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C F Stewart

Publications and source records attributed to C F Stewart.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of hemodialysis on topotecan disposition in a patient with severe renal dysfunction.

The pharmacokinetics of topotecan have been extensively studied in patients with normal renal function and there is one study of patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency. However, the effect of hemodialysis on topotecan disposition has not been reported. The objective of this study was to characterize the disposition of topotecan in a patient with severe renal insufficiency receiving hemodialysis. Topotecan lactone disposition was characterized in a patient on and off hemodialysis. The topotecan lactone clearance determined after administration of topotecan alone and with hemodialysis was 5.3 l/h per m(2) vs 20.1 l/h per m2 respectively. At 30 min after the completion of hemodialysis, the topotecan plasma concentration obtained was greater than that measured at the end of hemodialysis (i.e. 8.0 ng/ml vs 4.9 ng/ml), suggesting a rebound effect. The topotecan terminal half-life off dialysis was 13.6 h, compared with an apparent half-life determined during hemodialysis of 3.0 h. These results demonstrate that topotecan plasma clearance while on hemodialysis increased approximately fourfold. Hemodialysis may be an effective systemic clearance process for topotecan and should be considered in selected clinical situations (e.g. inadvertent overdose, severe renal dysfunction).

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Topotecan-filgrastim combination is an effective regimen for mobilizing peripheral blood stem cells.

We compared the efficacy, toxicity, and cost of topotecan-filgrastim and filgrastim alone for mobilizing peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) in 24 consecutive pediatric patients with newly diagnosed medulloblastoma. PBSCs were mobilized with an upfront window of topotecan-filgrastim for 11 high-risk patients (residual tumor > or =1.5 cm2 after resection; metastases limited to neuraxis) and with filgrastim alone for 13 average-risk patients. All patients subsequently underwent craniospinal irradiation and four courses of high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue. Target yields of CD34+ cells (> or =8 x 10(6)/kg) were obtained with only one apheresis procedure for each of the 11 patients treated with topotecan-filgrastim, but with a mean of 2.3 apheresis procedures for only six (46%) of the 13 patients treated with filgrastim alone (P = 0.0059). The median peak and median total yield of CD34+ cells were six-fold higher for the topotecan-filgrastim group (328/microl and 21.5 x 10(6)/kg, respectively) than for the filgrastim group (54/microl and 3.7 x 10(6)/kg, respectively). Mean times to neutrophil and platelet engraftment were similar. Myelosuppression was the only grade 4 toxicity associated with topotecan-filgrastim mobilization and lasted a median of 5 days. Compared with filgrastim mobilization, topotecan-filgrastim mobilization resulted in a mean cost saving of $3966 per patient. Topotecan-filgrastim is an efficacious, minimally toxic, and cost-saving combination for PBSC mobilization.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Relation between 9-aminocamptothecin systemic exposure and tumor response in human solid tumor xenografts.

9-Aminocamptothecin (9-AC) is a topoisomerase I inhibitor with activity against xenografts from childhood solid tumors; however, clinical trials with this compound have been disappointing, resulting in discontinuation of further development. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the antitumor activity of 9-AC in a panel of pediatric solid tumor xenografts and to relate the 9-AC lactone systemic exposure, defined as area under the concentration time curve (AUC), to the antitumor dose associated with tumor regression in the xenograft model. We evaluated protracted administration of i.v. and oral therapies (daily times 5) for 1, 2, or 3 weeks and for 1 or 3 cycles. The minimum effective dose of 9-AC causing objective regression of advanced tumors was determined for each schedule. 9-AC lactone plasma concentration-time profiles associated with the lowest dose achieving complete and partial responses for each xenograft were then determined for each regimen. Tumors were highly sensitive to 9-AC therapy, but the systemic exposure required for antitumor effect is in excess of that achievable in patients.

Animals↗

Pharmacodynamic model of topotecan-induced time course of neutropenia.

