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Purpose: Lurbinectedin suppresses the oncogenic transcription factor EWS-FLI1 through relocalization to the nucleolus, and delays tumor growth in mice bearing Ewing sarcoma xenografts. On the basis of this rationale, lurbinectedin was evaluated in patients with relapsed Ewing sarcoma. Patients and Methods: This open-label, single-arm, Basket phase II trial included a cohort of 28 treated adult patients with confirmed Ewing sarcoma, measurable disease as per Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) v.1.1, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤2, adequate organ function, no central nervous system metastasis, and pretreated with ≤2 chemotherapy lines for metastatic/recurrent disease. Patients received lurbinectedin 3.2 mg/m2 as a 1-hour infusion every 3 weeks. Primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR) as per RECIST v.1.1. Secondary endpoints included time-to-event parameters and safety profile. Results: ORR was 14.3% [95% confidence interval (CI), 4.0%–32.7%], with median duration of response of 4.2 months (95% CI, 2.9–5.5 months). Median progression-free survival was 2.7 months (95% CI, 1.4–4.3 months), clinical benefit rate was 39.3%, and disease control rate was 57.1%. With 39% censoring, median overall survival was 12.0 months (95% CI, 8.5–18.5 months). Most common grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (57%), anemia, thrombocytopenia, and treatment-related febrile neutropenia (14% each). No deaths or discontinuations were due to toxicity. Conclusions: Lurbinectedin was active in the treatment of relapsed Ewing sarcoma and had a manageable safety profile. Lurbinectedin could represent a valuable addition to therapies for Ewing sarcoma, and is currently being evaluated in combination with irinotecan in advanced Ewing sarcoma in a phase Ib/II trial.

SummaryLurbinectedin and paclitaxel showed synergism in preclinical studies and have non-completely overlapping toxicity profiles. This phase I trial evaluated a combination of paclitaxel and lurbinectedin with/without bevacizumab in advanced tumors. This trial was divided into Group A, which evaluated weekly paclitaxel (60 or 80 mg) plus lurbinectedin (3.0–5.0 mg flat dose [FD] or 2.2 mg/m2) every 3 weeks in advanced solid tumors; and Group B, which evaluated bevacizumab (BEV, 15 mg/kg) added to the recommended dose (RD) defined in Group A in advanced epithelial ovarian or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 67 patients (A, n = 55; B, n = 12) were treated. The RD was paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 on Day (D)1,D8 plus lurbinectedin 2.2 mg/m2 on D1. At this RD, myelotoxicity was reversible and manageable, and most non-hematological toxicities were mild/moderate. Adding BEV did not notably change tolerability. Twenty-five confirmed responses were observed: 20/51 evaluable patients in Group A (overall response rate [ORR] = 39% at all dose levels and at the RD), and 5/10 evaluable patients in Group B (ORR = 50%). Most responders had breast (n = 7/12 patients), small cell lung (SCLC) (n = 5/7), epithelial ovarian (n = 3/9) and endometrial cancer (n = 3/11) in Group A, and epithelial ovarian (n = 3/4) and NSCLC (n = 2/6) in Group B. Clinical benefit rate was 61% in Group A (58% at the RD), and 90% in Group B. No major pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions were observed. Paclitaxel/lurbinectedin and paclitaxel/lurbinectedin/BEV are feasible combinations. Further development is warranted of paclitaxel/lurbinectedin in SCLC, breast, and endometrial cancer, and of paclitaxel/lurbinectedin/BEV in epithelial ovarian cancer.

