Joseph M Scandura,
Gail J Roboz,
Michelle Moh,
Ewelina Morawa,
Fabienne Brenet,
J Robi Bose, Luis Villegas,
Usama S Gergis,
Sebastian A Mayer,
Cindy M Ippoliti,
Tania J Curcio,
Ellen K Ritchie,
Eric J Feldman
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ABSTRACT: We conducted an open-label phase 1 study exploring the feasibility, safety, and biologic activity of epigenetic priming with decitabine before standard induction chemotherapy in patients with less-than-favorable risk of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). We directly compared the clinical and DNA-hypomethylating activity of decitabine delivered at 20 mg/m² by either a 1-hour infusion (Arm A) or a continuous infusion (Arm B) for 3, 5, or 7 days before a single, standard induction with infusional cytarabine (100 mg/m² for 7 days) and daunorubicin (60 mg/m² × 3 doses). Toxicity was similar to that of standard induction chemotherapy alone. Although we did not identify a maximum tolerated dose, there was more gastro-intestinal toxicity with 7 days of decitabine priming. Decitabine induced DNA hypomethylation at all dose levels and there was a trend toward greater hypomethylation in CD34(+) bone marrow cells when decitabine was delivered by a short pulse (Arm A). Twenty-seven subjects (90%) responded to therapy: 17 with complete remission (57%) and 10 with partial remission (33%). Of the patients with partial remission to protocol treatment, 8 achieved remission to their next therapy, bringing the overall complete remission rate to 83%. We conclude that epigenetic priming of intensive chemotherapy can be safely delivered in an attempt to improve response rates. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00538876.
Blood 05/2011; 118(6):1472-80. · 9.90 Impact Factor
