Kerbel, Robert S.

14046 Background: LDM CTX is a minimally toxic anti-angiogenic therapy that has demonstrated activity in multiple tumour types including HRPC. Increased Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX 2, a prostaglandin synthase enzyme) expression appears to be a consistent feature of a variety of human tumours, including prostate cancer. COX 2 inhibitors like CEL exhibit anti-tumour activity in pre-clinical studies, at least in part due to their anti-angiogenic activity. Pre-clinical work supports the concept that the combination of selective angiogenesis inhibitors like CEL with metronomic chemotherapy can enhance the effects of these agents on tumour angiogenesis. Methods: Men with asymptomatic HRPC at a single Canadian centre received celecoxib 400 mg po BID and cyclophosphamide 50 mg po daily. The primary efficacy endpoint of this 2 stage phase II study is disease control rate (DCR): 50% PSA response, tumour response or prolonged (=6 mos) PSA or stable measurable disease. This study is also assessing the safety of LDM CTX and CEL as well as potential anti-angiogenic biomarkers in these patients including circulating endothelial cells and their precursors (CEC/P), plasma levels of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Results: Enrollment for the first stage of this study (10 men) has been completed. There were 2 patients with disease control by the a priori criteria: one patient with a partial tumour response (PR) (PR duration 13 mos with PSA stabilization for 12 mos) and one patient that had both prolonged stable PSA (7 mos) and prolonged stable measurable disease (8 mos). In addition, another patient had an unconfirmed PR. The therapy was well tolerated. One patient had angina that responded well to medical therapy but there were no serious arterial-thromboembolic events. One patient developed grade 3 hypertension. All other toxicities were grade 1/2. Data on CEC/P, TSP-1 and VEGF levels will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions: LDM CTX + CEL is a well tolerated therapy in men with asymptomatic HRPC. 2/10 patients achieved disease control in the first stage of the trial, meeting the criteria to proceed to the second stage. [Table: see text]

Purpose We conducted a pediatric phase I trial of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)–neutralizing antibody bevacizumab (BV). Primary aims included estimating the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) and determining the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), pharmacokinetics, and biologic effects of BV in children with cancer. Patients and Methods BV (5, 10, 15 mg/kg) was administered intravenously every 2 weeks in 28-day courses to children with refractory solid tumors. Results Twenty-one patients enrolled, 20 (median age, 13 years) were eligible, and 18 completed one course and were fully assessable for toxicity. A total of 67 courses were administered (median, three courses per patient; range, one to 16 courses). Treatment was well tolerated with no DLTs observed. Non-DLTs included infusional reaction, rash, mucositis, proteinuria, and lymphopenia. Increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure not meeting Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAEv3) pediatric-specific criteria for hypertension were observed. There was no hemorrhage or thrombosis. Growth perturbation was not detected in a limited sample over the first course. The serum exposure to BV as measured by area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) seemed to increase in proportion to dose. The median clearance of BV was 4.1 mL/d/kg (range, 3.1 to 15.5 mL/d/kg), and the median half-life was 11.8 days (range, 4.4 to 14.6 days). No objective responses were observed. Exploratory analyses on circulating endothelial mobilization and viability are consistent with the available adult data. Conclusion BV is well tolerated in children. Phase II pediatric studies of BV in combination with chemotherapy in dosing schedules similar to adults are planned.