A phase II trial of intraperitoneal EGEN-001, an IL-12 plasmid formulated with PEG-PEI-cholesterol lipopolymer in the treatment of persistent or recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer: a gynecologic oncology group study

Gynecol Oncol. 2014 Jun;133(3):433-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2014.03.571. Epub 2014 Apr 4.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this phase II trial was to evaluate the toxicity and antitumor activity of EGEN-001 in platinum resistant recurrent ovarian cancer.

Methods: Eligible patients had weekly IP infusion of EGEN-001 at a dose of 24mg/m(2). Toxicity and antitumor activity were evaluated using CTCAE and RESIST criteria, respectively. Co-primary endpoints were tumor response and survival without progression (PFS) for at least 6months. Survival without progression before going onto a subsequent therapy (EFS) for at least six months was also considered.

Results: A total of 58 EGEN-001 cycles were administered to 20/22 enrolled patients (median 2cycles, range 1-9). The most frequently associated adverse events related specifically to EGEN-001 treatment were grade 1/2 fatigue, fever, chills, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia. Three of 20 EGEN-001 treated patients evaluable for toxicity elected to withdraw from the study motivated in part by grade 1 treatment related toxicities. There were no patients with partial or complete response (0%; 90% CI 0-10.9%). Seven (35%) of 16 patients evaluable for response had stable disease, and 9 (45%) had progressive disease. Six (30%) patients had a PFS of greater than six months, although three had gone off study and onto other therapies before six months. The estimated six-month EFS was 15%. The median PFS and OS were 2.89 and 9.17months, respectively.

Conclusion: EGEN-001 at the dose and schedule evaluated was associated with some but limited activity and was seemingly less tolerated in platinum resistant recurrent ovarian cancer patients.

Keywords: Gene therapy; Ovarian cancer; Phase II trial.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Endometrioid / therapy
  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial
  • Cholesterol / therapeutic use
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / therapy
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Fallopian Tube Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Female
  • Gene Transfer Techniques
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Parenteral
  • Interleukin-12 / genetics
  • Interleukin-12 / therapeutic use*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / therapy*
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / therapy*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Plasmids / therapeutic use*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / therapeutic use
  • Polyethyleneimine / analogs & derivatives
  • Polyethyleneimine / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • poly(ethylene glycol)-co-poly(ethyleneimine)
  • Interleukin-12
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Polyethyleneimine
  • Cholesterol