Safety of Zileuton (Zyflo) in Combination With Imatinib Mesylate (Gleevec) in CML.

Condition(s) targeted: Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Intervention: Zileuton (Drug)

Phase: Phase 1

Status: Terminated

Sponsored by: University of Massachusetts, Worcester

Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s):
Jan Cerny, MD, PhD, Principal Investigator, Affiliation: University of Massachusetts, Worcester

The leukemic stem cells (LSCs) are cells that self- renew and give rise to leukemia. Eradication of LSC is required for cure. In chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) LSCs are not eradicated by imatinib (Gleevec) alone. Recent discovery by Dr. Shaoguang Li at University of Massachusetts indicates that the LSCs can be targeted by a new drug zileuton (Chen et al. Nature Genetics 2009; 41: 783-792). Zileuton (approved for asthma) will be tested in a combination with Gleevec. This combination has not been used previously to treat leukemia. This is a Phase I study. The goal of this research is to evaluate the safety of the standard anti-cancer drug imatinib and experimental drug zileuton.

Official title: Phase I Study to Evaluate the Safety of Zileuton (Zyflo) in Combination With Imatinib Mesylate (Gleevec) in Patients With Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Study design: Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Primary outcome: To define toxicity and safety profile of zileuton combined with imatinib in patients with CML

Secondary outcome: To assess the efficacy of zileuton combined with imatinib in terms of (See Description)

Detailed description: More than twenty two thousand people live with chronic myelogenous leukemia in the United States and more than five thousand people are expected to be diagnosed this year. The majority of patients with this disease are diagnosed in what is called the chronic phase. The standard treatment for this phase of the disease is therapy with a medication called imatinib. This treatment can diminish the amount of disease to very low levels that only very sensitive and specialized techniques can measure; it does not, however, provide a cure. Dr. Shaoguang Li and colleagues at University of Massachusetts have published a unique discovery that the arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) gene (Alox5) is a critical regulator for LSCs in BCR-ABL-induced CML (Chen Y et al. Loss of the Alox5 gene impairs leukemia stem cells and prevents chronic myeloid leukemia. Nature Genetics 41: 783-792, 2009). In the absence of Alox5, BCR-ABL failed to induce CML in preclinical studies. While deficiency in Alox5 had no effect on normal hematopoiesis, impairment of the LSCs function through differentiation and cell division of CML LSCs was observed. This defect led to a depletion of LSCs and a failure of CML development. Treatment with a 5-LO inhibitor (zileuton) also impaired the function of LSCs and prolonged survival. These results demonstrate that a specific target gene can be found in cancer stem cells and its inhibition can completely inhibit the function of these stem cells. These findings provide an exciting opportunity to develop the first anti-cancer stem cell therapy for treating CML.

Minimum age: 18 Years. Maximum age: N/A. Gender(s): Both.

Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients with CML in chronic phase (patients already on imatinib)

- Presence of Philadelphia chromosome or bcr-abl rearrangement

- Age ≥ 18 years

- ECOG performance status ≤ 2

- Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

- Hepatic dysfunction (serum bilirubin ≥ 2 x ULN, and/or ALT ≥ 3 x ULN, and/or AST ≥ 3

x ULN)

- Renal dysfunction (creatinine ≥ 200 μmol/l or 2. 3 mg/dl)

- Severe cardiac dysfunction (NYHA classification III-IV)

- Severe pulmonary or neurologic disease

- Pregnant or lactating females

- Patients with a history of active malignancy during the past 5 years with the

exception of nonmetastatic skin cancer (e. g. treated squamous or basal cell carcinoma) or stage 0 cervical carcinoma

- Patients known to be HIV-positive

- Patients with active, uncontrolled infections

- Male and female patients of reproductive potential who are not practicing effective

means of contraception

- Patients with known allergic reaction or intolerance to either imatinib or zileuton

- Patients requiring anticoagulation therapy with coumadin

University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655, United States

Starting date: January 2010
Last updated: May 26, 2015