A Randomized Phase II Study of SUBATM-itraconazole in Patients With Untreated Squamous NSCLC.

Response rates.

Changes in tumor blood flow.

To determine the objective response rates of cisplatin and gemcitabine with or without SUBATM-itraconazole in patients with chemotherapy-naïve metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

To assess the changes in tumor blood flow as measured by contrast enhanced MRI scanning in patients with metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer treated with cisplatin and gemcitabine with or without SUBATM-itraconazole.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Stage IV squamous cell lung cancer, with no prior systemic chemotherapy.
* Patients who have received prior adjuvant chemotherapy for early-stage lung cancer are eligible if at least 6 months have elapsed from completion of that treatment.
* Patients whose tumors contain mixed non-small cell histologies are eligible if squamous carcinoma is the predominant histology. Mixed tumors with small cell anaplastic elements are not eligible.
* Patient must have measurable disease per RECIST 1.1 (defined in section 9.1.2).
* Patients with previous radiotherapy as definitive therapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer are eligible, as long as the recurrence is outside the original radiation therapy port. Radiation therapy must have been completed greater than or equal to 2 weeks prior to enroll in this study.
* Age greater than or equal to 18 years. Because no dosing or adverse event data are currently available on the use of itraconazole or SUBATM-itraconazole in combination with gemcitabine/cisplatin in patients under 18 years of age, such patients are excluded from this study. Squamous cell lung cancer is exceedingly rare in children.
* Life expectancy of at least 12 weeks.
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 - 1.
* Patients must have adequate organ and marrow function.
* Women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately.
* Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Prior treatment with gemcitabine, cisplatin (except in the adjuvant setting), itraconazole or SUBATM-itraconazole.
* Uncontrolled brain metastases. Patients with brain metastases must have stable neurologic status following local therapy (surgery or radiation) for at least 2 weeks, and must be without neurologic dysfunction that would confound the evaluation of neurologic and other adverse events.
* History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to itraconazole, SUBATM-itraconazole, gemcitabine, cisplatin or other agents used in the study.
* Itraconazole is a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor and may increase plasma concentrations of drugs metabolized by this pathway. Co-administration of cisapride, midazolam, pimozide, quinidine, lovastatin, simvastatin, triazolam, dofetilide, or levacetylmethadol (levomethadyl) with SUBATM-itraconazole or itraconazole is contraindicated.
* 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 women are excluded from this study because itraconazole is Class C agent and both gemcitabine and cisplatin are Class D agents, with the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects. Because there is an unknown but potential risk for adverse events in nursing infants secondary to treatment of the mother with SUBATM-itraconazole and gemcitabine/cisplatin, breastfeeding should be discontinued if the mother is to be treated on this protocol.
* HIV-positive patients on combination antiretroviral therapy are ineligible because of the potential for pharmacokinetic interactions with SUBATM-itraconazole, gemcitabine, or cisplatin with these essential mediations.
* Medical contra-indication to MRI (e.g. gadolinium allergy, or severe claustrophobia).