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Clinical Cancer Research Vol. 12, 144-151, January 2006
© 2006 American Association for Cancer Research


Cancer Therapy: Clinical

Phase I Trial of Sorafenib and Gemcitabine in Advanced Solid Tumors with an Expanded Cohort in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

Lillian L. Siu1, Ahmad Awada3, Chris H. Takimoto4, Martine Piccart3, Brian Schwartz5, Tom Giannaris2, Chetan Lathia5, Oana Petrenciuc2 and Malcolm J. Moore1

Authors' Affiliations: 1 Princess Margaret Hospital; 2 Bayer, Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 3 Jules Bordet Institute, Brussels, Belgium; 4 University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas; and 5 Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation, West Haven, Connecticut

Requests for reprints: Lillian L. Siu, Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Suite 5-210, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2M9. Phone: 416-946-2911; Fax: 416-946-6546; E-mail: lillian.siu{at}uhn.on.ca.


    Abstract
 Top
 Abstract
 Patients and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Background: With its potent inhibitory effects against Raf-1 kinase and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, sorafenib is a novel oral anticancer agent targeting signal transduction and angiogenic pathways. This study is designed to combine sorafenib and gemcitabine due to their compatibility in preclinical models and nonoverlapping clinical toxicities.

Experimental Design: An initial dose-escalation part of the study enrolled patients with advanced solid tumors, followed by an expanded cohort at the recommended dose for patients with advanced unresectable or metastatic pancreatic cancer. Sorafenib is administered continuously, whereas gemcitabine is given at 1,000 mg/m2 weekly x 7 followed by 1 rest week, then weekly x 3 every 4 weeks.

Results: Forty-two patients have been enrolled overall, including 19 in the dose-escalation part and 23 in the extended pancreatic cancer cohort. Demographics were as follows: male-to-female ratio = 26:16; median age = 61 years (range 39-83 years); Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0:1:2 ratio = 16:21:5. The recommended dose of this combination is sorafenib 400 mg twice daily and gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2. The most frequent grade 3 or 4 adverse events of all causalities were thrombocytopenia (28.6%), lymphopenia (21.4%), lipase elevation (19%), neutropenia (16.7%), and fatigue (14.3%). Antitumor activity was observed in both groups, with 2 (10.5%) confirmed partial responses in ovarian cancer and 12 patients (63.2%) with disease stabilization in the dose-escalation part; 13 patients (56.5%) achieved disease stabilization in the pancreatic cohort. There was no consistent pharmacokinetic drug-to-drug interaction between sorafenib and gemcitabine.

Conclusions: Sorafenib and gemcitabine are well tolerated in combination; further evaluations in pancreatic and ovarian cancers are warranted.


The diversity of molecular abnormalities acquired during malignant transformation, resulting in tumor heterogeneity in most cancers, is a well-recognized phenomenon in targeted therapeutics. Strategies to evaluate "multitasked" anticancer agents with activity against multiple targets, or to combine molecule-specific drugs, are considered mainstream efforts in the current era of drug discovery and development (1). Sorafenib [N-(3-trifluoromethyl-4-chlorophenyl)-N'-(4-(2-mehtylcarbamoyl pyridin-4-yl)oxyphenyl)urea; BAY 43-9006; Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation, West Haven, CT] is a novel, potent, orally available bi-aryl urea with dual anticancer functionality by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis. Sorafenib targets the Ras/Raf/mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) signaling pathway at the level of Raf kinase, and, through its inhibitory effects on this mitogenic kinase cascade, interferes with cellular proliferation, differentiation, and survival (2). In vitro, the IC50 values of sorafenib against Raf-1, wild-type B-Raf, and V600E mutant form of B-Raf are in the low nanomolar range. In addition, sorafenib inhibits the phosphorylation and consequent activation of several receptor tyrosine kinases involved in angiogenesis and tumor progression, including those for vascular endothelial (VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3) and platelet-derived (PDGFR-ß) growth factors (3).

