Toll-like Receptor (TLR) 7 Agonist, Cyclophosphamide, and Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer With Skin Metastases

Phase I/II Study of TLR7 Agonist Imiquimod, Cyclophosphamide, and Radiotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients With Chest Wall Recurrence or Skin Metastases

This study is to find an optimal dose of Imiquimod (IMQ) in the first part (Phase I) and test the effectiveness of the combination treatment of IMQ, cyclophosphamide (CTX), and radiotherapy (RT) in patients with skin metastases from breast cancer in the second part (Phase II). Currently this trial is in its Phase II part.

By harnessing the cytocidal and immunostimulatory properties of two local treatment modalities, RT and IMQ, an effective, adaptive immune response can be generated, resulting in systemic control of metastatic breast cancer after local treatment of cutaneous metastases. Additionally, based on investigators' recent preclinical data, the investigators intend to estimate in patients with metastatic breast cancer, if the addition of immunomodulatory cyclophosphamide can increase anti-tumor responses.

This trial originally had one treatment arm IMQ/RT(patients were treated with IMQ and RT). Recent evidence has emerged that the addition of immunomodulatory cyclophosphamide (CTX) increased anti-tumor responses, therefore the IMQ/RT arm is closed and the trial will continue with two additional cohorts (CTX/IMQ/RT and CTX/RT) which include cyclophosphamide.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with biopsy-confirmed breast cancer.

2. Patients with at least measurable skin metastases and distant, measurable metastases (outside of skin) by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). For patients without distant measurable metastases, an area of the skin metastases designated to not receive local therapy can be substituted. Patients with multiple (>= 2) metastatic sites (skin involvement not required), with at least one site measurable by RECIST, will be eligible for the CTX/RT cohort.

3. Age >= 18 years.

4. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-2.

5. Patients must agree to tumor fine-needle aspiration required by protocol.

6. Concurrent systemic cancer therapy (hormones, biologics or chemotherapy) can be continued if distant metastases are non-responsive (i.e. no complete response or partial response) on that regimen for >= 8 weeks as assessed by the investigator.

7. Patients must have adequate organ and bone marrow function as defined below:

   • absolute neutrophil count >= 1,300/microliter
   • hemoglobin >= 9.0 grams/deciliter
   • platelets >= 75,000/microliter
   • total bilirubin =< 1.5 X institutional upper limit of normal
   • AST (aspartate aminotransferase) =< 2.5 X institutional upper limit of normal
   • ALT (alanine aminotransferase) =< 2.5 X institutional upper limit of normal
   • creatinine =< 2 X institutional upper limit of normal if patient has chronic renal insufficiency and creatinine has been stable for > 4 months)

8. Informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Brain metastases unless resected or irradiated and stable >= 4 weeks.
2. Concurrent treatment with other investigational agents.
3. Patients who have received any local therapy (radiotherapy, high-potency corticosteroids, intralesional therapy, laser therapy or surgery) other than biopsy to the target area within 4 weeks prior to first dosing of study agent.
4. Patients who have received hyperthermia to the target area within 10 weeks prior to first dosing of study agent.
5. Patients with an uncontrolled bleeding disorder.
6. Patients (with skin metastases only) who will be therapeutically anticoagulated with heparins or coumadin at the time of the biopsy (they are eligible if anticoagulation can be held prior to biopsy as per investigator). Patients on aspirin and other platelet agents are eligible.
7. Patients with known immunodeficiency or receiving immunosuppressive therapies.
8. History of allergic reactions to imiquimod or its excipients.
9. Uncontrolled intercurrent medical illness or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
10. Pregnancy or lactation.
11. Women of childbearing potential not using a medically acceptable means of contraception.