Abstract
Objectives
Dichloroacetate (DCA) is a highly bioavailable small molecule that inhibits pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, promoting glucose oxidation and reversing the glycolytic phenotype in preclinical cancer studies. We designed this open-label phase II trial to determine the response rate, safety, and tolerability of oral DCA in patients with metastatic breast cancer and advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Materials and methods
This trial was conducted with DCA 6.25 mg/kg orally twice daily in previously treated stage IIIB/IV NSCLC or stage IV breast cancer. Growth inhibition by DCA was also evaluated in a panel of 54 NSCLC cell lines with and without cytotoxic chemotherapeutics (cisplatin and docetaxel) in normoxic and hypoxic conditions.
Results and conclusions
Under normoxic conditions in vitro, single-agent IC50 was >2 mM for all evaluated cell lines. Synergy with cisplatin was seen in some cell lines under hypoxic conditions. In the clinical trial, after seven patients were enrolled, the study was closed based on safety concerns. The only breast cancer patient had stable disease after 8 weeks, quickly followed by progression in the brain. Two patients withdrew consent within a week of enrollment. Two patients had disease progression prior to the first scheduled scans. Within 1 week of initiating DCA, one patient died suddenly of unknown cause and one experienced a fatal pulmonary embolism. We conclude that patients with previously treated advanced NSCLC did not benefit from oral DCA. In the absence of a larger controlled trial, firm conclusions regarding the association between these adverse events and DCA are unclear. Further development of DCA should be in patients with longer life expectancy, in whom sustained therapeutic levels can be achieved, and potentially in combination with cisplatin.
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Acknowledgments
Funding for this project came from K23CA149079, NIH CTSI UL1TR000124, the Lincy Foundation, the Aljian Family Trust in Memory of James Aljian, the Hecht Foundation, the Wolfen Family Clinical/Translational Lung Cancer Research Program, the Katz Family, and the One Ball Matt Golf Tournament.
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The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.
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Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT01029925.
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Garon, E.B., Christofk, H.R., Hosmer, W. et al. Dichloroacetate should be considered with platinum-based chemotherapy in hypoxic tumors rather than as a single agent in advanced non-small cell lung cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 140, 443–452 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-014-1583-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-014-1583-9