Systemic study of selected histone deacetylase inhibitors in cardiac complications associated with cancer cachexia.

Cancer cachexia is mainly characterized by wasting of skeletal muscles and fat and body weight loss, along with severe complications of major organs like liver, heart, brain and bone. There can be diminishing performance of these major organs as cancer cachexia progresses, one such drastic effect on the cardiac system. In the present study, differential effect of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) on cardiac complications associated with cancer cachexia is studied. Two models were used to induce cancer cachexia: B16F1 induced metastatic cancer cachexia and Lewis lung carcinoma cell - induced cancer cachexia. Potential of Class I HDACi entinostat, Class II HDACi MC1568, and nonspecific HDACi sodium butyrate on cardiac complications were evaluated using the cardiac hypertrophy markers, hemodynamic markers, and cardiac markers along with histopathological evaluation of heart sections by Periodic acid-Schiff staining, Masson's trichrome staining, Picro-sirius red staining, and haematoxylin and eosin staining. Immunohistochemistry evaluation by vimentin and caspase 3 protein expression was evaluated. Entinostat showed promising results by attenuating the cardiac complications, and MC1568 treatment further exacerbated the cardiac complications, while non-conclusive effect were recorded after treatment with sodium butyrate. This study will be helpful in evaluating other HDACi for potential in cardiac complications associated with cancer cachexia.

A randomised evaluation of low-dose cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) plus tosedostat versus low-dose ara-C in older patients with acute myeloid leukaemia: results of the LI-1 trial.

Older patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) account for nearly half of those with the disease. Because they are perceived to be unfit for, unwilling to receive, or unlikely to benefit from conventional chemotherapy they represent an important unmet need. Tosedostat is a selective oral aminopeptidase inhibitor, which in phase I/II trials showed acceptable toxicity and encouraging efficacy. We report the only randomised study of low-dose cytosine arabinoside (LDAC) combined with tosedostat (LDAC-T) versus LDAC in untreated older patients not suitable for intensive treatment. A total of 243 patients were randomised 1:1 as part of the 'Pick-a-Winner' LI-1 trial. There was a statistically non-significant increase in the complete remission (CR) rate with the addition of tosedostat, LDAC-T 19% versus LDAC 12% [odds ratio (OR) 0·61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·30-1·23; P = 0·17]. For overall response (CR+CR with incomplete recovery of counts), there was little evidence of a benefit to the addition of tosedostat (25% vs. 18%; OR 0·68, 95% CI 0·37-1·27; P = 0·22). However, overall survival (OS) showed no difference (2-year OS 16% vs. 12%, hazard ratio 0·97, 95% CI 0·73-1·28; P = 0·8). Exploratory analyses failed to identify any subgroup benefitting from tosedostat. Despite promising pre-clinical, early non-randomised clinical data with acceptable toxicity and an improvement in response, we did not find evidence that the addition of tosedostat to LDAC produced a survival benefit in this group of patients with AML. International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number: ISRCTN40571019.

A phase Ib dose-finding, pharmacokinetic study of the focal adhesion kinase inhibitor GSK2256098 and trametinib in patients with advanced solid tumours.

BACKGROUND: Combined focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and MEK inhibition may provide greater anticancer effect than FAK monotherapy. METHODS: This dose-finding phase Ib study (adaptive 3 + 3 design) determined the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of trametinib and the FAK inhibitor GSK2256098 in combination. Eligible patients had mesothelioma or other solid tumours with probable mitogen activated protein kinase pathway activation. Adverse events (AEs), dose-limiting toxicities, disease progression and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics were analysed. RESULTS: Thirty-four subjects were enrolled. The GSK2256098/trametinib MTDs were 500 mg twice daily (BID)/0.375 mg once daily (QD) (high/low) and 250 mg BID/0.5 mg QD (low/high). The most common AEs were nausea, diarrhoea, decreased appetite, pruritus, fatigue and rash; none were grade 4. Systemic exposure to trametinib increased when co-administered with GSK2256098, versus trametinib monotherapy; GSK2256098 pharmacokinetics were unaffected by concomitant trametinib. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 11.8 weeks (95% CI: 6.1-24.1) in subjects with mesothelioma and was longer with Merlin-negative versus Merlin-positive tumours (15.0 vs 7.3 weeks). CONCLUSIONS: Trametinib exposure increased when co-administered with GSK2256098, but not vice versa. Mesothelioma patients with loss of Merlin had longer PFS than subjects with wild-type, although support for efficacy with this combination was limited. Safety profiles were acceptable up to the MTD.

