Glufosfamide (GLU) plus gemcitabine (GEM) in advanced solid tumors: Phase 1 results
14022 Background: Glufosfamide is glucose linked to isophosphoramide mustard, the active metabolite of ifosfamide. Cancer cells use glucose at a higher rate than normal cells, which may lead to preferential metabolic targeting by GLU. GLU has shown activity in patients (pts) with pancreatic cancer in Phase 1/2 studies with the dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) being nephrotoxicity and neutropenia. The MTD was 4500 mg/m2. In preclinical studies, GLU has shown additive activity when combined with GEM. The objectives of this study are to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and to evaluate the safety, efficacy and PK of GLU + GEM in advanced solid tumors. Methods: Eligible pts had Karnofsky Performance Status ≥70, no prior GEM, at least one lesion by RECIST, creatinine clearance (CrCL) ≥60 mL/min and acceptable hematologic and liver function. Cohorts of 3–6 patients were treated with GLU 1500–4500 mg/m2 IV over 4 hours on Day 1 and GEM 1000 mg/m2 IV over 30 minutes on Days 1, 8 and 15 of every 28-day cycle for up to 6 cycles. CT scans were obtained every 8 weeks. Detailed PK sampling was performed. Results: Nineteen pts with pancreatic (8), gall bladder (4) and other (7) cancers were enrolled. Two DLTs have occurred: Grade 3 fatigue at 2500 mg/m2 and Grade 4 thrombocytopenia at 4500 mg/m2. Both cohorts were expanded. No DLTs occurred in the 1500 or 3500 mg/m2 cohorts. Three pts completed all 6 cycles and 3 pts continue on study. Reasons for early discontinuation were progressive disease (10), clinical deterioration (1), AE (1) and death (1). Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 7 pts (5 during Cycle 1) and Grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia in 5 pts (2 during Cycle 1). The CrCL fell below 60 mL/min in one patient. No objective tumor responses have been reported; 10 of 18 (56%) evaluable pts had stable disease (SD) at 8 weeks, including 1 pt with heavily pretreated ovarian cancer with ongoing SD after 8 months on therapy. PK analyses suggest no interaction between GLU and GEM. Conclusions: Phase 1 data indicate that full dose GLU (4500 mg/m2) can be given safely in combination with GEM. Both early and delayed Grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia and neutropenia have been observed. A Phase 2 cohort of 28 pts with pancreatic adenocarcinoma is currently enrolling. Studies with GEM/GLU in other tumor types are planned. [Table: see text]