A phase I trial of everolimus in combination with 5-FU/LV, mFOLFOX6 and mFOLFOX6 plus panitumumab in patients with refractory solid tumors

PURPOSE: This phase I study investigated the safety, dose limiting toxicity, and efficacy in three cohorts all treated with the mTOR inhibitor everolimus that was delivered 1) in combination with 5-fluourouracil with leucovorin (5-FU/LV), 2) with mFOLFOX6 (5-FU/LV + Oxaliplatin), and 3) with mFOLFOX6 + panitumumab in patients with refractory solid tumors. METHODS: Patients were accrued using a 3-patient cohort design consisting of two sub-trials in which the maximum tolerated combination (MTC) and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of everolimus and 5-FU/LV was established in sub-trial A and of everolimus in combination with mFOLFOX6 and mFOLFOX6 plus panitumumab in sub-trial B. RESULTS: Thirty six patients were evaluable for toxicity, 21 on Sub-trial A and 15 on Sub-trial B. In Sub-trial A, DLT was observed in 1/6 patients enrolled on dose level 1A and 2/3 patients in Level 6A. In sub-trial B, 2/3 patients experienced DLT on Level 1B and subsequent patients were enrolled on Level 1B-1 without DLT. 3/6 patients in cohort 2B-1 experienced Grade 3 mucositis and further study of the combination of everolimus, mFOLFOX6, and panitumumab was aborted. Among the 24 patients enrolled with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer, the median time on treatment was 2.7 months with 45% of patients remaining on treatment with stable disease for at least three months. CONCLUSIONS: While a regimen of everolimus in addition to 5-FU/LV and mFOLFOX6 appears safe and tolerable, the further addition of panitumumab resulted in an unacceptable level of toxicity that cannot be recommended for further study. Further investigation is warranted to better elucidate the role in which mTOR inhibitors play in patients with refractory solid tumors, with a specific focus on mCRC as a potential for the combination of this targeted and cytotoxic therapy in future studies

The immuno-oncological challenge of COVID-19

International audienceCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its causative virus, SARS-CoV-2, pose considerable challenges for the management of oncology patients. COVID-19 presents as a particularly severe respiratory and systemic infection in aging and immunosuppressed individuals, including patients with cancer. Moreover, severe COVID-19 is linked to an inflammatory burst and lymphopenia, which may aggravate cancer prognosis. Here we discuss why those with cancer are at higher risk of severe COVID-19, describe immune responses that confer protective or adverse reactions to this disease and indicate which antineoplastic therapies may either increase COVID-19 vulnerability or have a dual therapeutic effect on cancer and COVID-19. Zitvogel and colleagues discuss the interplay between cancer and COVID-19 with respect to patient risk and prognosis, immune responses and potential therapies