LBH589 and Bevacizumab in Patients With Recurrent High Grade Glioma

The purpose of this research study is to determine the amount of LBH589 that can be given to people safely when LBH589 is given in combination with bevacizumab. LBH589 in combination with bevacizumab is a drug combination that may stop cancer cells from growing abnormally. LBH589 has been used alone in other trials for solid tumor malignancies. Bevacizumab is FDA approved for use in patients with colorectal cancer and has been studied extensively in other types of solid tumors. The combination of LBH589 and bevacizumab has not yet been studied but information from other studies suggests that the combination may help prevent the growth of the participant's tumor.

Phase I

Primary Objective

• To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of LBH589 in combination with bevacizumab given at 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks in patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM), gliosarcoma, anaplastic astrocytoma, anaplastic oligodendroglioma or mixed anaplastic oligoastrocytoma.

Secondary Objective

• To define safety.

Phase II

Primary Objective

• To determine the efficacy of LBH589 in combination with bevacizumab in patients with recurrent GBM or gliosarcoma as measured by 6-month progression-free survival (PFS6).

Secondary Objectives

* To measure overall survival, time-to-tumor progression and objective tumor response.
* To further evaluate safety.

Exploratory Objectives

* To provide preliminary data on the efficacy in patients with recurrent anaplastic astrocytoma, anaplastic oligodendroglioma or mixed anaplastic oligoastrocytoma.
* To explore the relationship of the molecular phenotype of the tumor with survival.
* To investigate correlation of treatment response with laboratory correlates including, plasma angiogenic proteins and perfusion MRI.

Statistical Design

The Phase I study follows a standard 3+3 dose escalation design. Three potential dose levels of oral LBH589 3x per week days 1, 3 and 5 are under evaluation including a starting dose 0 on a weekly schedule as well as dose level 2 and a de-escalation dose level 1 on a weekly schedule. \[Note: The study was amended to revise the starting dose due to concerns for thrombocytopenia with the weekly dosing regimen.\] The DLT observation period is the first 30 days of treatment. For the Phase II study, based on prior research of bevacizumab monotherapy, a PFS6 rate of 35% does not justify further utilization of LBH589 in combination with bevacizumab while a PFS6 rate of 55% is worthy of further study. With 41 GBM eligible participants in the Phase II study, the treatment would be deemed promising if at least 20 GBM participants achieve 6-month progression-free survival. This design has at least 85% power and a 0.07 significance level to predict the difference between the null hypothesis of 35% PFS6 rate and the alternative hypothesis of 55% PFS6 rate. The protocol specifies a planned interim analysis after the first 21 participants have been accrued. If 12 or more of those participants have died or experienced disease progression/ relapse within 6 months of initiating treatment, accrual will be suspended and the data carefully reviewed before proceeding with additional patient accrual. Participants who are removed from active treatment for toxicity prior to reaching 6 months on treatment are not included in this interim analysis. Participants with recurrent GBM enrolled in the phase I study at the maximum tolerated dose (ie, the phase II dose) are eligible for inclusion in the interim analysis.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Provide written informed consent prior to participation in the study and any related procedures being performed.
* Agreed to and signed an authorization for the release of their protected health information.
* Must be 18 years of age or older
* Karnofsky Performance Status 60 or greater
* Life expectancy of at least 8 weeks
* Histologic diagnosis of GBM, gliosarcoma, anaplastic astrocytoma (AA), anaplastic oligodendroglioma (AO), or anaplastic mixed oligoastrocytoma (AMO) (Patients are eligible if the original histology was lower-grade glioma)
* Unequivocal progression by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan. A scan must be performed within 14 days prior to registration and on a steroid dose that has been stable for at least 5 days. (Patients with recurrence who undergo resection and are left without measurable or evaluable disease are eligible.)
* Patients must have failed prior radiation therapy and must have an interval of greater than or equal to 60 days from the completion of radiation therapy to study entry.
* Patients must have recovered from the toxic effects of prior therapy. Residual toxicity from any previous treatment must be Grade 1 or less.
* Sufficient time for recovery from prior therapy: 28 days from any investigational agent, 28 days from prior cytotoxic therapy(except 23 days from prior temozolomide, 14 days from vincristine, 42 days from nitrosoureas, 21 days from procarbazine administration), and 7 days for non-cytotoxic agents.
* Patients with prior therapy that included interstitial brachytherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery must have confirmation of true progressive disease rather than radiation necrosis based upon positron emission tomography (PET), Thallium scanning, MR spectroscopy or surgical documentation of disease.
* Subjects who have undergone recent resection of recurrent or progressive tumor will be eligible as long as all of the following conditions apply: a) prior to initiating therapy, 4 weeks must have elapsed since surgery (Subjects must have recovered from surgical-related trauma. Wound healing needs to have occurred.) b) residual disease following resection of recurrent malignant glioma is not mandated for eligibility. To assess the extent of residual disease postoperatively, a MRI or CT should be done at least 4 weeks postoperatively and within 14 days prior to registration.
* Clinical laboratory tests within 14 days prior to enrollment meeting the criteria listed in the protocol
* Cardiology assessment: Baseline MUGA or Echocardiogram must demonstrate LVEF 50% or greater
* Electrocardiogram: A single screening ECG, taken within 14 days of registration, will be performed to assess study eligibility. Patients whose single QTc interval is ≤ 450 msec are eligible. Patients whose QTc interval is \> 460 msec are ineligible. If the result is \> 450 msec and ≤ 460 msec, two additional ECG readings are to be performed, each one separated by at least 5 minutes; in this case to be eligible, each individual QTc interval must be ≤ 460 msec and the average of the QTc intervals must be ≤ 450 msec.
* Patient is non-hypertensive or has well-controlled hypertension (systolic blood pressure of \< 140mm Hg or diastolic pressure \< 90 mm Hg).
* Female subjects of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test confirmed both at screening and within 48 hours prior to dosing with the study drug
* Female subjects of childbearing potential and male subjects with female partner of childbearing potential must agree to use a medically accepted method of contraception while receiving protocol-specified medication, and for 3 months after stopping the medication.
* Subjects must be free of any clinically relevant disease (other than glioma) that would, in the Investigator's opinion, interfere with the conduct of the study or study evaluations.
* Subjects must be able to adhere to the dosing and visit schedules, and agree to record medication times accurately and consistently in a daily diary.

