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Clinical Cancer Research : An Official... Nov 2019Irinotecan and topotecan have been widely used as anticancer drugs for the past 20 years. Because of their selectivity as topoisomerase I (TOP1) inhibitors that trap... (Review)
Review
Irinotecan and topotecan have been widely used as anticancer drugs for the past 20 years. Because of their selectivity as topoisomerase I (TOP1) inhibitors that trap TOP1 cleavage complexes, camptothecins are also widely used to elucidate the DNA repair pathways associated with DNA-protein cross-links and replication stress. This review summarizes the basic molecular mechanisms of action of TOP1 inhibitors, their current use, and limitations as anticancer agents. We introduce new therapeutic strategies based on novel TOP1 inhibitor chemical scaffolds including the indenoisoquinolines LMP400 (indotecan), LMP776 (indimitecan), and LMP744, and on tumor-targeted delivery TOP1 inhibitors using liposome, PEGylation, and antibody-drug conjugates. We also address how tumor-specific determinants such as homologous recombination defects (HRD and BRCAness) and Schlafen 11 (SLFN11) expression can be used to guide clinical application of TOP1 inhibitors in combination with DNA damage response inhibitors including PARP, ATR, CHEK1, and ATM inhibitors.
Topics: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Benzimidazoles; DNA Topoisomerases, Type I; Humans; Irinotecan; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Neoplasms; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors; Precision Medicine; Topoisomerase I Inhibitors; Topotecan
PubMed: 31227499
DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-19-1089 -
Annals of Oncology : Official Journal... Jun 2021Mirvetuximab soravtansine (MIRV) is an antibody-drug conjugate comprising a folate receptor alpha (FRα)-binding antibody, cleavable linker, and the maytansinoid DM4, a... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Mirvetuximab soravtansine (MIRV) is an antibody-drug conjugate comprising a folate receptor alpha (FRα)-binding antibody, cleavable linker, and the maytansinoid DM4, a potent tubulin-targeting agent. The randomized, open-label, phase III study FORWARD I compared MIRV and investigator's choice chemotherapy in patients with platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Eligible patients with 1-3 prior lines of therapy and whose tumors were positive for FRα expression were randomly assigned, in a 2 : 1 ratio, to receive MIRV (6 mg/kg, adjusted ideal body weight) or chemotherapy (paclitaxel, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, or topotecan). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival [PFS, Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1, blinded independent central review] in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population and in the prespecified FRα high population.
RESULTS
A total of 366 patients were randomized; 243 received MIRV and 109 received chemotherapy. The primary endpoint, PFS, did not reach statistical significance in either the ITT [hazard ratio (HR), 0.98, P = 0.897] or the FRα high population (HR, 0.69, P = 0.049). Superior outcomes for MIRV over chemotherapy were observed in all secondary endpoints in the FRα high population including improved objective response rate (24% versus 10%), CA-125 responses (53% versus 25%), and patient-reported outcomes (27% versus 13%). Fewer treatment-related grade 3 or higher adverse events (25.1% versus 44.0%), and fewer events leading to dose reduction (19.8% versus 30.3%) and treatment discontinuation (4.5% versus 8.3%) were seen with MIRV compared with chemotherapy.
CONCLUSIONS
In patients with platinum-resistant EOC, MIRV did not result in a significant improvement in PFS compared with chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints consistently favored MIRV, particularly in patients with high FRα expression. MIRV showed a differentiated and more manageable safety profile than chemotherapy.
Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Female; Humans; Immunoconjugates; Maytansine; Ovarian Neoplasms
PubMed: 33667670
DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2021.02.017 -
Lancet (London, England) Feb 2022Low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary or peritoneum is characterised by MAPK pathway aberrations and its reduced sensitivity to chemotherapy relative to high-grade... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Trametinib versus standard of care in patients with recurrent low-grade serous ovarian cancer (GOG 281/LOGS): an international, randomised, open-label, multicentre, phase 2/3 trial.
BACKGROUND
Low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary or peritoneum is characterised by MAPK pathway aberrations and its reduced sensitivity to chemotherapy relative to high-grade serous carcinoma. We compared the MEK inhibitor trametinib to physician's choice standard of care in patients with recurrent low-grade serous carcinoma.
