Epithelial cell adhesion molecule-positive circulating tumor cells as predictive biomarker in patients with prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the use of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as a longitudinal endpoint factor for clinical monitoring of patients with prostate cancer and to evaluate the association among the baseline CTC number, various clinical characteristics, and survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CTCs were enumerated using the CellSearch Food and Drug Administration-cleared CTC kit in 202 patients with prostate cancer. Variables, including metastatic site, prostate-specific antigen level, Gleason score, testosterone level, and use of androgen treatment, were tested for association with the CTC number. The probability of patient survival over time was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The baseline CTC numbers were strongly associated with survival (P <.0001), with overall survival significantly poorer in patients with ≥5 CTCs. Significantly greater CTC numbers were observed in patients with bone metastasis (mean 41.12 CTCs) than in those with lymph node metastasis (mean 2.53 CTC, P = .026). Analysis of the association between the CTC count and prostate-specific antigen level revealed a weak positive correlation (correlation coefficient r = 0.2695, P = .0007). The CTC number also correlated with the Gleason score (P = .0138) and lower testosterone level (P <.0001). Patients without androgen depletion had significantly lower CTC numbers (mean 2.70) than those with androgen depletion (mean 26.39, P <.0001). CONCLUSION: The baseline CTC counts were predictive of patient survival and correlated significantly with the clinical characteristics of patients with prostate cancer. Our study results have confirmed previous findings that support the use of CTC enumeration as a prognostic biomarker for patients with prostate cancer.

Phase II trial assessing granulocyte-macrophage-colony stimulating factor, ketoconazole plus mitoxantrone in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer progressing after docetaxel treatments.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated objective response and safety for the combination of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), ketoconazole, and mitoxantrone in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients who previously failed docetaxel-based chemotherapy. METHODS: Treatment consisted of 400 mg TID ketoconazole, 12 mg/m(2) mitoxantrone every 3 weeks, and 250 µg/m(2) GM-CSF. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were evaluable for response. Median overall survival (OS) for all patients was 18.03 months. Patients with a higher PSA decrease experienced an increased OS and progression-free survival (PFS). CONCLUSION: This combination demonstrated significant antitumor activity with reversible toxicity in CRPC patients who previously failed docetaxel-based therapy.

A phase II trial of intrapatient dose-escalated sorafenib in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Sorafenib has been demonstrated as second-line therapy, with limited significant adverse events at a dose of 400 mg twice a day (b.i.d.) in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. This study evaluated the ability of patients to dose-escalate, response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival. METHODS: The initial dose of sorafenib was 400 mg b.i.d.. Dose escalation of sorafenib to 600 mg b.i.d. occurred from days 29-56 and increased to 800 mg b.i.d. on day 57 and beyond as tolerated. Dose modifications were performed for toxicity per the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria version 3.0. The patients were evaluated every 2 cycles (8 weeks) by using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.0. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were evaluable for response. Median age was 62.5 years, 39 patients had a Karnofsky Perfomance Status of 100%. Twenty-two patients received no prior therapy. Of the evaluable patients, 42 were dose escalated to 600 mg b.i.d., and 74% (31) of these were further dose escalated to 800 mg b.i.d.. Eight patients had a complete response (CR), 13 patients demonstrated a partial response (PR), and 21 patients had stable disease. Common treatment-related adverse events included hypertension, hand-foot syndrome, skin rash, diarrhea, dry skin, alopecia, and facial redness. DISCUSSION: The majority of patients were escalated to 600 mg b.i.d. or 800 mg b.i.d.. Intrapatient dose-escalated sorafenib has promising antitumor activity as demonstrated by a 48% CR-PR rate (21 patients). Antitumor activity is further suggested by a prolonged PFS ≥6 months in 64% (28) of patients. Significant antitumor activity and reversible adverse events has been demonstrated in escalated doses of sorafenib.

Vaccination of renal cell cancer patients with modified vaccinia Ankara delivering the tumor antigen 5T4 (TroVax) alone or administered in combination with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha): a phase 2 trial.

