A phase 2 study of bevacizumab with cisplatin plus intensity-modulated radiation therapy for stage III/IVB head and neck squamous cell cancer.

BACKGROUND: For patients with stage III through IVB head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), concurrent high-dose cisplatin plus radiation therapy is a widely accepted standard of care. HNSCC tumors that express high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor have been associated with a worse prognosis, and bevacizumab may sensitize tumors to cisplatin and radiation. METHODS: Planned treatment consisted of definitive intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) (total, 70 grays) with concurrent cisplatin (50 mg/m(2) on days 1, 2, 22, 23, 43, and 44) and bevacizumab (15 mg/kg on days 1, 22, and 43). The primary endpoint was 2-year progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) was a secondary endpoint. RESULTS: Forty-two previously untreated patients (34 men and 8 women; median age, 55 years; range, 27-75 years) with stage III through IV HNSCC without distant metastasis (oropharyngeal carcinoma, 39 patients; laryngeal carcinoma, 3 patients) were treated. Human papillomavirus (HPV) status by was determined by in situ hybridization (HPV positive, 16 patients; HPV negative, 14 patients, unknown HPV status, 12 patients). The toxicities (determined according to version 3.0 of Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Common) that were experienced by all patients (any grade) were mucositis, lymphopenia, leukopenia, throat pain, fatigue, and anemia. There were 2 treatment-related deaths, including 1 sudden death and 1 death from aspiration pneumonia. The median follow-up was approximately 31.8 months (range, <3 to 51 months). The 2-year PFS rate was 75.9% (95% confidence interval, 63.9%-90.1%), and the 2-year OS rate was 88% (95% confidence interval, 78.6%-98.4%). Among 32 patients for whom post-treatment Head and Neck Performance Status Scores were obtained (median, 5.6 months after completing radiation therapy), scores of 100 for eating, speech, and diet, respectively, were recorded among 75%, 84%, and 50% of patients. BACKGROUND: The addition of bevacizumab to high-dose cisplatin plus IMRT did not appear to increase toxicity to unacceptable levels among patients with HNSCC, and the efficacy results were encouraging.

A randomized phase II study of cetuximab every 2 weeks at either 500 or 750 mg/m2 for patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer.

Cetuximab is typically administered on a weekly schedule for patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). This study explores cetuximab administered every 2 weeks (q2w). In this multicenter randomized prospective phase II study, eligible patients (≤2 prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens for recurrent or metastatic disease; ECOG performance status ≤2) were randomized to receive cetuximab q2w at 500 mg/m(2) (Group A) or 750 mg/m(2) (Group B). The primary end point was response rate (RECIST 1.0). Sixty-one patients were enrolled: 35 in Group A and 26 in Group B, which was closed early for lack of efficacy. Confirmed partial response rates were 11% for Group A (4/35) and 8% for Group B (2/26) according to intention to treat analysis. Partial responses occurred only among patients whose primary tumors were in the oral cavity or larynx. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and median overall survival (OS) were similar for both groups (PFS, 2.2 and 2.0 months; OS, 7.0 and 9.4 months; Groups A and B, respectively). The most common cetuximab-related adverse events (all grades) among treated subjects included rash, fatigue, and hypomagnesemia. Cetuximab, 500 mg/m(2), q2w achieves similar efficacy as conventional dosing for patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC. Escalating the dose to 750 mg/m(2) q2w offers no obvious therapeutic advantage.

Evaluation of romidepsin for clinical activity and radioactive iodine reuptake in radioactive iodine-refractory thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Historically, systemic therapy for radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory thyroid cancer has been understudied. Available drugs have modest efficacy. Romidepsin is a histone deacetylase inhibitor with potent antitumor effects both in vitro and in vivo. In thyroid cancer cell lines, romidepsin increases expression of both thyroglobulin and the sodium iodide symporter messenger RNAs, suggesting the possibility of improved iodine concentrating ability of RAI-resistant tumors. METHODS: This was a single-institution Simon 2-stage phase II clinical study. Eligible patients had progressive, RAI-refractory, recurrent/metastatic, nonmedullary, nonanaplastic thyroid cancer. Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.0 measurable disease and adequate organ/marrow function were required. Romidepsin 13 mg/m² was administered intravenously on days 1, 8, and 15, in cycles of 28 days. The primary endpoint was the response rate by RECIST; change in RAI avidity was a secondary endpoint. The study closed after the first stage due to the lack of response. RESULTS: Twenty patients were enrolled: female, 50%; median age, 64 years; histology, 8 papillary/1 follicular/11 Hürthle. Grade 4-5 adverse events (AEs) possibly related to the drug: grade 5, 1 sudden death; grade 4, 1 pulmonary embolus. Twelve of 20 subjects had a reported adverse event. No RECIST major responses have been seen. Response per protocol: stable disease, 13; disease progression, 7. Restoration of RAI avidity was documented in two patients. Median overall survival and time on study was 33.2 (1-71+) and 1.7 (0.46-12) months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We observed preliminary signs of in vivo reversal of RAI resistance after treatment with romidepsin. However, no major responses were observed and accrual was poor after the grade 5 AE.