Pharmacodynamic measures of neutropenia, such as absolute neutrophil count at nadir and neutrophil survival fraction, may not reflect the overall time course of neutropenia. We developed a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model to describe and quantify the time course of neutropenia after administration of topotecan to children and to compare this with nonhuman primates (NHPs) as a potential preclinical model of neutropenia. Topotecan was administered as a 30-min infusion daily for 5 days, repeated every 21 days. As part of a Phase I Pediatric Oncology Group study, topotecan was administered at 1.4 and 1.7 mg/m(2)/day without filgrastim (POG), and at 1.7, 2, and 2.4 mg/m(2)/day with filgrastim (POG+G). In NHPs, topotecan was administered at 5, 10, and 20 mg/m(2)/day without filgrastim. A pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model was fit to profiles of topotecan lactone plasma concentrations and neutrophil survival fraction from cycle 1 and used to calculate topotecan lactone area under the plasma concentration-versus-time curve from 0 to 120 h (AUC(LAC)) and the area between the baseline and treatment-related neutrophil survival fraction (ABC) from 0 to 700 h. The mean +/- SD neutrophil survival fraction at nadir for the POG, POG+G, and NHP groups was 0.12 +/- 0.09, 0.11 +/- 0.17, and 0.09 +/- 0.08, respectively (P > 0.05). The mean +/- SD for the ratio of ABC to AUC(LAC) for the POG and NHP groups was 1.02 +/- 0.38 and 0.16 +/- 0.09, respectively (P < 0.05). The model estimate of ABC and the ratio of ABC to AUC(LAC) in children and NHPs may better reflect sensitivity to chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.

Animals↗

Topoisomerase I interactive agents.

Elucidation of the exact crystal structure of topoisomerase I will be essential to the rationale development of topoisomerase I interactive agents. Although the initial topoisomerase I interactive agents were camptothecin derivatives, future drugs may be designed to take advantage of the knowledge of the mechanism of interaction to increase the therapeutic index. However, preclinical studies designed to determine the precise mechanism by which the topoisomerase I interactive agents lead to cell death will be essential. Future clinical trials must rationally utilize the results of preclinical studies in the design of combination regimens, both with other cytotoxics and with the newer cytostatics. Moreover, the optimum schedule of administration for irinotecan and topotecan are not known, although results of preclinical studies clearly point to protracted dosing of these S-phase-specific agents. Future clinical trials should evaluate these schedules in an effort to optimize the currently available agents, prior to introducing new analogs, which may not provide any therapeutic benefit over the current agents properly dosed. Finally, numerous groups are trying to better understand the mechanism(s) of the dose-limiting toxicities observed with the currently available topoisomerase I interactive agents (e.g., glucuronidation for irinotecan diarrhea). The results of these studies may also enable the maximal dosing of the currently available agents. Even though the first priority must be to determine the therapeutic potential of the currently available agents, it is reassuring to know that many topoisomerase I interactive agents are currently under development. However, it is essential that these agents have the proper preclinical studies performed and that they be developed rationally.

Animals↗

Activation of CPT-11 in mice: identification and analysis of a highly effective plasma esterase.

The camptothecin prodrug CPT-11 (irinotecan, 7-ethyl-10-[4-(1-piperidino)-1-piperidino]carbonyloxycamptothecin) is converted by esterases to yield the potent topoisomerase I poison SN-38 (7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin). Recently, a mouse strain (Es1(e)) has been identified that demonstrates reduced plasma esterase activity, and we have monitored the ability of plasma from these mice to metabolize CPT-11. Total plasma esterase activity was reduced 3-fold in Esl(e)mice in comparison to control mice, and this resulted in a 200-fold reduction in SN-38 production after incubation with CPT-11 in vitro. In addition, pharmacokinetic studies of CPT-11 and SN-38 in these animals demonstrated approximately 5-fold less conversion to SN-38. However, extracts derived from tissues from Es1(e) animals revealed total esterase activities similar to those of control mice, and these extracts metabolized CPT-11 with equal efficiency. Northern analysis of RNA isolated from organs indicated that the liver was the primary source of Es-1 gene expression and that very low levels of Es-1 RNA were present in Es1(e) mice. These results suggest that the reduced levels of Es-1 esterase present in Es1(e) mice are due to down-regulation of gene transcription, and that this plasma esterase is responsible for the majority of CPT-11 metabolism in mice.

