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Previous cancer vaccination trials often aimed to activate CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) responses with short (8–10mer) peptides and targeted CD4+ helper T cells (TH) with HLA class II–binding longer peptides (12–16 mer) that were derived from tumor antigens. Accordingly, a study of immunomonitoring focused on the detection of CTL responses to the short, and TH responses to the long, peptides. The possible induction of concurrent TH responses to short peptides was widely neglected. In a recent phase I vaccination trial, 53 patients with different solid cancers were vaccinated with EMD640744, a cocktail of five survivin-derived short (9- or 10-mer) peptides in Montanide ISA 51VG. We monitored 49 patients and found strong CD8+ T-cell responses in 63% of the patients. In addition, we unexpectedly found CD4+ TH cell responses against at least two of the five short peptides in 61% (23/38) of the patients analyzed. The two peptides were recognized by HLA-DP4– and HLA-DR–restricted TH1 cells. Some short peptide–reactive (sp)CD4 T cells showed high functional avidity. Here, we show that a short peptide vaccine is able to activate a specific CD4+ T-cell repertoire in many patients, facilitating a strong combined CD4+/CD8+ T-cell response. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(1); 18–25. ©2015 AACR.

Short peptide vaccine induces CD4+ T helper cells in patients with different solid cancers - desription of methods according to MIATA guidelines(MIATA checklist)

(1) Gating strategy, (2) representative examples of the time course of spCD4 responses, (3) individual cytokine profile and magnitude of spCD4 responses of all patients with detected spCD4 T cell response

Wesentliche Veränderungen in unterschiedlichsten Lebensbereichen beeinflussen unsere Beziehungen. Je stärker die Veränderung, desto massiver wird die Beziehung auf die Probe gestellt. Was aber, wenn die Veränderung die*den eigene*n Partner*in in deren*dessen Geschlechterzuordnung betrifft? Wie kann eine Liebesbeziehung weitergeführt werden, wenn die*der Partner*in sich als transident outet? Kann eine Paarbeziehung so etwas überstehen?

This phase 1 study evaluated safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of obinutuzumab in combination with venetoclax in patients with previously untreated grade 1-3a follicular lymphoma in need of systemic therapy. Two DLs of venetoclax were evaluated with an expansion cohort at the recommended phase 2 dose. Twenty-five patients were enrolled. The recommended phase 2 dose was venetoclax 800 mg OD continuously for 6 cycles starting on day 2 of cycle 1, with obinutuzumab 1000 mg on days 1, 8, and 15 of cycle 1 and on day 1 of cycles 2 to 6, followed by obinutuzumab maintenance every 2 months for 2 years. Only 1 patient had a DLT consisting of grade 4 thrombocytopenia after the first obinutuzumab infusion. Neutropenia was the most common adverse event of grade ≥3 at least possibly attributed to study treatment. Twenty-four patients were evaluable for response after cycle 6 by computed tomography (CT) and 19 by positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT): overall and complete response rates were 87.5% (95% CI, 67.6% to 97.3%) and 25% (95% CI, 9.8% to 46.7%) in the CT-evaluated patients and 84.2% (95% CI, 60.4% to 96.6%) and 68.4% (95% CI, 43.4% to 87.4%), respectively, in the PET/CT-evaluated patients. One-year progression-free survival was 77.8% (95% CI, 54.6% to 90.1%) and 79% (95% CI, 47.9% to 92.7%) for CT and PET/CT-evaluable patients, respectively, whereas progression-free survival at 30 months was 73.2% (95% CI, 49.8%, 87.0%) as assessed by CT and 79.0% (95% CI, 47.9%, 92.7%) by PET/CT. Despite the activity observed, our results do not support further development of the combination in this patient population. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02877550.

Background: The SAKK 22/99 is a phase III randomized clinical trial launched by the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research and the European Institute of Oncology in Milan in 99 for women with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer (ABC). 175 patients were randomized 1:1 from Sept 99 to Jan 2013 to receive first-line trastuzumab (T) alone followed at disease progression by the combination with chemo (Arm A) vs the upfront combination of T and chemo (Arm B). The results were published in 2017 (O. Pagani et al Ann Onc 28: 305–312, 2017). The outcome was similar for sequential T-chemo or upfront combination The patients’ treatment and FU continued until March 2022 and we now report the safety data after 135.2 months of median FU. Patients and methods: at the time of study termination 1 patient with SD was still receiving T alone in the study and T was continued after trial closure. The safety analyses include 86 pts allocated to arm A and 88 to arm B. 1 pt did not receive any trial treatment and was excluded from this analyses. 19 of the 86 patients in arm A stopped trial treatment after T alone, 67 continued with T+ chemo. Baseline characteristics were well balanced and are summarized in Table 1. Treatment The T loading dose of 4 mg/kg/iv was followed by 2 mg/kg/iv weekly. In the 1st-line population (84) chemo was weekly paclitaxel (90 mg/m2/iv-3/4 weeks). After amendment 1 chemo was at investigator’s choice (taxanes, vinorelbine, platin) according to label indications and could be stopped after 24 weeks (6–8 cycles) in responding patients or after unacceptable toxicity. Results: 7 patients in arm A (8%) and 11 in arm B (13%) stopped trial treatment due to toxicities (Fisher’s exact test, p=0.46). 3 of the 7 patients in arm A stopped under T alone and 4 under T+chemo (all paclitaxel weekly) Treatment durations of these 7 and 11 patients were 7.7 months (range 0.5 – 49) in arm A and 5.5 months (range 0.6 – 31 months) in arm B, respectively. Cardiovascular toxicities: The most common toxicities were thromboembolic events, blood pressure disorders and arrhythmia. 6 patients (7%) in arm A and 10 (11%) in arm B had cardiac events (Fisher’s exact test, p=0.43). G1-3 toxicities occurred in 2 (2%), 2 (2%) and 2 (2%) patients of arm A and in 5 (7%), 2 (2%) and 3 (3%) of arm B. We observed no grade 4 events. Split by treatment phase in arm A, G1-3 toxicities were seen in in 1 (1%), 2 (2%) and 1 (1%) patient under T alone (N=86) and in 1 (1%), 0 (0%) and 2 (3%) under T+chemo (N=67). LVEF-decline: 78 patients in arm A and 74 in arm B had sequential LVEF measurements. A decline ≥ 10% was found in 35 patients (45%) in arm A and in 20 (27%) in arm B (Fisher’s exact test, p=0.028). Among the 35 patients in arm A, 12 had the decline under T alone, 14 under T+chemo, and 9 under both T alone and T+chemo. A decline ≥ 20% was found in 10 patients (13%) in arm A and in 3 (4%) in arm B (Fisher’s exact test, p=0.08). Among the 10 patients in arm A, 7 had the decline under T alone, 3 under T+chemo. Sensory neuropathy 43 patients (50%) in arm A and 48 (54%) in arm B had neuropathy (Fisher’s exact test, p=0.65). G1-3 toxicity in arm A was developed by 26 (30%), 11 (13%) and 6 (7%) patients, respectively; in arm B 30 (34%), 12 (14%) and 6 (7%). No grades 4 events occurred. Conclusion: After more than 11 years of follow-up, no relevant toxicities were found in these patients receiving T for ABC. In particular, the incidence and grade of cardiac toxicity was low. The decline in LVEF was numerically higher in the arm A and in particular in the T alone group, but was not clinically relevant. Our data potentially suggest that T+chemo followed by T maintenance could have less cardiotoxicity than T followed by T+chemo. The possible causes for the difference in LVEF decline between the two arms are unclear, but could be related to treatment duration. The women in Arm A shows a trend to longer therapy: Median treatment duration (months) in Arm A was 7.92 (0.46 - 135.98) vs 6.62 (0.56 - 71.28) in Arm B. This long-term analysis confirms the favorable safety and good tolerability of the reported regimes. Table 2: Treatment duration Citation Format: Manuela Rabaglio, Daniel Dietrich, Bernhard Scheibe, Thomas Ruhstaller, Franco Nole, Serenella Eppenberger, Christian Oehlschlegel, Dagmar Hess, Christoph Mamot, Elisabetta Munzone, Bernhard Pestalozzi, Stefan Aebi, Marcus Vetter, Beat Thuerlimann, Roger von Moos, Khalil Zaman, Olivia Pagani. Safety analysis after 11 years of follow-up of the randomized phase III trial SAKK22/99: upfront chemotherapy in advanced HER2 positive breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-01-25.

This open-label, phase I first-in-human study (NCT01915576) of BAY 1125976, a highly specific and potent allosteric inhibitor of AKT1/2, aimed to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and maximum tolerated dose of BAY 1125976 in patients with advanced solid tumors. Oral dose escalation was investigated with a continuous once daily (QD) treatment (21 days/cycle) and a twice daily (BID) schedule. A dose expansion in 28 patients with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer, including nine patients harboring the AKT1E17K mutation, was performed at the recommended phase 2 dose (R2D) of 60 mg BID. Dose-limiting toxicities (Grades 3&ndash, 4) were increased in transaminases, &gamma, glutamyltransferase (&gamma, GT), and alkaline phosphatase in four patients in both schedules and stomach pain in one patient. Of the 78 patients enrolled, one patient had a partial response, 30 had stable disease, and 38 had progressive disease. The clinical benefit rate was 27.9% among 43 patients treated at the R2D. AKT1E17K mutation status was not associated with tumor response. Genetic analyses revealed additional mutations that could promote tumor cell growth despite the inhibition of AKT1/2. BAY 1125976 was well tolerated and inhibited AKT1/2 signaling but did not lead to radiologic or clinical tumor responses. Thus, the refinement of a selection of biomarkers for AKT inhibitors is needed to improve their monotherapy activity.

