A phase I pharmacologic and pharmacogenetic trial of sequential 24-hour infusion of irinotecan followed by leucovorin and a 48-hour infusion of fluorouracil in adult patients with solid tumors.

PURPOSE: In preclinical studies, sequential exposure to irinotecan (CPT-11) then fluorouracil (5-FU) is superior to concurrent exposure or the reverse sequence; a 24-hour infusion of CPT-11 may be better tolerated than shorter infusions. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: CPT-11 was first given at four levels (70-140 mg/m(2)/24 hours), followed by leucovorin 500 mg/m(2)/0.5 hours and 5-FU 2,000 mg/m(2)/48 hours on days 1 and 15 of a 4-week cycle. 5-FU was then increased in three cohorts up to 3,900 mg/m(2)/48 hours. RESULTS: Two patients had dose-limiting toxicity during cycle 1 at 140/3,900 of CPT-11/5-FU (2-week delay for neutrophil recovery; grade 3 nausea despite antiemetics); one of six patients at 140/3,120 had dose-limiting toxicity (grade 3 diarrhea, grade 4 neutropenia). Four of 22 patients with colorectal cancer had partial responses, two of which had prior bolus CPT-11/5-FU. The mean 5-FU plasma concentration was 5.1 micromol/L at 3,900 mg/m(2)/48 hours. The end of infusion CPT-11 plasma concentration averaged 519 nmol/L at 140 mg/m(2)/24 hours. Patients with UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT1A1; TA)6/6 promoter genotype had a lower ratio of free to glucuronide form of SN-38 than in patients with >/=1 (TA)7 allele. Thymidylate synthase genotypes for the 28-base promoter repeat were 2/2 (13%), 2/3 (74%), 3/3 (13%); all four responders had a 2/3 genotype. CONCLUSIONS: Doses (mg/m(2)) of CPT-11 140/24 hours, leucovorin 500/0.5 hours and 5-FU 3,120/48 hours were well tolerated.

Dose-escalating and pharmacological study of oxaliplatin in adult cancer patients with impaired renal function: a National Cancer Institute Organ Dysfunction Working Group Study.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to determine the toxicities, pharmacokinetics, and maximum tolerated doses of oxaliplatin in patients with renal impairment and to develop formal guidelines for oxaliplatin dosing in this patient population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven adult cancer patients with variable renal function received intravenous oxaliplatin at 60 to 130 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. Patients were stratified by 24-hour creatinine clearance (CrCL) into four cohorts: group A (controls, CrCL > or =60 mL/min), group B (mild dysfunction, CrCL 40 to 59 mL/min), group C (moderate dysfunction, CrCL 20 to 39 mL/min), and group D (severe dysfunction, CrCL <20 mL/min). Doses were escalated in cohorts of three patients, and urine and plasma ultrafiltrates were assayed for platinum concentrations. RESULTS: No dose-limiting toxicities were observed in any patient group during the first cycle of therapy. Escalation of oxaliplatin to the maximum dose of 130 mg/m2 was well tolerated in all patient groups with a CrCL > or =20 mL/min (groups A, B, and C). Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that patients with decreased CrCL had a corresponding decrease in the clearance of plasma ultrafiltrable platinum (r2 = 0.765). However, oxaliplatin-induced side effects were not more common or severe in patients with mild to moderate renal dysfunction, despite the decrease in ultrafiltrable platinum clearance. CONCLUSION: Oxaliplatin at 130 mg/m2 every 3 weeks is well tolerated by patients with mild to moderate degrees of renal dysfunction. These data strongly support the recommendation that dose reductions of single-agent oxaliplatin are not necessary in patients with a CrCL greater than 20 mL/min.

A phase I pharmacologic and pharmacodynamic study of pyrazoloacridine given as a weekly 24-hour continuous intravenous infusion in adult cancer patients.

