Kaubisch, Andreas

We assessed the efficacy and safety of combining bevacizumab with temsirolimus in patients with advanced extra-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. This NCI-sponsored multicenter, open-label, phase II study (NCT01010126) enrolled patients with advanced, recurrent, or metastatic extra-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. All patients were treated with temsirolimus and bevacizumab until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Temsirolimus 25 mg was administered i.v. on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 and bevacizumab 10 mg/kg i.v. on days 1 and 15 of a 4-week cycle. Discontinuation of temsirolimus or bevacizumab did not require discontinuation of the other agent. The primary endpoints were objective response rate and 6-month progression-free survival rate. Fifty-nine patients were enrolled in this study, and 54 were evaluated for efficacy and adverse events. While median progression-free survival was 7.1 months, the median duration of treatment with temsirolimus was 3.9 months and that with bevacizumab was 3.5 months. The objective response rate of combination therapy was 2%, and 6-month progression-free survival was 48%. The most frequently reported grade 3–4 adverse events included fatigue (13%), hypertension (13%), and bleeding (13%). Close to 54% of the patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events, refusal of further treatment, or treatment delays. Three deaths occurred in the study, of which two were due to treatment-related bowel perforations. Given the minimal efficacy and increased toxicity seen with the combination of bevacizumab and temsirolimus, we do not recommend the use of this regimen in patients with advanced extra-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

4032 Background: PNET has long had few effective therapies other than chemotherapy. Placebo-controlled phase III trials of the mTOR inhibitor everolimus and the VEGF/PDGF receptor inhibitor sunitinib noted improved progression-free survival (PFS). However, objective response rates (RR) with these agents are still <10%. Preclinical studies suggest enhanced anti-tumor effects with combined mTOR and VEGF targeted therapy. Methods: We conducted a phase II trial of the mTOR inhibitor TEM (25 mg IV q week) and the VEGF-A monoclonal antibody BEV (10 mg/kg IV q 2 weeks) in patients (pts) with well or moderately differentiated PNET and progressive disease by RECIST within 7 months of study entry. Co primary endpoints were RR and 6-month PFS. Planned enrollment was 50 patients, with interim analysis for futility after the first 25 evaluable pts. Pts had no prior mTOR or VEGF targeted agents, ECOG PS 0-1, and adequate hematologic and organ function. Continued octreotide was allowed, but not required. Prior interferon, embolization, and ≤ 2 chemotherapy regimens were allowed. Results: 55 pts were eligible for response assessment. Confirmed PR was documented in 20 of 55 patients (37%). 44 of 55 (80%) patients were progression-free at 6 months. Of 49 pts evaluable for this endpoint, 12 month PFS is 49%. 15 patients remain on therapy. For evaluable patients, the most common grade 3-4 adverse events attributed to therapy were hypertension (18%), hyperglycemia (13%), fatigue (11%). leukopenia (9%), headache (9%), proteinuria (7%), and hypokalemia (7%). Conclusions: The combination of TEM/BEV has substantial activity in a multi-center phase II trial with RR of 37%, well in excess of single targeted agents in PNET. 6-month PFS was a notable 80% in a population of patients with RECIST criteria progression within 7 months of study entry. Phase III trials of combined VEGF/mTOR inhibition in PNET should be pursued. Clinical trial information: NCT01010126.

4047 Background: PNET has long had few effective therapies other than chemotherapy. Recent placebo-controlled phase III trials of the mTOR inhibitor everolimus and the VEGF/ PDGF receptor inhibitor sunitinib noted improved progression-free survival (PFS). However, objective response rates (RR) with these agents are still <10%. Preclinical studies suggest enhanced anti-tumor effects with combined mTOR and VEGF targeted therapy. Methods: We conducted a phase II trial of the mTOR inhibitor TEM (25 mg IV q week) and the VEGF-A monoclonal antibody BEV (10 mg/kg IV q 2 weeks) in patients (pts) with well or moderately differentiated PNET and progressive disease by RECIST within 7 months of study entry. Co-primary endpoints were RR and 6-month PFS. Planned enrollment is 50 patients, with interim analysis for futility after the first 25 evaluable pts. Pts had no prior mTOR or VEGF targeted agents, ECOG PS 0-1, and adequate hematologic and organ function. Continued octreotide was allowed, but not required. Prior interferon, embolization, and ≤ 2 chemotherapy regimens were allowed. Results: Confirmed PR was documented in 13 of the first 25 (52%) evaluable patients. 21 of 25 (84%) patients were progression-free at 6 months. Both endpoints exceeded the protocol-defined criteria to continue enrollment. For 36 evaluable patients, the most common grade 3-4 adverse events attributed to therapy were hypertension (14%), leukopenia (11%), lymphopenia (11%), hyperglycemia (11%), mucositis (8%), hypokalemia (8%), and fatigue (8%). Conclusions: The combination of TEM/BEV has substantial activity in a multi-center phase II trial with RR of 52%, well in excess of single targeted agents in PNET. 6-month PFS was a notable 84% in a population of patients with RECIST criteria progression within 7 months of study entry. Accrual is ongoing.

