A phase IA, open-label, dose-escalating study of PTK787/ZK 222584 administered orally on a continuous dosing schedule in patients with advanced cancer.
BACKGROUND
PTK787/ZK 222584 (PTK/ZK) offers a novel approach to inhibit tumour angiogenesis.


METHODS
This study characterized the safety, tolerability, biological activity and pharmacokinetic profile of PTK/ZK, while determining the optimum dose. Seventy-one patients with advanced cancer were enrolled to receive once daily dosing. Pharmacokinetic, dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and safety assessments were performed, along with measurement of soluble markers. Patients were treated until they had unacceptable toxicity and/or disease progression.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine patients were assessable for maximum tolerated dose (MTD) determination, but no MTD was established; only two patients experienced dose limiting toxicities. PTK/ZK was well tolerated with only nine patients experiencing serious adverse events suspected to be PTK/ZK related, but no objective tumour response was observed; 34% had stable disease and 48% had progressive disease. In addition, PTK/ZK was rapidly absorbed with a maximum concentration occurring 2 hours post-dosing. Vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblastic growth factor were good predictors of best tumour response, as was the MRI bidirectional transfer constant on day 2 of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
An MTD was not reached in this study but, based on these data and findings from other studies, 1200 mg was found to be the optimum dose of PTK/ZK for patients with advanced cancer.
Drevs
Joachim
J
Tumor Biology Center, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Breisacherstrasse 117, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
Medinger
Michael
M
Mross
Klaus
K
Fuxius
Stefan
S
Hennig
Juergen
J
Buechert
Martin
M
Thomas
Anne
A
Unger
Clemens
C
Chen
Bee-Lian
BL
Lebwohl
David
D
Laurent
Dirk
D
D000284:Administration, Oral; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010793:Phthalazines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood
D010793:Phthalazines; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011725:Pyridines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; C404768:vatalanib