R C DeConti

Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA

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Publications (6)22.46 Total impact

  • Article: Phase I clinical trial of the Src inhibitor dasatinib with dacarbazine in metastatic melanoma.
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    ABSTRACT: Src inhibitors sensitise melanoma cells to chemotherapy in preclinical models. The combination of dasatinib and dacarbazine was tested in a phase I trial in melanoma. Patients had ECOG performance status 0-2 and normal organ function. Dacarbazine was administered on day 1 and dasatinib on day 2 through 19 of each 21-day cycle. Both were escalated from 50 mg b.i.d. of dasatinib and 800 mg m(-2) of dacarbazine. Available pre-treatment biopsies were sequenced for BRAF, NRAS, and C-Kit mutations. Dose-limiting toxicity was reached at dasatinib 70 mg b.i.d./dacarbazine 1000 mg m(-2), and was predominantly haematological. In 29 patients receiving dasatinib 70 mg b.i.d., the objective response rate (ORR) was 13.8%, the clinical benefit rate (ORR+SD) was 72.4%, the 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) was 20.7%, and the 12-month overall survival (OS) was 34.5%. Two out of three patients who were wild type for BRAF, NRAS, and c-KIT mutations had confirmed partial responses, and one had a minor response. The recommended phase II dose is dasatinib 70 mg b.i.d with dacarbazine 800 mg m(-2). PFS and OS data for dasatinib at 70 mg b.i.d. with dacarbazine compared favourably with historical controls. Preliminary data support evaluating tumour mutation status further as a biomarker of response.
    British Journal of Cancer 11/2011; 106(1):85-91. · 5.04 Impact Factor
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    Article: Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis of adjuvant pegylated interferon α-2b in patients with resected high-risk melanoma.
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    ABSTRACT: High-dose pegylated interferon α-2b (peginterferon α-2b) significantly decreased disease recurrence in patients with resected stage III melanoma in a clinical study. We investigated the pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of high-dose peginterferon α-2b in patients with high-risk melanoma. For PK analysis, 32 patients received peginterferon α-2b 6 μg/(kg week) subcutaneously for 8 weeks (induction) then 3 μg/(kg week) for 4 weeks (maintenance). PK profiles were determined at weeks 1, 8, and 12. Exposure-response relationships between peginterferon α-2b and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level were also studied. Peginterferon α-2b was well-absorbed following SC administration, with a median T (max) of 24 h. Mean half-life estimates ranged from 43 to 51 h. The accumulation factor was 1.69 after induction therapy. PK parameters showed moderate interpatient variability. PK profiles were described by a one-compartmental model with first-order absorption and first-order elimination. Toxicity was profiled and was acceptable; observed side effects were similar to those previously described. Dose reduction produced proportional decreases in exposure and predictable effects on ANC in an Imax model; however, a PK/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) relationship between peginterferon α-2b and ALT could not be established with high precision. Peginterferon α-2b was well-absorbed and sustained exposure to peginterferon α-2b was achieved with the doses tested. These data confirm and extend previous PK observations of peginterferon α-2b in melanoma and solid tumors. Our PK/PD model of exposure and ANC effect provides useful information for prediction of peginterferon α-2b-related hematologic toxicity.
    Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology 03/2011; 67(3):657-66. · 2.83 Impact Factor
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    Article: Phase II trial of sagopilone, a novel epothilone analog in metastatic melanoma.
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    ABSTRACT: Sagopilone is a novel fully synthetic epothilone with promising preclinical activity and a favourable toxicity profile in phase I testing. A phase II pharmacokinetic and efficacy trial was conducted in patients with metastatic melanoma. Patients had measurable disease, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-2, adequate haematological, and organ function, with up to 2 previous chemotherapy and any previous immunotherapy regimens. Sagopilone, 16 mg m⁻², was administered intravenously over 3 h every 21 days until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Thirty-five patients were treated. Sagopilone showed multi-exponential kinetics with a mean terminal half-life of 64 h and a volume of distribution of 4361 l m⁻² indicating extensive tissue/tubulin binding. Only grade 2 or lower toxicity was observed: these included sensory neuropathy (66%), leukopenia (46%), fatigue (34%), and neutropenia (31%). The objective response rate was 11.4% (one confirmed complete response, two confirmed partial responses, and one unconfirmed partial response). Stable disease for at least 12 weeks was seen in an additional eight patients (clinical benefit rate 36.4%). Sagopilone was well tolerated with mild haematological toxicity and sensory neuropathy. Unlike other epothilones, it shows activity against melanoma even in pretreated patients. Further clinical testing is warranted.