Vorinostat plus tacrolimus/methotrexate to prevent GVHD after myeloablative conditioning, unrelated donor HCT.

The oral histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor (vorinostat) is safe and results in low incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after reduced-intensity conditioning, related donor hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). However, its safety and efficacy in preventing acute GVHD in settings of heightened clinical risk that use myeloablative conditioning, unrelated donor (URD), and methotrexate are not known. We conducted a prospective, phase 2 study in this higher-risk setting. We enrolled 37 patients to provide 80% power to detect a significant difference in grade 2 to 4 acute GVHD of 50% compared with a reduction in target to 28%. Eligibility included adults with a hematological malignancy to receive myeloablative HCT from an available 8/8-HLA matched URD. Patients received GVHD prophylaxis with tacrolimus and methotrexate. Vorinostat (100 mg twice daily) was started on day -10 and continued through day +100 post-HCT. Median age was 56 years (range, 18-69 years), and 95% had acute myelogenous leukemia or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome. Vorinostat was safe and tolerable. The cumulative incidence of grade 2 to 4 acute GVHD at day 100 was 22%, and for grade 3 to 4 it was 8%. The cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD was 29%; relapse, nonrelapse mortality, GVHD-free relapse-free survival, and overall survival at 1 year were 19%, 16%, 47%, and 76%, respectively. Correlative analyses showed enhanced histone (H3) acetylation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and reduced interleukin 6 (P = .028) and GVHD biomarkers (Reg3, P = .041; ST2, P = .002) at day 30 post-HCT in vorinostat-treated subjects compared with similarly treated patients who did not receive vorinostat. Vorinostat for GVHD prevention is an effective strategy that should be confirmed in a randomized phase 3 study. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01790568.

A phase I pharmacokinetic study of belinostat in patients with advanced cancers and varying degrees of liver dysfunction.

AIMS: The histone deacetylase inhibitor belinostat has activity in various cancers. Because belinostat is metabolized by the liver, reduced hepatic clearance could lead to excessive drug accumulation and increased toxicity. Safety data in patients with liver dysfunction are needed for this drug to reach its full potential in the clinic. METHODS: We performed a phase 1 trial to determine the safety, maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and pharmacokinetics of belinostat in patients with advanced cancer and varying degrees of liver dysfunction. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients were enrolled and divided into cohorts based on liver function. In patients with mild dysfunction, the MTD was the same as the recommended phase 2 dose (1000 mg/m2 /day). Belinostat was well tolerated in patients with moderate and severe liver dysfunction, although the trial was closed before the MTD in these cohorts could be determined. The mean clearance of belinostat was 661 mL/min/m2 in patients with normal liver function, compared to 542, 505 and 444 mL/min/m2 in patients with mild, moderate and severe hepatic dysfunction. Although this trial was not designed to assess clinical activity, of the 47 patients evaluable for response, 13 patients (28%) experienced stable disease. CONCLUSION: While a statistically significant difference in clearance indicates increased belinostat exposure with worsening liver function, no relationship was observed between belinostat exposure and toxicity. An assessment of belinostat metabolites revealed significant differences in metabolic pathway capability in patients with differing levels of liver dysfunction. Further studies are needed to establish formal dosing guidelines in this patient population.

