Data from Phase I Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Study of Carboplatin and Topotecan Administered Intravenously Every 28 Days to Patients with Malignant Solid Tumors

Purpose: Preclinical studies have shown that the combination of topotecan and carboplatin is synergistic. To evaluate the schedule dependency of this interaction, the following phase I trial was designed to determine the safety and maximum tolerated dose (MTD), pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of carboplatin and topotecan in patients with malignant solid tumors.Experimental Design: In part 1, patients received carboplatin on day 1 and topotecan on days 1, 2, and 3 (C→T schedule). In part 2, topotecan was administered on days 1, 2, and 3, followed by carboplatin on day 3 (T→C schedule). Pharmacokinetics were determined in plasma and DNA topoisomerase I catalytic activity and Pt-DNA adducts in WBC and tumor tissue.Results: Forty-one patients were included. Dose-limiting toxicities during the C→T schedule were grade 4 thrombocytopenia and febrile neutropenia (MTD: carboplatin target area under the free carboplatin plasma concentration versus time curve, 4 min mg/mL; topotecan, 0.5 mg/m2/d). Dose-limiting toxicities during the T→C schedule included grade 4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenic fever, and grade 4 nausea and vomiting (MTD: carboplatin target area under the free carboplatin plasma concentration versus time curve, 6 min mg/mL; topotecan, 0.9 mg/m2/d). One complete response and five partial responses were observed. The clearance of and exposure to carboplatin and topotecan did not depend on the sequence of drug administration. No schedule-dependent effects were seen in Pt-DNA levels and DNA topoisomerase I catalytic activity in WBC and tumor tissue. However, myelotoxicity was clearly more evident in the C→T schedule.Conclusion: The T→C schedule was better tolerated because both hematologic and nonhematologic toxicities were milder. Other pharmacodynamic factors than the ones investigated must explain the schedule-dependent differences in toxicities.