Lurbinectedin is a synthetic marine-derived anticancer agent that acts as a selective inhibitor of oncogenic transcription. Lurbinectedin monotherapy (3·2 mg/mIn this phase 3, open-label, randomised study, adult patients aged 18 years or older with SCLC who relapsed after platinum-based chemotherapy were recruited from 135 hospitals across North America, South America, Europe, and the Middle East. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) centrally by dynamic allocation to intravenous lurbinectedin 2·0 mg/mBetween Aug 30, 2016, and Aug 20, 2018, 613 patients were randomly assigned to lurbinectedin plus doxorubicin (n=307) or control (topotecan, n=127; CAV, n=179) and comprised the intention-to-treat population; safety endpoints were assessed in patients who had received any partial or complete study treatment infusions (lurbinectedin plus doxorubicin, n=303; control, n=289). After a median follow-up of 24·1 months (95% CI 21·7-26·3), 303 patients in the lurbinectedin plus doxorubicin group and 289 patients in the control group had discontinued study treatment; progressive disease was the most common reason for discontinuation (213 [70%] patients in the lurbinectedin plus doxorubicin group vs 152 [53%] in the control group). Median overall survival was 8·6 months (95% CI 7·1-9·4) in the lurbinectedin plus doxorubicin group versus 7·6 months (6·6-8·2) in the control group (stratified log-rank p=0·90; hazard ratio 0·97 [95% CI 0·82-1·15], p=0·70). 12 patients died because of treatment-related adverse events: two (1%) of 303 in the lurbinectedin plus doxorubicin group and ten (3%) of 289 in the control group. 296 (98%) of 303 patients in the lurbinectedin plus doxorubicin group had treatment-emergent adverse events compared with 284 (98%) of 289 patients in the control group; treatment-related adverse events occurred in 268 (88%) patients in the lurbinectedin plus doxorubicin group and 266 (92%) patients in the control group. Grade 3 or worse haematological adverse events were less frequent in the lurbinectedin plus doxorubicin group than the control group (anaemia, 57 [19%] of 302 patients in the lurbinectedin plus doxorubicin group vs 110 [38%] of 288 in the control group; neutropenia, 112 [37%] vs 200 [69%]; thrombocytopenia, 42 [14%] vs 90 [31%]). The frequency of treatment-related adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation was lower in the lurbinectedin plus doxorubicin group than in the control group (26 [9%] of 303 patients in the lurbinectedin plus doxorubicin group vs 47 [16%] of 289 in the control group).Combination therapy with lurbinectedin plus doxorubicin did not improve overall survival versus control in patients with relapsed SCLC. However, lurbinectedin plus doxorubicin showed a favourable haematological safety profile compared with control.PharmaMar.

SummaryBackground A phase I study found remarkable activity and manageable toxicity for doxorubicin (bolus) plus lurbinectedin (1-h intravenous [i.v.] infusion) on Day 1 every three weeks (q3wk) as second-line therapy in relapsed small cell lung cancer (SCLC). An expansion cohort further evaluated this combination. Patients and methods Twenty-eight patients with relapsed SCLC after no more than one line of cytotoxic-containing chemotherapy were treated: 18 (64%) with sensitive disease (chemotherapy-free interval [CTFI] ≥90 days) and ten (36%) with resistant disease (CTFI Results Ten patients showed confirmed response (overall response rate [ORR] = 36%); median progression-free survival (PFS) = 3.3 months; median overall survival (OS) = 7.9 months. ORR was 50% in sensitive disease (median PFS = 5.7 months; median OS = 11.5 months) and 10% in resistant disease (median PFS = 1.3 months; median OS = 4.6 months). The main toxicity was transient and reversible myelosuppression. Treatment-related non-hematological events (fatigue, nausea, decreased appetite, vomiting, alopecia) were mostly mild or moderate. Conclusion Doxorubicin 40 mg/m2 and lurbinectedin 2.0 mg/m2 on Day 1 q3wk has shown noteworthy activity in relapsed SCLC and a manageable safety profile. The combination is being evaluated as second-line therapy for SCLC in an ongoing, randomized phase III trial. Clinical trial registrationwww.ClinicalTrials.gov code: NCT01970540. Date of registration: 22 October, 2013.