5025 Background: We report the interim results of the endometrial arm of a multi-tumor protocol using temsirolimus and bevacizumab in endometrial cancer (EMCA) patients at the time of their initial recurrence. The primary aim of this trial is to assess treatment efficacy in terms of both confirmed tumor response and 6-month progression free survival (PFS). Methods: Women with a performance status of 0 or 1 who have had their first recurrence for EMCA were eligible. Subjects who had chemotherapy as part of their adjuvant treatment after front line surgical staging were also eligible. The regimen included Temsirolimus 25 mg IV weekly followed by bevacizumab 10mg/kg IV on days 1 and 15 of a 28 day cycle. A modified two-stage Simon design with fixed sample size was adopted with the null hypothesis being that the true tumor response rate is at most 25% and the true 6 month PFS rate is at most 50%. Results: We enrolled 26 evaluable subjects to the first stage of which one did not proceed with treatment. The median age at enrollment was 60 (range 40-80). 22 (85%) were white and 19 (73%) were not Hispanic/Latino. 19 (73%) of subjects had prior raditation therapy, with 4 having a prior para-aortic boost. 5 (20%) subjects had a confirmed PR and 12 (48%) were progression-free at 6 months, which fell short of the futility stopping rule. An additional 5 (20%) subjects had a best response of confirmed SD, so 10 (40%) had overall clinical benefit from this regimen. AEs attributable to treatment were modest and included 16 grade 3 adverse events, of which the most common ones included hypertension, hyperglycemia, and neutropenia. There were 2 grade 4 events that were possibly treatment related including a duodenal perforation and an anorectal infection. Conclusions: While there was clinical benefit of this regimen in women at the time of their first recurrence of EMCA, the combination of temsirolimus and bevacizumab did not achieve our prespecified efficacy assumptions. This differs from what has been reported with this combination as a second line therapy for recurrent EMCA, where prespecified response assumptions differ. Also, the regimen had comparable safety and toxicity to other cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens used in this setting.

4099 Background: There is strong rationale to combine an m-TOR inhibitor (TEM) with a VEGF inhibitor (BEV) as a potentially active and well tolerated treatment for HCC. Both agents have shown modest single agent activity in HCC and so evaluated here in a phase II trial. Methods: A modified 2-stage Simon design planned 25 or 50 patients (pts) to test the null hypothesis that true tumor response rate is at most 10% andtrue 6-mo progression-free survival rate (PFS) (by RECIST) is at most 65%, or no better than single agent BEV (6 mo PR >2 pts or PFS 6 mo >18 out of 25.) Toxicity, TTP, PFS and survival were 2nd endpoints. Eligible pts had confirmed HCC with disease unresectable or amenable to other localised therapies, Child Pugh A liver status and no prior systemic therapy involving the VEGF or m-TOR class of agents. TEM was administered at starting dose 25 mg IV d1,8,15,22 with BEV at 10mg/kg IV d 1, 15, all q 28 days (1 cycle). Imaging was q 8 wks. Results: From 09/09 to 09/11, 27 eligible pts were enrolled with 25 evaluable for toxicity and efficacy. Med age 59 yrs, 85% male, PS 0/1: 35/65, 58% metastatic, >85% BCLC stage C. With med 6 cycles (range 1-14) delivered, most pts (88%) experienced a grade 3+ adverse event (a/e.) Common grade 3 a/es related to treatment included thrombocytopenia (40%), neutropenia (20%), leucopenia (12%), fatigue (8%), anemia, mucositis, dyspnea, diarrhea, bleeds, fistula, infections (4% each). There was one possible treatment related death. Per protocol dose reductions/discontinuation for TEM-related a/es were most common. There were 2 confirmed PRs and 16 pts progression-free by 6 mos. A third pt developed a late PR at cycle 13. Median TTP on study was 6 mos, median PFS was 7.4 mos and median survival was 8.3 mos, with 13 pts still alive. Accrual closed at end of stage 1 as neither the number of responses nor the PFS at 6 mos passed the futility stopping rule set for this combination. Conclusions: This multicenter study is the first HCC trial evaluating the BEV/TEM doublet. Despite manageable toxicity, the ORR and 6 mo PFS did not surpass assumptions based on single agent BEV in HCC. Further study of BEV/TEM combination in this advanced HCC population is not recommended.