Animals↗

Clinical use of topoisomerase I inhibitors in anticancer treatment.

The camptothecin analogs topotecan and irinotecan have shown to be among the most effective anticancer agents and, as S-phase specific agents, their antitumor effect is maximized when they are administered in protracted schedules. The documented activity as single agents in many adult and pediatric malignancies has been followed by their use in combination with other anticancer agents. These studies have shown promising results, and have placed topotecan and irinotecan in the first line treatment for some malignancies. However, studies to better determine the optimal schedules and sequence of combinations are needed.

Adult↗

Pharmacokinetics of irinotecan and its metabolites SN-38 and APC in children with recurrent solid tumors after protracted low-dose irinotecan.

Irinotecan (IRN), a topoisomerase I interactive agent, has significant antitumor activity in early Phase I studies in children with recurrent solid tumors. However, the disposition of IRN and its metabolites, SN-38 and APC, in children has not been reported. Children with solid tumors refractory to conventional therapy received IRN by a 1-h i.v. infusion at either 20, 24, or 29 mg/m2 daily for 5 consecutive days for 2 weeks. Serial blood samples were collected after doses 1 and 10 of the first course. IRN, SN-38, and APC lactone concentrations were determined by an isocratic high-performance liquid chromatography assay. A linear four-compartment model was fit simultaneously to the IRN, SN-38, and APC plasma concentration versus time data. Systemic clearance rate for IRN was 58.7 +/- 18.8 liters/h/m2 (mean +/- SD). The mean +/- SD ng/ml x h single-day lactone SN-38 area under the concentration-time curve (AUC(0-->6) was 90.9 +/- 96.4, 103.7 +/- 62.4, and 95.3 +/- 63.9 at IRN doses of 20, 24, and 29 mg/m2, respectively. The relative extent of IRN conversion to SN-38 and metabolism to APC measured after dose 1 were 0.49 +/- 0.33 and 0.29 +/- 0.17 (mean +/- SD). No statistically significant intrapatient difference was noted for SN-38 area under the concentration-time curve. Large interpatient variability in IRN and metabolite disposition was observed. The relative extent of conversion and the SN-38 systemic exposure achieved with this protracted schedule of administration were much greater than reported in adults or children receiving larger intermittent doses.

Adolescent↗

Biochemical correlates of temozolomide sensitivity in pediatric solid tumor xenograft models.

The antitumor activity of the methylating agent temozolomide has been evaluated against a panel of 17 xenografts derived from pediatric solid tumors. Temozolomide was administered p.o. daily for five consecutive days at a dose level of 66 mg/kg. Courses of treatment were repeated every 21 days for three cycles. Tumor lines were classified as having high, intermediate, or low sensitivity, determined by complete responses, partial responses, or stable disease, respectively. Overall, temozolomide induced complete responses in five lines and partial responses in three additional tumor lines, giving objective regressions in 47% of xenograft lines. Analysis of temozolomide plasma systemic exposure indicated that this dose level was relevant to exposure achieved in patients. Tumors were analyzed by immunoblotting for levels of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) and two mismatch repair proteins, MLH-1 and MSH-2. Tumors classified as having high or intermediate sensitivity had low or undetectable MGMT and expressed detectable MLH-1 and MSH-2 proteins. Tumors classified as having low sensitivity had either (a) high MGMT or (b) low or undetectable MGMT but were deficient in MLH-1. The relationship between p53 and response to temozolomide was also examined. In vitro temozolomide did not induce p21cip1 in p53-competent NB-1643 neuroblastoma cells. Suppression of p53 function in NB1643 clones through stable expression of a trans dominant negative p53 (NB1643p53TDN) did not confer temozolomide resistance. Similarly, tumor sensitivity to temozolomide did not segregate with p53 genotype or p53 functional status. These results indicate that MGMT is the primary mechanism for temozolomide resistance, but in the absence of MGMT, proficient mismatch repair determines sensitivity to this agent.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Antitumor activity of temozolomide combined with irinotecan is partly independent of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase and mismatch repair phenotypes in xenograft models.

