Purpose Positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) has increasingly been used to evaluate the efficacy of anticancer agents. We investigated the role of FDG-PET as a predictive marker for response to mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibition in advanced solid tumor patients and in murine xenograft models. Patients and Methods Thirty-four rapamycin-treated patients with assessable baseline and treatment FDG-PET and computed tomography scans were analyzed from two clinical trials. Clinical response was evaluated according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, and FDG-PET response was evaluated by quantitative changes and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) criteria. Six murine xenograft tumor models were treated with temsirolimus. Small animal FDG-PET scans were performed at baseline and during treatment. The tumors were analyzed for the expression of pAkt and GLUT1. Results Fifty percent of patients with increased FDG-PET uptake and 46% with decreased uptake had progressive disease (PD). No objective response was observed. By EORTC criteria, the sensitivity of progressive metabolic disease on FDG-PET in predicting PD was 19%. Preclinical studies demonstrated similar findings, and FDG-PET response correlated with pAkt activation and plasma membrane GLUT1 expression. Conclusion FDG-PET is not predictive of proliferative response to mTOR inhibitor therapy in both clinical and preclinical studies. Our findings suggest that mTOR inhibitors suppress the formation of mTORC2 complex, resulting in the inhibition of Akt and glycolysis independent of proliferation in a subset of tumors. Changes in FDG-PET may be a pharmacodynamic marker for Akt activation during mTOR inhibitor therapy. FDG-PET may be used to identify patients with persistent Akt activation following mTOR inhibitor therapy.

Summary Purpose S-trans,trans-Farnesylthiosalicylic Acid (FTS, salirasib) inhibits Ras-dependent cell growth by dislodging all isoforms of Ras, including mutant Ras, from the plasma membrane. This study evaluated the activity, safety, and toxicity of salirasib in preclinical models and patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDA). Patients and methods In the preclinical study, salirasib was tested, alone and in combination with gemcitabine, in patient derived xenografts (PDX) of PDA. In the clinical study, treatment-naïve patients with advanced, metastatic PDA were treated with a standard dose schedule of gemcitabine and salirasib 200–800 mg orally (PO) twice daily (bid) for 21 days every 28 days. Tissue from preclinical models and patients’ biopsies were collected pre-treatment and on Cycle (C) 1, Day (D) 9 to characterize the effect of gemcitabine and salirasib on activated Ras protein levels. Plasma samples for pharmacokinetics were collected for salirasib administered alone and in combination. Results Salirasib inhibited the growth of 2/14 PDX models of PDA and modulated Ras signaling in these tumors. Nineteen patients were enrolled. No DLTs occurred. Common adverse events included hematologic and gastrointestinal toxicities and fatigue. The median overall survival was 6.2 months and the 1 year survival 37 %. In 2 patients in whom paired tissue biopsies were available, Ras and KRas protein levels were decreased on C1D9. Salirasib exposure was not altered by gemcitabine and did not correlate with PD outcomes. Conclusion The combination of gemcitabine and salirasib appears well-tolerated, with no alteration of salirasib exposure, and exerted clinical and PD activity in PDA.

Targeting Hsp90 is an attractive strategy for anticancer therapy because the diversity and relevance of biological processes are regulated by these proteins in most cancers. However, the role and mode of action of Hsp90 inhibitors in pancreatic cancer has not been studied. This study aimed to assess the antitumor activity of the Hsp90 inhibitor, IPI-504, in pancreatic cancer and to determine the biological effects of the agent. In vitro, we show that pharmacologic inhibition of Hsp90 by IPI-504 exerts antiproliferative effects in a panel of pancreatic cancer cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner. In pancreatic cancer xenografts obtained directly from patients with pancreas cancer, the agent resulted in a marked suppression of tumor growth. Although known Hsp90 client proteins were significantly modulated in IPI-504-treated cell line, no consistent alteration of these proteins was observed in vivo other than induction of Hsp70 expression in the treated xenografted tumors. Using a proteomic profiling analysis with isotope tags for relative and absolute quantitation labeling technique, we have identified 20 down-regulated proteins and 42 up-regulated proteins on IPI-504 treatment.tumor growth Identical changes were observed in the expression of the genes coding for these proteins in a subset of proteins including HSPA1B, LGALS3, CALM1, FAM84B, FDPS, GOLPH2, HBA1, HIST1H1C, HLA-B, and MARCKS. The majority of these proteins belong to the functional class of intracellular signal transduction, immune response, cell growth and maintenance, transport, and metabolism. In summary, we show that IPI-504 has potent antitumor activity in pancreatic cancer and identify potential pharmacologic targets using a proteomics and gene expression profiling.