3020 Background: CB-103 selectively inhibits the CSL-NICD interaction leading to down-regulation of CSL-NICD mediated oncogenic pathway activation downstream of NOTCH receptor/ligand signaling, and has shown potent anti-cancer activity as single agent and in combination with targeted/chemotherapies in preclinical models. The aim of this dose escalation/expansion phase 1/2a study is to assess safety, maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D), preliminary activity, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of CB-103. Methods: Eligible were adult patients (pts) with advanced or recurrent selected solid tumors. Tumor tissue, where available, was retrospectively tested for NOTCH pathway activating mutations and surrogate tissues were evaluated for gene expression of related target genes. CB-103 was given orally in 28 days cycles at escalating doses until disease progression or toxicity. In a dose confirmatory cohort, NOTCH activation will be prospectively assessed to determine eligibility. Results: Forty-one pts (19 adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), 16 colorectal and 4 breast cancer, 2 prostate cancer) were assigned to increasing dose levels starting from 15mg once daily (OD). Median age was 55 years (range 25-76). Median number of prior lines of therapy was 2 (range 0-7). Thirty-two pts in 8 escalation groups completed the 28-day DLT window. One DLT (asymptomatic grade (G) 3 GGT increase) was observed at the highest dose (600mg). Related treatment emergent adverse events (AE) occurring in >10% of pts were nausea (24%), diarrhea (20%), dyspepsia (15%), fatigue (12%) and vision blurred (12%), all G 1/2. No discontinuations occurred due to treatment-related AEs. The MTD has not been reached. Several pts reported vision changes that improved over time and were fully reversible after stopping the drug. Median time on treatment for all pts was 52 days (range 5-249). Best response was stable disease (SD). For ACC pts, preliminary median PFS was 21.7 weeks (95% confidence interval (CI) 13.7-22.4 weeks) and disease control rate (DCR) was 79% at week 8 and 58 % at week 20. Three pts with ACC harboring activating NOTCH alterations had radiologically confirmed stable disease (SD) > 6 months. Importantly, in 3 pts with NOTCH positive disease a temporary stop of tumor growth was observed. One pt showed a reduction in size of a liver lesion up to 25% before progression due to new lesions. Mechanistically, strong on-treatment downregulation of NOTCH target genes was observed. The dose of 600mg CB-103 OD was declared the RP2D. Conclusions: CB-103 is the first drug to effectively control the CSL-NICD transcription complex. CB-103 is well tolerated in pts with advanced tumors and, as expected on the basis of mechanistic studies, in the absence of the typical toxicities associated with Notch targeting GSIs or mABs. The RP2D has been established for advancing clinical development into phase 2. Clinical trial information: NCT03422679.

Downregulation of the unfolded protein response mediates proteasome inhibitor resistance in multiple myeloma. The Human Immunodeficieny Virus protease inhibitor nelfinavir activates the unfolded protein response in vitro. We determined dose-limiting toxicity and recommended dose for phase II of nelfinavir in combination with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. Twelve patients with advanced hematologic malignancies were treated with nelfinavir (2500-5000 mg/day p.o., days 1-14, 3+3 dose escalation) and bortezomib (1.3 mg/m(2), days 1, 4, 8, 11; 21-day cycles). A run in phase with nelfinavir monotherapy allowed pharmakokinetic/pharmakodynamic assessment of nelfinavir in the presence or absence of concomittant bortezomib. End points included dose-limiting toxicity, activation of the unfolded protein response, proteasome activity, toxicity and response to trial treatment. Nelfinavir 2×2500 mg was the recommended phase II dose identified. Nelfinavir alone significantly up-regulated expression of proteins related to the unfolded protein response in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and inhibited proteasome activity. Of 10 evaluable patients in the dose escalation cohort, 3 achieved a partial response, 4 stable disease for 2 cycles or more, while 3 had progressive disease as best response. In an exploratory extension cohort with 6 relapsed, bortezomib-refractory, lenalidomide-resistant myeloma patients treated at the recommended phase II dose, 3 reached a partial response, 2 a minor response, and one progressive disease. The combination of nelfinavir with bortezomib is safe and shows promising activity in advanced, bortezomib-refractory multiple myeloma. Induction of the unfolded protein response by nelfinavir may overcome the biological features of proteasome inhibitor resistance. (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: 01164709).

In advanced HER2+ breast cancer the impact of combining Trastuzumab (T) and chemotherapy (chemo) versus T alone followed by the addition of chemo at disease progression has not been properly studied. Study design The trial compared efficacy, toxicity and quality of life of sequential administration of T followed, at progression, by combination with chemo (T>TChemo) versus the upfront combination of T and chemo (TChemo) in patients with HER2+ advanced breast cancer. Materials and methods Eligibility: measurable/evaluable HER2+ advanced disease; ≤2 previous chemo; ECOG performance status The estimated median TTP-TChemo in the control arm (TChemo) was 5-6 months. A 3 months’ increase in the experimental T>TChemo arm was considered meaningful. The chemo backbone was at investigator’s choice (taxanes, vinorelbine, cisplatin) and could be stopped after 6 cycles in responding patients. T was continued until progression. Treatment after progression under TChemo was by investigators’ decision. Patients’ characteristics From Sept 1999–Jan 2013, 175 patients were enrolled. The trial was stopped prematurely due to insufficient accrual. Baseline characteristics were well balanced between arms: median age 55 years (32–79), ER and/or progesterone receptor positive 63%, ≥2 disease sites 91%, dominant bone 36% or dominant visceral disease 66%, 1stline therapy 72%. Results At the cutoff date (May 2014) 173 patients were evaluable: median follow up 77.7 months, 29 patients (17%) censored when receiving, at chemo stop, off-protocol treatment before progression (maintenance metronomic chemotherapy or endocrine therapy), 11 patients (6%) had no event at the end of follow-up. TTP-TChemo was longer than expected in both arms (12.7 months T>TChemo, 10.3 months TChemo) and not significantly different (HR=0.7; 95% CI, 0.5–1.0; p=0.08). In the T>TChemo arm, median TTP before introduction of chemo was 3.7 months (95% CI 2.3–5.1). Overall survival was not significantly different, 35.6 months versus 36.3 months (HR=0.9; 95% CI, 0.6–1.3; p=0.50). Toxicity was mainly chemo related, consistent with the chosen regimen. Cardiac toxicity was mild (no grade 4, 1 cardiac failure NYHA III in the T>TChemo arm). No treatment-related death was reported. Conclusions The sequential administration of T and chemo showed a non-significant trend to longer TTP-TChemo compared to upfront combination therapy: it allows to delay chemo use and its toxicity and seems a reasonable approach. TTP-TChemo was better than projected in both arms. The sequential strategy with double anti-HER2 targeting (T/Pertuzumab) is now under evaluation in 1st-line patients in the SAKK 22/10 trial. Citation Format: Olivia Pagani, Dirk Klingbiel, Thomas Ruhstaller, Franco Nolè, Serenella Eppenberger, Christian Oehlschlegel, Jürg Bernhard, Peter Brauchli, Dagmar Hess, Christoph Mamot, Elisabetta Munzone, Bernhard Pestalozzi, Manuela Rabaglio, Karin Ribi, Christoph Rochlitz, Karin Rothgiesser, Beat Thürlimann, Roger von Moos, Khalil Zaman, Aron Goldhirsch. Advanced HER2 positive breast cancer treated with trastuzumab: Is combination with chemotherapy always needed? Randomized phase III trial SAKK 22/99 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-15-11.

Background HER2-targeted therapy plus chemotherapy is standard treatment in advanced HER2+ breast cancer. Trastuzumab alone followed by addition of chemotherapy at disease progression versus upfront combination therapy has not been elucidated. Patients and methods One-hundred seventy-five patients with measurable/evaluable HER2+ advanced disease without previous HER2-directed therapy were randomized to trastuzumab alone followed, at disease progression, by the combination with chemotherapy (Arm A) or upfront trastuzumab plus chemotherapy (Arm B). Chemotherapy could be stopped after ≥6 cycles in responding patients, trastuzumab was continued until progression. The primary endpoint of this superiority trial was time to progression (TTP) on combined trastuzumab-chemotherapy (Combination-TTP) in both arms. Secondary endpoints included response rate, TTP, overall survival, quality of life and toxicity. Results Combination-TTP was longer than expected in both arms, 12.2 months in Arm A and 10.3 months in Arm B and not significantly different (hazard ratio [HR] 0.7; 95% CI 0.5-1.1; P =0.1). Overall survival was also not significantly different (HR 0.9; 95% CI 0.6-1.5; P = 0.55). In Arm A, the median TTP before introduction of chemotherapy was 3.7 months (95% CI 2.3-5.4), yet at 2 years 6% of patients were still on trastuzumab alone. Patients without visceral disease had a Combination-TTP of 21.8 months in arm A, compared with 10.1 months in arm B (unplanned analysis HR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1-4.2, P = 0.03). Patients with visceral disease showed no difference. Toxicity was chemotherapy-related. Conclusion The outcome of patients receiving sequential trastuzumab-chemotherapy or upfront combination was similar. We failed to demonstrate superiority of the sequential approach. These results nevertheless suggest chemotherapy and its toxicity can be deferred, especially in patients with indolent, non-visceral disease. Despite a larger non-inferiority confirmatory study would be needed, these findings represent an additional proof of concept that de-escalation strategies can be discussed in individual patients.

