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Purpose To determine the potential efficacy of combining cetuximab with chemotherapy in patients with advanced nodal disease, we conducted a phase II trial with induction chemotherapy (ICT) consisting of six weekly cycles of paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 and carboplatin (area under the curve = 2) with cetuximab 400 mg/m2 in week 1 and then 250 mg/m2 (PCC). Patients and Methods Forty-seven previously untreated patients (41 with oropharynx primaries; 33 men, 14 women; median age, 53 years; performance status of 0 or 1) with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN; T1-4, N2b/c/3) were treated and evaluated for clinical and radiographic response. After ICT, patients underwent risk-based local therapy, which consisted of either radiation, concomitant chemoradiotherapy, or surgery, based on tumor stage and site at diagnosis. Results After induction PCC, nine patients (19%) achieved a complete response, and 36 patients (77%) achieved a partial response. The most common grade 3 or 4 toxicity was skin rash (45%), followed by neutropenia (21%) without fever. At a median follow-up time of 33 months, locoregional or systemic disease progression was observed in six patients. The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 87% (95% CI, 78% to 97%) and 91% (95% CI, 84% to 99%), respectively. Human papillomavirus (HPV) 16, found in 12 (46%) of 26 biopsies, was associated with improved PFS (P = .012) and OS (P = .046). Conclusion ICT with weekly PCC followed by risk-based local therapy seems to be feasible, effective, and well tolerated. PFS is promising, and this sequential treatment strategy should be further investigated. Patients with HPV-positive tumors have an excellent prognosis.

Purpose [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)/computed tomography (CT) imaging may improve assessment of radiation response in patients with head and neck cancer, but it is not yet known for which patients this is most useful. We conducted a prospective trial to identify patient populations likely to benefit from the addition of functional imaging to the assessment of radiotherapy response. Patients and Methods Ninety-eight patients with locally advanced cancer of the oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx were prospectively enrolled and treated with primary radiotherapy, with or without chemotherapy. Patients underwent FDG-PET/CT and contrast-enhanced CT imaging 8 weeks after completion of treatment. Functional and anatomic imaging response was correlated with clinical and pathologic response. Imaging accuracy was then compared between imaging modalities. Results Although postradiation maximum standard uptake values were significantly higher in nonresponders compared with responders, the positive and negative predictive values of FDG-PET/CT scanning were similar to those for CT alone in the unselected study population. Subset analyses revealed that FDG-PET/CT outperformed CT alone in response assessment for patients at high risk for treatment failure (those with human papillomavirus [HPV] –negative disease, nonoropharyngeal primaries, or history of tobacco use). No benefit to FDG-PET/CT was seen for low-risk patients lacking these features. Conclusion These data do not support the broad application of FDG-PET/CT for radiation response assessment in unselected head and neck cancer patients. However, FDG-PET/CT may be the imaging modality of choice for patients with highest risk disease, particularly those with HPV-negative tumors. Optimal timing of FDG-PET/CT imaging after radiotherapy merits further investigation.

PURPOSE Standard therapies of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) often cause profound morbidity and have not significantly improved survival over the last 30 years. Preclinical studies showed that adenoviral vector delivery of the wild-type p53 gene reduced tumor growth in mouse xenograft models. Our purpose was to ascertain the safety and therapeutic potential of adenoviral (Ad)-p53 in advanced HNSCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with incurable recurrent local or regionally metastatic HNSCC received multiple intratumoral injections of Ad-p53, either with or without tumor resection. Patients were monitored for adverse events and antiadenoviral antibodies, tumors were monitored for response and p53 expression, and body fluids were analyzed for Ad-p53. RESULTS Tumors of 33 patients were injected with doses of up to 1 x 10(11) plaque-forming units (pfu). No dose-limiting toxicity or serious adverse events were noted. p53 expression was detected in tumor biopsies despite antibody responses after Ad-p53 injections. Clinical efficacy could be evaluated in 17 patients with nonresectable tumors: two patients showed objective tumor regressions of greater than 50%, six patients showed stable disease for up to 3.5 months, and nine patients showed progressive disease. One resectable patient was considered a complete pathologic response. Ad-p53 was detected in blood and urine in a dose-dependent fashion, and in sputum. CONCLUSION Patients were safely injected intratumorally with Ad-p53. Objective antitumor activity was detected in several patients. The infectious Ad-p53 in body fluids was asymptomatic, and suggests that systemic or regional treatment may be tolerable. These results suggest the further investigation of Ad-p53 as a therapeutic agent for patients with HNSCC.