Attenuated vaccinia virus, modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) has been engineered to deliver the tumor antigen 5T4 (TroVax). MVA-5T4 has been evaluated in an open-label phase 2 trial in metastatic renal cell cancer patients in which the vaccine was administered alone or in combination with interferon-alpha-2b (IFN-alpha). The safety, immunologic, and clinical efficacy of MVA-5T4 with or without IFN-alpha was determined. Twenty-eight patients with metastatic renal cell cancer were treated with MVA-5T4 alone (13) or plus IFN-alpha (15). The 5T4-specific cellular and humoral responses were monitored throughout the study. Clinical responses were assessed by measuring changes in tumor burden by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scan. MVA-5T4 was well tolerated with no serious adverse event attributed to vaccination. Of 23 intent-to-treat patients tested for immune responses postvaccination, 22 (96%) mounted 5T4-specific antibody and/or cellular responses. One patient treated with MVA-5T4 plus IFN-alpha showed a partial response for >7 months, whereas an additional 14 patients (7 receiving MVA-5T4 plus IFN and 7 receiving MVA-5T4 alone) showed periods of disease stabilization ranging from 1.73 to 9.60 months. Median progression free survival and overall survival for all intent-to-treat patients was 3.8 months (range: 1 to 11.47 mo) and 12.1 months (range: 1 to 27 mo), respectively. MVA-5T4 administered alone or in combination with IFN-alpha was well tolerated in all patients. Despite the high frequency of 5T4-specific immune responses, it is not possible to conclude that patients are receiving clinical benefit. The results are encouraging and warrant further investigation.

A phase 2 study with a daily regimen of the oral mTOR inhibitor RAD001 (everolimus) in patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell cancer.

BACKGROUND: Everolimus, an oral mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, affects tumor growth by blocking growth factor stimulation, arresting cell cycle progression, and inhibiting angiogenesis. mTOR inhibitors and agents with primarily antiangiogenic activity have been shown to have efficacy in renal cell cancer (RCC). This phase 2 study assessed the efficacy of daily oral dosing with everolimus in patients with RCC. METHODS: Patients had confirmed predominantly clear cell RCC; had received or=3 months was reported in 27 (73%) patients, and stable disease lasting >or=6 months was reported in 21 (57%) patients. Nausea (38% of patients), anorexia (38% of patients), diarrhea (31% of patients), stomatitis (31% of patients), pneumonitis (31% of patients), and rash (26% of patients) were common. Grade 3 of 4 adverse events included pneumonitis (18% of patients); transaminase elevations (10% of patients); thrombocytopenia, hyperglycemia, and alkaline phosphatase elevations (8% each of patients); and hyperlipidemia (5% of patients). CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, everolimus demonstrated encouraging antitumor activity against metastatic RCC as indicated by a PFS >or= 6 months for approximately 70% of patients.

A retrospective review of combination chemohormonal therapy as initial treatment for locally advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

OBJECTIVE: Chemotherapy for hormone-refractory prostate cancer reduces PSA levels and enhances overall survival (OS), suggesting that administration in earlier disease stages may be beneficial. If expansion of an androgen-independent clone present during androgen deprivation mediates the transformation from an androgen-dependent to an androgen-independent phenotype, combination chemohormonal therapy would be effective initial treatment for locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancers. A retrospective review was conducted to evaluate results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chemohormonal therapy outcomes were retrospectively evaluated in men with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer seen at our institution between January 2001 and February 2003. Chemotherapy consisted of three 8-week cycles (once weekly intravenous doxorubicin 20 mg/m(2) and thrice daily oral ketoconazole 400 mg in weeks 1, 3, and 5; once weekly intravenous docetaxel 35 mg/m(2) and thrice daily oral estramustine 280 mg in weeks 2, 4, and 6; and no therapy in weeks 7 and 8). Hormone therapy consisted of hormonal ablation during and after antiandrogen therapy after chemotherapy. RESULTS: Data for 31 men (median age, 63 years [range, 41-74 years]; white, 97% [30/31]) were reviewed. At 1 year, median PSA level had fallen 99.3% (range, 91.7%-99.9%) from a baseline value of 14.3 ng/ml (range, 1.9-497.9 ng/mL). Median time to progression was 34+ months (range, 14-68+ months). Median OS was 56+ months (range, 17-73+ months). CONCLUSIONS: Combination chemohormonal therapy for locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer safely and effectively reduces PSA levels and increases OS. We are now testing this approach in a prospective, Phase II randomized clinical trial.

Vaccination of renal cell cancer patients with modified vaccinia ankara delivering tumor antigen 5T4 (TroVax) administered with interleukin 2: a phase II trial.

PURPOSE: The attenuated vaccinia virus modified vaccinia ankara (MVA) has been engineered to deliver the tumor antigen 5T4 (TroVax). TroVax has been evaluated in an open-label phase II trial in metastatic renal cell cancer patients in which the vaccine was administered in combination with interleukin-2 (IL-2). The safety, immunologic, and clinical efficacy of TroVax in combination with IL-2 was determined. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Twenty-five patients with metastatic renal cell cancer were treated with TroVax plus IL-2. 5T4-specific cellular and humoral responses were monitored throughout the study. Clinical responses were assessed by measuring changes in tumor burden by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scan. RESULTS: TroVax was well tolerated with no serious adverse event attributed to vaccination. Of 25 intention-to-treat patients, 21 mounted 5T4-specific antibody responses. Two patients showed a complete response for > 24 months and one a partial response for > 12 months. Six patients had disease stabilization from 6 to > 21 months. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were > 3.37 months (range, 1.50- > 24.76) and > 12.87 months (range, 1.90- > 24.76), respectively. A statistically significant relationship was detected between the magnitude of 5T4-specific antibody responses and PFS and OS. CONCLUSION: TroVax in combination with IL-2 was safe and well tolerated in all patients. The high frequency of 5T4-specific immune responses and good clinical response rate are encouraging and warrant further investigation.

Lenalidomide therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Treatments for refractory metastatic renal cell cancer (RCC) are limited. Oral lenalidomide, a thalidomide-based drug having enhanced immunomodulatory and antiangiogenic properties and reduced toxicity, was evaluated for safety and efficacy in this setting. METHODS: In an open-label, single-center phase II trial, adults (> or =18 years old) with newly diagnosed RCC seen at our institution between December 2003 and April 2004 were recruited to receive at least three 28-day cycles (21 days on drug and 7 days off) of oral lenalidomide (25 mg/d). The dose was reduced as needed in cases of toxicity. The primary endpoint was tumor response rate. Secondary endpoints were time to tumor progression, response duration, 6-month and 12-month progression-free survival, overall survival, and safety. RESULTS: Thirty-nine of 40 patients (97%) were evaluable for response. Many in the evaluable population [63 (38-73) years; male, 73% (29/39)]; Zubrod performance status < or =1, 97% (38/39) had the clear cell histotype [85% (33/39)], had undergone previous immunotherapy or chemotherapy [59% (23/39)]; and had > or =2 metastatic sites [69% (27/39)]. Most [92% (36/39)] completed at least 3 treatment cycles (12 weeks). A complete response was observed in 1 patient (3%), partial response in 3 (8%), stable disease in 21 (53%), and progressive or unknown-status disease in 15 (38%). Time to tumor progression was < or =6 months in 24 patients (62%), 6 to 12 months in 6 (15%), and >12 months in 9 (23%). Median response duration was 6 (2-22) months and median overall survival was 17 months (0.80-39.6). The most common treatment-related adverse event was grade < or =2 fatigue [60% (24/40)]. The most common laboratory abnormalities were grade > or =3 neutropenia [50% (20/40)] and thrombocytopenia [28% (11/40)]. CONCLUSION: Lenalidomide is a safe and effective therapy for refractory metastatic RCC. Further studies of lenalidomide in this setting are warranted.