Elucidating the mechanisms responsible for the previous failure of phase III clinical trials with eniluracil (EU) and development of a novel scheduling approach to optimize the efficacy of EU/5-fluorouracil (5-FU) combination therapy
2557 Background: Irreversible inhibition of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) by EU blocks 5-FU catabolism allowing for oral 5-FU administration with complete bioavailability. Unfortunately, phase III trials with co-administered EU/5-FU showed inferiority vs. 5-FU/leucovorin, and were discontinued. We recently reported that competitive inhibition of human uridine phosphorylase (UP) and thymidine phosphorylase (TP) 5-FU-anabolic enzymes by EU is an important mechanism potentially responsible for clinical failure of the combined EU/5- FU regimen. We hypothesize that EU inhibition of UP and TP is transient, while that of DPD is prolonged, allowing for novel schedule dependent optimization of EU/5-FU dosing regimens with improved efficacy. Methods: In this phase I study, five patients received a single oral dose (2 mg, 5 mg or 10 mg) of EU 12–14 hours prior to scheduled resection of primary/metastatic colorectal cancer. Dosage was as follows: Two patients received the 2 mg dose, one patient received the 5 mg dose and two patients received the 10 mg dose. Matched normal and tumor tissue biopsies were immediately snap frozen and subsequently UP, TP and DPD activity was measured in vitro via HPLC detection of [6- 14C]-5-FU catabolites/anabolites. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) DPD activity was determined at baseline prior to EU administration, 30 min prior to surgery (Day 1), and on Days 2, 5 and 14 following EU administration. Results: At 12–14 hours following EU administration, there was an absence of inhibition of UP and TP, while DPD was significantly inhibited in matched tumor and normal tissue. Importantly, PBMC DPD activity was significantly inhibited by EU on Day 1 (12–14 hours after EU administration) and Day 2 (36 hours after EU administration) at 0 ± 0% and 17 ± 11% (mean ± SD) of baseline, respectively. Conclusions: These data demonstrate a differential recovery time of EU mediated inhibition of UP and TP compared to DPD, which permits future schedule dependent optimization of EU/5-FU therapy. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
The 2-13C-5-fluorouracil breath test (FUBT) as a novel, rapid method for assessment of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) activity in cancer patients: Initial characterization and comparison to the 2-13C-uracil breath test (UraBT)
2551 Background: The UraBT is currently in development as a phenotypic test to screen for DPD deficiency. Following an oral dose of 2-13C-uracil, the UraBT shows a significant relationship between breath 13CO2 metabolite formation and plasma 2-13C-uracil and 2-13C-dihydrouracil pharmacokinetics. We herein describe a novel, potentially more clinically relevant test in which a small oral dose of 2-13C-5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is administered, followed by assessment of breath 13CO2 metabolite formation as previously described for the UraBT. We hypothesize that the FUBT can rapidly assess interindividual variability in 5-FU catabolism and predisposition to 5-FU toxicity. Methods: Over two sessions separated by a seven day washout, a single dose (6mg/kg, p.o.) of 2-13C-uracil or 2-13C-5-FU was administered to patients with stage III-IV colorectal cancer (n = 4). Subsequent to drug administration, in each session, 13CO2 catabolite formation was quantified in the breath over eight hours. In a separate investigation over two sessions separated by a seven day washout, a single dose (3mg/kg, p.o.) of 2-13C-uracil or 213C-5-FU was administered to colorectal cancer patients with previously documented severe (n=2) or moderate (n=2) 5-FU dose-related hematological/gastrointestinal toxicity. Following drug administration 13CO2 catabolite formation was quantified over eight hours. 13CO2 concentration was expressed as Delta Over Baseline (DOB) in all sessions. Results: Compared to the UraBT, the FUBT showed an increased Cmax (50.7 ± 6.6 DOB/mg vs. 36.8 ± 7.8 DOB/mg; mean ± SD) and decreased Tmax (25 ± 4 min vs. 45 ± 6 min) for 13CO2 formation (p<0.05). The FUBT was able to distinguish patients with previously reported severe and moderate 5- FU toxicity, with 13CO2 Cmax values of 35.5 ± 9.5 DOB/mg (mean ± SD) and 59.8 ± 7.3 DOB/mg, respectively. Importantly, FUBT Cmax values positively correlated with DPD activity (rs=1.00, p<0.01). Conclusions: These data lend support to further development of the FUBT as a rapid and informative test to assess DPD activity and to predict susceptibility to severe dose-related 5-FU toxicity. [CA116964] No significant financial relationships to disclose.