Study halted due to low enrollment

The purpose of this study is to test the safety and efficacy of drug, TAS-102 (trifluridine/tipiracil), in patients with extrapulmonary (outside the lung) high-grade neuroendocrine cancer. TAS-102 demonstrated improved survival and tolerability in patients with colorectal cancer and is currently approved by the FDA and marketed under the brand name Lonsurf for the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Recently, a study evaluating TAS-102 showed a case of complete remission of high-grade NEC. Given the safety profile of TAS-102 and the remarkable single agent activity in a disease with otherwise dismal outcomes, we hope that TAS-102 may show tolerability and efficacy in neuro-endocrine cancer and propose further exploration in patients with extrapulmonary (outside the lung) high-grade neuroendocrine cancer.

Neuroendocrine tumors are highly prevalent cancer showing heterogeneous array of behaviors. For intermediate/high grade and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC) that occur outside the lung, there is no acceptable standard of care. Most patients are treated with a platinum-based chemotherapy in the front-line setting and evidence for therapies in the second line setting is minimal representing a significant unmet need. However, the response rates have been unsatisfactory with progression-free survival of only 2.3 to 6.2 months, and there is an unmet need for an effective treatment for patients with refractory disease.

TAS-102 is a novel combination medicinal product consisting of a thymidine-based nucleoside analogue (trifluridine; FTD) as the active component and the thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor tipiracil hydrochloride (TPI) that has shown promising activity in phase I trials in patients with solid tumors and phase II in patients with gastric cancer. FTD enters cancer cells, interferes with DNA synthesis, inhibits cell proliferation and inhibit tumor growth. TPI helps FTD sustain its level in cells without degradation by thymidine phosphorylase (Tpase).Thus TAS-102 uses dual approach to inhibit rapid degradation of trifluridine and subsequent tumor growth.

Given the safety profile and efficacy, the study is designed to explore/evaluate efficacy of TAS-102 and identify characteristics of patients who may respond to this treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pathologic confirmation of high grade NEC using WHO criteria as determined by Ki67>20%, poorly differentiated (G3) characteristics, or >20 mitotic figures/10 high-power fields.
• Unknown primary may be included. Suspected extrapulmonary patients with known lung primary will be excluded.
• Prior treatment with a platinum containing regimen
• RECIST 1.1 measurable disease
• Evidence of stage IV, metastatic disease
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status ≤ 2.
• Serum albumin ≥2.5 gm/dL.
• Expected survival ≥3 months.
• Adequate hematologic function as defined by: a) Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >1500/mm3; b) Platelets ≥75,000/mm3; c) Hemoglobin >8 g/dL (in the absence of red blood transfusion).
• Adequate liver function, as defined by: a) Serum total bilirubin ≤2.5 x ULN mg/dL. b) ALT (SGPT) and AST (SGOT) ≤5 x upper limit of normal (ULN).
• Adequate renal function, as defined by serum creatinine ≤2.0 x ULN, or creatinine clearance ≥30 mL/min
• Females of child bearing potential must agree to use contraception to avoid pregnancy throughout the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Evidence of low-grade or well-differentiated features as determined by the investigator.
• Functional neuroendocrine tumors are excluded.
• Known pulmonary primary or small cell lung cancer will be excluded.
• Significant or uncontrolled congestive heart failure (CHF), myocardial infarction or significant ventricular arrhythmias within the last six months.
• Active infection or antibiotics within 48 hours prior to study enrollment, including unexplained fever (temp > 38°C).
• Other severe and/or uncontrolled medical conditions or other conditions that could affect their participation such as: a) Severe impaired lung functions as defined by spirometry and DLCO that is 50% of the normal predicted value and/or O2 saturation that is 88% or less at rest on room air, b) Uncontrolled diabetes,c) Liver disease such as cirrhosis or severe hepatic impairment, d) Presence of a condition or abnormality that in the opinion of the Investigator would compromise the safety of the patient or the integrity of the study.
• Taking other investigational or anti-cancer treatments while participating in this study. Concurrent radiotherapy is allowed provided to non-target lesions. If target lesions have received radiation therapy, progression must have been demonstrated prior to enrollment.
• Prior or concurrent malignancy, except for the following: a) Adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer; b) Cervical carcinoma in situ; c) Adequately treated Stage I or II cancer from which the subject is currently in complete remission; d) Or any other cancer from which the subject has been disease-free for 3 years.