Phase II study of combination carboplatin and erlotinib in patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme
2024 Background: Targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in glioblastoma is effective in a subset of patients whose tumors express the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) tumor suppressor gene and overexpress the EGF variant vIII receptor. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the clinical activity of the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib when combined with carboplatin and to determine molecular predictors of response. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS). To be eligible for the study, patients had to have recurrent, histologically confirmed glioblastoma or gliosarcoma, no more than two prior relapses, a KPS = 60, and no enzyme-inducing anticonvulsants. Methods: In this ongoing phase II study, patients are given carboplatin intravenously on day 1 of every 28-day cycle to achieve a target AUC of 6 (mg x ml/min) based on creatinine clearance. Erlotinib is administered orally once daily throughout the 28-day cycle at 150 mg/day with dose escalation to 200 mg/day, as tolerated. Patients undergo clinical and MRI assessment every 4 weeks. The primary endpoint is median PFS using a Bayesian time-to-event design. To determine histologic correlates of response, tumor tissue is undergoing immunohistochemical evaluation for known markers of response to EGFR inhibitors, including PI3K/AKT and PTEN status. Results: Of the first 20 patients enrolled, 17 were evaluable and all had failed temozolomide-based therapy. The median age is 56 years, and the median KPS is 80. The median time to progression is 15.2 weeks with a 95% credible interval of 8.0 to 28.4 weeks. These results compare favorably with historical data (median of 9.0 weeks, 95% CI of 8.1 to 10.1 weeks). Bayesian analysis using computer-based simulations indicate a high probability (69%) that the median PFS in our study is at least 3 weeks longer than the historical median PFS. Grade 3 and 4 toxicities included fatigue, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and rash requiring dose reductions. Conclusions: The results from this ongoing study suggest that the combination of carboplatin and erlotinib has promising activity in patients with recurrent glioblastoma who have failed temozolomide-based therapy. Tumor tissue is being analyzed to determine molecular markers of response. [Table: see text]