Durable responses to ATR inhibition with ceralasertib in tumors with genomic defects and high inflammation.

BACKGROUNDPhase 1 study of ATRinhibition alone or with radiation therapy (PATRIOT) was a first-in-human phase I study of the oral ATR (ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related) inhibitor ceralasertib (AZD6738) in advanced solid tumors.METHODSThe primary objective was safety. Secondary objectives included assessment of antitumor responses and pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) studies. Sixty-seven patients received 20-240 mg ceralasertib BD continuously or intermittently (14 of a 28-day cycle).RESULTSIntermittent dosing was better tolerated than continuous, which was associated with dose-limiting hematological toxicity. The recommended phase 2 dose of ceralasertib was 160 mg twice daily for 2 weeks in a 4-weekly cycle. Modulation of target and increased DNA damage were identified in tumor and surrogate PD. There were 5 (8%) confirmed partial responses (PRs) (40-240 mg BD), 34 (52%) stable disease (SD), including 1 unconfirmed PR, and 27 (41%) progressive disease. Durable responses were seen in tumors with loss of AT-rich interactive domain-containing protein 1A (ARID1A) and DNA damage-response defects. Treatment-modulated tumor and systemic immune markers and responding tumors were more immune inflamed than nonresponding.CONCLUSIONCeralasertib monotherapy was tolerated at 160 mg BD intermittently and associated with antitumor activity.TRIAL REGISTRATIONClinicaltrials.gov: NCT02223923, EudraCT: 2013-003994-84.FUNDINGCancer Research UK, AstraZeneca, UK Department of Health (National Institute for Health Research), Rosetrees Trust, Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre.

Nintedanib in combination with docetaxel for second-line treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

Non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) is a lethal malignancy when diagnosed in advanced stage. The evolution of chemotherapy and the development of agents targeting certain molecular pathways involved in tumor progression improved the prognosis. Nintedanib is a new tyrosine kinase inhibitor, which exerts its activity by blocking VEGF, FGF and PDGF receptors and inhibits the angiogenic signaling by preventing receptor dimerization. Several Phase I and II studies proved its safety and efficacy in diverse solid tumors. In patients with advanced NSCLC, the administration of nintedanib may offer an additional chemotherapy benefit in terms of response rate, progression-free survival and overall survival particularly in patients with adenocarcinoma histology, with manageable toxicity. Here, we present an analytical review of literature regarding nintedanib and we focus on its particular importance in NSCLC treatment.