Phase IB trial of ixabepilone and vorinostat in metastatic breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To translate promising preclinical data on the combination of vorinostat and ixabepilone for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) into clinical trials. METHODS: We conducted a randomized two-arm Phase IB clinical trial of ascending doses of vorinostat and ixabepilone in prior -treated MBC patients. To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), 37 patients were randomized to schedule A: every-3-week ixabepilone + vorinostat (days 1-14), or schedule B: weekly ixabepilone + vorinostat (days 1-7; 15-21) Pharmacokinetics were assessed. Nineteen additional patients were randomized to schedule A or B and objective response rate (ORR), clinical benefit rate (CBR), toxicity, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were assessed. RESULTS: The schedule A MTD was vorinostat 300 mg daily (days 1-14), ixabepilone 32 mg/m2 (day 2); 21-day cycle 27% dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs). The schedule B MTD was vorinostat 300 mg daily (days 1-7; 15-21), ixabepilone 16 mg/m2 (days 2, 9, 16); 28-day cycle; no DLTs. Vorinostat and ixabepilone clearances were 194 L/h and 21.3 L/h/m2, respectively. Grade 3 peripheral sensory neuropathy was reported in 8% (A) and 21% (B) of patients. The ORR and CBR were 22 and 22% (A); 30 and 35% (B). Median PFS was 3.9 (A) and 3.7 (B) months. OS was 14.8 (A) and 17.1 (B) months. CONCLUSIONS: We established the MTD of vorinostat and ixabepilone. This drug combination offers a novel therapy for previously treated MBC patients. The potential for lower toxicity and comparable efficacy compared to current therapies warrants further study.

Tumor and serum DNA methylation in women receiving preoperative chemotherapy with or without vorinostat in TBCRC008.

BACKGROUND: Methylated gene markers have shown promise in predicting breast cancer outcomes and treatment response. We evaluated whether baseline and changes in tissue and serum methylation levels would predict pathological complete response (pCR) in patients with HER2-negative early breast cancer undergoing preoperative chemotherapy. METHODS: The TBCRC008 trial investigated pCR following 12 weeks of preoperative carboplatin and albumin-bound paclitaxel + vorinostat/placebo (n = 62). We measured methylation of a 10-gene panel by quantitative multiplex methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction and expressed results as cumulative methylation index (CMI). We evaluated association between CMI level [baseline, day 15 (D15), and change] and pCR using univariate and multivariable logistic regression models controlling for treatment and hormone receptor (HR) status, and performed exploratory subgroup analyses. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, one log unit increase in tissue CMI levels at D15 was associated with 40% lower chance of obtaining pCR (odds ratio, OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.37-0.97; p = 0.037). Subgroup analyses suggested a significant association between tissue D15 CMI levels and pCR in vorinostat-treated [OR 0.44 (0.20, 0.93), p = 0.03], but not placebo-treated patients. CONCLUSION: In this study investigating the predictive roles of tissue and serum CMI levels in patients with early breast cancer for the first time, we demonstrate that high D15 tissue CMI levels may predict poor response. Larger studies and improved analytical procedures to detect methylated gene markers in early stage breast cancer are needed. TBCRC008 is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00616967).

Phase I/II study of first-line combination therapy with sorafenib plus resminostat, an oral HDAC inhibitor, versus sorafenib monotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma in east Asian patients.

PURPOSE: Resminostat is an oral inhibitor of class I, IIB, and IV histone deacetylases. This phase I/II study compared the safety and efficacy of resminostat plus sorafenib versus sorafenib monotherapy as first-line therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: In phase I, resminostat (400 mg or 600 mg/day on days 1 to 5 every 14 days) was administered with sorafenib (800 mg/day for 14 days) to determine the recommended dose for phase II. In phase II, patients were randomized (1:1) to sorafenib monotherapy or resminostat plus sorafenib. The primary endpoint was time-to-progression (TTP). RESULTS: Nine patients (3: 400 mg, 6: 600 mg) were enrolled in phase I, and the recommended dose of resminostat was determined to be 400 mg/day. Then 170 patients were enrolled in phase II. Median TTP/overall survival (OS) were 2.8/14.1 months with monotherapy versus 2.8/11.8 months with combination therapy (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 0.984, p = 0.925/HR: 1.046, p = 0.824). The overall incidence of adverse events was similar in both groups (98.8% versus 100.0%). However, thrombocytopenia ≥ Grade 3 was significantly more frequent in the combination therapy group (34.5% versus 2.4%, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed that median TTP/OS was 1.5/6.9 months for monotherapy versus 2.8/13.1 months for combination therapy (HR: 0.795, p = 0.392/HR: 0.567, p = 0.065) among patients with a normal-to-high baseline platelet count (≥ 150 × 103/mm3). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with advanced HCC, first-line therapy with resminostat at the recommended dose plus sorafenib showed no significant efficacy advantage over sorafenib monotherapy.

