Ceritinib plus Nivolumab in Patients with Advanced ALK-Rearranged Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Results of an Open-Label, Multicenter, Phase 1B Study.

INTRODUCTION: Induction of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression due to constitutive oncogenic signaling has been reported in NSCLC models harboring echinoderm microtubule associated protein like 4 gene (EML4)-ALK receptor tyrosine kinase gene (ALK) rearrangements. We assessed the safety and activity of ceritinib plus nivolumab in these patients. METHODS: In this open-label, phase 1B, multicenter, dose escalation and expansion study, previously treated (with ALK receptor tyrosine kinase [ALK] inhibitor [ALKI]/chemotherapy) or treatment-naive patients with stage IIIB or IV ALK-rearranged NSCLC received nivolumab, 3 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks, plus ceritinib, 450 mg/300 mg daily, with a low-fat meal. RESULTS: In total, 36 patients were treated (a 450-mg cohort [n=14] and a 300-mg cohort [n=22]). In the 450-mg cohort, four patients experienced dose-limiting toxicities. In the 300-mg cohort, two patients experienced dose-limiting toxicities. Among ALKI-naive patients, the overall response rate (ORR) was 83% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 35.9-99.6) in the 450-mg cohort and 60% (95% CI: 26.2-87.8) in the 300-mg cohort. Among ALKI-pretreated patients, the ORR was 50% (95% CI: 15.7-84.3) in the 450-mg cohort and 25% (95% CI: 5.5-57.2) in the 300-mg cohort. The ORR point estimate was observed to be greater in patients who were positive for PD-L1 than in those who were negative for PD-L1, with overlapping CIs (e.g., at a cutoff ≥1% PD-L1, 64% of patients [95% CI: 35.1-87.2] had confirmed responses as compared with those with negative PD-L1 staining (31% [95% CI: 11.0-58.7]). The most frequently reported grade 3 or 4 adverse events were increased alanine aminotransferase level (25%), increased gamma-glutamyl transferase level (22%), increased amylase level (14%), increased lipase level (11%), and maculopapular rash (11%). The incidence of all-grade rash (grouped term) was 64% in both cohorts; grade 3 rash was reported in 29% and 14% of patients in the 450-mg and 300-mg cohorts, respectively; no grade 4 rash was reported. CONCLUSION: Ceritinib plus nivolumab has activity; ORR appears to correlate with PD-L1 at baseline. Toxicity, especially rash, is more common than with either single agent.

A drug-drug interaction study to assess the effect of the CYP1A2 inhibitor fluvoxamine on the pharmacokinetics of dovitinib (TKI258) in patients with advanced solid tumors.

PURPOSE: Dovitinib is an orally available multi tyrosine kinase inhibitor which inhibits VEGFR 1-3, FGFR 1-3, and PDGFR. This study was performed to investigate the potential drug-drug interaction of dovitinib with the CYP1A2 inhibitor fluvoxamine in patients with advanced solid tumors. METHODS: Non-smoking patients of ≥ 18 years with advanced solid tumors, excluding breast cancer, were included. Patients were treated with a dose of 300 mg in 5 days on/2 days off schedule. Steady-state pharmacokinetic assessments of dovitinib were performed with or without fluvoxamine. RESULTS: Forty-five patients were enrolled; 24 were evaluable for drug-drug interaction assessment. Median age was 60 years (range 30-85). At steady state the geometric mean for dovitinib (coefficient of variation%) of the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-72h) and maximum concentration (C max) were 2880 ng/mL h (47%) and 144 ng/mL (41%), respectively. Following administration of dovitinib in combination with fluvoxamine the geometric mean of dovitinib AUC0-72h and C max were 8290 ng/mL h (60%) and 259 ng/mL (45%), respectively. The estimated geometric mean ratios for dovitinib AUC0-72h and C max (dovitinib + fluvoxamine vs. dovitinib alone) were 2.88 [90% confidence interval (CI) 2.58, 3.20] and 1.80 (90% CI 1.66, 1.95). This effect is considered a moderate drug-drug interaction. CONCLUSIONS: Fluvoxamine co-administration resulted in a 80% increase in C max and a 188% increase in AUC0-72h of dovitinib. Given the increase in exposure to dovitinib observed, patients are at risk of dovitinib related toxicity. Dovitinib should, therefore, not be co-administered with moderate and strong CYP1A2 inhibitors, without dose reduction.