Purpose This study assessed the pharmacokinetics and safety of oral panobinostat and its metabolite BJB432 in patients with advanced solid tumors and normal to severely impaired renal function. Methods Patients with varying degrees of renal impairment, defined by their 24-h baseline urine creatinine clearance (as normal, mild, moderate or severe), received a single oral dose of 30 mg panobinostat. Serial plasma samples were collected pre-dose and up to 96-h post-dose. Serial urine samples were collected for 24-h post-dose. Following the serial PK sampling, patients received 30 mg oral panobinostat thrice weekly for as long as the patient had benefit. Pharmacokinetic parameters were derived using non-compartmental analysis. Results Thirty-seven patients were enrolled, and median age was 64 (range 40–81) years. Eleven patients had normal renal function; 10, 10, and 6 patients had mild, moderate, and severe renal impairment, respectively. Geometric means of AUC0–∞ in the normal, mild, moderate, and severe groups were 224.5, 144.3, 223.1, and 131.7 ng h/mL, respectively. Geometric mean ratio of BJB432 to parent drug plasma AUC0–∞ was 0.64 in the normal group and increased to 0.81, 1.13, and 1.20 in the mild, moderate, and severe groups, respectively. The fraction excreted as unchanged panobinostat was small (

PURPOSE Survivin is a member of the inhibitor-of-apoptosis family. Essential for tumor cell survival and overexpressed in most cancers, survivin is a promising target for anti-cancer immunotherapy. Immunogenicity has been demonstrated in multiple cancers. Nonetheless, few clinical trials have demonstrated survivin-vaccine-induced immune responses. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN This phase I trial was conducted to test whether vaccine EMD640744, a cocktail of five HLA class I-binding survivin peptides in Montanide(®) ISA 51 VG, promotes anti-survivin T-cell responses in patients with solid cancers. The primary objective was to compare immunologic efficacy of EMD640744 at doses of 30, 100, and 300 μg. Secondary objectives included safety, tolerability, and clinical efficacy. RESULTS In total, 49 patients who received ≥2 EMD640744 injections with available baseline- and ≥1 post-vaccination samples [immunologic-diagnostic (ID)-intention-to-treat] were analyzed by ELISpot- and peptide/MHC-multimer staining, revealing vaccine-activated peptide-specific T-cell responses in 31 patients (63 %). This cohort included the per study protocol relevant ID population for the primary objective, i.e., T-cell responses by ELISpot in 17 weeks following first vaccination, as well as subjects who discontinued the study before week 17 but showed responses to the treatment. No dose-dependent effects were observed. In the majority of patients (61 %), anti-survivin responses were detected only after vaccination, providing evidence for de novo induction. Best overall tumor response was stable disease (28 %). EMD640744 was well tolerated; local injection-site reactions constituted the most frequent adverse event. CONCLUSIONS Vaccination with EMD640744 elicited T-cell responses against survivin peptides in the majority of patients, demonstrating the immunologic efficacy of EMD640744.

Background The safety, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics of CEP-18770, a new peptide boronic acid proteasome inhibitor, have been investigated after intravenous administration on days 1, 4, 8 and 11 of every 21 d cycle in patients with solid tumours and multiple myeloma (MM). Patients and methods Thirty-eight patients were treated with CEP-18770 at escalating doses from 0.1 to 1.8 mg/m 2 where 2 out of 5 patients showed dose limiting toxicities. The maximum tolerated/recommended dose (MTD/RD) of 1.5 mg/m 2 was tested in 12 additional patients. Skin rash was dose-limiting and occurred in 53% of patients; other frequent toxicities were asthenia (29%), stomatitis (21%) and pyrexia (16%). No significant peripheral neuropathy was observed. PK in plasma was linear with a half-life of the elimination phase of 62.0 ± 43.5 h. Proteasome inhibition in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was dose related in MM patients; it was of 45.4 ± 11.5% at the RD. Conclusions CEP-18770 showed a favourable safety profile with lack of neurotoxicity and linear plasma PK. The definition of the optimal biological dose and schedule of treatment is actively pursued because of the high incidence of skin toxicity of the twice a week schedule.

Background Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) is an established treatment for relapsed ovarian cancer. Preclinical and clinical evidences in other tumor types suggest that the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib can act synergistically with PLD. Methods Patients with relapsed ovarian cancer (N = 58), previously treated with platinum (100%) and taxane (95%), received bortezomib, 1.3 mg/m2 intravenous (days 1, 4, 8, and 11), and PLD, 30 mg/m2 intravenous (day 1), every 3 weeks. Tumor responses were assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors and Gynecologic Cancer Intergroup criteria. An optimal 2-stage design was implemented. Gene expression profiling in peripheral blood was characterized before and during treatment in 10 platinum-sensitive patients enrolled in stage 2 of the study. Results Median number of bortezomib-PLD cycles was 3.5. Of 38 patients in the platinum-sensitive group, 9 responses were observed (median duration, 4.8 months). The platinum-resistant group was closed at stage 1 owing to lack of response. Toxicity was moderate and mainly consisted of hematologic, gastrointestinal, and mucositis events. Of the total 58 patients, peripheral neuropathy was reported in 9 patients (none were grade 3). Transcription profiling identified the prevalence of genes associated with ribonucleoprotein complexes, RNA processing, and protein translation. The gene expression changes were more robust in patients who responded or had stable disease compared with patients who had progressive disease. Conclusions The combination of bortezomib and PLD was well tolerated, but the antitumor activity is insufficient to warrant further investigation in ovarian cancer.

Background: The additive cytotoxicity in vitro prompted a clinical study evaluating the non-prodrug rapamycin analogue ridaforolimus (AP23573; MK-8669; formerly deforolimus) administered i.v. combined with paclitaxel (PTX; Taxol). Materials and methods: Patients with taxane-sensitive solid tumors were eligible. The main dose escalation foresaw 50% ridaforolimus increments from 25 mg with a fixed PTX dose of 80 mg/m 2 , both given weekly 3 weeks in a 4-week cycle. Collateral levels with a lower dose of either drug were planned upon achievement of the maximum tolerated dose in the main escalation. Pharmacodynamic studies in plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and skin biopsies and pharmacokinetic (PK) interaction studies at cycles 1 and 2 were carried out. Results: Two recommended doses were determined: 37.5 mg ridaforolimus/60 mg/m 2 PTX and 12.5 mg/80 mg/m 2 . Most frequent toxic effects were mouth sores (79%), anemia (79%), fatigue (59%), neutropenia (55%) and dermatitis (48%). Two partial responses were observed in pharyngeal squamous cell and pancreatic carcinoma. Eight patients achieved stable disease ‡4 months. No drug interaction emerged from PK studies. Decrease of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein1 (4E-BP1) phosphorylation was shown in PBMCs. Similar inhibition of phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and mitogen-activated protein kinase was present in reparative epidermis and vascular tissues, respectively. Conclusion: Potential antiangiogenic effects and encouraging antitumor activity justify further development of the

Background: Gimatecan is an orally bioavailable camptothecin analogue with preclinical findings of promising antitumor activity. A phase I design of concerted dose escalation and dosing duration was implemented to assess the potential schedule dependency of tolerability that emerged from animal studies. Patients and methods: Gimatecan was given daily for five consecutive days per week for 1, 2 or 3 weeks every 28 days. Plasma levels of total gimatecan were measured on the first and the last day of treatment in each schedule. Results: Overall, 108 patients were treated with 0.8–7.2 mg/m2 of gimatecan per cycle. The main toxicity was myelosuppression with dose-limiting thrombocytopenia. In the 1-, 2- and 3-week schedule, the maximum tolerated doses were 4.5, 5.6 and 6.4 mg/m2. Diarrhea and asthenia were of low grade and of minor clinical relevance, while the higher incidence of nausea and vomiting in the 1-week schedule required the use of antiemetic prophylaxis. Due to the prolonged half-life (∼77 h), the plasma concentration of gimatecan increased from the first to the last day of dosing. Six partial responses were observed. Conclusions: Tolerability of gimatecan was schedule dependent. Further testing with schedules taking into account its long persistence in human plasma is worthwhile.

Background: We evaluated previously established regimens of capecitabine plus vinorelbine in older patients with advanced breast cancer stratified for presence versus absence of bone metastases. Patients and Methods: Patients ≧65 years who had received no prior chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer received up to six 21-day cycles of vinorelbine 20 mg/m2 i.v. on days 1 + 8 with oral capecitabine on days 1–14 (1,000 vs. 1,250 mg/m2 daily in patients with vs. without bone involvement). Results: Median age was 72 years in patients with bone metastases (n = 47) and 75 years in patients without bone metastases (n = 23). Response rates were 43% (95% confidence interval, CI, 28.3–58.8) and 57% (95% CI = 34.5–76.8), respectively. Median time to progression was 4.3 (95% CI = 3.5–6.0 months) and 7.0 months (CI = 4.1–8.3), respectively. Neutropenia was the most common toxicity, with grade 3/4 occurring in 43 and 39%, respectively. Pulmonary embolism was seen in 5 and grade 3 thrombosis in 3 patients. Other toxicities were mild to moderate. Conclusions: These regimens of capecitabine and vinorelbine are active and well tolerated in patients with advanced breast cancer ≧65 years. Response rates were comparable to published results. The lower capecitabine doses appeared appropriate given the advanced age, bone involvement and prior radiotherapy.