    British Journal of Cancer 10/2010; 103(10):1548-53. · 5.04 Impact Factor
  • Article: Treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors with electrochemotherapy using intralesional bleomycin.
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    ABSTRACT: Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is performed by locally administering a chemotherapeutic agent in combination with electric pulses. Previous clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of ECT. In these initial trials, the drug was administered intravenously, followed by administration of electric pulses directly to the tumor. This study was initiated to determine whether an intralesional injection of the drug in combination with electric pulses could provide an improved result. A group of 34 patients was studied. The dose of intralesional bleomycin was based on tumor volume. This was followed 10 minutes later by 6 or 8 99-microsec pulses of electricity at an amplitude of 1.3 kV/cm. Both the bleomycin and the electric pulses were administered after 1% lidocaine with epinephrine solution was injected around the treatment site. All patients responded to the treatment. Responses were observed in 142 (99%) of 143 metastatic nodules or primary tumors within 12 weeks, with complete responses observed in 130 (91%) of the nodules. No complete responses were observed in nodules treated with bleomycin only or electric pulses only. Random biopsies confirmed the clinical findings. All patients tolerated the procedure well, and no significant side effects were noted. Muscle contraction was evident during administration of each electric pulse but promptly subsided after the pulse. ECT was shown to be an effective local treatment for cutaneous malignancies. The results suggest that ECT may have a tissue-sparing effect and result in minimal scarring. ECT may be a suitable alternative therapy for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma, local or regional recurrent melanoma, and other skin cancers.
    Cancer 08/1998; 83(1):148-57. · 4.77 Impact Factor
  • Article: Phase I/II trial for the treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors using electrochemotherapy.
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    ABSTRACT: Electroporation is a process that causes a transient increase in the permeability of cell membranes. It can be used to increase the intracellular concentration of chemotherapeutic agents in tumor cells (electrochemotherapy; ECT). A clinical study was initiated to determine if this mode of treatment would be effective against certain primary and metastatic cutaneous malignancies. A group of six patients, three with malignant melanoma, two with basal cell carcinoma, and one with metastatic adenocarcinoma, were enrolled in the study. the treatment was administered in a two-step process. Each patient received a 10 unit/m2 dose of bleomycin administered intravenously at 1 to 1.5 units/minute. This was followed by eight 99 microsecond pulses at an amplitude of 1.3 kV/cm administered directly to the tumors 5 to 15 minutes after the bleomycin was completely infused. Pulses were administered after the injection of 1% lidocaine solution around the treatment site. Two of three melanoma patients had objective responses. In these two patients, five of six treated tumors decreased in size, and three completely responded. Untreated tumors displayed continued growth. Objective responses were observed in both basal cell carcinoma (BCC) patients. One patient had partial responses in both treated tumors. The other patient had one of four primary BCCs respond completely, and the remaining three respond partially. Patients with metastatic breast adenocarcinoma showed complete responses in both treated nodules after ECT. All patients tolerated the treatment well with no residual effects from the electric pulses. ECT was an effective local treatment in the majority of nodules treated. The results thus far are very encouraging and the study is being continued.
    Cancer 04/1996; 77(5):964-71. · 4.77 Impact Factor
  • Article: Clinical approach to neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin (Merkel cell carcinoma).
    Cancer control: journal of the Moffitt Cancer Center 7(1):72-83.