ASCEND-8: A Randomized Phase 1 Study of Ceritinib, 450 mg or 600 mg, Taken with a Low-Fat Meal versus 750 mg in Fasted State in Patients with Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK)-Rearranged Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).

INTRODUCTION: Ceritinib, 750 mg fasted, is approved for treatment of patients with ALK receptor tyrosine kinase gene (ALK)-rearranged (ALK-positive) NSCLC previously treated with crizotinib. Part 1 of the ASCEND-8 study determined whether administering ceritinib, 450 mg or 600 mg, with a low-fat meal may enhance gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability versus 750 mg fasted in patients with ALK-positive NSCLC while maintaining similar exposure. METHODS: ASCEND-8 is a multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase 1 study. Part 1 investigated the steady-state pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of ceritinib, 450 mg or 600 mg, taken with a low-fat meal versus 750 mg fasted in patients with advanced ALK-positive NSCLC who were either treatment naive or pretreated with chemotherapy and/or crizotinib. Part 2 will assess efficacy and safety of ceritinib in treatment-naive patients. RESULTS: As of June 16, 2016, 137 patients were randomized (450 mg fed [n = 44], 600 mg fed [n = 47], and 750 mg fasted [n = 46]); 135 patients received ceritinib. Median follow-up duration was 4.14 months. At steady state, relative to 750 mg fasted, 450 mg with food demonstrated comparable PK as assessed by maximum (peak) concentration of drug in plasma and area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to 24 hours, whereas 600 mg with food demonstrated approximately 25% higher PK. Relative to 750 mg fasted, 450 mg with food was associated with a lower proportion of patients with GI toxicities, mostly grade 1 (diarrhea [43.2%], nausea [29.5%], and vomiting [18.2%]); there were no grade 3 or 4 events, study drug discontinuations, or serious AEs due to GI toxicities. CONCLUSION: Ceritinib, 450 mg with food, had similar exposure and a more favorable GI safety profile than ceritinib, 750 mg in fasted patients with ALK-positive NSCLC.

Assessment of drug-drug interaction potential between ceritinib and proton pump inhibitors in healthy subjects and in patients with ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: The impact of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on the pharmacokinetics (PK) and efficacy of ceritinib was evaluated. METHODS: A healthy subject drug-drug interaction (DDI) study was conducted to assess the effect of esomeprazole on the PK of a single 750 mg dose of ceritinib. To further investigate the impact of PPIs on the PK and efficacy of ceritinib in ALK-positive cancer patients, two subgroup analyses were performed. Analysis 1 evaluated ceritinib steady-state trough concentration (Ctrough,ss) and overall response rate (ORR) by concomitant use of PPIs in patients from the ASCEND-1, -2, and -3 studies; analysis 2 evaluated ceritinib single-dose and steady-state AUC0-24h and C max by concomitant PPI use in patients from ASCEND-1 using a definition of PPI usage similar to that used in the healthy subject study. RESULTS: In the healthy subject study, co-administration of a single 750 mg dose of ceritinib with esomeprazole 40 mg for 6 days decreased ceritinib AUC0-∞ by 76% and C max by 79%. However, based on subgroup analysis 1, patients had similar C trough,ss and ORR regardless of concomitant PPI usage. Based on analysis 2, co-administration of a single 750 mg ceritinib dose with PPIs for 6 days in patients suggested less effect on ceritinib exposure than that observed in healthy subjects as AUC0-24h decreased by 30% and C max decreased by 25%. No clinically meaningful effect on steady-state exposure was observed after daily dosing. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term administration of ceritinib with PPIs does not adversely affect the PK and efficacy of ceritinib in ALK-positive cancer patients.

Randomized phase 1 crossover study assessing the bioequivalence of capsule and tablet formulations of dovitinib (TKI258) in patients with advanced solid tumors.

PURPOSE: A capsule formulation of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor dovitinib (TKI258) was recently studied in a phase 3 renal cell carcinoma trial; however, tablets are the planned commercial formulation. Therefore, this randomized 2-way crossover study evaluated the bioequivalence of dovitinib tablet and capsule formulations in pretreated patients with advanced solid tumors, excluding breast cancer. METHODS: In this 2-part study, eligible patients received dovitinib 500 mg once daily on a 5-days-on/2-days-off schedule. During the 2-period bioequivalence phase, patients received their initial formulation (capsule or tablet) for 3 weeks before being switched to the alternative formulation in the second period. Patients could continue to receive dovitinib capsules on the same dosing schedule during the post-bioequivalence phase. RESULTS: A total of 173 patients were enrolled into the bioequivalence phase of the study (capsule â†’ tablet, n = 88; tablet â†’ capsule, n = 85), and 69 patients had evaluable pharmacokinetics (PK) for both periods. PK analyses showed similar exposure and PK profiles for the dovitinib capsule and tablet formulations and supported bioequivalence [geometric mean ratios: AUClast, 0.95 (90 % CI 0.88-1.01); C max, 0.98 (90 % CI 0.91-1.05)]. The most common adverse events, suspected to be study drug related, included diarrhea (60 %), nausea (53 %), fatigue (45 %), and vomiting (43 %). Of 168 patients evaluable for response, 1 achieved a partial response, and stable disease was observed in 32 % of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Dovitinib capsules and tablets were bioequivalent, with a safety profile similar to that observed in other dovitinib studies of patients with heavily pretreated advanced solid tumors.

Effects of meal type on the oral bioavailability of the ALK inhibitor ceritinib in healthy adult subjects.

Ceritinib is a potent inhibitor of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), which has shown acceptable safety and substantial antitumor activity in ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Two food-effect studies were conducted in healthy adults to investigate the influence of food on the oral bioavailability of ceritinib: a study with low- or high-fat meals at 500 mg and a study with a light snack at 750 mg. Compared with the fasted state, AUC0-∞ (90%CI) of ceritinib was increased by 58% (34%, 86%) after the intake of a low-fat meal, by 73% (46%, 105%) after the intake of a high-fat meal, and by 54% (19%, 99%) after the intake of a light snack. Safety assessments also suggested that food may improve gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability after a single ceritinib dose. Based on the pharmacokinetic results, it is essential to avoid any type of meal during dosing of ceritinib because the intake of food may increase the occurrence of exposure-dependent, non-GI toxicities at the labeled dose of 750 mg daily during fasting. A randomized trial is ongoing to determine an alternative way to give ceritinib (450 mg or 600 mg with food) that may enhance GI tolerability in ALK-positive NSCLC patients.

A randomized, crossover phase 1 study to assess the effects of formulation (capsule vs tablet) and meal consumption on the bioavailability of dovitinib (TKI258).

PURPOSE: This 2-arm crossover study compared the relative bioavailability of two dovitinib (TKI258) formulations [anhydrate clinical service form (CSF) capsule and monohydrate final market image (FMI) tablet; Arm 1] and determined the effect of food on dovitinib exposure (Arm 2). METHODS: Patients with advanced solid tumors, excluding breast cancer, were enrolled in 1 of the 2 arms of the study. Patients in Arm 1 were randomized to a single 500-mg dose of CSF capsule or FMI tablet followed by 7 days of rest and 500 mg of the other formulation. Patients in Arm 2 received 300 mg of FMI tablet daily and were randomized to follow 1 of 6 meal sequences, each with 3 prandial conditions: low fat (LF), high fat (HF), or no meal (NM). RESULTS: In Arm 1 (n = 21), 17 patients were evaluable. FMI tablet compared with CSF capsule showed only slight reductions in the adjusted geometric means for area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUClast; 3%) and maximum plasma concentration (C max; 1%). In Arm 2 (n = 42), 19 patients were evaluable. HF meal versus NM showed a 9% decrease in the adjusted geometric mean for AUClast and an 18% decrease for C max. Comparison of LF meal versus NM showed a 1% decrease for AUClast and a 10% decrease for C max. Common adverse events suspected to be study drug related included vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Dovitinib FMI tablet had similar systemic exposure to the CSF capsule and was not affected by food.

