Metastatic Biliary Tract Research Articles

Evaluating Debio 1347 in Patients with FGFR Fusion-Positive Advanced Solid Tumors from the FUZE Multicenter, Open-Label, Phase II Basket Trial.

This multicenter phase II basket trial investigated the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of Debio 1347, an investigational, oral, highly selective, ATP-competitive, small molecule inhibitor of FGFR1-3, in patients with solid tumors harboring a functional FGFR1-3 fusion. Eligible adults had a previously treated locally advanced (unresectable) or metastatic biliary tract (cohort 1), urothelial (cohort 2), or another histologic cancer type (cohort 3). Debio 1347 was administered at 80 mg once daily, continuously, in 28-day cycles. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate. Secondary endpoints included duration of response, progression-free survival, overall survival, pharmacokinetics, and incidence of adverse events. Between March 22, 2019, and January 8, 2020, 63 patients were enrolled and treated, 30 in cohort 1, 4 in cohort 2, and 29 in cohort 3. An unplanned preliminary statistical review showed that the efficacy of Debio 1347 was lower than predicted, and the trial was terminated. In total, 3 of 58 evaluable patients had partial responses, representing an objective response rate of 5%, with a further 26 (45%) having stable disease (≥6 weeks duration). Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 22 (35%) of 63 patients, with the most common being hyperphosphatemia (13%) and stomatitis (5%). Two patients (3%) discontinued treatment due to adverse events. Debio 1347 had manageable toxicity; however, the efficacy in patients with tumors harboring FGFR fusions did not support further clinical evaluation in this setting. Our transcriptomic-based analysis characterized in detail the incidence and nature of FGFR fusions across solid tumors. See related commentary by Hage Chehade et al., p. 4549.

BOLD-100-001 (TRIO039): A phase 1b/2a study of BOLD-100 in combination with FOLFOX chemotherapy in patients with pre-treated advanced gastric and biliary tract cancer: Efficacy and safety analysis.

4098 Background: BOLD-100 is a first-in-class ruthenium-based anticancer agent in Phase 1b /2a clinical development for the treatment of advanced gastrointestinal (GI) cancers in combination with FOLFOX. BOLD-100 demonstrated synergy in established preclinical models in combination with various anticancer therapies, particularly in resistant cell lines. Methods: This is a prospective, Phase 1b/2a study of BOLD-100 in combination with FOLFOX for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers including biliary tract (BTC) and gastric (GC) cancers. Patients are administered BOLD-100+FOLFOX on day 1 of each 14-day cycle. Four cohorts are treated at the BOLD-100 RP2D of 625 mg/m2 with FOLFOX until progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity. BTC and GC pt cohort data are presented. The primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of BOLD-100 in three clinical endpoints (PFS, OS, and ORR). Disease Control Rates (DCR) for each cohort are also determined. Bayesian modelling is used to continually reassess these endpoints, the posterior probability of superiority to an historical landmark for each endpoint. Results: As of 31Dec22, 22 pts with advanced metastatic BTC and 13 pts with advanced GC median age 61 in each cohort were treated. The BTC pts received a median of 2 prior systemic therapies while the GC patients had a median of 3. All patients presented with stage IV disease. 21/22 BTC patients received prior GEM/CIS and while on study a median of 4 cycles BOLD-100+FOLFOX [range 1-19]. Median PFS was 5.0 [3.1, 8.9] months, median OS 7.3 [4.2, 14] months, ORR 6% [1,23] and DCR 83% [62, 95] in 18 evaluable patients. Four pts remain on treatment and 3 in follow-up. 10/13 GC pts were previously treated with a platinum; currently there are 9 evaluable patients. To the data cut-off, patients received a median of 6 cycles BOLD-100+FOLFOX [1-16]. Median PFS was 5.5 [2.8, 13] months and median OS 15 [5.4, 63] months. Two pts achieved a partial response and 6 pts had stable disease for an overall DCR of 89% (8/9 [59%,99%]). Five pts remain on treatment with an additional 6 in follow-up. Study treatment was well tolerated. For the 35 treated patients, 33 reported 1 or more treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs), most commonly neutrophil count decreased (n = 15, 43%), nausea (n = 12, 34%), fatigue (n = 10, 29%), and anemia (n = 10, 29%). Most of the AEs were grade (G) 1-2. 14 patients (40%) reported G3/4 neutrophil count decreased. Conclusions: BOLD-100 plus FOLFOX is an active and well-tolerated treatment regimen in the heavily pre-treated Stage IV biliary tract and gastric cancer study populations. There were no new safety signals. The preliminary mPFS, mOS, ORR and DCR data in this interim analysis demonstrate significant improvement over the currently available therapies for these difficult to treat advanced GI cancers. Clinical trial information: NCT04421820 .

