Phase II study of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor flavopiridol administered to patients with advanced gastric carcinoma Journal Article


Authors: Schwartz, G. K.; Ilson, D.; Saltz, L.; O'reilly, E.; Tong, W.; Maslak, P.; Werner, J.; Perkins, P.; Stoltz, M.; Kelsen, D.
Article Title: Phase II study of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor flavopiridol administered to patients with advanced gastric carcinoma
Abstract: Purpose: Flavopiridol is the first cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor to enter clinical trials. Activity in gastric cancer xenografts and in a patient with gastric cancer on the phase I trial led to this phase II study of flavopiridol in patients with metastatic gastric cancer. Patients and Methods: Sixteen patients were entered onto the study, and 14 were assessable for response. Flavopiridol was administered initially at a dose of 50 mg/m2/d by continuous infusion for 72 hours every 2 weeks. Assessment of plasma pharmacokinetics was performed in all patients. Peripheral mononuclear cells were collected throughout the 72-hour infusion for determinants of apoptosis. Results: There were no major objective responses (exact confidence interval 0% to 23%). One patient achieved a minor response in his liver metastases, though the primary progressed. Other patients exhibited histologic and radiographic evidence of tumor necrosis. Common toxicities included fatigue in 93% of patients (grade 3 or 4 in 27%) and diarrhea in 73% of patients (grade 3 or 4 in 20%). Five patients (33%) developed venous thromboses at the central catheter tip. The studies performed on peripheral mononuclear cells indicated no induction of apoptosis. Conclusion: Flavopiridol administered as a single agent for 72 hours every 14 days is inactive in the treatment of gastric cancer. The drug also induced an unexpected higher incidence of vascular thrombosis and fatigue than was anticipated from the phase I trials. Future development of flavopiridol will depend on other doses and schedules in combination with chemotherapy. © 2001 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Keywords: adult; clinical article; aged; middle aged; clinical trial; fatigue; advanced cancer; diarrhea; antineoplastic agents; adenocarcinoma; apoptosis; phase 2 clinical trial; continuous infusion; tumor xenograft; liver metastasis; mononuclear cell; vein thrombosis; flavonoids; flavopiridol; piperidines; cyclin-dependent kinases; cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor; infusions, intravenous; radiodiagnosis; stomach carcinoma; stomach neoplasms; venous thrombosis; humans; human; male; female; priority journal; article
Journal Title: Journal of Clinical Oncology
Volume: 19
Issue: 7
ISSN: 0732-183X
Publisher: American Society of Clinical Oncology  
Date Published: 2001-04-01
Start Page: 1985
End Page: 1992
Language: English
PUBMED: 11283131
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 21 May 2015 -- Source: Scopus
Citation Impact
MSK Authors
  1. William Ping-Yiu Tong
    158 Tong
  2. Leonard B Saltz
    760 Saltz
  3. Gary Schwartz
    385 Schwartz
  4. Jeanine L Werner
    1 Werner
  5. Peter Maslak
    196 Maslak
  6. David H Ilson
    414 Ilson
  7. Eileen O'Reilly
    679 O'Reilly
  8. David P Kelsen
    524 Kelsen