Intermittent erlotinib in combination with pemetrexed: phase I schedules designed to achieve pharmacodynamic separation.
BACKGROUND
Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors given concurrently with chemotherapy do not improve patient outcomes compared with chemotherapy alone in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Pharmacodynamic separation by intermittent delivery of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors with chemotherapy may increase efficacy by overcoming hypothesized antagonism.


METHODS
Two dose-escalating phase I trials (arm A and arm B) were conducted simultaneously. Pemetrexed was given every 21 days (500 mg/m intravenously). In arm A, erlotinib was given weekly on days 2, 9, and 16 (800-1400 mg). In arm B, erlotinib was given on days 2 to 16 (150-250 mg). Patients continued therapy until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.


RESULTS
Forty-two patients with advanced solid tumors, including 16 NSCLC, were treated. Patient characteristics included median age of 63 (range, 29-77), 19 males, and Karnofsky performance status >or=90/<90 = 27/15. The median number of cycles was 2. Treatment was well tolerated. Planned dose escalation was completed without reaching a maximum tolerated dose. Dose-limiting toxicities included grade 3 infection/fever (arm A: 500/1200) and grade 3 infection/neutropenia (arm B: 500/150). Rash frequency was 55% in arm A and 90% in arm B. There were six partial responses (four lung, one head and neck, one breast) and 16 stable diseases. Four patients with NSCLC remained on therapy for 9, 16, 16, and 22 cycles.


CONCLUSIONS
We report the first clinical trial to test intermittent erlotinib plus pemetrexed. Pemetrexed 500 mg/m and weekly erlotinib 1400 mg (arm A) or pemetrexed 500 mg/m and erlotinib 250 mg on days 2 to 16 (arm B) are feasible and well tolerated. Arm B efficacy is being examined in a randomized phase II trial for second-line NSCLC.
Davies
Angela M
AM
University of California Davis Cancer Center, Sacramento, California, USA. adavies@osip.com
Ho
Cheryl
C
Beckett
Laurel
L
Lau
Derick
D
Scudder
Sidney A
SA
Lara
Primo N
PN
Perkins
Natasha
N
Gandara
David R
DR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D005260:Female; D005971:Glutamates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006147:Guanine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005971:Glutamates; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D006147:Guanine; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride