The surface receptor MET is highly expressed on primary uveal melanoma; MET inhibitors demonstrated early clinical signals of efficacy in slowing uveal melanoma growth. The primary objective of our study was to compare the progression-free survival rate at 4 months (PFS4) of patients with uveal melanoma treated with cabozantinib or chemotherapy.Patients and Methods: Patients with metastatic uveal melanoma and RECIST measurable disease were randomized 2:1 to receive either cabozantinib (arm 1) versus temozolomide or dacarbazine (arm 2) with restaging imaging every two cycles. Cross-over from arm 2 to cabozantinib after progression was allowed (arm 2X). Available tumor specimens were analyzed by whole-exome sequencing (WES) and results were correlated with outcome.Results: Forty-six eligible patients were accrued with 31, 15, and 9 in arms 1, 2, and 2X, respectively. Median lines of prior therapy, including hepatic embolization, were two. Rates of PFS4 in arm 1 and arm 2 were 32.3% and 26.7% (P ¼ 0.35), respectively, with median PFS time of 60 and 59 days (P ¼ 0.964; HR ¼ 0.99). Median overall survival (OS) was 6.4 months and 7.3 months (P ¼ 0.580; HR ¼ 1.21), respectively. Grade 3-4 Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events were present in 61.3%, 46.7%, and 37.5% in arms 1, 2, and 2X, respectively. WES demonstrated a mean tumor mutational burden of 1.53 mutations/Mb and did not separate OS or >1 year (P ¼ 0.14). Known mutations were identified by WES and novel mutations were nominated.Conclusions: MET/VEGFR blockade with cabozantinib demonstrated no improvement in PFS but an increase in toxicity relative to temozolomide/dacarbazine in metastatic uveal melanoma.

Purpose: Dose-dense Methotrexate-Vinblastine-Adriamycin-Cisplatin (ddMVAC) and Gemcitabine-Cisplatin (GC) are accepted neoadjuvant regimens for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (BC). The aim of this study was to validate the score from a Coexpression extrapolation (COXEN) algorithm-generated gene expression model (GEM) as a biomarker in patients undergoing radical cystectomy.Experimental Design: Eligibility included cT2-T4a N0 M0, urothelial BC, ≥ 5 mm of viable tumor, cisplatin eligible, with plan for cystectomy; 237 patients were randomized between ddMVAC, given every 14 days for 4 cycles, and GC, given every 21 days for 4 cycles. The primary objective assessed pre-specified dichotomous treatment specific COXEN score as predictive of pT0 rate or ≤ pT1 (downstaging) at surgery.Results: Among 167 evaluable patients, the odds ratio for pT0 with the GC GEM score in GCtreated patients was 2.63 (p=0.10; 95% CI [0.82,8.36]); for the ddMVAC COXEN GEM score with ddMVAC treatment, the OR was 1.12 (p=0.82, 95% CI [0.42, 2.95]). The GC GEM score was applied to pooled arms (GC and ddMVAC) for downstaging with an OR of 2. 33 (p=0.02; 95% CI [1.11, 4.89]). In an intention to treat analysis of eligible patients (n=227), pT0 rates for ddMVAC and GC were 28% and 30% (p = 0.75); downstaging was 47% and 40% (p = 0.27), respectively. Conclusion:Treatment-specific COXEN scores were not significantly predictive for response to individual chemotherapy treatment. The COXEN GEM GC score was significantly associated with downstaging in the pooled arms. Additional biomarker development is planned. *These patients are included in secondary analysis of intent-to-treat comparison of path response rates between arms Flaig et al.

Purpose ENMD-2076 is a unique orally bioavailable Aurora kinase and VEGFR inhibitor. The purpose of this phase 1 study of ENMD-2076 was to determine the MTD, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic profiles and preliminary antitumor activity. Experimental Design Patients with refractory advanced solid malignancies were treated with ENMD-2076 orally with continuous once daily dosing. Doses from 60 to 200 mg/m2 were evaluated using a standard 3 (to 4) +3 design. Pharmacokinetic parameters were studied on days 1, 28, and 30 to 35 of cycle 1. Expanded MTD cohorts included patients with ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, and refractory solid tumors. Results A total of 67 patients (46 F, 21M; ages 30–76) entered the study. Dose levels of 60, 80, 120, 200, and 160 mg/m2 were evaluated. Two patients experienced grade 3 hypertension at 200 mg/m2, and additional grade 3 neutropenia events limited tolerability at this dose. An intermediate dose of 160 mg/m2 was determined to be the MTD. The most common drug-related adverse events included hypertension, nausea/vomiting, and fatigue. The pharmacokinetics of ENMD-2076 were characterized by a rapid absorption phase (Tmax 3–7.8 hours), a t1/2 of 27.3 to 38.3 hours after a single dose, and dose proportional exposure. Decreased plasma sVEGFR2 was observed posttreatment. Two patients with platinum refractory/resistant ovarian cancer had RECIST partial responses. Conclusions ENMD-2076 was well tolerated, had a linear pharmacokinetic profile, and showed promising antitumor activity, particularly in ovarian cancer. The recommended phase 2 dose of ENMD-2076 is 160 mg/m2 administered orally once daily with continuous dosing.