Summary Background Effective systemic therapies for patients with progressive neuroendocrine tumours of lung or gastrointestinal tract are limited. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of everolimus in this patient population. Methods In RADIANT-4, a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study, patients with advanced, progressive, well-differentiated, nonfunctional lung or gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumours were enrolled from 97 centres in 25 countries worldwide. Eligible patients were randomised in a 2:1 ratio to everolimus 10 mg/day or placebo, both with supportive care. Patients were stratified by tumour origin, performance status, and prior somatostatin analogue treatment. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival assessed by central radiology review. Overall survival was a key secondary endpoint. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01524783. Findings From April 2012 to August 2013, a total of 302 patients were enrolled, of whom, 205 were allocated to everolimus 10 mg/day and 97 to placebo. Median progression-free survival was 11.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.2–13.3) in the everolimus arm and 3.9 months (95% CI, 3.6–7.4) in the placebo arm. Everolimus was associated with a 52% reduction in the estimated risk of progression or death (hazard ratio [HR], 0.48; 95% CI, 0.35–0.67; p<0.00001). Although statistically not significant, a trend towards improved survival was observed in the first pre-planned interim overall survival analysis (HR, 0.64; 95% CI: 0.40, 1.05; one-sided p=0.037; boundary for statistical significance, 0.0002). Grade 3 or 4 drug-related adverse events (everolimus vs placebo) were relatively infrequent and included stomatitis (9% vs 0), diarrhoea (7% vs 2%), infections (7% vs 0), anaemia (4% vs 1%), fatigue (4% vs 1%), and hyperglycaemia (4% vs 0). Interpretation Treatment with everolimus was associated with significant improvement in progression-free survival in patients with progressive lung or gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumours. The safety findings were consistent with the known side effect profile of everolimus.

The MTD of BI 2536 when administered as a single-dose, 1-hour infusion was 200 mg; BI 2536 was well tolerated and showed a favorable pharmacokinetic profile. Antitumor activity of BI 2536 was observed.

Introduction: Constitutive activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway is implicated in many human cancers. Until recently, drugs that specifically inhibit the alpha isoform of PI3K that is activated by alterations in the PIK3CA gene have been missing. BYL719 is the first oral PI3K inhibitor that strongly and selectively inhibits the PI3K alpha isoform of PI3K. Its biological activity correlates with inhibition of various downstream signaling components of the PI3K/Akt pathway and it inhibits the proliferation of breast cancer cell lines harboring PIK3CA mutations. In vivo, BYL719 shows statistically significant dose-dependent anti-tumor efficacy in PIK3CA mutant xenograft models in rodents. Methods: BYL719 entered clinical investigation in 2010 exclusively in patients (pts) with advanced solid malignancies carrying an alteration in the PIK3CA gene. In the dose escalation phase, dose selection is guided by a Bayesian regression model with overdose control. As of 21-Sep-2011, a total of 25 pts with a variety of solid tumors, such as colon and breast cancer, have been enrolled and treated at once daily oral doses ranging from 30mg to 450mg. Results: The safety profile of the compound is characterized by mostly on-target toxicity, such as hyperglycemia (33% of pts), which was found more frequently at higher doses and is largely reversible with BYL719 interruption and treatment with oral anti-diabetics. Other commonly reported toxicities include nausea (38%) and decreased appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting (each 29%). 2 DLTs of hyperglycemia and nausea, both CTCAE grade 3, were observed in 2 pts out of 5 treated at 450mg/d. In humans, BYL719 has a low clearance, a half-life of 8.5 h and its exposure increases dose proportionally between 30mg/d and 450mg/d, displaying a low inter-individual variability in Cmax and AUC. Exposure levels reached at clinical doses above 270 mg/d correspond to exposures causing tumor stasis or regression in preclinical PIK3CA dependent xenograft models. First signs of clinical efficacy of BYL719 include 1 confirmed partial response in a patient with ER+ breast cancer treated at 270mg/d. In addition, preliminary data suggest that significant PET responses (PMR) and/or tumor shrinkage were achieved in 8 out of 17 evaluated pts. Three pts had prolonged stable disease (≥7 months) at doses below 270mg/d and overall 8 patients have been on the study for at least 4 months. Upon determination of the MTD for the once daily dosing regimen, ∼45 pts with PIK3CA altered solid tumors will be enrolled into a safety expansion arm. Also, the PK and MTD for twice daily administration of BYL719 will be investigated. Conclusion: The preliminary clinical data available so far suggest BYL719 to be well tolerated, and showing signs of clinical activity, with manageable side effects and a predictable PK profile. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr CT-01. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-CT-01

In a meta-analysis of clinical studies, stomatitis did not adversely affect PFS in everolimus-treated patients, and in some studies, trended toward longer PFS than in patients without stomatitis. These results support continued use of everolimus, with dose adjustments and management according to approved prescribing information.

NCT00412061, www.clinicaltrials.gov.