Phase I pharmacologic study of oral topotecan and intravenous cisplatin: sequence-dependent hematologic side effects.

PURPOSE: In in vitro studies, synergism and sequence-dependent effects were reported for the combination of topotecan and cisplatin. Recently, an oral formulation of topotecan became available. This phase I study was performed to assess the feasibility of the combination of oral topotecan and cisplatin, the pharmacokinetic interaction, and sequence-dependent effects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Topotecan was administered orally (PO) daily for 5 days in escalating doses and cisplatin was given intravenously (IV) at a fixed dose of 75 mg/m(2) either before topotecan administration on day 1 (sequence CT) or after topotecan administration on day 5 (sequence TC) once every 3 weeks. Patients were treated in a randomized cross-over design. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were entered onto the study; one patient was not eligible. Sequence CT induced significantly more severe myelosuppression than did sequence TC, and the maximum-tolerated dosage of topotecan in sequence CT was 1.25 mg/m(2)/d x 5. In sequence TC, the maximum-tolerated dosage of topotecan was 2.0 mg/m(2)/d x 5. Dose-limiting toxicity consisted of myelosuppression and diarrhea. Pharmacokinetics of topotecan and cisplatin were linear over the dose range studied; no sequence-dependent effects were observed. In addition, topotecan did not influence the protein binding of cisplatin or the platinum-DNA adduct formation in peripheral leukocytes in either sequence. CONCLUSION: The recommended dosages for phase II studies involving patients like the patients in our study are topotecan 1.25 mg/m(2)/d PO x 5 preceded by cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) IV day 1 once every 3 weeks, and topotecan 2.0 mg/m(2)/d PO followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) IV day 5. No pharmacokinetic interaction could be discerned in our study. The antitumor efficacy of both schedules should be evaluated in a randomized phase II study.

Phase II and pharmacologic study of topotecan administered as a 21-day continuous infusion to patients with colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Topotecan is a specific inhibitor of topoisomerase I. Preclinical data have indicated that topoisomerase I inhibitors demonstrate more efficacy and have a greater therapeutic index with prolonged continuous exposure. The feasibility of this concept in humans using a 21-day continuous infusion of topotecan has been reported. We conducted a phase II study of this 21-day continuous topotecan administration schedule in patients with locally advanced, unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Topotecan, initially applied at a dose of 0.6 mg/m2/d, was administered as a continuous infusion via an ambulatory pump for 21 days repeated every 4 weeks. The starting dose was reduced to 0.5 mg/m2/d, because in five of the first 11 patients, the second course had to be delayed due to prolonged myelosuppression. Forty-two patients entered the study; one patient was ineligible and was excluded from further analyses. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 10%, with one complete and three partial responses. The median response duration was 7 months (range, 4 to 11). With this schedule, the major toxicity was prolonged cumulative myelosuppression, including a marked inhibition of erythropoiesis. A total transfusion of 250 U of erythrocytes was needed to maintain a hemoglobin level greater than 6.0 mmol/L. Other side effects were mild, and included alopecia (47%), periodic nausea (40%)/vomiting (22%), and fatigue (16%). Pharmacokinetic evaluation showed a mean steady-state plasma concentration (Css) of topotecan of 0.62 ng/mL (range, 0.33 to 1.1), with a significant relationship between the Css of topotecan and common cytotoxicity criteria (CTC) grade of leukocytopenia. CONCLUSION: Topotecan administered as a 21-day continuous infusion exerts minor activity as single-agent therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Phase I and pharmacologic study of oral (PEG-1000) 9-aminocamptothecin in adult patients with solid tumors.

