Selective oral MEK1/2 inhibitor pimasertib: a phase I trial in patients with advanced solid tumors

Jean Pierre Delord*, Antoine Italiano, Ahmad Awada, Philippe Aftimos, Nadine Houédé, Céleste Lebbé, Celine Pages, Thierry Lesimple, Monica Dinulescu, Jan H. M. Schellens, Suzanne Leijen, Sylvie Rottey, Vibeke Kruse, Richard Kefford, Sandrine Faivre, Carlos Gomez-Roca, Armin Scheuler, Giorgio Massimini, Eric Raymond

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: The Ras/Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK) signaling cascade is frequently constitutively activated in human cancers. Pimasertib is a selective and potent adenosine triphosphate non-competitive MEK1/2 inhibitor. Objective: Our objectives were to describe the results of a phase I, first-in-human, dose-escalation trial of pimasertib that investigated the maximum tolerated dose, recommended phase II dose, and safety, as well as other endpoints. Patients and Methods: Four dosing schedules of pimasertib (once daily [qd], 5 days on, 2 days off; qd, 15 days on, 6 days off; continuous qd; continuous twice daily [bid]) were evaluated in patients with advanced solid tumors. Each treatment cycle lasted 21 days. The primary objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose based on dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) evaluated during cycle 1, and the recommended phase II dose (RP2D). Secondary objectives included safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and antitumor activity. Results: Overall, 180 patients received pimasertib (dose range 1–255 mg/day). DLTs were mainly observed at doses ≥ 120 mg/day and included skin rash/acneiform dermatitis and ocular events, such as serous retinal detachment. The most common drug-related adverse events were consistent with class effects, including diarrhea, skin disorders, ocular disorders, asthenia/fatigue, and peripheral edema. The median time to maximum pimasertib concentration was 1.5 h across dosing schedules, and the apparent terminal half-life was 5 h across qd dosing schedules. Pimasertib decreased ERK phosphorylation within 2 h of administration, which was maintained for up to 8 h at higher doses and prolonged with bid dosing. Conclusions: Based on the safety profile and efficacy signals, a continuous bid regimen was the preferred dosing schedule and the RP2D was defined as 60 mg bid. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00982865.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)37-46
Number of pages10
JournalTargeted Oncology
Volume16
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2021

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