Phase II study of cisplatin and imatinib in advanced salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma

Niladri Ghosal1, Kathleen Mais, Patrick Shenjere

  • 1Glan Clwyd Hospital, Rhyl, Denbighshire LL18 5UJ, United Kingdom. niladrighosal@hotmail.com

Insights

KIT-positive adenoid cystic carcinoma patients showed disease stabilization with imatinib and cisplatin combination therapy. This treatment offers a new option for advanced salivary gland cancer when other treatments fail.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of salivary glands frequently overexpresses KIT.
  • Limited systemic treatment options exist for locally advanced and metastatic ACC.
  • KIT-driven signaling pathways are implicated in ACC progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of combined imatinib and cisplatin in patients with KIT-positive advanced ACC.
  • To assess treatment response using both morphological imaging and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET).

Main Methods:

  • A Gehan's two-stage, phase II clinical trial involving 28 patients.
  • Treatment involved initial imatinib monotherapy followed by combination imatinib and cisplatin, then maintenance imatinib.
  • Response assessment utilized computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR), chest radiographs (CXR), and FDG-PET imaging.

Main Results:

  • Partial response observed in 3/28 patients via morphological imaging; 5/28 patients showed response on FDG-PET.
  • 19 patients achieved useful disease stabilization.
  • Median time to progression was 15 months, and median overall survival was 35 months.
  • The combination therapy was generally well-tolerated.

Conclusions:

  • The combination of imatinib and cisplatin demonstrates potential for disease stabilization in advanced KIT-positive adenoid cystic carcinoma.
  • This regimen offers a viable therapeutic option for patients with limited treatment alternatives.
  • Further investigation into KIT-targeted therapies for ACC is warranted.

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