260 Background: Recent placebo-controlled phase III trials of the mTOR inhibitor everolimus and the VEGF/ PDGF receptor inhibitor sunitinib in PNET noted improved progression-free survival (PFS). However, objective response rates (RR) with these agents are <10%. Preclinical studies suggest enhanced anti-tumor effects with combined mTOR and VEGF targeted therapy. Methods: We conducted a phase II trial of the mTOR inhibitor TEM (25 mg IV q week) and the VEGF-A monoclonal antibody BEV (10 mg/kg IV q 2 weeks) in patients (pts) with well or moderately differentiated PNET and progressive disease by RECIST within 7 months of study entry. Co-primary endpoints were RR and 6-month PFS. Planned enrollment is 50 patients, with interim analysis after the first 25 evaluable pts. Pts had no prior mTOR or VEGF targeted agents, ECOG PS 0-1, and adequate hematologic and organ function. Continued octreotide was allowed, but not required. Prior interferon, embolization, and ≤ 2 chemotherapy regimens were allowed. Results: Confirmed PR was documented in 11 of the first 25 (44%) evaluable patients. 20 of 25 (80%) patients were progression-free at 6 months. Both endpoints exceeded pre-defined criteria to continue enrollment. For 35 evaluable patients, the most common grade 3-4 adverse events attributed to therapy were leukopenia (12%), hypertension (12%), hyperglycemia (12%), mucositis (9%), and fatigue (9%). Conclusions: The combination of TEM/BEV has substantial activity in a multi-center phase II trial with RR of 44%, well in excess of single targeted agents in PNET. 6-month PFS was a notable 80% in a population of patients with RECIST criteria progression within 7 months of study entry. Accrual is ongoing. Supported by NCI N01 Contracts: 662205, 62203, 62208, 62209, 62206, 62204, 62207, 62201.

Purpose There are few effective therapies for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs). Recent placebo-controlled phase III trials of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor everolimus and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/platelet-derived growth factor receptor inhibitor sunitinib have noted improved progression-free survival (PFS). Preclinical studies have suggested enhanced antitumor effects with combined mTOR and VEGF pathway–targeted therapy. We conducted a clinical trial to evaluate combination therapy against these targets in PNETs. Patients and Methods We conducted a two-stage single-arm phase II trial of the mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus 25 mg intravenously (IV) once per week and the VEGF-A monoclonal antibody bevacizumab 10 mg/kg IV once every 2 weeks in patients with well or moderately differentiated PNETs and progressive disease by RECIST within 7 months of study entry. Coprimary end points were tumor response rate and 6-month PFS. Results A total of 58 patients were enrolled, and 56 patients were eligible for response assessment. Confirmed response rate (RR) was 41% (23 of 56 patients). PFS at 6 months was 79% (44 of 56). Median PFS was 13.2 months (95% CI, 11.2 to 16.6). Median overall survival was 34 months (95% CI, 27.1 to not reached). For evaluable patients, the most common grade 3 to 4 adverse events attributed to therapy were hypertension (21%), fatigue (16%), lymphopenia (14%), and hyperglycemia (14%). Conclusion The combination of temsirolimus and bevacizumab had substantial activity and reasonable tolerability in a multicenter phase II trial, with RR of 41%, well in excess of single targeted agents in patients with progressive PNETs. Six-month PFS was a notable 79% in a population of patients with disease progression by RECIST criteria within 7 months of study entry. On the basis of this trial, continued evaluation of combination mTOR and VEGF pathway inhibitors is warranted.