Comparison of a low, fixed dose and a high, weight-based dose of recombinant factor VIIa in the treatment of warfarin-associated intracranial hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Recombinant activated Factor VII (rFVIIa) can be used for rapid INR normalization in patients with warfarin-associated intracranial hemorrhage (WA-ICH); however, the optimal dose to normalize INR has not been established. METHODS: This is a retrospective review comparing two rFVIIa hospital protocols for WA-ICH [weight-based dose (80 mcg/kg) or fixed dose (2 mg)]. Primary endpoint was the percentage of patients with INR reversal (INR <1.3) at the next INR draw and the need for further doses of rFVIIa. Secondary endpoints included time to documented INR reversal and sustained INR normalization, morbidity, mortality, change in hematoma size, cost, and adverse drug reactions. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were included in each group. The weight-based group received a mean dose of 78.9 ± 21 mcg/kg versus 26.6 ± 8 mcg/kg in the fixed dose group. More patients in the fixed dose protocol achieved documented INR reversal than those in the weight-based group (92.6 vs 72.4 %, p = 0.19). The weight-based group achieved INR normalization in 229.5 [102, 331] minutes versus 165 [83, 447] minutes in the fixed dose group (p=0.02). Time to sustained INR normalization was similar in both groups. Four patients in the fixed dose group received an additional dose of 1 mg per hospital protocol. With the exception of medication acquisition cost savings of about $4,300 per patient who received fixed dose protocol, all other endpoints were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: A low, fixed dose of rFVIIa appears to be as effective as a high, weight-based dose in achieving INR normalization in patients with WA-ICH.

Phase II studies of polymer-doxorubicin (PK1, FCE28068) in the treatment of breast, lung and colorectal cancer.

Phase I studies of [N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide] (HPMA) copolymer-doxorubicin previously showed signs of activity coupled with 5-fold decreased anthracycline toxicity in chemotherapy-refractory patients. Here we report phase II studies using a similar material (FCE28068) in patients with breast (n=17), non-small cell lung (NSCLC, n=29) and colorectal (n=16) cancer. Up to 8 courses of PK1 (280 mg/m(2) doxorubicin-equivalent) were given i.v., together with 123I-labelled imaging analogue. Toxicities were tolerable, with grade 3 neutropenia more prominent in patients with breast cancer (4/17, 23.5% compared with 5/62, 8.1% overall). Of 14 evaluable patients with breast cancer 3 had partial responses (PR), all anthracycline-naïve patients. In 26 evaluable patients with NSCLC, 3 chemotherapy-naïve patients had PR. In contrast, none of the 16 evaluable patients with colorectal cancer responded. Imaging of 16 patients (5 with breast cancer, 6 NSCLC, 5 colorectal cancer) showed obvious tumour accumulation in 2 metastatic breast cancers, although unfortunately no images were obtained from patients who responded. These results show 6/62 PR with limited side effects, supporting the concept that polymer-bound therapeutics can have modified and improved anticancer activities and suggesting the approach should be explored further for breast cancer and NSCLC.

Assessment of pharmacodynamic vascular response in a phase I trial of combretastatin A4 phosphate.

PURPOSE: Clinical evaluation of novel agents that target tumor blood vessels requires pharmacodynamic end points that measure vascular damage. Positron emission tomography (PET) was used to measure the effects of the vascular targeting agent combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P) on tumor and normal tissue perfusion and blood volume. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with advanced solid tumors were enrolled onto part of a phase I, accelerated-titration, dose-escalation study. The effects of 5 to 114 mg/m2 CA4P on tumor, spleen, and kidney were investigated. Tissue perfusion was measured using oxygen-15 (15O)-labeled water and blood volume was measured using 15O-labeled carbon monoxide (C15O). Scans were performed immediately before, and 30 minutes and 24 hours after the first infusion of each dose level of CA4P. All statistical tests were two sided. RESULTS: PET data were obtained for 13 patients with intrapatient dose escalation. Significant dose-dependent reductions were seen in tumor perfusion 30 minutes after CA4P administration (mean change, -49% at >or= 52 mg/m2; P =.0010). Significant reductions were also seen in tumor blood volume (mean change, -15% at >or= 52 mg/m2; P =.0070). Although by 24 hours there was tumor vascular recovery, for doses >or= 52 mg/m2 the reduction in perfusion remained significant (P =.013). Thirty minutes after CA4P administration borderline significant changes were seen in spleen perfusion (mean change, -35%; P =.018), spleen blood volume (mean change, -18%; P =.022), kidney perfusion (mean change, -6%; P =.026), and kidney blood volume (mean change, -6%; P =.014). No significant changes were seen at 24 hours in spleen or kidney. CONCLUSION: CA4P produces rapid changes in the vasculature of human tumors that can be assessed using PET measurements of tumor perfusion.