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Clinical analysis of 125I seed implantation combined with epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
Wang, X, Wang, D
Journal of B.U.ON. : official journal of the Balkan Union of Oncology. 2021;(5):1879-1886
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore the efficacy and safety of 125I radioactive seed implantation combined with epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS 108 patients with EGFR mutation-positive unresectable advanced NSCLC (stage IIIB-IV) were randomly divided into 125I group (treated with 125I radioactive seed implantation combined with EGFR-TKIs, n=54) and EGFR-TKIs group (treated with EGFR-TKIs alone, n=54). The short-term efficacy and adverse reactions were analyzed and evaluated, the changes in the levels of peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets, natural killer (NK) cells and related immune-inflammatory factors were analyzed, and the long-term survival and progression of disease were recorded. RESULTS The objective response rate was 61.1% (33/54) and 51.9% (28/54), and the disease control rate was 88.9% (48/54) and 68.5% (37/54), respectively, in 125I group and EGFR-TKIs group. At 6 months after treatment, the levels of peripheral blood cluster of differentiation 3+ (CD3+), CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ and NK cells significantly rose in both groups compared with those before treatment (p<0.05), while the levels of CD8+, serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10 significantly declined compared with those before treatment. The 2-year overall survival (OS) rate was 53.7% (29/54) and 40.7% (22/54), and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 14.5 months and 9.8 months, respectively, in 125I group and EGFR-TKIs group. CONCLUSIONS 125I radioactive seed implantation combined with EGFR-TKIs is safe and effective in the treatment of advanced NSCLC, and its short-term efficacy and long-term survival rate of patients are significantly superior to those of EGFR-TKIs alone. At the same time, it can regulate the expressions of T lymphocyte subsets, NK cells and immune-inflammatory factors in patients, and improve their immune function.
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Netarsudil Improves Trabecular Outflow Facility in Patients with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension: A Phase 2 Study.
Sit, AJ, Gupta, D, Kazemi, A, McKee, H, Challa, P, Liu, KC, Lopez, J, Kopczynski, C, Heah, T
American journal of ophthalmology. 2021;:262-269
Abstract
PURPOSE Intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction is key to controlling primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Pharmacotherapies for POAG or ocular hypertension (OHT) commonly lower IOP by increasing uveoscleral outflow or decreasing aqueous humor production. Netarsudil (Rhopressa), a Rho kinase inhibitor, reduces IOP by improving trabecular outflow facility, which is reduced in POAG. We investigated the effects of netarsudil on aqueous humor dynamics in patients with POAG or OHT. DESIGN Double-masked, randomized, vehicle-controlled, Phase 2 trial. METHODS Netarsudil 0.02% was instilled in 1 eye and vehicle into the contralateral eye of 20 patients once daily in the morning for 7 days. The primary endpoint was change in mean diurnal outflow facility on day 8 versus that on day 1 (baseline). Outflow facility was measured by using Schiøtz tonography, IOP by pneumotonometry, and episcleral venous pressure (EVP) by automated venomanometry. RESULTS Eighteen patients (90%) completed the study. Mean diurnal outflow facility increased 0.039 versus 0.007 µL/min/mm Hg from baseline in the netarsudil- and the vehicle-treated groups, respectively (P < .001 vs. baseline for netarsudil), a treatment difference of 0.03 µL/min/mm Hg (P ≤ .001). Mean diurnal IOP change from baseline at day 8 was -4.52 mm Hg for netarsudil versus -0.98 mm Hg for vehicle, a treatment difference of -3.54 mm Hg (P < .0001). Mean diurnal EVP change from baseline was -0.79 mm Hg in the netarsudil-treated group versus 0.10 mm Hg for vehicle, a treatment difference of -0.89 mm Hg (P < .001). All patients reporting an adverse event reported conjunctival hyperemia of mild or moderate severity. CONCLUSIONS Netarsudil acts on the conventional outflow pathway, both proximal and distal, to significantly reduce IOP in POAG and OHT by improving trabecular outflow facility and decreasing EVP.
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A Replication stress biomarker is associated with response to gemcitabine versus combined gemcitabine and ATR inhibitor therapy in ovarian cancer.
