Pulsed high-dose erlotinib with gemcitabine as second-line therapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Abstract

421 Background: The options for treatment of pancreatic cancer follow progression on first line therapy are limited and associated with significant toxicity. Erlotinib has been approved for treatment of pancreatic cancer in first-line therapy. We conducted a phase I dose-escalation trial of erlotinib in combination with gemcitabine for patients that had failed first-line therapy. Erlotinib was administered by a novel pulse-dose schedule where the drug was given orally for 3 days every two weeks. Purpose: Assess the safety and determine a recommended phase II dose for pulsed high dose erlotinib in combination with gemcitabine for pancreatic cancer, and obtain preliminary data on activity. Methods: Patients with pancreatic cancer that progressed on or after first-line therapy were treated in a dose escalation study with erlotinib at 750 to 2,000 mg daily for three days every two weeks in combination with weekly gemcitabine at 1,000 mg/m2 for three weeks on and one week off. Results: No dose limiting toxicities were encountered and erlotinib-induced rash was mild and transient. Median overall survival was 6.7 months and 12-month overall survival was 27%. Progression free survival but not overall survival was longer in patients who did not previously receive gemcitabine. Rash was not associated with longer survival. Conclusions: The recommended phase II dose is erlotinib 2,000 mg daily for three consecutive days every two weeks in combination with gemcitabine. Tolerability was excellent, and outcomes were better than expected for second-line therapy in pancreatic cancer. Further studies are warranted, both as therapy after first-line and as first-line therapy for patients unable to tolerate more aggressive regimens. Clinical trial information: NCT02154737.