Vistusertib (dual m-TORC1/2 inhibitor) in combination with paclitaxel in patients with high grade serous ovarian and squamous non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Background

We have previously shown that raised p-S6K levels correlate with resistance to chemotherapy in ovarian cancer. We hypothesised that inhibiting p-S6K signalling with the dual m-TORC1/2 inhibitor in patients receiving weekly paclitaxel could improve outcomes in such patients.

Patients and Methods

In dose escalation, weekly paclitaxel (80 mg/m²) was given 6/7 weeks in combination with two intermittent schedules of vistusertib (dosing starting on the day of paclitaxel): schedule A, vistusertib dosed bd for 3 consecutive days per week (3/7days) and schedule B, vistusertib dosed bd for 2 consecutive days per week (2/7days). After establishing a recommended phase II dose (RP2D), expansion cohorts in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) and squamous non-small cell lung cancer (sqNSCLC) were explored in 25 and 40 patients, respectively.

Results

The dose escalation arms comprised 22 patients with advanced solid tumours. The dose-limiting toxicities were fatigue and mucositis in schedule A and rash in schedule B. Based on toxicity, pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) evaluations, the RP2D was established as 80 mg/m² paclitaxel with 50 mg vistusertib bd 3/7 days for 6/7 weeks. In the HGSOC expansion RECIST and GCIG CA125 response rates were 13/25 (52%) and 16/25 (64%), respectively with median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 5.8 months (95% CI: 3.28 - 18.54). The RP2D was not well tolerated in the SqNSCLC expansion, but toxicities were manageable after the daily vistusertib dose was reduced to 25 mg bd for the following 23 patients. The RECIST response rate in this group was 8/23 (35%) and the mPFS was 5.8 months (95% CI: 2.76 - 21.25).

Discussion

In this phase I trial we report a highly active and well tolerated combination of vistusertib, administered as an intermittent schedule with weekly paclitaxel, in patients with HGSOC and SqNSCLC.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicialTrials.gov identifier: CNCT02193633