Study of IRX4204 With Erlotinib in Previously Treated Advanced NSCLC

Patient selection: a) Pathological confirmation of non-small cell lung cancer without activating EGFR mutations; b) Advanced stage disease (IV or IIIB with malignant effusion) with at least two prior chemotherapy regimens; c) No available curative therapy; d) Pregnant women are excluded; e) Informed consent.

Pretreatment evaluation: a) Medical history and physical examination; b) Hepatic and renal function (bilirubin, aspartate aminotransaminase, creatinine); c) Preoperative staging evaluation including CT-chest or PET/CT scan;

Treatment plan: Three dose levels of IRX4204 and erlotinib will be studied using intra-patient dose escalation for dose levels 1 and 2. These study agents will be administered orally until progression of disease, unacceptable toxicities, activation of a phase II study of the combination, or exhaustion of the IRX4204 drug supply.

Evaluation on study: Adverse events will be graded on a scale of 0 to 5, using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v. 4.0. Efficacy will be assessed using the RECIST v1.1 criteria based on CT-chest or PET/CT scan after 8 weeks of study treatment.

Numerous studies in pre-clinical models and in human clinical trials have clearly established the potential for the use of rexinoids in the treatment and prevention of cancer. IRX4204, a second generation rexinoid, is a highly potent and specific activator of RXRs. Because IRX4204 is significantly more potent and more selective for the RXRs relative to the RARs than a first generation approved RXR agonist drug, bexarotene, it potentially will be associated with fewer adverse events and greater activity in clinical use. Preclinical studies of the combination of IRX4204 plus erlotinib, and previous clinical studies of the combination of the bexarotene plus erlotinib indicated at least additive beneficial effects for treatment of NSCLC. This study seeks to investigate the safety and activity of IRX4204 in combination with erlotinib in patients with previously treated advanced NSCLC.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients must have histologically or cytologically confirmed stage IV non-small cell lung cancer, or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer which is not amenable to curative intent therapy.
* Documented disease progression on at least two prior lines of chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC. Progression within 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy or definitive chemoradiation will count as one line of therapy.
* Age ≥18 years.
* ECOG performance status ≤2.
* Ability to take pills by mouth.
* Patients must have normal organ and marrow function as defined below:
* Leukocytes ≥3,000/mcL
* Absolute neutrophil count ≥1,500/mcL
* Platelets ≥100,000/mcL
* Hemoglobin ≥8.5 g/dL
* Total bilirubin ≤1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN)
* AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT) ≤2.5 × ULN or ≤5 x ULN if metastases to the liver
* Creatinine clearance ≥40 mL/min
* Patients with asymptomatic brain metastases are allowed, as long as they are stable and do not require treatment with anticonvulsants or escalating doses of steroids. Maximum daily dose of steroids should be prednisone 20 mg or equivalent. Radiation therapy for brain metastases must be completed at least 14 days prior to treatment on protocol.
* Women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use highly effective contraception (if using hormonal birth control must add a second barrier method; abstinence) prior to study entry, for the duration of study participation as well as for at least 1 month after the last dose of IRX4204. Men treated or enrolled on this protocol must also agree to use highly effective contraception prior to the study, for the duration of study participation and 3 months after completion of IRX4204 administration.
* Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients who have had chemotherapy or radiotherapy within 4 weeks prior to entering the study.
* Activating EGFR mutations detected in the tumor.
* Prior treatment with an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
* Prior treatment with IRX4204 or another retinoid or rexinoid administered for the purpose of cancer treatment. Prior topical retinoid use is allowed.
* History of allergic reactions attributed to IRX4204 or erlotinib or to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition.
* Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
* Pregnant and nursing women.
* Patients with a history of another active malignancy within the past two years, with the exception of non-melanoma cutaneous malignancy, cervical carcinoma in situ, or ductal carcinoma in situ which has been successfully treated with curative intent therapy.
* Any gastrointestinal disorder expected to limit absorption of IRX4204 or erlotinib.
* Patients with a history of active thyroid disease. However, patients with a history of hypothyroidism maintained in euthyroid state by supplementation with thyroid hormone, or a thyroid hormone containing preparation may be enrolled.
* Patients taking coumarin-derived anticoagulants.