Phase I trial of vendetanib and oral etoposide for recurrent malignant gliomas.

e13016 Background: Recurrent malignant gliomas have a poor prognosis, with a median survival of 6-15 months, with grade 4 glioblastomas more aggressive than grade 3 anaplastic astrocytomas or oligodendrogliomas. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are critically important in glioma biology. Vandetanib is a multi-kinase inhibitor, predominantly of VEGF and EGF. We report a phase I trial of vandetanib in combination with oral etoposide for recurrent malignant glioma. METHODS: Patients with histologically documented recurrent grade 3 or grade 4 malignant glioma were eligible. Patients were treated with daily oral vandetanib and oral etoposide. The trial design was a modified 3 + 3 Phase I design, with the dose levels outlined below. RESULTS: Eighteen patients have been accrued. There was more hematologic toxicity than expected, with 3/6 of the patients enrolled at dose level 1 developing grade 4 neutropenia. There were no DLT's at the -1 dose level. The protocol was amended to decrease the dose of etoposide to 50 mg daily for 21 days, then 7 days off and dose escalation of vandetanib started again at 100 mg daily. Six patients had no dose limiting toxicity at the new dose level 1 of vandetanib 100 mg daily and etoposide 50 mg daily. Dose escalation continues. There has been clinical activity, with patients remaining stable on study for multiple cycles. CONCLUSIONS: Vandetanib and oral etoposide appear to interact to produce more marrow toxicity than expected. A phase II trial is planned when the MTD of vandetanib with reduced dose etoposide is determined. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Duke Scholars

Author Darell Doty Bigner Neurosurgery

Author Henry Seth Friedman Neurosurgery, Neuro-Oncology