Flynn, Patrick J.

We showed in a phase I trial that the maximum tolerated dose of the ProMACE-CytaBOM regimen in patients with aggressive lymphoma was 200% (Gordon et al, J Clin Oncol 14:1275, 1996). Based on these observations, we initiated a phase II trial designed to determine response, toxicity, and dose intensity using this regimen. We analyzed 74 patients with advanced-stage (III or IV) or bulky stage II aggressive lymphoma. The overall complete response rate was 69% (72% in evaluable patients). With a median follow-up of 4.5 years, the median survival has not yet been reached. The 4-year survival rate is 73% (95% confidence interval [CI] 62, 83%) and no difference was observed among International Prognostic Index (IPI) groups. The 4-year disease-free survival was 71% (95% CI 58, 84%) with no statistical difference between patients with IPI 0 to 1 versus 2 to 4. The toxicity was acceptable, though the grade 4 hematologic toxicity rate for this regimen was 100%. Grade 4 nonhematologic toxicity was 36%. Three cases of either myelodysplastic syndrome or acute leukemia occurred at 7 months, 3.4 years, and 4.2 years after registration. Cytogenic analysis was available in two cases, showing inv(16) without French American British classification (FAB) M4 EO histology in one patient and a 5q-syndrome in the other. These data suggest that 200% ProMACE-CytaBOM with either granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or G-CSF results in a high complete remission rate and a disease-free survival comparable to any prior risk-based analysis in aggressive lymphoma. Before using this regimen in general practice, phase III clinical trials should be conducted.

Purpose To update guideline recommendations on the role of bone-modifying agents in multiple myeloma. Methods An update panel conducted a targeted systematic literature review by searching PubMed and the Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, clinical practice guidelines, and observational studies. Results Thirty-five relevant studies were identified, and updated evidence supports the current recommendations. Recommendations For patients with active symptomatic multiple myeloma that requires systemic therapy with or without evidence of lytic destruction of bone or compression fracture of the spine from osteopenia on plain radiograph(s) or other imaging studies, intravenous administration of pamidronate 90 mg over at least 2 hours or zoledronic acid 4 mg over at least 15 minutes every 3 to 4 weeks is recommended. Denosumab has shown to be noninferior to zoledronic acid for the prevention of skeletal-related events and provides an alternative. Fewer adverse events related to renal toxicity have been noted with denosumab compared with zoledronic acid and may be preferred in this setting. The update panel recommends that clinicians consider reducing the initial pamidronate dose in patients with preexisting renal impairment. Zoledronic acid has not been studied in patients with severe renal impairment and is not recommended in this setting. The update panel suggests that bone-modifying treatment continue for up to 2 years. Less frequent dosing has been evaluated and should be considered in patients with responsive or stable disease. Continuous use is at the discretion of the treating physician and the risk of ongoing skeletal morbidity. Retreatment should be initiated at the time of disease relapse. The update panel discusses measures regarding osteonecrosis of the jaw. Additional information is available at www.asco.org/hematologic-malignancies-guidelines and www.asco.org/guidelineswiki .

BACKGROUNDMitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)‐dependent signaling are hallmarks of glioblastoma. In the current study, the authors conducted a phase 1/2 study of sorafenib (an inhibitor of Raf kinase and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 [VEGFR‐2]) and the mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus in patients with recurrent glioblastoma.METHODSPatients with recurrent glioblastoma who developed disease progression after surgery or radiotherapy plus temozolomide and with ≤2 prior chemotherapy regimens were eligible. The phase 1 endpoint was the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), using a cohorts‐of‐3 design. The 2‐stage phase 2 study included separate arms for VEGF inhibitor (VEGFi)–naive patients and patients who progressed after prior VEGFi.RESULTSThe MTD was sorafenib at a dose of 200 mg twice daily and temsirolimus at a dose of 20 mg weekly. In the first 41 evaluable patients who were treated at the phase 2 dose, there were 7 who were free of disease progression at 6 months (progression‐free survival at 6 months [PFS6]) in the VEGFi‐naive group (17.1%); this finding met the prestudy threshold of success. In the prior VEGFi group, only 4 of the first 41 evaluable patients treated at the phase 2 dose achieved PFS6 (9.8%), and this did not meet the prestudy threshold for success. The median PFS for the 2 groups was 2.6 months and 1.9 months, respectively. The median overall survival for the 2 groups was 6.3 months and 3.9 months, respectively. At least 1 adverse event of grade ≥3 was observed in 75.5% of the VEGFi‐naive patients and in 73.9% of the prior VEGFi patients.CONCLUSIONSThe limited activity of sorafenib and temsirolimus at the dose and schedule used in the current study was observed with considerable toxicity of grade ≥3. Significant dose reductions that were required in this treatment combination compared with tolerated single‐agent doses may have contributed to the lack of efficacy. Cancer 2018;124:1455‐63. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

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.