Konstantinopoulos, PA, da Costa, AABA, Gulhan, D, Lee, EK, Cheng, SC, Hendrickson, AEW, Kochupurakkal, B, Kolin, DL, Kohn, EC, Liu, JF, et al
Nature communications. 2021;(1):5574
Abstract
In a trial of patients with high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), addition of the ATR inhibitor berzosertib to gemcitabine improved progression free survival (PFS) compared to gemcitabine alone but biomarkers predictive of treatment are lacking. Here we report a candidate biomarker of response to gemcitabine versus combined gemcitabine and ATR inhibitor therapy in HGSOC ovarian cancer. Patients with replication stress (RS)-high tumors (n = 27), defined as harboring at least one genomic RS alteration related to loss of RB pathway regulation and/or oncogene-induced replication stress achieve significantly prolonged PFS (HR = 0.38, 90% CI, 0.17-0.86) on gemcitabine monotherapy compared to those with tumors without such alterations (defined as RS-low, n = 30). However, addition of berzosertib to gemcitabine benefits only patients with RS-low tumors (gemcitabine/berzosertib HR 0.34, 90% CI, 0.13-0.86) and not patients with RS-high tumors (HR 1.11, 90% CI, 0.47-2.62). Our findings support the notion that the exacerbation of RS by gemcitabine monotherapy is adequate for lethality in RS-high tumors. Conversely, for RS-low tumors addition of berzosertib-mediated ATR inhibition to gemcitabine is necessary for lethality to occur. Independent prospective validation of this biomarker is required.
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Circulating tumor cells and palbociclib treatment in patients with ER-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer: results from a translational sub-study of the TREnd trial.
Galardi, F, De Luca, F, Biagioni, C, Migliaccio, I, Curigliano, G, Minisini, AM, Bonechi, M, Moretti, E, Risi, E, McCartney, A, et al
Breast cancer research : BCR. 2021;(1):38
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are prognostic in patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC). However, no data exist about their use in patients treated with palbociclib. We analyzed the prognostic role of CTC counts in patients enrolled in the cTREnd study, a pre-planned translational sub-study of TREnd (NCT02549430), that randomized patients with ABC to palbociclib alone or palbociclib plus the endocrine therapy received in the prior line of treatment. Moreover, we evaluated RB1 gene expression on CTCs and explored its prognostic role within the cTREnd subpopulation. METHODS Forty-six patients with ER-positive, HER2-negative ABC were analyzed. Blood samples were collected before starting palbociclib treatment (timepoint T0), after the first cycle of treatment (timepoint T1), and at disease progression (timepoint T2). CTCs were isolated and counted by CellSearch® System using the CellSearch™Epithelial Cell kit. Progression-free survival (PFS), clinical benefit (CB) during study treatment, and time to treatment failure (TTF) after study treatment were correlated with CTC counts. Samples with ≥ 5 CTCs were sorted by DEPArray system® (DA). RB1 and GAPDH gene expression levels were measured by ddPCR. RESULTS All 46 patients were suitable for CTCs analysis. CTC count at T0 did not show significant prognostic value in terms of PFS and CB. Patients with at least one detectable CTC at T1 (n = 26) had a worse PFS than those with 0 CTCs (n = 16) (p = 0.02). At T1, patients with an increase of at least three CTCs showed reduced PFS compared to those with no increase (mPFS = 3 versus 9 months, (p = 0.004). Finally, patients with ≥ 5 CTCs at T2 (n = 6/23) who received chemotherapy as post-study treatment had a shorter TTF (p = 0.02). Gene expression data for RB1 were obtained from 19 patients. CTCs showed heterogeneous RB1 expression. Patients with detectable expression of RB1 at any timepoint showed better, but not statistically significant, outcomes than those with undetectable levels. CONCLUSIONS CTC count seems to be a promising modality in monitoring palbociclib response. Moreover, CTC count at the time of progression could predict clinical outcome post-palbociclib. RB1 expression analysis on CTCs is feasible and may provide additional prognostic information. Results should be interpreted with caution given the small studied sample size.
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Effect of high-fat diet on the pharmacokinetics and safety of flumatinib in healthy Chinese subjects.
