Purpose
The poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor veliparib delays DNA repair and potentiates cytotoxicity of multiple classes of chemotherapy drugs, including topoisomerase I inhibitors and platinating agents. This study evaluated veliparib incorporation into leukemia induction therapy using a previously described topotecan/carboplatin backbone.
Experimental Design
Employing a 3+3 trial design, we administered escalating doses of veliparib combined with topotecan + carboplatin in relapsed or refractory acute leukemias, aggressive myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML).
Results
A total of 99 patients received veliparib 10-100 mg orally twice daily on Days 1-8, 1-14 or 1-21 along with continuous infusion topotecan 1.0-1.2 mg/m2/d + carboplatin 120-150 mg/m2/d on Days 3-7. The maximum tolerated dose was veliparib 80 mg twice daily for up to 21 days with topotecan 1.2 mg/m2/d + carboplatin 150 mg/m2/d. Mucositis was dose limiting and correlated with high veliparib concentrations. The response rate was 33% overall (33/99: 14 CR, 11 CRi, 8 PR) but was 64% (14/22) for patients with antecedent or associated aggressive MPNs or CMML. Leukemias with baseline DNA repair defects, as evidenced by impaired DNA damage-induced FANCD2 monoubiquitination, had improved survival (hazard ratio .56 (95% CI .27-.92)). A single 80 mg dose of veliparib, as well as veliparib in combination with topotecan + carboplatin, induced DNA damage as manifested by histone H2AX phosphorylation in CD34+ leukemia cells, with greater phosphorylation in cells from responders.
Conclusions
The veliparib/topotecan/carboplatin combination warrants further investigation, particularly in patients with aggressive MPNs, CMML, and MPN- or CMML-related acute leukemias.