A phase IIa randomized, double-blind trial of erlotinib in inhibiting epidermal growth factor receptor signaling in aberrant crypt foci of the colorectum.

TitleA phase IIa randomized, double-blind trial of erlotinib in inhibiting epidermal growth factor receptor signaling in aberrant crypt foci of the colorectum.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsGillen, DL, Meyskens, FL, Morgan, TR, Zell, JA, Carroll, R, Benya, R, Chen, W-P, Mo, A, Tucker, C, Bhattacharya, A, Huang, Z, Arcilla, M, Wong, V, Chung, J, Gonzalez, R, Rodriguez, LMaria, Szabo, E, Rosenberg, DW, Lipkin, SM
JournalCancer Prev Res (Phila)
Volume8
Issue3
Pagination222-30
Date Published2015 Mar
ISSN1940-6215
KeywordsAberrant Crypt Foci, Case-Control Studies, Colorectal Neoplasms, Double-Blind Method, Erlotinib Hydrochloride, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Neoplasm Staging, Phosphorylation, Prognosis, Protein Kinase Inhibitors, Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor, Rectum, Signal Transduction
Abstract

<p>Colorectal cancer progresses through multiple distinct stages that are potentially amenable to chemopreventative intervention. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors are efficacious in advanced tumors including colorectal cancer. There is significant evidence that EGFR also plays important roles in colorectal cancer initiation, and that EGFR inhibitors block tumorigenesis. We performed a double-blind randomized clinical trial to test whether the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib given for up to 30 days had an acceptable safety and efficacy profile to reduce EGFR signaling biomarkers in colorectal aberrant crypt foci (ACF), a subset of which progress to colorectal cancer, and normal rectal tissue. A total of 45 patients were randomized to one of three erlotinib doses (25, 50, and 100 mg) with randomization stratified by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use. There were no unanticipated adverse events with erlotinib therapy. Erlotinib was detected in both normal rectal mucosa and ACFs. Colorectal ACF phosphorylated ERK (pERK), phosphorylated EGFR (pEGFR), and total EGFR signaling changes from baseline were modest and there was no dose response. Overall, this trial did not meet is primary efficacy endpoint. Colorectal EGFR signaling inhibition by erlotinib is therefore likely insufficient to merit further studies without additional prescreening stratification or potentially longer duration of use.</p>

DOI10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-14-0148
Alternate JournalCancer Prev Res (Phila)
PubMed ID25604134
PubMed Central IDPMC4355051
Grant ListN01-CN-35160 / CN / NCI NIH HHS / United States
P30CA062203 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
UL1 TR000153 / TR / NCATS NIH HHS / United States
UL1 TR000153 / TR / NCATS NIH HHS / United States
UL1 TR001414 / TR / NCATS NIH HHS / United States