A phase I, open-label, first-time-in-patient dose escalation and expansion study to assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of nanoparticle encapsulated Aurora B kinase inhibitor AZD2811 in patients with advanced solid tumours

TPS2608 Background: Aurora kinase B performs key roles in the regulation of the cell cycle and represents a potential target for anticancer therapy. AZD2811, formerly designated AZD1152 hydroxy-quinazoline pyrazole anilide (AZD1152 hQPA), is a potent and selective inhibitor of Aurora B kinase activity and has been incorporated into a polymer nanoparticle carrier for intravenous (IV) administration. The phosphate pro-drug of AZD2811, known as AZD1152 (barasertib), reached Phase II of clinical development as a continuous IV infusion. While promising efficacy was seen with barasertib in elderly acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients ( Kantarjian HG et al., Cancer 2013;119:2611-19), continuous intravenous drug delivery precluded subsequent development in this disease setting and there were limited clinical responses in solid tumour patients due to dose-limiting myelotoxicity. AZD2811 nanoparticle has been designed to overcome these issues. Methods: Patients with relapsed advanced solid malignancies with no standard treatments are eligible for the part A dose escalation. Primary endpoint is to determine the maximum tolerated dose of AZD2811 nanoparticle using a 3+3 design. Patients with refractory/relapsed small cell lung cancer (SCLC) will be eligible for the part B expansion, where the safety, PK and anti-tumour activity of AZD2811 nanoparticle will be assessed as monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy. Study enrolment is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT02579226.