METHODS
This international, randomised, open-label, multicentre, phase 2/3 trial was done at 84 hospitals in the USA and UK. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older with recurrent low-grade serous carcinoma and measurable disease, as defined by Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors version 1.1, had received at least one platinum-based regimen, but not all five standard-of-care drugs, and had received an unlimited number of previous regimens. Patients with serous borderline tumours or tumours containing low-grade serous and high-grade serous carcinoma were excluded. Eligible patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either oral trametinib 2 mg once daily (trametinib group) or one of five standard-of-care treatment options (standard-of-care group): intravenous paclitaxel 80 mg/m by body surface area on days 1, 8, and 15 of every 28-day cycle; intravenous pegylated liposomal doxorubicin 40-50 mg/m by body surface area once every 4 weeks; intravenous topotecan 4 mg/m by body surface area on days 1, 8, and 15 of every 28-day cycle; oral letrozole 2·5 mg once daily; or oral tamoxifen 20 mg twice daily. Randomisation was stratified by geographical region (USA or UK), number of previous regimens (1, 2, or ≥3), performance status (0 or 1), and planned standard-of-care regimen. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival while receiving randomised therapy, as assessed by imaging at baseline, once every 8 weeks for 15 months, and then once every 3 months thereafter, in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was assessed in patients who received at least one dose of study therapy. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02101788, and is active but not recruiting.
FINDINGS
Between Feb 27, 2014, and April 10, 2018, 260 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to the trametinib group (n=130) or the standard-of-care group (n=130). At the primary analysis, there were 217 progression-free survival events (101 [78%] in the trametinib group and 116 [89%] in the standard-of-care group). Median progression-free survival in the trametinib group was 13·0 months (95% CI 9·9-15·0) compared with 7·2 months (5·6-9·9) in the standard-of-care group (hazard ratio 0·48 [95% CI 0·36-0·64]; p<0·0001). The most frequent grade 3 or 4 adverse events in the trametinib group were skin rash (17 [13%] of 128), anaemia (16 [13%]), hypertension (15 [12%]), diarrhoea (13 [10%]), nausea (12 [9%]), and fatigue (ten [8%]). The most frequent grade 3 or 4 adverse events in the standard-of-care group were abdominal pain (22 [17%]), nausea (14 [11%]), anaemia (12 [10%]), and vomiting (ten [8%]). There were no treatment-related deaths.
INTERPRETATION
Trametinib represents a new standard-of-care option for patients with recurrent low-grade serous carcinoma.
FUNDING
NRG Oncology, Cancer Research UK, Target Ovarian Cancer, and Novartis.
Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; Female; Humans; MAP Kinase Kinase 1; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Grading; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Ovarian Neoplasms; Paclitaxel; Progression-Free Survival; Pyridones; Pyrimidinones; Standard of Care; Treatment Outcome; United Kingdom; United States
PubMed: 35123694
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)02175-9 -
Cancer Research Apr 2021GRP78 (glucose-regulated protein, 78 kDa) is a key regulator of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling. Cancer cells are highly proliferative and have high demand...
GRP78 (glucose-regulated protein, 78 kDa) is a key regulator of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling. Cancer cells are highly proliferative and have high demand for protein synthesis and folding, which results in significant stress on the ER. To respond to ER stress and maintain cellular homeostasis, cells activate the unfolded protein response (UPR) that promotes either survival or apoptotic death. Cancer cells utilize the UPR to promote survival and growth. In this study, we describe the discovery of a series of novel hydroxyquinoline GRP78 inhibitors. A representative analogue, YUM70, inhibited pancreatic cancer cell growth and showed efficacy in a pancreatic cancer xenograft model with no toxicity to normal tissues. YUM70 directly bound GRP78 and inactivated its function, resulting in ER stress-mediated apoptosis. A YUM70 analogue conjugated with BODIPY showed colocalization of the compound with GRP78 in the ER. Moreover, a YUM70-PROTAC (proteolysis targeting chimera) was synthesized to force degradation of GRP78 in pancreatic cancer cells. YUM70 showed a strong synergistic cytotoxicity with topotecan and vorinostat. Together, our study demonstrates that YUM70 is a novel inducer of ER stress, with preclinical efficacy as a monotherapy or in combination with topoisomerase and HDAC inhibitors in pancreatic cancer. SIGNIFICANCE: This study identifies a novel ER stress inducer that binds GRP78 and inhibits pancreatic cancer cell growth and , demonstrating its potential as a therapeutic agent for pancreatic cancer.