Preclinical studies of sorafenib have shown significant dose-dependent antitumor activity in xenograft models with Ras and B-Raf mutations, as well as in those where Ras is activated through overexpression of growth factor receptors (35). Tumor growth inhibition by sorafenib was associated with its downstream mechanistic effects in three xenograft models, including Ht-29 colon (B-Raf mutated), Colo-205 colon (B-Raf mutated), and MDA-MB-231 breast (B-Raf and K-Ras mutated) models (3). Immunohistchemistry and Western blot analysis showed down-regulation of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) in two of three xenograft models examined, consistent with inhibition of the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway in some models. Analysis of microvessel density and microvessel area showed significant inhibition of neovascularization in all three of the xenograft models. In phase I trials of sorafenib administered as a single agent on a continuous or interrupted schedule, a recommended dose of 400 mg twice daily (bid) was determined to be tolerable (68). Dose-limiting toxicities were diarrhea, dyspnea, and fatigue at 800 mg bid (6, 8) and skin toxicity including rash, hand-foot syndrome, and gastrointestinal symptoms at 600 mg bid (68). Antitumor activity was observed, including partial responses in hepatocellular and renal cell carcinomas, and disease stabilization in colorectal, renal, hepatocellular, non–small-cell lung, and ovarian cancers (68).

Gemcitabine (2',2',-difluoro-2',-deoxycytidine) is a nucleoside analogue of deoxycytidine that interferes with DNA synthesis through inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase and competition with dCTP for incorporation into DNA. It has broad applications as a cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agent in multiple solid tumor types including non–small cell lung, breast, pancreatic, bladder, and ovarian cancers. In a human pancreatic cancer (Mia-PaCa-2) xenograft model, sorafenib did not abrogate the efficacy of gemcitabine and the combination was well tolerated (9). Given their combinability in preclinical models and nonoverlapping toxicities in the clinical setting, a phase I dose-escalation trial of sorafenib and gemcitabine was done in patients with advanced solid tumors. The primary objective was to evaluate the safety profile and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of this combination; the secondary objectives were to assess their pharmacokinetics and preliminary efficacy. Due to the prevalence of Ras mutations in pancreatic cancers (10) and the use of gemcitabine as standard first-line chemotherapy, an expanded cohort of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer was enrolled at the recommended phase II dose (RPTD) to determine the tolerability and preliminary efficacy of this combination in this tumor type.


    Patients and Methods
 Top
 Abstract
 Patients and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Patient selection. Patients with histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of solid malignancies were candidates for this trial. In the cohort of advanced pancreatic cancer patients treated at the RPTD, they must have histologic or cytologic confirmation of this tumor type. Patients may have had any number of prior chemotherapy, immunotherapy, investigational, or radiotherapy regimens, but therapy must be discontinued at least 4 weeks before study entry. Subjects who received gemcitabine >6 months before study entry and developed progressive disease, either during treatment or within 6 months after treatment with gemcitabine, could be enrolled. Previous exposure to a Ras pathway inhibitor, such as Raf or MEK inhibitors, or any farynesyl transferase inhibitors, was not allowed on study. Patients cannot receive any biological response modifiers, such as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, within 3 weeks of study entry. The use of ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, and grapefruit juice was prohibited during study treatment.

Other eligibility criteria included the following: (a) age 18 years or older; (b) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 to 2; (c) evaluable disease; (d) adequate hematopoietic (absolute neutrophil count ≥1.5 x 109/L; platelet count ≥100 x 109/L; and hemoglobin ≥9 g/dL), hepatic (bilirubin <1.5 x the upper limit of normal; aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase <2.5 x upper limit of normal or <5.0 x upper limit of normal for subjects with hepatic metastases; prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time <1.5 x upper limit of normal unless on therapeutic anticoagulants), and renal (serum creatinine ≤1.5 x upper limit of normal) functions; (e) no pregnant or lactating females; (f) no clinically evident severe cardiovascular disorders (e.g., congestive heart failure, serious cardiac arrhythmias, active coronary artery disease, or ischemia); (g) no history of HIV infection or any active clinically serious infections requiring systemic therapy; (h) no metastatic brain or meningeal tumors, unless the subject was >6 months from definitive therapy and had a negative imaging study within 4 weeks of study entry; and (i) no previous malignancy except cervical carcinoma in situ, adequately treated basal cell carcinoma, superficial bladder tumors, or other malignancies curatively treated >3 years before study entry. All patients gave written informed consent in accordance with the federal and institutional guidelines before study treatment.