Systematic literature review and meta-analysis of clinical outcomes for previously-treated patients with advanced biliary tract cancer.

e16143 Background: There is no standard chemotherapy available for previously treated, advanced (unresectable and/or metastatic) biliary tract cancer (BTC). This systematic literature review and meta-analysis were conducted to assess clinical outcomes of chemotherapies in this patient population. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted through mid-2021 to identify relevant studies using Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled trials (January 1, 2000–July 6, 2021) with additional searches of recent ASCO and ESMO conferences. Eligible study designs included randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, and non-randomized clinical trials in patients (≥18 years age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score 0 or 1) previously treated for advanced BTC and who had progressed on prior treatment (i.e., ≥2L). The outcomes of interest were objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). A meta-analysis among chemotherapies was performed to obtain a pooled estimate of the efficacy of standard treatments in BTC. The ORR meta-analysis was performed using the Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation. For time-to-event outcomes, published Kaplan-Meier curves for OS and PFS were digitized to create pseudo- individual patient data. A meta-analysis of the resulting pooled survival curves for OS and PFS were conducted following the methodology of Combescure et al. (2014). Results: In total, 39 unique studies were identified. Seventeen studies representing 22 unique therapy arms evaluating chemotherapies among 903 patients were included in the meta-analysis for ORR. The random effects pooled estimate for ORR was 6.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.1-9.7%). Median PFS (12 studies; 16 survival curves) was 3.1 months (95% CI: 2.5-3.8) with PFS rates at 6 and 12 months of 26.7% (95% CI: 19.8-36%) and 6.9% (95% CI: 4.1-11.7%), respectively. Median OS (15 studies; 19 survival curves) was 6.8 months (95% CI: 5.9-7.5) with OS rates at 6, 12, and 24 months of 55.3% (95% CI: 49.9-61.3%), 24.6% (95% CI: 20.0-30.2%), and 2.0% (95% CI: 1.1-3.8%), respectively. Conclusions: The limited efficacy of clinical outcomes for chemotherapies used in the treatment of advanced BTC suggest an opportunity to explore the potential clinical benefits of newer treatments (e.g., immunotherapies).

A phase I study of ADH-1 with cisplatin (Cisp) and gemcitabine (Gem) in patients (Pts) with unresectable or metastatic pancreatic and biliary tract cancers.