6001 Background: We designed a randomized phase II trial to determine the efficacy of two induction chemotherapy (ICT) cetuximab (C) containing regimens with demonstrated efficacy and acceptable to...

e13035 Background: Primary brain and central nervous system (CNS) tumor incidence is approximately 19 per 100,000 individuals per year in the United States (US) compared with 7 per 100,000 individuals worldwide. The most common intra-axial tumor is gliomas, which account for 32% of all primary CNS tumors and 80% of all malignant tumors of the CNS.The most common diffuse glioma is grade 4 astrocytoma (glioblastoma, GBM), which makes up 54% of diffuse glial tumors. GBM is also the most aggressive brain tumor with poor prognosis.GBM metastases outside the CNS are rare, so therapeutic experience with these types of tumors is limited. Methods: Herein, we present 3 GBM patients with extra-CNS metastasis. Results: One patient developed GBM metastasis in the lung and pleura 5 years after his GBM diagnosis had been confirmed. Another patient who underwent resection of the primary GBM developed disease that extended through the sphenoid to involve the orbit and skull and subsequently invaded the parotid gland and neck nodes 1 year after diagnosis. A third patient developed GBM metastasis in the skull and L5 vertebra 2 years after her primary brain tumor had been resected. Conclusions: The exact mechanism of GBM metastasis outside the central nervous system is not well understood but likely involves the invasion of structures such as bone, lymphatics, and vasculature, especially veins. Above-average survival time and repeated surgical intervention may place GBM patients at higher risk for these unusual metastases.

6067 Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is characterized by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression but treatments targeting EGFR have met with limited clinical success. We hypothesized that everolimus (EV), an mTOR inhibitor, potentiates the activity of erlotinib (ER), an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in platinum-resistant recurrent and/or metastatic HNSCC. Methods: This single-arm two-stage phase II clinical trial evaluated EV 5 mg and ER 150 mg orally daily in patients (pts) with platinum-resistant recurrent and/or metastatic HNSCC. Primary endpoints were response rate and 12-week progression-free survival (PFS). Plasma biomarkers by multianalyte profiling (Luminex Corp) and ELISA at baseline (20 pts), 4 weeks (18 pts) and 12 weeks (16 pts) as well as p16 expression in baseline tumor tissue (29 pts) were assessed in correlation with clinical results. Results: Of the 36 evaluable pts (median age 61 years, 29 males, 19 with oropharynx primaries, 15 with ≥2 lines of chemotherapy, 17 with prior cetuximab), 3 (8%) achieved partial response at 4 weeks, one of which was confirmed at 12 weeks, while 27 (75%) pts achieved disease stabilization at 4 weeks, 11 of which were confirmed at 12 weeks. The 12-week PFS was 49%, median PFS was 11.9 weeks and median overall survival (OS) was 10.25 months. Grade 3 toxicities included mucositis (17%), fatigue (14%), skin (8%), diarrhea (8%), and 5 pts withdrew from trial secondary to toxicity. High neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin(NGAL) levels at baseline were associated with worse OS (HR 4.59; 95%CI 1.36, 15.46; p=0.014) and at 4 weeks with worse PFS (HR=12.29; 95% CI 1.26, 119.87; p=0.03) and OS (HR=6.21; 95% CI 0.95, 40.62; p=0.057). High carbonic anhydrase-9 (CA-9) levels at 4 weeks were associated with worse OS (HR=1.18; 95% CI 1.001, 1.41; p=0.049), while decreased CA-9 levels at 4 weeks were associated with better PFS (p=0.77). Conclusions: Efficacy for the combination ofEV and ER is reasonable however plasma markers of tumor invasion and hypoxia are associated with worse outcomes, and further biomarker analysis may define subsets of pts with significant therapeutic benefit. Clinical trial information: NCT00942734.