PURPOSE: Pyrazoloacridine (PZA) is an investigational nucleic acid binding agent that inhibits the activity of topoisomerases I and II through a mechanism distinct from other topoisomerase poisons. PZA shows schedule-independent cytotoxicity against tumor cells, whereas host toxicity is greater with shorter infusions. We assessed the clinical toxicities and pharmacologic effects of PZA given as a 24-h i.v. infusion weekly for 3 of 4 weeks. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Thirty-two adult patients with solid tumors received PZA at five dose levels (100-351 mg/m(2)). Plasma samples were obtained at the end of the PZA infusion at all of the dose levels, with extended sampling in a cohort treated at the recommended dose. RESULTS: Dose-limiting granulocytopenia and mucositis occurred in 2 of 6 patients at 351 mg/m(2), but lower doses were well tolerated. No responses were seen, but 28% had stable disease for > or =3 months. Plasma levels strongly correlated with the degree of granulocytopenia. Extended pharmacokinetics in 7 patients treated with 281 mg/m(2) indicated the following averages: maximum plasma level, 1.6 microM; area under the plasma concentration-time curve, 56 microM.h; terminal half-life, 27 h; urinary recovery, 17% over 72 h. DNA fragmentation in post-PZA bone marrow mononuclear cells was seen in 9 of 28 samples (all at > or =281 mg/m(2)). CONCLUSIONS: Unlike other schedules of PZA, neurotoxicity and thrombocytopenia were not problematic with a weekly 24-h infusion of PZA. The recommended Phase II dose is 281 mg/m(2), which was well tolerated. Both end of infusion plasma levels and presence of DNA damage correlated with granulocyte toxicity.

A phase I and pharmacologic study of weekly gemcitabine in combination with infusional 5-fluorodeoxyuridine and oral calcium leucovorin.

PURPOSE: Since preclinical studies have shown more than additive cytotoxicity and DNA damage with the combination of gemcitabine and 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (FUDR), we studied this combination in a phase I trial. METHODS: Gemcitabine alone was given in cycle 1 as a 24-h, 2-h or 1-h i.v. infusion weekly for 3 of 4 weeks; if tolerated, a 24-h i.v. infusion of FUDR was added with oral leucovorin. The cycle was aborted for grade 3 thrombocytopenia, grade 4 neutropenia, and grade 2 or worse nonhematologic toxicity. RESULTS: During cycle 1, six of eight patients who received 150 or 100 mg/m2 over 24 h had dose-limiting neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, fatigue or mucositis. Six of seven patients treated with 1000 mg/m2 over 2 h required a gemcitabine dose reduction for cycle 2 (thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, fatigue). Of 25 assessable patients who received gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 over 1 h, 7 did not complete cycle 1 due to thrombocytopenia (n=6) or diarrhea (n=1). Of 42 patients entered, 27 received at least one course of gemcitabine/FUDR (5-19.5 mg/m2 over 24 h) without appreciable toxicity. Due to a shortage of FUDR, the protocol was closed early. Gemcitabine plasma concentrations averaged 0.061 micro M (24 h), 16.3 micro M (2 h), and 31.9 micro M (1 h). In 21 paired bone marrow mononuclear cell samples obtained before treatment and during FUDR infusion, thymidylate synthase ternary complex was only seen during FUDR infusion. CONCLUSIONS: Gemcitabine 100-150 mg/m2 over 24 h was poorly tolerated, whereas toxicity was acceptable with 800-1000 mg/m2 over 1 h. Inhibition of the target enzyme was demonstrated at all FUDR doses.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of oral eniluracil, fluorouracil and leucovorin given on a weekly schedule.

PURPOSE: To determine the toxicities and pharmacokinetic effects of eniluracil (EU) given on two weekly dosing schedules with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV). METHODS: A group of 26 patients received a single 24-h i.v. infusion of 5-FU 2300 mg/m(2) to provide a pharmacokinetic reference. After 2 weeks, patients received oral EU 20 mg plus LV 30 mg on days 1-3 with a single dose of 5-FU 15-29 mg/m(2) on day 2, or LV 30 mg on days 1-2 with a single dose of EU at least 1 h prior to 5-FU 29 mg/m(2) on day 2 weekly for 3 of 4 weeks. RESULTS: Diarrhea was the most common dose-limiting toxicity. The recommended dose of 5-FU is 29 mg/m(2) per day. EU on either schedule decreased 5-FU plasma clearance by 48 to 52-fold, prolonged the half-life to >5 h, and increased the percentage of 5-FU excreted in the urine from 2% to 64-66%. With EU, plasma fluoro-beta-alanine was not detected while urinary excretion was reduced to <1% of that seen with i.v. 5-FU alone. Marked increases in both plasma and urinary uracil were seen. Thymidylate synthase ternary complex formation was demonstrated in bone marrow mononuclear cells isolated 24 h after the first oral 5-FU dose; the average was 66.5% bound. CONCLUSIONS: Either a single 20-mg dose of EU given prior to or for 3 days around the oral 5-FU dose led to comparable effects on 5-FU pharmacokinetic parameters, and inhibition of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase and thymidylate synthase.