3078 Background: PM14 is a new chemical entity that forms DNA adducts which specifically inhibit RNA synthesis and block active transcription of protein-coding genes. Antitumor activity has been demonstrated in vitro in several cell lines (e.g. lung, kidney, prostate), and in vivo in mice bearing xenografted human-derived tumors (soft tissue sarcoma, small cell lung cancer, ovarian, gastric, breast and renal cancer). Methods: Open-label, dose-escalating, phase I trial of PM14 administered as a 3-hour infusion i.v. every 3 weeks (q3wk) in patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors, adequate organ function and ECOG PS score of 0-1. Two schedules were explored: Schedule A (Day 1 [D1], Day 8 [D8]) and Schedule B (D1). Results: 37 pts were treated (Schedule A/B: 28/9 pts). Baseline characteristics of pts (A/B): median age 56/47 years; male 57%/56%; ECOG PS 0: 57%/56%; median of prior lines (range): 3 (1-8)/4 (1-10). Most common tumor types (A + B): STS (n=7 pts), ovarian (n=6), pancreatic (n=4), prostate cancer (n=3). The maximum tolerated dose was 4.5 mg/m2 for A (dose-limiting toxicities [DLTs]: D8 omission due to lack of recovery of lab parameters for re-treatment [n=2 pts]) and 5.6 mg/m2 (DLTs: G4 febrile neutropenia [n=1], G4 transaminase increase [n=1]) for B. The recommended dose (RD) was 3.0 mg/m2 on D1,D8 (A), and 4.5 mg/m2 on D1 (B). No DLTs were present at the RDs. Most common toxicities were hematological abnormalities and transaminase increase. Main toxicities at the RDs are shown below. Antitumor activity comprised stable disease ≥4 months in 7 heavily pretreated pts (6 in A; 1 in B) at all dose levels. Linear pharmacokinetics were observed for PM14 at tested doses (0.25-5.6 mg/m²), with geometric mean (CV%) total plasma clearance 5.9 L/h (88%), volume of distribution 128 L (81%) and median (range) terminal half-life 15.9 h (7.5-34.3 h). Less than 1.6% of administered dose was recovered in urine. Conclusions: RDs were determined for two PM14 schedules in pts with advanced solid tumors. At the RDs, PM14 is well tolerated and has a manageable safety profile. An expansion phase in specific tumor types, with an optional Bayesian continual reassessment method for RD fine-tuning, is ongoing with both schedules.[Table: see text]

3514 Background: LUR is a novel agent that exerts antitumor activity through inhibition of trans-activated transcription and modulation of tumor microenvironment. Preclinical synergism/additivity in combination with IRI has been reported, thus prompting the conduct of this clinical trial. Methods: Phase Ib-II trial to evaluate escalating doses of LUR on Day (D) 1 plus a fixed dose of IRI 75 mg/m2 on D1 and D8 every 3 weeks (q3w) in pts with advanced solid tumors (+/- G-CSF, if dose-limiting toxicities [DLTs] were neutropenia). Starting dose was LUR 1.0 m/m2 + IRI 75 mg/m2. Results: 77 pts have been treated to date at 5 dose levels, 51 of them at the recommended dose (RD). Baseline characteristics of all 77 pts were: 48% females, 68% ECOG PS=1; median age 57 years (range, 19-75 years); median of 2 prior lines (range, 0−4 lines). The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was LUR 2.4 mg/m2 + IRI 75 mg/m2 with G-CSF, and the RD was LUR 2.0 mg/m2 + IRI 75 mg/m2 with G-CSF. DLTs in Cycle 1 occurred in 2/3 evaluable pts at the MTD and 3/13 evaluable pts at the RD, and comprised omission of IRI D8 infusion due to grade (G) 3/4 neutropenia (n=3 pts) or G2-4 thrombocytopenia (n=2). At the RD (n=51), common G1/2 non-hematological toxicities were nausea, vomiting, fatigue, diarrhea, anorexia and neuropathy. G3 non-hematological toxicities (diarrhea 10%, fatigue 10%) and G3/4 hematological abnormalities (neutropenia 49%, thrombocytopenia 10%) were transient. Conclusions: The combination of LUR and IRI had acceptable tolerance, with no unexpected toxicities. Transient myelosuppression was dose-limiting. The RD is LUR 2.0 mg/m2 on D1 + IRI 75 mg/m2 on D1 and D8 q3w with G-CSF. Antitumor activity was observed at the RD in SCLC pts, as well as in endometrial carcinoma pts. Hints of activity were also observed in STS pts. Updated results will be presented. Clinical trial information: NCT02611024 . [Table: see text]

