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in association with the Biotherapy Development Association Abstract Purpose: A fully human monoclonal antibody to anti^a v integrins (CNTO 95) has been shown to inhibit angiogenesis and tumor growth in preclinical studies. We assessed the safety and pharmacokinetics of CNTO 95 in patients with advanced refractory solid tumors. Experimental Design: In this phase I trial, CNTO 95 (0.1, 0.3, 1.0, 3.0, and 10.0 mg/kg) was infused on days 0, 28, 35, and 42, and clinical assessments, dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI), and [18 F]-2-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) were done. Patients achieving stable disease or better were eligible for extended dosing every 3 weeks for up to 12 months. Results: Among the 24 enrolled patients, CNTO 95 was associated with one episode of grade III and four episodes of grade II infusion-related fever (all responded to acetaminophen). Of the six patients who received extended dosing, one patient (10.0 mg/kg), with cutaneous angiosarcoma, had a 9-month partial response. Pre-and post-treatment lesion biopsies confirmed tumor cell a v integrin expression, as well as CNTO 95 penetration of the tumor and localization to tumor cells in association with reduced bcl-2 expression. A lesion in one patient (10.0 mg/kg) with stable ovarian carcinosarcoma was no longer detectable by FDG-PET by day 49. Exposure to CNTO 95 seemed to increase in a greater-than-dose-proportional manner; dose-dependent mean halflife ranged from 0.26 to 6.7 days. Conclusions: CNTO 95 was generally well tolerated. Six patients received extended therapy, including one patient with a prolonged response. Biopsy data confirmed tumor localization and pharmacodynamic activity.

Purpose: Specific blocking of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) is a novel therapeutic approach. Here, we report the first phase I clinical trial evaluation of CDP791, a PEGylated di-Fab ¶ conjugate that bindsVEGFR-2. Experimental Design: Cohorts of patients received CDP791 at doses between 0.3 and 30 mg/kg every 3 weeks for the initial two doses. Results: The compound was well tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicity. Dose-related hypertension was observed in patients receiving CDP79110 mg/kg or more and several patients on the higher doses developed infusion-related cutaneous hemangiomata arising 28 to 106 days after the first drug administration and resolving 3 weeks after cessation. Biopsy and histologic evaluation showed that CDP791-bound VEGFR-2 is non-phosphorylated, suggesting that the drug is biologically active. Concentrations of CDP791 considered biologically relevant were sustained for 3 weeks when doses of 10 mg/kg or more were administered. Although no reductions in vascular permeability were recorded using dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI), there was a significant dose level^related reduction in tumor growth. While challenging the recent dogma that active VEGF inhibitors should modulate DCE-MRI measurements of vascular permeability, this highlights the potential of serial threedimensional tumor measurements to detect tumor growth arrest. Twelve patients received drug for more than two treatments, although no partial or complete responses were seen. Conclusion: The data show that CDP791 is biologically active and well tolerated, achieving appropriate plasma concentrations when administered at 10 mg/kg or more every 3 weeks.

Endocrine therapy is a recognised option in the treatment of chemo-resistant ovarian cancer. We conducted a nonrandomised phase II evaluation of combination endocrine therapy with tamoxifen and goserelin in patients with advanced ovarian cancer that had recurred following chemotherapy. In total, 26 patients entered the study, of which 17 had platinum-resistant disease. The median age was 63 years and enrolled patients had received a median of three chemotherapy regimens prior to trial entry. Patients were given oral tamoxifen 20 mg twice daily on a continuous basis and subcutaneous goserelin 3.6 mg once a month until disease progression. Using the definition of endocrine response that included patients with stable disease (SD) of 6 months or greater, the overall response rate (clinical benefit rate) was 50%. This included one complete response (CR) (3.8%), two partial responses (PR) (7.7%) and 10 patients with SD (38.5%). The median progression-free interval (PFI) was 4 months (95% CI 2.4 -9.6) while the median overall survival (OS) was 13.6 months (95% CI 5.5 -30.6). Four patients received treatment for more than 2 years (range 1 -31) and one of them is still on treatment. In none of the four patients was there any evidence of recurrent or cumulative treatment related toxicity. Treatment-limiting toxicity was not seen in any of the study population. Endocrine data demonstrated a marked suppression of luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to less than 4% of baseline values. No consistent correlation could be established between LH/FSH suppression and tumour response. Likewise no relationship was observed between Inhibin A/B and pro-alpha C levels and tumour response. Inhibin is unlikely to be a useful surrogate marker for response in locally advanced or metastatic ovarian cancer. Combination endocrine therapy with tamoxifen and goserelin is an active regimen in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients. Hormonal therapy is advantageous in its relative lack of toxicity, ease of administration and tolerability, thus making it suitable for patients with heavily pretreated disease, compromised bone marrow function and other comorbid conditions that contraindicate cytotoxic therapy as well as in patients with indolent disease.