A Phase I, Dose-Escalation Trial of Pazopanib in Combination with Cisplatin in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors: A UNICANCER Study.

INTRODUCTION: To determine the feasibility, maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), and dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) of pazopanib in combination with cisplatin.

METHODS: Patients with advanced malignancies were included in a 3 + 3 dose-escalation phase I study. Pazopanib administration started 8 days before the first infusion of cisplatin; some patients were treated according to a reverse sequence (cisplatin first). Five dose levels (DLs) were planned. MTD was based on DLT observed during cycles 1 and 2.

RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were enrolled. The MTD was reached at the first DL, (pazopanib 400 mg daily + cisplatin 75 mg/m2 every 21 days). Main DLTs were pulmonary embolism, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevation of liver enzymes. Overall, most common adverse events were anemia (83%), fatigue (80%), thrombocytopenia (80%), neutropenia (73%), hypertension (59%), neurotoxicity (56%), and anorexia (53%). Sixteen patients (46%) discontinued the study due to toxicity. One patient (sarcoma) had a complete response, and three patients (one with breast cancer and two with ovarian cancers) had a partial response. Pharmacokinetic (PK) analyses showed interactions with aprepitant, resulting in increased exposure to pazopanib, which might explain partly the poor tolerance of the combination.

CONCLUSION: Cisplatin and pazopanib could not be administered at their single agent full doses, partly due to a PK interaction between pazopanib and aprepitant.

FUNDING: This work was funded by GlaxoSmithKline and by the charity Ligue Nationale de Lutte Contre le Cancer.

TRIAL REGISTERED: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01165385.