3635 Background: Lurbinectedin (L), an inhibitor of active transcription, has shown activity in second-line (2L) small cell lung cancer (SCLC) (ASCO 2019). Topotecan (T) is the only approved drug in 2L SCLC and is also used in platinum resistant ovarian cancer (PROC). Methods: This pooled safety analysis includes data from 554 patients (pts) treated with L at 3.2 mg/m2 Day 1 q3wk 1-h (no primary prophylaxis with G-CSF required): 335 with selected solid tumors (9 indications, including 105 pts with SCLC) from a phase II Basket study and 219 with PROC in the phase III CORAIL study. An indirect exploratory comparison (pooled data from CORAIL + Basket) and a direct comparison (data from CORAIL) of L vs. T are presented. Results: Most common adverse events with L were grade 1/2 fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Treatment-related (L/T): dose reductions: 22.9/48.3%, delays: 25.8/52.9%, grade ≥3 serious adverse events (SAEs): 15.0/32.2%, discontinuations: 3.2/5.7%, deaths: 1.3/1.5%, G-CSF use: 23.8/70.1%, and transfusions: 15.9/52.9%. Conclusions: Lurbinectedin has a predictable and manageable safety profile. A significant safety advantage was observed when lurbinectedin was compared with topotecan in the CORAIL trial in terms of hematological toxicities. With the limitations of indirect comparisons, in the pooled safety analysis, fewer lurbinectedin-treated pts had severe hematological toxicities, SAEs, dose adjustments, treatment discontinuations and use of supportive treatments than topotecan-treated pts. Clinical trial information: NCT02421588 and NCT02454972 . [Table: see text]

Trabectedin is an alkylating agent that binds to the minor groove of DNA. Early studies with trabectedin suggested efficacy in triple-negative and HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The efficacy and safety of trabectedin in pretreated patients with these tumors were evaluated in this parallel-cohort phase II trial. Patients received a 3-h infusion of trabectedin 1.3 mg/m(2) intravenously every 3 weeks until progression or unmanageable/unacceptable toxicity. The primary objective was to evaluate the efficacy using the objective response rate (ORR) as per Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST). Secondary objectives comprised time-to-event endpoints and safety assessed with the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE) v.3.0. Patients with heavily pretreated triple-negative (n = 50) or HER2-overexpressing (n = 37) MBC were enrolled. No confirmed responses were found in triple-negative MBC patients, with median progression-free survival (PFS) of 2.2 months (95 % CI 1.3-2.7 months). Confirmed partial responses occurred in 4 of 34 evaluable HER2-overexpressing MBC patients (ORR = 12 %; 95 % CI 3-27 %) and lasted a median of 12.5 months (95 % CI, 6.2-14.7 months); median PFS was 3.8 months (95 % CI, 1.8-5.5 months). Most trabectedin-related adverse events were mild or moderate, and the most frequent were fatigue, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and anorexia. Severe neutropenia and transaminase increases were non-cumulative and transient and were mostly managed by infusion delays or dose reductions. Single-agent trabectedin is well tolerated in aggressive MBC and has moderate activity in HER2-overexpressing tumors. Further studies are warranted to evaluate trabectedin combined with HER2-targeted treatments in this subtype.

Purpose: Lurbinectedin (PM01183) binds covalently to DNA and has broad activity against tumor cell lines. This first-in-human phase I study evaluated dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) and defined a phase II recommended dose for PM01183 as a 1-hour intravenous infusion every three weeks (q3wk). Experimental Design: Thirty-one patients with advanced solid tumors received escalating doses of PM01183 following an accelerated titration design. Results: PM01183 was safely escalated over 200-fold, from 0.02 to 5.0 mg/m2. Dose doubling was utilized, requiring 15 patients and nine dose levels to identify DLT. The recommended dose was 4.0 mg/m2, with one of 15 patients having DLT (grade 4 thrombocytopenia). Clearance was independent of body surface area; thus, a flat dose of 7.0 mg was used during expansion. Myelosuppression, mostly grade 4 neutropenia, occurred in 40% of patients but was transient and manageable, and none was febrile. All other toxicity was mild and fatigue, nausea and vomiting were the most common at the recommended dose. Pharmacokinetic parameters showed high interindividual variation, though linearity was observed. At or above the recommended dose, the myelosuppressive effect was significantly associated with the area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (white blood cells, P = 0.0007; absolute neutrophil count, P = 0.016). A partial response was observed in one patient with pancreatic adenocarcinoma at the recommended dose. Conclusion: A flat dose of 7.0 mg is the recommended dose for PM01183 as a 1-hour infusion q3wk. This dose is tolerated and active. Severe neutropenia occurred at this dose, although it was transient and with no clinical consequences in this study. Clin Cancer Res; 20(8); 2205–14. ©2014 AACR.