The activity of temozolomide combined with irinotecan (CPT-11) was evaluated against eight independent xenografts (four neuroblastomas, three rhabdomyosarcomas, and one glioblastoma). In all studies, temozolomide was administered p.o. daily for 5 consecutive days/cycle, found in preliminary studies to be the optimal schedule for administration. Irinotecan was administered i.v. for 5 days for 2 consecutive weeks/cycle. Treatment cycles were repeated every 21 days for a total of three cycles over 8 weeks. In combination, temozolomide and CPT-11 induced complete responses in four neuroblastomas, two rhabdomyosarcomas, and the glioblastoma line. The activity of the combination was significantly greater than the activity of either agent administered alone in four tumor lines. Of interest, the interaction appeared independent of tumor MGMT or mismatch repair phenotype, suggesting that the mechanism of synergy may be independent of O6-methylation by temozolomide. Pharmacokinetic studies indicated no detectable interaction between these two agents. Further, coadministration of CPT-11 appeared to reduce the toxicity of temozolomide in tumor-bearing mice.

Administration, Oral↗

Relationship between tumor extracellular fluid exposure to topotecan and tumor response in human neuroblastoma xenograft and cell lines.

PURPOSE: We have reported a 6-fold difference in the topotecan (TPT) lactone systemic exposure achieving a complete response in the human neuroblastoma xenografts NB-1691 and NB-1643. However, the relationship between tumor extracellular fluid (ECF) exposure to TPT and the antitumor activity in xenograft and in vitro models has not been established. METHODS: TPT was given i.v. to mice bearing NB-1691 and NB-1643 tumors. Prior to dosing, microdialysis probes were placed in tumors of mice bearing NB-1691 and NB-1643 tumors. Plasma and tumor ECF concentrations of TPT lactone were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography. The inhibitory concentration (IC50) was determined for NB-1691 and NB-1643 cell lines in vitro. RESULTS: The TPT AUC(ECF) values determined for NB-1691 (n = 10) and NB-1643 (n = 11) were 7.3 +/- 0.84 and 25.6 +/- 0.76 ng h ml(-1), respectively (P < 0.05). TPT tumor ECF penetration in NB-1691 and NB-1643 was 0.04 +/- 0.04 and 0.15 +/- 0.11 (P < 0.05), respectively. The IC50 values recorded after 6 h of TPT exposure daily for 5 consecutive days for NB-1691 and NB-1643 were 2.7 +/- 1.1 and 0.53 +/- 0.19 ng/ml, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: NB-1643 was more sensitive in vitro than NB-1691, and at similar plasma TPT exposures, NB-1643 had a greater degree of TPT tumor ECF exposure and penetration as compared with NB-1691. Potential factors affecting tumor TPT ECF disposition include tumor vascularity, capillary permeability, and interstitial pressure. The clinical importance of this study is underscored by the need to select anticancer agents with a high capacity for tumor penetration and to optimize drug administration to increase tumor penetration.

Animals↗

Interpatient variability in bioavailability of the intravenous formulation of topotecan given orally to children with recurrent solid tumors.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of inter- and intrapatient variability of topotecan oral bioavailability and disposition was performed in children with malignant solid tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Topotecan i.v. formulation was given orally on schedules of daily for 21 consecutive days (d x 21) or daily for 5 days per week for 3 weeks [(d x 5)3], in both cases repeated every 28 days. Topotecan doses of 0.8 and 1.1 mg/m2 per day were evaluated on both schedules. Serial plasma samples were obtained after oral and i.v. administration of topotecan at the beginning and end of the first course of therapy. Topotecan lactone and total concentrations were measured by a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay, and a one-or two-compartment model was fit to the plasma concentration-time data after oral or i.v. administration, respectively. Topotecan oral bioavailability (F) was calculated as the ratio of the AUC determined after oral treatment (AUCpo) divided by the AUC calculated after i.v. administration. RESULTS: Pharmacokinetics studies were performed on 15 and 11 patients receiving 0.8 and 1.1 mg/m2 per day, respectively. After oral administration the topotecan lactone AUCpo and F determined for 0.8 and 1.1 mg/m2 per day were 13.6 +/- 5.8 and 25.1 +/- 12.9 ng ml(-1) h and 0.34 +/- 0.14 and 0.34 +/- 0.16, respectively. The within-patient variance for AUCpo and F was much smaller than the between-patient variance. The ratio of topotecan lactone to total concentration was consistently higher after oral as compared with i.v. administration. CONCLUSIONS: Large interpatient variability was noted in topotecan pharmacokinetics, whereas intrapatient variability was relatively small. Further studies of oral topotecan are warranted to evaluate the tolerance of shorter courses and to define further the interpatient variability.

