Selumetinib in women with recurrent low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary or peritoneum: an open-label, single-arm, phase 2 study
TL;DR: Selumetinib is well tolerated, and is active in the treatment of recurrent low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary or peritoneum, and the findings suggest that inhibitors of the MAPK pathway warrant further investigation in these patients.
Abstract: Summary Background Low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary is chemoresistant but mutations in the MAPK pathway could be targeted to control tumour growth. We therefore assessed the safety and activity of selumetinib, an inhibitor of MEK1/2, for patients with this cancer. Methods In this open-label, single-arm phase 2 study, women (aged ≥18 years) with recurrent low-grade serous ovarian or peritoneal carcinoma were given selumetinib (50 mg twice daily, orally) until progression. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who had an objective tumour response according to RECIST version 1.1, assessed for all the treated patients. Analysis was by intention to treat. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00551070. Findings 52 patients were enrolled between Dec 17, 2007, and Nov 23, 2009. All were eligible for analyses. Eight (15%) patients had an objective response to treatment—one patient had a complete response and seven had partial responses. 34 (65%) patients had stable disease. There were no treatment-related deaths. Grade 4 toxicities were cardiac (one), pain (one), and pulmonary events (one). Grade 3 toxicities that occurred in more than one patient were gastrointestinal (13), dermatological (nine), metabolic (seven), fatigue (six), anaemia (four), pain (four), constitutional (three), and cardiac events (two). Interpretation Selumetinib is well tolerated, and is active in the treatment of recurrent low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary or peritoneum. The findings suggest that inhibitors of the MAPK pathway warrant further investigation in these patients. Funding National Cancer Institute.
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01 Jan 2014
TL;DR: Lymphedema is a common complication after treatment for breast cancer and factors associated with increased risk of lymphedEMA include extent of axillary surgery, axillary radiation, infection, and patient obesity.
1,988 citations
TL;DR: Understanding the differential nature of activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway in each tumor type is critical in developing single and combination regimens, because different tumors have unique mechanisms of primary and secondary signaling and subsequent sensitivity to drugs.
Abstract: The mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated (MAPK/ERK) pathway is activated by upstream genomic events and/or activation of multiple signaling events in which information coalesces at this important nodal pathway point. This pathway is tightly regulated under normal conditions by phosphatases and bidirectional communication with other pathways, like the protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (AKT/m-TOR) pathway. Recent evidence indicates that the MAPK/ERK signaling node can function as a tumor suppressor as well as the more common pro-oncogenic signal. The effect that predominates depends on the intensity of the signal and the context or tissue in which the signal is aberrantly activated. Genomic profiling of tumors has revealed common mutations in MAPK/ERK pathway components, such as v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF). Currently approved for the treatment of melanoma, inhibitors of BRAF kinase are being studied alone and in combination with inhibitors of the MAPK and other pathways to optimize the treatment of many tumor types. Therapies targeted toward MAPK/ERK components have various response rates when used in different solid tumors, such as colorectal cancer and ovarian cancer. Understanding the differential nature of activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway in each tumor type is critical in developing single and combination regimens, because different tumors have unique mechanisms of primary and secondary signaling and subsequent sensitivity to drugs.
712 citations
Cites methods from "Selumetinib in women with recurrent..."
...Mutational analyses were performed in tumors from 34 patients, and KRAS and BRAF mutations were found in 41% and 6%, respectively, although mutations did not correlate with response or longer progression-free survival.(100) These examples argue against a preponderant role of the MAPK/ERK pathway as a targeting oncogenic driver in these tumors despite the presence of mutations....
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TL;DR: Considering that oncogenic activation of the PI3K–AKT–mTOR pathway often occurs alongside pro-tumorigenic aberrations in other signalling networks, rational combinations are also needed to optimize the effectiveness of treatment.
Abstract: The PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway is one of the most frequently dysregulated pathways in cancer and, consequently, more than 40 compounds that target key components of this signalling network have been tested in clinical trials involving patients with a range of different cancers. The clinical development of many of these agents, however, has not advanced to late-phase randomized trials, and the antitumour activity of those that have been evaluated in comparative prospective studies has typically been limited, or toxicities were found to be prohibitive. Nevertheless, the mTOR inhibitors temsirolimus and everolimus and the PI3K inhibitors idelalisib and copanlisib have been approved by the FDA for clinical use in the treatment of a number of different cancers. Novel compounds with greater potency and selectivity, as well as improved therapeutic indices owing to reduced risks of toxicity, are clearly required. In addition, biomarkers that are predictive of a response, such as PIK3CA mutations for inhibitors of the PI3K catalytic subunit α isoform, must be identified and analytically and clinically validated. Finally, considering that oncogenic activation of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway often occurs alongside pro-tumorigenic aberrations in other signalling networks, rational combinations are also needed to optimize the effectiveness of treatment. Herein, we review the current experience with anticancer therapies that target the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway.
702 citations
TL;DR: To improve survival in this aggressive disease, access to appropriate evidence‐based care is requisite and individualized precision medicine will require prioritizing clinical trials of innovative treatments and refining predictive biomarkers that will enable selection of patients who would benefit from chemotherapy, targeted agents, or immunotherapy.
