High-dose IL-2 appears to benefit some patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma by producing durable CRs or PRs. Despite severe acute treatment-associated toxicities, IL-2 should be considered for initial therapy of patients with appropriately selected metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

PurposeCPX-351 is a dual-drug liposomal encapsulation of cytarabine and daunorubicin that delivers a synergistic 5:1 drug ratio into leukemia cells to a greater extent than normal bone marrow cells. Prior clinical studies demonstrated a sustained drug ratio and exposure in vivo and prolonged survival versus standard-of-care cytarabine plus daunorubicin chemotherapy (7+3 regimen) in older patients with newly diagnosed secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML).Patients and MethodsIn this open-label, randomized, phase III trial, 309 patients age 60 to 75 years with newly diagnosed high-risk/sAML received one to two induction cycles of CPX-351 or 7+3 followed by consolidation therapy with a similar regimen. The primary end point was overall survival.ResultsCPX-351 significantly improved median overall survival versus 7+3 (9.56 v 5.95 months; hazard ratio, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.90; one-sided P = .003). Overall remission rate was also significantly higher with CPX-351 versus 7+3 (47.7% v 33.3%; two-sided P = .016). Improved outcomes were observed across age-groups and AML subtypes. The incidences of nonhematologic adverse events were comparable between arms, despite a longer treatment phase and prolonged time to neutrophil and platelet count recovery with CPX-351. Early mortality rates with CPX-351 and 7+3 were 5.9% and 10.6% (two-sided P = .149) through day 30 and 13.7% and 21.2% (two-sided P = .097) through day 60.ConclusionCPX-351 treatment is associated with significantly longer survival compared with conventional 7+3 in older adults with newly diagnosed sAML. The safety profile of CPX-351 was similar to that of conventional 7+3 therapy.

• First-line CPX-351 vs 713 control in newly diagnosed AML improves 60-day mortality, remission rate, and OS (HR 5 0.46, P 5 .01) in sAML subset.CPX-351 is a liposomal formulation of cytarabine:daunorubicin designed to deliver synergistic drug ratios to leukemia cells. In this phase 2 study, newly diagnosed older acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients were randomized 2:1 to first-line CPX-351 or 713 treatment. The goal was to determine efficacy and identify patient subgroups that may benefit from CPX-351 treatment. Response rate (complete remission 1 incomplete remission) was the primary end point, with event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) as secondary end points. The 126 patients entered were balanced for disease and patient-specific risk factors. Overall, CPX-351 produced higher response rates (66.7% vs 51.2%, P 5 .07), meeting predefined criteria for success (P < .1). Differences in EFS and OS were not statistically significant. A planned analysis of the secondary AML subgroup demonstrated an improved response rate (57.6% vs 31.6%, P 5 .06), and prolongation of EFS (hazard ratio [HR] 5 0.59, P 5 .08) and OS (HR 5 0.46, P 5 .01). Recovery from cytopenias was slower after CPX-351 (median days to absolute neutrophil count ‡1000: 36 vs 32; platelets >100 000: 37 vs 28) with more grade 3-4 infections but without increase in infection-related deaths (3.5% vs 7.3%) or 60-day mortality (4.7% vs 14.6%), indicating acceptable safety. These results suggest a clinical benefit with CPX-351, particularly among patients with secondary AML, and provide the rationale for a phase 3 trial currently underway in newly diagnosed secondary AML patients. This study is registered at Clinicaltrials. gov as #NCT00788892. (Blood. 2014;123(21):3239-3246)

A B S T R A C T PurposeThis phase I dose-escalation trial was performed to determine the maximum-tolerated dose, dose-limiting toxicities, and pharmacokinetics of CPX-351. Patients and MethodsCPX-351 induction was administered on days 1, 3, and 5 by 90-minute infusion to 48 relapsed or refractory patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or high-risk myelodysplasia. Doses started at 3 units/m 2 with dose doublings in single-patient cohorts until a pharmacodynamic effect (treatment-related adverse events or reduction in bone marrow cellularity or blast count) was observed, followed by 33% escalations in three patient cohorts until dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) occurred. ResultsThe maximum-tolerated dose was 101 units/m 2 . DLTs consisted of hypertensive crisis, congestive heart failure, and prolonged cytopenias. Adverse events were consistent with cytarabine and daunorubicin treatment. Response occurred at doses as low as 32 units/m 2 . Of 43 patients with AML, nine had complete response (CR) and one had CR with incomplete platelet recovery; of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, one of three had CR. Eight CRs were achieved among the 31 patients with prior cytarabine and daunorubicin treatment. CR in AML occurred in five of 26 patients age Ն 60 years and in five of 17 patients younger than age 60 years. Median half-life was 31.1 hours (cytarabine) and 21.9 hours (daunorubicin), with both drugs and their metabolites detectable Ͼ 7 days after the last dose. The targeted 5:1 molar ratio was maintained at all dose levels for up to 24 hours. ConclusionThe recommended dose of CPX-351 for phase II study is 101 units/m 2 . Further exploration of efficacy and safety is ongoing in phase II trials in newly diagnosed and first-relapse patients with AML. J Clin