The purpose of this study is to determine the safety, tolerability and dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) of VELCADE when administered in combination with interferon-alpha-2b (IFN-α-2b) to patients with metastatic malignant melanoma.
The primary objective of this study is to: • Determine the safety, tolerability and DLTs of VELCADE when administered in combination with interferon-alpha-2b (IFN-α-2b) to patients with metastatic malignant melanoma. The secondary objectives of this study are to: * Document any objective anti-tumor responses that may occur in response to this treatment regimen. * Document the time to tumor progression in patients receiving this treatment regimen. * Measure levels of the cell cycle proteins p21 and p27 in PBMCs and tumor biopsies obtained pre-study and during week 4 of Cycle 1 (Day 26). * Conduct histologic evaluations of microvessel density, tumor apoptosis and lymphocytic infiltrates within tumor biopsies obtained pre- and post-study. * Measure plasma levels of bFGF and VEGF over the course of the study. * Monitor the effects of proteasome inhibition on the biological activity of IFN-α within immune cells by measuring Jak-STAT signal transduction in patient PBMCs.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
16
VELCADE (1.0 mg/m2, 1.3 mg/m2, or 1.6 mg/m2 IV based on patient cohort). After three patients have received 5 weeks of therapy (1 cycle) at the initial dose of VELCADE (1.0 mg/m2, Cohort 1) with no dose limiting toxicity, the dose will be raised to 1.3 mg/m2 for the next cohort of three patients. If this dose level is well-tolerated in three consecutive patients, the dose of VELCADE will be raised to 1.6 mg/m2.
I = IFN-α-2b (INTRON A): 5 million units (MU)/m2 SC. INTRON A (5MU/m2) will be administered subcutaneously on Days 1, 3 and 5 of Week 0. During Cycle I, INTRON A will be administered on Days 1, 3 and 5 of Weeks 1-3 of and on Days 1 and 3 of Week 4 to allow for surgical biopsy on Day 5. During Cycles II-V, IFN-α will be administered on Days 1, 3 and 5 of Weeks 1-4. To assess the toxicity profile of IFN-α-2b alone, no VELCADE will be administered during Week 0.
Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio, United States
Determine Dose Limiting Toxicities (DLTs) of VELCADE When Administered in Combination With IFN-α-2b to Patients With Metastatic Malignant Melanoma.
A standard method for the design of this study. Initially, three patients will be treated at a starting dose of VELCADE (1.0 mg/m2). If one of the three patients demonstrates a DLT, then an additional 3 patients will be treated at that dose level. If only one of the six show DLT, then the next cohort of three patients will be entered at the next dose level (1.3 mg/m2). If two or more of the six demonstrate DLT, no further patients will be treated at that dose level. The highest dose level at which less than 2 patients experienced DLT will be expanded to six patients.
Time frame: up to 25 weeks or until disease progression
Document Any Objective Anti-tumor Responses and Time to Tumor Progression That May Occur in Response to This Treatment Regimen.
* Measure levels of the cell cycle proteins p21 and p27 in PBMCs and tumor biopsies obtained pre-study and during week 4 of Cycle 1 (Day 26). * Conduct histologic evaluations of microvessel density, tumor apoptosis and lymphocytic infiltrates within tumor biopsies obtained pre- and post-study. * Measure plasma levels of bFGF and VEGF over the course of the study. * Monitor the effects of proteasome inhibition on the biological activity of IFN-α within immune cells by measuring Jak-STAT signal transduction in patient PBMCs.
Time frame: up to 25 weeks
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