Kuang, Y, Song, HL, Yang, GP, Pei, Q, Yang, XY, Ye, L, Yang, S, Wu, ST, Guo, C, He, QN, et al
Cancer chemotherapy and pharmacology. 2020;(3):339-346
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PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of a high-fat diet on the pharmacokinetics and safety of flumatinib mesylate tablets in healthy Chinese subjects. METHODS This study was a randomized, open-label, single-dose, two-period crossover trial in which subjects were randomly assigned to take 400 mg of flumatinib mesylate after a high-fat diet or a fasted state. After a 14-day washout period, the two groups were administered flumatinib mesylate under opposite conditions. Blood samples were collected at baseline 0 and 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, respectively. Plasma concentrations of flumatinib and its metabolites (M1 and M3) were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using the non-compartmental module of the Phoenix WinNonlin Version 7.0 software. BE module of WinNonLin was used for statistical analysis of AUC0-t, AUC0-∞ and Cmax in plasma. RESULTS Twelve healthy subjects, half male and half female, were enrolled. One subject withdrew due to a treatment-emergent adverse event. Eleven subjects were administered drugs on fasting and 12 were administered drugs after a high-fat diet. On high-fat diet/fasting, the least square geometric mean (LSGM) ratios of flumatinib, M1, M3, and their 90% confidence interval (CI) were as follows: for flumatinib, Cmax, AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ were 281.65% (225.80-351.31%), 167.43% (143.92-194.79%), and 166.87% (143.47-194.09%); for M1, Cmax, AUC0-t, and AUC0-∞ were 188.59% (145.29-244.79), 163.94% (149.11-180.24%), and 164.48% (150.36-179.94%); for M3, Cmax, AUC0-t, and AUC0-∞ were 63.47% (54.02-74.57%), 85.23% (74.72-97.22%), and 96.73% (86.63-108.02%). CONCLUSION Among the subjects, oral administration of 400 mg of flumatinib was safe and well tolerated. High-fat diet significantly increases the exposure to flumatinib, therefore, fasting may be recommended. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION The study was registered at chictr.org Identifier: ChiCTR-IIR-17013179.
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A randomized phase 2 study of temsirolimus and cetuximab versus temsirolimus alone in recurrent/metastatic, cetuximab-resistant head and neck cancer: The MAESTRO study.
Seiwert, TY, Kochanny, S, Wood, K, Worden, FP, Adkins, D, Wade, JL, Sleckman, BG, Anderson, D, Brisson, RJ, Karrison, T, et al
Cancer. 2020;(14):3237-3243
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BACKGROUND Patients with cetuximab-resistant, recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have poor outcomes. This study hypothesized that dual blockade of mammalian target of rapamycin and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) would overcome cetuximab resistance on the basis of the role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase signaling in preclinical models of EGFR resistance. METHODS In this multicenter, randomized clinical study, patients with recurrent/metastatic HNSCC with documented progression on cetuximab (in any line in the recurrent/metastatic setting) received 25 mg of temsirolimus weekly plus cetuximab at 400/250 mg/m2 weekly (TC) or single-agent temsirolimus (T). The primary outcome was progression-free survival (PFS) in the TC arm versus the T arm. Response rates, overall survival, and toxicity were secondary outcomes. RESULTS Eighty patients were randomized to therapy with TC or T alone. There was no difference for the primary outcome of median PFS (TC arm, 3.5 months; T arm, 3.5 months). The response rate was 12.5% in the TC arm (5 responses, including 1 complete response [2.5%]) and 2.5% in the T arm (1 partial response; P = .10). Responses were clinically meaningful in the TC arm (range, 3.6-9.1 months) but not in the T-alone arm (1.9 months). Fatigue, electrolyte abnormalities, and leukopenia were the most common grade 3 or higher adverse events and occurred in less than 20% of patients in both arms. CONCLUSIONS The study did not meet its primary endpoint of improvement in PFS. However, TC induced responses in cetuximab-refractory patients with good tolerability. The post hoc observation of activity in patients with acquired resistance (after prior benefit from cetuximab monotherapy) may warrant further investigation.
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Effects of Food on the Pharmacokinetic Properties of Surufatinib: A Phase I, Single-dose, Randomized, Open-label Crossover Study in Healthy Subjects.