A phase 1 study of everolimus + weekly cisplatin + intensity modulated radiation therapy in head-and-neck cancer.

PURPOSE: Elevated expression of eukaryotic protein synthesis initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) in histologically cancer-free margins of resected head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) is mediated by mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and has been associated with increased risk of disease recurrence. Preclinically, inhibition of mTORC1 with everolimus sensitizes cancer cells to cisplatin and radiation. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This was single-institution phase 1 study to establish the maximum tolerated dose of daily everolimus given with fixed dose cisplatin (30 mg/m(2) weekly × 6) and concurrent intensity modulated radiation therapy for patients with locally and/or regionally advanced head-and-neck cancer. The study had a standard 3 + 3 dose-escalation design. RESULTS: Tumor primary sites were oral cavity (4), salivary gland (4), oropharynx (2), nasopharynx (1), scalp (1), and neck node with occult primary (1). In 4 of 4 cases in which resected HNSCC surgical pathology specimens were available for immunohistochemistry, elevated expression of eIF4E was observed in the cancer-free margins. The most common grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse event was lymphopenia (92%), and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were mucositis (n=2) and failure to thrive (n=1). With a median follow up of 19.4 months, 2 patients have experienced recurrent disease. The maximum tolerated dose was everolimus 5 mg/day. CONCLUSIONS: Head-and-neck cancer patients tolerated everolimus at therapeutic doses (5 mg/day) given with weekly cisplatin and intensity modulated radiation therapy. The regimen merits further evaluation, especially among patients who are status post resection of HNSCCs that harbor mTORC1-mediated activation of eIF4E in histologically negative surgical margins.

A phase I study of daily everolimus plus low-dose weekly cisplatin for patients with advanced solid tumors.

PURPOSE: Preclinical studies demonstrate synergistic anti-tumor activity with the combination of everolimus and cisplatin. We conducted a phase I study to establish the recommended phase II of oral everolimus to be given with low-dose weekly intravenous cisplatin. METHODS: Part A used a standard 3 + 3 dose escalation scheme. There were 4 planned dose levels of everolimus: 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 mg/day. Subjects received oral everolimus during days 1-21 and cisplatin 20 mg/m(2) intravenously (fixed dose) on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle. Pharmacokinetic (PK) blood samples were collected on day 1 and day 8 of cycle 1 in Part A. After the phase II recommended dose was established (Part A), 6 additional subjects were enrolled in an expansion cohort (Part B). Response was assessed by RECIST q 2 cycles for all subjects. RESULTS: Thirty patients were enrolled (18 male, 12 female) and 29 were treated. Median age was 61 years (31-79) and the median number of prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens was 2 (0-3). Eighty-three percent of subjects had received prior RT. DLTs occurred at dose level 1 (sudden death of unclear cause in a patient with melanoma metastatic to liver) and dose level 2 (bowel obstruction). No DLTs occurred at dose levels 3 and 4. The most common adverse events (≥grade 3) among 28 patients evaluable for toxicity were lymphopenia (36%), hyperglycemia (11%), fatigue (11%), and venous thrombosis (11%). PK analysis of everolimus demonstrated dose-proportional increases in C (max) (mean 91.9 ng/ml) and AUC(0-INF) (mean 680.5 h*ng/ml) at dose level 4. Three partial responses were seen (metastatic pulmonary carcinoid, n = 2; metastatic sinus carcinoma, n = 1). Prolonged stable disease ≥6 cycles occurred in subjects with pulmonary carcinoid, oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, papillary thyroid carcinoma, and esthesioneuroblastoma (n = 1 each). CONCLUSION: The phase II recommended dose is everolimus 10 mg/day (days 1-21) + cisplatin 20 mg/m(2) (days 1, 8, and 15) of a 28-day cycle. PK data demonstrate dose-proportional increases in exposure, as previously described for everolimus monotherapy. Anti-tumor activity was observed in several tumor types.