Phase I Study of DOXIL and Temsirolimus in Resistant Solid Malignancies

Summary

Rationale:

The Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) is a large polypeptide serine/threonine kinase of 289 kDa; kinases have been shown to be important regulators of cancer cell cycle, proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis, and mTOR has been shown to have a key role in the signaling of malignant cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, migration, and survival. Inhibition of mTOR would result in arrest of cell growth in the G1 phase of the cell cycle.

Temsirolimus (CCI-779) is a soluble ester analogue of rapamycin (sirolimus) which has shown impressive in vitro and in vivo cytostatic activity in selectively inhibiting mTOR. In animal models, temsirolimus has demonstrated an impressive cytostatic effect on a wide variety of cancer cells. In vitro, it inhibited the growth of human T-cell leukemia, glioblastoma, melanoma, prostate, breast, renal cell, and pancreatic cells, all of which showed particular sensitivity to temsirolimus, with significant growth inhibition at concentrations of less that 0.01micrometer. In Phase I trials, temsirolimus has been investigated as a single agent on a weekly schedule as well as daily for 5 days every other week, and evidence of activity was observed over the entire dose range (15 - 220 mg/m2) in patients with both breast and renal cancer. There was no apparent relationship between exposure and clinical benefit, suggesting that the inhibition of mTOR may be achieved at doses well below dose levels that result in dose limiting toxicities. Major tumor responses were noted in Phase I trials in patients previously treated with lung, breast, renal as well as neuroendocrine tumors. Minor responses were noted in soft tissue sarcoma, endometrial, and cervical carcinoma.

Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin has been FDA approved for use in refractory metastatic ovarian cancer and AIDS-related Kaposi's Sarcoma. It has also been shown to be effective in previously treated metastatic breast cancer.

Combination studies in preclinical models suggest that rapamycin and its analogues are at least additive in effect with standard chemotherapy and radiation. In addition, studies in breast cancer cell lines suggest that the mTOR inhibitors may reverse resistance to anti-estrogen agents. Thus, we are proposing that the combination of temsirolimus and liposomal doxorubicin will be highly effective in metastatic solid tumor malignancies.

Objectives:

Primary

* To define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) of temsirolimus in combination with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in patients with resistant solid malignancies.
* To determine the incidence and severity of other toxicities of temsirolimus in combination with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in patients with resistant solid malignancies.

Secondary

* To assess the pharmacokinetic profile of temsirolimus in combination with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin.
* To determine any anti-tumor activity and response to the combination of temsirolimus and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in treatment of patients with resistant solid malignancies.

Conditions

• Resistant Solid Malignancies

Interventions

DRUG

Temsirolimus

DRUG

Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Washington University School of Medicine

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Joel Picus, M.D. · Washington University School of Medicine

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2008-03-31

Primary Completion

2011-06-30

Completion

2011-07-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations