Abstract 3702
Background
ARQ761 (β-lapachone) is a hydroquinone analog that exploits the unique elevation of NQO1 found in 90% of pancreatic cancer cells and causes tumor-specific cell death by eliciting a futile redox cycle generating high levels of reactive oxygen species and ultimately PARP1 hyperactivation-dependent cell death. ARQ761 induces cell death which is: (i) not dependent on p53 status; (ii) not dependent on cell cycle status; (iii) not affected by known oncogenic driver or carrier mutations; and (iv) not affected by loss of caspases. We demonstrated that ARQ761 has synergistic antitumor activity with chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer preclinical models.
Methods
This was a single arm phase-1b clinical trial of ARQ-761 plus gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel for patients with pancreatic cancer. The primary objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose of ARQ 761 in combination with chemotherapy. Secondary objectives were to assess clinical activity, safety, tolerability and pharmacodynamic effects. Patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma not treated with prior gemcitabine with adequate hematologic, renal and liver function and good performance status were enrolled. Dose levels are described in the table. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess for NQO1 expression.
Results
Fifteen patients were evaluable for safety, 67% were male, 53% had received prior chemotherapy and 96% tested positive for NQO1 expression. The most common treatment related toxicities were anemia and fatigue. The following dose limiting toxicities were observed (dose level 1: neutropenia, anemia, dose level -1 fatigue). The maximum tolerated dose of ARQ761/gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel is 156/800/100mg/m2. Tumour response was stable disease in 53% Pharmacodynamic analysis was performed on post treatment biopsies.
Conclusions
We report results of a phase 1b clinical trial of the novel NQO1 bioactivatable compound, ARQ761, in combination with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel. Treatment related toxicities were observed which were noted in preclinical models and managed with routine dose adjustment.
Clinical trial identification
NCT02514031.
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Funding
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Rising Tide, Gateway, Arqule Pharmaceuticals.
Disclosure
M.S. Beg: Research grant / Funding (institution): Arqule; Advisory / Consultancy: Array; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: BMS; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Ipsen; Advisory / Consultancy: Boston Biomedical; Advisory / Consultancy: Guardant; Advisory / Consultancy: Genentech. D. Boothman: Research grant / Funding (institution): Arqule; Advisory / Consultancy: Toray global; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: systems oncology. Y. Arriaga: Full / Part-time employment: IBM. A. Sanjeeviaiah: Advisory / Consultancy, 1500$: Guardant health. B. Schwartz: Full / Part-time employment: Arqule. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
5063 - Does Nutritional Status Affect Treatment Tolarability, Response and Survival in Metastatic Gastric Cancer Patients? Results of Prospective Multicenter Study
Presenter: Senem Karabulut
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
2717 - Ramucirumab use in patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer (AGC) or gastro-oesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma in Spain: RAMIS observational study
Presenter: Federico Longo Munoz
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
3187 - Gastrectomy plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for advanced gastric cancer with a single non-curable factor: Exploratory analysis in the patients who were enrolled in JCOG0705/KGCA01 phase III trial (REGATTA) and could continue chemotherapy
Presenter: Takaki Yoshikawa
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
4765 - A prospective observational study on the optimal maintenance strategy in HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer treated with trastuzumab based therapy
Presenter: Qian Li
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
3500 - Randomised phase 2 trial of first-line docetaxel, carboplatin, capecitabine (CTX) and epirubicin, oxaliplatin, capecitabine (EOX) in advanced esophagogastric adenocarcinoma (SEED)
Presenter: Peter Petersen
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
5197 - Ramucirumab in the treatment of refractory metastatic gastric cancer: results from the RamSelGa trial.
Presenter: Alexey Tryakin
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
2011 - Regorafenib in combination with Paclitaxel for beyond first-line treatment of advanced esophagogastric cancer (REPEAT): a phase Ib trial with expansion cohort
Presenter: Mohammed Khurshed
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
2117 - The relationship between the survival and fixed dosing of S-1 in advanced gastric cancer patients by pooled analysis using individual data from four Japanese randomized phase III trials
Presenter: Wataru Ichikawa
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
2669 - A Phase 1b Study of Oraxol in Combination with Ramucirumab in Patients with Gastric or Esophageal Cancers who failed previous chemotherapy
Presenter: Ming Huang Chen
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
3240 - Efficacy and safety of trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) in European patients with heavily pretreated metastatic gastric cancer (mGC): an analysis of the TAGS study
Presenter: Maria Alsina
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract