Phase I study of epirubicin, cisplatin and capecitabine plus matuzumab in previously untreated patients with advanced oesophagogastric cancer.

Abstract

To evaluate the safety, tolerability, efficacy, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the humanised antiepidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody matuzumab combined with epirubicin, cisplatin and capecitabine (ECX) in patients as first-line treatment for advanced oesophagogastric cancer that express epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). This was a phase I dose escalation study of matuzumab at 400 and 800 mg weekly and 1200 mg every 3 weeks combined with ECX (epirubicin 50 mg m(-2), cisplatin 60 mg m(-2) on day 1 and capecitabine 1000 mg m(-2) daily). Patients were treated until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or for a maximum of eight cycles. Twenty-one patients were treated with matuzumab at three different dose levels (DLs) combined with ECX. The main dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was grade 3 lethargy at 1200 mg matuzumab every 3 weeks and thus 800 mg matuzumab weekly was the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD). Other common toxicities included rash, nausea, stomatitis and diarrhoea. Pharmacokinetic evaluation demonstrated that the coadministration of ECX did not alter the exposure of matuzumab. Pharmacodynamic studies on skin biopsies demonstrated inhibition of the EGFR pathway. Objective response rates of 65% (95% confidence interval (CI): 43-82), disease stabilisation of 25% (95% CI: 11-47) and a disease control rate (CR + PR + SD) of 90% were achieved overall. The MTD of matuzumab in combination with ECX was 800 mg weekly, and at this DL it was well-tolerated and showed encouraging antitumour activity. At the doses evaluated in serial skin biopsies, matuzumab decreased phosphorylation of EGFR and MAPK, and increased phosphorylation of STAT-3.

• Authors: S Rao, N Starling, D Cunningham, M Benson, A Wotherspoon, C Lüpfert, R Kurek, J Oates, J Baselga, A Hill
• Journal: British journal of cancer (Br J Cancer) Vol. 99 Issue 6 Pg. 868-74 (Sep 16 2008) ISSN: 0007-0920 [Print] England
• PMID: 19238629 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase I, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Deoxycytidine
• Epirubicin
• Capecitabine
• EGFR protein, human
• ErbB Receptors
• matuzumab
• Cisplatin
• Fluorouracil

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (drug therapy, metabolism, secondary)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Capecitabine
• Cisplatin (administration & dosage)
• Deoxycytidine (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives)
• Disease-Free Survival
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Epirubicin (administration & dosage)
• ErbB Receptors (metabolism)
• Esophageal Neoplasms (drug therapy, metabolism, pathology)
• Esophagogastric Junction (drug effects, metabolism, pathology)
• Female
• Fluorouracil (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives)
• Humans
• Male
• Maximum Tolerated Dose
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Staging
• Stomach Neoplasms (drug therapy, metabolism, pathology)
• Survival Rate
• Tissue Distribution
• Treatment Outcome