Phase II study of nanoliposomal irinotecan (nal-IRI) with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/folinic acid (FA) in refractory advanced high-grade neuroendocrine cancer (HG-NEC) of gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) or unknown origin.

Abstract

TPS636 Background: The incidence of GEP HG-NEC is increasing and the prognosis is poor. Etoposide–platinum (EP) combination is considered the standard (std) therapy (Rx), but survival is less than 1 year. There is an unmet need for an optimal 2nd line Rx in these patients (pts). Nal-IRI has shown efficacy in small cell lung cancer (pathologically similar to HG-NEC) and in 2nd line pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In a retrospective study, HG-NEC pts with progression on 1st line EP when treated with 2nd line FOLFIRI (FA+5-FU+ IRI) had a good response and a tolerable safety profile (Hentic et al, 2012). Based on this data and the fact that no std 2nd line Rx option exists in HG-NEC, we are evaluating the efficacy of nal-IRI+ 5-FU/FA in a prospective single-arm multicenter study. Methods: Advanced GEP or unknown origin HG-NEC pts with progressive disease/intolerance to 1st line Rx with EP or temozolomide/capecitabine; ECOG PS 0-2 would receive nal-IRI 70 mg/m2, FA 400 mg/m2 followed by 5-FU 2400 mg/m2 on D1 & 15 of 28-days cycle. Rx to continue till disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Tumor assessment by CT/MRI per RECIST 1.1 q6 wks. Primary end point is to measure ORR (CR+PR). Secondary endpoints include PFS, TTP, OS, safety and QOL changes. Assuming a historic ORR of 15% with std Rx, 37 pts (upto 41 pts considering non-evaluable pts) are required to show an ORR of 30% at a power of 80% at 1-sided significance of α = 0.1. In stage 1, n1= 18 pts will be enrolled. If 3 or more responses are seen, an additional n2= 19 pts to be enrolled. If 8 or more responses are observed of the n = 37 evaluable pts, the Rx would be considered promising for further study. Genomic mutational profiling to be conducted on pre-study tumor samples and correlated with circulating tumor DNA (CT DNA). CT DNA level, assessed serially, will be correlated with Rx response and disease recurrence. We plan to accrue over 3 years at 3 sites. As of August 2019, 1-patient has been enrolled. The trial is funded by Ipsen Pharmaceuticals and the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society through the Clinical Investigator Scholarship. Clinical trial information: NCT03736720.