Phase II trial of imatinib (I) and docetaxel (D) in recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

18132

Background: Second line monotherapy for NSCLC produces a response rate of 9% and a median survival of 7–8 months, regardless of the agent used. Emerging data suggest that combining an approved agent with an anti-angiogenesis inhibitor may improve efficacy in the salvage setting. Platelet Derived Growth Factor Receptor alpha (PDGFR-alpha) is involved in angiogenesis and its expression has been reported in 100% of adenocarcinoma (11/11) and 89% of squamous cell (16/18) lung cancer specimens in a small group sample. Preclinical models have shown that I inhibits PDGFR and may subsequently inhibit angiogenesis. In addition, I + D have additive anticancer activity. We initiated a phase II trial of I +D to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this combination regimen in recurrent NSCLC. Methods: Patients (pts)with pathologically confirmed NSCLC, measurable disease, no more than 1 previous platinum-based chemotherapy regimen, PS 0–1, clinically stable brain metastases and adequate organ function were eligible. Tumor samples, when available, were tested for PDGFR expression by immunohistochemistry. All pts received D 30mg/m2 intravenously weekly x 3 every 4 weeks and oral I 600mg daily for 4 cycles. Non- progressors after 4 cycles continued with I alone for a total of 12 months or until progression. Tumor response was assessed every 2 cycles. The primary endpoint was response rate. A Simon two-stage design was used with 16 patients in the first stage and accrual of a total of 32 patients planned. Results: Currently 15/16 patients for stage I of the protocol have been enrolled. A total of 24 cycles of combined I+D were given. Patient characteristics and toxicity data are described in the table below. Efficacy data is premature. Conclusion : I +D combination has been well tolerated in this relapsed population. A detailed toxicity, efficacy and PDGFR analysis will be presented.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Impact of chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer on swallowing function

6054

Background: We examined the impact of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) on swallowing function in a group of patients treated for locally advanced head and neck cancer in an ongoing randomized phase II study with concurrent CRT, with or without Ethyol. Methods: Chemotherapy consisted of weekly carboplatin AUC 1.5 and paclitaxel at 45 /m2 for 4 weeks. Radiation was delivered using a 3 field technique with a concomitant boost schedule to a total dose of 72 Gy. Patients were randomized to receive or not receive daily subcutaneous Ethyol. Patients had video swallow studies at the start of radiation and 8, 12, 24 and 52 weeks post chemoradiotherapy. Dysphagia and weight loss were monitored. Video swallow study reports were collected and the incidence of penetration, aspiration, pharyngeal residue and upper esophageal narrowing analyzed. Results: Baseline data were available for 31 patients out of 43 enrolled. 29% of the patients penetrated, 6.4% aspirated and 29% had pharyngeal residue. Patients on both arms of the study had a steady decline in swallowing function from onset until 24 weeks post radiation. Penetration, aspiration and pharyngeal residue were consistently noted at all time points and improvements in deglutition were seen on the 52-week post radiation video swallow. Forty percent of the patients (17/43) had narrowing in the upper esophagus. On average, a third of the patients examined required dilations. The remaining patients with esophageal narrowing were able to advance their diet and have their feeding tubes removed without dilations. The average time from the end of the treatment to PEG removal was 219 days. Conclusion: Based on the video swallow studies that were conducted, patients had a gradual decline in swallowing function from initiation of CRT until 24 weeks post. Esophageal narrowing was common, often requiring dilation. Given that it takes 7 months on average for the feeding tubes to come out, we recommend that these patients undergo intensive swallowing therapy and continuous long term follow up and assessment at two and possibly three years post CRT. Study is ongoing.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

A randomized phase 2 trial of amrubicin compared to topotecan as second-line treatments in extensive disease small cell lung cancer (SCLC) sensitive to platinum-based first-line chemotherapy

