Phase I trial of the MEK inhibitor selumetinib in combination with thoracic radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract Background The RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signalling pathway has a pivotal role in cancer proliferation and modulating treatment response. Selumetinib inhibits MEK and enhances effects of radiotherapy in preclinical studies. Patients and methods Single-arm, single-centre, open-label phase I trial. Patients with stage III NSCLC unsuitable for concurrent chemo-radiotherapy, or stage IV with dominant thoracic symptoms, were recruited to a dose-finding stage (Fibonacci 3+3 design; maximum number =18) then an expanded cohort (n=15). Oral selumetinib was administered twice daily (starting dose 50mg) commencing 7 days prior to thoracic radiotherapy, then with radiotherapy (6-6.5 weeks; 60-66Gy/30-33 fractions). The primary objective was to determine the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of selumetinib in combination with thoracic radiotherapy. Results 21 patients were enrolled (06/2010-02/2015). Median age: 62y (range 50-73). M:F ratio 12(57%):9(43%). ECOG PS 0:1, 7(33%):14(67%). Stage III 16(76%); IV 5(24%). Median GTV 64cm3 (range 1 -224 cm3). 15 patients comprised the expanded cohort at starting dose. All 21 patients completed thoracic radiotherapy as planned and received induction chemotherapy. 13 (62%) patients received the full dose of selumetinib. In the starting cohort no enhanced radiotherapy-related toxicity was seen. Two patients had dose-limiting toxicity (1x grade 3 diarrhoea/fatigue and 1x pulmonary embolism). Commonest grade 3-4 adverse events: lymphopaenia (19/21 patients) and hypertension (7/21 patients). One patient developed grade 3 oesophagitis. No patients developed grade≥3 radiation pneumonitis. Two patients were alive at the time of analysis (24 and 26 months follow-up, respectively). Main cause of first disease progression: distant metastases +/- locoregional progression (12/21 [57.1%] patients). Six patients had confirmed/suspected pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia. Conclusion We report poor outcome and severe lymphopenia in most patients treated with thoracic radiotherapy and selumetinib at RP2D in combination, contributing to confirmed/clinically suspected pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia. These results suggest that this combination should not be pursued in a phase II trial. ClinicalTrials.gov reference: NCT01146756