Phase I and pharmacologic trial of cytosine arabinoside with the selective checkpoint 1 inhibitor Sch 900776 in refractory acute leukemias

JE Karp, BM Thomas, JM Greer, C Sorge, SD Gore… - Clinical Cancer …, 2012 - AACR
JE Karp, BM Thomas, JM Greer, C Sorge, SD Gore, KW Pratz, BD Smith, KS Flatten…
Clinical Cancer Research, 2012AACR
Purpose: Incorporation of cytarabine into DNA activates checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1), which
stabilizes stalled replication forks, induces S-phase slowing, and diminishes cytarabine
cytotoxicity. The selective Chk1 inhibitor SCH 900776 abrogates cytarabine-induced S-
phase arrest and enhances cytarabine cytotoxicity in acute leukemia cell lines and leukemic
blasts in vitro. To extend these findings to the clinical setting, we have conducted a phase I
study of cytarabine and SCH 900776. Experimental Design: Twenty-four adults with …
Abstract
Purpose: Incorporation of cytarabine into DNA activates checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1), which stabilizes stalled replication forks, induces S-phase slowing, and diminishes cytarabine cytotoxicity. The selective Chk1 inhibitor SCH 900776 abrogates cytarabine-induced S-phase arrest and enhances cytarabine cytotoxicity in acute leukemia cell lines and leukemic blasts in vitro. To extend these findings to the clinical setting, we have conducted a phase I study of cytarabine and SCH 900776.
Experimental Design: Twenty-four adults with relapsed and refractory acute leukemias received timed sequential, continuous infusion cytarabine 2 g/m2 over 72 hours (667 mg/m2/24 hours) beginning on day 1 and again on day 10. SCH 900776 was administered as a 15- to 30-minute infusion on days 2, 3, 11, and 12. The starting dose of SCH 900776 was 10 mg/m2/dose.
Results: Dose-limiting toxicities consisting of corrected QT interval prolongation and grade 3 palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia occurred at 140 mg flat dosing (dose level 5, equivalent to 80 mg/m2). Complete remissions occurred in 8 of 24 (33%) patients, with 7 of 8 at 40 mg/m2 or higher. SCH 900776 did not accumulate at any dose level. Marrow blasts obtained pretreatment and during therapy showed increased phosphorylation of H2Ax after SCH 900776 beginning at 40 mg/m2, consistent with unrepaired DNA damage.
Conclusions: These data support a randomized phase II trial of cytarabine +/− SCH 900776 at a recommended flat dose of 100 mg (equivalent to 56 mg/m2) for adults with poor-risk leukemias. The trial (SP P05247) was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00907517. Clin Cancer Res; 18(24); 6723–31. ©2012 AACR.
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