PURPOSE: 9-Amino-20(S)-camptothecin (9-AC) is a specific inhibitor of topoisomerase-I. Recently, a bioavailability of approximately 48% for the oral PEG-1000 formulation was reported. We conducted a phase I and pharmacokinetic study of the oral PEG-1000 formulation of 9-AC to define the maximum-tolerated dose, toxicity profiles, pharmacokinetic-dynamic relationships, and preliminary antitumor activity in patients with solid tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were treated with oral (PEG-1000) 9-AC given once a day for 7 or 14 days at doses ranging from 0.25 to 1.1 mg/m(2)/d; cycles were repeated every 21 days. For pharmacokinetic analysis, plasma sampling was performed on days 1 and 6 or 8 of the first course using a validated high-performance liquid chromatographic assay. RESULTS: Thirty patients were entered onto the study; three patients were not assessable for toxicity and response. Twenty-seven patients received a total of 89 courses. The dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were myelosuppression and diarrhea at a dose of 1.1 mg/m(2)/d for 14 days. Pharmacokinetics showed a substantial interpatient variation of the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of 9-AC. The intrapatient variability was extremely small. A significant correlation was observed between the percentage decrease in WBC count and the AUC of 9-AC lactone (r(2) = 0.86). One partial response was noted in a patient with metastatic colorectal cancer. CONCLUSION: DLTs in this phase I study of oral 9-AC daily for 14 days every 21 days were myelosuppression and diarrhea. The recommended dose for phase II studies is 0.84 mg/m(2)/d. In view of the substantial interpatient variability in AUC and the availability of a limited sampling model, a pharmacokinetic guided phase II study should be considered.

The orally administered P-glycoprotein inhibitor R101933 does not alter the plasma pharmacokinetics of docetaxel.

This Phase I study was performed to assess the feasibility of combining docetaxel with the new P-glycoprotein inhibitor R101933 and to determine the dose limiting toxicity of this combination. Fifteen patients received oral R101933 alone at a dose escalated from 200 to 300 mg twice daily (b.i.d.; cycle 0), an escalating i.v. dose of docetaxel (60, 75, and 100 mg/m2) as a 1-h infusion (cycle 1), and the combination (cycle 2 and further). Dose limiting toxicity consisting of mucositis and neutropenic fever was reached at the combination of docetaxel, 100 mg/m2, and R101933, 300 mg b.i.d., and the maximum tolerated dose was established at docetaxel, 100 mg/m2, and R101933, 200 mg b.i.d. Plasma concentrations of R101933 achieved in patients were in the same range as required in preclinical rodent models to overcome paclitaxel resistance. The plasma pharmacokinetics of docetaxel were not influenced by the R101933 regimen at any dose level tested, as indicated by plasma clearance values of 26.5 +/- 7.78 liters/h/m2 and 23.4 +/- 4.52 liters/h/m2 (P = 0.15) in cycles 1 and 2, respectively. These findings indicate that the contribution of a P-glycoprotein inhibitor to the activity of anticancer chemotherapy can now be assessed in patients for the first time independent of its effect on drug pharmacokinetics.

Oral topotecan given once or twice daily for ten days: a phase I pharmacology study in adult patients with solid tumors.

Prolonged exposure to topotecan (TPT) in in vitro experiments and in vivo studies in animals yielded the highest antitumor efficacy. An oral bioavailability of TPT of 32-44% enables convenient prolonged administration. Because of unpredictable diarrhea in the third week of the twice daily (b.i.d.) 21-day schedule of p.o. administered TPT and the finding of optimal down-regulation of topoisomerase I level after 10-14 days in mononuclear peripheral blood cells, a shorter period of administration (10 days) was chosen for Phase I and pharmacological studies of oral administration of TPT. Adult patients with malignant solid tumors that were refractory to standard forms of chemotherapy were entered. Two dose schedules were studied: once daily (o.d.) and b.i.d. administration for 10 days every 3 weeks. TPT o.d. for 10 days was studied at dose levels 1.0, 1.4, and 1.6 mg/m2/day, and dose levels were 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, and 0.8 mg/m2 with the 10-day b.i.d. schedule. Pharmacokinetics were performed on days 1 and 8 of the first course using a validated high-performance liquid chromatographic assay and noncompartmental pharmacokinetic methods. Nineteen patients were entered in the 10-day o.d. schedule, with a total of 48 courses given. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was reached at 1.6 mg/m2/day and consisted of common toxicity criteria (CTC) grade IV thrombocytopenia and CTC grade III diarrhea. The maximum tolerated dose was 1.4 mg/m2/day. In the 10-day b.i.d. administration of TPT, a total of 64 courses were studied in 20 patients. DLT was reached at a dose of 0.8 mg/m2 b.i.d. and consisted of CTC grade IV myelosuppression and CTC grade IV diarrhea. The maximum tolerated dose was 0.7 mg/m2 b.i.d. Nonhematological toxicities with both schedules included mild nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and anorexia. Pharmacokinetics revealed a substantial variation of the area under the plasma concentration-time curve of TPT lactone in both schedules. Significant correlations were observed between the myelotoxicity parameters and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve at day 1 of TPT lactone o.d. and b.i.d. The DLT of 10 daily administrations of oral topotecan every 3 weeks consisted of a combination of myelosuppression and diarrhea for both schedules studied. The recommended doses for Phase II studies are 1.4 mg/m2/day for 10 days for the o.d. administration and 0.7 mg/m2 for the b.i.d. schedule.

