A phase II, single-arm study of the anti-α5β1 integrin antibody volociximab as monotherapy in patients with platinum-resistant advanced epithelial ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer

ObjectiveThis phase II, multicenter, single-arm, two-stage study in platinum-resistant, advanced epithelial ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer evaluated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of weekly single-agent volociximab. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies were also performed.MethodsSixteen patients were enrolled in Stage 1. Volociximab was administered at 15 mg/kg IV qwk until progression of disease or drug intolerability. Tumor response was assessed every 8 weeks. Serum samples for PK or whole blood for the evaluation of circulating tumor cells, endothelial cells, and endothelial progenitor cells were obtained on Days 1, 8, 15, 29, and 50. Ascites from one patient was collected for volociximab concentration analysis. Archived tumor tissue was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for α5 integrin expression.ResultsSafety data are available on all 16 patients; 14 were evaluable for efficacy. One patient had stable disease at 8 weeks. The remaining 13 progressed on treatment. Twelve patients (75%) experienced study-related adverse events (AEs); the most common (≥ 20%) were headache and fatigue. Three patients experienced possible study-related serious AEs (SAEs): reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, pulmonary embolism, and hyponatremia. Peak serum concentrations of volociximab increased 2–3 fold from Day 1 to Day 50. Clinically relevant trough levels were achieved (> 150 μg/mL). IHC analysis of archived tumor sections showed low-to-moderate expression of α5 integrin on all ovarian cancer tissue evaluated.ConclusionDespite insufficient clinical activity in this refractory patient population to continue the study, weekly volociximab was well tolerated, and the gained understanding of the mechanism of action of volociximab will inform future development efforts.

Research Highlights
► Volociximab was safe and well tolerated by advanced ovarian cancer patients.
► Volociximab concentrations corresponding with pre-clinical activity were achieved.
► Circulating tumor and endothelial cell populations were evaluated during the study.