Atrasentan, an endothelin-receptor antagonist for refractory adenocarcinomas: safety and pharmacokinetics.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Endothelin receptors, particularly the ET(A) receptor, have been shown to participate in the pathophysiology of prostate and other cancers. Atrasentan, an endothelin antagonist, binds selectively to the ET(A) receptor. This study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, and maximum-tolerated dose of atrasentan in cancer patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Patients who were 18 years or older and had histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma refractory to therapy enrolled in this 28-day, open-label, phase I study. Enrollment was planned for cohorts of three patients at doses escalating from 10 to 140 mg/d. When any patient had dose-limiting toxicity, that cohort was expanded. The primary outcome variable was safety; secondary outcome variables were pharmacokinetics, tumor response, and pain relief.

RESULTS:

Thirty-one cancer patients (14 prostate) were treated at daily atrasentan doses of 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, and 75 mg (n = 3 to 8 per cohort). The most common adverse events, such as rhinitis, headache, asthenia, and peripheral edema, were reversible on drug discontinuation and responded to symptom-specific treatment. Reversible hemodilution was apparent in laboratory findings and weight gain. Clinically significant headache was the dose-limiting adverse event; the maximum-tolerated dose was 60 mg/d. Pharmacokinetics were dose-proportional across the 10- to 75-mg dose range. Atrasentan was rapidly absorbed; the time to maximum observed concentration was approximately 1.5 hours. The terminal elimination half-life was approximately 24 hours, and steady-state plasma concentrations were achieved within 7 days. Decreases in prostate-specific antigen and pain relief were noted in a patient subset.

CONCLUSION:

Adverse events were consistent with atrasentan's pharmacologic vasodilatory effect. Linear, dose-proportional pharmacokinetics suggest that atrasentan can be easily and consistently dosed.

• Authors: Michael A Carducci, Joel B Nelson, M Kathy Bowling, Theresa Rogers, Mario A Eisenberger, Victoria Sinibaldi, Ross Donehower, Terri L Leahy, Robert A Carr, Jeffrey D Isaacson, Todd J Janus, Amy Andre, Balakrishna S Hosmane, Robert J Padley
• Journal: Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (J Clin Oncol) Vol. 20 Issue 8 Pg. 2171-80 (Apr 15 2002) ISSN: 0732-183X [Print] United States
• PMID: 11956279 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Clinical Trial, Phase I, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
• Pyrrolidines
• Atrasentan

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (drug therapy)
• Adult
• Aged
• Antineoplastic Agents (pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Atrasentan
• Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prostatic Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Pyrrolidines
• Salvage Therapy