306 Background: Pancreatic cancer cells in vitro undergo epithelial to mesenchymal transformation (EMT) by up-regulating mesenchymal markers, including N-cadherin. The EMT leads to increased motility & invasiveness with collagen exposure in a pancreatic cancer mouse model, which can be inhibited by N-cadherin knockdown. ADH-1 is a small, cyclic pentapeptide with inhibitory effects on stromal & endothelial cells expressing N-cadherin. Methods: Escalating doses of ADH-1 were given twice weekly for 3 wk (1,000, 2,000 & 4,000 mg) with Cisp 25 mg/m2 & Gem1000 mg/m2/100 min days 1 & 8 of a 3 wk cycle in pts with pancreaticobiliary cancers with ECOG PS 0-2 & adequate bone marrow, renal & hepatic function. Standard 3 + 3 dose escalation was used. Peripheral blood was collected for biomarkers prior to each dose of ADH-1 during cycle 1. Due to limited drug supply, ADH-1 was given for the 1st 3 cycles. Results: Between 05/2013 - 04/2015, 17 pts were enrolled, received at least 1 dose of therapy, and were evaluable for toxicity: m 13/F 4; median 60 yr (range 37-81); pancreas 9 /biliary 8. 3 pts had prior adjuvant therapy. The number pts with dose-limiting toxicity during cycle 1 of ADH-1 (mg) were 0/4 at 1,000; 1/7 at 2,000 (gr 4 ANC, platelet); 2/6 pts 4,000 mg (1 pt: gr 3 pulmonary embolus and gr 4 plt; 1: gr 4 cholangitis/sepsis/multiorgan failure). 5 of 8 pts who had ≥ 6 cycles were taken off study due to cumulative toxicities rather than PD. 14 pts had ≥ 3 cycles of therapy and were evaluable for response: SD in 9 subjects; PD in 5. The median number cycles was 5.5 (range 1-30). Median time to treatment failure (TTF) for all patients was 113 days (range 7-724). Median OS was 218 days (7-853+). Pts with biliary cancer had a longer TTF and OS vs pancreatic cancer (TTF 217 vs 93 days; OS 305 vs 180 days). 6 pts survived > 12 months (biliary 4, pancreas 2). Biomarker analysis (ICAM 1; E selectin; VEGF, Soluble VEGF-R 2 and 3, FGF basic) is ongoing. Conclusions: The phase II dose of ADH1 given with Cisp/Gem is 2,000 mg IV twice weekly. ADH-1 was relatively well tolerated. Most pts ultimately required dose delays or reductions due to cumulative toxicity with Cisp/Gem. Clinical trial information: NCT01825603.

A phase I trial investigating pulsatile erlotinib in combination with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin in advanced biliary tract cancers

SummaryAdvanced biliary tract cancers (ABTC) are among the deadliest malignancies with limited treatment options after progression on standard-of-care chemotherapy, which includes gemcitabine (GEM) and oxaliplatin (OX). The epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor erlotinib has been explored in ABTC with modest efficacy. Erlotinib given continuously may antagonize the action of chemotherapy against cycling tumor cells, but pulsatile dosing of erlotinib with chemotherapy may improve efficacy. The purpose of this study was to assess the safety of pulsatile erlotinib with GEMOX. This was a single-institution phase Ib study that enrolled adult patients with unresectable or metastatic biliary tract, pancreas, duodenal, or ampullary carcinomas that have not received any prior treatment for their disease. Dose escalation followed a standard 3 + 3 design, and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were any treatment-related, first course non-hematologic grade ≥ 3 toxicity, except nausea/vomiting, or grade 4 hematologic toxicity. A dose expansion cohort in ABTC was treated at the MTD. Twenty-eight patients were enrolled and 4 dose levels were explored. The MTD was erlotinib 150 mg + GEM 800 mg/m2 + OX 85 mg/m2. DLTs were diarrhea and anemia. Most frequent toxicities were nausea (78 %), fatigue (71 %), neuropathy (68 %), and diarrhea (61 %), predominantly grade 1–2. In the ABTC patients, the objective response and disease control rates were 29 % and 94 %, respectively, and median overall survival was 18 months. Erlotinib plus GEMOX was well tolerated. Encouraging anti-tumor activity was seen as evidenced by a high disease control rate and longer median OS than standard chemotherapy in the patients with ABTC.

A single-arm phase II trial of gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and panitumumab in KRAS wild-type advanced biliary tract cancer.

