Consolidation With Pembrolizumab and Nab-Paclitaxel After Induction Platinum-Based Chemotherapy for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Induction with four cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy was the standard of care for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) until the approval of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in the first-line setting. Switch maintenance therapy has shown promise in improving survival by exposing patients to novel, non-cross-resistant agents earlier in their treatment course. METHODS: We performed this open-label, three-arm, randomized phase II study (NCT02684461) to evaluate three sequences of consolidation with pembrolizumab and nab-paclitaxel in patients without progressive disease post induction chemotherapy. Consolidation was either sequential with pembrolizumab for four cycles followed by nab-paclitaxel for four cycles (P→A), nab-paclitaxel followed by pembrolizumab (A→P), or concurrent nab-paclitaxel and pembrolizumab for four cycles (AP). RESULTS: Twenty patients were randomized before the study was closed early due to the approval of first-line checkpoint inhibitors. We found that consolidation is feasible and well tolerated, with 30% of patients experiencing grade 3 toxicity. The median progression-free survival and OS in months (95% CI) in P→A were 10.1 (1.5-NR), 27.6 (1.7-NR); 8.4 (1.2-9.0), 12.7 (4.4-NR) in A→P; and 10.2 (5.1-NR), NR. Quality of life as measured by FACT-L improved in the majority of patients during the course of the study. CONCLUSION: Sequential and concurrent consolidation regimens are well tolerated and have encouraging overall survival in patients with metastatic NSCLC.

A single-arm phase II trial of pazopanib in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer with non-squamous histology with disease progression on bevacizumab containing therapy.

OBJECTIVES: Platinum-based chemotherapy with bevacizumab is a standard therapy for patients with stage IIIB/IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with non-squamous (NS) histology. Mechanisms of resistance to bevacizumab include increased VEGF signaling or activation of VEGF receptors. Pazopanib is a multi-targeted VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase with single agent activity in NSCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stage IIIB/IV patients with adequate organ function, who progressed on a bevacizumab containing therapy were eligible if it had been ≤8 weeks since the last bevacizumab treatment. The primary end-point was disease control rate (DCR), defined as partial or complete response, or stable disease for ≥12 weeks. Patients were assessed radiographically every 2 cycles (6 weeks). A Simon 2-stage design was used, and if in the first stage ≤4 of 17 patients experienced disease control the trial was to have been stopped for futility. An unplanned analysis was performed after 15 patients were evaluable secondary to slow accrual. RESULTS: Between December 2010 and November 2013, 15 patients were treated on trial. The median age was 61 years (range 39-74), and all patients had stage IV disease. Of the 15 patients, 4 discontinued therapy prior to cycle 2 evaluation due to adverse events (n=3) and medical illness (n=1), 5 patients had progressive disease, 4 patients had stable disease for <12 weeks, and 2 patients had stable disease for ≥12 weeks. No responses were observed. The DCR observed was 13% (2/15), and the trial did not meet the criteria to proceed to the second stage. Episodes of grade 3 treatment related toxicities observed included: increased ALT (n=2), increased AST (n=1), anorexia (n=3), fatigue (n=3), hypertension (n=1), infection (n=1), mucositis (n=2), nausea (n=3), pericardial effusion (n=1), and vomiting (n=1). CONCLUSION: Pazopanib has limited activity in NSCLC-NS in patients who have experienced disease progression on bevacizumab.

A phase I trial of sorafenib combined with cisplatin/etoposide or carboplatin/pemetrexed in refractory solid tumor patients.

INTRODUCTION: Sorafenib has demonstrated single agent activity in non-small cell (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Carboplatin/pemetrexed (CbP) and cisplatin/etoposide (PE) are commonly used in the treatment of these diseases. METHODS: A phase I trial escalating doses of sorafenib in combination with fixed doses of PE (Arm A) or CbP (Arm B) was performed using a 3-patient cohort design to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicities (DLT); DLT were assessed in the first cycle. The trial was subsequently amended with closure of Arm B and to include Arm C with a reduced dose of carboplatin. RESULTS: Between 9/2007 and 9/2008, 20 pts were treated on the trial; median age 62 (range 42-73), male/female ratio 12/8, PS 0/1 ratio 6/14, and median number of prior therapies 2 (range 1-4). The most common tumor types were NSCLC and SCLC. On Arm A at dose level 0 (sorafenib 200 mg BID), 2 of 4 patients experienced DLT; 2 patients were enrolled at dose level -1 (sorafenib 200 mg QD) without DLT, but this arm was closed due to slow accrual. On Arm B, 2 of 3 patients experienced DLT at dose level 0 (sorafenib 200 mg BID). On Arm C at dose level 0 (sorafenib 200 mg BID), 1 of 6 patients experienced DLT, and at dose level +1 (sorafenib 400 mg BID) 2 of 5 patients experienced a DLT. CONCLUSIONS: The MTD of sorafenib was 200 mg BID continuously in combination with carboplatin (AUC of 5) and pemetrexed 500 mg/m² every 3 weeks. However, only 6 patients were treated at this dose level, and the results should be interpreted cautiously.

Concomitant radiotherapy and chemotherapy for high-risk nonmelanoma skin carcinomas of the head and neck.

Background. To report on the use and feasibility of a multimodality approach using concomitant radiotherapy and chemotherapy in patients with high-risk nonmelanoma skin carcinoma (NMSC) of the head and neck. Methods. Records of patients with NMSC of the head and neck who received concomitant CRT at the University of North Carolina between 2001 and 2007 were reviewed. Results. Fifteen identified patients had at least one of the following high-risk factors: T4 disease (93%), unresectability (60%), regional nodal involvement (40%), and/or recurrence (47%). Ten patients were treated in the definitive setting and five in the postoperative setting. Platinum based chemotherapy was given in 14 (93%) patients. Ten of fifteen (67%) patients completed all planned chemotherapy treatments, and thirteen patients (87%) completed at least 80% of planned chemotherapy. Mild radiation dermatitis occurred in all patients and reached grade 3 in 13% of patients. No patients experienced grade 4 or 5 toxicity. With a median followup of 31 months in surviving patients, the 2-year actuarial locoregional control and relapse-free survival were 79% and 49%, respectively. Conclusions. Definitive or postoperative chemoradiotherapy for patients with locally advanced or regionally metastasized NMSC of the head and neck appears feasible with acceptable toxicities and favorable locoregional control.