Mistletoe and gemcitabine in patients with advanced cancer: a model for the phase I study of botanicals and botanical-drug interactions in cancer therapy.

Plant extracts of the European mistletoe (MTE), Viscum album, the most widely used cancer treatment in Germany, have been used in European countries as sole intervention or as adjunct to conventional cancer therapies for more than 80 years. Preclinical data suggest immunostimulatory and cytotoxic effects of MTE. While the clinical efficacy of MTE in cancer is being investigated, toxicity and potential interactions of MTE with standard chemotherapeutic agents are unknown. Gemcitabine is an approved antimetabolite chemotherapeutic agent effective as single agent in patients with solid tumors (ST). The documented metabolism and pharmacokinetics of gemcitabine make this agent well suited for the study of botanical-chemotherapy drug interactions (BDIA) in cancer. Based on reports of altered drug metabolism associated with botanical preparations, research into BDIA has intensified. The phase I, 2-stage, dose-escalation study outlined here will test MTE with gemcitabine as a paradigm for the phase I investigation of botanical-drug combination treatments in patients with advanced ST. The protocol including the following components has been reviewed and approved by the National Cancer Institute Institutional Review Board (IRB), the National Naval Medical Center IRB, and the Navy Clinical Investigation Program (study 02-074): (1) use of a standardized MTE, approved by the Food and Drug Administration for investigational use; (2) independent verification of key MTE components considered biologically active; (3) identification of contaminants and adulterants; (4) pharmacokinetics of gemcitabine and its principal metabolites before and upon exposure to MTE; (5) safety and toxicity data collection; (6) assays of plasma ML antibody production in vivo; and (7) pharmacodynamic studies of the botanical-drug combination.

NCCAM/NCI Phase 1 Study of Mistletoe Extract and Gemcitabine in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors.

PURPOSE: European Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) extracts (mistletoe) are commonly used for cancer treatment in Europe. This phase I study of gemcitabine (GEM) and mistletoe in advanced solid cancers (ASC) evaluated: (1) safety, toxicity, and maximum tolerated dose (MTD), (2) absolute neutrophil count (ANC) recovery, (3) formation of mistletoe lectin antibodies (ML ab), (4) cytokine plasma concentrations, (5) clinical response, and (6) pharmacokinetics of GEM. DESIGN: increasing mistletoe and fixed GEM dose in stage I and increasing doses of GEM with a fixed dose of mistletoe in stage II. Dose limiting toxicities (DLT) were grade (G) 3 nonhematologic and G4 hematologic events related to platelets and granulocytes only [corrected]; MTD was reached with 2 DLTs in one dosage level. Response in stage IV ASC was assessed with descriptive statistics. Statistical analyses examined clinical response/survival and ANC recovery. RESULTS: DLTs were G4 neutropenia, G4 thrombocytopenia, G4 acute renal failure, and G3 cellulitis, attributed to mistletoe. GEM 1300 mg/m(2) [corrected] and mistletoe 250 mg combined were the MTD. Of 44 patients, 24 developed nonneutropenic fever and flu-like syndrome. GEM pharmacokinetics were unaffected by mistletoe. All patients developed ML3 IgG antibodies. ANC showed a trend to increase between baseline and cycle 2 in stage I dose escalation. 6% of patients showed partial response, 42% stable disease. Median survival was 200 days. Compliance with mistletoe injections was high. CONCLUSION: GEM plus mistletoe is well tolerated. No botanical/drug interactions were observed. Clinical response is similar to GEM alone.

Necrotizing enterocolitis in neutropenia and chemotherapy: a clinical update and old lessons relearned.

Neutropenic enterocolitis (NE) must be recognized in patients with fever, neutropenia, and abdominal pain. Classically, NE has been described in patients with hematologic malignancies treated with intensive chemotherapy. Current interest in NE has increased due to recent cases associated with newer, more intensive chemotherapy in solid tumors. This review discusses pathology, clinical presentation, and treatment of NE. Ultrasonography or CT scans are the best radiographic studies to confirm the diagnosis. Management options, including antimicrobial therapy, surgery, and supportive care, are discussed. Chemotherapy incorporating the taxane family of drugs (paclitaxel and docetaxel) associated with NE is also reviewed with observations regarding the earlier onset of the disease in the first weeks following chemotherapy. Even with currently recommended therapy, a high mortality rate, approximating 45%, can occur. Best outcomes for NE rely upon understanding of risks for the condition, prompt empiric therapy with broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents, systemic antifungal therapy, and meticulous attention to supportive care.