Previous cancer vaccination trials often aimed to activate CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) responses with short (8–10mer) peptides and targeted CD4+ helper T cells (TH) with HLA class II–binding longer peptides (12–16 mer) that were derived from tumor antigens. Accordingly, a study of immunomonitoring focused on the detection of CTL responses to the short, and TH responses to the long, peptides. The possible induction of concurrent TH responses to short peptides was widely neglected. In a recent phase I vaccination trial, 53 patients with different solid cancers were vaccinated with EMD640744, a cocktail of five survivin-derived short (9- or 10-mer) peptides in Montanide ISA 51VG. We monitored 49 patients and found strong CD8+ T-cell responses in 63% of the patients. In addition, we unexpectedly found CD4+ TH cell responses against at least two of the five short peptides in 61% (23/38) of the patients analyzed. The two peptides were recognized by HLA-DP4– and HLA-DR–restricted TH1 cells. Some short peptide–reactive (sp)CD4 T cells showed high functional avidity. Here, we show that a short peptide vaccine is able to activate a specific CD4+ T-cell repertoire in many patients, facilitating a strong combined CD4+/CD8+ T-cell response. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(1); 18–25. ©2015 AACR.

It is desirable to identify the most effective sequence of endocrine therapies for the treatment of postmenopausal women with advanced, hormone-responsive breast cancer. In a retrospective analysis of two large, randomized, comparative Phase III trials in this patient population, the Tamoxifen or 'Arimidex' Randomized Group Efficacy and Tolerability (TARGET) trial and the North American trial, we ascertained that tumors responding to anastrozole as first-line therapy may subsequently respond to tamoxifen as second-line therapy. In a double-blind cross-over trial, the SAKK 21/95 sub-trial (including patients from the Swiss centres in the TARGET trial), we further investigated the clinical impact of anastrozole followed by tamoxifen compared with that of tamoxifen followed by anastrozole. Patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who had continued on randomized treatment until objective disease progression and were still considered suitable for endocrine therapy, could continue on blinded therapy crossing-over to the alternative treatment. They were assessed for time to progression (TTP) from treatment randomization, TTP after crossing-over treatments, time from randomization to progression after crossing-over treatments and overall survival. Median TTP from randomization for patients receiving first-line treatment with anastrozole (n = 31) and tamoxifen (n = 29) was 11.3 and 8.3 months, respectively, p = 0.75. Median TTP from treatment cross-over was 6.7 months for tamoxifen after progression on anastrozole (n = 19) and 5.7 months for anastrozole after progression on tamoxifen (n = 18), while median time from randomization to second progression was 28.2 and 19.5 months, respectively. Overall survival from randomization for the anastrozole-tamoxifen sequence and the tamoxifen-anastrozole sequence was 69.7 versus 59.3 months, respectively, p = 0.10. The relative risk of death was higher for the tamoxifen followed by anastrozole sequence (1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.89-2.98). Tamoxifen is an effective second-line therapy after anastrozole. Our data, together with the better tolerability profile of anastrozole compared with tamoxifen, support the use of anastrozole as first-line therapy for advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive tumors. Treatment with tamoxifen may still be useful upon subsequent progression.

PNU-159548 (4-demethoxy-3′-deamino-3′-aziridinyl-4′-methylsulphonyl-daunorubicin) is the lead compound of a novel class of cytotoxic agents (alkycyclines) with a unique mechanism of action combining DNA intercalation with alkylation of guanines in the DNA major groove. The objectives of two phase I studies were to assess the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and to study the pharmacokinetics (PKs) of PNU-159548 and its active metabolite PNU-169884 when administered intravenously (i.v.) over 10 or 60 min to patients with advanced solid tumours. Patients were treated with escalating doses of PNU-159548, courses repeated every 21 days at doses ranging from 1.0 to 16 mg/m 2 . For pharmacokinetic analysis, plasma sampling was performed during the first course and assayed using a validated high-performance liquid chromatographic assay with mass spectrometric detection. 69 patients received a total of 161 courses. The MTD was reached at 14 and 16 mg/m 2 in heavily (HP) and minimally pretreated/non-pretreated (MP) patients, respectively, with thrombocytopenia as the DLT. A hypersensitivity reaction was observed in 8 patients across all dose levels, characterised by fever with chills, erythema, facial oedema and dyspnoea. The PKs of PNU-159548 and PNU-169884 were linear over the dose range studied. A significant correlation was observed between the percentage decrease in platelet count and the AUC of PNU-159548. In these studies, the DLT of PNU-159548 was thrombocytopenia. The recommended dose for phase II studies of PNU-159548 is 12 and 14 mg/m 2 administered i.v. over 10 min, once every 21 days, in HP and MP patients, respectively.

To evaluate the pharmacokinetics and safety of oral panobinostat in patients with advanced solid tumors and varying degrees of hepatic function. Patients with advanced solid malignancies, acceptable bone marrow and renal function, and normal or impaired hepatic function, per NCI-ODWG criteria, were eligible. Initially patients received a single oral dose of 30 mg panobinostat for a 1-week pharmacokinetic study (core phase). Subsequently, patients received thrice-weekly panobinostat for as long as beneficial (extension phase safety assessment). Core phase serial blood samples for panobinostat and metabolite BJB432 assay were collected pre-dose and up to 96 h post-dose. Twenty-five patients were enrolled, median age 58 years (range 45–76). Fifteen patients had hepatic dysfunction (8 mild, 6 moderate, and 1 severe). Reductions in panobinostat plasma clearance were 30 and 51 %, with concomitant 43 and 105 % increase in exposure, for patients with mild and moderate hepatic dysfunction, respectively. Median peak plasma concentrations were 1.4-(mild) and 1.8-(moderate) fold higher than the normal group. Hepatic impairment did not alter panobinostat absorption with Tmax unchanged at 2 h. Geometric mean ratios of BJB432 to panobinostat plasma AUC0–∞ were similar in patients with normal, mild, or moderate hepatic impairment. Safety data were consistent with known safety profile of panobinostat in patients with advanced cancers and normal liver function. Despite increased plasma exposure, patients with mild or moderate hepatic dysfunction could be safely treated with the same starting dose of panobinostat as patients with normal hepatic function, with careful monitoring and dose adjustments as required.

627^ Background: Preclinical data show PI3K-pathway inhibition can enhance the efficacy of anticancer therapy, such as PTX or TZ. In this 4-arm Ph Ib study (NCT01285466), buparlisib (pan-PI3K inhib...

A phase I dose-escalation study of MSC1992371A, an oral aurora kinase inhibitor, was carried out in patients with hematologic malignancies. Patients received escalating doses either on days 1-3 and 8-10 (n=36) or on days 1-6 (n=39) of a 21-day cycle. The maximum tolerated doses were 37 and 28 mg/m(2)/day, respectively. Dose-limiting toxicities included severe neutropenia with infection and sepsis, mucositis/stomatitis, and diarrhea. Complete responses occurred in 3 patients. Four disease-specific expansion cohorts then received the dose and schedule dictated by the escalation phase but the study was prematurely discontinued due to hematologic and gastrointestinal toxicity at clinically effective doses.

The broad spectrum of antitumor activity of both the oral platinum analogue satraplatin (S) and capecitabine (C), along with the advantage of their oral administration, prompted a clinical study aimed to define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the combination.Four dose levels of S (mg/m(2)/day) and C (mg/m(2)/day) were evaluated in adult patients with advanced solid tumors: 60/1650, 80/1650, 60/2000, 70/2000; a course consisted of 28 days with sequential administration of S (days 1-5) and C (days 8-21) followed by one week rest.Thirty-seven patients were treated, 24 in the dose escalation and 13 in the expansion phase; at the MTD, defined at S 70/C 2000, two patients presented dose limiting toxicities: lack of recovery of neutropenia by day 42 and nausea with dose skip of C. Most frequent toxicities were nausea (57%), diarrhea (51%), neutropenia (46%), anorexia, fatigue, vomiting (38% each). Two partial responses were observed in platinum sensitive ovarian cancer and one in prostate cancer.At S 70/C 2000 the combination of sequential S and C is tolerated with manageable toxicities; its evaluation in platinum and fluorouracil sensitive tumor types is worthwhile because of the easier administration and lack of nephro- and neurotoxicity as compared to parent compounds.

Purpose Synergistic/additive cytotoxicity in tumor models and widespread applicability of fluoropyrimidines in solid tumors prompted the study of the combination of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, non-prodrug rapamycin analog ridaforolimus, with capecitabine. Patients and Methods Thirty-two adult patients were treated. Intravenous ridaforolimus was given once weekly for 3 weeks and capecitabine was given from days 1 to 14 every 4 weeks. Ridaforolimus was given at 25, 37.5, 50, or 75 mg with capecitabine at 1,650 mg/m2 or 1,800 mg/m2 divided into two daily doses. Pharmacokinetics of both drugs were determined during cycles 1 and 2. Pharmacodynamic studies in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and wound tissue of the skin characterized pathways associated with the metabolism or disposition of fluoropyrimidines and mTOR and ERK signaling. Results Two recommended doses (RDs) were defined: 75 mg ridaforolimus/1,650 mg/m2 capecitabine and 50 mg ridaforolimus/1,800 mg/m2 capecitabine. Dose-limiting toxicities were stomatitis and skin rash. One patient achieved a partial response lasting 10 months and 10 of 29 evaluable patients had stable disease for ≥ 6 months. The only pharmacokinetic interaction was a ridaforolimus-induced increase in plasma exposure to fluorouracil. PBMC data suggested that prolonged exposure to capecitabine reduced the ridaforolimus inhibition of mTOR. Ridaforolimus influenced the metabolism of fluoropyrimidines and inhibited dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, behavior similar to that of rapamycin. Inhibition of the target thymidylate synthase by capecitabine was unaffected. mTOR and ERK signaling was inhibited in proliferating endothelial cells and was more pronounced at the RD with the larger amount of ridaforolimus. Conclusion Good tolerability, feasibility of prolonged treatment, antitumor activity, and favorable pharmacologic profile support further investigation of this combination.

