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L.H. Schwartz



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    MO06 - NSCLC - Chemotherapy I (ID 108)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Mini Oral Abstract Session
    • Track: Medical Oncology
    • Presentations: 1
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      MO06.11 - A Phase II Trial of Paclitaxel, Pemetrexed and Bevacizumab in Patients with Untreated, Advanced Lung Cancers (ID 3142)

      17:15 - 17:20  |  Author(s): L.H. Schwartz

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background
      Standard front-line treatment for patients with unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a platinum-based doublet with bevacizumab regimen, which achieves objective response rates (ORR) of 35% and median survival of 12 months. However, many patients with lung cancer are not eligible for cisplatin because of baseline neuropathy, hearing loss, renal insufficiency, or comorbid medical conditions. Although carboplatin is often substituted for cisplatin, it also is associated with similar toxicities, albeit with a smaller risk. This phase II trial of paclitaxel, pemetrexed, and bevacizumab was designed to avert the toxicities of platinum-based chemotherapeutic regimens and determine the efficacy of such a "non-platinum" containing doublet with bevacizumab.

      Methods
      Patients with untreated, advanced NSCLCs were enrolled if they had measurable disease (RECIST 1.0) and adequate organ and marrow function. Patients were excluded if they had squamous cell carcinoma; hemoptysis; symptomatic or hemorrhagic brain metastases; history of abdominal fistula, gastrointestinal perforation or intra-abdominal abscess; and myocardial infarction or stroke within 6 months prior to enrollment. For six 28-day cycles, patients received: paclitaxel 90 mg/m[2] (days 1, 8, and 15), pemetrexed 500 mg/m[2] (days 1 and 15), and bevacizumab 10 mg/kg (days 1 and 15). Patients with response or stable disease continued pemetrexed and bevacizumab every 14 days until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients were evaluated on days 1, 8 and 15 of each 28-day cycle. To assess response, CT scans were performed after cycles 1 and 2, and every 2 cycles thereafter. ORR was the primary endpoint.

      Results
      Forty-four patients were enrolled: 50% women, median age of 59 years (range, 31 to 77), 89% with Karnofsky performance status ≥80%. Mutation status was known in 38 patients (KRAS, n=16; ALK, n=3; BRAF V600E, n =2; Her2 insertion/PIK3CA, n=1; EGFR Exon 20 insertion, n=1; none, n=15). The ORR was 52% (95% CI, 37-68), with 23 partial responses and no complete responses. The median overall survival and progression-free survival were 17 months (95% CI, 12-33) and 8 months (95% CI, 6-12), respectively. Grade 3/4 toxicities included fatigue (33%); elevated liver function tests (15%); leukopenia (9%); hoarseness (7%); nausea (7%); and anemia (7%). Two patients died on study of respiratory failure, possibly related to therapy. No bleeding events were noted.

      Conclusion
      The “non-platinum” containing regimen of paclitaxel, pemetrexed and bevacizumab is an effective first-line treatment for patients with advanced NSCLCs, regardless of mutational status. Long survival was observed, with acceptable toxicities. This regimen warrants further study.

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    MO09 - Mesothelioma I (ID 120)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Mini Oral Abstract Session
    • Track:
    • Presentations: 1
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      MO09.01 - Evaluation of tolerability and anti-tumor activity of GDC-0980, an oral PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, administered to patients with advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) (ID 1712)

      16:15 - 16:20  |  Author(s): L.H. Schwartz

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background
      The PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway is dysregulated in a wide variety of cancers. Pathway activation in mesothelioma may occur through diverse cellular mechanisms, including activation of receptor tyrosine kinases that signal through Ras and PI3K/Akt/mTOR, and loss of PTEN expression. GDC-0980 is a potent and selective oral dual inhibitor of class I PI3K and mTOR kinases that has demonstrated broad activity in various xenograft cancer models.

      Methods
      A phase I dose-escalation study was conducted in 2 Stages: Stage 1 evaluated oral, daily (QD) doses of 2-70 mg GDC-0980 given 21/28 or 28/28 days in a 3+3 dose escalation design. Stage 2 evaluated disease specific cohorts at the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D), including a MPM cohort at 30 mg GDC-0980 QD 28/28 days. Safety and tolerability of GDC-0980 was assessed as well as pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) assessment of PI3K pathway inhibition by FDG-PET. Anti-tumor activity was assessed by modified RECIST; CT scans were centrally reviewed retrospectively by a radiologist with MPM expertise. Archival tumor tissue was evaluated for PIK3CA mutation by allele specific PCR or Sanger sequencing and PTEN expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry.