Panobinostat in combination with rituximab in heavily pretreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: Results of a phase II study.

This is a phase II study of panobinostat, an oral pan-HDAC inhibitor, combined with rituximab in patients with relapsed diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Panobinostat was administered orally 3 times a week every other week on a 28-day cycle. Rituximab was administered weekly during the first cycle, then on Day 1 of cycles 2 to 6. Patients without disease progression after 6 cycles continued panobinostat monotherapy for up to 6 additional cycles in the absence of disease progression. Eighteen eligible subjects were enrolled, and 18 were evaluable for response. The overall response rate was 11% (90% CI [2%-34%]) with 2 subjects having a partial response. The duration of response in these subjects was 51 and 60 days. Five additional subjects had stable disease with 3 subjects having tumor reduction between 27 and 44%, not meeting criteria for partial response. One subject with stable disease remained on therapy a total of 12 cycles. The most common toxicities while on study were thrombocytopenia (14 patients, 78%); fatigue (11, 61%); anemia (10, 56%); diarrhea (8, 44%); and nausea, lymphopenia, anorexia, and hypophosphatemia (5 each, 28% of patients), the majority of which was grade 2 or less. These data indicate that the combination of panobinostat with rituximab is able to induce responses in a limited number of subjects with relapsed diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

Administration of vorinostat disrupts HIV-1 latency in patients on antiretroviral therapy.

Despite antiretroviral therapy, proviral latency of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) remains a principal obstacle to curing the infection. Inducing the expression of latent genomes within resting CD4(+) T cells is the primary strategy to clear this reservoir. Although histone deacetylase inhibitors such as suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (also known as vorinostat, VOR) can disrupt HIV-1 latency in vitro, the utility of this approach has never been directly proven in a translational clinical study of HIV-infected patients. Here we isolated the circulating resting CD4(+) T cells of patients in whom viraemia was fully suppressed by antiretroviral therapy, and directly studied the effect of VOR on this latent reservoir. In each of eight patients, a single dose of VOR increased both biomarkers of cellular acetylation, and simultaneously induced an increase in HIV RNA expression in resting CD4(+) cells (mean increase, 4.8-fold). This demonstrates that a molecular mechanism known to enforce HIV latency can be therapeutically targeted in humans, provides proof-of-concept for histone deacetylase inhibitors as a therapeutic class, and defines a precise approach to test novel strategies to attack and eradicate latent HIV infection directly.

Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Induced Radiation Sensitization Effects on Human Cancer Cells after Photon and Hadron Radiation Exposure.

Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) is a histone deacetylase inhibitor, which has been widely utilized throughout the cancer research field. SAHA-induced radiosensitization in normal human fibroblasts AG1522 and lung carcinoma cells A549 were evaluated with a combination of γ-rays, proton, and carbon ion exposure. Growth delay was observed in both cell lines during SAHA treatment; 2 µM SAHA treatment decreased clonogenicity and induced cell cycle block in G1 phase but 0.2 µM SAHA treatment did not show either of them. Low LET (Linear Energy Transfer) irradiated A549 cells showed radiosensitization effects on cell killing in cycling and G1 phase with 0.2 or 2 µM SAHA pretreatment. In contrast, minimal sensitization was observed in normal human cells after low and high LET radiation exposure. The potentially lethal damage repair was not affected by SAHA treatment. SAHA treatment reduced the rate of γ-H2AX foci disappearance and suppressed RAD51 and RPA (Replication Protein A) focus formation. Suppression of DNA double strand break repair by SAHA did not result in the differences of SAHA-induced radiosensitization between human cancer cells and normal cells. In conclusion, our results suggest SAHA treatment will sensitize cancer cells to low and high LET radiation with minimum effects to normal cells.

Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model Predictions of Panobinostat (LBH589) as a Victim and Perpetrator of Drug-Drug Interactions.

Panobinostat (Farydak) is an orally active hydroxamic acid-derived histone deacetylase inhibitor used for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Based on recombinant cytochrome P450 (P450) kinetic analyses in vitro, panobinostat oxidative metabolism in human liver microsomes was mediated primarily by CYP3A4 with lower contributions by CYP2D6 and CYP2C19. Panobinostat was also an in vitro reversible and time-dependent inhibitor of CYP3A4/5 and a reversible inhibitor of CYP2D6 and CYP2C19. Based on a previous clinical drug-drug interaction study with ketoconazole (KTZ), the contribution of CYP3A4 in vivo was estimated to be ∼40%. Using clinical pharmacokinetic (PK) data from several trials, including the KTZ drug-drug interaction (DDI) study, a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was built to predict panobinostat PK after single and multiple doses (within 2-fold of observed values for most trials) and the clinical DDI with KTZ (predicted and observed area under the curve ratios of 1.8). The model was then applied to predict the drug interaction with the strong CYP3A4 inducer rifampin (RIF) and the sensitive CYP3A4 substrate midazolam (MDZ) in lieu of clinical trials. Panobinostat exposure was predicted to decrease in the presence of RIF (65%) and inconsequentially increase MDZ exposure (4%). Additionally, PBPK modeling was used to examine the effects of stomach pH on the absorption of panobinostat in humans and determined that absorption of panobinostat is not expected to be affected by increases in stomach pH. The results from these studies were incorporated into the Food and Drug Administration-approved product label, providing guidance for panobinostat dosing recommendations when it is combined with other drugs.

Phase I/II study of docetaxel combined with resminostat, an oral hydroxamic acid HDAC inhibitor, for advanced non-small cell lung cancer in patients previously treated with platinum-based chemotherapy.

Objectives To determine the recommended dose and efficacy/safety of docetaxel combined with resminostat (DR) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with previous platinum-based chemotherapy. Materials and Methods A multicenter, open-label, phase I/II study was performed in Japanese patients with stage IIIB/IV or recurrent NSCLC and prior platinum-based chemotherapy. The recommended phase II dose was determined using a standard 3 + 3 dose design in phase I part. Resminostat was escalated from 400 to 600 mg/day and docetaxel fixed at 75 mg/m2. In phase II part, the patients were randomly assigned to docetaxel alone (75 mg/m2) or DR therapy. Docetaxel was administered on day 1 and resminostat on days 1-5 in the DR group. Treatment was repeated every 21 days until progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Results A total of 117 patients (phase I part, 9; phase II part, 108) were enrolled. There was no dose-limiting toxicity in phase I part; the recommended dose for resminostat was 600 mg/day with 75 mg/m2 of docetaxel. In phase II part, median PFS (95% confidence interval [CI]) was 4.2 (2.8-5.7) months with docetaxel group and 4.1 (1.5-5.4) months with DR group (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.354, 95% CI: 0.835-2.195; p = 0.209). Grade ≥ 3 adverse events significantly more common with DR group than docetaxel group were leukopenia, febrile neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anorexia. Conclusion In Japanese NSCLC patients previously treated with platinum-based chemotherapy, DR therapy did not improve PFS compared with docetaxel alone and increased toxicity.