Phase 2 study of dovitinib in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma with or without t(4;14) translocation.

OBJECTIVES: Approximately 15% of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) exhibit a t(4;14) translocation, which often results in constitutive activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3). This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of dovitinib, an RTK inhibitor with in vitro inhibitory activity against FGFR, in patients with relapsed or refractory MM with or without t(4;14) translocation. METHODS: Adult patients with relapsed or refractory MM who had received ≥2 prior regimens were enrolled in this multicenter, 2-stage, phase 2 trial. Patients were grouped based on their t(4;14) status. Dovitinib (500 mg/day orally) was administered on a 5-days-on/2-days-off schedule. The primary endpoint was overall response rate by local investigator review (per International Myeloma Working Group criteria). In non-responding patients, treatment could continue with the addition of low-dose dexamethasone. RESULTS: In total, 43 patients (median age, 63 years) were enrolled (13 t(4;14) positive, 26 t(4;14) negative, and 4 t(4;14) status non-interpretable). Patients had received a median of 5 prior regimens. Median duration of treatment was 8.7 weeks in the t(4;14)-positive group and 3.7 weeks in the t(4;14)-negative group. None of the patients on dovitinib had objective responses. The stable disease rate was 61.5% in the t(4;14)-positive group and 34.6% in the t(4;14)-negative group. Overall, 39 patients (90.7%) had adverse events suspected to be related to study drug, most commonly diarrhea (60.5%), nausea (58.1%), vomiting (46.5%), and fatigue (32.6%). CONCLUSION: Dovitinib showed no single-agent activity in relapsed or refractory MM but may stabilize disease in some t(4;14)-positive patients.

The effect of formulation and food consumption on the bioavailability of dovitinib (TKI258) in patients with advanced solid tumors.

PURPOSE: This 2-arm, phase 1, crossover study compared the relative bioavailability of two dovitinib (TKI258) capsule formulations [anhydrate clinical service form (CSF) and monohydrate final market image (FMI); Arm 1] and determined the effect of food on dovitinib exposure (Arm 2). METHODS: Patients with advanced solid tumors were enrolled in one of the 2 arms. Arm 1 randomized patients to a single 500-mg dose of either CSF or FMI followed by 7 days of rest and 500 mg of the other formulation. Arm 2 patients received 300 mg of FMI once daily and were randomized to follow one of six meal sequences, each with three prandial conditions: low fat (LF), high fat (HF), or no meal (NM). RESULTS: Twenty-three and 37 patients were enrolled and 19 and 21 were evaluable in Arms 1 and 2, respectively. In Arm 1, the adjusted geometric means for FMI had small reductions relative to CSF [area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUClast) decreased by 12%, maximum concentration (C max) decreased by 3%]. In Arm 2, the HF meal versus NM showed a 2% increase in the adjusted geometric mean for AUClast and a 5% decrease for C max. The LF meal versus NM comparison showed 9 and 6% increases for AUClast and C max, respectively. Overall, common adverse events included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic exposure to dovitinib was similar for the FMI and CSF capsule formulations. Additionally, since prandial conditions did not affect the systemic exposure, dovitinib can be taken with or without food.

Safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of the DR5 antibody LBY135 alone and in combination with capecitabine in patients with advanced solid tumors.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the safety, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, biologic activity, and antitumor efficacy of the DR5 antibody, LBY135 ± capecitabine. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Escalating LBY135 was administered every 21 days, alone (Arm1) or with capecitabine (Arm2), to patients with advanced solid tumors. RESULTS: In Arm1 (n = 40), LBY135 (0.3-40 mg/kg) resulted in no dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs); adverse events (AEs) included fatigue, hypotension, abdominal pain, dyspnea, and nausea. Stable disease (SD) was observed in 21/38 (55.3 %) patients. In Arm2 (n = 33), LBY135 (1-40 mg/kg) plus capecitabine resulted in 3 DLTs (each grade 3): dehydration and mucosal inflammation (1 mg/kg), colitis (20 mg/kg), and diarrhea (40 mg/kg). AEs included fatigue, nausea, dyspnea, and vomiting. Partial response was observed in 2 patients (rectal and breast cancer) and SD in 12/27 (44.4 %) patients. Mean elimination half-life of LBY135 ± capecitabine at saturation of clearance (≥10 mg/kg) ranged between 146 h and 492 h. Immunogenicity was detected in 16/73 (22 %) patients, of which 6 patients experienced reduced LBY135 exposure with repeat dosing. M30/M65 levels were not predictive for LBY135 response. FDG-PET responses were not consistently associated with RECIST responses. CONCLUSIONS: LBY135 was well tolerated up to 40 mg/kg, the maximal dose administered; no MTD for LBY135 ± capecitabine was defined. Clearance was saturated at doses ≥10 mg/kg.