255 Background: Biliary Tract Cancer (BTC) encompasses a group of aggressive, genetically heterogeneous tumors with limited systemic treatment options. Currently platinum and gemcitabine-based therapy is the standard first-line treatment. EGFR inhibition has proven beneficial across a number of gastrointestinal malignancies; and has shown specific advantages among KRASwild-type genetic subtypes of colon cancer. Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed, previously untreated unresectable or metastatic KRAS wild type biliary tract or gallbladder adenocarcinoma with ECOG performance status (PS) 0-2 were eligible. Patients were treated with Panitumumab 6mg/kg, Gemcitabine (GEM) 1000 mg/m2 (10 mg/m2/min), Oxaliplatin (OX) 85 mg/m2on days 1 and 15 of each 28 day cycle. The primary objective was to determine the objective response rate (ORR) by RECIST criteria v.1.1. Secondary objectives were to evaluate toxicity, progression free survival (PFS), and overall survival. Results: Of the 38 patients screened, 31 patients were found to have KRAS wild type genotype and enrolled. The median age was 61 years old, 55% males, 100% of patients had an ECOG PS of <1. Twenty-five patients had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and 3 each had extrahepatic and gall bladder carcinoma. Twenty-eight patients completed at least 2 cycles of therapy and were evaluable for response. The ORR was 50% (95% CI 23.8-76.2). With a median follow-up of 11 months, median PFS was 10.5 months (95% CI, 3.8 - 23.9 months) and median OS was 24.8 months (95% CI, 9.0 months-no upper bound). The most common grade 3 toxicities were fatigue 23%, anemia 23%, neuropathy 16%, elevated AST/ALT 16%, hyponatremia 13%, nausea 13%, rash 10%, neutropenia 7%, and hypomagnesemia 7%. Grade 4 toxicities included leukopenia 10%, and 1 case (3%) each of gallbladder perforation, hematoma, anemia, hyperkalemia, hyponatremia and hypokalemia. Conclusions: Completed analysis of this phase II study of GEMOX-panitumumab for KRAS wild type advanced BTC reveals encouraging results with promising response rates and PFS. The toxicity profiles were expected and manageable. Further investigation of this regimen and anti-EGFR therapy is warranted. Clinical trial information: NCT01308840.

90Y glass microspheres for the treatment of unresectable metastatic liver disease from chemotherapy-refractory gastrointestinal cancers: A pilot study.

359 Background: This prospective single-institution pilot study was undertaken to document the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of treatment of liver-dominant metastatic gastrointestinal cancer using 90Y glass microspheres. Methods: Between June 2010 and November 2012, 30 adult patients (22 men, 8 women; median age 61 years) with metastatic chemotherapy-refractory unresectable colorectal (n=15), neuroendocrine (n=9), biliary tract (n=3), pancreas (n=2), and esophageal (n=1) carcinomas underwent 45 lobar or segmental administrations of 90Y glass microspheres. Data regarding clinical and laboratory adverse events (AE) were collected prospectively for 6 months after each treatment. Radiographic responses were evaluated using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1. Time to maximum response, response duration, progression-free survival (hepatic and extrahepatic), and overall survival were measured. Results: Median target dose and activity were 111.6Gy and 2.5GBq per treatment session, respectively. All but 3 clinical AE were grade 1 or 2 in severity. The most frequent clinical AE were fatigue (83%), anorexia (50%), nausea (50%), abdominal pain (40%), vomiting (20%), fever (17%), and sweating (17%). Common metabolic and laboratory AE included hypoalbuminemia (50%), transaminitis (63%), and hyperbilirubinemia (27%). Serious AE included an unplanned hospital admission for carcinoid crisis, grade 3 vomiting, and grade 4 gastric ulcer. Patients with colorectal cancer had hepatic objective response rate (ORR) of 27% and a disease control rate (DCR) of 73%. Median progression-free and overall survival were 1.0 and 4.9 months, respectively. Patients with neuroendocrine tumors had hepatic ORR and DCR of 78% and 100%, respectively. Median progression-free survival was 18.5 months for this cohort. Conclusions: 90Y glass microspheres device has a favorable safety profile, and achieved prolonged disease control of hepatic tumor burden in a subset of patients, including all patients enrolled in the neuroendocrine cohort. Clinical trial information: NCT01290536.

FOLFIRI in patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic or biliary tract carcinoma

