Hepatocellular carcinoma, a common malignancy worldwide, now with apparently increasing incidence in the United States, remains a deadly disease with few, if any, treatment options for unresectable disease. Activation of a key regulatory protein, nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) appears to be important in the development, growth and spread of hepatocellular carcinoma. PS-341, a proteasome 26S inhibitor, is being studied as an anticancer agent. By inhibiting proteasome 26S, PS 341 prevents the ubiquitination and degradation of IkappaBalpha, which remains bound to NF-?B, preventing activation of NF-?B. However, proteasome 26S interacts with several cellular proteins that play a role in malignancy, including p21, p27, p53, Bax and Bcl-2. NF-kappaB increases expression of chemokines/cytokines (e.g. MIP1-alpha, GROalpha, IL-8, and IL-1), and on growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This proposal is designed first to learn the clinical effects (toxicity and efficacy) of PS-341 when administered in a phase II trial to patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition, white blood cells and patient sera will be tested for effects of PS 341 on phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha, nuclear localization of NF-kappaB, apoptosis, and effects on chemokines and growth factors in serum. These will be correlated with clinical parameters (efficacy and toxicity) as well as effects in tumor tissue. Tumor tissue will be analyzed for PS 341 effects on phosphorylation of I(B(, nuclear localization of NF-kappaB, apoptosis, and other key regulatory proteins, p21, p27, p53, Bax, and Bcl-2. The goal of these laboratory evaluations is to determine first, if PS 341 appears to be affecting its anticipated target in tumor cells, and second, if any of the serum or WBC parameters appear to be potential markers of biologic activity worthy of further study on larger trials.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21CA099269-02
Application #
6802030
Study Section
Clinical Oncology Study Section (CONC)
Program Officer
Xie, Heng
Project Start
2003-09-18
Project End
2007-08-31
Budget Start
2004-09-01
Budget End
2007-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$312,833
Indirect Cost
Name
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004413456
City
Nashville
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
37212
Ciombor, Kristen K; Feng, Yang; Benson 3rd, Al Bowen et al. (2014) Phase II trial of bortezomib plus doxorubicin in hepatocellular carcinoma (E6202): a trial of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Invest New Drugs 32:1017-27