Qian, H, Wu, X, Chen, Q, Li, T, Wang, W, Jia, J, Yu, C, Li, K, Sai, Y, Su, W, et al
Clinical therapeutics. 2020;(9):1778-1786
Abstract
PURPOSE Surufatinib is a potent and orally active small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting VEGFRs 1 to 3, FGFR-1, and CSF-1R, and thus may exert antitumor and antiangiogenic effects. The objective of this study was to determine the tolerability and effects of food intake on the pharmacokinetic properties of surufatinib in healthy Chinese subjects. METHODS A total of 24 healthy Chinese male subjects aged between 18 and 55 years were enrolled. Subjects were administered a single dose of surufatinib 250-mg capsules in the fasted and fed states in succession. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed through the collection of blood samples at predose and at several time points after surufatinib administration. Tolerability assessments comprised physical examination including vital sign measurements, laboratory testing, and ECG to determine adverse events (AEs). FINDINGS The 90% CIs of the geometric mean ratios of AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ in the fasted and fed states was within 0.80 to 1.25; and for Cmax, within 0.70 to 1.43, indicating that food had no effect on the bioavailability of surufatinib in these healthy Chinese male subjects. Food intake delayed the time to peak absorption of surufatinib, as the median Tmax in the fed state was longer than that in the fasted state (4.0 vs 2.0 h). Surufatinib was marginally excreted from urine (mean [SD] cumulative excretion fraction, 1.2% [0.4%]). AEs occurred in 7 of the 24 subjects (29.2%) and included upper respiratory tract infection, dizziness, merycism, intervertebral disc protrusion, influenza-like disease, hematuria, prostatitis, and elevated blood urea nitrogen. All AEs were grade 1 or 2. IMPLICATIONS The bioavailability of surufatinib was not affected by food intake prior to dosing. However, food intake led to delated Tmax of surufatinib. The tolerability of a single oral dose of surufatinib 250 mg in the fasted and fed states was favorable in these healthy Chinese male subjects. These results indicate that surufatinib capsules could be administered before or after meals. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02320409.
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Routine-Dose and High-Dose Icotinib in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Harboring EGFR Exon 21-L858R Mutation: the Randomized, Phase II, INCREASE Trial.
Li, X, Zhang, L, Jiang, D, Wang, Y, Zang, A, Ding, C, Zhao, M, Su, W, Zhang, Y, Zhong, D, et al
Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. 2020;(13):3162-3171
Abstract
PURPOSE Our primary purpose is to explore safety and efficacy of high-dose icotinib in comparison with routine-dose icotinib in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring 21-L858R mutation. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with treatment-naïve, EGFR-mutant (21-L858R or exon 19 deletion at 2:1) NSCLC were enrolled. Patients with 21-L858R mutation were randomized to receive routine-dose icotinib (125 mg, thrice daily; L858R-RD) or high-dose icotinib (250 mg, thrice daily; L858R-HD), whereas patients with exon 19 deletion received only routine-dose icotinib (19-Del-RD) until progression, death, or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was median progression-free survival (mPFS), assessed by an independent review committee. RESULTS From May 2015 to November 2017, 253 patients (86 in L858R-RD; 90 in L858R-HD; and 77 in 19-Del-RD) were enrolled. The mPFS in L858R-HD group was similar to that in 19-Del-RD group (12.9 months and 12.5 months, respectively) and was significantly longer than that in L858R-RD group [12.9 months vs. 9.2 months, hazard ratio (HR): 0.75; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.53-1.05]. A longer but statistically nonsignificant mPFS was observed between 19-Del-RD and L858R-RD groups (12.5 months vs. 9.2 months, HR: 0.80; 95% CI, 0.57-1.13). A higher objective response rate (ORR) was observed in L858R-HD group compared with L858R-RD group (73% vs. 48%), also between 19-Del-RD and L858R-RD groups (75% vs. 48%). Similar incidences of grade 3/4 toxicities were observed among the three treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS High-dose icotinib improved mPFS and ORR in patients with NSCLC harboring 21-L858R mutation with acceptable tolerability, which could be a new therapeutic option for this patient population.
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Adapalene Gel 0.1% Versus Placebo as Prophylaxis for Anti-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Induced Acne-Like Rash: A Randomized Left-Right Comparative Evaluation (APPEARANCE).