SDF-1α-CXCR4 signaling represents a microenvironmental factor that can maintain mTOR pathway fidelity to promote resistance to mTOR-targeted therapy in pancreatic cancer by a variety of mechanisms such as recruitment of EGFR signaling and angiogenesis.

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.

Background: LGH447 is a novel, specific pan-Pim kinase inhibitor in development for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and other hematologic malignancies. The PIM (Provirus Integration site for Moloney leukemia) kinase gene family encodes 3 serine/threonine protein kinases that have roles in cell cycle progression and survival. In human disease, elevated levels of Pim1 and Pim2 are associated with hematologic malignancies, with MM showing the highest level of Pim2 expression. In preclinical studies, a majority of MM cell lines proved sensitive in vitro to LGH447-mediated Pim inhibition, exhibiting a dose-dependent decrease in cell proliferation. LGH447 demonstrated significant tumor growth inhibition in xenograft mouse models of MM as compared with control animals, supporting the clinical development of LGH447 in MM patients. Methods: Patients with relapsed/refractory MM for whom no effective treatment options exist were enrolled on this first-in-human, multicenter, open-label phase 1 dose-escalation study (CLGH447X2101). Escalating doses of single-agent LGH447 were administered orally on a continuous daily dosing schedule. Treatment continued until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, consent withdrawal, or death. The primary objective was to estimate the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of LGH447 administered as a single agent, orally, once daily. Secondary objectives included assessing the safety, tolerability, preliminary anti-myeloma activity, and pharmacokinetics of LGH447. Dose escalation followed a Bayesian logistic regression model based on dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) occurring in cycle 1. Adverse events (AEs) were graded according to NCI-CTCAE v4.03. Efficacy assessments were made by investigators according to International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) uniform response criteria with modifications. Results:At the data cutoff, 54 patients have been treated at the following doses: 70 mg (n = 5), 150 mg (n = 6), 200 mg (n = 6), 250 mg (n = 7), 300 mg (n = 4), 350 mg (n=10), 500 mg (n=10), 700 mg (n=6), with the MTD determined to be 500 mg once daily. Median age was 65 years (range, 41-87 years). Most patients (92.6%) presented with baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-1. Patients were heavily pretreated with a median of 4 prior lines of therapy (range, 1-16). 81.5% had received prior proteasome inhibitor therapy, 83.3% had received prior immunomodulatory therapy (70.4% lenalidomide and 48.1% thalidomide), 68.5% were treated with both proteasome inhibitor and immunomodulatory therapies, and 87.0% had received prior stem cell transplant. Seventeen patients are ongoing at doses between 250-700 mg, with a median duration of exposure of 10.6 weeks (range, 0.1-56.1 weeks), and 37 patients discontinued (disease progression [n = 29], AEs [n = 4], withdrawal of consent [n = 4]). There were 8 DLTs, consisting of four grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia (1 each at 200, 250, 350, 500 mg dose levels), two grade 3 fatigue (1 each at 500 and 700 mg dose levels), one grade 3 hypophosphatemia (300 mg), and one episode of vaso-vagal syncope (700 mg). This last event was the only reported unexpected serious AE that was suspected to be due to LGH447 treatment. The majority of AEs regardless of study drug relationship were grade 1/2. Most common grade 3/4 AEs were thrombocytopenia (18.5%), anemia (18.5%), neutropenia (13%), and fatigue (11.1%). No deaths have occurred on study. Forty-eight individuals (70-500 mg) were evaluable for disease response assessments. Evidence of single agent activity was noted at doses ≥ 150 mg, including 1 VGPR at 200 mg (exposure duration > 55 weeks) and 4 PRs noted at doses ranging from 150-500 mg (respective exposure durations of 32, 29, 24, and 21 weeks). Five additional patients achieved MR, resulting in a clinical benefit rate (≥ MR) of 20.8%, and 23 patients were noted to have SD, resulting in a remarkable disease control rate (≥ SD) of 68.8%. In addition, of those patients with SD, 8 had exposure durations for > 20 weeks. Conclusions:In heavily treated patients with relapsed/refractory MM, LGH447 was generally well tolerated and exhibited evidence of durable single-agent efficacy in multiple patients, with the best response being a VGPR. These findings validate Pim kinase inhibition as a promising therapeutic rationale in MM patients and support further clinical development in patients. Disclosures Ocio: Novartis: Honoraria. Thomas:Novartis: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding; Idera Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Immunomedics: Research Funding. Günther:Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding. Goh:Gilead Sciences: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jannsen Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Lebovic:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Onyx: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Millennium: Consultancy. Jakubowiak:Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Millennium: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; SkylineDx: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Onyx: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Song:Novartis: Employment. Xiang:Novartis: Employment. Patel:Novartis: Employment. Vanasse:Novartis: Employment, Equity Ownership. Kumar:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millennium: Consultancy, Research Funding; Onyx: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Array: Research Funding; Cephalon: Research Funding.