Background LUR is a new agent that exerts antitumor activity through inhibition of trans-activated transcription and modulation of tumor microenvironment. Preclinical synergism/additivity in combination with IRI has been reported, thus prompting the conduct of this trial. Methods Phase I trial to evaluate escalating doses of LUR on Day (D) 1 plus a fixed dose of IRI 75 mg/m2 on D1 and D8 every 3 weeks (q3w) in pts with advanced solid tumors, enrolled following a standard 3 + 3 dose escalation design. Results 39 pts were treated at 5 dose levels (DL); 13 at the recommended dose (RD). 56% were females, 69% had ECOG PS = 1; median age was 58 years; median of 2 prior chemotherapy lines for advanced disease (range, 0 − 4) per pt. RD was defined as LUR 2.0 mg/m2 on D1 + IRI 75 mg/m2 on D1 and D8 q3w + GCSF. Dose-limiting toxicities in Cycle 1 were observed in 2/3 evaluable pts at the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and in 3/13 evaluable pts at the RD. At the MTD and the RD, DLTs were skipping IRI D8 doses due to grade (G) 3-4 neutropenia (n = 3 patients) or G2-4 thrombocytopenia (n = 2). At the RD common G1/2 toxicities were nausea, vomiting, fatigue, diarrhea, anorexia and neuropathy; G3/4 hematological abnormalities comprised neutropenia (33%), but no thrombocytopenia. Objective RECIST responses were documented in 6/34 evaluable pts (18%): 3/11 pts with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), 2/2 pts with endometrial carcinoma (EC) and 1/3 pts with glioblastoma (GB). Most responses (5/12 evaluable patients [42%]) were at the RD. One pt with EC has an ongoing PR after 20 cycles. Prolonged SD > 4 months were observed in pancreatic carcinoma (3/6 pts), soft tissue sarcoma (STS) (5/9 pts) and SCLC (6/11, including 4 with SD for 6, 9, 11 and 26+ months). Conclusions The combination of LUR and IRI is well tolerated, with no unexpected toxicities. Myelosuppression was dose-limiting, but predictable and manageable. The RD is LUR 2.0 mg/m2 on D1 + IRI 75 mg/m2 on D1 and D8 q3w with GCSF. Notable antitumor activity was observed, especially in SCLC, EC, GB and STS. Expansion in these indications is warranted. Clinical trial identification NCT02611024. Legal entity responsible for the study PharmaMar SA. Funding PharmaMar. Disclosure S. Ponce Aix: Advisory / Consultancy: Roche; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Roche, BMS, MSD. G. Cote: Advisory / Consultancy: Agios; Research grant / Funding (institution), Research funding to my institution for the conduct of clinical trials; no salary support: Epizyme, Eisai, Macrogenics, Boston Biomedical, Plexxicon, Merck KGaA/EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, CBA Inc, Bayer. R. Nunez: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: PharmaMar. M. Siguero: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: PharmaMar. M. Insa: Full / Part-time employment: PharmaMar. M. Cullell-Young: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: PharmaMar. C. Kahatt: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: PharmaMar. A. Zeaiter: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: PharmaMar. L. Paz-Ares: Advisory / Consultancy: Amgen; AstraZeneca; Boehringer Ingelheim; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Clovis Oncology; MSD; Novartis; Pfizer; Roche; Takeda. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

