SWOG 0514: A phase II study of sorafenib (BAY 43–9006) as single agent in patients (pts) with unresectable or metastatic gallbladder cancer or cholangiocarcinomas
4639 Background: There are no standard chemotherapeutic regimens for incurable biliary adenocarcinomas. Gemcitabine and fluoropyrimidine- based chemotherapy results in occasional responses and a median survival approaching 6 months. Given the presence of b- raf mutations and overexpression of VEGF in biliary cancers, we initiated a study to evaluate the efficacy of sorafenib, a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor of c and b-Raf, VEGFR-2/3 and PDGFR, in pts with metastatic biliary cancers. Methods: Pt eligibility included adequate organ function and no prior treatment for metastatic disease. The primary end-point was objective response rate (RR). Secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). A two-stage design was used to detect a difference in the null hypothesis of 5% response probability and the alternative 20% response probability. If at least one confirmed response occurred after the first 25 pts, another 25 were to be accrued. Sorafenib was administered at 400 mg PO BID continuously. A cycle was defined as 28 days of therapy, and radiological assessment was done every 2 cycles. Results: 36 pts were enrolled during the first stage of accrual. 5 pts were ineligible. 52% were female. Median age was 57.8 years (range 33.8–81.5). Adverse events: 1 pt died with grade 4 supraventricular tachycardia and venous thromboembolism. Grade 3/4 toxicities were noted in 20 pts (66.7%) and included hand-foot syndrome in 4 pts (13%), while thrombosis/embolism, elevated liver transaminases, and abdominal pain were each seen in 3 pts (10% for each). Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, GI perforation, and GI hemorrhage were each seen in 1 pt (3% for each). 2 pts (6%) had an unconfirmed partial response and 9 pts (29%) had stable disease. 27 pts have progressed. Median PFS was 2 months (95% CI: 2–4 months). 14 pts have died, with a median survival estimate of 6 months (95% CI: 4–10 months). Conclusions: Sorafenib did not result in a clinically significant objective RR in pts with gallbladder and cholangiocarcinoma but demonstrated an impact on survival that may be comparable to commonly used chemotherapy regimens. No significant financial relationships to disclose.