A phase 1 study of systemic ADH-1 in combination with melphalan via isolated limb infusion in patients with locally advanced in-transit malignant melanoma

Cancer. 2009 Oct 15;115(20):4766-74. doi: 10.1002/cncr.24509.

Abstract

Background: Isolated limb infusion with melphalan is a well-tolerated treatment for patients with in-transit extremity melanoma with an approximately 30% complete response (CR) rate. ADH-1 is a cyclic pentapeptide that disrupts N-cadherin adhesion complexes and when given systemically in a preclinical model of regional melphalan therapy demonstrated synergistic antitumor activity. A phase 1 dose escalation study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and antitumor activity of systemic ADH-1 in combination with melphalan via isolated limb infusion in patients with in-transit extremity melanoma was performed.

Methods: Dose escalation cohorts of 3 patients each received 1000, 2000, and 4000 mg (10 patients) of ADH-1 administered intravenously on Days 1 and 8 with standard dose melphalan via isolated limb infusion on Day 1. N-cadherin immunohistochemistry staining and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis were performed on pretreatment tumor. Response was defined at 3 months using modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors.

Results: Sixteen patients have been treated with no observed dose-limiting toxicities. Common treatment-related grade 1 or 2 toxicities included skin/dermatologic (n=14) and pain (n=12). Grade 3 toxicities included shortness of breath (n=1), hypertension (n=1), serologic toxicities (n=4), and 1 grade 4 creatine phosphokinase elevation. In-field responses included 8 CRs, 2 partial responses, 1 stable disease, and 5 progressive diseases. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated increasing ADH-1 concentrations at each dose and minimal variability in melphalan drug levels.

Conclusions: Systemic ADH-1 at a dose of 4000 mg on Days 1 and 8 in combination with melphalan via isolated limb infusion is a well-tolerated, novel targeted therapy approach to regionally advanced melanoma. The number of CRs exceeded expectations, suggesting that targeting N-cadherin may be a new strategy for overcoming melanoma chemoresistance.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacokinetics
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Extremities
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Melanoma / drug therapy*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Melphalan / administration & dosage*
  • Oligopeptides / administration & dosage*
  • Oligopeptides / adverse effects
  • Oligopeptides / agonists
  • Peptides, Cyclic / administration & dosage*
  • Peptides, Cyclic / adverse effects
  • Peptides, Cyclic / agonists
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • ADH-1 pepide
  • Oligopeptides
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Melphalan