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (PKs) of different doses of a long-acting release (LAR) formulation of pasireotide in healthy subjects. Design: Single-center, open-label, randomized Phase I study. Methods: Twelve healthy male subjects received a single s.c. dose of pasireotide 300 mg followed by a washout period of 7 days (or at least 5 days), before receiving an i.m. injection of pasireotide -LAR 40 mg (nZ5) or 60 mg (nZ7). Assessments included adverse events (AEs), PKs, and glucose, insulin, glucagon, and HbA1c levels. Results: Pasireotide LAR showed an extended-release profile over 1 month with two concentration peaks observed 1 and around 20 days after injection. The area under curve exposure of pasireotide LAR was dose proportional when the dose levels were compared, and the bioavailability of the LAR relative to the s.c. formulation was complete. Administration of pasireotide LAR resulted in an increase in fasting and postprandial glucose levels; however, an attenuation of the hyperglycemic effect was observed after 15 days. The most frequently reported AEs were mild-to-moderate diarrhea, abdominal pain, and flatulence. Only gastrointestinal AEs and injection site reactions were suspected to be drug related. Conclusions: Pasireotide LAR was generally well tolerated with mostly mild AEs at doses up to 60 mg and showed a dose-proportional, extended-release profile in healthy subjects. Based on the favorable results of this study, further clinical development of pasireotide LAR is under way, which will give insight into the PKs, efficacy, and safety of pasireotide LAR in patient populations.

Introduction A fixed-dose combination (FDC) of ibuprofen and acetaminophen has been developed that provides greater analgesic efficacy than either agent alone at the same doses without increasing the risk for adverse events. Methods We report three clinical phase I studies designed to assess the pharmacokinetics (PK) of the FDC of ibuprofen/ acetaminophen 250/500 mg (administered as two tablets of ibuprofen 125 mg/acetaminophen 250 mg) in comparison with its individual components administered alone or together, and to determine the effect of food on the PK of the FDC. Two studies in healthy adults aged 18-55 years used a crossover design in which subjects received a single dose of each treatment with a 2-day washout period between each. In the third study, the bioavailability of ibuprofen and acetaminophen from a single oral dose of the FDC was assessed in healthy adolescents aged 12-17 years, inclusive. Results A total of 35 and 46 subjects were enrolled in the two adult studies, respectively, and 21 were enrolled in the adolescent study. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen in the FDC were bioequivalent to the monocomponents administered alone or together. With food, the maximum concentration (C max ) for ibuprofen and acetaminophen from the FDC was reduced by 36% and 37%, respectively, and time to C max (i.e. t max ) was delayed. Overall drug exposure to ibuprofen or acetaminophen in the fed versus fasted states was similar. In adolescents, overall exposure to acetaminophen and ibuprofen was comparable with that in adults, with a slightly higher overall exposure to ibuprofen. Exposure to acetaminophen and ibuprofen in adolescents aged 12-14 years was slightly higher versus those aged 15-17 years. Adverse events were similar across all treatment groups. Conclusions The FDC of ibuprofen/acetaminophen 250/500 mg has a PK profile similar to its monocomponent constituents when administered separately or coadministered, indicating no drug-drug interactions and no formulation effects. Similar to previous findings for the individual components, the rates of absorption of ibuprofen and acetaminophen from the FDC were slightly delayed in the presence of food. Overall, adolescents had similar exposures to acetaminophen and ibuprofen as adults, while younger adolescents had slightly greater exposure than older adolescents, probably due to their smaller body size. The FDC was generally well tolerated.