 46 (66%) were evaluable for DLT assessment since they completed cycle 1 without dose modification unless they had DLT.

Safety, Antitumor Activity, and Immune Activation of Pegylated Recombinant Human Interleukin-10 (AM0010) in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors.

Purpose Interleukin-10 (IL-10) stimulates the expansion and cytotoxicity of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells and inhibits inflammatory CD4+ T cells. Pegylation prolongs the serum concentration of IL-10 without changing the immunologic profile. This phase I study sought to determine the safety and antitumor activity of AM0010.

TP53 Alterations Correlate with Response to VEGF/VEGFR Inhibitors: Implications for Targeted Therapeutics.

TP53 tumor-suppressor gene mutations are among the most frequent abnormalities in cancer, affecting approximately 40% of patients. Yet, there is no accepted way to target these alterations in the clinic. At the same time, antagonists of VEGFR or its ligand are best-selling oncology drugs, with multiple, expensive compounds approved.

Innovative Strategies for Decreasing Blood Collection Wait Times for Patients in Early-Phase Cancer Clinical Trials.

Purpose: Long wait times are a primary source of dissatisfaction among patients enrolled in early-phase clinical trials. We hypothesized that an automated patient check-in system with readily available display for increasing awareness of waiting intervals would improve patient flow and use of our rooms, with decreased turnover time and increased throughput.

Methods: We recorded in-room wait times for patients seen in our clinic and observed the logistics involved in the blood collection process to delineate causes for delays.

BRAF Mutation Testing in Cell-Free DNA from the Plasma of Patients with Advanced Cancers Using a Rapid, Automated Molecular Diagnostics System.

Cell-free (cf) DNA from plasma offers an easily obtainable material for BRAF mutation analysis for diagnostics and response monitoring. In this study, plasma-derived cfDNA samples from patients with progressing advanced cancers or malignant histiocytosis with known BRAF(V600) status from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumors were tested using a prototype version of the Idylla BRAF Mutation Test, a fully integrated real-time PCR-based test with turnaround time about 90 minutes. Of 160 patients, BRAF(V600) mutations were detected in 62 (39%) archival FFPE tumor samples and 47 (29%) plasma cfDNA samples.

Cancer Therapy Directed by Comprehensive Genomic Profiling: A Single Center Study.

Innovative molecular diagnostics deployed in the clinic enable new ways to stratify patients into appropriate treatment regimens. These approaches may resolve a major challenge for early-phase clinical trials, which is to recruit patients who, while having failed previous treatments, may nevertheless respond to molecularly targeted drugs. We report the findings of a prospective, single-center study conducted in patients with diverse refractory cancers who underwent comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP; next-generation sequencing, 236 genes).

Pharmacokinetics of ixazomib, an oral proteasome inhibitor, in solid tumour patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to characterize the pharmacokinetics of the oral proteasome inhibitor, ixazomib, in patients with solid tumours and moderate or severe hepatic impairment, to provide posology recommendations.

Methods: Eligible adults with advanced malignancies for which no further effective therapy was available received a single dose of ixazomib on day 1 of the pharmacokinetic cycle; patients with normal hepatic function, moderate hepatic impairment or severe hepatic impairment received 4 mg, 2.3 mg or 1.

Overall Survival and Durable Responses in Patients With BRAF V600-Mutant Metastatic Melanoma Receiving Dabrafenib Combined With Trametinib.

Purpose: To report the overall survival (OS) and clinical characteristics of BRAF inhibitor-naive long-term responders and survivors treated with dabrafenib plus trametinib in a phase I and II study of patients with BRAF V600 mutation-positive metastatic melanoma.

Methods: BRAF inhibitor-naive patients treated with dabrafenib 150 mg twice daily plus trametinib 2 mg daily (the 150/2 group) from the non-randomly assigned (part B) and randomly assigned (part C) cohorts of the study were analyzed for progression-free and OS separately. Baseline characteristics and factors on treatment were analyzed for associations with durable responses and OS.

Effect of Food on the Pharmacokinetics of the Investigational Aurora A Kinase Inhibitor Alisertib (MLN8237) in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors.

Objective: This study was conducted to characterize the effects of food on single-dose pharmacokinetics (PK) of the investigational Aurora A kinase inhibitor alisertib (MLN8237) in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Methods: Following overnight fasting for 10 h, a single 50 mg enteric-coated tablet (ECT) of alisertib was administered under either fasted (alisertib with 240 mL of water) or fed (high-fat meal consumed 30 min before receiving alisertib with 240 mL of water) conditions using a two-cycle, two-way crossover design. Patients on both arms were not allowed food for 4 h post-dose.