Background
Acquired resistance to anti-EGFR therapy may be due to EGFR-ErbB2 heterodimerization and pathway reactivation. In pre-clinical studies. inhibiting ErbB2 blocked this resistance mechanism and re-sensitized cells to anti-EGFR therapy. Cetuximab targets the EGFR receptor, whereas lapatinib inhibits both EGFR and ErbB2. We conducted a phase I trial to assess the safety, dose-limiting toxicities (DLTS), and maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of cetuximab and lapatinib in patients with solid tumors.
Methods
Patients received standard weekly cetuximab with escalating lapatinib dosages of 750, 1000 or 1250mg daily in 3-week cycles. DLTs were monitored through the end of cycle 2. Pre- and post-treatment tumor biopsies and germ-line DNA were obtained for correlative studies.
Results
Twenty-two patients were enrolled, and 18 each were evaluable for toxicity and response. Fifty-nine percent had prior anti-EGFR therapy. Common toxicities included rash and diarrhea. No patient experienced a DLT at the highest dose level and no grade 4 toxicity was observed. Response included no CRs, 3 PRs, 9 SD, and 6 DP, for an overall response rate of 17% and a clinical benefit rate of 67%. The clinical benefit rate in patients previously treated with anti-EGFR therapy was 70%. Mean treatment duration was 4.7 cycles (range 1–14). Decreased expression of EGFR/ErbB2 pathway components after treatment correlated with response, while increased expression in PI3K, Jak/Stat, and MAPK pathways occurred in non-responders.
Conclusions
The combination of cetuximab and lapatinib was well tolerated, with expected toxicities and notable clinical activity, including in patients with previous anti-EGFR therapy. Further clinical study is warranted.