Administration, Oral↗

Topotecan for the treatment of recurrent or progressive central nervous system tumors - a pediatric oncology group phase II study.

Topotecan was studied as a 72 h infusion given every 3 weeks. Treatment began at a dose of 1.0 mg/m2/day and was increased to 1.25 mg/m2/day after the first 6 patients tolerated this higher dose without excessive toxicities. Eighty-eight evaluable children were accrued in 6 strata. There were no complete nor partial responses. Twenty subjects had stable disease (astrocytoma 5/11, malignant glioma 5/13, medulloblastoma 0/12, brain stem tumor 4/19, ependymoma 5/17, and miscellaneous histologies 1/16). Two patients (astrocytoma, ependymoma) completed the maximum 18 topotecan courses. The remaining 68 children developed progressive disease within 2 months. Myelosuppression was the main toxicity. Grade 4 leukopenia, neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia were observed in 18, 32, 5, and 23 participants, respectively. It was concluded that topotecan as given according to this schedule showed insufficient activity to promote it to frontline protocol usage.

Adult↗

Direct translation of a protracted irinotecan schedule from a xenograft model to a phase I trial in children.

PURPOSE: In a preclinical model of neuroblastoma, administration of irinotecan daily 5 days per week for 2 consecutive weeks ([qd x 5] x 2) resulted in greater antitumor activity than did a single 5-day course with the same total dose. We evaluated this protracted schedule in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three children with refractory solid tumors were enrolled onto a phase I study. Cohorts received irinotecan by 1-hour intravenous infusion at 20, 24, or 29 mg/m(2) (qd x 5) x 2 every 21 days. RESULTS: The 23 children (median age, 14.1 years; median prior regimens, two) received 84 courses. Predominant diagnoses were neuroblastoma (n = 5), osteosarcoma (n = 5), and rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 4). The dose-limiting toxicity was grade 3/4 diarrhea and/or abdominal cramps in six of 12 patients treated at 24 mg/m(2), despite aggressive use of loperamide. The maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) on this schedule was 20 mg/m(2)/d. Five patients had partial responses and 16 had disease stabilization. On day 1, the median systemic exposure to SN-38 (the active metabolite of irinotecan) at the MTD was 106 ng-h/mL (range, 41 to 421 ng-h/mL). CONCLUSION: This protracted schedule is well tolerated in children. The absence of significant myelosuppression and encouraging clinical responses suggest compellingly that irinotecan be further evaluated in children using the (qd x 5) x 2 schedule, beginning at a dose of 20 mg/m(2). These results imply that data obtained from xenograft models can be effectively integrated into the design of clinical trials.

Adolescent↗

Synergy of topotecan in combination with vincristine for treatment of pediatric solid tumor xenografts.