Topics: A549 Cells; Animals; Apoptosis; Cell Line, Tumor; Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress; Female; HCT116 Cells; HT29 Cells; Heat-Shock Proteins; Humans; Hydroxyquinolines; MCF-7 Cells; Mice; Mice, Nude; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Unfolded Protein Response; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
PubMed: 33531374
DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-20-1540 -
Journal of Thoracic Oncology : Official... Sep 2021DLL3, an atypical Notch ligand, is expressed in SCLC tumors but is not detectable in normal adult tissues. Rovalpituzumab tesirine (Rova-T) is an antibody-drug conjugate... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
INTRODUCTION
DLL3, an atypical Notch ligand, is expressed in SCLC tumors but is not detectable in normal adult tissues. Rovalpituzumab tesirine (Rova-T) is an antibody-drug conjugate containing a DLL3-targeting antibody tethered to a cytotoxic agent pyrrolobenzodiazepine by means of a protease-cleavable linker. The efficacy and safety of Rova-T compared with topotecan as second-line therapy in patients with SCLC expressing high levels of DLL3 (DLL3-high) was evaluated.
METHODS
The TAHOE study was an open-label, two-to-one randomized, phase 3 study comparing Rova-T with topotecan as second-line therapy in DLL3-high advanced or metastatic SCLC. Rova-T (0.3 mg/kg) was administered intravenously on day 1 of a 42-day cycle for two cycles, with two additional cycles available to patients who met protocol-defined criteria for continued dosing. Topotecan (1.5 mg/m) was administered intravenously on days 1 to 5 of a 21-day cycle. The primary end point was overall survival (OS).
RESULTS
Patients randomized to Rova-T (n = 296) and topotecan (n = 148) were included in the efficacy analyses. The median age was 64 years, and 77% had the extensive disease at initial diagnosis. The median OS (95% confidence interval) was 6.3 months (5.6-7.3) in the Rova-T arm and 8.6 months (7.7-10.1) in the topotecan arm (hazard ratio, 1.46 [95% confidence interval: 1.17-1.82]). An independent data monitoring committee recommended that enrollment be discontinued because of the shorter OS observed with Rova-T compared with topotecan. Safety profiles for both drugs were consistent with previous reports.
CONCLUSIONS
Compared with topotecan, which is the current standard second-line chemotherapy, Rova-T exhibited an inferior OS and higher rates of serosal effusions, photosensitivity reaction, and peripheral edema in patients with SCLC. A considerable unmet therapeutic need remains in this population.
Topics: Adult; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Benzodiazepinones; Humans; Immunoconjugates; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Lung Neoplasms; Membrane Proteins; Middle Aged; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma; Topotecan
PubMed: 33607312
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2021.02.009 -
Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official... Dec 2021The primary aim of this phase III randomized trial was to test whether the addition of vincristine, topotecan, and cyclophosphamide (VTC) to interval compressed... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
PURPOSE
The primary aim of this phase III randomized trial was to test whether the addition of vincristine, topotecan, and cyclophosphamide (VTC) to interval compressed chemotherapy improved survival outcomes for patients with previously untreated nonmetastatic Ewing sarcoma.
METHODS
Patients were randomly assigned to receive standard five-drug interval compressed chemotherapy (regimen A) for 17 cycles or experimental therapy with five cycles of VTC within the 17 cycles (regimen B). Patients were stratified by age at diagnosis (< 18 years and ≥18 years) and tumor site (pelvic bone, nonpelvic bone, and extraosseous). Tumor volume at diagnosis was categorized as < 200 mL or ≥ 200 mL. Local control occurred following six cycles. Histologic response was categorized as no viable or any viable tumor. Event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between randomized groups with stratified log-rank tests.
