Overview

Selumetinib and Cetuximab in Treating Patients With Refractory Solid Tumors

Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2014-05-01
Target enrollment:
0
Participant gender:
All
Summary
This phase I trial is studying the side effects and the best dose of MEK Inhibitor AZD6244 when given together with cetuximab in patients with advanced or refractory solid tumors that cannot be removed by surgery. MEK inhibitor AZD6244 may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Giving MEK Inhibitor AZD6244 together with cetuximab may kill more tumor cells.
Phase:
Phase 1
Accepts Healthy Volunteers?
No
Details
Lead Sponsor:
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Treatments:
Antibodies
Antibodies, Monoclonal
Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
Cetuximab
Immunoglobulins
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

- In the dose escalation cohorts: Patients must have histologically confirmed malignancy
that is metastatic or unresectable and for which standard curative or palliative
measures do not exist or are no longer effective; histology can be based on either the
primary tumor or metastases

- In the MTD expansion cohort: Patients must have biopsy proven K-RAS mutant, metastatic
colorectal cancer that has progressed on at least 2 prior standard therapies; K-RAS
mutation status must be verified by a CLIA-certified laboratory (NOTE: colorectal
patients enrolled during the dose escalation portion do not need to be K-RAS mutant in
order to be eligible)

- Patients must be at least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy, 6 weeks if the last
regimen included nitrosureas or mitomycin C; prior radiation is allowed as long as the
radiation was completed 4 weeks prior to study treatment and no more than 35% of
marrow irradiated

- ECOG performance status =< 2 (Karnofsky >= 60%)

- Life expectancy of greater than 3 months

- Leukocytes >= 3,000/mcL

- Absolute neutrophil count >= 1,500/mcL

- Platelets >= 100,000/mcL

- Total bilirubin within normal institutional limits

- AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT) =< 2.5 X institutional upper limit of normal (AST and ALT =< 5.0 X
institutional upper limit of normal will be permitted if liver metastases are present)

- Creatinine =< 1.5 X institution upper limit of normal OR creatinine clearance >= 45
mL/min/1.73 m^2, as calculated by Cockroft-Gault formula, for patients with creatinine
levels above institutional normal

- Patients may have received prior cetuximab

- The effects of AZD6244 on the developing human fetus are unknown; for this reason and
because small molecule kinase inhibitors as well as other therapeutic agents used in
this trial are known to be teratogenic, women of child-bearing potential and men must
agree to use adequate contraception prior to study entry and for 16 weeks following
the last dose of study treatment. Acceptable methods of birth control include
implants, injectables, combined oral contraceptives, (which must all be combined with
barrier methods of contraception), some IUDs, sexual abstinence, and vasectomized
partner; should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating
in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately

- Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document

- Patients with brain metastases that have been treated and stable for 2 months will be
eligible for this study

- Subjects undergoing anti-coagulation therapy with LMWH and warfarin are eligible;
subjects receiving both warfarin and AZD6244 should have more frequent PT/INR
monitoring

Exclusion Criteria:

- Patients who have had chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormonal therapy within 4 weeks (6
weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin C) prior to entering the study or those who have
not recovered (=< grade 1) from adverse events due to agents administered more than 4
weeks earlier

- Concurrent treatment with an investigational agent other than the investigational
agent(s) used in this study OR treatment within 4 weeks of study entry with any
investigational agent(s) or device(s)

- Failure to recover fully (as judged by the investigator) from prior surgical
procedures

- History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic
composition to AZD6244 or other agents used in study

- Patients taking high doses (more than recommended daily dose) of vitamin E will be
excluded; patients can discontinue use of high dose vitamin E prior to study entry to
be considered eligible

- Any condition (e.g., gastrointestinal tract disease resulting in an inability to take
oral medication or a requirement for IV alimentation, prior surgical procedures
affecting absorption, or active peptic ulcer disease) that impairs their ability to
swallow and retain AZD6244 capsules

- Patients with malabsorption syndrome, disease significantly affecting gastrointestinal
function, or resection of the stomach or small bowel are excluded; subjects with
ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or a partial or complete small bowel
obstruction are also excluded

- Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active
infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, prior
cardiomyopathy, LVEF < 50%, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia (i.e. atrial
fibrillation), or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance
with study requirements

- Pregnant women are excluded from this study because AZD6244 is a small molecule kinase
inhibitor with the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects; because there
is an unknown but potential risk for adverse events in nursing infants secondary to
treatment of the mother with AZD6244, breastfeeding should be discontinued if the
mother is treated with AZD6244; these potential risks may also apply to other agents
used in this study

- HIV-positive patients on combination antiretroviral therapy are ineligible because of
the potential for pharmacokinetic interactions with AZD6244; in addition, these
patients are at increased risk of lethal infections when treated with
marrow-suppressive therapy; appropriate studies will be undertaken in patients
receiving combination antiretroviral therapy when indicated

- Patients who are serologically positive for Hepatitis B or C, or have a history of
liver disease, other forms of hepatitis or cirrhosis are ineligible

- Use of strong CYP1A2 or 3A4 inducers and/or inhibitors (for example, but not limited
to, ketoconazole, rifampicin, atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole,
nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, telithromycin, troleandomycin (TAO),
voriconazole, grapefruit or grapefruit juice, rifabutin, rifapentine, phenytoin,
carbamazepine, phenobarbital and St. John's Wort) is not permitted while on study or
within 7 days prior to study enrollment