A randomized phase II study comparing cisplatin and gemcitabine with or without berzosertib in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma.
Authors: Pal Sumanta K. , Mortazavi Amir , Milowsky Matthew I. , Vaishampayan Ulka N. , Parikh Mamta , Lyou Yung , Wang Peng , Parikh Rahul Atul , Teply Benjamin A. , Dreicer Robert , Emamekhoo Hamid , Michaelson M. Dror , Hoimes Christopher J. , Zhang Tian , Srinivas Sandy , Kim William Y. , Liu Glenn , Frankel Paul Henry , Cui Yuijie , Lara Primo "Lucky" N. 
Published: June 2021

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Background: Cisplatin with gemcitabine (CG) remains the standard upfront chemotherapy regimen for metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC). Preclinical synergy was noted between cisplatin and berzosertib, a selective ATR inhibitor. The current study sought to determine if the combination of berzosertib and CG could improve clinical outcomes in mUC. Methods: An open-label, randomized study was conducted across 23 centers in the United States through the Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network of the National Cancer Institute. Key eligibility criteria included confirmed mUC, no prior cytotoxic therapy for metastatic disease, ≥ 12 months since perioperative therapy and eligibility for cisplatin based on standard criteria. Patients (pts) were randomized to receive either CG alone (control arm) or CG plus berzosertib (experimental arm). In the control arm, 70 mg/m2 of cisplatin was given on day 1 and gemcitabine at 1000 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle. In the experimental arm, 60 mg/m2 of cisplatin was given on day 1, gemcitabine at 875 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 and berzosertib at 90 mg/m2 on days 2 and 9 of a 21-day cycle. The primary endpoint of the study was progression-free survival (PFS), with secondary endpoints including response rate (RR), overall survival (OS) and toxicity. Results: A total of 87 pts (median age 67; M:F 68:19) were randomized; 41 pts received CG alone while 46 received CG with berzosertib. Visceral metastases were present in 49% of pts and 52%, 45% and 3% of pts were Bajorin risk 0, 1 and 2, respectively. Median PFS was 8.0 months for both arms (Bajorin risk adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.72-2.08). RR was 54%(4 CR, 21 PR) in the CG with berzosertib arm and 63% (4 CR, 22 PR) in CG alone arm (P = 0.66). Median OS was shorter with CG with berzosertib as compared to CG alone (14.4 versus 19.8 months; Bajorin risk adjusted HR 1.42, 95%CI 0.76-2.68). Notably higher rates of grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia (59% vs 39%) and neutropenia (37% vs 27%) were observed with CG plus berzosertib compared to CG alone. Higher rates of toxicity-related discontinuation were seen in the experimental arm (24% vs 15%), and the median cumulative cisplatin dose in the experimental arm was 250 mg/m2, as compared to 370 mg/m2 in the control arm (P < 0.001). Conclusions: No improvement in PFS was observed with the addition of berzosertib to CG, and a trend towards inferior survival was observed. These results suggest caution in reducing the starting dose of cytotoxic therapy to accommodate addition of a myelosuppressive agent, as in the experimental arm of this study. Clinical trial information: NCT02567409.