Phase II clinical trial of novel agent PBI-05204 in patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (mPDA).
698 Background: Survival statistics for mPDA are dismal and with limited treatment options novel agents are needed to improve disease outcomes. PBI-05204 (Phoenix Biotechnology, Inc., San Antonio, TX) is a modified supercritical carbon dioxide extract of Nerium oleander leaves. Oleandrin, the extract’s major cytotoxic component, has demonstrated anti-tumor activity in various tumor cell lines. In a human PDA orthotopic model, this preparation reduced tumor burden as monotherapy. Pharmacodynamic studies suggest that PBI-05204’s mechanism of action is through inhibition of the PI3k/Akt/mTOR pathway. Methods: A phase II single-arm, open-label study to determine the efficacy of PBI-05204 in patients (pts) with mPDA refractory to standard therapy was conducted. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) with the hypothesis that 50% of pts would be alive at 4.5 months. Secondary objectives included safety, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall response rate. Pts received oral PBI-05204 daily until progressive disease (PD), unacceptable toxicity, or pt withdrawal. Radiographic response was assessed every two cycles. Results: Forty-one pts were enrolled; two never received treatment and one was found to have a neuroendocrine tumor after pathological re-evaluation, leaving 38 pts for analysis. Median age at time of enrollment was 65.0 years. The median time from initial diagnosis to treatment was 16.9 months. The primary reason for withdrawal was PD (45.2%). Ten pts were alive at 4.5 months (26.3%) with a mPFS of 56 days (corresponding to first restaging). One objective response (2.6%) was observed for 162 days. Grade ≥3 treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 63.2% of pts with the most common attributed to drug (all grades) being fatigue (36.8%), vomiting (23.7%), nausea (18.4%), decreased appetite (18.4%), and diarrhea (15.8%). Conclusions: PBI-05204 did not meet its primary endpoint for OS in this study. Recent preclinical data indicate an efficacious role for PBI-05204 against glioblastoma multiforme when combined with chemotherapy, such as temozolomide, and radiotherapy. A randomized Phase II trial is currently being designed. Clinical trial information: NCT02329717.