RESULTS
Of 642 enrolled patients, 309 eligible patients received standard and 320 received experimental therapy. The 5-year EFS and OS were 78% and 87%, respectively. There was no difference in survival outcomes between randomized groups (5-year EFS regimen A regimen B, 78% 79%; = .192; 5-year OS 86% 88%; = .159). Age and primary site did not affect the risk of an EFS event. However, age ≥ 18 years was associated with an increased risk of death at 5 years (hazard ratio 1.84; 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.96; = .009). The 5-year EFS rates for patients with pelvic, nonpelvic bone, and extraosseous primary tumors were 75%, 78%, and 85%, respectively. Tumor volume ≥ 200 mL was significantly associated with lower EFS.
CONCLUSION
While VTC added to five-drug interval compressed chemotherapy did not improve survival, these outcomes represent the best survival estimates to date for patients with previously untreated nonmetastatic Ewing sarcoma.
Topics: Adolescent; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Child; Child, Preschool; Cyclophosphamide; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Sarcoma, Ewing; Topotecan; Vincristine
PubMed: 34652968
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.21.00358 -
Cancer Cell Apr 2021Small cell neuroendocrine cancers (SCNCs) are recalcitrant cancers arising from diverse primary sites that lack effective treatments. Using chemical genetic screens, we...
Small cell neuroendocrine cancers (SCNCs) are recalcitrant cancers arising from diverse primary sites that lack effective treatments. Using chemical genetic screens, we identified inhibition of ataxia telangiectasia and rad3 related (ATR), the primary activator of the replication stress response, and topoisomerase I (TOP1), nuclear enzyme that suppresses genomic instability, as synergistically cytotoxic in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). In a proof-of-concept study, we combined M6620 (berzosertib), first-in-class ATR inhibitor, and TOP1 inhibitor topotecan in patients with relapsed SCNCs. Objective response rate among patients with SCLC was 36% (9/25), achieving the primary efficacy endpoint. Durable tumor regressions were observed in patients with platinum-resistant SCNCs, typically fatal within weeks of recurrence. SCNCs with high neuroendocrine differentiation, characterized by enhanced replication stress, were more likely to respond. These findings highlight replication stress as a potentially transformative vulnerability of SCNCs, paving the way for rational patient selection in these cancers, now treated as a single disease.
Topics: Aged; Antineoplastic Agents; Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins; DNA Replication; DNA Topoisomerases, Type I; Genomic Instability; Humans; Isoxazoles; Lung Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Pyrazines; Signal Transduction; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma
PubMed: 33848478
DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2021.02.014 -
Annals of Oncology : Official Journal... May 2021Patients with relapsed small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) have few treatment options and dismal survival. Phase I/II data show activity of nivolumab in previously treated... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Patients with relapsed small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) have few treatment options and dismal survival. Phase I/II data show activity of nivolumab in previously treated SCLC.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
CheckMate 331 is a randomized, open-label, phase III trial of nivolumab versus standard chemotherapy in relapsed SCLC. Patients with relapse after first-line, platinum-based chemotherapy were randomized 1 : 1 to nivolumab 240 mg every 2 weeks or chemotherapy (topotecan or amrubicin) until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS).
RESULTS
Overall, 284 patients were randomized to nivolumab and 285 to chemotherapy. Minimum follow-up was 15.8 months. No significant improvement in OS was seen with nivolumab versus chemotherapy [median OS, 7.5 versus 8.4 months; hazard ratio (HR), 0.86; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.72-1.04; P = 0.11]. A survival benefit with nivolumab was suggested in patients with baseline lactate dehydrogenase ≤ upper limit of normal and in those without baseline liver metastases. OS (nivolumab versus chemotherapy) was similar in patients with programmed death-ligand 1 combined positive score ≥1% versus <1%. Median progression-free survival was 1.4 versus 3.8 months (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.18-1.69). Objective response rate was 13.7% versus 16.5% (odds ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.50-1.27); median duration of response was 8.3 versus 4.5 months. Rates of grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events were 13.8% versus 73.2%.
CONCLUSION
Nivolumab did not improve survival versus chemotherapy in relapsed SCLC. No new safety signals were seen. In exploratory analyses, select baseline characteristics were associated with improved OS for nivolumab.
Topics: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Nivolumab; Progression-Free Survival; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma
PubMed: 33539946
DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2021.01.071