Cancer is a molecularly heterogeneous disease comprised of complex genomic alterations in
common and overlapping pathways. Somatic inactivating mutations in tuberous sclerosis complex
1 (TSC1) gene were recently identified as potential markers of response to mTOR therapy.
Everolimus is an oral derivative of rapamycin. At the cellular and molecular level,
everolimus acts as a signal transduction inhibitor, and selectively inhibits mTOR. We
hypothesize that everolimus will exhibit clinical activity in solid malignancies harboring
TSC1, TSC2, NF1, NF2, or STK11 mutations.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Histologically confirmed diagnosis of advanced (metastatic, recurrent, or
unresectable) cancer with mutations in any of the following genes: TSC1, TSC2, NF1,
NF2 or STK11.
- Must have failed at least 1 standard of care systemic therapy for their malignancy
- Measurable disease defined as lesions that can be accurately measured in at least one
dimension (longest diameter to be recorded) as >10 mm with CT scan, as >20 mm by chest
x-ray, or >10 mm with calipers by clinical exam.
- Prior therapy (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery) is allowed if completed
at least 2 weeks prior to registration and if all treatment-related toxicities are
resolved to ≤ CTCAE grade 1, with the exception of alopecia and hematologic values
otherwise meeting the bone marrow function criteria specified below.
- At least 18 years of age.
- ECOG performance status ≤ 2
- Normal bone marrow and organ function as defined below:
- Leukocytes > 3,000/mcL
- Absolute neutrophil count > 1,500/mcL
- Platelets > 100,000/mcL
- Hemoglobin > 9.0 g/dL
- Total serum bilirubin ≤ 2.0 x IULN
- AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT) ≤ 2.5 x IULN (≤ 5.0 x IULN in patients with liver metastases)
- Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 x IULN OR creatinine clearance > 45 mL/min/1.73 m^2 for
patients with creatinine levels above institutional normal
- Fasting cholesterol ≤ 300 mg/dL OR ≤ 7.75 mmol/L AND fasting triglycerides ≤ 2.5
x IULN. NOTE: In case one or both of these thresholds are exceeded, the patient
can only be included after initiation of appropriate lipid lowering medication
- Able to swallow tablets.
- Women of childbearing potential, defined as all women physiologically capable of
becoming pregnant, must use highly effective methods of contraception during the study
and for 8 weeks after. Women are considered post-menopausal and not of childbearing
potential if they have had 12 months of natural (spontaneous) amenorrhea with an
appropriate clinical profile (e.g., age appropriate, history of vasomotor symptoms) or
have had surgical bilateral oophorectomy (with or without hysterectomy) or tubal
ligation at least six weeks prior to randomization. In the case of oophorectomy alone,
only when the reproductive status of the woman has been confirmed by follow-up hormone
level assessment is she considered not of childbearing potential.
- Male patients whose sexual partner(s) are women of childbearing potential must agree
to use adequate contraception during the study and for 8 weeks after the end of
treatment.
- Able to understand and willing to sign an IRB approved written informed consent
document (or that of legally authorized representative, if applicable)
Exclusion Criteria:
- A history of other malignancy ≤ 3 years previous with the exception of basal cell or
squamous cell carcinoma of the skin which were treated with local resection only or
carcinoma in situ of the cervix.
- Taking an investigational agent within 4 weeks of initiation of everolimus.
- Symptomatic brain metastases. Known brain metastases are allowed if asymptomatic and
previously treated.
- A history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or
biologic composition to everolimus or other agents used in the study.
- Known impairment of GI function or GI disease that may significantly alter the
absorption of oral everolimus.
- Currently taking CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers (such as the antiepileptic drugs
phenytoin, carbamazepine, or phenobarbital; cyclosporine; grapefruit or its juice;
Seville oranges; starfruit; or St. John's wort)
- Chronic treatment with corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive agents. Topical or
inhaled corticosteroids are allowed.
- Received live attenuated vaccine within 1 week of start of everolimus (i.e. intranasal
influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, oral polio, BCG, yellow fever, varicella, and
TY21a typhoid vaccines).
- Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus defined as HbA1c > 8% despite adequate therapy.
Patients with a known history of impaired fasting glucose or diabetes mellitus may be
included; however, blood glucose and antidiabetic treatment must be monitored closely
throughout the trial and adjusted as necessary.
- Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active
infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure of NYHA class III or IV, active
coronary artery disease, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, myocardia
infraction ≤ 6 months prior to start of everolimus, uncontrolled hypertension
(systolic pressure > 150 mmHg or diastolic pressure > 90 mmHg), uncontrolled seizure
disorder, liver disease such as cirrhosis, decompensated liver disease, active and
chronic hepatitis, known severely impaired lung function (spirometry and DLCO 50% or
less of normal and 02 saturation 88% or less at rest on room air), active bleeding
diathesis, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with
study requirements.
- Pregnant and/or breastfeeding. Women of childbearing potential must have a negative
pregnancy test within 14 days of study entry.
- Known HIV-positivity on combination antiretroviral therapy because of the potential
for pharmacokinetic interactions with everolimus. In addition, these patients are at
increased risk of lethal infections when treated with marrow-suppressive therapy.
Appropriate studies will be undertaken in patients receiving combination
antiretroviral therapy when indicated.
