Clinical, pharmacodynamic (PD), and pharmacokinetic (PK) evaluation of cediranib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): A phase II study (CTEP 7147).

Abstract

4112 Background: Sorafenib remains the only approved systemic therapy in HCC. We performed a phase II study of cediranib (AZD2171)—a more potent and selective pan-VEGF receptor inhibitor—in advanced HCC patients (pts). Methods: Eligibility criteria included unresectable or metastatic measurable HCC, ECOG PS ≤2, CLIP score ≤3, and adequate organ function. Patients received cediranib at 30 mg po qd continuously (4-wk cycle). The primary endpoint was progression free survival (PFS). We also assessed overall survival (OS) and response rates, steady-state PK of cediranib, and blood circulating biomarkers. Results: Since 6/16/09, we have enrolled the targeted 17 pts required for the first stage of the planned study: ECOG 0/1/2=5/11/1, CLIP 1/2/3=6/4/7, Child A/B=14/3, BCLC C=17. Nine pts had prior sorafenib. The best response was stable disease in five pts (29%). The median PFS was 5.3 months (95% CI: 3.5-9.7). The median OS was 11.7 months (95% CI: 7.5-13.6). Grade 3 toxicities included hypertension (29%), hyponatremia (12%), elevated SGOT (12%) and one pt each (6%) in SGPT, fatigue, hyperbilirubinemia, cardiac ischemia, and proteinuria. Grade 4 pulmonary embolism and brainstem hemorrhage occurred in 1 pt each. Steady-state PK parameters (mean±SD) were, Cmin, 22±21 ng/mL; Cmax, 55±33 ng/mL; AUCτ, 887±503 ng*h/mL. Plasma levels of VEGF and PlGF increased and sVEGFR1, sVEGFR2 and Ang-2 decreased significantly after cediranib treatment (p<0.05). PFS was inversely correlated with baseline levels of bFGF, sVEGFR2 and VEGF, and OS was inversely correlated with baseline levels of sVEGFR1, Ang-2, TNF-alpha and CD34+CD133+ hematopoietic progenitor cells (p<0.05). Conclusions: Cediranib at 30 mg daily is associated with high frequency of grade 3 hypertension and shows preliminary evidence of antitumor activity in advanced HCC pts. Exploratory studies confirmed potential PD and response biomarkers of anti-VEGF therapy. Cediranib exhibits similar PK in HCC pts as in those with other tumor types and normal/near normal hepatic function. This study was stopped by AstraZeneca after discontinuation of cediranib development for unrelated factors.