A phase I study of bevacizumab (B) with fluorouracil (F) and hydroxyurea (H) with concomitant radiotherapy (X) (B-FHX) for poor prognosis head and neck cancer (HNC)

Abstract

5530 Background: Increased VEGF levels are found in HNC. Preclinical data suggest synergistic antitumor activity of B with radiation and chemotherapy. We conducted a Phase I dose escalation study to determine the maximum tolerated dose and dose limiting toxicity (DLT) of B, when added to infusional 5-FU, Hydroxyurea (HU), and daily radiotherapy administered every other week in patients (pts) with poor prognosis HNC. Methods: Eligible pts had recurrent, or newly diagnosed HNC with high risk of recurrence, ± metastatic disease requiring local control, ECOG PS ≤2, and life expectancy >12 weeks. Two week cycles were repeated 6–7 times (see table ). Results: 43 pts were treated (34 completed). DLT was reached at level 3 with 2 pts having gr 3 transaminase elevations and one pt gr 4 neutropenia. Treatment of 7 (6 evaluable) pts on level 4 resulted in one DLT (SMV thrombosis) and this dose level was chosen for expanded evaluation. In all level 4 pts (N = 27) gr 3 mucositis occured in 73.1% and gr 3 hand-foot syndrome in 15.4%. Additional gr 3 or worse toxicities in the expanded level 4 included: esophageal bleed (tumor bed, grade 5), stroke (grade 4), carotid rupture (3 wks post RT, grade 5), and neck ulceration with need for carotid stent (3 months post RT, grade 4). One sudden death of unclear etiology occurred. Median overall survival is 389 days. One/two year survival is 52.1/26%. Median survival for patients treated with re-irradiation for recurrent, non-metastatic HNC is 314 days; one/two year survival is 45.9/17.2%. With a median follow-up of 317 days 13 patients are still alive (12 are cancer free). Conclusions: B can be integrated with FHX chemoradiotherapy at a dose of 10 mg/m2 every 2 weeks. While B related toxicities are seen, there appears to be no major synergistic toxicity. Long term activity is observed in this very high risk patient population. A randomized phase II trial of FHX with or without B in a lower risk population is ongoing. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.