Study to Evaluate Combination Treatment of MGCD0103 and Docetaxel (Taxotere®) for Subjects With Advanced Cancer Tumors

The purpose of this study is to test the combination of an experimental drug known as MGCD0103 given along with an FDA-approved drug called docetaxel. This is a Phase 1 study that will look at different doses of MGCD0103 given along with docetaxel in order to better understand the effects (positive and negative) of this combination on the subject's body and disease.

The study would like to find the following information:

* How long MGCD0103 and docetaxel stay in the subject's body;
* What effects, good and/or bad, MGCD0103 and docetaxel have on the subject and on his/her cancer; and
* If the genetic and chemical make-up of the subject's blood cells and tumor cells play a role in how you respond or do not respond to MGCD0103 and docetaxel.

This Phase 1 study will evaluate escalating doses of orally administered MGCD0103 in combination with two fixed doses (60 mg/m2 and 75 mg/m2) of IV docetaxel. In the US, docetaxel is recommended at these or even higher doses (up to 100 mg/m2), both as a single agent or in combination with other cytotoxic drugs (e.g., cisplatin, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and 5-fluorouracil), for the treatment of NSCLC, prostate cancer, gastric adenocarcinoma, and head and neck cancer. In Japan, 60 mg/m2 IV docetaxel is the approved dose for the treatment of breast cancer.

MGCD0103 belongs to the class of more selective, less globally cytotoxic agents being investigated for treatment of cancers today, and may offer a lesser and/or non-overlapping toxicity profile than the cytotoxic agents with which docetaxel is currently combined. MGCD0103 doses ranging from 50 to 135 mg have been administered in combination with the approved regimen of azacitidine (Vidaza®) (75 mg/m2/day for 5 days every 4 weeks) to patients with high-risk MDS and AML. A 50 mg dose of MGCD0103 has been administered in combination with the approved regimen of gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2 once weekly for 3 consecutive weeks of each 4-week cycle) to patients with advanced solid tumors; higher doses of MGCD0103 will soon be evaluated in that trial.

Given the above, the proposed starting dose of 60 mg/m2 IV docetaxel and 50 mg MGCD0103 is considered appropriately safe for initial investigation of this combination. Based on the results observed in Part 1, the study may also evaluate 75 mg/m2 IV docetaxel and escalating doses of orally administered MGCD0103 in Part 2 in order to determine whether this dosing regimen is safe and would also warrant further investigation.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

Subjects must meet ALL inclusion criteria to be enrolled in the study

* Age ≥18 years.
* Diagnosis of malignant solid tumor (histologically or cytologically confirmed) where treatment with docetaxel is considered standard of care, or advanced solid malignancy that has failed to respond to standard therapy, or has progressed despite standard therapy, or where there is no reasonable likelihood of achieving clinical benefit with existing therapies.
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0 to 2.
* Adequate organ function, including: Hemoglobin (Hgb) ≥8.0g/dL; Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1.5 x 10\<9\>/L (≥1500/mm\<3\>); Platelets ≥100 x 10\<9\>/L (≥100,000/mm\<3\>); Total bilirubin ≤1.5 x ULN (upper limit of normal); AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT) ≤2.5 x ULN; Alkaline phosphatase ≤5.0 x ULN; Serum creatinine ≤2.0 x ULN.
* Evidence of measurable disease (ie, at least one lesion that can accurately be measured in at least one dimension as ≥20 mm with conventional techniques or ≥10 mm with spiral CT scan). The requirement for measurable disease will not apply to subjects with prostate cancer.
* A minimum of 4 weeks elapsed since any major surgery.
* At least 4 weeks elapsed since any prior anticancer therapy (standard or investigational) and full recovery (NCI CTCAE grade 1) from the toxic effects of that treatment. Antiandrogen therapy is permitted for subjects with prostate cancer.
* For women of childbearing potential, a negative serum pregnancy test within 10 days of treatment, and use of physician-approved methods of birth control throughout the study.
* Written, informed consent, willingness, and ability to comply with all study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

Subjects meeting any of the following criteria will not be included in the study.

* Prior taxane and HDAC inhibitor combination therapy.
* Previous or concurrent malignancy except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer; in situ carcinoma of the cervix, or other solid tumor treated curatively, and without evidence of recurrence for at least 3 years prior to study entry.
* Clinically significant cardiac disease including congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association Class III or IV), including pre-existing ventricular arrhythmia or conduction abnormality requiring medication, or cardiomyopathy.
* Active and uncontrolled clinically significant infection.
* History of melena, hematemesis, or hemoptysis within the last 3 months.
* Known central nervous system metastases controlled ≤3 months.
* Pregnant or lactating women. Women of child-bearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 10 days of starting study drug on Day 1 Cycle 1.
* Known hypersensitivity to taxanes, HDAC inhibitors, and/or any components of MGCD0103 capsules or docetaxel formulation components (eg, polysorbate 80).
* Known HIV or known active Hepatitis B or C.
* Presence of serious illness, medical condition, or other medical history, including abnormal laboratory parameters, which, in the opinion of the Investigator, would be likely to interfere with a subject's participation in the study or with the interpretation of the results.
* Any condition that will put the subject at undue risk or discomfort as a result of adherence to study procedures (eg, requirement to take MGCD0103 with a low pH beverage).