5592 Background: Cytotoxic chemotherapy (CT) is the current standard treatment for metastatic/recurrent SCCHN. The prognosis for these patients (PTS) is poor with a median progression free survival (PFS) of 4 months with CT. Survival in PTS with SCCHN may correlate inversely with the number of angiogenic growth factors secreted. Sorafenib is a potent inhibitor of c-Raf, b-Raf, VEGFR-1/2/3 and PDGFR-β. To investigate the hypothesis that a multi-targeted TKI added to chemotherapy would improve outcomes in patients with metastatic/recurrent SCCHN, we performed a phase II trial of paclitaxel and carboplatin and sorafenib (PCS). Methods: PTS were required to have ECOG PS 0-1, measurable disease, controlled blood pressure, and may have received one regimen of induction, concomitant or adjuvant CT, but not CT for recurrent/metastatic disease. Sites of primary disease excluded nasopharynx and paranasal sinus. Treatment consisted P 200mg/m2 and C AUC 6 intravenously on day 1 followed by S 400 mg orally bid (days 2-19) in every 3-week cycles. Primary endpoint was PFS, targeting median PFS of 6 months (M). Secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS), response rate (RR), exploratory biomarkers, and toxicity. Results: Forty-eight PTS with SCCHN were enrolled with 44 PTS evaluable for PFS and response using RECIST. Median age: 56 years (22-79 years), 89% male, median ECOG PS 1. Median follow-up was 24.1 M. RR was 55% (n=24), disease control rate was 84% (n=37), median PFS was 8.51 M (95% CI: 5.98 ~ 13 months), and median OS was 22.6 M (95% CI: 13.1 - NA months). Grade ³3 treatment related toxicities included hand-foot syndrome (n=10), neutropenia (n=5), pain (n=6), elevated lipase (n=4), elevated amylase (n=3), anemia (n=3), fatigue (n=2), hypertension (n=2), neuropathy (n=2), febrile neutropenia (n=2), and thrombocytopenia (n=2). Conclusions: The combination of PCS was well tolerated and had encouraging activity in recurrent/metastatic SCCHN. Blood-based and tissue biomarkers are being analyzed. Final outcomes, toxicity, and correlative biomarker data will be reported.

5520 Background: In EGFR over expressing cell lines, higher doses of erlotinib block downstream signaling more effectively (e.g., MAPK) than lower doses, despite a similar degree of EGFR phosphoryl...

e17009 Background: Pemetrexed is a novel antimetabolite that inhibits both purine and pyrimidine biosynthesis. Because its mechanism of action is similar to that of both methotrexate and 5-FU, it may also have activity in recurrent/metastatic HNSCC, a disease with limited treatment options and very poor median survival. Pemetrexed is traditionally prescribed with steroids due to skin toxicities observed in early studies; however vitamin supplementation (B12 and folic acid) was not standard at the time of those studies. No study to date has evaluated the optimal use of steroids with pemetrexed in the era of vitamin supplementation. Methods: All patients had metastatic or recurrent HNSCC, were treated with at least one prior chemotherapy regimen, and had ECOG PS of 0–2. The first cohort of patients received pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 every 3 weeks and the next receiving 600 mg/m2 based on a predefined standard dose escalation design. Within each dose level, patients were randomized to one of 3 premedication regimens: no dexamethasone, 20 mg IV on day 1, or standard 4 mg orally bid for 3 days. All patients received vitamin supplementation. The primary endpoint of the study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose of pemetrexed based on steroid premedication. Results: From October 2005 to March 2008, 36 patients were enrolled and 31 were available for evaluation. Median age was 57 years (range 42–82). 51.5% of patients had more than one prior chemotherapy regimens, 81.8% of patients had prior radiation therapy, and 48.5% of patients had prior surgery. Incidence of rash and combined skin toxicities were: 1/11 (9%) and 3/11 (27%) of patients without steroids, 1/11 (9%) and 3/11 (27%) with single IV dose, and 4/9 (44%) and 5/9 (55%) with oral steroids. No treatment-related grade 3 toxicities were observed. One patient initially received no steroid and required dose reduction and addition of steroid due to grade 2 rash. A partial response was observed in one patient (3.2%), and stable disease in 8 patients (25.8%) for a disease control rate of 29%. Conclusions: This is the first study to report the role of steroids as a premedication for pemetrexed. Our data suggests that no steroid premedication is needed with pemetrexed and vitamin supplementation. [Table: see text]

