Phase I/II study halted as Phase I, Low Response Rate

The goal of the Phase I portion of this study is to find the highest tolerable dose of TPI 287 that can be given in combination with Temodar (temozolomide) to patients with metastatic melanoma.

The goal of the Phase II portion of this study is to learn if TPI 287, given in combination with temozolomide, can control metastatic melanoma. The safety of this combination will also be studied. NOTE: Study stopped before progressing to Phase II portion.

Study Drugs:

TPI 287 is designed to block tumors from growing by preventing cancer cells from dividing.

Temozolomide is designed to kill cancer cells by causing breaks in the DNA (genetic material) of the cell.

Study Groups:

If you are found to be eligible to take part in this study, you will be assigned to a study group based on when you joined this study. Up to 8 groups of 6 participants will be enrolled in the Phase I portion of the study, and up to 64 participants will be enrolled in Phase II.

If you are enrolled in the Phase I portion, the dose of TPI 287 and temozolomide you receive will depend on when you joined this study. The first group of participants will receive the lowest dose level of TPI 287 and temozolomide. Each new group will receive a higher dose of TPI 287 and temozolomide than the group before it, if no intolerable side effects were seen. If any of these participants have a dose limiting toxicity, 6 additional participants will be added at the same dose. If a dose limiting toxicity occurs again, the dose level below this will be considered the maximum tolerated dose.

If any participant experiences a life threatening side effect, no additional participants will be enrolled into that dose level and no higher doses will be given. An additional 3 participants will be treated at the dose level below the one with life threatening toxicity. Once the maximum tolerated dose of the combination is found, Phase II of the study will open.

If you are enrolled in the Phase II portion, you will receive the drug combination at the highest dose that was tolerated in the Phase I portion

Central Venous Catheter (CVC):

You will have a CVC placed. A CVC is a sterile, flexible tube that will be placed into a large vein while you are under local anesthesia. Your doctor will explain this procedure to you in more detail, and you will be required to sign a separate consent form for this procedure.

Study Drug Administration:

You will receive TPI 287 by vein over 1 hour (+/- 10 minutes) on Days 1, 8, and 15 (+/- 1 day) of each 28 day study cycle. Before you receive each dose of TPI 287, you will receive dexamethasone, Benadryl (diphenhydramine), and Pepcid (famotidine) by vein to help prevent allergic reaction. You will also receive drugs to prevent nausea and vomiting. Your vital signs will be measured before and 30 minutes following the end of the infusion of TPI 287. Your vitals will be measured more often, if needed.

You will take temozolomide tablets by mouth on Days 1-5 at bedtime. You should not eat for at least 1 hour before and 1 hour after taking temozolomide.

Study Visits:

Before each cycle, your performance status will be recorded and you will have a physical exam. You will also be asked about any symptoms you may be experiencing and any drugs you are taking.

On Days 1, 8, and 14 of each cycle:

-Blood (about 1 teaspoon) will be drawn for routine tests before you receive TPI 287.

On Day 22 of each cycle:

-Blood (about 1 teaspoon) will be drawn for routine tests.

Every 8 weeks, you will have a CT scan or MRI scan to check the status of the disease. If you have brain metastasis, you will have an MRI of the brain every 4 weeks. If you do not have brain metastasis, you will have MRI of the brain every 8 weeks.

Length of Study:

You will continue taking the study drugs for as long as you are benefitting. You will be taken off study if the disease gets worse or intolerable side effects occur.

End-of-Treatment Visit:

About 4 weeks after you stop taking TPI 287 in combination with Temozolomide, you have an end-of-study visit. At this visit, the following tests and procedures will be performed:

• You will have a physical exam.
• You will be asked about any complications or side effects you may be experiencing.
• Blood (about 2 tablespoons) will be drawn for routine tests.
• If your doctor thinks it is needed, you will have a CT scan or MRI scan to check the status of the disease.

This is an investigational study. TPI 287 is not FDA approved or commercially available. At this time, TPI 287 is being used in research only. Temozolomide is FDA approved and commercially available for primary brain cancer. The use of temozolomide in combination with TPI 287 is investigational.

Up to 106 patients will take part in this study. All patients will be enrolled at MD Anderson.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with histologically proven melanoma with metastasis that is unresectable Stage III or Stage IV. This will include bulky stage III and M1-3. Patients with melanoma with documented metastases to the brain are eligible.
2. Patients must have shown unequivocal evidence for tumor recurrence or progression and should have at least one indicator lesion, that can be measured in one dimension as >/=20mm with conventional techniques (CT, MRI, X-ray) or >/=10mm with spiral CT scan.
3. Patients may have had up to two prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens for their disease (immunological or targeted therapy e.g. vaccine, IL-2, B-RAF inhibitors, will not be considered prior cytotoxic chemotherapy). Patient should not have been treated with Docetaxel, Paclitaxel or other taxanes.
4. All patients must sign an informed consent indicating that they are aware of the investigational nature of this study in keeping with the policies of this hospital.
5. Patients must have a Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status of </=2.
6. Patients must have recovered from the toxic effects of prior therapy: 4 weeks from prior cytotoxic therapy and/or at least two weeks from vincristine, 6 weeks from nitrosoureas, 3 weeks from procarbazine administration, and 1 week for non-cytotoxic agents, e.g., interferon, tamoxifen, thalidomide, cis-retinoic acid, etc. (radiosensitizer does not count). Any questions related to the definition of non-cytotoxic agents should be directed to the Study Chair.
7. Patients must have adequate bone marrow function (ANC >/= 1,500/mm3 and platelet count of >/= 100,000/mm3), adequate liver function (SGPT and serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) \