Holen, Kyle D.

4043 Background: Systemic treatment options for progressive metastatic NET, including islet cell carcinoma (ICC) and carcinoid tumor (CT), are limited. These tumors frequently express the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Gefitinib, a small-molecule inhibitor of the EGFR tyrosine kinase, has been shown to inhibit the growth of NET cell lines. Methods: Eligibility criteria included: radiographic progression by RECIST criteria, ECOG PS ≤ 2, ≤ 1 prior chemotherapy, and good organ function. Prior interferon and prior or concurrent octreotide (if disease progression documented on stable dose) were allowed. Pts received gefitinib 250 mg po daily. We evaluated 6 month (mos) progression-free survival (PFS) in two cohorts (ie, CT and ICC) using separate 2-stage phase II designs. 6 mos PFS rates of 30% (CT) and 10% (ICC) were considered promising. Results: 96 pts were enrolled: (57 CT, 39 ICC). For pts evaluable for the primary endpoint, 23 of 38 (61%) CT pts and 9 of 29 (31%) pts with ICC were progression-free at 6 mos. 1 PR and one minor response (MR = 20–29% decrease in sum of target lesion diameters) were observed in 40 CT pts; 2 PR and 1 MR in 31 ICC pts. In addition, 32% (12/38) of CT and 14% (4/29) of ICC pts had stable disease on study for a duration that exceeded by at least 4 months the time to progression documented prior to study entry. Grade 3–4 toxicity was infrequent with fatigue (6%), diarrhea (5%) and rash (3%) most common. Evaluation of markers of the EGFR pathway on tumor tissue will be presented. Conclusions: Gefitinib is well-tolerated and results in prolonged disease stabilization in pts with prior documented objective progression of CT and ICC, with rare objective responses. Supported by NOI CM17104. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

14118 Background: Triapine is a small molecule iron chelator that has been shown to inhibit ribonucleotide reductase (RR) at the M2 subunit. Early trials suggested activity in pancreatic cancer. The P2C initiated a study of single agent Triapine as both first-line therapy and for pts with gemcitabine-refractory disease. Correlatives included: pharmacokinetics, MDR polymorphisms, and the effects of Triapine on cell cycle and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR). Methods: Standard eligibility criteria were used, however, pts with G6PD deficiency were excluded. Triapine was given 96 mg/m2 IV over 2 hours, days 1–4 and 15–18, repeated q 28 days. Primary goals - evaluate survival (S) at 6 mos (previously untreated pts) and 4 mos (refractory pts). Interim analyses were planned when 28 previously untreated and 20 refractory pts were enrolled. Results: 14 eligible pts were enrolled in 10 mos (13 refractory, 9 male). The previously untreated pt received only 1 cycle secondary to progressive disease. Of the 13 refractory pts, 7 pts received at most 2 cycles; 6 received 1. Disease progression precluded further treatment in 11 pts. 6 pts had Gr 4 toxicities at least possibly related to drug, including: neutropenia-4, hyperkalemia-1, hyponatremia-1, leukopenia-1, thrombocytopenia-1, hypophosphatemia-1. 6 pts had a Gr 3 fatigue. One refractory patient expired on study. No responses were seen. Estimated 4 mos S in refractory pts is 16% (95% CI 3–94). EPR studies showed that Triapine led to a loss of the RR tyrosine radical EPR signal. Conclusions: Enrollment was suspended due to excess toxicity and lack of activity in pts refractory to gemcitabine. Correlative studies confirm the mechanism of action of Triapine as a chelating agent on RR. Supported by NCI Grant N01 CM17104 and the NCI Translational Research Fund. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

4504 Background: Treatment options for metastatic NET, including islet cell carcinoma (ICC) and carcinoid tumor (CT), are limited. These tumors frequently express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) and platelet derived growth factor receptor receptor-β (PDGFR-β). Sorafenib, a small-molecule inhibitor of the VEGFR-2 and PDGFR-β tyrosine kinase domains, is a rational targeted therapy to evaluate in NET. Methods: Eligibility criteria included: ECOG PS = 2, = 1 prior chemotherapy, good organ function and signed informed consent. Prior interferon and prior or concurrent octreotide at a stable dose were allowed. Pts unable to take oral medications, with uncontrolled hypertension or with symptomatic coronary artery disease were excluded. Pts received sorafenib 400 mg po BID. Primary endpoint was response by RECIST in two cohorts (ie, CT and ICC) using separate 2-stage phase II designs. Results: 93 pts were enrolled: (50 CT, 43 ICC). For pts evaluable for the primary endpoint, 4 of 41 (10%) CT pts and 4 of 41 (10%) ICC pts had a PR. There were 3 minor responses (MR = 20–29% decrease in sum of target lesion diameters) in CT pts and 9 MRs in ICC pts for PR+MR rate of 17% for CT pts and 32% for ICC pts. For pts evaluable, 6-month progression-free survival was observed in 8/20 CT and 14/23 ICC pts. Grade 3–4 toxicity occurred in 43% of pts, with skin (20%), GI (7%) and fatigue (9%) most common. Translational studies from tumor tissue will be presented. Conclusions: Sorafenib at 400 mg po BID has modest activity in metastatic neuroendocrine tumors, with frequent grade = 3 toxicity. Supported by NOI CM6225. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

PurposeBiliary cancers overexpress epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and angiogenesis has been correlated with poor outcome. Erlotinib, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and bevacizumab, a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor have each been shown to have activity in biliary cancer. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the response rate by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Secondary end points included overall survival (OS), time to progression (TTP), VEGF levels, and molecular studies of EGFR and k-ras.Patients and MethodsEligible patients had advanced cholangiocarcinoma or gallbladder cancer. Patients were treated with bevacizumab 5 mg/kg intravenously on days 1 and 15 and erlotinib 150 mg by mouth daily on days 1 through 28. Responses were evaluated by RECIST. VEGF levels were collected, and samples were analyzed for EGFR mutation by polymerase chain reaction.ResultsFifty-three eligible patients were enrolled at eight sites. Of 49 evaluable patients, six (12%; 95% CI, 6% to 27%) had a confirmed partial response. Stable disease was documented in another 25 patients (51%). Rash was the most common grade 3 toxicity. Four patients had grade 4 toxicities. Median OS was 9.9 months, and TTP was 4.4 months. Low repeats (< 16) in EGFR intron 1 polymorphism and G>G k-ras Q38 genotype (wild type) were associated with improved outcomes.ConclusionCombination chemotherapy with bevacizumab and erlotinib showed clinical activity with infrequent grade 3 and 4 adverse effects in patients with advanced biliary cancers. On the basis of preliminary molecular analysis, presence of a k-ras mutation may alter erlotinib efficacy. The combination of bevacizumab and erlotinib may be a therapeutic alternative in patients with advanced biliary cancer.