Initial testing (stage 1) of the multi-targeted kinase inhibitor sorafenib by the pediatric preclinical testing program.

BACKGROUND: Sorafenib is an inhibitor of multiple kinases (e.g., VEGF receptors, PDGFR, FLT3, RET, BRAF, KIT) and is approved by FDA for treatment of two adult cancers. The activity of sorafenib was evaluated against the PPTP's in vitro and in vivo panels. PROCEDURES: Sorafenib was evaluated against the PPTP in vitro panel using 96-hr exposure at concentrations ranging from 1.0 nM to 10.0 µM. It was tested against the PPTP in vivo panels at a dose of 60 mg/kg administered by oral gavage daily for 5 days per week, repeated for 6 weeks. RESULTS: In vitro sorafenib demonstrated cytotoxic activity, with a median IC(50) value of 4.3 µM. Twenty of 23 cell lines had IC(50) values between 1.0 and 10.0 µM. A single cell line (Kasumi-1) with an activating KIT mutation had an IC(50) value < 1.0 µM (IC(50) = 0.02 µM). In vivo sorafenib induced significant differences in event-free survival (EFS) distribution compared to control in 27 of 36 (75%) of the evaluable solid tumor xenografts and in 1 of 8 (12.5%) of the evaluable ALL xenografts. Sorafenib induced tumor growth inhibition meeting criteria for intermediate activity (EFS T/C) in 15 of 34 (44%) evaluable solid tumor xenografts. No xenografts achieved an objective response. CONCLUSIONS: The primary in vitro activity of sorafenib was noted at concentrations above 1 µM, with the exception of a more sensitive cell line with an activating KIT mutation. The primary in vivo effect for sorafenib was tumor growth inhibition, which was observed across multiple histotypes.

Initial testing of topotecan by the pediatric preclinical testing program.

BACKGROUND: Topotecan is a small molecule DNA topoisomerase I poison, that has been successful in clinical trials against pediatric solid tumors and leukemias. Topotecan was evaluated against the Pediatric Preclinical Testing Program (PPTP) tumor panels as part of a validation process for these preclinical models. PROCEDURES: In vivo three measures of antitumor activity were used: (1) an objective response measure modeled after the clinical setting; (2) a treated to control (T/C) tumor volume measure; and (3) a time to event (fourfold increase in tumor volume for solid tumor models, or > or =25% human CD45+ cells in the peripheral blood for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, ALL models) measure based on the median event-free survival (EFS) of treated and control animals for each xenograft. RESULTS: Topotecan inhibited cell growth in vitro with IC(50) values between 0.71 and 489 nM. Topotecan significantly increased EFS in 32 of 37 (87%) solid tumor xenografts and in all 8 of the ALL xenografts. Seventy-five percent of solid tumors met EFS T/C activity criteria for intermediate (n = 17) or high activity (n = 7). Objective responses were noted in eight solid tumor xenografts (Wilms, rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, neuroblastoma). Among the six neuroblastomas, three achieved a PR. For the ALL panel, two maintained CRs, three CRs, and two PRs were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Topotecan demonstrated broad activity in vitro and in vivo against both the solid tumor and ALL panels, with significant tumor growth delay generated in all the panels. These results further demonstrate the validity of the PPTP panel for preclinical testing of new drugs.

Initial testing (stage 1) of mapatumumab (HGS-ETR1) by the pediatric preclinical testing program.

Mapatumumab (HGS-ETR1) is a fully human IgG1 agonistic monoclonal antibody that exclusively targets and activates tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 1 (TRAIL-R1). It was tested in vitro at concentrations from 0.01 to 100 microg/ml and in vivo at a dose of 10 mg/kg administered intraperitoneally using a twice-weekly schedule. Mapatumumab demonstrated limited activity against the 23 cell lines of the PPTP in vitro panel with no lines achieving 50% growth inhibition. Mapatumumab induced significant differences in event-free survival distribution compared to controls in 9 of 37 evaluable solid tumor xenografts tested, but in none of the 8 ALL xenografts.