Phase II ECOG trial of atrasentan in advanced renal cell carcinoma
5102 Background: Atrasentan, an oral selective endothelin A receptor antagonist, demonstrated activity in patients with RCC included in Phase I studies. Based on these preliminary findings, a phase II study was undertaken in patients with measurable or nonmeasurable (bone only) metastatic RCC. Methods: Patients with locally recurrent or metastatic disease were stratified on disease status (measurable or bone only metastases) and prior immunotherapy. Eligible patients also had no prior chemotherapy, no more than 1 prior immunotherapy, and ECOG PS 0, 1, or 2. Prior nephrectomy was permitted. Patients received atrasentan 10 mg/day po until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Standard RECIST criteria were used to assess response. The primary endpoint was the progression-free rate at 6 months. Rates of 25% among patients treated with prior immunotherapy and 45% among patients with no prior immunotherapy were considered promising. A two-stage design was used for cohorts with no prior immunotherapy. Results: Between July 2003 and July 2005, 98 patients were registered. Four patients were ineligible and 1 withdrew before treatment. Median duration of treatment was 10 weeks (range, 2 to 107 weeks). Toxicities were mild, with 73% of patients reporting no Grade 3 or higher treatment- related adverse events. Grade 4 adverse events included neutropenia (n=3), dyspnea (n=2), thrombosis and supraventricular arrhythmia (n=1 each). Six-month progression-free rates (90% CI) were 14% (6 - 25%), 0% (0 - 39%), 12% (3 - 28%) and 17% (5 - 38%) respectively for patients with prior immunotherapy and measurable disease (n=44), prior immunotherapy and bone metastases only (n=6), no prior immunotherapy and measurable disease (n=25), and no prior immunotherapy and bone metastases only (n=18). Median progression-free survival was 2.3 months (95% CI, 2.0 - 3.5 months). Conclusions: While well-tolerated, atrasentan did not yield 6-month progression-free rates that would support its use as first-line monotherapy in patients with advanced RCC. No significant financial relationships to disclose.