Interferon alpha plus 13-cis-retinoic acid modulation of BCL-2 plus paclitaxel for recurrent small-cell lung cancer (SCLC): an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group study (E6501)

Background Patients with recurrent small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) have dismal outcomes. The failure of salvage therapy is due to the possible development of resistance mechanisms, such as the upregulation of the anti-apoptosis protein, Bcl-2. We conducted a phase II study to evaluate if modulation of Bcl-2 with 13- cis -retinoic acid (13-CRA) and interferon alpha could improve response rates when combined with paclitaxel in patients with recurrent SCLC. Methods Patients with recurrent SCLC and measurable disease were treated with interferon alpha at 6 million units/m 2 subcutaneously and 13-CRA 1 mg/kg orally on days 1 and 2 and paclitaxel 75 mg/m 2 intravenously on day 2 of each week for 6 weeks of an 8-week treatment cycle. Treatment was continued until disease progression, development of unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal of consent. The primary endpoint was response rate with secondary endpoints of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Bcl-2 levels were assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Results Thirty-seven patients were enrolled; 34 were included in the intention-to-treat analysis as 3 patients were ineligible for the study. There were 3 partial responses (9 %), and 5 patients had stable disease (15 %) as best response. The median PFS was 2 months, and median OS was 6.2 months. Although mean Bcl-2 protein levels decreased with therapy in PBMCs, there was no association between Bcl-2 levels and response rate or survival. Conclusion Despite sound pre-clinical evidence, the addition of 13-CRA and interferon alpha to paclitaxel did not improve outcomes for recurrent SCLC.