Background: Flavopiridol is a cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor. Preclinical models suggest a sequence dependent synergy between flavopiridol and taxanes. The primary objective of this study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of flavopiridol and docetaxel and the influence of flavopiridol on the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel.
Methods: The major eligibility criteria included: a diagnosis of non-hematologic cancer with no conventional effective therapy, normal organ function, and ECOG performance status of 0-2. Patients were treated with docetaxel followed 24 h later by flavopiridol given via continuous intravenous infusion over a 24-h period. The starting doses of docetaxel and flavopiridol were 60 and 60 mg/m2, respectively. Cycles were repeated every 21 days. All patients received diarrhea prophylaxis consisting of bismuth subsalicylate.
Results: Ten patients (M:F 4:6; median age 56 years) were treated. The median number of cycles per patient was 2 (range 1-6). Two of the three patients on dose level 1 developed dose-limiting toxicities consisting of neutropenia and fever. Seven patients were subsequently enrolled on dose level -1 (docetaxel 60 mg/m2, flavopiridol 50 mg/m2). One episode of grade 3 diarrhea was reported at dose level -1.
Conclusions: Neutropenia complicated by infection was the major dose-limiting toxicity. The recommended doses of flavopiridol and docetaxel for phase II trials are 50 and 60 mg/m2 every three weeks, respectively.