Combination of antiangiogenic therapy using the mTOR inhibitor RAD001 (everolimus) and low-dose chemotherapy for locally advanced and/or metastatic pancreatic cancer: Dose-finding study.

Abstract

360 Background: This was an open-label, multicenter two-arm combined phase I (dose finding, cohort 1-5)/II (dose expansion) study of continuous doses of RAD001 every 2nd day or every day in combination with escalating low dose gemcitabine in patients (pts) with locally advanced and/or metastatic pancreatic cancer. The primary objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicities (DLT). The secondary objectives were to characterize safety and tolerability and to evaluate preliminary efficacy (ORR). Methods: A total of 27 pts were enrolled in phase I. All of these were analyzed in the safety population and 23 pts in the MTD-determining population. In total, 21 pts completed the study. Results: The MTD was determined to be 500mg/m2/week gemcitabine and 5mg/d RAD001 (cohort 4, 7 pts treated). In total, 3 DLTs occured: hepatic toxicity and unknown DLT as worsed case assumption in cohort 5 and hepatic toxicity in cohort 4. Overall, 25 of 27 pts (92.59%) reported at least one AE. Thrombocytopenia was most frequent AE, followed by leukopenia and nausea. In the individual dose groups, thrombocytopenia was most common in cohorts 1, 2 and 5, leukopenia in cohort 3 and nausea in cohort 4. The majority of pts experienced AEs with suspected relation to study drug (81.48%), AEs leading to dose adjustments or temporary interruption (77.78%) or required concomitant medication (66.67%). A total of 11 pts (40.74%) experienced SAEs. Two pts died during the study (not related to study drug). 4 pts were dicontinued permanently due to 2 AEs and 2 SAEs. ORR was 13%. None of the pts reported complete response (CR), the progressive disease rate was 13%. The clinical benefit rate was 78.3%. Conclusions: The present study was prematurely terminated due to slow recruitment and the dose expansion phase (phase II) was not started. In phase I, the MTD was determined to be 500mg/m2/week Gemcitabine and 5mg/d RAD001. No new safety concerns were identified for combination of antiangiogenic therapy using the mTOR- inhibitor RAD001 (Everolimus) and low dose chemotherapy for locally advanced and/or metastatic pancreatic cancer.