Study design. This was a multicenter, open-label, nonplacebo-controlled study with two parts: a dose-escalation phase I part for patients with advanced solid tumors and a fixed-dose expanded cohort for patients with pancreatic cancer. Sorafenib was given at escalating doses orally and continuously on a bid schedule, starting on day 2 of cycle 1. Gemcitabine was administered weekly at a fixed dose of 1,000 mg/m2 in a 30-minute i.v. infusion for the first 7 consecutive weeks, followed by a 1-week break. Thereafter, gemcitabine was given weekly for 3 consecutive weeks, followed by a 1-week break. Each cycle was defined as 28 days, with dose escalation decisions made based on safety data in each cohort from the first cycle of sorafenib and gemcitabine concomitant administration.

In the dose-escalation phase I part of the study, four dose levels were planned. Gemcitabine dose was fixed at 1,000 mg/m2 with escalating doses of sorafenib: dose level 1, sorafenib 100 mg bid; dose level 2, sorafenib 200 mg bid; dose level 3, sorafenib 400 mg bid (using 50 mg tablets); and dose level 4, sorafenib 400 mg bid (using 200 mg tablets). In the expanded cohort, patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were treated at the RPTD derived from the dose-escalation phase I part (dose level 5). Sorafenib was supplied in the first three dose levels and in the expanded cohort for patients with pancreatic cancer as 50 mg tablets. In the fourth dose level of the phase I part of the study, sorafenib tablets were supplied as 200 mg tablets. Dose escalations beyond sorafenib 400 mg bid with gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 were not planned because at this dose level, both drugs would be administered at their RPTD as single agents.

During the phase I part of the study, three patients were initially enrolled in each dose level. In the absence of a dose-limiting toxicity at the end of a 4-week treatment cycle, three patients were enrolled into the next dose level. If any patient experienced a dose-limiting toxicity, three additional patients were enrolled at that dose level. If in any dose level, three or more patients develop dose-limiting toxicity, then the MTD will be considered exceeded and the dose level immediately preceding that would be considered the RPTD. If the frequency of dose-limiting toxicity encountered at the highest dose level did not fulfill the MTD definition, then sorafenib 400 mg bid with gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 will be accepted as the RPTD.

Adverse events on this protocol are graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria version 2.0. Dose-limiting toxicity is defined as follows: grade 4 neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, platelet count < 25 x 109/L or thrombocytopenic bleeding, aspartate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase ≥ grade 3 for > 7 days, ≥ grade 3 nonhematologic toxicity (except alopecia and unpremedicated nausea and vomiting), and inability to administer cycle 2 day 1 dose of both study drugs within 2 weeks of the planned end of the previous cycle.

Patient evaluation. Pretreatment evaluations were done within 7 days before the start of study therapy; these included history and physical examination, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, hematology, biochemistry, urinalysis, and pregnancy test for women of childbearing potential. Baseline radiological investigations, such as scans or X-rays for disease documentation and electrocardiogram, were done within 28 days of the start of study treatment.

History, physical examination, and urinalysis were repeated on day 1 of each treatment cycle. Hematologic and biochemical laboratory evaluations were measured weekly for cycles 1 and 2 and then on days 1, 8, and 15 for all subsequent cycles. Radiological investigations were repeated every 8 weeks and tumor response was assessed based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (11). Complete or partial responses required a confirmatory scan at least 4 weeks after initial documentation.

Dose modifications. Patients must meet the following criteria to receive full doses of gemcitabine on day 1 of a treatment cycle: absolute neutrophil count ≥1.5 x 109/L, platelet count ≥100 x 109/L, and nonhematologic toxicity of grades 0 to 2. Patients may continue on sorafenib on day 1 of a treatment cycle regardless of their day 1 blood counts but must have nonhematologic toxicity of grades 0 to 2. If a dose-limiting toxicity occurred in the first cycle, treatment was withheld until toxicity resolved to grade 2 or less. At the investigator's discretion, the patient upon recovery could be rechallenged with both study drugs at reduced doses. If the toxicity failed to resolve to grade 2 or less with 14 days off treatment, or if the toxicity was a grade 4 nonhematologic adverse event, the patient must discontinue study therapy.

Duration of therapy. Patients for whom it was medically appropriate to discontinue gemcitabine (because of intolerance following achievement of complete response or completion of six cycles of chemotherapy with stable or partially responding disease) could continue to receive sorafenib alone.

