DS-3201b and Irinotecan in Treating Patients with Recurrent Small Cell Lung Cancer

Inclusion Criteria

• Signed informed consent form (ICF).
• Ability to comply with the study protocol as per the investigator‘s judgment.
• Age >= 18 years at the time of signing the ICF.
• Life expectancy >= 12 weeks.
• Karnofsky performance status >= 70% or Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 0, 1 or 2.
• Pathologically confirmed diagnosis of small cell lung cancer. Patients with a diagnosis of combined small cell lung cancer with other histologies may be considered for inclusion if the predominant histology is SCLC and only after discussion with the study principal investigator (PI). Patients with transformed SCLC from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are allowed on study after discussing with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) or Johns Hopkins University (JHU) study PI.
• Radiographically documented progression of disease after prior treatment with a platinum doublet regimen.
• Patients who received a platinum doublet regimen in combination with immunotherapy are still eligible for the study.
• Measurable disease according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1.
• Adequate tissue sample available for both immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing of IHC testing of SLFN11 and H3K27me3 and molecular profiling (archived tissue block or 20 unstained slides). Tissue sample can be either from an initial pre-platinum-based chemotherapy sample OR from a repeat biopsy sample after progression on platinum-based chemotherapy.
• Concurrent consent to the appropriate biospecimen research protocols at MSKCC (#06-107 storage and research use of human biospecimens) and at JHU.
• Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1.5 x 10^9/L (1500/uL) without granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support within 2 weeks prior to starting study therapy (obtained within 14 days prior to initiation of study treatment).
• Hemoglobin >= 9 g/dL (transfusions to meet this criterion are allowed) (obtained within 14 days prior to initiation of study treatment).
• Platelets >= 150 x 10^9 /L without transfusion (obtained within 14 days prior to initiation of study treatment).
• Creatinine clearance >= 30 mL/min as calculated using the modified Cockcroft-Gault equation or Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula OR serum creatinine =< 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) =< 3 x ULN with the following exceptions: * Patients with documented liver metastases: AST, ALT and ALP =< 5 x ULN.
• Total bilirubin =< 2.0 mg/dL.
• For patients not receiving therapeutic anticoagulation: * Institutional normalized ratio (INR) =< 1.5 x ULN. * Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) =< 1.5 x ULN.
• For patients receiving therapeutic anticoagulation: * Stable anticoagulant regimen.
• Patients with baseline clinical symptoms or laboratory abnormalities that do not meet the definition of dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) are eligible for treatment on this study.
• Nonsterilized female patients of reproductive age group and male patients should use highly effective methods of contraception through defined periods during and after study treatment as specified below: * Female patients must meet 1 of the following: ** Postmenopausal for at least 1 year before the screening visit, or ** Surgically sterile, or ** If she is of childbearing potential, agree to practice 1 highly effective method and 1 additional effective (barrier) method of contraception, at the same time, from the time of signing the informed consent through 6 months after the last dose of study drug, or ** Agree to practice true abstinence, when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject. (Periodic abstinence [e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, postovulation methods] withdrawal, spermicides only, and lactational amenorrhea are not acceptable methods of contraception. Female and male condoms should not be used together.) * Female patients must agree to not donate eggs (ova) during the course of this study or 4 months after receiving their last dose of study drug(s). ** A woman is considered to be of childbearing potential if she is post-menarcheal, has not reached a postmenopausal state (>= 12 continuous months of amenorrhea with no identified cause other than menopause), and has not undergone surgical sterilization (removal of ovaries and/or uterus). ** Examples of highly effective contraceptive methods (with a failure rate of < 1% per year) include bilateral tubal ligation, male sterilization, and established proper use of hormonal contraceptives that inhibit ovulation, hormone-releasing intrauterine devices, and copper intrauterine devices. ** The reliability of sexual abstinence should be evaluated in relation to the duration of the clinical trial and the preferred and usual lifestyle of the patient. Periodic abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, or postovulation methods) and withdrawal are not acceptable methods of contraception. * Male patients, even if surgically sterilized (i.e., status post vasectomy), must agree to 1 of the following: ** Practice highly effective barrier contraception during the entire study treatment period and through 6 months after the last dose of study drug, or ** Practice true abstinence, when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject. (Periodic abstinence [e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, postovulation methods for the female partner] withdrawal, spermicides only, and lactational amenorrhea are not acceptable methods of contraception. Female and male condoms should not be used together.) * Male patients must agree to not donate sperm during the course of this study or 6 months after receiving their last dose of study drug(s).
• Patient is willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, drug administration plan, laboratory tests, other study procedures, and study restrictions.