18064

Background: SCLC accounts for about 13% of lung cancers and presents as extensive disease (ED-SCLC) in 60%-70% of patients (pts). Treatment options have been limited for ED-SCLC and survival enhanced by a median of only 2–3 months over the past 20 years. Our trial assessed response rates with amrubicin, a fully synthetic anthracycline and inhibitor of DNA topoisomerase II, versus standard therapy topotecan, for second-line treatment of sensitive SCLC. Methods: This phase 2, open-label, multicenter trial compares second-line therapy with amrubicin versus topotecan in ED-SCLC pts (=18 years, ECOG performance status =2), sensitive to first-line platinum-based therapy but with recurrence or progression =90 days later. Pts are randomized to amrubicin (40 mg/m2 via 5-minute bolus infusion daily x 3 days) or topotecan (1.5 mg/m2 via 30-minute infusion daily x 5 days), both starting on Day 1 of a 21 day cycle. Treatment is continued until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal. Response is assessed using RECIST criteria. In all, 75 evaluable pts (50 randomized to amrubicin and 25 to topotecan; 2:1 per the standard topotecan therapy reference group) are planned to be enrolled. Results: To date, 22 pts are enrolled with 15 evaluable for response: 10 on amrubicin; 5 on topotecan. After 1–6 cycles, 5/10 amrubicin pts have responded (1 CR, 4 PRs). One topotecan patient responded (PR) but had progressive disease at the next visit. Seventeen pts are evaluable for safety. Hematological adverse events (AEs, = Grade 3) were the most commonly reported and were similarly observed across treatments (Table). Tachycardia (< Grade 3) was recorded for 1 amrubicin and 2 topotecan pts. No other cardiac AEs were observed. Conclusions: Amrubicin compares favorably with standard therapy topotecan as second-line treatment in sensitive ED-SCLC patients. No anthracycline- induced cardiomyopathy has been observed to date.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Phase I trial of chir-258 in multiple myeloma

17502

Background: CHIR-258 is an orally active small molecule receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor which has potent activity against multiple RTKs involved in tumor growth and angiogenesis (IC50 ≤13 nM for FGFR, VEGFR, PDGFR, C-KIT, and FLT3). Approximately 15% of newly diagnosed MM patients harbor a t(4;14) translocation, which results in ectopic expression of FGFR3 and MMSET and is associated with poor treatment outcome [0]and reduced survival. CHIR-258 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in FGFR3-expressing MM tumor xenografts as well as FGFR3-expressing primary MM cells (Trudel et al, Blood 2005). CHIR-258 was synergistic with dexamethasone (dex) in vitro. Methods: CHIR-258 was administered once daily in a dose-escalating phase 1 study to patients with relapsed/refractory MM. Drug tolerability and safety, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) were assessed. Results: as of December 2005, 9 total pts have been treated (50, 100, and 200mg qd cohorts) [6M, 3F; median age: 58 (range: 44–68), median of 3 prior therapies(range:1–7)]. Prior tx: 9/9 pts-thalidomide; 8/9 -Velcade; 8/9-transplant; 8/9- had progressed through dex. 4 of 9 pts treated were FGFR3+ and 4 pts remain on study (3 are FGFR3+). No CR or PR have been observed; stable disease has been noted. CHIR-258 has been generally well tolerated, and most drug related AEs were CTC grade 1 or 2, including: headache, dysgeusia, fatigue and anorexia. No neuropathy. One DLT has been observed to date: neutropenia (200mg cohort). Five pts had dex added to CHIR-258 of which 3 are ongoing (all FGFR3+). FGFR3+ pts receiving dex and CHIR-258 have a greater decline in urine and serum paraproteins (pp) vs CHIR-258 alone. Plasma exposure and Cmax increased proportionally across the doses. Conclusions: CHIR-258 is a novel inhibitor of RTKs involved in MM growth and proliferation. FGFR3+ pts have a more marked reduction in pp than FGFR3- pts. CHIR-258 has generally been well tolerated and further accrual continues.

[Table: see text]

Enhanced cyclooxygenase-2 expression in olfactory-limbic forebrain following kainate-induced seizures

Cyclooxygenase-2 is expressed at low levels in a subset of neurons in CNS and is rapidly induced by a multiplicity of factors including seizure activity. A putative relationship exists between cyclooxygenase-2 induction and glutamatergic neurotransmission. Cyclooxygenase-1 is constitutively expressed in glial cells and has been specifically linked to microglia. In this study we evaluated cyclooxygenase-2 protein immunocytochemically and found markedly enhanced immunostaining primarily in olfactory-limbic regions at 2, 6 and 24 h following kainate-induced status epilepticus. Impressive enhanced cyclooxygenase-2 immunoreactivity was localized in anterior olfactory nucleus, tenia tecta, nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract, piriform cortex, lateral and basolateral amygdala, orbital frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens (shell) and associated areas of ventral striatum, entorhinal cortex, dentate gyrus granule cells and hilar neurons, hippocampal CA subfields and subiculum. Alternate sections were processed for dual immunocytochemical analysis utilizing c-Fos and cyclooxygenase-2 antiserum to examine the possibility that the neuronal induction of cyclooxygenase-2 was associated with seizure activity. Neurons that showed a timeline of cyclooxygenase-2 upregulation were found to possess c-Fos immunopositive nuclei. Additional results from all seizure groups showed cyclooxygenase-1 induction in microglia, which was confirmed by Western blot analysis of hippocampus. Western blot and real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed significant upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 expression, confirming its induction in neurons. These data indicate that cyclooxygenase-2 induction in a neuronal network can be a useful marker for pathways associated with seizure activity.