Topotecan and vincristine were evaluated alone or in combination against 13 independent xenografts and 1 vincristine-resistant derivative, representing childhood neuroblastoma (n = 6), rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 5), or brain tumors (n = 3). Topotecan was given by i.v. bolus on a schedule found previously to be optimal. Drug was administered daily for 5 days on 2 consecutive weeks with cycles repeated every 21 days over a period of 8 weeks. Doses of topotecan ranged from 0.16 to 1.5 mg/kg to simulate clinically achievable topotecan lactone plasma systemic exposures. Vincristine was administered i.v. every 7 days at a fixed dose of 1 mg/kg. Given as a single agent, vincristine induced complete responses (CRs) in all mice bearing two rhabdomyosarcomas (Rh28 and Rh30) and some CRs in Rh12-bearing mice (57%) but relatively few CRs (<29%) in other tumors. As a single agent, topotecan induced CR in a low proportion of tumor lines. A dose-response model with a logit link function was used to investigate whether the combination of topotecan and vincristine resulted in greater than expected responses compared with the activity of the agents when administered alone. Only CR was used to evaluate tumor responses. The combination resulted in significantly greater than expected CRs than individual agents in nine tumor lines (four neuroblastoma, three brain tumors, and two rhabdomyosarcomas). Similar event-free (failure) distributions were shown in SJ-GBM2 glioblastoma xenografts, whether vincristine was administered on day 1 or day 5 of each topotecan course. To determine whether the increased antitumor activity with the combination was attributable to a change in drug disposition, extensive pharmacokinetic studies were performed. However, little or no interaction between these two agents was determined. Toxicity of the combination was marked by prolonged thrombocytopenia and decreased hemoglobin. However, approximately 75 and 80% of the maximum tolerated dose of each single agent, topotecan (1.5 mg/kg) or vincristine (1 mg/kg), could be given in combination, resulting in a combination toxicity index of approximately 1.5. These results show that the therapeutic effect of combining topotecan with vincristine was greater than additive in most tumor models of childhood solid tumors, and toxicity data suggest that this can be administered to mice with only moderate reduction in the dose levels for each agent.

Animals↗

Animal models for studying the action of topoisomerase I targeted drugs.

Almost 30 years after the unsuccessful clinical evaluation of camptothecin sodium, there has been a revival in interest in this class of agent that poisons topoisomerase I. Currently there are four camptothecin analogues in clinical trials each at different levels of advancement. Clinical data suggest that patterns of antitumor activity and toxicity profiles differ between analogues. In preclinical models antitumor activity appears to be highly schedule-dependent. Here we review rodent and human tumor models used in evaluation of efficacy, and models used to predict toxicities of these compounds. The major limitation of rodent models is that the mouse tolerates significantly greater systemic exposure to each camptothecin analogue than do patients. This leads to a false overprediction of potential clinical activity. However, responses of human tumor xenografts in mice are highly predictive of responses of clinical cancer when camptothecins are administered at dose levels achieving similar systemic exposure in mice. Development of assays that identify analogues that maintain therapeutic activity in mice, but have less species differential toxicity, particularly to the hematopoietic system, may provide an early screen to select compounds having greater clinical utility.

Animals↗

Relationship between topotecan systemic exposure and tumor response in human neuroblastoma xenografts.

BACKGROUND: Topotecan is a topoisomerase I inhibitor with activity against xenografts of childhood solid tumors and established clinical activity against neuroblastoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. We have studied the relationship between systemic exposure to and the antitumor activity of topotecan lactone (the active form of the drug) in the xenograft models. Furthermore, we determined whether the responses seen in these models occur at systemic exposure levels that are tolerable in children. METHODS: Neuroblastoma xenografts derived from the tumors of six different patients were established subcutaneously in immune-deprived mice. Topotecan was administered by intravenous bolus injection 5 days a week for 2 consecutive weeks, repeated every 21 days for three cycles. The minimum daily doses that induced complete responses (CRs) and partial responses (PRs) were determined. Topotecan lactone pharmacokinetic studies were performed in both tumor-bearing and nontumor-bearing mice. RESULTS: The minimum doses associated with CRs and PRs in four of the six neuroblastoma xenografts were 0.61 and 0.36 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The topotecan lactone single-day systemic exposures associated with these doses were 88 and 52 ng x hr/mL, respectively. There was an approximately sixfold difference in topotecan lactone systemic exposure (290 ng x hr/mL versus 52 ng x hr/mL) associated with achieving CRs in the least-sensitive and most-sensitive tumors, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Neuroblastoma xenografts are highly sensitive to topotecan therapy, and responses in mice are achieved at systemic exposures similar to those that are clinically effective and tolerable in children. These results support the concept of deriving preclinical data relating systemic exposure to antitumor activity in xenograft models. Such data may be valuable in making informed decisions regarding the clinical development of new agents.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