Phase I study of MRX34, a liposomal miR-34a mimic, administered twice weekly in patients with advanced solid tumors

Muhammad S. Beg, Andrew J. Brenner, Jasgit Sachdev, Mitesh Borad, Yoon Koo Kang, Jay Stoudemire, Susan Smith, Andreas G. Bader, Sinil Kim, David S. Hong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

616 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose Naturally occurring tumor suppressor microRNA-34a (miR-34a) downregulates the expression of >30 oncogenes across multiple oncogenic pathways, as well as genes involved in tumor immune evasion, but is lost or under-expressed in many malignancies. This first-in-human, phase I study assessed the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), safety, pharmacokinetics, and clinical activity of MRX34, a liposomal miR-34a mimic, in patients with advanced solid tumors. Patients and Methods Adult patients with solid tumors refractory to standard treatment were enrolled in a standard 3 + 3 dose escalation trial. MRX34 was given intravenously twice weekly (BIW) for three weeks in 4-week cycles. Results Forty-seven patients with various solid tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; n = 14), were enrolled. Median age was 60 years, median prior therapies was 4 (range, 1–12), and most were Caucasian (68%) and male (57%). Most common adverse events (AEs) included fever (all grade %/G3%: 64/2), fatigue (57/13), back pain (57/11), nausea (49/2), diarrhea (40/11), anorexia (36/4), and vomiting (34/4). Laboratory abnormalities included lymphopenia (G3%/G4%: 23/9), neutropenia (13/11), thrombocytopenia (17/0), increased AST (19/4), hyperglycemia (13/2), and hyponatremia (19/2). Dexamethasone premedication was required to manage infusion-related AEs. The MTD for non-HCC patients was 110 mg/m2, with two patients experiencing dose-limiting toxicities of G3 hypoxia and enteritis at 124 mg/m2. The half-life was >24 h, and Cmax and AUC increased with increasing dose. One patient with HCC achieved a prolonged confirmed PR lasting 48 weeks, and four patients experienced SD lasting ≥4 cycles. Conclusion MRX34 treatment with dexamethasone premedication was associated with acceptable safety and showed evidence of antitumor activity in a subset of patients with refractory advanced solid tumors. The MTD for the BIW schedule was 110 mg/m2 for non-HCC and 93 mg/m2 for HCC patients. Additional dose schedules of MRX34 have been explored to improve tolerability.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)180-188
Number of pages9
JournalInvestigational New Drugs
Volume35
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2017

Keywords

  • Advanced solid tumors
  • Experimental therapeutics
  • Phase I trial
  • miR-34a
  • microRNA

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacology (medical)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Phase I study of MRX34, a liposomal miR-34a mimic, administered twice weekly in patients with advanced solid tumors'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this