PM00104 (Zalypsis) is a synthetic tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid with potent antiproliferative activity against tumor cell lines. This phase I study evaluated the safety, dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), recommended dose for phase II trials (RD), pharmacokinetics (PK) and preliminary antitumor activity of PM00104 as a 24-h intravenous (i.v.) infusion every 3 weeks (q3wk).Thirty-seven patients with refractory advanced solid tumors received PM00104 in a toxicity-guided dose escalation study design (3 + 3 patients per cohort). Plasma samples were collected for PK analysis.DLTs comprised severe neutropenia lasting5 days (n = 4 patients), vomiting, thrombocytopenia, transaminase increases (n = 2 each), fatigue, tumor pain, myalgia, muscle stiffness, creatine phosphokinase increase and dosing delay2 weeks due to moderate fatigue (n = 1 each). The RD was 4.0 mg/m(2). Most PM00104-related adverse events at the RD were mild or moderate; the most common were nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Myelosuppression and transaminase increases were transient and manageable. PK parameters increased linearly with dose. Higher PM00104 PK exposure was related to a decrease in hemoglobin, neutrophils, platelets and white blood cells. Area under the curve was directly correlated with both incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting. Three patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, esophageal adenocarcinoma and prostate adenocarcinoma had response evaluation criteria in solid tumors stable disease ≥3 months.PM00104 given as 24-h i.v. infusion q3wk has predictable and manageable toxicity, but resulted in more myelotoxicity (because of the higher dose level achieved as the RD) and a similar drug clearance compared to 1-h infusion schedules. Preliminary evidence of antitumor activity was observed.

Background Lurbinectedin (PM01183) has synergistic antitumor activity when combined with doxorubicin in mice with xenografted tumors. This phase I trial determined the recommended dose (RD) of doxorubicin (bolus) and PM01183 (1-h intravenous infusion) on day 1 every 3 weeks (q3wk), and obtained preliminary evidence of antitumor activity for this combination in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Patients and methods Patients with advanced solid tumors received doxorubicin and PM01183 following a standard dose escalation design and expansion at the RD. Twenty-seven patients had relapsed SCLC: 12 with sensitive disease (platinum-free interval ≥90 days) and 15 with resistant disease (platinum-free interval Results Doxorubicin 50 mg/m2 and PM01183 4.0 mg flat dose was the RD. In relapsed SCLC, treatment tolerance at the RD was manageable. Transient and reversible myelosuppression (including neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and febrile neutropenia) was the main toxicity, managed with dose adjustment and colony-stimulating factors. Fatigue (79%), nausea/vomiting (58%), decreased appetite (53%), mucositis (53%), alopecia (42%), diarrhea/constipation (42%), and asymptomatic creatinine (68%) and transaminase increases (alanine aminotransferase 42%; aspartate aminotransferase 32%) were common, and mostly mild or moderate. Complete (n = 2, 8%) and partial response (n = 13, 50%) occurred in relapsed SCLC, mostly at the RD. Response rates at second line were 91.7% in sensitive disease [median progression-free survival (PFS)=5.8 months] and 33.3% in resistant disease (median PFS = 3.5 months). At third line, response rate was 20.0% (median PFS = 1.2 months), all in resistant disease. Conclusion Doxorubicin 50 mg/m2 and PM01183 4.0 mg flat dose on day 1 q3wk has shown remarkable activity, mainly in second line, with manageable tolerance in relapsed SCLC, leading to further evaluation of this combination within an ongoing phase III trial.

Background Lurbinectedin administered as a 1-h intravenous infusion every 3 weeks induces neutropenia, with the nadir usually occurring during the second week. This phase I study evaluated an alternative lurbinectedin dosing schedule consisting of a 1-h infusion on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks. Patients and methods Twenty-one patients with advanced cancer received lurbinectedin using a standard cohort dose escalation design. Results Three dose levels of 3, 4, and 5 mg of lurbinectedin were explored. The recommended phase II dose was 5 mg, with 3 of 13 patients having dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), although grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 50% of patients. Other frequent toxicities were mild to moderate nausea and vomiting, fatigue, decreased appetite, stomatitis and asymptomatic creatinine and transaminase increases. No objective responses occurred, but prolonged stable disease was observed in 7 patients, including 3 with soft tissue sarcoma. Conclusion The recommended phase II dose of lurbinectedin is 5 mg, administered as a 1-h infusion on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks. These data support further testing of this dose and schedule, particularly in soft tissue sarcoma.

