slow patient recruitment

The purpose of this study is to determine whether Recombinant Human Arginase 1 (rhArg1)is safe and effective in the treatment of patients with Relapsed or Refractory Leukemia or Lymphoma.

This is a pilot, open-label study of PEG-BCT-100 in patients with relapsed/refractory leukemia or lymphoma who have satisfied all inclusion/exclusion criteria.

Approximately 15 subjects will be enrolled or when 10 evaluable subjects are included in the study. Evaluable subjects are defined as subjects who have received 4 consecutive doses of PEG-BCT-100 1600U/kg within 6 weeks from the first 1600U/kg dose and completed the first disease response assessment.

After the initiation of trial treatment, safety parameters will be evaluated throughout the study. Adverse event (AE) will be graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0 (NCI CTC AE v4). AE and serious AE (SAE) will be detected and recorded on the Case Report Forms (CRFs) until 15-28 days after the last dose of PEG-BCT-100.

Patients who achieve complete remission (CR)/complete remission with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi) following the 4 consecutive 1600U/kg doses may continue PEG-BCT-100 at the discretion of the investigator.

Patients who achieve partial remission (PR) or stable disease (SD) following the 4 consecutive 1600U/kg doses can continue treatment up to disease progression. Further continuation will be determined by the clinical judgment of the Investigator. Patients who have disease progression will be discontinued PEG-BCT-100.

Blood samples for PK and PD analysis will be collected and analyzed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female from 1 to 17 year-old, inclusive.
• Confirmed relapsed/refractory leukemia or lymphoma to the last regimen, and the patient is without standard therapy for the disease.
• For subjects aged <16 years, modified Lansky Play Performance Scale (Appendix A) of 40% or above; For subjects aged ≥16 years, Karnofsky Performance Status (Appendix B) of 40% or above.
• For lymphoma patients, at least one node or nodal mass is measurable by CT scan.
• Willing to adhere to the prohibitions and restrictions specified in this protocol.
• Subject's legally acceptable representative must has signed an informed consent document and patient aged 7 or above must provide an assenting signature on the informed consent document, indicating that he/she/they understand(s) the purpose of and procedures required for the study and is willing to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Has received cancer treatment, e.g. chemotherapy, targeted biologic or enzymes, either approved or investigational, within 2 weeks prior to the start of the PEG-BCT-100.
• Any toxic effects (except hair loss) of the prior therapy have not been resolved to Grade 2 or less according to National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events.
• Total bilirubin > 1.5 x ULN not related to hemolysis or Gilbert's disease, and AST/ALT > 5 x ULN
• Serum creatinine > 2 x ULN or calculated creatinine clearance < 60 ml/min.
• Any other active malignancy within the past year except basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix or breast.
• Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris or cardiac arrhythmia.
• History of HIV-1 seropositivity.
• Active infection not adequately responding to appropriate therapy.
• Female patient is pregnant or lactating.
• Female patient with childbearing potential and sexual activity who does not agree or unable to use adequate contraceptive [including prescription oral contraceptives (birth control pills), contraceptive injections, intrauterine device (IUD), double-barrier method (spermicidal jelly or foam with condoms or diaphragm), contraceptive patch, or surgical sterilization] before entry and throughout the study.
• Male patient with sexual activity who does not agree to use adequate contraception (barrier method of birth control in conjunction with spermicidal jelly) prior to study entry and throughout the study.
• Use of any investigational drug(s) within 2 weeks prior to the start of the PEG-BCT-100.
• Use of any arginine depleting agent within 2 weeks prior to the start of the PEG-BCT-100.
• Subjects, who in the opinion of the Investigator, are unable to comply with the trial treatment and the related trial procedures.