Pancreatic and biliary tract carcinomas are very chemoresistant. After a first-line treatment with a gemcitabine-based regimen, no second-line scheme is consolidated in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and the activity of the FOLFIRI regimen as first-line or second-line chemotherapy in patients with pancreatic or biliary tract tumors. Fifty-four patients (30 with pancreatic tumor, nine with gallbladder tumor, and 15 with biliary tract tumor) were treated with FOLFIRI (irinotecan 180 mg/m², day 1; leucovorin 100 mg/m² intravenously, days 1 and 2; 5-fluorouracil 400 mg/m² intravenous bolus, days 1 and 2; and 600 mg/m² in 22 h intravenously, continuous infusion days 1 and 2; every 14 days). Toxicity was recorded at each cycle according to the NCI-CTC V3.0 criteria, the response rate was verified each four cycles according to the RECIST criteria, and the progression-free survival rates as well as the overall survival rates were calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method. Overall, the toxicity was mild. Grade 3-4 neutropenia occurred in 42.6% of patients. Grade 3-4 gastrointestinal toxicity was rare. FOLFIRI as a first-line treatment produced a response rate of 25%. In the second-line group, 9/21 patients (42.9%) obtained a stable disease as best response. In the entire population, the median progression-free survival rates were 3.1 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.9-4.4] and 3.5 months (95% CI, 2.6-4.4), respectively, in the first-line and the second-line cohort of patients. The median overall survival rates were 14.5 months (95% CI, 7.0-22.1) and 6.2 months (95% CI, 5.4-7.0), respectively, in the first-line and the second-line cohort of patients. FOLFIRI is feasible and well tolerated in patients with pancreatic or biliary tract tumors; it has a good activity in first line and mostly in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Feasibility and potential benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 in patients with curative resected advanced biliary tract cancer: A multicenter trial.

e15179 Background: S-1 chemotherapy is reported to be effective for treating metastatic and unresectable biliary tract cancer (BTC). We assessed the safety and feasibility of adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy in patients with curative resected advanced BTC. Methods: Patients with pathological stage II, III, or IVa BTC (according to JSBS) who underwent radical resection received oral S-1 (80 mg/m2/day) for 2 consecutive weeks every 3 weeks (1 cycle). Patients were aged 20–80 years, had a performance status of <1, and provided informed consent. The treatment was repeated until 1 year after surgery. The primary endpoint was feasibility of the adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1. The secondary endpoints were safety, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Results: We enrolled 40 patients, but 5 patients were excluded on the basis of eligibility criteria (4 patients) or no drug administration (1 patient). We analyzed data from 35 patients (29 men and 6 women with a median age of 68 years) between January 2009 and November 2011. The feasibilities of 6-month and 12-month administration of S-1 were 65.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 47.8–80.9%) and 45.7% (95% CI 28.8–63.4%), respectively. Grade 3 neutropenia and anemia were observed in 2.9% and 5.7% of cases, respectively. Grade 3 non-hematological toxicities included anorexia in 14.3%, fatigue in 8.6%, and nausea in 2.9% of cases. No grade 4 hematological or non-hematological toxicities were observed, and no treatment-related deaths occurred. The 1-year OS was 91.4% (95% CI: 76.6–97.2%), and the 1-year DFS was 68.6% (95% CI: 51.7–81.7%). Conclusions: Adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 for curative resected advanced BTC patients was both safe and feasible. Although the follow-up period was insufficient to evaluate OS and DFS, adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 is believed to have improved the prognosis.

Metastatic and unresectable biliary tract tumors: A single-center retrospective review.

e14733 Background: Biliary tract tumours are rare and often poor prognosis cancers that comprise cholangiocarcinomas, ampullary tumours and gallbladder cancers. Methods: Medical Electronic Records for patients diagnosed between January 2008 and December 2010 and treated at a medical oncology unit were reviewed, and clinical and epidemiological data for patients were retrieved. Results: We have found 28 patients with a distribution with a clear majority of men (60%), with a median age of 66 years (range 45-80).Patients were mostly metastatic (85%) at diagnosis and the majority of patients had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (60%) as diagnosis and debuted with large intrahepatic masses and metastatic disease.Those with tumours arising outside the liver (40%) had obstructive jaundice (28%) or cholangitis (26%) at diagnosis and needed in most cases biliary stenting (33%).Six patients had PS2 at diagnosis and received gemcitabine monotherapy. Only one patient remaining progression free at 6 months and none of them received treatment at progression, the mean PFS was of 5.3 months and the OS was of 8.3 months.Of 22 patients with good performance status, 12 of them with a mean age of 60 years received polychemotherapy with GEMOX or CDDP-gem with PFS of 7. 3 months and OS of 12. 3 months.The other 10 patients (with a mean age of 65 years) received gemcitabine as monotherapy with a PFS of 7. 9 months and a OS of 11. 4 months.Eight patients were treated with second line therapy with no responses and a mean of PFS of 2 months, OS was not superior to patients who did not receive second line treatment. Conclusion: Our patients with biliary tract tumours had a mean progression free survival of 8.2 months and a mean overall survival of 12.3 months with 5 patients remaining progression free more than 20 months after beginning treatment. This survival data are compatible with those reported in recent clinical trials although we did not find improvements in survival with polychemotherapy and second line therapies. Conclusions: Taken as a whole our patients with biliary tract tumours had a mean progression free survival of 8.2 months and a mean overall survival of 12.3 months with 5 patients remaining progression free more than 20 months after beginning treatment.