Pharmacokinetics. Plasma samples for analysis of gemcitabine and its metabolite 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluorouridine (dFdU) were collected on day 1 of cycle 1; at time points 0 hour (pretreatment), 0.5 (end of infusion), 1, 2, 4, 8, 10 to 12, and 24 hours, in the absence of sorafenib; and on day 15 of cycle 1, in the presence of steady-state concentrations of sorafenib. Plasma samples for sorafenib analysis were collected on day 14 of cycle 1 at time points 0 hour (pretreatment) and 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 10 to 12, and 24 hours; in the absence of gemcitabine and dFdU; and on day 15 of cycle 1 in the presence of gemcitabine and dFdU. The gemcitabine and dFdU samples were analyzed at Emprexe Analytical, LCC (Buffalo, NY). Plasma samples were analyzed for sorafenib at Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals (West Haven, CT). Concentrations of sorafenib, gemcitabine, and dFdU in plasma samples were determined using validated liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry or liquid chromatography/UV methods. Lower limits of quantification were 0.1, 0.05, and 0.25 mg/L for sorafenib, gemcitabine, and dFdU, respectively.

Plasma pharmacokinetic variables, including area under the curve (AUC), maximum concentration (Cmax), time to maximum concentration (tmax), and elimination half-life (t1/2) were calculated by noncompartmental methods using the KINCALC program developed by Bayer HealthCare. This program uses a log-linear trapezoid method for determining the AUC values. Pharmacokinetic variables were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Plasma concentration-time courses of sorafenib (calculated if two thirds or more of the individual values were greater than the LOC) are presented as geometric mean values.


    Results
 Top
 Abstract
 Patients and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Patient characteristics. A total of 42 patients were enrolled in this study: 19 patients with advanced solid tumors were treated in the dose-escalation phase I part of the study and 23 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were treated in the fixed-dose expanded cohort (Table 1). Patients in the pancreatic cancer cohort were typically older, had lower body weights, and had poorer performance status than patients in the phase I cohort. All 42 patients were evaluable for safety and efficacy analyses.


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Table 1. Patients' baseline characteristics

 
Dose escalation and MTD. During the dose-escalation phase I part of the study, three, three, seven, and six patients were enrolled into the first four dose levels, respectively. None of the three patients at each of dose levels 1 and 2 encountered any dose-limiting toxicity. Only one of seven patients at dose level 3 developed grade 3 fatigue that was dose limiting, whereas none of the six patients at dose level 4 had dose-limiting toxicity; therefore, the MTD was not reached in this study. Both dose levels 3 and 4 evaluated the same dosages of sorafenib (400 mg bid) and gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m2), with the only difference being the tablet strength of sorafenib (50 mg tablets in dose level 3 versus 200 mg tablets in dose level 4). Hence, the RPTD of this study was declared as sorafenib 400 mg bid given continuously, with gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 given on a weekly schedule, initially weekly for 7 consecutive weeks followed by 1 week of rest, then weekly for 3 weeks every 4 weeks. All 23 patients in the fixed-dose pancreatic cancer cohort, or dose level 5, were treated at the RPTD.

Eighteen patients (43%) had at least one dose interruption of sorafenib, whereas 17 patients (41%) had at least one dose interruption of gemcitabine. Twelve patients (29%) had at least one dose reduction of sorafenib and 22 patients (52%) had at least one dose reduction of gemcitabine.

Safety. Selected adverse events that are considered most clinically relevant, based on known toxicity profiles of both study agents, are described. The incidences of adverse events of all grades from all causalities are listed in Table 2, and the incidences of grade 3 and 4 adverse events from all causalities are listed in Table 3. The most frequent adverse events in all patients were constitutional and gastrointestinal symptoms, followed by dermatologic and bone marrow toxicities. Although fatigue was commonly encountered among 78.6% of patients, it was of grade 3 or 4 intensity in only 14.3% of patients. Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomatitis, and pharyngitis, occurred in about one third to two thirds of patients, but were primarily of grade 1 or 2 severity. Grade 3 or 4 elevations in hepatic transaminases and bilirubin were reported in ~5% to 10% of patients, whereas grade 3 or 4 elevations in pancreatic enzymes, such as amylase and lipase, occurred in 4.8% and 19% of patients, respectively. There were two cases (4.8%) of pancreatitis that did not seem to be dose dependent: one in the dose-escalation cohort; the other in the pancreatic cancer cohort. There were five patients (21.7%) in the pancreatic cancer cohort who had biliary stents placed before study entry. In three of these patients, the existing stents were replaced during the course of the study. On one occasion, the stent change was prompted by cholangitis deemed to be possibly related to both study drugs; the other stent changes were due to elevations in bilirubin from disease and these were not considered as related to study treatment.