A comparison of clinical pharmacodynamics of different administration schedules of oral topotecan (Hycamtin)

Prolonged exposure to topotecan in in vitro and in vivo experiments has yielded the highest antitumor efficacy. An oral formulation of topotecan with a bioavailability of 32-44% in humans enables convenient prolonged administration. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationships from four Phase I studies with different schedules of administration of oral topotecan in 99 adult patients with malignant solid tumors refractory to standard forms of chemotherapy were compared. Topotecan was administered as follows: (a) once daily (o.d.) for 5 days every 21 days (29 patients); (b) o.d. for 10 days every 21 days (19 patients); (c) twice daily (b.i.d.) for 10 days every 21 days (20 patients); and (d) b.i.d. for 21 days every 28 days (31 patients). Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed in 55 patients using a validated high-performance liquid chromatographic assay and noncompartmental pharmacokinetic methods. Totals of 109, 48, 64, and 59 courses were given, respectively. Dose-limiting toxicity consisted of granulocytopenia for the o.d. x 5-day dosage, a combination of myelosuppression and diarrhea in both of the 10-day schedules, and only diarrhea in the 21-day schedule. Pharmacokinetics revealed a substantial variation of the area under curve (AUC) of topotecan lactone in all of the dose schedules with a mean intrapatient variation of 25.4 +/- 31.0% (o.d. x 5), 34.5 +/- 25.0% (o.d. x 10), 96.5 +/- 70.1% (b.i.d. x 10), and 59.5 +/- 51.0% (b.i.d. x 21). Significant correlations were observed between myelotoxicity parameters and AUC(t) day 1 and AUC(t) per course of topotecan lactone. In all of the studies, similar sigmoidal relationships could be established between AUC(t) per course and the percentage decrease of WBCs. At maximum-tolerated dose level, no significant difference in AUC(t) per course was found [AUC(t) per course was 107.4 +/- 33.7 ng x h/ml (o.d. x 5), 145.3 +/- 23.8 ng x h/ml (o.d. x 10), 100.0 +/- 41.5 ng x h/ml (b.i.d. x 10), and 164.9 +/- 92.2 ng x h/ml (b.i.d. x 21), respectively.] For oral topotecan, the schedule rather than the AUC(t)-per-course seemed to be related to the type of toxicity. Prolonged oral administration resulted in intestinal side effects as a dose-limiting toxicity, and short-term administration resulted in granulocytopenia. On the basis of this pharmacokinetic study, no schedule preference could be expressed, but based on patient convenience, administration once daily for 5 days could be favored.

Five days of oral topotecan (Hycamtin), a phase I and pharmacological study in adult patients with solid tumours.

Topotecan is a specific inhibitor to topoisomerase I. An oral formulation of topotecan is available with a bioavailability of 32-44% in humans. A phase I and pharmacological study of the oral formulation of topotecan administered daily for 5 days every 21 days was performed in adult patients with solid tumours to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Adult patients with a WHO performance status < or = 2 adequate haematological, hepatic and renal functions, with malignant solid tumours refractory to standard forms were entered into the study. Pharmacokinetics were performed on days 1 and 4 of the first course using a validated high performance liquid chromatographic assay. 29 patients entered the study, all patients were evaluable for toxicity and response. The doses studied in the 29 patients were 1.2, 1.8, 2.3, 2.7 mg/m2/day and a fixed dose of 4 mg/day without surface area adjustment. A total of 109 courses were given. Dose limiting toxicity (DLT) was reached at a dose of 2.7 mg/m2/day and consisted of CTC (NCI-Common Toxicity Criteria) grade IV granulocytopenia. The regimen was well tolerated. Non-haematological toxicities were mild, including fatigue, anorexia, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. A significant correlation was observed between the percentage decrease in white blood cells versus the area under the curve (AUC(t)) of topotecan lactone (R = 0.76 P < 0.01) which was modelled by a sigmoidal Emax function. The correlation coefficient between the absolute topotecan dose administered and the AUC(t) was R = 0.52 (P = 0.04). Pharmacokinetics of the fixed dose of 4 mg/day were comparable to the 2.3 mg/m2/day dose. DLT in this phase I study of five daily doses of oral topotecan every 21 days was granulocytopenia. The recommended dose for phase II studies is 2.3 mg/m2/day or alternatively, a fixed dose of 4 mg/day.