Abstract: Ovarian cancer is the second most common cause of gynecologic cancer death in women around the world. The outcomes are complicated, because the disease is often diagnosed late and composed of several subtypes with distinct biological and molecular properties (even within the same histological subtype), and there is inconsistency in availability of and access to treatment. Upfront treatment largely relies on debulking surgery to no residual disease and platinum-based chemotherapy, with the addition of antiangiogenic agents in patients who have suboptimally debulked and stage IV disease. Major improvement in maintenance therapy has been seen by incorporating inhibitors against poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) molecules involved in the DNA damage-repair process, which have been approved in a recurrent setting and recently in a first-line setting among women with BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations. In recognizing the challenges facing the treatment of ovarian cancer, current investigations are enlaced with deep molecular and cellular profiling. To improve survival in this aggressive disease, access to appropriate evidence-based care is requisite. In concert, realizing individualized precision medicine will require prioritizing clinical trials of innovative treatments and refining predictive biomarkers that will enable selection of patients who would benefit from chemotherapy, targeted agents, or immunotherapy. Together, a coordinated and structured approach will accelerate significant clinical and academic advancements in ovarian cancer and meaningfully change the paradigm of care.
663 citations
TL;DR: The recommendations presented here are based on the best available evidence and expert agreement and are presented with a summary of evidence supporting each recommendation.
624 citations
Additional excerpts
...Despite promising results with selumetinib, an MEK1/2 inhibitor [237], no correlation was found between BRAF or KRAS mutation status and therapeutic response in patients with recurrent low-grade serous ovarian cancer....
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References
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TL;DR: A model by which a combined assessment of all existing lesions, characterized by target lesions and nontarget lesions, is used to extrapolate an overall response to treatment is proposed, which is largely validated by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Group and integrated into the present guidelines.
Abstract: Anticancer cytotoxic agents go through a process by which their antitumor activity-on the basis of the amount of tumor shrinkage they could generate-has been investigated. In the late 1970s, the International Union Against Cancer and the World Health Organization introduced specific criteria for the codification of tumor response evaluation. In 1994, several organizations involved in clinical research combined forces to tackle the review of these criteria on the basis of the experience and knowledge acquired since then. After several years of intensive discussions, a new set of guidelines is ready that will supersede the former criteria. In parallel to this initiative, one of the participating groups developed a model by which response rates could be derived from unidimensional measurement of tumor lesions instead of the usual bidimensional approach. This new concept has been largely validated by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Group and integrated into the present guidelines. This special article also provides some philosophic background to clarify the various purposes of response evaluation. It proposes a model by which a combined assessment of all existing lesions, characterized by target lesions (to be measured) and nontarget lesions, is used to extrapolate an overall response to treatment. Methods of assessing tumor lesions are better codified, briefly within the guidelines and in more detail in Appendix I. All other aspects of response evaluation have been discussed, reviewed, and amended whenever appropriate.
14,926 citations
TL;DR: The comparable efficacy, favorable safety profile, and convenient dosing support the role of PLD as a valuable treatment option in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma that recurred after or didn't respond to first-line, platinum-based chemotherapy.
Abstract: PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) and topotecan in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma that recurred after or didn’t respond to first-line, platinum-based chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with measurable and assessable disease were randomized to receive either PLD 50 mg/m2 as a 1-hour infusion every 4 weeks or topotecan 1.5 mg/m2/d for 5 consecutive days every 3 weeks. Patients were stratified prospectively for platinum sensitivity and for the presence or absence of bulky disease. RESULTS: A total of 474 patients were treated (239 PLD and 235 topotecan). They comprised the intent-to-treat population. The overall progression-free survival rates were similar between the two arms (P = .095). The overall response rates for PLD and topotecan were 19.7% and 17.0%, respectively (P = .390). Median overall survival times were 60 weeks for PLD and 56.7 weeks for topotecan. Data analyzed in platinum-sensitive patients demonstrated a statistically ...
1,134 citations
TL;DR: The data supports the recommendation that germ-line BRCA1/2 testing should be offered to all women diagnosed with nonmucinous, ovarian carcinoma, regardless of family history, and supports the advent of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor trials.
Abstract: Purpose The frequency of BRCA1 and BRCA2 germ-line mutations in women with ovarian cancer is unclear; reports vary from 3% to 27% The impact of germ-line mutation on response requires further investigation to understand its impact on treatment planning and clinical trial design Patients and Methods Women with nonmucinous ovarian carcinoma (n = 1,001) enrolled onto a population-based, case-control study were screened for point mutations and large deletions in both genes Survival outcomes and responses to multiple lines of chemotherapy were assessed Results Germ-line mutations were found in 141% of patients overall, including 166% of serous cancer patients (high-grade serous, 226%); 44% had no reported family history of breast or ovarian cancer Patients carrying germ-line mutations had improved rates of progression-free and overall survival In the relapse setting, patients carrying mutations more frequently responded to both platin- and nonplatin-based regimens than mutation-negative patients, even
1,008 citations
TL;DR: Paclitaxel plus platinum chemotherapy seems to improve survival and progression-free survival among patients with relapsed platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer compared with conventional platinum-based chemotherapy.
1,005 citations
TL;DR: The apparent restriction of these BRAF and KRAS mutations to low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma and its precursors suggests that low- grade and high-grade ovarian serous carcinomas develop through independent pathways.
Abstract: Activating mutations in KRAS and in one of its downstream mediators, BRAF, have been identified in a variety of human cancers. To determine the role of mutations in BRAF and KRAS in ovarian carcinoma, we analyzed both genes for three common mutations (at codon 599 of BRAF and codons 12 and 13 of KRAS). Mutations in either codon 599 of BRAF or codons 12 and 13 of KRAS occurred in 15 of 22 (68%) invasive micropapillary serous carcinomas (MPSCs; low-grade tumors) and in 31 of 51 (61%) serous borderline tumors (precursor lesions to invasive MPSCs). None of the tumors contained a mutation in both BRAF and KRAS. In contrast, none of the 72 conventional aggressive high-grade serous carcinomas analyzed contained the BRAF codon 599 mutation or either of the two KRAS mutations. The apparent restriction of these BRAF and KRAS mutations to low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma and its precursors suggests that low-grade and high-grade ovarian serous carcinomas develop through independent pathways.
842 citations