6013 Background: Interrupting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway has shown promise in a variety of cancers and preclinical data has demonstrated possible synergy with platinums and taxanes. Treatment options for recurrent/metastatic HNSCC are limited. A study of cisplatin and docetaxel showed a response rate of 40% and 9.6 month median survival. Erlotinib, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, had a 4.3% response rate as single agent in HNSCC. Because of the possible synergy and efficacy, we proposed to study the combination of cisplatin, docetaxel and erlotinib in advanced HNSCC. Methods: Patients (pts) were required to have adequate performance status, measurable disease, no prior EGFR therapy, and may have received prior induction, concomitant or adjuvant chemotherapy, but not for recurrent/metastatic disease. Sites of disease included squamous cell head and neck sites excluding nasopharynx and sinus. Treatment included docetaxel 75 mg/m2 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 intravenously every 3 weeks and erlotinib 150 mg by mouth daily. All agents were started on day 1. Pts were treated with growth factor support. Results: The trial has completed accrual to 50 pts. 47 pts are available for analysis at this time. Median age is 56 years (range 39–72). ECOG PS is 0, 1, 2 (6, 29, 2 pts). 43 pts are evaluable for efficacy. All responses were confirmed via RECIST. Complete responses have been in observed in 4 pts, partial responses in 25 pts and 12 pts have stable disease for an overall response rate of 67% and disease control rate of 95%. After a follow-up of 19 months, median overall survival was 11 months (8.61, 22.5, 95% CI) and progression free survival was 6.01 months (4.37, 8.25). 6 pts had grade 3/4 febrile neutropenia, 4 pts had grade 3/4 dehydration, 3 pts had grade 3 diarrhea, and 2 pts had grade 3/4 GI bleeding. The most common grade 1–2 toxicities were diarrhea, nausea, and rash. Conclusions: The combination of cisplatin, docetaxel and erlotinib is well tolerated and has very encouraging activity in recurrent/metastatic HNSCC. Tissues are being collected and analyzed for correlative markers including downstream EGFR pathway markers (p-akt, mek, k-ras). Final efficacy and biomarker results will be presented at the annual meeting. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

6055 Background: Despite recent advances in therapy, patients (pts) with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC continue to demonstrate a poor median survival. In these pts, early trials with pemetrexed, a novel antimetabolite that acts upon several enzymes involved in pyrimidine and purine synthesis, have demonstrated promising efficacy and tolerability. Prior studies found that the administration of oral dexamethasone with pemetrexed reduced the incidence of skin rash. Later, vitamin supplementation (B12 and folic acid), given in addition to the dexamethasone, further diminished side effects. However, no trial has yet evaluated the appropriate steroid dose and its relation to the dosing of pemetrexed, in the setting of vitamin supplementation. We conducted a phase I trial to determine the maximum tolerated dose, toxicity, and preliminary efficacy of pemetrexed when given with different schedules of, or in the absence of, dexamethasone in pts with advanced HNSCC who had been treated with at least one or more chemotherapy regimens. Methods: Eligible pts had metastatic or recurrent HNSCC, prior treatment with one or more chemotherapy regimens, ECOG PS =2, and life expectancy >3 months. A conventional algorithm-based dose escalation design was applied, with three predefined dose levels (DL) of pemetrexed (500 mg/m2, 600 mg/m2, and 700 mg/m2) within each schedule of dexamethasone (none, 20 mg IV on day 1, and 4 mg orally bid for 3 days). Results: A total of 23 pts have been enrolled; 18 pts were evaluable. Median age was 57 years (range 47–82). Median ECOG PS was 1 (range 0–2), and 75% of pts were male. Number of prior chemotherapy regimens were as follows: 1 (40%), 2 (35%), 3 (15%), and 4 (10%). Preliminary data demonstrated only 2 treatment-related adverse events that were grade 3 or greater: anemia (DL1) and pneumonia (DL 1). In all, 13 pts have received pemetrexed with less than standard recommended dexamethasone dosing (none or IV), including 7 pts who received no dexamethasone. Of the 18 evaluable pts, 1 pt had a partial response and 2 pts had stable disease. Conclusions: This represents the first study that demonstrates that steroids may not be required as premedication with pemetrexed. Due to the limited toxicity observed, trial enrollment continues with dose escalation. [Table: see text]

