Phase 1b study of the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor sirolimus in combination with nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel in patients with advanced solid tumors

BACKGROUNDThe optimal weekly oral dose of sirolimus and intravenous nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) were evaluated. METHODSA phase 1b study was performed to evaluate escalating doses of oral sirolimus (5-60 mg) on days 2, 9, and 16 with intravenous nab-paclitaxel (100 mg/m(2)) on days 1, 8, and 15 in a 28-day cycle. A run-in treatment of nab-paclitaxel (day -14) and sirolimus (day -7) was administered for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic assessments. Clinical trial endpoints included dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), maximum tolerated doses, and response rates. Pharmacodynamics included immunohistochemistry for phosphatase and tensin homolog, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), AKT, phosphorylated AKT, S6K1, and phosphorylated S6K1; exploratory gene expression analysis; and [F-18]fludeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography. RESULTSTwenty-three patients with advanced solid tumors were treated. Fifteen patients had prior taxane therapy. Twenty-two patients were evaluable for responses. One patient had a complete response, and 5 patients had a partial response (3 confirmed). DLTs were seen in 1 patient each at 10 (grade 3 dyspnea/hypoxia) and 40 mg (grade 4 leukopenia/neutropenia) and in 2 patients at 60 mg (grade 3 fatigue and grade 4 pericardial effusion). Patients with higher expression of posttreatment AKT and a greater decline in FDG activity were more likely to have a treatment response or stable disease. CONCLUSIONSSirolimus showed an acceptable safety profile at a weekly dose of 40 mg with weekly intravenous nab-paclitaxel at 100 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, and 15 every 28 days. The posttreatment AKT score and changes in FDG activity may have roles as early predictors of responses to mTOR inhibitors. Cancer 2015;121:1817-1826. (c) 2015 American Cancer Society. Sirolimus shows an acceptable safety profile and promising activity at a weekly dose of 40 mg with nab-paclitaxel (100 mg/m(2)), with better responses seen in patients with a higher posttreatment AKT score and an early reduction in [F-18]fludeoxyglucose activity.