Objectives: The purpose of this investigation was firstly to assess the overall frequency of subjectively experienced symptoms self-reported by patients receiving endocrine therapy and secondly to compare these symptoms with side effects assessed by clinicians in pivotal trials. Methods: Unselected patients with early and advanced breast cancer receiving endocrine therapy were approached consecutively during a routine outpatient visit. They received a questionnaire called Checklist for Patients with Endocrine Therapy (C-PET), a validated self-assessment tool to determine prespecified symptoms associated with endocrine therapy. Data on toxicity were also obtained from previously published trials. Results: 405 patients were approached and 373 agreed to participate in this study. Some symptoms were significantly more often recorded by the women in the adjuvant setting completing the C-PET than by physicians’ reports in pivotal trials: hot flushes/sweats (C-PET 70%, ATAC 40% and BIG1-98 38%), low energy (C-PET 45%, ATAC 15% and BIG1-98 9%), fluid retention (C-PET 22% and BIG1-98 7%) and vaginal dryness (C-PET 30% and BIG1-98 3%). Similar differences were observed in the metastatic and adjuvant setting. Conclusions: A simple tool like the C-PET questionnaire is able to reflect the treatment burden of endocrine therapies and may be helpful to improve communication between patients and care providers. Some symptoms were significantly more often reported by the women in the C-PET than by physicians in pivotal trials.

Coagulation activation appears to play a role in tumor progression. Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) may influence tumor growth and LMWHs have been shown to beneficially influence tumor response to chemotherapy. In a phase II study using docetaxel plus enoxaparin in 25 patients with advanced breast cancer, fibrin monomer, transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta(1)) and response rates were evaluated. Enoxaparin was administered at a daily dose of 0, 5 or 1.0 mg/kg and docetaxel at 35-45 mg/m(2) once weekly. Nine patients achieved a partial response (36%) and nine patients (36%) had stable disease. The median time to progression was 11.5 weeks (range 5-51 weeks), and 16 weeks combining patients with partial remission and stable disease. One major bleed occurred. Patients with partial remission had a significant decrease of TGF-beta(1) and fibrin (P < 0.05). A significant correlation between TGF-beta(1) and fibrin monomer was also seen in all subgroups independent of clinical response. The most frequent toxicities were granulocytopenia, asthenia, transient peripheral edema and temporary hot flushes. In conclusion, docetaxel plus enoxaparin was quite active and well tolerated in patients with advanced breast cancer. These preliminary data suggest further clinical research using chemotherapy plus enoxaparin as an antitumor therapy in advanced breast cancer is warranted.

Background: PQR309 is a novel, oral, balanced pan-PI3K, mTORC1 and mTORC2 inhibitor. Preclinical experiments show promising anti-cancer activity. The primary objectives of this FIM trial of PQR309 were definition of maximal tolerated dose (MTD), and safety. Methods: The trial was designed as an accelerated 3+3 study. Patients with advanced solid tumors with no standard management options were eligible. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined as either grade 4 neutropenia >7 days, febrile neutropenia, grade 4 thrombocytopenia, non-hematological toxicity of either grade 4, uncontrolled grade 3 >7 days or dose-limiting grade 2, or treatment delay >14 days. The DLT period was 21 days. Starting dose of PQR-309 was 10mg once daily (OD) continuously, based on preclinical data and a No observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 4 mg/kg in non-rodent species. The predefined dose levels were 10, 20, 40, 80, 120mg adjusted by dose banding method to the patient weight. Additional flat doses at 80 and 100 mg were investigated. The highest dose reached with this schedule was 150mg OD. Toxicities were assessed throughout dose escalation. 21 patients were included in the trial. Results: No DLT has been observed to date. Drug-related adverse events (AE) included hyperglycemia, rash, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue. The most common AE ≥ grade 3 was hyperglycemia in 5 patients. Blood sugar levels were manageable with oral antidiabetic drugs or insulin. Preliminary PK evaluation estimates a half-life of about 20 hours. Cmax and AUC show dose proportionality. Preliminary PD assessment of 16 phospho-proteins involved in PI3K and MAPK signaling in fresh-frozen tumor biopsies, indicates downregulation of p-Akt, pS6 and p4EPB from 40mg OD. In addition, moderate inhibition of p-Erk was also observed. This correlates with preclinical data. Preliminary signs of clinical anti-cancer activity include 1 patient with clear cell cancer of the Bartholin's gland experiencing stable disease for over 16 weeks. No DLT has been observed up to doses of 150mg OD. Based on these data, further dose escalation in this study will continue with intermittent dosing schedules. Trials of PQR309 in combination with other anti-cancer agents are planned. Citation Format: Andreas Wicki, Cristiana Sessa, Alexa Childs, Anastasios Stathis, Dagmar Hess, Markus Joerger, Roger von Moos, Jordi Rodon, Cinta Hierro, Natasa Cmiljanovic, Vincent Bize, Simona Berardi, Alexandros Xyrafas, Rebecca Kristeleit. First-in-man (FIM) pharmacodynamic (PD) and pharmacokinetic (PK) phase I trial of PQR309 in advanced solid tumors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr CT310. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-CT310

2592 Background: PQR309 is a novel, orally bioavailable, balanced pan-PI3K, mTORC1 and mTORC2 inhibitor. Methods: An accelerated 3+3 DE, open label Phase 1 trial of continuous once daily (OD) PQR30...

Purpose In this study, two doses of temsirolimus (CCI-779), a novel inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin, were evaluated for efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics in patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who had been heavily pretreated. Patients and Methods Patients (n = 109) were randomly assigned to receive 75 or 250 mg of temsirolimus weekly as a 30-minute intravenous infusion. Patients were evaluated for tumor response, time to tumor progression, adverse events, and pharmacokinetics of temsirolimus. Results Temsirolimus produced an objective response rate of 9.2% (10 partial responses) in the intent-to-treat population. Median time to tumor progression was 12.0 weeks. Efficacy was similar for both dose levels but toxicity was more common with the higher dose level, especially grade 3 or 4 depression (10% of patients at the 250-mg dose level, 0% at the 75-mg dose level). The most common temsirolimus-related adverse events of all grades were mucositis (70%), maculopapular rash (51%), and nausea (43%). The most common, clinically important grade 3 or 4 adverse events were mucositis (9%), leukopenia (7%), hyperglycemia (7%), somnolence (6%), thrombocytopenia (5%), and depression (5%). Conclusion In heavily pretreated patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, 75 and 250 mg temsirolimus showed antitumor activity and 75 mg temsirolimus showed a generally tolerable safety profile.

CHS 828 is a new guanidino-containing drug. The aim of this study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), the recommended dose and the toxicity of CHS 828. CHS 828 was given orally once every 3 weeks. The starting dose was 50 mg, which was escalated to 500 mg. A total of 107 courses was administered to 37 patients. At the 500-mg dose level, two of three patients experienced dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) (grade 3 mucositis and grade 4 thrombocytopenia), establishing this as the MTD. One of seven patients treated at 420 mg dose experienced DLT (grade 4 leucopenia, grade 4 mucositis and grade 4 diarrhoea), and this was considered the recommended dose for phase II studies. Vomiting, haematuria, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia were other significant toxicities. The pharmacokinetics of CHS 828 showed large variations both between and within patients. No objective responses were seen. A dose of 420 mg of CHS 828 administered every 3 weeks is the recommended dose, while 500 mg is the MTD.

Background Few chemotherapy regimens are suitable for the treatment of elderly patients with advanced breast cancer. With the aim of finding a regimen with a low burden of subjective non-overlapping toxic effects, vinorelbine and capecitabine were chosen to be investigated in a phase I dose-finding study. Patients and methods Thirty-six patients with advanced breast cancer were stratified for the presence of bone and non-bone involvement and treated at four dose levels from capecitabine 800 mg/m2 orally days 1–14 and vinorelbine 20 mg/m2 intravenously days 1 and 8, to capecitabine 1250 mg/m2 orally days 1–14 and vinorelbine 25 mg/m2 intravenously days 1 and 8, for a maximum of six cycles. None of the patients had received prior chemotherapy for metastatic/advanced disease. Fifty-three per cent of patients with bone metastases and 67% of patients without bone metastases had visceral disease. The median age was 70 years for the 15 with bone involvement patients and 73 years for the 21 without bone involvement patients. Results Twenty-eight patients were fully evaluable for hematological dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), and all patients for other DLTs and for antitumor activity. One DLT with grade 3 venous thrombosis at dose level 2 and two dose-limiting neutropenia events at level 3 occurred in patients without bone involvement. Two dose-limiting neutropenia events were observed at dose level 2 for patients with bone involvement. Thus, the recommended dose was defined at level 1 (capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 days 1–14 and vinorelbine 20 mg/m2 days 1 and 8) for patients with bone involvement. For patients without bone involvement, the recommended dose was at level 2 (capecitabine 1250 mg/m2 days 1–14 and vinorelbine 20 mg/m2 days 1 and 8). For patients without bone involvement the overall response rate was 48% and the time to progression (TTP) was 4.5 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.3–6.9]. For patients with bone involvement the overall response rate was 53% and TTP was 5.3 months (95% CI 2.7–7.8). Conclusions This regimen of capecitabine and vinorelbine is well tolerated and effective in elderly patients with metastatic breast cancer. Toxicity was mainly hematological and was observed at a lower dose in patients with bone involvement. A phase II study with the two different dose levels for elderly patients with and without bone involvement is currently being conducted.

