This phase I trial is studying the side effects and the best dose of veliparib when given together with capecitabine and oxaliplatin in treating patients with advanced solid tumors. Veliparib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as capecitabine and oxaliplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving veliparib together with capecitabine and oxaliplatin may kill more tumor cells.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To determine the dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of ABT-888 (veliparib) in combination with oxaliplatin and capecitabine in advanced solid tumors.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of ABT-888, oxaliplatin, and capecitabine when administered concomitantly.

II. To evaluate the safety and tolerability of the ABT-888 in combination with capecitabine and oxaliplatin.

III. To assess for evidence of anti-tumor activity with this combination, per tumor measurements using RECIST criteria, in these patients.

TERTIARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To assess the inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells secondary to treatment with ABT-888.

II. To determine the pharmacokinetics of ABT-888 in combination with oxaliplatin and capecitabine and the relation to treatment side effects.

OUTLINE: This is a dose-escalation study of veliparib.

Patients receive veliparib orally (PO) twice daily and capecitabine PO twice daily on 1-7 and 15-21, and oxaliplatin intravenously (IV) over 2 hours on days 1 and 15. Courses repeat every 28 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Patients undergo blood and urine sample collection at baseline and periodically during study for pharmacokinetic and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition studies.

After completion of study therapy, patients are followed up for 30 days.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed solid tumors that fulfill ≥ 1 of the following criteria:

  • BRCA1/2 mutation and a BRCA-related malignancy

    • Patients without a known BRCA mutation must have a probability of harboring a BRCA gene mutation as assessed by BRCAPRO computer program
    • Patients with a probability of having genetic mutation ≥ 20% or a BRCA mutation based on a non-Myriad test, must have a formal BRCA testing by Myriad Genetic Laboratories
    • Patients with known deleterious BRCA 1 or 2 mutation or a mutation of uncertain significance
    • Patients who refuse BRCA testing not allowed unless they have another acceptable histology

  • First- or second-line metastatic colorectal cancer

  • Any-line metastatic mucinous ovarian cancer

  • Any line of other metastatic gastrointestinal malignancies in which oxaliplatin has shown some activity (i.e., gastric or pancreatic adenocarcinoma)

• Patients with uncontrolled CNS metastasis are not eligible; patients with CNS metastases who have had them treated and are stable for > 3 months will be eligible; patients must be off steroid treatment prior to study enrollment

• Measurable disease

  • Patients with ovarian cancer who have a pre-treatment CA 125 level of at least twice the upper limit of normal allowed

• ECOG performance status (PS) 0-2 (Karnofsky 60-100%)

• Life expectancy > 3 months

• ANC ≥ 1,500/mm³

• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm³

• Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

• AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times ULN (≤ 5 times ULN for patients with liver metastases)

• Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times ULN OR creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min

• Fertile patients must use adequate contraception (i.e., hormonal, barrier method of birth control, or abstinence)

• Not pregnant or nursing

• Negative pregnancy test

• No history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to veliparib or other agents used in study

• No uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, any of the following:

  • Ongoing or active infection
  • Symptomatic congestive heart failure
  • Unstable angina pectoris
  • Cardiac arrhythmia
  • Psychiatric illness and/or social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements

• No history of positive serology for hepatitis A, B, or C, liver disease, or other forms of hepatitis or cirrhosis

• Patients who have active seizures or history of seizures are ineligible

• No condition that impairs the ability to swallow and retain veliparib capsules, including any of the following:

  • Gastrointestinal tract disease resulting in an inability to take oral medication or a requirement for IV alimentation
  • Prior surgical procedures affecting absorption
  • Active peptic ulcer disease

• No malabsorption syndrome, disease significantly affecting gastrointestinal function, resection of the stomach or small bowel, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or a partial or complete small bowel obstruction

• No peripheral neuropathy ≥ grade 2

• No prolonged QTC > 450 msec (male) or QTC > 470 (female)

• No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients

• Recovered from adverse events of prior therapy or prior surgical procedures

  • Patients with chronic grade 1 or 2 adverse events that are not expected to improve are allowed at investigator's discretion

• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin C)

• At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy with no > 35% of marrow irradiation

• Prior fluoropyrimidine allowed

• Prior veliparib allowed provided it was part of a single- or limited-dosing study, such as a phase 0 study

• Prior capecitabine allowed provided patient tolerated 3500 mg/m² for 7 days out of 14 days

• No other prior investigational agents

• No prior oxaliplatin