Phase 2 study of frontline bortezomib in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Lung Cancer. 2012 Apr;76(1):78-83. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2011.09.006. Epub 2011 Dec 18.

Abstract

Background: Preliminary results indicated that bortezomib (B) (Velcade*) as a single agent may have activity in pretreated NSCLC patients with similar or lesser toxicity compared to chemotherapy. This phase II study was initiated to determine the efficacy of single-agent B in chemonaïve patients with advanced NSCLC. An early tumor assessment (after 6 weeks of therapy) was performed to allow for rapid and appropriate management of non-responding patients.

Methods: Patients received B (1.5 mg/m2) twice a week for 2 consecutive weeks (days 1, 4, 8, and 11) followed by a 10-day rest period. The primary endpoint was non-progression rate (NPR) after 6 weeks of treatment. Secondary endpoints included response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. Exploratory analyses included FDG-PET response at 6 weeks and circulating tumors cell (CTC) assessment at day 1 of each cycle in a subset of patients.

Results: 18 patients were enrolled from 06/06 to 02/07 from 3 French institutions.

Demographics: male/female 15/3; median age 66 (54-79); PS 0/1/2, 3/12/3; pathology: adenocarcinoma 11, squamous cell carcinoma 5, large-cell carcinoma 2; smoking status never/former/current 1/10/7; stage IIIB/IV 2/16. Seventeen patients received B and 16 were assessable (1 early withdrawal and 1 progression at D26). The most frequent toxicity was fatigue (17 patients). Twelve patients (71%) had at least one grade 3 toxicity: 4 haematological, 1 infection, 5 gastro-intestinal toxicity, 9 fatigue, 1 neuropathy. The non-progression rate was 59% [33-82%] at 6 weeks (10/17 patients). No objective response was seen. With a median follow-up of 12.3 months, the median PFS and OS were 2.4 and 9.8 months respectively. Eleven deaths occurred. No PET response was observed, and CTC were detected only in 1 out of 8 patients evaluated.

Conclusions: Although according to the protocol rules the trial should not be stopped, the lack of any objective response either by CT-scan or PET-CT, along with substantial toxicity, did not argue in favor of the current strategy of B as a single agent in the front-line setting of NSCLC.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00508625.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
  • Adenocarcinoma / mortality
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Boronic Acids / therapeutic use*
  • Bortezomib
  • Carcinoma, Large Cell / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Large Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Large Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / mortality
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Maximum Tolerated Dose
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / drug therapy
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / mortality
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / pathology
  • Prognosis
  • Pyrazines / therapeutic use*
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Boronic Acids
  • Pyrazines
  • Bortezomib

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00508625