Safety and efficacy of abexinostat, a pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor, in non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia: results of a phase II study.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors are members of a class of epigenetic drugs that have proven activity in T-cell malignancies, but little is known about their efficacy in B-cell lymphomas. Abexinostat is an orally available hydroxamate-containing histone deacetylase inhibitor that differs from approved inhibitors; its unique pharmacokinetic profile and oral dosing schedule, twice daily four hours apart, allows for continuous exposure at concentrations required to efficiently kill tumor cells. In this phase II study, patients with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia received oral abexinostat at 80 mg BID for 14 days of a 21-day cycle and continued until progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity. A total of 100 patients with B-cell malignancies and T-cell lymphomas were enrolled between October 2011 and July 2014. All patients received at least one dose of study drug. Primary reasons for discontinuation included progressive disease (56%) and adverse events (25%). Grade 3 or over adverse events and any serious adverse events were reported in 88% and 73% of patients, respectively. The most frequently reported grade 3 or over treatment-emergent related adverse events were thrombocytopenia (80%), neutropenia (27%), and anemia (12%). Among the 87 patients evaluable for efficacy, overall response rate was 28% (complete response 5%), with highest responses observed in patients with follicular lymphoma (overall response rate 56%), T-cell lymphoma (overall response rate 40%), and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (overall response rate 31%). Further investigation of the safety and efficacy of abexinostat in follicular lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma implementing a less dose-intense week-on-week-off schedule is warranted. (Trial registered at: EudraCT-2009-013691-47).

Belinostat for the treatment of relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma.

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma is a heterogenous non-Hodgkin Lymphoma with historically poor outcomes. Currently, response rates remain poor with traditional chemotherapy and many of those responding to initial therapy will relapse. Belinostat (Beleodaq, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals) is a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) approved for use in relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). Belinostat is metabolized hepatically through cytochrome P-450 enzymes 3A4, 2C9, and 2A6; however, no empiric dosage adjustments of belinostat are recommended during concurrent use of inhibitors or inducers of these enzymes. Belinostat's efficacy has been evaluated in a clinical trial showing an overall response rate (ORR) of 25.8% and a median duration of response of 8.4 months. Belinostat is generally well tolerated, with the most common adverse reactions (>25%) being nausea, vomiting, fatigue, pyrexia, and anemia in patients with relapsed or refractory PTCL. Belinostat is a safe and effective treatment option for relapsed and refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma, with many future applications currently being investigated.

Ricolinostat plus lenalidomide, and dexamethasone in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma: a multicentre phase 1b trial.

BACKGROUND: Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are an important new class of therapeutics for treating multiple myeloma. Ricolinostat (ACY-1215) is the first oral selective HDAC6 inhibitor with reduced class I HDAC activity to be studied clinically. Motivated by findings from preclinical studies showing potent synergistic activity with ricolinostat and lenalidomide, our goal was to assess the safety and preliminary activity of the combination of ricolinostat with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. METHODS: In this multicentre phase 1b trial, we recruited patients aged 18 years or older with previously treated relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma from five cancer centres in the USA. Inclusion criteria included a Karnofsky Performance Status score of at least 70, measureable disease, adequate bone marrow reserve, adequate hepatic function, and a creatinine clearance of at least 50 mL per min. Exclusion criteria included previous exposure to HDAC inhibitors; previous allogeneic stem-cell transplantation; previous autologous stem-cell transplantation within 12 weeks of baseline; active systemic infection; malignancy within the last 5 years; known or suspected HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C infection; a QTc Fridericia of more than 480 ms; and substantial cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, psychiatric, or other medical disorders. We gave escalating doses (from 40-240 mg once daily to 160 mg twice daily) of oral ricolinostat according to a standard 3 + 3 design according to three different regimens on days 1-21 with a conventional 28 day schedule of oral lenalidomide (from 15 mg [in one cohort] to 25 mg [in all other cohorts] once daily) and oral dexamethasone (40 mg weekly). Primary outcomes were dose-limiting toxicities, the maximum tolerated dose of ricolinostat in this combination, and the dose and schedule of ricolinostat recommended for further phase 2 investigation. Secondary outcomes were the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ricolinostat in this combination and the preliminary anti-tumour activity of this treatment. The trial is closed to accrual and is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01583283. FINDINGS: Between July 12, 2012, and Aug 20, 2015, we enrolled 38 patients. We observed two dose-limiting toxicities with ricolinostat 160 mg twice daily: one (2%) grade 3 syncope and one (2%) grade 3 myalgia event in different cohorts. A maximum tolerated dose was not reached. We chose ricolinostat 160 mg once daily on days 1-21 of a 28 day cycle as the recommended dose for future phase 2 studies in combination with lenalidomide 25 mg and dexamethasone 40 mg. The most common adverse events were fatigue (grade 1-2 in 14 [37%] patients; grade 3 in seven [18%]) and diarrhoea (grade 1-2 in 15 [39%] patients; grade 3 in two [5%]). Our pharmacodynamic studies showed that at clinically relevant doses, ricolinostat selectively inhibits HDAC6 while retaining a low and tolerable level of class I HDAC inhibition. The pharmacokinetics of ricolinostat and lenalidomide were not affected by co-administration. In a preliminary assessment of antitumour activity, 21 (55% [95% CI 38-71]) of 38 patients had an overall response. INTERPRETATION: The findings from this study provide preliminary evidence that ricolinostat is a safe and well tolerated selective HDAC6 inhibitor, which might partner well with lenalidomide and dexamethasone to enhance their efficacy in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. FUNDING: Acetylon Pharmaceuticals.