Extensive and complete documentation must be submitted for obtaining a marketing authorization of an investigational medicinal product in the European Union, Japan, or the United States. One of the most critical of the documents submitted as part of the Common Technical Document, masterpiece of a marketing authorization application, is the Clinical Study Report, which represents the integrated full report of efficacy and safety data for an individual study of a therapeutic or diagnostic agent. The content and format of a Clinical Study Report is recommended by the International Conference on Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) guideline E3 on Structure and Content of Clinical Study Reports, which was approved in 1996. Some of the studies conducted during product development may ultimately not contribute to the evaluation of the effectiveness of a product for a specific indication. In these cases, abbreviated Clinical Study Reports are required to be submitted to the regulatory authorities. However, the ICH E3 guideline only provides information on the structure and content of full Clinical Study Reports. A guideline issued by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States in 1999 is the only document available from a regulatory authority that recommends which sections can be included in an abbreviated Clinical Study Report. This article describes which sections have to be included in abbreviated Clinical Study Reports written during clinical development of new medicinal products for human use.

Background Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease defined by both germline and somatic abnormalities. In preclinical models, tumors carrying homologous recombination defects are highly sensitive to trabectedin. This phase II trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of trabectedin in BRCA1/2 germline mutation carriers with pretreated metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Patients and methods Trabectedin 1.3 mg/m2 as a 3-h i.v. infusion was administered every 3 weeks until progression or intolerance. The primary efficacy end point was the objective response rate (ORR) as per RECIST. Secondary efficacy end points comprised time-to-event end points, and changes in tumor volume and expression of tumor marker CA15.3. Safety was evaluated using the NCI-CTCAE. Results Forty BRCA1/2 germline mutation carriers with MBC were included. Confirmed partial response (PR) occurred in 6 of 35 assessable patients [ORR = 17%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 7% to 34%] and lasted 1.4–6.8 months. Median PFS was 3.9 months (95% CI 1.6–5.5 months). Eight patients (21%) showed changes in tumor volume, and 14 (40%) a clinical benefit. Trabectedin-related adverse events were generally mild/moderate, the most common being fatigue, nausea, constipation and anorexia. Severe laboratory abnormalities (neutropenia, transaminase increases) were mostly transient and noncumulative, and were managed by dose adjustments. Conclusions With the caveat of the limited patient number, trabectedin monotherapy showed activity and was well tolerated in heavily pretreated MBC patients selected for germline BRCA mutation. These results prompt further evaluation of trabectedin alone or combined with other specific drugs in this indication. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00580112.

Using mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages we determined the role of interferon (IFN)-gamma at the different steps in expression of the I-A alpha chain of MHC class II molecules, from transcription to the cell surface. Levels of transcription, RNA, and protein were low in cells not stimulated with IFN-gamma. Treatment with IFN-gamma for 24 or 48 h induced an increase in mRNA levels (7- and 12-fold) that did not correlate with the increase in transcription (2.5- and 2.7-fold). The half-life of mRNA was not modified by IFN-gamma. These data suggest a block at the level of translation. In fact, IFN-gamma increased ribosome loading, which confirms regulation at the translational level. Treatment with IFN-gamma increased protein synthesis (6-fold after 48 h) and level of expression at the cell surface (3- and 9-fold after 24 and 48 h, respectively). Interestingly, treatment with IFN-gamma also increased the I-A alpha protein half-life from 2 to 6-7 h. This is the first attempt to determine qualitatively and quantitatively the regulation of an inducible gene at all the putative levels of control. The data indicate that IFN-gamma plays a critical role in MHC class II protein expression in macrophages through the regulation of different steps, from transcription to surface expression.

Although all the cells in an organism contain the same genetic information, differences in the cell phenotype arise from the expression of lineage-specific genes. During myelopoiesis, external differentiating signals regulate the expression of a set of transcription factors. The combined action of these transcription factors subsequently determines the expression of myeloid-specific genes and the generation of monocytes and macrophages. In particular, the transcription factor PU.1 has a critical role in this process. We review the contribution of several transcription factors to the control of macrophage development.

