Safety and efficacy of combining sunitinib with bevacizumab + paclitaxel/carboplatin in non-small cell lung cancer.
BACKGROUND
Bevacizumab (B) improves survival of patients with metastatic, nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer. Based on encouraging results from preclinical studies combining B with sunitinib (S), a phase II, randomized, open-label study (Study Assessing the Blockade of both VEGF Receptor and ligand to enhance Efficacy in Lung) was initiated to assess clinical outcomes of adding S to paclitaxel (P)/carboplatin (C) + B (PCB) for first-line treatment of locally advanced, metastatic, or recurrent nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer.


METHODS
Study enrollment was to occur in three phases. In the first phase, patients received PC + B (15 mg/kg every 3 weeks), +/-S (25 mg daily, 2 weeks on, 1 week off). If tolerated, the second phase would include a third cohort receiving 37.5 mg S. The third phase would consist of PCB +/- highest tolerable dose S.


RESULTS
Between March 2007 and January 2008, 26 patients were randomized to receive PCB and 30 to PCB + S 25 mg. Because of poor tolerability, none of the patients were escalated to 37.5 mg S. Median treatment duration was 10.3 weeks for PCB and 6.0 weeks for PCB + S. Thirty-five percent of patients on PCB + S required S dose reduction, 52% required S treatment interruption, and 59% discontinued S because of adverse events, most frequently hematologic events (neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia) and fatigue. Patients receiving PCB + S required more B interruptions (38% versus 19% for PCB) and discontinuation (52% versus 35%) because of adverse events. Survival data were limited by small sample sizes and limited treatment duration. Overall survival was not mature at time of analysis: median 6.6 months for PCB + S and not reached for PCB. Two out of 25 efficacy-evaluable patients randomized to the PCB + S cohort had confirmed partial responses, compared with 5 of 19 randomized to the PCB cohort.


CONCLUSIONS
The addition of S to PCB was not well tolerated because of toxicities. This combination should not be studied further at these doses and schedules.
Socinski
Mark A
MA
Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. Socinski@med.unc.edu
Scappaticci
Frank A
FA
Samant
Meghna
M
Kolb
Margaret M
MM
Kozloff
Mark F
MF
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018287:Carcinoma, Large Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011379:Prognosis; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012449:Safety; D000077210:Sunitinib; D015996:Survival Rate
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D007211:Indoles; D011758:Pyrroles; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel; D000077210:Sunitinib