The deacetylase inhibitor LAQ824 induces notch signalling in haematopoietic progenitor cells.

AML progenitor cells (AML-PC) undergo significant apoptosis in response to the deacetylase inhibitor (DACi) LAQ824 and lose the replating capacity which was not observed with the DACi valproic acid. Treatment of normal hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) with LAQ824 resulted in (i) inhibition of differentiation, (ii) an G2/M cell cycle arrest exclusively in multipotent CD34(+) HPC and (iii) induction of apoptosis predominantly in committed CD34(-) HPC. Gene expression analysis showed induction of coactivator and target genes of the notch pathway as well as cell cycle arrest-inducing genes in the most primitive CD34(+) CD38(-) HPC population which may in part be responsible for the considerable, but reversible haematotoxicity of this drug.

Preliminary evidence of disease response to the pan deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat (LBH589) in refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma.

There are few treatment options for patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) who relapse after conventional therapies. Panobinostat is an orally available pan deacetylase inhibitor with evidence of activity in myeloid malignancies and cutaneous T cell lymphoma. Thirteen HL patients were treated with escalating doses of this novel agent in a phase IA/II multicentre study. A computed tomography partial response was achieved in 5/13(38%), and a metabolic response by (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography scanning in 7/12 (58%) evaluable patients. This report describes the preliminary evidence of anti-tumour activity seen in the early phase of this study, which recently closed to accrual.

Phase I pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study of LAQ824, a hydroxamate histone deacetylase inhibitor with a heat shock protein-90 inhibitory profile, in patients with advanced solid tumors.

PURPOSE: To determine the safety, maximum tolerated dose, and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic profile of a histone deacetylase inhibitor, LAQ824, in patients with advanced malignancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: LAQ824 was administered i.v. as a 3-h infusion on days 1, 2, and 3 every 21 days. Western blot assays of peripheral blood mononuclear cell lysates and tumor biopsies pretherapy and posttherapy evaluated target inhibition and effects on heat shock protein-90 (HSP90) client proteins and HSP72. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients (22 male; median age, 53 years; median Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 1) were treated at seven dose levels (mg/m(2)): 6 (3 patients), 12 (4 patients), 24 (4 patients), 36 (4 patients), 48 (4 patients), 72 (19 patients), and 100 (1 patient). Dose-escalation used a modified continual reassessment method. Dose-limiting toxicities were transaminitis, fatigue, atrial fibrillation, raised serum creatinine, and hyperbilirubinemia. A patient with pancreatic cancer treated at 100 mg/m(2) died on course one at day 18 with grade 3 hyperbilirubinemia and neutropenia, fever, and acute renal failure. The area under the plasma concentration curve increased proportionally with increasing dose; median terminal half-life ranged from 8 to 14 hours. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell lysates showed consistent accumulation of acetylated histones posttherapy from 24 mg/m(2); higher doses resulted in increased and longer duration of pharmacodynamic effect. Changes in HSP90 client protein and HSP72 levels consistent with HSP90 inhibition were observed at higher doses. No objective response was documented; 3 patients had stable disease lasting up to 14 months. Based on these data, future efficacy trials should evaluate doses ranging from 24 to 72 mg/m(2). CONCLUSIONS: LAQ824 was well tolerated at doses that induced accumulation of histone acetylation, with higher doses inducing changes consistent with HSP90 inhibition.