Randomized Phase 2 Trial of a Novel Clonidine Mucoadhesive Buccal Tablet for the Amelioration of Oral Mucositis in Patients Treated With Concomitant Chemoradiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer.

PURPOSE: Oral mucositis (OM) is a frequent and painful sequela of concomitant chemoradiation (CRT) used for the treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC) for which there is no effective intervention. This randomized, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy of a novel, mucoadhesive topical tablet formulation of clonidine in mitigating CRT-induced OM in patients with HNC. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients with HNC undergoing adjuvant radiation therapy (60-66 Gy; 5 × 1.8-2.2 Gy/wk) with concomitant platinum-based chemotherapy received daily local clonidine at 50 µg (n = 56), 100 µg (n = 65), or placebo (n = 62) via a topical mucobuccal tablet starting 1 to 3 days before and continuing during treatment. The primary endpoint was the incidence of severe OM (severe OM [SOM], World Health Organization grade 3/4). RESULTS: SOM developed in 45% versus 60% (P = .06) of patients treated with clonidine compared with placebo and occurred for the first time at 60 Gy as opposed to 48 Gy (median; hazard ratio, 0.75 [95% confidence interval, 0.484-1.175], P = .21); median time to onset was 45 versus 36 days. Opioid analgesic use, mean patient-reported mouth and throat soreness, and CRT compliance were not significantly different between treatment arms. Adverse events were reported in 90.8% versus 98.4%, nausea in 49.6% versus 71.0%, dysphagia in 32.8% versus 48.4%, and reversible hypotension in 6.7% versus 1.6% of patients on clonidine versus placebo, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although the primary endpoint was not met, the positive trends of OM-associated outcomes suggest that the novel mucoadhesive tablet delivery of clonidine might favorably affect the course and severity of CRT-induced SOM and support further evaluation.

Doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma after sorafenib treatment failure (RELIVE): a phase 3 randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cytotoxic chemotherapy is generally ineffective in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. We assessed the intravenous perfusion of doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in whom previous sorafenib therapy had failed. METHODS: We did a multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled phase 3 trial at 70 sites in 11 countries. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma with one or more previous systemic therapies, including sorafenib, were randomly assigned to receive 30 mg/m2 doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles (30 mg/m2 group), 20 mg/m2 doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles (20 mg/m2 group), or standard care using a computer-generated randomisation list prepared by the funder and stratified by geographic region. Patients in the experimental groups received perfusion of the drug every 4 weeks and those in the control group received any systemic anticancer therapy (except sorafenib) as per investigator decision. The primary endpoint was overall survival in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was assessed in the population of patients who received at least one dose of their assigned treatment. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01655693. FINDINGS: Between June 15, 2012, and Jan 27, 2017, 541 patients were screened, of whom 144 were excluded and 397 were randomly assigned to one of the groups (133 to the 30 mg/m2 group; 130 to the 20 mg/m2 group; and 134 to the control group). Median follow-up was 22·7 months (IQR 11·2-34·9). After pooling the doxorubicin groups for the efficacy analysis, median overall survival was 9·1 months (95% CI 8·1-10·4) in the pooled doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles group and 9·0 months (7·1-11·8) in the control group (HR 1·00 [95% CI 0·78-1·28], two-sided p=0·99). 227 (94%) of 242 patients who received doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles and 100 (75%) of 134 patients in the control group had at least one treatment-emergent adverse event. The most common drug-related grade 3 or 4 treatment-emergent adverse events were neutropenia (25 [10%] of 242 treated with doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles and eight [6%] of 134 in the control group), asthenia (six [2%] and four [3%]), and thrombocytopenia (three [1%] and ten [7%]). Six (2%) patients treated with doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles and one (1%) of those in the control group were deemed by investigators to have had a drug-related death. Serious adverse events occurred in 74 (31%) patients who received doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles and 48 (36%) in the control group. INTERPRETATION: Doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles did not improve overall survival for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in whom previous sorafenib treatment had failed. FUNDING: Onxeo.

Enhanced anti-tumor efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors in combination with the histone deacetylase inhibitor Belinostat in a murine hepatocellular carcinoma model.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are currently tested in different combinations in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nivolumab, an anti-PD-1 agent, has gained approval in the second-line setting in the USA. Epigenetic drugs have immune-mediated antitumor effects that may improve the activity of immunotherapy agents. Our aim was to study the therapeutic efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors (anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 antibodies) in combination with the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) Belinostat. In a subcutaneous Hepa129 murine HCC model, we demonstrated that Belinostat improves the antitumor activity of anti-CTLA-4 but not of anti-PD-1 therapy. This effect correlated with enhanced IFN-γ production by antitumor T-cells and a decrease in regulatory T-cells. Moreover, the combination induced early upregulation of PD-L1 on tumor antigen-presenting cells and late expression of PD-1 on tumor-infiltrating effector T-cells, suggesting the suitability of PD-1 blockade. Indeed, Belinostat combined with the simultaneous blockade of CTLA-4 and PD-1 led to complete tumor rejection. These results provide a rationale for testing Belinostat in combination with checkpoint inhibitors to enhance their therapeutic activity in patients with HCC.