PHASE I Inclusion Criteria (the following modifications to the general eligibility criteria apply to Phase I patients only):

• Patients may have been treated for any number of prior relapses. Relapse is defined as progression following initial therapy

PHASE II Inclusion Criteria (phase II patients must meet the general eligibility criteria as well as the following):

* Patients may have had treatment for no more than 2 prior relapses. (The intent therefore is that patients had no more than 3 prior therapies: initial and treatment for 2 relapses.)
* It is mandatory that 15 unstained paraffin slides or 1 representative tissue block be available from original surgery or definitive surgery or the surgery closest to initiation of this clinical trial.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Subject has received previous therapy with anti-VEGF targeted agents or with any histone deacetylase inhibitors. (Prior treatment with valproic acid for seizures is allowed but requires a washout of at least 14 days prior to starting LBH589.) Although concomitant use of the following drugs is not allowed on study, previous use is allowed, provided patients meet the following mandatory washout periods:

  i. Drugs w/ risk of causing TdP = 72 hrs; ii. Warfarin = 7 days.
* History of grade 2 thrombocytopenia or grade 3 neutropenia on any prior regimen.
* Presence of ≥ grade 2 peripheral neuropathy.
* Bleeding diathesis or coagulopathy
* History of intratumoral or peritumoral hemorrhage if deemed significant by the treating physician
* Treatment with warfarin. (For patients requiring anticoagulation therapy, only therapeutic low molecular weight heparin or factor Xa inhibitors are permitted.)
* Patients who have received any investigational drug or undergone major surgery \< 4 weeks prior to starting study drug or who have not recovered from side effects of such therapy
* Any significant medical illnesses that in the investigator's opinion cannot be adequately controlled with appropriate therapy or would compromise the patient's ability to tolerate this therapy
* Patients with any disease that will obscure toxicity or dangerously alter drug metabolism
* Patients with a history of any other cancer (except non-melanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in-situ of the cervix), unless in complete remission and has not received treatment for that particular disease for a minimum of 3 years
* Impaired cardiac function as detailed in the protocol
* Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure \>/= 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure \>/= 90 mmHg) and/or prior history of hypertensive crisis or hypertensive encephalopathy
* Significant vascular disease within 6 months prior to Day 1
* History of stroke or transient ischemic attack within 6 months prior to Day 1
* Patients with unresolved diarrhea \> CTCAE grade 1
* Patients with INR \> 1.5
* Patients with major surgery or a significant traumatic injury within 28 days prior to Day 1
* Patients with any condition that impairs their ability to swallow and/or absorb pills
* Concomitant use of drugs with a risk of causing torsades de pointes
* Concomitant use of CYP3A4 inhibitors during the treatment phase of the study and within 72 hours prior to starting treatment
* Concomitant use of potent CYP3A4/5 inducers during the treatment phase of the study and within 2 weeks prior to starting treatment
* Concomitant use of any anti-cancer therapy or radiation therapy, or any other investigational agent
* Patients has known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) of hepatitis C infection (baseline testing for HIV or hepatitis C is not required)
* History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to LBH589 or bevacizumab, or their excipients
* Patient is in a situation or condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, may interfere with optimal participation in the study
* Patient has a significant history of non-compliance to medical regimens
* Core biopsy or other minor surgical procedure, excluding placement of a vascular access device, within 7 days prior to Day 1
* History of abdominal fistula or gastrointestinal perforation within 6 months prior to Day 1
* Serious, non-healing wound, active ulcer, or untreated bone fracture
* Proteinuria as demonstrated by a UPC ratio of 1.0 or greater at screening
* Subject is pregnant or intends to become pregnant during the study