Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: A Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-controlled, Two-Phase, Sequential Cohort, Dose Finding Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of an Oral Thrombopoietin Receptor Agonist, Eltrombopag (SB-497115-GR), Administered to Patients With Solid Tumors Receiving Gemcitabine Monotherapy or the Combination of Gemcitabine Plus Carboplatin or Cisplatin
Brief Summary: The present study is a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled, two-Phase, sequential cohort, dose finding study to assess the safety and efficacy of eltrombopag in patients with solid tumors receiving gemcitabine monotherapy or the combination of gemcitabine plus carboplatin or cisplatin. Phase I of the study will examine safety and tolerability of various doses of eltrombopag to identify a dose and schedule of eltrombopag. Phase II will confirm that the chosen dose and schedule of eltrombopag from Phase I can deliver clinically meaningful benefit(s) to thrombocytopenic patients by improving platelet numbers.


Options:
A: Inclusion criteria:

* Subjects ≥18 years old, who are chemotherapy naïve, with histologically or cytologically confirmed advanced solid tumor (leukemia and lymphoma are excluded) who are scheduled to received carboplatin/paclitaxel as shown below. For the purpose of this study, advanced tumors are defined as tumors that are being treated with palliative intent (i.e., not being treated with curative intent).
* Subjects scheduled to receive first-line chemotherapy as carboplatin AUC 5-6 IV over 30 minutes plus paclitaxel 175-225 mg/m2 IV over 3 hours on day 1 every 21 days, with routine pre-medications, i.e., 20 mg dexamethasone \[or equivalent\] orally 6 and 12 hours pre-paclitaxel, 50 mg IV diphenhydramine \[or equivalent\] and 300 mg IV cimetidine \[or equivalent\] 30-60 minutes pre-paclitaxel.
* ECOG-Zubrod performance status is 0, or 1.
* Subject has no history of platelet disorders or dysfunction and no history of a bleeding disorder.
* Subjects have adequate:

hematologic function (ANC ≥ 1,500/mm3, hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dL, and platelet count ≥100,000/mm3 and \< upper limit of normal range (eg, 400,000 to 450,000/mm3), hepatic function (bilirubin ≤ 2 mg/dL and alanine aminotransferase ≤ three times the upper limit of normal), renal function (creatinine ≤ 2.0 mg/dL).

* Subject has no physical limitation to ingest and retain oral medication.
* Subject has life expectancy of at least 6 months.
* Subject is practicing an acceptable method of contraception (documented in chart). Female subjects (or female partners of male subjects) must either be of nonchildbearing potential (hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, bilateral tubal ligation or post-menopausal \> 1 year), or of childbearing potential and use one of the following acceptable methods of contraception from two weeks prior to administration of study medication, throughout the study, and 28 days after completion or premature discontinuation from the study:

Complete abstinence from intercourse; Intrauterine device (IUD); Two forms of barrier contraception (diaphragm plus spermicide, and for males condom plus spermicide); Male partner is sterile prior to entry into the study and is the only partner of the female; Systemic contraceptives (combined or progesterone only).

* Subject is able to understand and comply with protocol requirements and instructions and intend to complete the study as planned.
* Subject has signed and dated written informed consent.
* Chemotherapy naive patients with advanced solid tumors (without brain metastasis or rapid progression within 2 weeks) who are scheduled to receive standard first-line therapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel every 21 days.
* Adequate hematologic, hepatic and renal function.

Exclusion criteria:

* Any clinically relevant abnormality, other than cancer, identified on the screening examination, or any other medical condition or circumstance, which in the opinion of the Investigator, makes the subject unsuitable for participation in the study and/or would make the patient's data difficult to interpret.
* Subjects with a known history of rapidly progressive disease (marked increase in tumor size \[\>50%\], ascites, or serious symptoms related to underlying cancer in the preceding 4-week period), surgery within the previous 2 weeks, radiotherapy within the previous 4 weeks, or any prior chemotherapy.
* Subjects with known pre-existing cardiac disease, including congestive heart failure, arrhythmias requiring treatment, or myocardial infarction within the preceding 3 months.
* Subjects with abnormal resting 12-lead ECG at screening that would indicate preexisting cardiac disease, as noted in exclusion criterion 3.
* Subjects with known clotting disorder associated with hypercoaguability.
* Subject has consumed aspirin, aspirin-containing compounds, salicylates, quinine or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) for \> 3 consecutive days within 2 weeks of the study start and would require them at any time during the study.
* Treatment with an investigational drug within 30 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) preceding the first dose of study medication.
* Subject has consumed liquid antacids (e.g. Maalox, Mylanta, Amphogel, milk of magnesia), chewable antacids (e.g. TUMS) or calcium supplements within 48 hours of the first dose of study medication, and/or will require these medications during the study.
* Subject has consumed rosuvastatin or pravastatin within 1 week of the first dose of study medication and/or will require these medications at any time during the study.
* Any history of drug-induced thrombocytopenia (e.g., quinine).
* Systemic anti-coagulant use within 4 weeks prior to study entry.
* Consumption of any herbal or dietary supplements, excluding vitamin or mineral supplements (See Exclusion 8 for calcium supplements), within 1 week of the study start.
* Female subjects who are lactating or have a positive beta-hCG at screening.
* Subjects with a history of CNS metastases or clinical signs or symptoms of brain and/or leptomeningeal metastases confirmed by CT or MRI brain scan.
* History of platelet or bleeding disorders.
* Patients using aspirin, aspirin-containing compounds, salicylates, antacids, rosuvastatin, pravastatin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for greater than 3 days during and within 3 weeks prior to the study.
* Females who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
B: Inclusion criteria:

* Adult subjects, 18 years or older
* Adequate liver and kidney function
* Prior history of ≥grade 2 thrombocytopenia (platelet nadir ≤ 75,000/microliters)
* Ability to ingest and retain oral medication
* Practice acceptable birth control
* Ability to understand and follow study requirements
* Life expectancy of at least 3 months

Exclusion criteria:

* History of platelet disorders, dysfunction, or a bleeding disorder
* Anti-coagulant used within 2 weeks prior to study start
* Females who are lactating or expecting
* History of thromboembolic events or drug induced thrombocytopenia
* History of central nervous system, brain and/or leptomeningeal metastases
* Prior surgery within 2 weeks or radiotherapy within 4 weeks of study start
* Pre-existing cardiac disease
C: Inclusion Criteria:Inclusion Criteria Subjects eligible for enrolment in Phase I and II of the study must meet all of the following criteria:

* Signed written informed consent.
* Age ≥ 18 years.
* Subjects with confirmed solid tumor and scheduled to receive at least two cycles of either gemcitabine monotherapy OR gemcitabine in combination with carboplatin or cisplatin at the same dosages and schedule in the study. Novel anticancer agents (e.g. bevacizumab, erlotinib) may be allowed if considered a standard treatment by the investigator. Subjects with only ONE current diagnosis of primary solid tumor will be allowed into the study.
* Note: For patients scheduled to receive any novel anticancer agents (e.g. bevacizumab, erlotinib), consultation and approval from the GSK medical monitor should occur before the subject is enrolled into the study.
* Life expectancy of at least 3 months, in the opinion of the investigator.
* ECOG-Zubrod performance status ≤ 2
* For Phase I: Pre-chemotherapy platelet count ≤ 300 Gi/L in the screening period before the subject start their first planned cycle of treatment with gemcitabine monotherapy OR gemcitabine in combination with carboplatin or cisplatin in the study.
* For Phase II (Part 1 and 2): Subjects must meet one of the following platelet count entry criteria:

  1. Subjects have not started the first cycle in this disease setting and have a platelet count \< 150 Gi/L in the screening period as measured within 3 days before Day -5, OR
  2. Subjects started chemotherapy for this disease setting and had platelet count \< 150 Gi/L on Day 1 in the preceding cycle before entry into the study, OR
  3. Platelet count \< 100 Gi/L at Day 8 in the preceding cycle before entry into the study, OR
  4. Platelet count \< 100 Gi/L at Day 15 in the preceding cycle before entry into the study (for subjects receiving Gemcitabine monotherapy) Note: For any of these platelet counts, a repeated platelet count may be allowed only once to ensure that the subject meets the above platelet count criteria and the latest count will be taken for the assessment of eligibility to the study..
* Subjects with previous chemotherapy treatment in a previous disease setting are allowed provided they have recovered from chemotherapy related toxicity except alopecia (and the lab parameters mentioned in Inclusion criteria in #9).
* Adequate organ function during screening period defined by the criteria below (adequate baseline organ function):
* SYSTEM LABORATORY VALUES
* Hematologic
* Platelets, see Inclusion criteria
* ANC (absolute neutrophil count) ≥1.5 × 109/L
* Hemoglobin ≥9 g/dL
* Prothrombin time (PT/INR) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) Within 80 to 120% of the normal range
* Hepatic
* Albumin ≥2.5 g/dL
* Serum bilirubin ≤1.5 x ULN AST and ALT

  * 3 × ULN without liver metastases
  * 5 × ULN if documented liver metastases
* Renal
* Serum Creatinine ≤ 1.2 x ULN
* Subjects with AST, ALT or bilirubin values outside the range(s) in the table due to Gilbert's syndrome or asymptomatic gall stones are not excluded.
* Women of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 2 weeks prior to randomization and agree to use effective contraception, during the study and for 4 weeks following the last dose of investigational product.
* Men with a female partner of childbearing potential must have either had a prior vasectomy or agree to use effective contraception from 2 weeks prior to randomization until 13 weeks after the last dose of study treatment.
* Able to swallow and retain orally administered medication and does not have any clinically significant gastrointestinal abnormalities that may alter absorption such as malabsorption syndrome or major resection of the stomach or bowels.

Exclusion Criteria:

Subjects meeting any of the following criteria must not be enrolled in the study:

* Lactating females.
* Pre-existing cardiovascular disease (congestive heart failure, New York Heart Association \[NYHA\] Grade III/IV), or arrhythmia known to increase the risk of thromboembolic events (e.g. atrial fibrillation), unstable angina, or subjects with a QTc \>450 msec (QTc \>480 msec for subjects with Bundle Branch Block) at study entry, or myocardial infarction within the preceding 6 months. Subjects with a34 pacemaker or defibrillator are not excluded provided that their cardiac function is within normal ranges.
* Note: For patients with pre-existing NYHA Grade II cardiovascular disease, the investigator should consult with GSK medical monitor before enrolling the subject into the study.
* Patients with known factor V leiden, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, prothrombin gene mutations, ATIII deficiency, protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency OR recent history of arterial or venous thrombosis (stroke, transient ischemic attack, myocardial infarction, deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) within the preceding 6 months.
* Note: for patients with known risk factors for thromboembolism e.g., diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, recent major surgery etc., the investigator should consult with GSK medical monitor before enrolling the patient into the study and all risk factors should be documented in the CRF.
* Prior surgery within two weeks before study randomization or radiotherapy (RT) within four weeks before study randomization. Subjects with prior surgery or RT are not permitted into the study unless they have completely recovered from surgery and/or acute RT toxicity except for alopecia.
* Note: Note: patients with minor surgeries or outpatient procedures (e.g. insertion of central venous catheter) are immediately allowed in the study provided that there were no complications from the procedure or surgery.
* History of prior radiotherapy to more than 20% bone marrow bearing sites.
* History of platelet agglutination abnormality, platelet disorders or dysfunction or bleeding disorder that prevents reliable measurement of platelet counts.
* Subjects with a history of CNS metastases or clinical signs or symptoms of brain and/or leptomeningeal metastases confirmed by CT or MRI brain scan unless properly treated. Subjects with CNS metastases treated by neurosurgical resection or brain biopsy performed within 3 months prior to randomization will be excluded.
* Treated brain metastases are defined
* Having no evidence of progression or hemorrhage after treatment and no ongoing requirement for dexamethasone, as ascertained by clinical examination and brain imaging (MRI or CT) during the screening period. Anticonvulsants (stable dose) are allowed.
* Treatment for brain metastases may include whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), radiosurgery (RS; Gamma Knife, LINAC, or equivalent) or a combination as deemed appropriate by the treating physician.