Safety and efficacy of intra-arterial hepatic chemotherapy with doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin Transdrug (DT), a nanoformulation of doxorubicin, was demonstrated to overcome the chemoresistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in preclinical models. Its efficacy and safety were thus investigated in phase I and randomised phase II trials in unresectable HCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Phase I was a single dose of DT through the hepatic intra-arterial (HIA) route, dose-escalating 3+3 trial, evaluating five-dose levels from 10 to 40 mg/m2 with maximal tolerated dose (MTD) as primary endpoint. The multicentre phase II trial randomly assigned (2:1 ratio) patients to receive either 30 mg/m2 of DT through HIA route every 4 weeks for up to three courses or best standard of care (BSC). Progression-free survival (PFS) rate at 3 months was the primary endpoint. Overall survival (OS) and disease control rate (DCR) were secondary endpoints. RESULTS: In phase I, haematological and respiratory limited toxicities were reported at 35 and 40 mg/m2, giving MTD at 30 mg/m2. Partial response rate was 10%, and stable disease 70%. Phase II was discontinued due to three severe acute respiratory distress events in the DT group while 17 patients had received 30 mg/m2 DT and 11 BSC. At 3 months, PFS was 64% (95% CI 31 to 89) vs 75% (95% CI 35 to 97), and DCR 35% vs 27% in DT and BSC, respectively (p=NS). Median OS was 32.6 months (95% CI 8.2 to 34.1) in DT group and 15 months (95% CI 8.0 to 18.8) in BSC group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: DT increased OS in unresectable HCC but induced severe respiratory distress. Efficacy data deserve further investigation using a safer dosing and schedule regimen. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: EUDRACT 2006-004088-77; Results.

Comparison of the Systemic and Local Pharmacokinetics of Clonidine Mucoadhesive Buccal Tablets with Reference Clonidine Oral Tablets in Healthy Volunteers: An Open-Label Randomised Cross-Over Trial.

INTRODUCTION: The clonidine mucoadhesive buccal tablet (MBT) is a novel delivery system resulting in high and sustained concentrations of clonidine in the oral cavity. In a phase II clinical trial, clonidine MBT reduced the incidence of severe oral mucositis (OM) compared to placebo in head and neck cancer patients undergoing chemoradiation. This study compared the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety and tolerability of clonidine MBT with a reference oral tablet (OT). METHODS: This was a randomised, three-period, single-dose crossover study in 36 healthy subjects aged 18-50 years. Eligibility was assessed within 14 days of the first dose. IMP was administered in the fasted state on day 1 of each treatment period. PK samples were collected up to 24 h (saliva)/96 h (blood) for measurement of the clonidine concentration. Safety and tolerability were evaluated at specified times throughout the study. A washout period of at least 7 days was observed between administrations. RESULTS: Clonidine MBT (50 and 100 µg) applied to the upper gum resulted in a dose-proportional increase in saliva (C max and AUC0-t ) and plasma (Cmax and AUC0-inf) clonidine levels. Clonidine MBT was considered to mimic a continuous release of clonidine in plasma, significantly decreasing the C max and AUC and increasing the T max when compared with the reference clonidine HCl tablets. Clonidine MBT exhibited high and prolonged concentrations in saliva where concentrations with the clonidine HCl tablet were negligible. Clonidine MBT exhibited a favourable safety profile with significantly fewer subjects reporting AEs (dry mouth and fatigue) and a reduction in blood pressure when compared to the reference clonidine HCl tablets. CONCLUSION: Clonidine MBT is well tolerated and exhibits proportional saliva and plasma PK over the 50-100-µg dose level. The MBT results in higher saliva concentrations and lower systemic exposure than OT, which was associated with a trend towards fewer adverse events and less dry mouth, fatigue and hypotensive effect. FUNDING: Onxeo SA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT02548806.

Gene electrotransfer of plasmid antiangiogenic metargidin peptide (AMEP) in disseminated melanoma: safety and efficacy results of a phase I first-in-man study.