Chayahara, N, Mukohara, T, Tachihara, M, Fujishima, Y, Fukunaga, A, Washio, K, Yamamoto, M, Nakata, K, Kobayashi, K, Takenaka, K, et al
The oncologist. 2019;(7):885-e413
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LESSONS LEARNED The results of the APPEARANCE trial indicate that adapalene does not prevent acne-like rash over placebo when added to topical moisturizer and oral minocycline but instead may have a detrimental effect. Therefore, adapalene is not recommended as prophylaxis against acne-like rash induced by anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapies.Given that acne-like rash was completely controlled with placebo in approximately half of patients, predictive measures to identify patients needing intensive prophylaxis are required. BACKGROUND Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapies are frequently associated with acne-like rash. To evaluate the prophylactic efficacy of adapalene, a topical retinoid used as first-line therapy for acne vulgaris, we conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, evaluator-blinded, left-right comparative trial. METHODS Patients with non-small cell lung, colorectal, or head and neck cancer scheduled to receive anti-EGFR therapies were randomly assigned to once-daily adapalene application on one side of the face, with placebo on the other side. All patients had topical moisturizer coapplied to both sides of the face, and received oral minocycline. The primary endpoint was the difference in total facial lesion count of acne-like rash at 4 weeks. Secondary endpoints included complete control rate (CCR) of acne-like rash (≤5 facial lesions) and global skin assessment (Investigator's Global Assessment [IGA] scale, grade 0-4) at 4 weeks. Two blinded dermatologists independently evaluated the endpoints from photographs. RESULTS A total of 36 patients were enrolled, of whom 26 were evaluable. Adapalene treatment was associated with a greater lesion count than placebo at 4 weeks, although the difference was not statistically significant (mean, 12.6 vs. 9.8, p = .12). All four patients with a difference >10 in lesion count between face sides had a greater count on the adapalene-treated side. No significant differences were observed in CCR of acne-like rash (54% vs. 50%) or IGA scale (mean grade, 1.9 vs. 1.7) between the adapalene and placebo sides. CONCLUSION Adapalene is not recommended as prophylaxis against acne-like rash induced by anti-EGFR therapies.
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Effects of a High-fat Meal on the Pharmacokinetics of the VEGFR Inhibitor Fruquintinib: A Randomized Phase I Study in Healthy Subjects.
Qian, H, Fan, S, Li, K, Sai, Y, Su, W, Chen, Q, Liu, Y, Li, T, Wang, W, Jia, J, et al
Clinical therapeutics. 2019;(8):1537-1544
Abstract
PURPOSE Fruquintinib is a potent and highly selective oral small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor and demonstrates promising activity against a broad spectrum of cancer types. The objective of the study was to investigate the tolerability and effect of high-fat food on the pharmacokinetic profile of a fruquintinib capsule in healthy Chinese subjects. METHODS Healthy Chinese male subjects aged between 18 and 45 years were enrolled in the study. The study included 2 phases: a dose-escalation phase and a food effect-assessment phase. In the dose-escalation phase, subjects were administered a single dose of fruquintinib (2, 3, or 4 mg) in the fasted state. In the food effect-assessment phase, subjects were administered a 4-mg fruquintinib capsule in the fasted and fed states, respectively, in 2 cycles. Blood samples for pharmacokinetic analysis were collected at the designated time points. Tolerability was assessed throughout the study by physical examination including vital sign measurements, clinical laboratory tests, 12-lead ECG, clinical assessments, and monitoring for and spontaneous reporting of adverse events. FINDINGS Twenty-nine eligible male subjects were enrolled in the study, including 9 in the dose-escalation phase and 20 in the food effect-assessment phase. In the food effect-assessment phase, the ratios (90% CI) of the geometric mean AUC0-∞ and Cmax values for fruquintinib in the fed state to those observed in the fasted state were 97.2% (94.0%-100.4%) and 82.9% (76.7%-89.5%), respectively. The mean (SD) Tmax values of fruquintinib were 3.0 (1.0) and 5.6 (4.5) hours in the fasted and fed states, respectively. The most common adverse events possibly related to the study drug were elevated blood uric acid, diarrhea, and decreased white blood cell count. IMPLICATIONS The overall bioavailability of the evaluated formulation of fruquintinib was not affected by the consumption of a high-fat, high-calorie meal prior to dosing. However, the consumption of a high-fat, high-calorie meal prior to dosing prolonged the Tmax. These results indicate that the fruquintinib capsule can be administered with or without food. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01955304.