Phase I study of entinostat in combination with enzalutamide for treatment of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer

96 Background: Entinostat (SNDX-275, MS-275) is an oral histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor with selectivity towards class I and IV HDACs. Entinostat inhibits prostate cancer (PCa) growth and suppresses Treg cell function in vitro and in vivo. The primary objective of this study was to determine the safe dose of Entinostat in combination with Enzalutamide in prostate cancer patients (PCa). Methods: Phase I, 2 cohorts "3+3", dose-escalation study to explore the safety and preliminary efficacy of Entinostat in combination with Enzalutamide in castration-resistant PCa (CRPC). The planned dose level of Entinostat was 3 and 5 mg orally per week. CRPC Patients progressed on Enzalutamide or eligible for Enzalutamide, able to tolerate 160 mg daily dose (in the initial run-in phase if Enzalutamide naïve), ECOG 0-1, and acceptable organ functions were enrolled in the study. The safety profile of the combination therapy, PSA, pharmacokinetics of Enzalutamide post-Entinostat administration, and peripheral T cell subtype (including Treg), mononuclear cell (PBMC) histone 3 acetylation were analyzed. Results: Total 6 mCRPC patients were enrolled. There was no dose limiting toxicity related to Entinostat in these patients. No obvious increased fatigue related to Entinostat. Toxicities possibly or probably related to Entinostat or the combination therapy included G3 anemia 1/6 (17%), G2 WBC decrease 1/6 (17%), All other toxicities were grade 1 only (Nausea 2/6, anorexia 1/6, emesis 1/6, constipation 1/6, headache 1/6, platelet count decrease 1/6, hypokalemia 1/6, hypoalbuminemia 1/6, hypermagnesemia 1/6). The median duration of treatment with Entinostat was 18 weeks. For patients already progressed on Enzalutamide there was no PSA response after Entinostat was added. Entinostat did not affect the steady plasma concentration of Enzalutamide. Increased PBMC H3 acetylation was observed (up to 3.6 fold from baseline) in the tested samples. No evident T cell subtype, including Treg, changes from these sample analysis. Phase II part of the trial was terminated because of sponsor withdrawal. Conclusions: Entinostat at the selected dose levels in combination with standard dose of enzalutamide showed promising safety profile in this small phase I study. Clinical trial information: NCT03829930.