Background The pan-PI3K inhibitor BKM120 and the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor BEZ235 have demonstrated preclinical and clinical antitumor activity as single agents and in combination with other drugs. Here, we report interim results of BKM120 or BEZ235 + PTX in pts with advanced solid tumors. Methods In the first 2 arms of this 4-arm Phase Ib dose-escalation study, pts with metastatic or locally advanced solid tumors received once-daily oral BKM120 or BEZ235 + wkly IV PTX. Dose-escalation was guided by a Bayesian logistic regression model with overdose control. The primary objective was to determine the MTD of BKM120 or BEZ235 + PTX. Results 33 pts were treated with BKM120 (mg/d) + PTX (mg/m2) at 6 dosing levels: 40/70 (1 pt); 40/80 (5 pts); 60/80 (3 pts); 80/80 (4 pts); 100/80 (16 pts); and 120/80 (4 pts). DLTs were observed in 4 pts (1/16 at 100/80 and 3/4 at 120/80), including asthenia, hyperglycemia, and depression. The MTD of BKM120/PTX was declared as 100/80. Most common G3/4-suspected study treatment-related AEs (>5%) were neutropenia, hyperglycemia, and anemia. For the BEZ235 arm, 29 pts were treated with BEZ235 (mg/d) + PTX (mg/m2) at 4 dosing levels: 400/70 (2 pts); 400/80 (3 pts); 600/80 (4 pts); and 800/80 (20 pts). DLTs were observed in 4 pts (3/20 at 800/80 and 1/4 at 600/80), including GI events, peripheral neuropathy, and febrile neutropenia. The MTD of BEZ235/PTX was declared as 800/80. Most common G3/4-suspected study treatment-related AEs (>10%) were fatigue, diarrhea, and anemia. As of Feb 29, 29 pts were evaluable for response in each arm. In the BKM120/PTX arm, 1 CR (penile carcinoma [Ca]), 4 PRs (breast and ovarian Ca pts, each with multiple lines of prior therapy [12 and 3] and progression on prior PTX; cervical and vulvar Ca), and 11 SDs were observed. In the BEZ235/PTX arm, 1 PR (large-cell Ca of the lung, taxane-naive), and 9 SDs were observed. Conclusion BKM120 or BEZ235 + PTX were generally well tolerated and showed preliminary signs of efficacy. The MTDs of both BKM120/PTX and BEZ235/PTX were reached. For BKM120, the MTD in combination with PTX was the same as the single-agent MTD. Arms 3 and 4 will determine the MTD of BEZ235 or BKM120 + PTX and trastuzumab in pts with advanced HER2+ breast Ca. Disclosure M. Schuler: Martin Schuler is an advisor for Novartis, and receives research funding from Novartis. J. Machiels: Jean-Pascal Machiels is on an advisory board for Boehringer, and receives a research grant from Sanofi. D. Hess: Dagmar Hess owns N. Steeghs: Neeltje Steeghs receives research funding from Novartis. L. Paz-Ares: Luis Paz-Ares has been an advisor for Lilly, Bayer, Roche and Pfizer. He has also received honoraria from all of the above. R. von Moos: Roger von Moos is a participant of advisory boards for Amgen, Novartis, Roche, BMS, and MSD, and receives unrestricted research grants and speaker honoraria from Amgen and Roche. B. Rabault: Bertrand Rabault is a employee of Novartis Pharma AG and owns stock in novartis pharma. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Rationale: Overcoming proteasome inhibitor (PI) resistance is a challenge in multiple myeloma (MM) therapy since most MM patients ultimately develop PI resistance. Induction of excessive activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) is the major mechanism of PI-induced cytotoxicity in MM. The UPR is a complex transcriptional response that balances biosynthesis, folding and proteasomal destruction of cellular protein. UPR inactivation results in PI resistance in vitro, and MM cells with low UPR activation accumulate and drive the relapse in PI-resistant MM patients. Pharmacologic activation of the UPR overcomes PI-resistance in preclinical models of MM and provides an option for clinical testing. The HIV protease inhibitor nelfinavir (NFV) has UPR-inducing activity via an unknown mechanism that may involve interference with regulatory proteases in the UPR and/or proteasome activity. NFV has single agent activity in MM and sensitizes MM and AML cells for PI treatment in vitro and in vivo. Methods: We performed a multicenter phase I dose escalation study to assess safety and recommended dose for phase II of NFV in combination with bortezomib (BTZ) in patients with advanced hematologic malignancies, and to detect signals for activity. NFV was given d 1-14 twice daily p.o. at the dose levels 1250 mg (DL0), 1875 mg (DL1) and 2500 mg (DL2), BTZ was dosed 1.3 mg/m2 d 1, 4, 8, 11 i.v. in 21 day cycles. The first treatment cycle was preceded by one week of NFV monotherapy for assessment of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters (NFV plasma concentrations, proteasome activity and expression of UPR-related proteins in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)). Patients were treated for 3 cycles per protocol with the option to receive up to a total of 7 cycles. Results: 12 patients were treated in the dose escalation cohort (median age 58 years; 8 patients with MM, 1 each with ALL, AML, DLBCL, MCL) for an average of 2.6 cycles. All MM patients had received prior BTZ. DLT was determined in cycle 1 in which 93 % of planned dose was delivered. One DLT was observed (G4 ALT elevation at DL2 that spontaneously resolved). Toxicity was mostly mild, could be handled symptomatically, and did not lead to study drug discontinuation except for one case of thrombocytopenia. Diarrhoea G1-2 was the most frequent toxicity observed. Ten patients were evaluable for best response while on trial therapy after having received at least one full cycle. Of these, three patients achieved a PR (1 MCL, 2 MM), 4 remained in SD for at least 2 cycles (2 MM, 1 AML, 1 ALL), while 3 progressed (2 MM, 1 DLBCL). Peak NFV plasma concentrations during monotherapy were in the dose range putatively required for UPR activation, tended to be higher in patients treated at DL1, compared to DL2 (means 13.3 vs. 8.9 mM, p=0.08) and were significantly higher during NFV monotherapy than during combination therapy with BTZ (means 9.24 vs. 6.60 mM, p=0.04), suggesting induction of NFV clearance either by autoinduction, concomitant BTZ application, or both. Pharmacodynamic analysis revealed upregulation of proteins related to UPR-induced apoptosis by NFV monotherapy in PBMC (CHOP +56%, p=0.008; PARP +57%, p=0.04, n=10). Activity of the BTZ-insensitive proteasome b2 subunit in PBMC decreased (-16%, p=0.01) during NFV monotherapy, compared to baseline, as did the BTZ-sensitive b1/b5 subunit (-17%, p=0.001). To detect additional signals for activity, an extension cohort of 6 heavily pretreated MM patients that had shown BTZ-resistance during the past 12 months and were in addition lenalidomide-resistant was treated at the recommended dose (DL2). Three of these patients achieved a PR and 2 a MR, while 1 showed PD with a mean of 4.3 cycles administered. Overall, 12 MM patients could be evaluated for best response while on therapy with BTZ + NFV in this study, of which 5 achieved a paraprotein reduction of > 50% compared to baseline (figure 1). Conclusion: Nelfinavir 2500 mg p.o. twice daily induces UPR activation and proteasome inhibition. It can safely be combined with bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2 d 1, 4, 8, 11) to potentially increase bortezomib sensitivity of hematologic malignancies. The combination yields promising clinical activity signals in patients with bortezomib-resistant myeloma. Figure 1: Best paraprotein response, relative to baseline, of evaluable patients with relapsed-refractory myeloma treated with bortezomib + nelfinavir at any dose level for at least one full cycle. Figure 1:. Best paraprotein response, relative to baseline, of evaluable patients with relapsed-refractory myeloma treated with bortezomib + nelfinavir at any dose level for at least one full cycle. Disclosures Off Label Use: the presentation will include off label use of nelfinavir as investigational medicinal product (IMP). Hitz:Celgene: Research Funding.