Vorinostat in combination with capecitabine plus cisplatin as a first-line chemotherapy for patients with metastatic or unresectable gastric cancer: phase II study and biomarker analysis.

BACKGROUND: Vorinostat, a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, was investigated in combination with capecitabine plus cisplatin (XP) as a first-line chemotherapy for patients with unresectable or metastatic gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: Eligible patients received 400 mg vorinostat once daily on days 1-14, 1000 mg m(-2) capecitabine twice daily on days 1-14, and 60 mg m(-2) cisplatin on day 1 every 3 weeks. Plasma levels of acetyl-H3, HDAC2, and p21 were measured for correlative analysis. The primary end point was the 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate. Secondary end points included the response rate, PFS, overall survival (OS), and safety profile. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients with HER2-negative GC were included in this study. The objective response rate was 42%. The median PFS was 5.9 months, and the 6-month PFS rate was 44.4%. The median OS was 12.7 months. Most common grade 3-4 toxicities were neutropenia (41%), fatigue (34%), anorexia (32%), thromboembolism (27%), stomatitis (14%), and thrombocytopenia (11%). High plasma acetyl-H3 and p21 levels were significantly associated with a poor OS (P=0.02 and P=0.03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Vorinostat-XP is a feasible first-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced GC. However, this trial did not meet its primary end point, and more adverse events were observed in comparison with the historical data of flouropyrimidine-platinium doublet regimens.

Phase II study of tosedostat with cytarabine or decitabine in newly diagnosed older patients with acute myeloid leukaemia or high-risk MDS.

Tosedostat, an oral aminopeptidase inhibitor, has synergy with cytarabine and hypomethylating agents. We performed a Phase II trial to determine rates of complete remission (CR) and survival using tosedostat with cytarabine or decitabine in older patients with untreated acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Thirty-four patients ≥60 years old (median age 70 years; range, 60-83) were randomized to receive tosedostat (120 mg on days 1-21 or 180 mg continuously) with 5 d of either cytarabine (1 g/m2 /d) or decitabine (20 mg/m2 /d) every 35 d. Twenty-nine patients (85%) had AML, including 15 (44%) with secondary AML/MDS, and 5 (15%) had MDS-refractory anaemia with excess blasts type 2. The CR/CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi) rate was 53% [9 in each arm; 14 CR (41%) and 4 CRi (12%)], attained in 6 of 14 patients with adverse cytogenetics and 4 of 7 with FLT3-internal tandem duplication mutations. Median follow-up was 11.2 months (range, 0.5-22.3), and median survival was 11.5 months (95% confidence interval, 5.2-16.7). Twenty-three patients (67.6%) were treated as outpatients and 10 of these patients required hospitalization for febrile neutropenia. No Grade 3-4 non-haematological toxicities required withdrawal from study. Tosedostat with cytarabine or decitabine is tolerated in older patients with untreated AML/MDS, results in a CR/CRi rate of >50%, and warrants further study in larger trials.