Note: if subject has performed a CT scan immediately prior to the screening period and CT could not be repeated, an MRI should be performed in the screening period to exclude the development of brain metastases and/or the progression of the pre-existing brain metastatic lesion(s).

* Administration of an investigational drug within 30 days or 5 half-lives, whichever is longer, preceding the first dose of investigational product in the study. Concurrent participation in another interventional clinical trial or administration of any investigational drug during the study is also not permitted.
* A known immediate or delayed hypersensitivity reaction or idiosyncrasy that, in the opinion of the Investigator or GSK Medical Monitor is due to drugs chemically related to eltrombopag or excipients (e.g. mannitol).
* Subjects with known Hepatitis B, hepatitis C or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Subjects with Gilbert's Syndrome are permitted into the study.
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of MDS using the World Health Organization classification
* Low or Intermediate-1 risk MDS using the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS)
* The mean of two platelet counts taken during the screening period must be ≤ 50 x 10\^9/L, with no individual count \> 55 x 10\^9/L (The mean platelet counts of 5 subjects enrolled at the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) must be ≤ 20 x 10\^9/L). Standard of care platelet assessments taken prior to Informed Consent may be used as 1 of the 2 counts taken within 3 weeks prior to study day 1.
* Must be ≥ 18 years of age at the time of obtaining informed consent
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-2 at the time of screening
* Adequate Liver Function, as evidenced by a serum bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times the laboratory normal range (except for patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Gilbert's Disease), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 3 times the laboratory normal range, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤ 3 times the laboratory normal range
* A serum creatinine concentration ≤ 2 mg/dL (≤ 176.6 µmol/L)
* Before any study-specific procedure, the appropriate written informed consent must be obtained (see Section 12.1)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Currently receiving any treatment for MDS other than transfusions and erythropoietic growth factors. If granulocyte growth factors are currently being received, they cannot be used on or after study day 1
* Clinically significant bleeding within 2 weeks prior to screening (eg, gastrointestinal (GI) bleeds, intracranial hemorrhage)
* Prior malignancy (other than controlled prostate cancer, in situ cervical cancer or basal cell cancer of the skin) unless treated with curative intent and without evidence of disease for ≥ 3 years before screening
* Prior history of bone marrow transplantation
* Persistent peripheral blood monocytosis (≥ 3 months with an absolute monocyte count \> 1,000/µL)
* Unstable angina, congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association \[NYHA\] \> class II), uncontrolled hypertension (diastolic \> 100 mmHg), uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia, or recent (within 1 year) myocardial infarction
* Received Anti-Thymocyte Globuline (ATG) within 6 months of screening
* Received hypomethylating agents, immunomodulating agents, histone deacetylase inhibitors, cyclosporine or mycophenolate within 6 weeks of screening
* Received interleukin (IL)-11 (oprelvekin) within 4 weeks before screening
* Concurrent use of granulocyte growth factors (i.e. granulocyte-colony stimulating factor \[G-CSF; Neupogen, Granocyte\], pegfilgrastim \[Neulasta\], granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor \[GM-CSF; Leukine, Prokine, Sargramostim\])
* Have ever previously received recombinant thrombopoietin (rTPO), pegylated recombinant human megakaryocyte growth and development factor (PEG-rHuMGDF), eltrombopag, or romiplostim
* Less than 4 weeks since receipt of any therapeutic drug or device that is not Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for any indication
* Other investigational procedures are excluded
* History of arterial thrombosis (eg, stroke or transient ischemic attack) in the past year
* History of venous thrombosis that currently requires anti-coagulation therapy
* Untreated B12 or folate deficiency
* Subject is evidently pregnant (eg, positive human chorionic gonadotropin \[HCG\] test) or is breast feeding
* Subject is not using adequate contraceptive precautions
* Subject has known hypersensitivity to any recombinant E coli-derived product
* Subject previously has enrolled in this study
* Subject will not be available for follow-up assessment
* Subject has any kind of disorder that compromises the ability of the subject to give written informed consent and/or to comply with study procedures

Answer: C