A phase I and pharmacologic study of sequences of the proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib (PS-341, Velcade), in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with advanced malignancies.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Bortezomib, a selective inhibitor of the 20S proteasome with activity in a variety of cancers, exhibits sequence-dependent synergistic cytotoxicity with taxanes and platinum agents. Two different treatment schedules of bortezomib in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin were tested in this phase I study to evaluate the effects of scheduling on toxicities, pharmacodynamics and clinical activity.

METHODS:

Patients with advanced malignancies were alternately assigned to receive (schedule A) paclitaxel and carboplatin (IV d1) followed by bortezomib (IV d2, d5, d8) or (schedule B) bortezomib (IV d1, d4, d8) followed by paclitaxel and carboplatin (IV d2) on a 21-day cycle.

RESULTS:

Fifty-three patients (A 25, B 28) were treated with a median of 3 cycles (range 1-8) for schedule A and 3.5 cycles (range 1-10) for schedule B. Grade 3 or higher treatment related hematologic adverse events in all cycles of treatment included neutropenia (A 52%, B 50%), anemia (A 12%, B 7.1%) and thrombocytopenia (A 16%, B 17.9%). Non-hematologic treatment related adverse events were fairly mild (primarily grades 1 and 2). The maximum tolerated dose and the recommended doses for future phase II trials are bortezomib 1.2 mg/m2, paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 and carboplatin AUC = 6 for schedule A and bortezomib 1.2 mg/m2, paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 and carboplatin AUC = 6 for schedule B. Six (21.4%) partial responses (PR) were seen with schedule B. In contrast, only 1 (4%) PR was achieved with schedule A. Similar proteasome inhibition was achieved at MTD for both schedules.

CONCLUSION:

Administration of sequential bortezomib followed by chemotherapy (schedule B) was well tolerated and associated with an encouraging number of objective responses in this small group of patients. Further studies with this administration schedule are warranted.

• Authors: Cynthia Ma, Sumithra J Mandrekar, Steven R Alberts, Gary A Croghan, Aminah Jatoi, Joel M Reid, Lorelei J Hanson, Laura Bruzek, Angelina D Tan, Henry C Pitot, Charles Erlichman, John J Wright, Alex A Adjei
• Journal: Cancer chemotherapy and pharmacology (Cancer Chemother Pharmacol) Vol. 59 Issue 2 Pg. 207-15 (Feb 2007) ISSN: 0344-5704 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 16763792 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase I, Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)

Chemical References

• Boronic Acids
• Proteasome Inhibitors
• Pyrazines
• Bortezomib
• Carboplatin
• Paclitaxel

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Alopecia (chemically induced)
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Area Under Curve
• Boronic Acids (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Bortezomib
• Carboplatin (administration & dosage, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics)
• Disease Progression
• Female
• Hematologic Diseases (chemically induced)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasms (drug therapy, metabolism, pathology)
• Paclitaxel (administration & dosage, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics)
• Peripheral Nervous System Diseases (chemically induced)
• Proteasome Inhibitors
• Pyrazines (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Treatment Outcome