KDM1A, a FAD dependent histone demethylase with high homology to amino-oxidases, is responsible of the demethylation of mono and dimethyl lysine 4 on histone H3. KDM1A is part of various transcriptional corepressor complexes and interacts with the co-repressor complex CoREST and histone deacetylases (HDAC) 1 and 2. KDM1A is an essential gene with important roles in different biological relevant processes, including hematopoietic maturation. Its activity has also been demonstrated on non histone substrates such as p53, DNMT1 and MYPT1. High expression and correlation with poor prognosis has been reported for KDM1A in several cancer types, such as neuroblastoma, prostate cancer and non small cell lung cancer. Moreover the high expression of KDM1A and its inverse correlation in hematological malignancies, mostly in acute myeloid leukemia, was observed. Furthermore the enzyme has been demonstrated to sustain the in vivo leukemiogenic potential of MLLAF9 expressing leukemia stem cells. In the light of these findings, KDM1A has been increasingly recognized as an attractive therapeutic target in oncology. We have developed a novel series of potent and irreversible KDM1A inhibitors based on tranylcypromine. The compounds were obtained by a versatile and scalable synthetic process which allows a stereoselective synthesis of the trans enantiomers of the cyclopropane ring. Biochemical and biological characterization of these inhibitors, including their transcriptional effect on KDM1A targets and efficacy in reducing colony forming ability in leukemia cells, will be reported, together with ADME and pharmacokinetic properties of selected compounds. Finally, the best inhibitors of the series induced after oral administration a significant survival increase and provided evidences of target modulation in an in vivo murine promyelocytic leukemia model.

621^ Background: Preclinical data suggest BEZ235 (BEZ; dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor) may enhance the activity of PTX ± TZ in pts with advanced cancers. In this 4-arm study (NCT01285466), BEZ or buparli...

Abstract 2956 Introduction: The HIV protease inhibitor nelfinavir has anti-myeloma activity in mice; it is approved at the 1250 mg bid dose for oral treatment of HIV. We performed a phase I dose escalation trial of nelfinavir in combination with bortezomib in patients with advanced hematologic malignancies. Methods: During cycle 1 (28 days), trial treatment consisted of 1 week nelfinavir monotherapy, followed by nelfinavir in combination with standard dose bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2i.v. day 8, 11, 15, 18), while cycles 2 and 3 (21 days each) consisted of 2 weeks nelfinavir in combination with bortezomib (day 1, 4, 8, 11). Non-progressing patients could continue therapy for up to 4 additional cycles with the same regimen as cycles 2 and 3. Nelfinavir dose was escalated in a 3+3 design over 3 dose levels (1250, 1875, 2500 mg bid). Dose limiting toxicity (DLT), the primary endpoint, was grade 3–4 non-hematological toxicity (excluding grade 3 bilirubin/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or hyperlipidemia reversible within 2 weeks) or severe hematologic toxicity unrelated to the underlying disease during cycle 1. Secondary endpoints included pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic assessments during cycle 1 at baseline, nelfinavir monotherapy and after application of nelfinavir and bortezomib in combination, as well as signals for activity. Results: Twelve evaluable patients were registered (median age 58 years; 8 male; performance status 0–1 in 10/12 patients); 8 had multiple myeloma, 2 leukemia (1 acute myeloid, 1 acute lymphoblastic) and 2 lymphoma (1 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, 1 mantle-cell (MCL)). All myeloma patients failed both prior bortezomib and lenalidomide-containing therapy; 7/8 had progressed under prior bortezomib. One patient (2500 mg bid dose) experienced a transient grade 4 elevated ALT, categorized as DLT, which resolved within 2 weeks. The patient continued the same regimen off study without recurrent hepatic toxicity. No further DLTs occurred, thus nelfinavir 2500 mg bid was established to be safe in combination with standard dose bortezomib. One patient with highly aggressive lymphoma died from cerebral vein thrombosis; a myeloma patient experienced a non-fatal pulmonary embolism. Elevated ALT (2 patients) was the only additional non-hematological toxicity grade 3/4 observed in >1 patient. Grade 3 febrile neutropenia and grade 4 thrombocytopenia were seen in 1 and 4 patients, respectively. Best treatment response was evaluated for 11 patients (1 not evaluable). Partial response was achieved in 3 patients (2 myeloma, 1 MCL) and stable disease for at least 2 cycles of therapy in 5 patients. Overall, 4/12 patients completed >=3 cycles of treatment. Assessment of proteasome activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from treated patients after 1 week nelfinavir monotherapy revealed inhibition of total proteasome activity in vivo by nelfinavir compared to baseline (mean inhibition, as determined by specific, quantitative intracellular affinity labeling of active proteasome subunits: 14.9 %, 95% confidence interval (CI): 8.8–23.5%, p= Conclusion: This is the first trial to report on the use of nelfinavir as an anti-neoplastic agent in patients with hematologic malignancies. It identifies nelfinavir as FDA approved, orally available drug with pan-proteasome inhibiting activity in vivo. Nelfinavir treament up to 2500 mg bid is safe as monotherapy and in combination with standard dose bortezomib. Bortezomib in combination with nelfinavir shows signals for clinical activity in individual myeloma patients that have failed bortezomib and lenalidomide-containing therapies. Nelfinavir warrants further clinical investigation in multiple myeloma, in particular in combination with proteasome inhibitors. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 5007 Panobinostat, an orally active hydroxamic acid derivative, is a potent class I/II/IV pan-deacetylase inhibitor that has shown promising clinical activity in hematologic and nonhematologic malignancies. Patients with cancer frequently have impaired renal or hepatic function. The major clearance pathway of panobinostat is metabolism mediated by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and non-CYP pathways. Panobinostat and its metabolites are excreted in similar amounts in liver (54.3) and kidneys (40.6); however, the effects of impaired renal and hepatic function on panobinostat pharmacokinetics (PK) have not yet been elucidated. This study was designed to assess whether hepatic dysfunction has an impact on the PK of panobinostat and its safety when compared with that of patients with normal hepatic function. Patients with advanced cancer, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (PS) 0 to 2, normal bone marrow function, and serum creatinine 1.5 upper limit of normal were enrolled. Hepatic function was categorized as normal (control), mild, moderate, or severe according to the baseline aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin levels per National Cancer InstituteCancer Treatment Evaluation Program criteria. Serial plasma samples were collected up to 96 hours following a single PK test dose of panobinostat 30 mg and its concentrations assessed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. PK parameters were derived from individual plasma concentrationtime data using non-compartmental analysis. One week after the PK test dose, patients started continuous panobinostat 30 mg 3 times per week every week. Dose was modified according to tolerability. Ten patients with normal, 6 mildly, and 3 moderately impaired hepatic function were enrolled. The median age was 58 years (10 male; 9 female), and 95 of the patients had PS 0 to 1. Thirteen patients (7 normal (70), 4 mild (67), and 2 moderate (67)) experienced grade 3 toxicity suspected to be drug related. Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia occurred in 3 patients in the normal group (30). Grade 3 nonhematologic adverse events included fatigue (4 normal (40), 1 mild (17), 1 moderate (33)), diarrhea (2 normal (20), 1 mild (17)), nausea (3 normal (30), 1 mild (17)), and vomiting (1 normal (10), 1 mild (17)). One patient in the moderate group was discontinued from the study because of grade 3 vasculitis (purpuric rash, proteinuria, anemia, and renal dysfunction). In these heavily pretreated patients, disease stabilization was noted in 3 patients, one with endometrial cancer, one with adenocarcinoma of the lung, and one with prostate cancer. The PK results from 19 patients of this ongoing study are summarized in the table below. The currently available results suggest that the PK and safety of panobinostat are comparable between patients with normal hepatic function and those with mild or moderate liver dysfunction PK parameters, median range Normal hepatic function (n 10) Mild hepatic dysfunction (n 5TUF1-1) Moderate hepatic dysfunction (n 3) Tmax (hr) 2 0.5-7 2 0.5-2 2 \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\frac{1}{4}\) \end{document} Cmax (ng/mL) 19.0 6.9-61.8 27.0 17.4-56.3 31.2 15.1-37.3 AUC0-inf (nghr/mL) 184 42.7-347 285 75.8-342 276 \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\frac{161}{425}\) \end{document} t1/2 (hr) 28.9 14.2-36.6 25.0 17.5-39.3 23.6 16.3-40.6 One patient was excluded from the PK analysis because of emesis. AUC0-inf, area under the concentration-time curve from zero to infinity; Cmax, maximum concentration; t1/2, half-life; Tmax, time to maximum plasma concentration. Disclosures: Hess: Novartis: Equity Ownership. Porro:Novaratis Pharma AG: Employment. Hengelage:Novartis Pharma AG: Employment, Equity Ownership. St-Pierre:Novartis Pharma AG: Employment. Gazi:Novartis Pharma AG: Employment. Li:Novartis Pharmaceuticals: Employment, Equity Ownership. Woo:Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Sharma:Novartis: Research Funding.

