First-in-human phase I dose-escalation study of the oral selective C-met inhibitor EMD 1204831 in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Abstract

3107^ Background: The cell surface receptor tyrosine kinase c-Met and its ligand, the hepatocyte growth factor, are implicated in tumor cell migration, invasion, survival, and proliferation. EMD 1204831 is a novel potent and highly selective reversible, ATP-competitive small molecule c-Met inhibitor. Methods: This is a phase I, first-in-human clinical trial with escalating doses of EMD 1204831 (NCT01110083). The primary objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Secondary objectives included evaluation of safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (Pd), and preliminary anti-tumor activity. Eligible patients had advanced solid tumors not amenable to standard therapies. Following a classical 3+3 dose-escalation scheme, successive cohorts of patients were treated with twice daily (BID) oral EMD 1204831 in 21-day cycles. Pd markers were evaluated in paired tumor biopsies (phospho-c-Met). Results: Until 31 December 2011, 30 patients were enrolled and treated. The dose was escalated in successive cohorts starting from 50 mg BID up to 1400 mg BID. After first (single) administration, median Cmax and AUC0–12 values increased with dose. At higher doses, a decrease in exposure of EMD 1204831 was noted after multiple dosing, potentially caused by autoinduction of the compound’s metabolism. Further dose escalation was discontinued, and no further patients were enrolled. One dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of grade (G) 3 pancreatitis, considered as a serious adverse event (AE), was observed at 400 mg BID. No other DLTs or treatment-related serious AEs were observed. The remaining treatment-related AEs of G2 or higher included G3 and G2 lipase elevation (n=1 for each grade), G2 upper abdominal pain (n=2), G2 gastroesophageal reflux disease (n=2), and G2 constipation (n=1). Twenty-five patients (83%) had no drug-related toxicity greater than G1. Of 29 patients evaluable for anti-tumor activity, 3 had stable disease lasting for at least 4 months. Conclusions: Due to potential autoinduction of the compound’s metabolism, dose escalation was discontinued before an MTD was reached. Final safety, PK, and clinical tumor response results will be presented.