Phase I dose-finding and pharmacokinetic study of a combination of elisidepsin (E) and erlotinib (T) in patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors.
3093 Background: E is a new marine compound that has shown synergism with T in vitro even in T-resistant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. Based on these findings, a phase I clinical trial was undertaken to identify the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended dose (RD) of E (3-h iv, days 1, 8 and 15) followed by T (once daily) in 3-week cycles. Secondary objectives were evaluation of safety and feasibility, PK and preliminary efficacy results. Methods: Patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors with no standard therapeutic option were recruited. Cohorts of 3-6 pts were included at each dose level (DL), with escalating doses of E in increments of 25-50% according to toxicities, and 2 different T doses (100 and 150 mg/day). Results: Thirty pts (median age, 57 years; 19 females) were evaluable. Main tumor types included NSCLC, colorectal, melanoma, and ovarian cancer. Six DLs were assessed. Starting DL was E 0.33 mg + T 100mg. One dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) out of 6 pts (grade 3 bilirubin increase) was observed at DL3 (E 0.75 mg + T 150 mg). Another DLT (dose omissions due to ALT increase) was found at DL6 (E 2.25 mg + T 100 mg). Frequent toxicities were diarrhea (53%), nausea (23%), vomiting (33%), rash (47%), pruritus (43%), dry skin (27%) and acneiform dermatitis (17%). Grade 3/4 toxicities included diarrhea (2 pts), rash (2 pts) and pruritus (1 pts). Main biochemical abnormalities were ALT (grade 3/4 in 4 pts) and total bilirubin increase (grade 3 in 2 pts). No severe hematological abnormalities were observed. Most toxicities were related to T; therefore, T dose was reduced to 100 mg/day. No PK interaction between E and T was observed. No objective responses were reported. Six pts attained stable disease >3 months (3 NSCLC; 1 ovarian cancer, 1 colorectal cancer, 1 invasive thymoma). Conclusions: E + T was a manageable combination; however, the difficulty of combining E with the standard dose of T (150mg) and the lack of activity made this combination unattractive for further development in the current schedule. Possibly, other schedules may demonstrate more efficacy.