Abstract
<div>Abstract<p><b>Purpose:</b> The WEE1 tyrosine kinase regulates G<sub>2</sub>–M transition and maintains genomic stability, particularly in p53-deficient tumors which require DNA repair after genotoxic therapy. Thus, a need arises to exploit the role of WEE1 inhibition in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) mostly driven by tumor-suppressor loss. This completed phase I clinical trial represents the first published clinical experience using the WEE1 inhibitor, AZD1775, with cisplatin and docetaxel.</p><p><b>Patients and Methods:</b> We implemented an open-label phase I clinical trial using a 3+3 dose-escalation design for patients with stage III/IVB HNSCC with borderline-resectable or -unresectable disease, but who were candidates for definitive chemoradiation. Escalating AZD1775 was administered orally twice a day over 2.5 days on the first week, then in combination with fixed cisplatin (25 mg/m<sup>2</sup>) and docetaxel (35 mg/m<sup>2</sup>) for 3 additional weeks. The primary outcome measure was adverse events to establish MTD. Secondary measures included response rates, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics, and genomic data.</p><p><b>Results:</b> The MTD for AZD1775 was established at 150 mg orally twice per day for 2.5 days. RECISTv1.1 responses were seen in 5 of 10 patients; histologic adjustment revealed three additional responders. The only drug-limiting toxicity was grade 3 diarrhea. The PK C8hr target of 240 nmol/L was achieved on day 4 at all three doses tested. Pharmacodynamic analysis revealed a reduction in pY15-Cdk, and increases in γH2AX, CC3, and RPA32/RPA2 were noted in responders versus nonresponders.</p><p><b>Conclusions:</b> The triplet combination of AZD1775, cisplatin, and docetaxel is safe and tolerable. Preliminary results show promising antitumor efficacy in advanced HNSCC, meriting further investigation at the recommended phase II dose. <i>Clin Cancer Res; 24(12); 2740–8. ©2018 AACR</i>.</p></div>
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