Exclusion Criteria

• Any serious medical or psychiatric illness that could, in the investigator's opinion, potentially interfere with the completion of study procedures.
• Untreated central nervous system (CNS) metastases.
• Patients with treated CNS metastases are allowed on the study as long as their clinical symptoms are adequately controlled, and the daily dose of steroid use is equivalent to or less than 10 mg of prednisone.
• Is receiving concomitant treatment with a strong inhibitor or inducer of CYP3A4/5 within 7 days of first receipt of DS-3201b. * Consumption of herbs/fruits that may have an influence on PK of DS-3201b (strong CYP3A inhibitors or inducers) such as St. John‘s wort, star fruit, Seville orange or Seville orange-containing foods and beverages, grapefruit or grapefruit-containing food or beverages should be avoided from 14 days prior to the start of the study and throughout the entire study.
• Prior exposure to DS-3201b or other inhibitors of enhancer of zeste homologue-2 (EZH2).
• Prior exposure to topotecan and irinotecan.
• Refractory nausea and vomiting, malabsorption, biliary shunt, significant bowel resection, or any other condition that significantly affects gut motility or absorption and would preclude adequate absorption of DS-3201b in the opinion of the treating physician and/or primary investigator (PI).
• Currently receiving anticancer therapies or who have received anticancer therapies within 2 weeks prior to the initiation of study treatment. Anticancer therapies include chemotherapy, biologics, targeted therapies, immunologics, or other investigational therapy.
• Currently receiving radiation therapy, or who have received radiation within 2 weeks prior to the initiation of study treatment.
• Patients who have not recovered to grade =< 1 or baseline from adverse events due to prior anticancer therapy.
• Patients who have had a major surgery or significant traumatic injury within 4 weeks of start of study drug, patients who have not recovered from the side effects of any major surgery (defined as requiring general anesthesia). * NOTE: Procedures such as a percutaneous biopsy, pleural catheter insertion, placement of a central venous catheter or other minor procedures are permitted.
• Have a known hypersensitivity to any of the components of or known hypersensitivity to either the study drug itself or any of the inactive ingredients in the study drug product.
• Uncontrolled or significant cardiovascular disease, including the following: * Evidence of prolongation of QT/ corrected QT interval (QTc) interval (e.g., repeated episodes of QT corrected for heart rate using Fridericia’s method [QTcF] >450 ms for men and >470 ms for females) electrocardiogram (EC) from 12-lead electrocardiogram for measurement of corrected QT interval according to the Fridericia formula: electrocardiogram must be registered at rest. For any EKG assessment, if the initial EKG shows a prolonged QTc, then two additional EKGs will be obtained, resulting in three specimens taken after a space of 1 minute, and the mean of the 3 EKGs will be used to determine eligibility and for grading of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). * Diagnosed or suspected long QT syndrome, or known family history of long QT syndrome. * History of clinically relevant ventricular arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, or Torsade de Pointes. * Uncontrolled arrhythmia (subjects with asymptomatic, controllable atrial fibrillation may be enrolled), or asymptomatic persistent ventricular tachycardia. * Subject has clinically relevant bradycardia of <50 bpm unless the subject has a pacemaker. * History of second- or third-degree heart block. Candidates with a history of heart block may be eligible if they currently have pacemakers, and have no history of fainting or clinically relevant arrhythmia with pacemakers, within 6 months prior to screening. * Myocardial infarction within 6 months prior to screening. * Angioplasty or stent graft implantation within 6 months prior to screening. * Uncontrolled angina pectoris within 6 months prior to Screening. * New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class 3 or 4 congestive heart failure. * Coronary/peripheral artery bypass graft within 6 months prior to Screening. * Uncontrolled hypertension (resting systolic blood pressure >180 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure >110 mmHg). * Complete left or right bundle branch block. * Patients who are currently taking medications that are known to prolong the QT interval and are clearly associated with a known risk of Torsades de Pointes (TdP) even when taken as recommended. Patients who are able to discontinue any prohibited medication prior to the start of study drug at day -7 will still be considered eligible for the study.
• Known liver cirrhosis.
• Uncontrolled active infection requiring IV antibiotic, antiviral, or anti-fungal medications within 14 days prior to initiation of study treatment. * Infections controlled on concurrent anti-microbial agents and anti-microbial prophylaxis per institutional guidelines are acceptable.
• Congenital or acquired immunodeficiency, including patients with known history or infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). * NOTE: HIV-positive patients who are taking anti-retroviral therapy are still ineligible due to potential PK interactions with DS-3201b.
• Active tuberculosis.
• Active hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (chronic or acute), defined as having a positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test. Hepatitis B testing (HBV surface antigen and core antibody) is required only if not done previously. * Patients with a past or resolved HBV infection, defined as having a negative HBsAg test and a positive total hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) test are eligible for the study. Hepatitis B testing is required only if not done previously.
• Active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, defined as having a positive HCV antibody test followed by a positive HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) test. Hepatitis C testing (HCV antibody) is required only if not done previously. * The HCV RNA test will be performed only for patients who have a positive HCV antibody test.
• Female patients who have a positive serum pregnancy test during screening or a positive urine pregnancy test on day 1 before first dose of study drug.
• Female patients who are lactating and/or plan to breastfeed during the study treatment.