A phase I trial of panobinostat and epirubicin in solid tumors with a dose expansion in patients with sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Treatment options for sarcoma are limited. Histone deacetylase inhibitors increase the efficacy of topoisomerase II inhibitors by promoting access to chromatin and by down-regulating DNA repair. Thus, combined panobinostat and epirubicin therapy was evaluated to treat refractory sarcoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with advanced solid tumors were enrolled in a 3 + 3 dose-escalation phase I trial of panobinostat given on days 1, 3, and 5 followed by 75 mg/m(2) of epirubicin on day 5 in 21-day cycles, with a dose expansion at maximum tolerated dose (MTD) in 20 sarcoma patients. Peripheral blood mononucleocyte histone acetylation was also evaluated. RESULTS: Forty patients received 20-60 mg panobinostat. Dose-limiting toxicities included thrombocytopenia, febrile neutropenia, and fatigue at 60 mg, defining a panobinostat MTD at 50 mg. Four responses were seen in 37 assessable patients, all after progression on prior topoisomerase II inhibitors. For those with sarcoma, 12 of 20 derived clinical benefit (1 partial response and 11 stable disease, median overall survival 8.3 months), including 8 of 14 previously progressed on topoisomerase II therapy. Treatment benefits correlated with increased histone acetylation and decreased neutrophil count on day 5. CONCLUSIONS: Panobinostat and epirubicin treatment is well tolerated and may reverse anthracycline resistance. Changes in histone acetylation and associated decrease in neutrophil count correlated with clinical benefit and warrant investigation as predictive biomarkers. CLINICAL TRIAL: This trial is registered at www.Clinicaltrials.gov, Identifier: NCT00878904.

A phase I, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study of GSK2256098, a focal adhesion kinase inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumors.

BACKGROUND: Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is important in cancer growth, survival, invasion, and migration. The purpose of this study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of the FAK inhibitor, GSK2256098, in cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The dose of GSK2256098 was escalated, in cohorts of patients with advanced cancer, from 80 to 1500 mg, oral twice daily (BID), until the MTD was determined. Serial blood samples were obtained from all patients, and the PK was determined. Paired tumor biopsies were obtained in select patients, and the level of phospho-FAK (pFAK) was determined. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients (39 males, 23 females; median age 61 y.o., range 21-84) received GSK2256098. Dose-limiting toxicities of grade 2 proteinuria (1000 mg BID), grade 2 fatigue, nausea, vomiting (1250 mg BID), and grade 3 asthenia and grade 2 fatigue (1500 mg BID) were reported with the MTD identified as 1000 mg BID. The most frequent adverse events (AEs) were nausea (76%), diarrhea (65%), vomiting (58%), and decreased appetite (47%) with the majority of AEs being grades 1-2. The PK was generally dose proportional with a geometric mean elimination half-life range of 4-9 h. At the 750, 1000, and 1500 mg BID dose levels evaluated, the pFAK, Y397 autophosphorylation site, was reduced by ∼80% from baseline. Minor responses were observed in a patient with melanoma (-26%) and three patients with mesothelioma (-13%, -15%, and -17%). In the 29 patients with recurrent mesothelioma, the median progression-free survival was 12 weeks with 95% CI 9.1, 23.4 weeks (23.4 weeks merlin negative, n = 14; 11.4 weeks merlin positive, n = 9; 10.9 weeks merlin status unknown, n = 6). CONCLUSIONS: GSK2256098 has an acceptable safety profile, has evidence of target engagement at doses at or below the MTD, and has clinical activity in patients with mesothelioma, particularly those with merlin loss.