Feasibility and potential benefits of second-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer.

338 Background: Chemotherapy is effective in metastatic or unresectable biliary tract cancer (BTC). The benefits of second-line chemotherapy (CT2) are unclear. Methods: We retrospectively studied all patients (pts) receiving at least one cycle of chemotherapy for advanced BTC at our institution between 1991 and 2011. We analyzed pt and chemotherapy characteristics (type of regimen; tumor response; time to progression (TTP); and overall survival (OS)). The objectives were: 1) to characterize pts eligible for CT2; 2) to evaluate the efficacy of CT2. Results: 367, 89 (24%), and 24 (6%) pts received CT1, CT2, and CT3, respectively. Primary tumor location was the gallbladder (30%), intraphepatic (16%), perihilar (20%), distal common bile duct (20%), and ampulla of Vater (14%). 88% had a baseline performance status of 0-1 prior to CT1. The regimen and efficacy data of CT1 and CT2 are presented in the Table . On univariate analysis females (p=0.002) and pts with TTP >6 months on CT1 (p=0.016) were the only variables associated with receiving CT2. The only factor associated with disease control (objective response+ stable disease) on CT2 was the regimen type (75% with a doublet versus 46% with monotherapy, p=0.03). Conclusions: Among patients with advanced BTC treated with chemotherapy, less than 25% received CT2; but responses were seen and were surprisingly high even in this selected population. Pts with a longer TTP on CT1 were more likely to be offered CT2. Better disease control with CT2 occurs with a doublet than single agent, however clearly more effective therapies must be found. Updated data will be presented. [Table: see text]

6618 Results of a multi-center phase II study of imatinib and fluorourcail/leucovorin (FU/LV) in patients with unresectable or metastatic gallbladder or biliary tract cancer

6618 Results of a multi-center phase II study of imatinib and fluorourcail/leucovorin (FU/LV) in patients with unresectable or metastatic gallbladder or biliary tract cancer

Preliminary results of a multicenter phase II study of imatinib and fluorourcail/leucovorin (FU/LV) in patients with unresectable or metastatic gallbladder or biliary tract cancer

e15502 Background: There are no standard chemotherapeutic regimens for incurable biliary adenocarcinomas. Monotherapies with gemcitabine or FU/LV achieve occasional responses and a median overall survival of about 6 months. By blocking PDGFR a decreased intrastromal pressure may increase therapy effects of chemotherapy. The combination of imatinib and FU/LV has been shown to be safe and feasible in a previous Phase I trial. This multicenter phase II trial was designed to investigate the disease control rate (DCR) of FU/LV and imatinib. Methods: Eligibility criteria included unresectable or metastatic measurable biliary tract cancer (BTC)/gallbladder cancer (GBC), performance status < 2, adequate organ function and no clinically significant cardiovascular disease. Enrolment of 44 chemonaive patients (pts.) was planned. Pts. received LV 200 mg/m2 followed by FU 2000 mg/m2 as a 24-hour infusion on days 1 and 2 combined with 600mg imatinib on days -4 to 4 (8 days). Cycles were repeated every 2 weeks up to 12 cycles. Radiological assessments were performed every 4 cycles. Results: 41 pts (19 GBC; 22 BTC) were enrolled in this phase II study since May 2007. Median age was 62 years (range 33–77), male/female=24/17, ECOG 0/1/2=13/23/5. 35 pts. showed metastatic disease at baseline. Treatment was well tolerated. Treatment related grade 3/4 toxicities included (number of pts): diarrhea (2), edema (1), neutropenia (2), nausea (2), transient SGPT elevation (4). The DCR of 26 pts. available for response assessment at time of analysis 1 was 58% (15 pts) (1 CR, 1 PR,13 SD of at least 4 cycles). 11 pts. showed progressive disease (PD) per RECIST criteria. 3 pts. had disease stabilization after 12 cycles and continue on treatment. We present these preliminary data as they represent a large patient number in this entity and response data are promising. Conclusions: This preliminary analysis suggests that the combination of FU/LV and imatinib can be safely administrated in pts. with GBC/BTC. Early evidence of antitumor activity was seen with some pts. achieving long term stabilization of the disease. [Table: see text]