5521 Background: Interrupting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway has shown promise in a variety of cancers and preclinical data has demonstrated possible synergy with platinums and taxanes. Treatment options for advanced or recurrent HNSCC are limited. A study of cisplatin and docetaxel showed a response rate of 40% and 9.6 month median survival. Erlotinib, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, had a 4.3% response rate in HNSCC. Because of the possible synergy and efficacy, we proposed to study the combination of cisplatin, docetaxel and erlotinib in advanced HNSCC. Methods: Patients (pts) were required to have adequate performance status, measurable disease, no prior EGFR therapy, and may have received one regimen of induction, concomitant or adjuvant chemotherapy, but not for recurrent/metastatic disease. Sites of disease included squamous cell head and neck sites excluding nasopharynx and sinus. Treatment included docetaxel 75mg/m2 and cisplatin 75mg/m2, intravenously every 3 weeks and erlotinib 150 mg by mouth daily. Patients were treated with growth factor support. Results: 37 pts have been enrolled thus far. Median age is 56 years (range 39–72). Median ECOG PS is 1 (range 0–2). 32 pts are evaluable for confirmed response using RECIST criteria. Complete responses have been in observed in 3 pts, partial responses in 18 pts and 8 pts have stable disease for an overall response rate of 66% and disease control rate of 91%. Only 2 pts progressed after 2 cycles of treatment. 5 pts had grade 3/4 neutropenia (2 febrile),1 pt had grade 4 diarrhea, and 2 pts had grade 3 rash. The most common grade 1–2 toxicities were diarrhea, nausea, and rash. Conclusion: The combination of cisplatin, docetaxel and erlotinib is well tolerated and has very encouraging activity in advanced HNSCC. Data collection for response rate, duration of response and survival is ongoing. Trial accrual continues up to 50 patients and biopsies are being collected for correlative markers including downstream EGFR pathway markers (p-akt, mek, k-ras). The full data set will be presented at the annual meeting. [Table: see text]

5565 Background: Treatment options for advanced disease are limited and for those patients failing chemotherapy, there are few viable options. Lonafarnib is a novel tricyclic peptidomimetic compound that is a potent and specific inhibitor of farnesyl protein transferase. We have previously reported clinical activity of lonafarnib in untreated HNSCC (4 of 22 patients showed response despite drug exposure for only 7–14 days). We proposed to assess the activity of lonafarnib in advanced HNSCC patients. Methods: An open-label phase II single-center study was conducted to determine the objective response rate of lonafarnib administered at 200 mg bid, enrolling patients who were incurable and who failed at least one platinum-containing regimen, but received no more than three prior regimens. Results: Fifteen patients, aged 32 to 66 (median age 57) were enrolled. All patients had baseline ECOG PS 0 or 1. Median treatment duration was 61 days (range 0–224 days). Median time to progression was 62 days. No objectiv...

5533 Background: Surgery and/or radiotherapy (RT) are definitive local treatment modalities for intermediate stage SCC/L. Methods: We have evaluated paclitaxel (T) 175/mg/m2 day 1, ifosfamide (I) 1000mg/m2/days 1–3 (with mesna), and cisplatin (P) 60mg/m2 day 1 for previously untreated patients (pts) with SCC/L, stage T2 –4, N0 –1, M0. To be eligible, the primary tumor had to be considered resectable with conservation laryngeal surgery. After TIP x 3, pts achieving partial disease regression (PR) proceeded to surgery. Patients achieving a histologic complete response (CR) received an additional 3 CT cycles and no local treatment. A preliminary report was provided previously (FRK Proc ASCO #906, 2002). This is a report of more mature results with focus on CR patients treated with chemotherapy alone. Results: From 10/97 until 8/03, 29 patients (20 M, 9 F; median age 58 years, range 20–79) were entered. Tumor stage ranged from T2 N0 - T4 N1; median follow up is 36 months. Ten pts (34%) achieved CR and 17 (59%...