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Table 2. Incidence of selected adverse events: all grades of all causalities

 

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Table 3. Incidence of selected adverse events: grade 3/4 of all causalities

 
Rash and hand-foot reaction, which were dose limiting in phase I trials of sorafenib, were of grade 3 or 4 severity in 2.4% and 4.8% of patients, respectively. There did not seem to be a direct correlation between the increasing dose of sorafenib and the incidence of dermatologic toxicities. For bone marrow toxicity, thrombocytopenia was the most prevalent hematologic adverse event, with 28.6% of patients experiencing grade 3 or 4 decrease in their platelet counts. Grade 3 or 4 febrile neutropenia occurred in 11.9% of patients, although all recovered without complications. Vascular events were infrequent with grade 3 or 4 hypertension in 7.1% of patients and hemorrhage in 2.4% of patients. Grade 3 or 4 thrombosis or embolism was noted in 11.9% of patients but the majority of these events occurred among patients in the pancreatic cancer cohort who are predisposed to this problem due to their hypercoagulable states.

Six patients died during the study, five of the six deaths occurred in the pancreatic cancer cohort. Three of these patients died from disease progression. The causes of deaths for the remaining three patients were as follows: hemolytic uremic syndrome felt to be likely gemcitabine related, cerebrovascular ischemic event felt to be possibly related to both study drugs, and aspiration pneumonia felt to be possibly related to both study drugs.

Pharmacokinetics. Twenty-seven patients are included in the subgroup of subjects for pharmacokinetic analysis, because pharmacokinetic sampling was not mandatory for all patients in the pancreatic cancer cohort. These patients were divided into five groups for analysis based on the dose of sorafenib: 100 mg bid (n = 2), 200 mg bid (n = 4), 400 mg bid as 50 mg tablets (n = 7), 400 mg bid as 200 mg tablets (n = 4), and pancreatic cancer patients who received 400 mg bid as 50 mg tablets (n = 10). Patients receiving the 400 mg bid dose were grouped into the indicated categories because they were administered 50 or 200 mg tablets, and the unique physiologic status of the pancreatic cancer patients.

The pharmacokinetic results showed no evidence that sorafenib was influenced by gemcitabine or by the presence of pancreatic cancer (Table 4). Also, at the 400 mg bid dose levels, AUC and Cmax in this limited patient population were apparently independent of whether the dose was given as 50 or 200 mg tablets. Consistent with data from previous phase I trials, there was a considerable variability in sorafenib exposure as reflected by the percent coefficient of variation expressed in Table 4. The mean AUC for sorafenib in pancreatic cancer patients was somewhat decreased upon coadministration of gemcitabine (ratio 0.59), but these differences were not statistically significant and there was no apparent change in Cmax. Therefore, there is no direct evidence that sorafenib pyruvate kinase is altered in pancreatic cancer patients receiving gemcitabine.


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Table 4. Pharmacokinetic variables of sorafenib alone (day 14, cycle 1) and in combination with gemcitabine (day 15, cycle 1) after 100, 200, and 400 mg bid doses of sorafenib (geometric mean, %CV)

 
Comparisons of gemcitabine pharmacokinetics in the presence and absence of sorafenib are complicated by the high variability in Cmax measurements and the rapid clearance of drug from plasma. Gemcitabine AUC values were not determined due to insufficient plasma concentration data. The plasma concentrations of dFdU were higher than those of gemcitabine and the slower elimination allowed a better characterization of the pharmacokinetics of this compound (Table 5). Overall, there was no consistent or clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interaction between sorafenib and gemcitabine.


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Table 5. Pharmacokinetic variables of gemcitabine and dFdU after 1,000 mg/m2 i.v. doses of gemcitabine alone (day 1, cycle 1) and in combination (day 15, cycle 1) with sorafenib after 100, 200, and 400 mg bid doses of sorafenib (geometric mean, % CV)

