We present a phase 2, single-arm study evaluating 800 mg daily venetoclax, a highly selective, oral small-molecule B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) inhibitor in patients with high-risk relapsed/refractory acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) or unfit for intensive chemotherapy. Responses were evaluated following revised International Working Group (IWG) criteria. The overall response rate was 19%; an additional 19% of patients demonstrated anti-leukemic activity not meeting IWG criteria (partial bone marrow response and incomplete hematologic recovery). Twelve (38%) patients had isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/2 mutations, of whom 4 (33%) achieved complete response/complete response with incomplete blood count recovery. Six (19%) patients had BCL-2–sensitive protein index at screening, which correlated with time on study. BH3 profiling was consistent with on-target BCL-2 inhibition and identified potential resistance mechanisms. Common adverse events included nausea, diarrhea and vomiting (all grades), and febrile neutropenia and hypokalemia (grade 3/4). Venetoclax demonstrated activity and acceptable tolerability in patients with AML and adverse features.

A B S T R A C TPurpose BCL2 overexpression is a hallmark of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The novel BH3 mimetic navitoclax (ABT-263) specifically inhibits BCL2 and related proteins BCL-x L and BCL-w, potently inducing apoptosis of CLL cells in vitro. A phase I trial in patients with CLL was conducted to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and biologic activity of oral navitoclax. Patients and MethodsTwenty-nine patients with relapsed or refractory CLL received daily navitoclax for 14 days (10, 110, 200, or 250 mg/d; n ϭ 15) or 21 days (125, 200, 250, or 300 mg/d; n ϭ 14) of each 21-day cycle. Dose escalation decisions were informed by continual reassessment methodology. ResultsLymphocytosis was reduced by more than 50% in 19 of 21 patients with baseline lymphocytosis. Among 26 patients treated with navitoclax Ն 110 mg/d, nine (35%) achieved a partial response and seven maintained stable disease for more than 6 months. Median treatment duration was 7 months (range, 1 to Ն 29 months). Median progression-free survival was 25 months. Activity was observed in patients with fludarabine-refractory disease, bulky adenopathy, and del(17p) CLL. Thrombocytopenia due to BCL-x L inhibition was the major dose-limiting toxicity and was doserelated. Low MCL1 expression and high BIM:MCL1 or BIM:BCL2 ratios in leukemic cells correlated with response. We determined that the navitoclax dose of 250 mg/d in a continuous dosing schedule was optimal for phase II studies. ConclusionBCL2 is a valid therapeutic target in CLL, and its inhibition by navitoclax warrants further evaluation as monotherapy and in combination in this disease.

SUMMARYBackground-BCL-2 family proteins play a central role in regulating clonal selection and survival of lymphocytes and are frequently over expressed in lymphomas. Navitoclax (ABT-263) is a targeted high-affinity small molecule that occupies the BH3 binding groove of BCL-2 and BCL-X L and inhibits their anti-apoptotic activity. Experimentally, navitoclax kills cells in a BAX/ BAK-dependent manner and results in regression of lymphoid tumors in xenograft models.

A B S T R A C T PurposeResistance to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis represents a major obstacle to cancer control. Overexpression of Bcl-2 is seen in multiple tumor types and targeting Bcl-2 may provide therapeutic benefit. A phase I study of navitoclax, a novel inhibitor of Bcl-2 family proteins, was conducted to evaluate safety, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy in patients with solid tumors. Patients and MethodsPatients enrolled to intermittent dosing cohorts received navitoclax on day Ϫ3, followed by dosing on days 1 to 14 of a 21-day cycle. Patients on continuous dosing received a 1-week lead-in dose of 150 mg followed by continuous daily administration. Blood samples were collected for pharmacokinetic analyses, biomarker analyses, and platelet monitoring. ResultsForty-seven patients, including 29 with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) or pulmonary carcinoid, were enrolled between 2007 and 2008, 35 on intermittent and 12 on continuous dosing cohorts. Primary toxicities included diarrhea (40%), nausea (34%), vomiting (36%), and fatigue (34%); most were grade 1 or 2. Dose-and schedule-dependent thrombocytopenia was seen in all patients. One patient with SCLC had a confirmed partial response lasting longer than 2 years, and eight patients with SCLC or carcinoid had stable disease (one remained on study for 13 months). Pro-gastrin releasing peptide (pro-GRP) was identified as a surrogate marker of Bcl-2 amplification and changes correlated with changes in tumor volume. ConclusionNavitoclax is safe and well tolerated, with dose-dependent thrombocytopenia as the major adverse effect. Preliminary efficacy data are encouraging in SCLC. Efficacy in SCLC and the utility of pro-GRP as a marker of treatment response will be further evaluated in phase II studies. J Clin