Phase I trial of the MEK inhibitor selumetinib in combination with thoracic radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors
Haslett, KateKoh, Pek K
Hudson, Andrew M
Ryder, W David J
Falk, Sally
Mullan, Damian
Taylor, Benjamin
Califano, Raffaele
Blackhall, Fiona H
Faivre-Finn, Corinne
Affiliation
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, United KingdomIssue Date
2021
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Background: The RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signalling pathway has a pivotal role in cancer proliferation and modulating treatment response. Selumetinib inhibits MEK and enhances effects of radiotherapy in preclinical studies. Patients and methods: Single-arm, single-centre, open-label phase I trial. Patients with stage III NSCLC unsuitable for concurrent chemo-radiotherapy, or stage IV with dominant thoracic symptoms, were recruited to a dose-finding stage (Fibonacci 3 + 3 design; maximum number = 18) then an expanded cohort (n = 15). Oral selumetinib was administered twice daily (starting dose 50 mg) commencing 7 days prior to thoracic radiotherapy, then with radiotherapy (6-6.5 weeks; 60-66 Gy/30-33 fractions). The primary objective was to determine the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of selumetinib in combination with thoracic radiotherapy. Results: 21 patients were enrolled (06/2010-02/2015). Median age: 62y (range 50-73). M:F ratio 12(57%):9(43%). ECOG PS 0:1, 7(33%):14(67%). Stage III 16(76%); IV 5(24%). Median GTV 64 cm3 (range 1-224 cm3). 15 patients comprised the expanded cohort at starting dose. All 21 patients completed thoracic radiotherapy as planned and received induction chemotherapy. 13 (62%) patients received the full dose of selumetinib.In the starting cohort no enhanced radiotherapy-related toxicity was seen. Two patients had dose-limiting toxicity (1x grade 3 diarrhoea/fatigue and 1x pulmonary embolism). Commonest grade 3-4 adverse events: lymphopaenia (19/21 patients) and hypertension (7/21 patients). One patient developed grade 3 oesophagitis. No patients developed grade ≥3 radiation pneumonitis. Two patients were alive at the time of analysis (24 and 26 months follow-up, respectively). Main cause of first disease progression: distant metastases ± locoregional progression (12/21 [57.1%] patients). Six patients had confirmed/suspected pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia. Conclusion: We report poor outcome and severe lymphopenia in most patients treated with thoracic radiotherapy and selumetinib at RP2D in combination, contributing to confirmed/clinically suspected pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia. These results suggest that this combination should not be pursued in a phase II trial.ClinicalTrials.gov reference: NCT01146756.Citation
Haslett K, Koh P, Hudson A, Ryder WD, Falk S, Mullan D, et al. Phase I trial of the MEK inhibitor selumetinib in combination with thoracic radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol. 2021;28:24-31.Journal
Clinical and Translational Radiation OncologyDOI
10.1016/j.ctro.2021.02.008PubMed ID
33748440Additional Links
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctro.2021.02.008Type
ArticleLanguage
enae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1016/j.ctro.2021.02.008