 
Efficacy. Table 6 summarizes the best overall tumor responses, the median time durations on sorafenib and gemcitabine, for patients treated in the dose-escalation phase I part of the study and in the pancreatic cancer cohort. Two confirmed partial response (10.5%) were seen in the dose-escalation phase I part, both occurred in patients with heavily pretreated ovarian cancer who have had prior taxane, platinum, and anthracycline therapies. Both patients were enrolled in the 400 mg bid sorafenib dose levels; one received 50 mg tablets and the other received 200 mg tablets. These two responding patients received 6 and 13 cycles of study treatment, respectively. In the dose-escalation part of the study, 12 of 19 patients (63.2%) had disease stabilization, with a duration ranging from 57 to 466 days. One patient with ovarian cancer who had nontarget lesions only at baseline achieved radiological reductions in her disease as well as a significant drop in her CA-125 levels and was classified as stable disease. Three patients in this part of the study, including one of the patients with ovarian cancer who achieved partial response and two patients with nasopharyngeal cancer and colorectal cancer who achieved stable disease status, were on study therapy for over 12 months.


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Table 6. Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors–defined best response and time on treatment with sorafenib in combination with gemcitabine in patients with advance refractory cancer

 
Although there was no partial response observed for the pancreatic cancer cohort, stable disease was achieved by 13 of 23 patients (56.5%) as their best response, with the duration of stable disease ranging from 54 to 455 days. The median progression-free survival for the pancreatic cancer cohort was 108 days, consistent with the data published on gemcitabine in this disease.


    Discussion
 Top
 Abstract
 Patients and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
The dose-escalating part of this trial determined that sorafenib and gemcitabine can be administered safely in combination at their RPTD as single agents, and that there is no consistent pharmacokinetic interaction between these two drugs. Sorafenib seems to be combinable at full therapeutic doses with other cytotoxic agents without the need for dose reductions and pharmacokinetic interactions have been minimal (12, 13). The adverse events observed on this study were compatible with those expected with these two agents, and were mainly constitutional, gastrointestinal, dermatologic, and hematologic.

Interestingly, the mean AUC values of sorafenib, Cmax values of gemcitabine, and AUC values of dFdU were slightly reduced among patients in the pancreatic cancer cohort but the interaction was not statistically significant. The degradation of gemcitabine, similar to other cytidine analogues, is primarily via deamination by cytidine deaminase; whereas sorafenib is subject of two biotransformation processes, including glucuronidation and oxidation (14).

Sorafenib, with its molecular targeting against the vital pathways of Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK and angiogenesis, has been shown to have antitumor activity against multiple tumor types in phase I and II trials (68, 1517). A recent, randomized-controlled phase III trial in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma showed that sorafenib significantly prolonged progression-free survival compared with placebo, and further follow-up continues for the analysis of overall survival (18). The combinability of sorafenib with cytotoxic agents will enable its development beyond monotherapy, such that promising combinations can be compared against existent standard cytotoxic therapies in an attempt to establish new paradigms. For example, the results of the current study of sorafenib and gemcitabine have led to phase II evaluations of this combination in advanced pancreatic and ovarian cancers.

Preliminary efficacy evaluations from this current study have yielded encouraging results. Two of six ovarian patients in the dose-escalation cohort achieved partial responses despite being heavily pretreated and refractory to taxanes, platinums, and anthracyclines. Whereas gemcitabine as a single-agent has produced response rates of 14% to 22% in patients with recurrent and refractory ovarian cancers (19), the results from our study support further development of the sorafenib and gemcitabine combination in this tumor type. Furthermore, two nonovarian cancer patients in the dose-escalation cohort remained stable on study drugs for over 1 year: one with advanced rectal cancer who have had prior radiotherapy, 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin; the other with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma who have had prior radiotherapy, bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin, and gemcitabine. Given that in these two cases, one patient had a tumor type not typically sensitive to gemcitabine, and the other had disease minimally responsive to prior gemcitabine and cisplatin, it is interesting to hypothesize that the prolonged stabilization observed on this study is potentially attributable to the effects of sorafenib or its ability to reverse gemcitabine resistance.

In summary, the combination of sorafenib and gemcitabine was generally well tolerated and did not show a pharmacokinetic interaction. Full therapeutic doses of both agents can be administered without reaching MTD. Further disease-specific evaluations of this combination are warranted to determine its efficacy in tumor types such as pancreatic and ovarian cancers.


    Footnotes
 
Grant support: Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. This article must therefore be hereby marked advertisement in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.

Note: Presented in part at the 40th Annual American Society of Clinical Oncology Meeting at New Orleans, Louisiana, June 5 to 8, 2004.

Received 7/21/05; revised 9/25/05; accepted 10/20/05.


    References
 Top
 Abstract
 Patients and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 

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