Kahalalide F (KF) is a dehydroaminobutyric acid-containing peptide from marine origin with activity against several human malignant cell lines. This dose-escalating phase I clinical trial evaluated the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), and the recommended dose for further phase II studies (RD) of weekly KF given as a prolonged (3- to 24-h) intravenous (i.v.) infusion. Eligible patients with advanced solid tumors and adequate performance status, hematologic, renal, and hepatic function were recruited into this study. A total of 106 patients were treated with KF at four different weekly schedules: 3-h (n = 40), 24-h (n = 59), and two transitional schedules [6-h (n = 4) and 12-h (n = 3)]. For the 3-h weekly schedule, the MTD was 1,200 μg/m2 and the RD was 1,000 μg/m2. For the 24-h weekly schedule, the MTD was reached (6,650 μg/m2), but the RD could not be confirmed. Asymptomatic and reversible grade 3/4 transaminase increase was the most common dose-limiting toxicity in both schedules. Fatigue, paresthesia, pruritus, nausea, vomiting, and rash were the most common KF-related adverse events. No major deviations from linearity were detected in the pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles of both schedules, which showed a narrow distribution and short body residence. Prolonged disease stabilization (≥3 months) occurred in eight patients: two with the 3-h schedule and six with the 24-h schedule. Administration of KF as prolonged weekly infusion appears feasible, with 3-h and 24-h infusion times having an acceptable safety profile.

Background ES-285 (Spisulosine) is a novel marine compound with antitumor activity in preclinical studies. A phase I study was performed in patients with advanced solid tumors to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), establish a safety profile, and to evaluate pharmacokinetics and efficacy of the drug. Patients and methods Thirty patients from two centers were treated with a three-hour ES-285 intravenous infusion for five consecutive days, every 3 weeks. Eleven dose levels were explored. Results No dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) occurred from 2 to 81 mg/m²/day. Three patients had DLT, one each at dose levels 160, 120 and 100 mg/m²/day; all had grade 4 transaminase increases, one of whom (160 mg/m²/day) had concomitant grade 4 hepatitis and grade 3 bilirubin elevation. The MTD of this regimen was not reached due to early termination of the ES-285 phase I program, but was considered to be 80 to 100 mg/m²/day. Other toxicities included mild to moderate asthenia, nausea, vomiting, anemia, lymphopenia, and injection site reaction. Pharmacokinetic analyses showed dose proportionality on Days 1 and 5, a wide distribution and a long half-life. Seven patients (five with colorectal cancer) had stable disease (1.2–4.1 months), lasting for more than 3 months in three patients. Conclusions Liver enzyme elevations were dose limiting for ES-285 in this administration schedule. Low antitumor activity was observed.

Objectives: To evaluate the antitumor response, time-to-event efficacy endpoints and toxicity of plitidepsin (Aplidin) 5 mg/m 2 as a 3-hour intravenous (i.v.) infusion every 2 weeks in patients with unresectable advanced medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Methods: Sixteen patients with MTC and disease progression or large tumor burden received plitidepsin. Tumor response and time-related parameters were evaluated according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Secondary efficacy endpoints were marker response (calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen), clinical benefit and quality of life. Safety was assessed using the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria. Results: A total of 141 cycles (median, 9 per patient; range, 1-24) were administered. No complete responses or partial responses (PR) were found, and 12 patients had stable disease for >8 weeks. Median follow-up was 15.0 months. Median time to progression was 5.3 months. Median overall survival could not be calculated, but 86.7% and 66.0% of patients were alive at 6 and 12 months. Marker response included 1 unconfirmed PR and 2 stabilizations for calcitonin, and 1 unconfirmed PR and 4 stabilizations for calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen. One patient showed clinical benefit. Quality of life scores generally decreased during the study. Most treatment-related adverse events were mild or moderate. Grade 3 lymphopenia was the only severe hematological toxicity found (2 patients). Severe nonhematological toxicities were grade 3 creatine phosphokinase increase (2 patients, with no myalgia or muscular weakness) and transient grade 3 alanine aminotransferase increase (5 patients). Conclusions: Single-agent plitidepsin given as 3-hour i.v. infusions every 2 weeks was generally well tolerated but showed limited clinical activity in patients with unresectable advanced MTC.