      Results
      33 MPM patients were enrolled: 6 in Stage 1 at 8-70 mg and 27 in Stage 2 at 30mg GDC-0980. Safety and tolerability of GDC-0980 in Stage 1 was similar in MPM compared to other solid tumor patients, with the exception of a Grade 5 pneumonitis that occurred in a MPM patient at 40 mg GDC-0980 QD. Based on Stage 1 tolerability data, a RP2D of 30 mg QD was evaluated in Stage 2 for MPM patients. The most frequent Grade ≥3 drug-related adverse events (AEs) at 30 mg GDC-0980 were rash (19%), with one patient (4%) having to discontinue GDC-0980. Other AEs were fatigue (15%), and hyperglycemia, diarrhea, and colitis (7% each). Reversible Grade 2 pneumonitis was reported for 2 patients (7%). Population PK analysis was used to assess the behavior of GDC‑0980 in MPM patients. Additionally, PK/PD relationships will be discussed for efficacy and safety, including exposure‑response, where appropriate. Archival tissue was analyzed for 29 MPM patients. Two samples had PIK3CA mutations (R88Q and E545G) and one sample showed loss of PTEN expression. PI3K pathway inhibition by FDG-PET responses was observed in 8 of 24 MPM patients with available scans. Anti-tumor activity was observed in both stages. Two patients achieved a partial response (PR) in Stage 1, one patient at 50 mg and one patient with the PIK3CA mutation R88Q at 8 mg GDC-0980. Two PRs were observed at the RP2D of 30 mg in Stage 2. Eleven (41%) MPM patients at the RP2D remained on study for >6 months, and 2 (7%) patients remained on study >12 months.

      Conclusion
      GDC-0980 was generally well tolerated in MPM patients at the RP2D. Anti-tumor activity, evidenced by tumor regression and prolonged disease control, has been observed. PIK3CA mutations and PTEN loss were uncommon.

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    P2.14 - Poster Session 2 - Mesothelioma (ID 196)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Mesothelioma
    • Presentations: 1
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      P2.14-014 - A Phase 2 Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Study of VS-6063 as Maintenance Therapy in Subjects with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma which has Not Progressed on at least 4 Cycles of Pemetrexed/Platinum therapy (ID 3375)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): L.H. Schwartz

      • Abstract

      Background
      Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive tumor in the pleural lining of the lung usually caused by asbestos exposure. Median OS following frontline chemotherapy with pemetrexed/cisplatin is ~12 months. There is no established second line therapy. Approximately 50% of MPM patients exhibit homozygous disruption of the NF2 tumor suppressor gene by mutation and/or deletion resulting in lack of expression of functional merlin protein. Preclinical data have indicated that mesothelioma cell lines that lack NF2/Merlin are especially sensitive to focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibition in both cellular and animal models. Interestingly, pemetrexed and cisplatin increase cancer stem cells (CSCs), while FAK inhibitors have been found to decrease CSCs in mesothelioma models. Given the sensitivity of mesothelioma cells lacking NF2/Merlin and the effect on CSCs, the use of a FAK inhibitor in a maintenance setting after first line chemotherapy may be an attractive strategy to extend survival of MPM patients. VS-6063 is an orally bioavailable selective inhibitor of FAK. In a phase 1 trial VS-6063 was generally well tolerated, with grade 1/2 nausea, vomiting and fatigue as the most frequent adverse events (Jones SF J Clin Oncol 2011 29:1 suppl; abstr 3002).

      Methods
      A multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, phase 2 clinical trial was designed to determine if VS-6063 provides superior clinical benefit compared with placebo as a maintenance treatment in patients with MPM following frontline therapy with pemetrexed/platinum therapy. The study aims to assess whether VS-6063 improves median OS and median PFS over placebo. Randomization will be stratified by Merlin status (high versus low) and patients will receive either VS-6063 400mg BID continuously or matched placebo (1:1). The study follows an adaptive enrichment design where, pending results from an interim analysis, sampling may be restricted to patients with low Merlin protein expression if promising results are observed among the subpopulation. Approximately 370 eligible patients with pathologically confirmed MPM, who have PR or SD following at least 4 cycles of pemetrexed with either cisplatin or carboplatin, Karnofsky PS ≥70%, will be enrolled. Patients will continue treatment until disease progression. Archival tumor tissue will be used for the analysis of Merlin status and is therefore required for participation. Secondary endpoints include patient-reported outcomes of health-related quality of life and disease- or treatment-related symptoms utilizing the LCSS-meso scale, objective response and safety and tolerability. Clinical trial information: NCT01870609.

      Results
      not applicable

      Conclusion
      not applicable