Preliminary results of a multicenter phase II study of imatinib and fluorourcail/leucovorin (FU/LV) in patients with unresectable or metastatic gallbladder or biliary tract cancer

e15622 Background: There are no standard chemotherapeutic regimens for incurable biliary adenocarcinomas. Monotherapies with gemcitabine or FU/LV achieve occasional responses and a median overall survival of about 6 months. By blocking PDGFR a decreased intrastromal pressure may increase therapy effects of chemotherapy. The combination of imatinib and FU/LV has been shown to be safe and feasible in a previous Phase I trial. This multicenter phase II trial was designed to investigate the disease control rate (DCR) of FU/LV and imatinib. Methods: Eligibility criteria included unresectable or metastatic measurable biliary tract cancer (BTC)/gallbladder cancer (GBC), performance status < 2, adequate organ function and no clinically significant cardiovascular disease. Enrolment of 44 chemonaive patients (pts.) was planned. Pts. received LV 200 mg/m2 followed by FU 2000 mg/m2 as a 24-hour infusion on days 1 and 2 combined with 600mg imatinib on days -4 to 4 (8 days). Cycles were repeated every 2 weeks up to 12 cycles. Radiological assessments were performed every 4 cycles. Results: 41 pts (19 GBC; 22 BTC) were enrolled in this phase II study since May 2007. Median age was 62 years (range 33–77), male/female=24/17, ECOG 0/1/2=13/23/5. 35 pts. showed metastatic disease at baseline. Treatment was well tolerated. Treatment related grade 3/4 toxicities included (number of pts): diarrhea (2), edema (1), neutropenia (2), nausea (2), transient SGPT elevation (4). The DCR of 26 pts. available for response assessment at time of analysis 1 was 58% (15 pts) (1 CR, 1 PR,13 SD of at least 4 cycles). 11 pts. showed progressive disease (PD) per RECIST criteria. 3 pts. had disease stabilization after 12 cycles and continue on treatment. We present these preliminary data as they represent a large patient number in this entity and response data are promising. Conclusions: This preliminary analysis suggests that the combination of FU/LV and imatinib can be safely administrated in pts. with GBC/BTC. Early evidence of antitumor activity was seen with some pts. achieving long term stabilization of the disease. [Table: see text]

A phase II trial of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in patients with recurrent or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the bile duct or gallbladder (NCI #6135)

e15605 Background: There is currently no standard therapy for recurrent or metastatic cancers of the bile duct or gallbladder and available chemotherapy is of uncertain benefit. As activation of NF-κB has been described in these tumors, we initiated a phase II trial of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in patients with recurrent or metastatic disease. Methods: Patients with measurable metastatic or unresectable adenocarcinoma of the bile duct or gallbladder who had received up to 2 prior chemotherapy regimens were eligible. Other eligibility criteria included ECOG PS 0–2, total bilirubin ≤1.5X ULN, and ALT/AST ≤2.5 X ULN. Patients with baseline neuropathy ≥grade 2 were excluded. Bortezomib was administered at a dose of 1.3 mg/m2 as an intravenous bolus on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 of 21 day cycles with CT evaluation every 6 weeks. The primary endpoint was response rate. Null hypothesis: PR/CR≤5%. Alternative hypothesis: PR/CR ≥20%. 35 patients were required for 90% power with an early stopping rule at 20. Results: 20 patients were enrolled: 11M/9F, PS 0/1 (7/13), 6 gallbladder /14 bile duct. There was one patient with an unconfirmed partial response, 9 patients with stable disease, and 10 patients with progressive disease. Accrual was halted after 20 patients were enrolled as the early stopping rule for futility was met. Median PFS was 48 days (95% CI [32,124]) and median OS was 284 days (95% CI [155, 513]). Grade 3/4 toxicities were observed in 13 patients (65%), most commonly fatigue (4 patients), thrombocytopenia (3 patients), hyperbilirubinemia (3 patients), and hypotension (2 patients). Other SAEs at least possibly related to bortezomib included grade 3 vasculitis (1 patient) and grade 2 meningitis (1 patient). Conclusions: Bortezomib is not an active agent in the treatment of metastatic gallbladder or biliary tract cancer. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