Antiangiogenic metargidin peptide (AMEP) is a novel anticancer agent exerting antiproliferative and antiangiogenic effects by binding to αvß3 and α5ß1 integrins. Electrotransfer designates the use of electric pulses (electroporation) to transfer plasmid DNA into tissues. This first-in-man phase I study investigated safety and tolerability of intratumoral plasmid AMEP electrotransfer into cutaneous metastatic melanoma. Secondary objectives were efficacy and pharmacokinetics. Five patients with disseminated melanoma without further treatment options were treated at two dose levels (1 and 2 mg DNA). In each patient, two cutaneous lesions were identified (one treated and one control). At day 1 and day 8, plasmid AMEP was injected intratumorally followed by electrotransfer. Patients were monitored weekly until day 29, and at day 64. Local efficacy was assessed at day 29 by direct measurement, and posttreatment biopsies for AMEP mRNA levels were evaluated by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Plasmid copy number in blood and urine was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Minimal systemic toxicity was observed, including transient fever and transitory increase in C-reactive protein. No related serious adverse events occurred. Plasmid AMEP was detected in plasma but not in urine. AMEP mRNA was found in three of five treated lesions and none of the control lesions. At day 29, all five treated lesions were stable in diameter, whereas four of five control lesions increased more than 20%. No response occurred in distant lesions. This first-in-man study on electrotransfer of plasmid AMEP into cutaneous melanoma shows that the procedure and drug are safe and that local transfection was obtained.

Pathologic complete response to trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant therapy is related to the level of HER-2 amplification.

PURPOSE: Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) are used to determine human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) status and patient eligibility for trastuzumab therapy. Using FISH and IHC, we analyzed the relationship between pathologic complete response to trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant therapy and level of HER-2 amplification in locally advanced breast cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Breast biopsies from 93 HER-2-positive patients treated with trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant therapy were centrally collected and analyzed retrospectively for HER-2 amplification using FISH and HER-2 overexpression using IHC. Tumors were classified by FISH as no, low, or high amplification. Biopsies were reassessed centrally by IHC and graded 0, 1+, 2+, or 3+. RESULTS: HER-2 status of tumor samples as assessed by FISH and IHC correlated: 16 no amplification (11 IHC 1+ and 5 IHC 2+), 27 low amplification (26 IHC 3+ and 1 IHC 2+), and 50 high amplification (all IHC 3+). Trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant therapy achieved pathologic complete response in 35 of 93 (37.6%) tumors. Pathologic complete response rate in low- and high-amplification tumors was significantly higher than in no-amplification tumors (44% versus 6%; P < 0.004). Pathologic complete response rate in high-amplification tumors was significantly higher compared with low-amplification tumors (56% versus 22%; P < 0.005). In the subgroup of low- plus high-amplification tumors, no correlation was found between pathologic complete response rate and IHC score, treatment regimen, T or N stage, tumor grade, or hormonal receptors. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to show positive correlation between level of HER-2 amplification assessed by FISH and rate of pathologic complete response to trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant treatment.

Multicenter phase II trial of neoadjuvant therapy with trastuzumab, docetaxel, and carboplatin for human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-overexpressing stage II or III breast cancer: results of the GETN(A)-1 trial.

PURPOSE: Trastuzumab plus chemotherapy has become the standard of care for human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) -positive breast cancer. Trastuzumab-based preoperative systemic therapy (PST; neoadjuvant therapy) also appears promising, warranting further investigation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with HER-2-positive, stage II/III, noninflammatory, operable breast cancer requiring a mastectomy (but who wanted to conserve the breast) received trastuzumab 4 mg/kg (day 1), followed by 2 mg/kg weekly, plus docetaxel 75 mg/m2 every 3 weeks, and carboplatin (area under curve, 6) for six cycles before surgery. The primary end point was pathologic complete response (pCR) rate, determined from surgical specimens. RESULTS: Seventy patients were enrolled. Most patients had clinical T2/T3 tumors (100%) or clinical N1/2 nodes (53%). Sixty-seven patients (96%) completed six cycles of therapy, one patient withdrew due to progressive disease, and two patients withdrew for toxicity. A complete or partial objective clinical response occurred in 95% of patients (85% and 10%, respectively). Surgery was breast conservative in 45 (64%) of 70 patients. In an intent-to-treat analysis, tumor and nodal pCR were seen in 27 (39%) of 70 patients. Centralized retrospective analysis of HER-2 status demonstrated a 43% pCR rate in the 24 of 56 confirmed HER-2-overexpressing (3+) and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization-positive tumors. Treatment was generally well tolerated. Grade 3/4 neutropenia and febrile neutropenia were uncommon (2%). Two patients withdrew prematurely due to a transient, asymptomatic decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction. No symptomatic cardiac dysfunction occurred. CONCLUSION: PST with trastuzumab plus docetaxel and carboplatin achieved promising efficacy, with a good pCR rate and favorable tolerability in stage II or III HER-2-positive breast cancer.