A first-in-human phase I/Ib dose-escalation clinical trial of the autophagy inducer ABTL0812 in patients with advanced solid tumours

Laura Vidal, Ivan Victoria, Lydia Gaba, Marta Gil Martín, Mercè Brunet, Helena Colom, Marc Cortal, Mariana Gómez-Ferrería, Marc Yeste-Velasco, Antonio Perez, Jordi Rodon, Davendra P.S. Sohal, José Miguel Lizcano, Carles Domènech, José Alfón, Pere Gascón

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: ABTL0812 is an autophagy inducer that promotes cancer cell death by activation of cytotoxic autophagy selectively in tumour cells. ABTL0812 induces endoplasmic reticulum stress and blocks the Akt-mTOR axis; both actions converge to activate a robust and sustained autophagy leading to cancer cell death. Preclinical data supported the initiation of clinical trials in patients with cancer. Patients and methods: This first-in-human trial consisted of an escalation phase (3 + 3 design), followed by an expansion phase, to assess safety and tolerability of ABTL0812. Secondary objectives were determining the recommended phase II dose (RP2D), clinical antitumour activity, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD). Results: A total of 29 patients were enrolled and treated; fifteen patients were treated in four escalation dosing cohorts (ranging from 500 mg once a day to 2000 mg twice a day) and fourteen in the expansion phase (dosed with 1300 mg three times a day). No maximum tolerated dose was attained, and RP2D was determined by PK/PD modelling. Most drug-related adverse events were gastrointestinal grade I–II. Correlation between drug levels and pAkt/Akt ratio was found. Two cases of long-term (>1 year) stable disease were observed. Conclusions: ABTL0812 is safe and has an acceptable tolerability profile, allowing a long-term oral dosing. RP2D of 1300 mg three times a day was determined according to PK/PD modelling, and preliminary antitumour efficacy was observed. Clinical trial registration number: NCT02201823.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)87-94
Number of pages8
JournalEuropean Journal of Cancer
Volume146
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2021

Keywords

  • ABTL0812
  • Akt
  • Autophagy
  • Cancer
  • ER stress
  • First-in-human
  • TRIB3
  • mTOR

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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