The venotonic drug hydroxyethylrutosiden does not prevent or reduce docetaxel-induced fluid retention: results of a comparative study.

PURPOSE: Fluid retention, which includes peripheral edema, ascites, pleural or pericardial effusion, or a combination of these that is sometimes associated with significant weight gain, is one of the most troublesome cumulative side effects of docetaxel. A suggestive observation from the data base available at the manufacturer (Rhone-Poulenc Rorer) was that patients who received venotonic drugs appeared to tolerate more courses of docetaxel. This prompted a comparative study to investigate whether the venotonic drug hydroxyethylrutosiden could reduce or delay docetaxel-related fluid retention. METHODS: A total of 85 patients with metastatic breast cancer who were treated with docetaxel at a dose of 100 mg/m2 with corticoid comedication were allocated to receive either 300 mg hydroxyethylrutosiden given orally four times daily (group A) or no hydroxyethylrutosiden (group B). The end point for analysis was the development of fluid retention of > or = grade 2. RESULTS: Fluid retention of > or = grade 2 was reported in 14 of 42 patients (33%) in group A and in 15 of 43 patients (35%) in group B and occurred after a median of 4 cycles of docetaxel in both groups. Weight gain was similar in groups A and B. CONCLUSION: We conclude that hydroxyethylrutosiden does not reduce or delay the incidence and severity of docetaxel-related fluid retention.

A phase I/II study of multicyclic dose-intensive chemotherapy supported with G-CSF, or G-CSF and haematopoietic progenitor cells in whole blood, in two consecutive cohorts of patients.

We investigated the reconstitutive potential of haematopoietic progenitor cells collected in autologous whole blood during multicycle dose-intensified chemotherapy. Forty patients with metastatic solid tumours were treated with up to six cycles of cisplatin and escalating doses of ifosfamide every 14 days. Cisplatin was administered in 3% sodium chloride over 3 h, followed by ifosfamide over 24 h and mesna over 36 h. The first cohort of patients received granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) days 4-14. Once dose-limiting toxicity was reached in cohort 1, the study continued with a second cohort of patients, in whom, in addition to G-CSF on days 4-14, 500 ml of G-CSF and chemotherapy-'primed' whole blood was collected on day 15, i.e. on day 1 of treatment cycles two to six, before cisplatin administration. This volume of blood was kept unprocessed at 4 degrees C and reinfused 20-24 h after the completion of ifosfamide. In cohort 1, dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was reached at ifosfamide 6.0 g m(-2) with two out of six of the patients developing neutropenic fever. Although in cohort 2 no neutropenic fever was encountered, neither the frequency nor the duration of grade 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were reduced. Cumulative asthenia resulted in DLT at 7.0 g m(-2). The median number of CD34+ cells in 500 ml of whole blood after the first cycle (i.e. at start of cycle 2) was 1.15 x 10(6) kg(-1). This number was significantly greater after the second cycle (2.06 x 10(6) kg(-1), P = 0.01) and then gradually decreased after cycles three to six. After storing whole blood, the number of CD34+ cells had not decreased (median + 10%). We conclude that the method of combined bone marrow support by G-CSF and haematopoietic progenitor cells in autologous whole blood collected before each cycle of a 2-weekly regimen of cisplatin-ifosfamide does not result in clinically measurable reduced bone marrow toxicity compared with what can be expected by the use of G-CSF alone.