A phase I trial of imexon, a pro-oxidant, in combination with docetaxel for the treatment of patients with advanced breast, non-small cell lung and prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: Imexon is an iminopyrrolidone that induces apoptosis and has synergistic activity with docetaxel in preclinical models. This trial was designed to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of imexon given with docetaxel in breast, prostate and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 34 patients received protocol therapy. 26 patients received escalating doses of imexon given intravenously over 60 min on days 1-5 every 21 days. Docetaxel was administered intravenously at a fixed dose of 75 mg/m(2) immediately following imexon on day 1 every 21 days. A 3+3 design was used with eight additional patients treated at MTD. Response was measured using RECIST. RESULTS: Seven dose levels of imexon were evaluated (390 mg/m(2) to 1,700 mg/m(2)). The MTD was imexon 1,300 mg/m(2) IV on days 1-5 in combination with docetaxel. Dose limiting toxicities were grade 3 non-cardiac chest pain and grade 3 diarrhea. Activity was seen in 4 patients [2 partial responses (NSCLC (PR=1), prostate cancer (PR=1)), 2 minor responses (MR=breast, NSCLC)]. Eleven patients had stable disease by RECIST (including the patients with MR; prostate cancer=6, NSCLC=3). Six (one with breast cancer, two with prostate cancer and three with NSCLC) demonstrated stable disease (SD) for > or = 3 months. CONCLUSION: The MTD of combination therapy is imexon 1,300 mg/m(2) IV on days 1-5 with docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) IV on day 1 of a 21 day treatment cycle. Demonstrated responses warrant further investigation in phase II trials of which a phase II trial in NSCLC is planned.

Phase I clinical trials in 56 patients with thyroid cancer: the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy. The outcomes of patients with relapsed thyroid cancer treated on early-phase clinical trials have not been systematically analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of consecutive patients with metastatic thyroid cancer referred to the Phase I Clinical Trials Program from March 2006 to April 2008. Best response was assessed by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were identified. The median age was 55 yr (range 35-79 yr). Of 49 patients evaluable for response, nine (18.4%) had a partial response, and 16 (32.7%) had stable disease for 6 months or longer. The median progression-free survival was 1.12 yr. With a median follow-up of 15.6 months, the 1-yr survival rate was 81%. In univariate analysis, factors predicting shorter survival were anaplastic histology (P = 0.0002) and albumin levels less than 3.5 g/dl (P = 0.05). Among 26 patients with tumor decreases, none died (median follow-up 1.3 yr), whereas 52% of patients with any tumor increase died by 1 yr (P = 0.0001). The median time to failure in our phase I clinical trials was 11.5 months vs. 4.1 months for the previous treatment (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Patients with advanced thyroid cancer treated on phase I clinical trials had high rates of partial response and prolonged stable disease. Time to failure was significantly longer on the first phase I trial compared with the prior conventional treatment. Patients with any tumor decrease had significantly longer survival than those with any tumor increase.

Development and validation of a third generation allergen-specific IgE assay on the continuous random access IMMULITE 2000 analyzer.

In vitro determination of allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) represents an important aid in the diagnosis and treatment of allergy. Improvements in laboratory methodology--the development of second, and now third generation assays for sIgE--have brought about major advances in speed, convenience, performance, and in the standards for judging performance. In this study, following the NCCLS I/LA20-A guidelines, we evaluated the analytical performance of a quantitative chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay for sIgE using the continuous random access IMMULITE 2000 system. Defining features of this "third generation" sIgE assay include a true zero calibrator with a detection limit and functional sensitivity of 0.1 and 0.2 kU/L, respectively. The use of liquid allergens allows for complete automation, fast binding kinetics between IgE and the natural allergenic protein conformations, and a time-to-first-result of 65 min. Stable reagents and the low nonspecific signal associated with the liquid allergens and centrifugal wash technique permit extension of the measuring range to 0.1-100 kU/L, based on lot-specific, factory-calibrated master curves standardized to the WHO 75/502 reference standard. The assay demonstrated good precision and linearity over its measuring range. Relative to a first generation RIA (mRAST, from Hycor), clinical sensitivity, specificity, and concordance were 88%, 92%, and 90%, respectively (n = 812). Quantitative comparisons to a second generation assay yielded a linear regression relationship of IMMULITE 2000 = 0.99 (Pharmacia FEIA) + 1.99 kU/L, r = 0.859 (n = 169).