Phase 3 Study: Canfosfamide (C, TLK286) plus carboplatin (P) vs liposomal doxorubicin (D) as 2nd line therapy of platinum (P) resistant ovarian cancer (OC)

LBA5529

Background: Canfosfamide (C) is a novel glutathione analog prodrug activated by glutathione S-transferase P1–1. C has single agent activity in P resistant OC and is synergistic with P. Methods: Pts with P resistant OC following ≤ 2 P regimens, measurable disease (RECIST) were eligible. Pts received C (750 mg/m2) and P (AUC 5) or D (50 mg/m2) IV q4wks until progression. Randomization was stratified by ECOG PS, best prior P response and bulky disease (≥ 5cm). Results: All 247 P refractory or resistant pts received 505/494 cycles median 3 (range 1–17), CP/D respectively. Most common toxicities for CP were hematologic and as expected for each drug alone. By independent radiologic review (IRR), 25% of pts discontinued treatment without documented progression. Overall ORR varied between clinician and IRR assessments. Overall median PFS was 3.5 mos for both CP and D. Overall median survival (MS) has not been reached. Planned analysis of the effect of time from last P dose to study treatment (TFP; not from time of recurrence) identified a P resistant subgroup for TFP ≥ 6 mos (med 7.1) [ Table ]. Subgroup ORR for CP was 31.6% vs 10.5% for D. Subgroup median PFS for CP has not been reached vs 3.5 mos for D (p=0.0099). Subgroup MS for CP has not been reached vs 11.1 mos for D(p=0.0014). Subgroup CP had superior QOL outcomes per FACIT-FACT-O. Conclusions: Primary endpoint of overall PFS was comparable. Subgroup TFP ≥ 6 mos reported large differences in ORR and QOL and statistical significance in PFS and survival for CP. OC trials with C in combination with other standard agents are in progress.

[Table: see text] [Table: see text]

Single agent, canfosfamide (C, TLK286) vs pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (D) or topotecan (T) in 3rd-line treatment of platinum (P) refractory or resistant ovarian cancer (OC): Phase 3 study results

LBA5528

Background: Canfosfamide (C) is a novel glutathione analog prodrug activated by glutathione S-transferase P1–1. P resistant OC has a poor prognosis and non-P agents are used for palliation. C reported objective responses in multicenter Phase 2 OC trials. Methods: Pts with P resistant OC who progressed after D or T, measurable disease (RECIST), adequate liver/renal/bone marrow function were eligible. Randomization was stratified by prior D or T treatment, ECOG PS (0 or 1 vs 2) and presence or absence of bulky disease (= 5cm). Patients received C at 1000 mg/m2 IV q3wks, or to D at 50 mg/m2 IV q4wks or T at 1.5 mg/m2 IV daily × 5 q3wks until progression. The trial had a 90% power to detect a 29% reduction in the relative risk of death. Results: 461 pts (C=232 and D or T=229) received 1052 cycles [median 3; range (r) 1–33], 699 (median 4; r 1–32), and 469 (median 5; r 1–21) for C, D and T respectively. Most common Grade 3–4 AEs for C were: nausea (31.6%), vomiting (8.7%), fatigue (6.1%), and anemia (5.6%), for D/T were: nausea (55.3%), anemia (15.2%), fatigue (6.9%), neutropenia (23.5%), thrombocytopenia (12.4%), febrile neutropenia (6%), stomatitis (6%), and PPE syndrome (6%). ORR for C was 4.3% including a CR, vs 10.9% ORR for D/T. Median survival (MS) was 8.5 mos for C, 13.6 mos for D/T (p=0.0001). Median progression-free survival was 2.3 mos for C and 4.4 mos for D/T, (p=0.0001). D/T MS was 14.2/10.8 mos, respectively. Conclusions: Canfosfamide did not meet the primary endpoint. C demonstrated single agent activity in P refractory or resistant OC and was well tolerated. C in combination with standard agents in less heavily treated OC trials are in progress.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Efficacy and safety of erlotinib HCl, an epidermal growth factor receptor (HER1/EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma: results from a phase II multicenter study

The aim of this single-arm, phase II study was to estimate the tumor response rate and safety profile of erlotinib HCl (erlotinib, Tarceva, OSI-774) monotherapy in patients with refractory, recurrent, HER1/EGFR-positive epithelial ovarian tumors, who had failed prior taxane and/or platinum-based chemotherapy. Thirty-four patients received 150 mg erlotinib orally once daily for up to 48 weeks or until disease progression or dose-limiting toxicity. Two patients had partial responses, lasting 8+ and 17 weeks, giving an objective response rate of 6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7-19.7%). Fifteen patients (44%) had stable disease, and 17 patients (50%) had progressive disease. Median overall survival was 8 months (95% CI, 5.7-12.7 months), with a 1-year survival rate of 35.3% (95% CI, 19.8-53.5%). Patients with rash survived significantly longer than those without (P= 0.009), correlating with rash grade. Erlotinib was generally well tolerated. The most frequent erlotinib-related adverse events were rash (68%) and diarrhea (38%). Erlotinib had marginal activity but was generally well tolerated. The safety profile appears more favorable than typically experienced with standard chemotherapeutic agents, which is encouraging in these heavily pretreated patients. Combination of erlotinib with chemotherapy or other targeted agents should be considered.

Defining the optimum upper heart rate limit during exercise: a study in pacemaker patients with heart failure

AIMS

There is no non-invasive method to determine the individual optimum of maximum exercise heart rate. Knowledge of this value is of particular interest in patients with structural heart disease who are prone to tachycardia intolerance. The purpose of this study was to define the optimal maximum heart rate using cardiopulmonary exercise testing and exercise Doppler echocardiography and to compare the results of both approaches.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In 49 pacemaker patients with chronotropic incompetence, the optimum upper heart rate limit was determined using cardiopulmonary exercise testing and exercise Doppler echocardiography. The optimum upper rate limit was given by the highest pacing rate which still produced an increase in oxygen consumption, or by that pacing rate which was linked to the lowest value for the Doppler-derived myocardial performance index. In patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (>or=55%) the optimum upper rate limit was 86% of age-predicted maximum heart rate, in patients with left ventriuclar dysfunction (ejection fraction <or=45%) it was 75% of the age-predicted maximum rate (P=0.004). The optimum upper rate limit, as defined by cardiopulmonary exercise testing and exercise Doppler echocardiography, were closely correlated (P<0.0001) with a mean deviation of 6+/-6 beats x min(-1).

CONCLUSION

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing and exercise Doppler echocardiography are valuable tools which help to determine the optimum upper rate limit in order to avoid excess heart rates in heart failure patients. The application of these methods is not limited to pacemaker patients but may be helpful in therapeutic interventions with chronotropic drugs.