Phase I trial of weekly paclitaxel and BMS-214662 in patients with advanced solid tumors.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), pharmacodynamics, and antitumor activity of continuous weekly-administered paclitaxel and BMS-214662, a novel farnesyl transferase inhibitor.


METHODS
Patients were treated every week as tolerated with i.v. paclitaxel (fixed dose, 80 mg/m(2)/wk) administered over 1 h followed by i.v. BMS-214662 (escalating doses, 80-245 mg/m(2)/wk) over 1 h starting 30 min after completion of paclitaxel.


RESULTS
Twenty-six patients received 94 courses (one course, 21 days) of study treatment. Two patients received five courses of BMS-214662 as a weekly 24-h infusion (209 mg/m(2)/wk). The most common toxicities were grade 1 to 2 nausea/vomiting and/or diarrhea. DLTs observed at or near the MTD (200 mg/m(2)/wk) were grade 4 febrile neutropenia with sepsis occurring on day 2 of course 1 (245 mg/m(2)/wk), reversible grade 3 to 4 serum transaminase increases on day 2, and grade 3 diarrhea (200 and 245 mg/m(2)/wk). Objective partial responses were observed in patients with pretreated head and neck, ovarian, and hormone-refractory prostate carcinomas, and leiomyosarcoma. The observed pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel and BMS-214662 imply no interaction between the two. Significant inhibition (>80%) of farnesyl transferase activity in peripheral mononuclear cells was observed at the end of BMS-214662 infusion.


CONCLUSIONS
Pretreated patients with advanced malignancies can tolerate weekly paclitaxel and BMS-214662 at doses that achieve objective clinical benefit. Due to multiple DLTs occurring at the expanded MTD, the recommended phase 2 dose and schedule is paclitaxel (80 mg/m(2) over 1 h) and BMS-214662 (160 mg/m(2) over 1 h) administered weekly.
Bailey
Howard H
HH
University of Wisconsin Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin 53792, USA. hhbailey@wisc.edu
Alberti
Dona B
DB
Thomas
James P
JP
Mulkerin
Daniel L
DL
Binger
Kimberly A
KA
Gottardis
Marco M
MM
Martell
Robert E
RE
Wilding
George
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D007093:Imidazoles; D001569:Benzodiazepines; C415151:7-cyano-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1-(1H-imidazol-4-ylmethyl)-3-(phenylmethyl)-4-(2-thienylsulfonyl)-1H-1,4-benzodiazepine; D017239:Paclitaxel