Alginate as a source of dietary fiber

Alginate, an algal polysaccharide, is widely used in the food industry as a stabilizer, or as a thickening or emulsifying agent. As an indigestible polysaccharide, alginate may also be viewed as a source of dietary fiber. Previous work has suggested that dietary fibres may protect against the onset and continuation of a number of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases. This article aims to examine what is currently understood about the fiber-like activities of alginate, particularly its effects on intestinal absorption and the colon, and therefore aims to gauge the potential use of alginate as a dietary supplement for the maintenance of normal health, or the alleviation of certain cardiovascular or gastrointestinal diseases.

The toll-like receptor 4 Asp299Gly variant: no influence on LPS responsiveness or susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis in The Gambia

SETTING

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Studies in a murine model of pulmonary TB have identified a role for Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the development of chronic lung infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The Asp299Gly polymorphism in the human TLR4 gene is associated with in vivo hyporesponsiveness to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in Caucasians.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether TLR4 Asp299Gly influences LPS responses or susceptibility to pulmonary TB in humans in a Gambian population sample.

DESIGN

We compared whole blood monokine responses to LPS in 245 healthy blood donors stratified by TLR4 Asp299Gly genotype to assess whether this polymorphism was functional in this population. A case-control study of 640 subjects was conducted to investigate whether TLR4 Asp299Gly was associated with TB.

RESULTS

LPS-induced tumour necrosis factor, interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-10 production was not influenced by TLR4 Asp299Gly genotype. There was no association between TLR4 Asp299Gly and TB.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that TLR4 Asp299Gly has no influence on monocyte LPS responses or susceptibility to TB in Gambians and could be an ancient neutral polymorphism.

Factors associated with abnormal Pap results in systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have suggested that women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at greater risk for cervical dysplasia than are women in the general population. However, the factors associated with abnormal Pap test results in SLE have not been well studied. We therefore aimed to determine the factors associated with lifetime occurrence of an abnormal Pap test in women with SLE, and the influence of immunosuppressive exposure on the odds of abnormal Pap test results occurring after diagnosis of SLE.

METHODS

Data were pooled from SLE cohorts from three centres. Self-report data were available on smoking, reproductive history, use of oral contraceptives (OC), history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and whether the subjects had had cervical dysplasia on Pap testing. Logistic regression was used to examine the effect of these variables on the lifetime odds of cervical dysplasia. We then generated the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for the effect of immunosuppressive exposure on cervical dysplasia occurring after diagnosis of SLE.

RESULTS

History of STDs and use of OCs were positively associated with reports of cervical dysplasia in adjusted analyses. The ORs for the effect of immunosuppressives on abnormal Pap test occurrence (adjusted for race, age, smoking, nulliparity, OC use and history of STDs) after diagnosis of SLE was 1.6 (95% CI 1.0, 2.7).

CONCLUSIONS

A history of STDs and use of OCs were associated with abnormal Pap reports in this SLE sample. Immunosuppressive exposure may confer further risk to women with SLE.

The diurnal profile of gastric pepsin activity is reduced with Helicobacter pylori infection

Both Helicobacter pylori and pepsin are proven mucosal damaging agents and implicated in the aetiology of peptic ulcer disease. Historically studies of pepsin over time have proved methodologically difficult, and as a result little work has been done on the effect of H. pylori on luminal pepsin secretion. Our objectives were to determine pepsin activity over 24 hr in normal human subjects and to examine luminal pepsin activity in relation to H. pylori infection. Twenty-seven healthy volunteers had gastric juice samples aspirated every 2 hr for 24 hr. All subjects had H. pylori status determined by C13 urea breath test and serology. Meals were standardized throughout the study period. Gastric juice samples were measured for pH, diluted, and frozen in acetate buffer pH 4.1 for up to 1 month, conditions shown to cause no loss of activity. Individual samples were measured for pepsin activity by assaying for new N-terminal peptide formation. Mean pepsin activity (microg enzyme/ml) in 21 normal H. pylori-negative subjects ranged from 114 to 1030 microg/ml, with a characteristic diurnal profile of increasing activity to maximum after the evening meal. Mean pepsin activity in subjects with H. pylori was consistently below that for age-matched H. pylori-negative subjects at each time point. Overall mean pepsin activity was significantly lower in those with H. pylori compared to those without (P < 0.001). There is significant pepsin activity in the stomach throughout the 24-hr period, with a trend for the highest activity through the night. Subjects with H. pylori infection have lower luminal pepsin activity.