Study of SOR007 Ointment for Actinic Keratosis

A Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, dose rising study to determine the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of four concentrations of SOR007 (Uncoated Nanoparticulate Paclitaxel) Ointment (SOR007) compared to SOR007 ointment vehicle applied to actinic keratosis (AK) lesions on the face twice daily for up to 28 days.

In this Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, dose rising trial, subjects with actinic keratosis will receive topical application of SOR007 Ointment (in four concentrations) or SOR007 Ointment vehicle to the face twice daily for up to 28 days. Subjects will be enrolled in four dose-escalating cohorts of eight subjects and randomized to SOR0007 or Ointment vehicle in a ratio of 3:1. Cohorts will be enrolled sequentially starting at the lowest concentration.

Safety will be assessed in an ongoing manner and formal safety reviews will be conducted four times for each cohort: at Day 8, Day 15, Day 21, and Day 28 for the last subject enrolled in each cohort. The next dose level cohort will enroll upon a finding of safety and tolerability at the previous cohort's second (Day 15) safety review.

The safety and tolerability of SOR007 will be demonstrated by local toxicity, adverse events, laboratory assessments and vital signs. Subjects will be observed for reduction in the number of AK lesions to determine preliminary efficacy. Plasma samples will be taken at various time points throughout the study to characterize the pharmacokinetics of SOR007.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Signed informed consent.
* Men and women with actinic keratosis.
* Age 45-85.
* Women who have had surgical sterilization or are post-menopausal (absence of menses for at least one year) are eligible. Women of child-bearing potential who are non-pregnant, non-nursing, and willing to avoid pregnancy during the course of the study and during the menstrual cycle following completion of their participation in the study are eligible. (Adequate contraception is defined as regular use of diaphragm with condoms, IUD with condoms, or systemic contraceptives if used for at least three months prior to enrollment in the study.) A negative pregnancy test is required as an entry criteria. Women must continue to use the method of contraceptive for at least 30 days after the last administration of study drug.
* Male subjects must agree to sexual abstinence or use adequate contraception when sexually active in combination with their female partners, if they are of childbearing potential. That means the volunteer must be vasectomized or use a condom and his female partner must either be surgically sterile (hysterectomy or tubal ligation) or agree to use a reliable method of contraception with a failure rate of less than 1% per year when used consistently and correctly such as implants, injectables, combined oral contraceptives, or non-DalKon Shield IUDs. This applies from signing of informed consent form until 90 days after the last study drug administration. Methods of contraception must have been effective for at least 30 days on the day of signing of informed consent. Male volunteers must also refrain from sperm donation from the time of singing informed consent form until 90 days after the last study drug administration.
* Presence of 4-8 AK lesions total in a 25 cm2 area identified on the face through transparency mapping and photographs. The face area will be defined from hair line to jaw line. The scalp will not be included. An imaginary normal hair line will be the upper boundary for bald men.
* Able to refrain from the use of all other topical medications to the facial area during the treatment period.
* Considered reliable and capable of understanding their responsibility and role in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of allergy or hypersensitivity to paclitaxel.
* Lesions that are thicker than 1 mm or larger than 9 mm will not be included in the lesion counts.
* Lesions suspicious for squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, or melanoma will not be included in lesion counts and cannot be in the 25 cm2 area of treatment.
* Abnormal pre-existing dermatologic conditions which might affect the normal course of the disease (e.g. albinism or chronic vesiculobullous disorders).
* Positive urine pregnancy test in women of child-bearing potential.
* Inability to use adequate birth control measures for men or women of child-bearing potential, as defined above.
* Serious psychological illness.
* Significant history within the past year of alcohol or drug abuse.
* During the 30 day period preceding study entry: Participating in any clinical research; using topical paclitaxel for AK; using any other topical agents including but not limited to actinex, glycolic acid products, alpha-hydroxy acid products, and chemical peeling agents for the treatment of AK; using any systemic steroids or topical corticosteroids, having cryosurgery.
* Use of sun lamps or sun tanning beds or booths during the 2 weeks prior to first application and until final visit.
* Prior treatment with systemic paclitaxel or systemic cancer therapy within 6 months of study entry.
* Medical history which, based on the clinical judgment of the Investigator implied an unlikelihood of successful completion of the study.