Placebo-Controlled Study of Perifosine + Single Agent Chemotherapy for Metastatic Cancer Patients

Phase 2

Completed

Interventions: Drug: Perifosine
Other: Perifosine Placebo
Drug: Capecitabine

Brief Summary: This is an exploratory phase 2, randomized placebo-controlled trial with stratification for disease and chemotherapy type. The study is subsequently closed to enrollment in all arms except patients with metastatic colorectal cancer which would be randomized to either capecitabine plus perifosine or capecitabine alone.

The effects of perifosine may be manifested by increased time to progression, tumor regression reflected in partial or complete responses, or a combination of these outcomes. The primary goal of this trial is to obtain a preliminary and objective assessment of the effects of perifosine on time to progression.

Detailed Description: This is an exploratory phase 2, randomized placebo-controlled trial with stratification for disease and chemotherapy type. If there is any evidence of improved time to progression in any tumor type with any of the drugs to be evaluated, the initial study or component(s) of the study will be expanded to increase the certainty that this is an effect of perifosine. If there is compelling evidence of benefit from this study, a phase 3 trial will be conducted to obtain proof of principle.

Primary Study Objectives:

To determine the time to tumor progression when receiving single agent chemotherapy (capecitabine) in combination with perifosine in comparison to patients receiving single agent chemotherapy (capecitabine) alone (i.e., with placebo).

Secondary Study Objectives:

* To determine the toxicity of single agent chemotherapy in combination with perifosine.

* To compare the time to progression of chemotherapy in combination with placebo to historical experience.

* Overall survival will also be evaluated.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

In the opinion of the treating physician, treatment with one of the following regimens should represent an appropriate treatment for the patient.
- Capecitabine 825 mg/m2 BID days 1 - 14 q 3 weeks
Patients should have a histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of colorectal cancer.
Patients must have received at least one but no more than two prior chemotherapy regimen(s) for the treatment of metastatic or recurrent disease.
ECOG performance status 0 or 1.
- Leukocytes >= 4,000/μL
- absolute neutrophil count >= 1,500/ μL
- platelets >= 100,000/ μL
- HCT > 28% (with or without growth factor support)
- Creatinine <= 2.5 mg/dl
- total bilirubin < 1.5 x upper limit of normal
- transaminase < 2.5 x upper limit of normal
Patients must have recovered from acute toxicity-excluding alopecia-related to prior therapy, including surgery or radiotherapy.
Patients with brain metastases may be admitted, provided the disease has been treated and been stable for 2 months.
Patients must have ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria

Patients receiving any other investigational agents or devices.
History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to perifosine (miltefosine or edelfosine).
Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, psychiatric illness, or social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
HIV-positive patients receiving combination anti-retroviral therapy are excluded from the study due to potential pharmacokinetic interactions with perifosine.
Patients with a history of unstable or newly diagnosed angina pectoris, recent myocardial infarction (within 6 months of enrollment), or New York Heart Assoc. class II - IV congestive heart failure.
Female patients who are pregnant or lactating are ineligible.

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Arm 2: Perifosine Placebo + Capecitabine	Perifosine Placebo	Perifosine Placebo 50 mg/d qd + Capecitabine 825 mg/m\^2 BID days 1 - 14 q 3 weeks until progression
Arm 1: Perifosine + Capecitabine	Perifosine	Perifosine 50 mg/d qd + Capecitabine 825 mg/m\^2 BID days 1 - 14 q 3 weeks until progression
Arm 1: Perifosine + Capecitabine	Capecitabine	Perifosine 50 mg/d qd + Capecitabine 825 mg/m\^2 BID days 1 - 14 q 3 weeks until progression
Arm 2: Perifosine Placebo + Capecitabine	Capecitabine	Perifosine Placebo 50 mg/d qd + Capecitabine 825 mg/m\^2 BID days 1 - 14 q 3 weeks until progression

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Effects of perifosine on time to progression	Every 12 weeks	Time to progression will be measured from the first day of study drug until progression.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Toxicity	Every 12 weeks	Determination of the toxicity of single agent chemotherapy in combination with perifosine. Toxicity evaluation is to be performed throughout the study.
Comparison of time to progression to historical experience	Every 12 weeks	To compare the time to progression of chemotherapy in combination with placebo to historical experience.