A pharmacokinetic study of gemcitabine at fixed dose rate infusion in patients with impaired hepatic function

12009 Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate if hepatic dysfunction leads to increased toxicity of gemcitabine (gem) at fixed dose rate, and to characterize the pharmacokinetic (PK) of gem and its major metabolite (2`,2`-difluorodeoxyuridine- 2dFdU) in patients (pts) with normal and altered liver function. Methods: Eight pts with metastatic pancreatic or biliary tract cancer were treated with the followed schedule: gem 1000 mg/m2 at 10/mg/m2/min fixed rate days 1,8, and 15 every 28 days for a maximum of six cycles. Three pts had normal serum bilirubin level and AST level less than two times the upper limit of normal (ULN) (Cohort I); four pts had bilirubin level from 1.6 to 7.0 mg/dL and normal AST level, one pt had serum bilirubin level less than 1.6 mg/dL and AST level greater than two times the ULN (Cohort II). The PK parameters measured were: plasmatic peak concentration (Cmax), area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUCexp), total plasma clearance (Cl p) and half life (t1/2). Results: Patient characteristics were: median age 62 yrs (range 28–75), male/female 4/4, median cycles cohort I: 6 cycles (3–6), median cycles cohort II: 3 cycles (1–5), median follow-up: 30 weeks (range 3–79) and median weeks of treatment: 14 (1–25). The rate of dose reduction was the same in the two cohorts, as the rate of omitted administrations. Patients with liver dysfunction tolerated gemcitabine without increased toxicity and neither AST nor bilirubin elevation was observed after drug administration. PK parameters were calculated at the first cycle and the results are presented below (see table ). Conclusions: The pharmacokinetics of gemcitabine at fixed dose rate in patients with impaired liver function seems similar to control; no difference between the two cohorts was observed in terms of toxicity and dose reduction. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Gemcitabine, 5‐fluorouracil, and leucovorin in advanced biliary tract and gallbladder carcinoma

Gemcitabine has broad activity in a variety of solid tumors including biliary tract carcinomas. The authors evaluated 6-month survival, response, and toxicity associated with a combination of gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and leucovorin (LV) in patients with unresectable or metastatic biliary tract or gallbladder adenocarcinoma (ACA). A 4-week course included 1000 mg/m2 gemcitabine by intravenous infusion over 30 minutes on Days 1, 8, and 15, 25 mg/m2 LV by intravenous push, and 600 mg/m2 5-FU by intravenous push after LV. Forty-two patients were enrolled in 6 months, 35 of whom had metastatic disease. Patients with biliary tract ACA included 24 with hepatic disease (19 patients had intrahepatic disease and 5 patients had extrahepatic disease) and 4 with disease in the ampulla of Vater. All patients were evaluable and received a median of 4 courses of treatment (range, 1-21 courses). Commonly occurring severe toxicity (NCI CTC Grade 3 or worse) included: dyspnea (four patients), nausea (four patients), fatigue (seven patients), thrombocytopenia (six patients), emesis (four patients), and diarrhea (four patients). Five partial responses (9.5%) occurred, 3 of which were sustained for > or = 8 weeks. No treatment-related deaths occurred. Thirty-two patients had disease progression and 38 died after a median follow-up of 20 months (range, 1.4-24 months). The median time to disease progression was 4.6 months (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.4-6.6%). The median survival period was 9.7 months (95% CI, 7-12%). This combination regimen was manageable in patients with advanced biliary tract and gallbladder ACA. Of 42 patients, 24 (57%) survived > or = 6 months, satisfying the primary end point of the trial. The length of survival suggested that gemcitabine, 5-FU, and LV had benefit equivalent to gemcitabine alone.

Comparison between metastatic vs primary biliary tract cancer in their response to the Wallstent

Comparison between metastatic vs primary biliary tract cancer in their response to the Wallstent