title: Valproic acid (VPA) in patients with refractory advanced cancer: a dose escalating phase I clinical trial.
abstract: Altered histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity has been identified in several types of cancer. This study was designed to determine the safety and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of valproic acid (VPA) as an HDAC inhibitor in cancer patients. Twenty-six pre-treated patients with progressing solid tumours were enrolled in dose-escalating three-patient cohorts, starting at a dose of VPA 30 mg kg(-1) day(-1). VPA was administered as an 1-h infusion daily for 5 consecutive days in a 21-day cycle. Neurocognitive impairment dominated the toxicity profile, with grade 3 or 4 neurological side effects occurring in 8 out of 26 patients. No grade 3 or 4 haematological toxicity was observed. The MTD of infusional VPA was 60 mg kg(-1) day(-1). Biomonitoring of peripheral blood lymphocytes demonstrated the induction of histone hyperacetylation in the majority of patients and downmodulation of HDAC2. Pharmacokinetic studies showed increased mean and maximum serum VPA concentrations >120 and >250 mg l(-1), respectively, in the 90 and 120 mg kg(-1) cohorts, correlating well with the incidence of dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). Neurotoxicity was the main DLT of infusional VPA, doses up to 60 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 5 consecutive days are well tolerated and show detectable biological activity. Further investigations are warranted to evaluate the effectivity of VPA alone and in combination with other cytotoxic drugs.
authors.affiliation: II. Medizinische Klinik/Onkologie, Krankenhaus Nordwest, Steinbacher Hohl 2-26, D-60488 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. atmaca.akin@khnw.de
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Atmaca
authors.forename: S-E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Al-Batran
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maurer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Neumann
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Heinzel
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hentsch
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hövelmann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Göttlicher
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Knuth
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jäger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D056464:Histone Deacetylase 2; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; D006655:Histone Deacetylases / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014635:Valproic Acid; D056464:Histone Deacetylase 2; D006655:Histone Deacetylases