Abstract 5001 Panobinostat is a potent class I/II/IV oral pan-deacetylase inhibitor which has shown promising clinical activity in patients with multiple myeloma and myelofibrosis, some with compromised renal and hepatic functions. The metabolism mediated by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and non-CYP pathways is the major clearance pathway of panobinostat, with drug and metabolites being excreted in nearly similar amounts by liver/bile (54.3) and kidneys (40.6). However, the effects of impaired renal and hepatic function on panobinostat pharmacokinetics (PK) have not been elucidated. This study was designed to assess the impact of renal dysfunction on the PK and safety of panobinostat when compared to that of patients with normal renal function. Patients with advanced cancer, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) 0 to 2, AST/ALT 2.5 ULN, normal bone marrow, and varying degrees of renal function were enrolled. Renal function was categorized as normal (as control), mild, moderate, or severe according to baseline 24-hour urine creatinine clearance (CrCL). Serial blood and urine panobinostat samples collected up to 96 and 24 hours, respectively, following a single PK test dose of 30 mg panobinostat were assessed for plasma and urine concentrations by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. PK parameters were derived from individual plasma or urine concentrationtime data using non-compartmental analysis. The following week, patients continued to receive panobinostat 30 mg orally 3 times a week. Dose was modified according to tolerability. PK results from 19 patients (15 male, 4 female) in this ongoing study are tabulated below. Median age was 66 years, and 13/19 patients had ECOG PS 1. Safety results were available in 18 patients. The most frequent drug-related adverse events (AEs) were grade (Gr) 34 thrombocytopenia in 7 patients (2 normal, 2 mild, 3 moderate) and Gr 3 fatigue in 5 patients (1 normal, 1 mild, 3 moderate). Other drug-related Gr 3 AEs included nausea, diarrhea, and hyperphosphatemia (1 normal patient each); asthenia and anemia (1 mild patient each); and ventricular bigeminy and dehydration (1 moderate patient). Two deaths on therapy not suspected to be study drugrelated occurred in the normal group. Although efficacy is not the primary study objective, PR was noted in 1 moderate patient with bladder cancer while SD was noted in 5 patients (2 pancreatic, 1 ovarian, 1 bladder and 1 renal cancer) as best overall response in these heavily pre-treated patients. The currently available results unexpectedly showed that patients with renal dysfunction did not have higher panobinostat exposures than the control group and the PK of panobinostat did not seem to have a distinct rank-order relationship with the severity of renal dysfunctionPK parameters median rangeRenal Function ClassificationNormal n7(CrCL 80 mL/min)Mild n6(50 CrCL 80 mL/min)Moderate n6(30 CrCL 50 mL/min)Tmax (hr)1.0 0.5-41.0 0.5-41.0 0.5-2Cmax (ng/mL)36.7 30.0-107.014.4 5.8-33.522.8 9.5-52.3AUC0-inf (nghr/mL)371 \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\frac{180}{441}\) \end{document}108 \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\frac{76}{234}\) \end{document}202 \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\frac{78}{329}\) \end{document}t1/2(hr)32.9 25.2-42.836.0 23.7-55.634.3 31.4-35.4ClR/F (L/hr)1.6 0.4-2.71.4 0.5-2.82.1 0.2-3.8Xu0-24hr ( of dose)1.8 1.2-4.00.6 0.2-1.30.7 0.2-1.9 AUC0-inf, area under the concentration-time curve from zero to infinity; Cmax, maximum concentration; t1/2, half-life; Tmax, time to maximum plasma concentration; Xu0-24h, percentage of drug excreted in urine; ClR/F, apparent renal clearance. Disclosures: Sharma: Novartis: Research Funding. Valera:Novartis Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Li:Novartis Pharmaceuticals: Employment, Equity Ownership. Mires:Novartis Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Porro:Novaratis Pharma AG: Employment. Woo:Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Hess:Novartis: Equity Ownership.

Background: Survivin is a promising tumor-associated antigen for cancer immunotherapy that fulfills two major criteria for this purpose: (1) tumor cells depend on the actions of survivin (inhibition of apoptosis, unrestricted proliferation and angiogenesis); and (2) the protein has demonstrated immunogenicity in patients with different cancers. Here we report results of a first-in-man Phase I study with EMD640744, a cocktail of survivin-derived partially modified HLA class I-restricted peptides in Montanide® ISA 51 VG. Methods: This multicenter, open-label, parallel group, randomized study compared the immunologic efficacy, safety, tolerability and clinical activity of three dosages of EMD640744 (30, 100, or 300 µg) in patients with different types of metastatic or locally advanced solid tumors who were positive for at least one relevant HLA antigen (A1, A2, A3, A24, B7). Patients received weekly s.c. injections of EMD640744 for 8 weeks followed by injections every 4 weeks until tumor progression. For the assessment of the primary endpoint, PBMC samples were prepared at baseline and after 4, 8, 12, 16, and 17 weeks. Peptide-specific T cell responses were analyzed by IFN-γ ELISpot. As a secondary analysis, peptide/HLA-multimer staining was performed. Frequencies of CD8+ T cells specific for patient-relevant single HLA-restricted peptides and EMD640744 were determined ex vivo and after short-term in vitro presensitization with EMD640744. Native homologues of modified vaccination peptides were also included in the analysis. Results: Of 66 patients screened, 53 were treated, and a majority was eligible for response analysis: 38 patients were analyzed by ELISpot and 42 by multimers, with positive ex vivo responses observed in 7 (18%) and 14 (33%) patients, respectively. Combining ex vivo data with results after in vitro stimulation, T cell responses were detected in 14 (37%) and 31 (74%) patients by ELISpot and multimer analysis, respectively. Multimer staining revealed a de novo induction of T cells against survivin peptides in at least 16 patients (38%) whereas pre-existent responses were seen in only 4 patients (10%). T cell responses were detected in all dose groups with similar frequencies. Five out of 10 HLA-A2+ patients reacting against the modified A2-binding peptide in ELISpot assays showed responses against its native homologue. The best tumor response according to RECIST was stable disease in 28% of patients. The most frequent treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were Grade 1-2 local injection site reactions and 2 patients experienced treatment-related Grade 3 AEs (granuloma at injection site and thrombosis). Conclusion: Vaccination with EMD640744 was safe and well tolerated and elicited de novo T cell responses against survivin peptides, demonstrating immunological efficacy of EMD640744 in cancer patients. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5516. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5516

Background: AS703569 is a novel, orally available, ATP-competitive, small-molecule inhibitor of aurora kinases A, B, and C and several other kinases relevant in hematologic malignancies (HM), including FLT3, ABL1, ABL1 (mutation T315I), JAK-2, and FGFR3. AS703569 has shown potent antitumor activity in preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies as monotherapy and in combination. Objectives: To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and evaluate safety, pharmacokinetics, and antitumor activity of 2 regimens (Rs) in patients (pts) with advanced HM. Methods: Phase I, 2-arm, dose-escalation study. Pts were sequentially assigned to either AS703569 on days (d) 1-3 and 8-10 (R1) or d 1-6 (R2) of a 21-d cycle. Starting dose: 3mg/m2/d (18mg/m2/cycle); dose escalation followed a 3+3 design with 12 pts at the MTD, defined as dose level (DL) below that at which >1/3 or >1/6 pts had a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) in cycle 1. Results: DLs assessed in both Rs: 3, 6, 10, 15, 21, 28, 37, and 47mg/m2/d. R1 (36 pts): median age 67 (35-83) years (y); 22 (61%) men; diagnosis: acute myeloid leukemia (AML n=24; 67%); myeloproliferative disorder (MPD n=4), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS n=3), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML n=3), Ph+ acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL n=1), and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n=1); 0-9 cycles were completed. MTD was 37mg/m2/d; DLTs occurred in 2/3 pts at 47mg/m2/d (diarrhea, hyponatremia, sepsis). R2 (39 pts): median age 70 (22-82) y; 25 (64%) men; diagnosis: AML (n=30; 77%), MPD (n=3), MDS (n=2), CML (n=2), and ALL (n=2); 0-6 cycles were completed. MTD was 28mg/m2/d; DLTs occurred in 3/6 pts at 37mg/m2/d (mucositis, neutropenic infection, diarrhea). AS703569-related adverse events ≥Grade 3 occurred in 26 pts (72%) in R1 and 24 pts (62%) in R2; mainly diarrhea (R1 [n=5] 37 and 47 mg/m2/d; R2 [n=4] 28-47 mg/m2/d), stomatitis/mucositis (R1 [n=1] 37 mg/m2/d; R2 [n=8] 28-47 mg/m2/d), and sepsis (R1 [n=3] 21 and 37 mg/m2/d; R2 [n=1] 28 mg/m2/d). Peak drug plasma concentrations (n=74) were mostly reached between 1-4 (range 0.5-8) hours across all DLs in both Rs; Cmax and AUC0-24 increased with dose (3-47mg/m2/d). Best response was complete remission (CR) in 2/54 pts with AML (R2: 37 and 47mg/m2/d), and in 1 pt with Ph+ ALL (R1: 37mg/m2/d). Evidence of activity also included blasts reduction to Conclusion: The primary objective was achieved: the MTD of AS703569 is 37mg/m2/d (222mg/m2/cycle) for R1 and 28mg/m2/d (168mg/m2/cycle) for R2. DLTs were mainly gastrointestinal toxicity or severe neutropenia with associated infections/sepsis. CR was seen in pts with AML and Ph+ ALL, and disease regression in other HMs (MDS and CML). These results support the ongoing disease-specific expansion study. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4433.

Lipolytic enzymes may play a role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. Therefore, the effects of a lipase inhibitor, THL (tetrahydrolipstatin), a protease inhibitor, FUT (nafamostat mesilate), and albumin under different conditions in rats were investigated, (a) Isolated pancreatic acini were incubated with pancreatic homogenates and triglycerides or lecithin with or without albumin and the degree of cellular destruction quantitated. (b) Taurocholate was injected into the pancreatic duct of isolated pancreas and the organ continuously perfused with either FUT, THL, or albumin. Organ damage was evaluated by measurement of pancreatic enzymes in the portal effluence, (c) Necrotizing pancreatitis was induced in vivo via retrograde taurocholate injection. FUT, THL, or albumin was applicated either intravenously or injected into the pancreatic parenchyma, (a) Albumin prevented the cellular damage caused by both fatty acids and lysolecithin. (b) THL was ineffective, FUT lowered the release of pancreatic enzymes into the portal effluence, and albumin was most effective, (c) Albumin prevented the development of panlobular necrosis and lowered the degree of extrapancreatic fat necrosis. Albumin, via its ability to bind detergents, may have therapeutic implications.