Dickson, Mark A.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) can reverse chemoresistance, enhance chemotherapy-induced cytotoxicity, and reduce sarcoma proliferation in cell lines and animal models. We sought to determine the safety and toxicity of mocetinostat and its ability to reverse chemoresistance when administered with gemcitabine in patients with metastatic leiomyosarcoma resistant to prior gemcitabine-containing therapy. Participants with metastatic leiomyosarcoma received mocetinostat orally, 70 mg per day, three days per week, increasing to 90 mg after three weeks if well tolerated. Gemcitabine was administered at 1,000 mg/m2 intravenously at 10 mg/m2/minute on days five and 12 of every 21-day cycle. Disease response was evaluated with CT or MRI. Twenty participants with leiomyosarcoma were evaluated for toxicity. Median time to disease progression was 2.0 months (95% CI 1.54–3.12). Eighteen participants were evaluated for radiologic response by RECIST 1.1. Best responses included one PR and 12 SD. Tumor size reduced in 3 patients. Most common toxicities were fatigue, thrombocytopenia, anemia, nausea, and anorexia. One patient experienced a significant pericardial adverse event. No study-related deaths were observed. Rechallenging with gemcitabine by adding mocetinostat was feasible and demonstrated modest activity in patients with leiomyosarcoma. Further studies are needed to better define the role of HDAC inhibitors in patients with metastatic leiomyosarcoma.

CRA9003 Background: Gq/11 mutations are early oncogenic events in UM resulting in MAPK pathway activation. We demonstrated decreased viability in UM cell lines harboring Gq/11 mut with sel, a small molecule inhibitor of MEK1/2 (Ambrosini, CCR 2012). Methods: We conducted a 16 center randomized phase II study of hyd-sulfate sel 75 mg BID vs TMZ 150 mg/m2 daily for 5 days in 28-day cycles (or DTIC 1000 mg/m2 q21 days) for patients (pts) with metastatic UM with a Q209 Gq/11 mut who have not received prior TMZ/DTIC. The primary endpoint was progression free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and response rate (RR). Select pts underwent tumor biopsies at baseline and after 14 (+/- 3 days) of sel. Our statistical plan required ≥80 pts randomized and ≥68 events to detect a PFS hazard ratio of 0.6 (p=0.1). Randomization was stratified by mut (Gq vs G11), M stage and number of prior therapies (tx). Tumor assessment occurred every 4 weeks (wks) for 8 wks and then every 8 wks using RECIST 1.1. Pts receiving TMZ who progressed could receive sel (TMZ→sel). Results: 80 pts were randomized. Sel (n=39): median age 66 (range 32-86), 54% male, 54% G11 mut, median ECOG PS 0 (range 0-1), 97% M1c, median prior tx 0 (range 0-2). TMZ (n=41): median age 60 (range 34-81), 63% male, 58% G11 mut, median ECOG PS 0 (range 0-1), 93% M1c, median prior tx 0 (range 0-2). 11/39 (28%) pts on sel experienced grade (gr) 3 toxicity (tox) manageable with dose modification (5 CPK elevation, 3 LFT elevation, 1 rash, 1 lymphopenia, 1 edema). 1/41 (2%) pt on TMZ experienced gr 3 tox (neutropenia). No gr 4/5 tox occurred. 28 pts on sel underwent paired tumor biopsies with inhibition of pERK and cyclinD1 observed by Western blot at day 14. At interim analysis (9/25/12), 55 pts were evaluable with 45 progression events and 16 deaths. Sel (n=27): median PFS 16 wks (95% CI 8-30.9), RR 11%, median OS 11.8 months (95% CI 4.8-not reached). TMZ (n=28): median PFS 4 wks (95% CI 3.7-15), RR 0%, median OS 4.7 months (95% CI 4.3-14.3). TMZ→sel (n=25): median PFS 8.1 wks (95% CI 7-15), RR 0%. Conclusions: Sel is the first drug to ever show improved clinical activity in UM relative to TMZ. Sustained target inhibition is observed with sel. Final results will be presented. Clinical trial information: NCT01143402.