A pharmacodynamic study of JI-101, an orally active inhibitor of VEGF-2, PDGF-β, and EphB4 receptors, in patients with refractory/recurrent ovarian cancer.

Abstract

e13548 Background: JI-101 is an oral multi-kinase inhibitor, which targets VEGFR-2, PDGF-β, and EphB4. By targeting multiple angiogenesis signaling pathways, JI-101 has the potential advantage of inhibiting all vital stages of tumor angiogenesis, reducing tumor resistance, and enhancing anti-tumor efficacy. None of the currently approved angiogenesis inhibitors have any appreciable inhibition of EphB4, and therefore, this represents a novel mechanism of action. JI-101 has preclinical activity in various tumor models and has been well tolerated in phase 1 trials. Methods: Eleven women with refractory/recurrent ovarian cancer were enrolled with a median age of 54 yrs (range 52-76). All patients had adequate organ function and ECOG performance status ≤ 2. Each patient received single agent JI-101 at 200mg BID for 28 day treatment cycles. Toxicity and response were evaluated at two month intervals. Results: Eight of 11 patients were evaluable for response (3 were unevaluable due to inability to complete two cycles). A median of 3 cycles (range 2-6) was given. No grade 4 adverse events (AEs) were seen. The most common grade 2/3 hematological AEs were grade 2 anemia (1) and lymphopenia (1). The most common grade 2/3 non-hematological AEs were grade 3 hypertension (7), grade 3 bowel obstruction (2), grade 3 transaminitis (2), and abdominal pain (2). Six patients had stable disease (SD) at two months and two had progressive disease. Best response was SD at four months. Two-month progression free survival was 71% (90% CI 52-99%). Conclusions: JI-101 is well tolerated in refractory/recurrent ovarian cancer patients with the majority of patients with stable disease at two months. The most common toxicity was hypertension, which was easily controlled with anti-hypertensives. The novel mechanism of action of JI-101 is promising in ovarian cancer treatment and further prospective studies of this agent could be pursued in a less refractory patient population.