Evaluation of α₂-integrin expression as a biomarker for tumor growth inhibition for the investigational integrin inhibitor E7820 in preclinical and clinical studies

E7820 is an orally active inhibitor of α₂-integrin mRNA expression, currently tested in phases I and II. We aimed to evaluate what levels of inhibition of integrin expression are needed to achieve tumor stasis in mice, and to compare this to the level of inhibition achieved in humans. Tumor growth inhibition was measured in mice bearing a pancreatic KP-1 tumor, dosed at 12.5-200 mg/kg over 21 days. In the phase I study, E7820 was administered daily for 28 days over a range of 0-200 mg, followed by a 7-day washout period. PK-PD models were developed in NONMEM. α₂- Integrin expression measured on platelets, corresponding to tumor stasis at t∈=∈21 in 50% and 90% of the mice (I _int,50, I _int,90) were calculated. It was evaluated if these levels of inhibition could be achieved in patients at tolerable doses. One hundred nineteen α₂-Integrin measurements and 210 tumor size measurements were available from mice. The relationship between PK and α₂-integrin expression was modeled using an indirect-effect model, subsequently linked to an exponential tumor growth model. I _inh,50 and I _inh,90 were 14.7% (RSE 7%) and 17.9% (RSE 8%). Four hundred sixty two α₂-integrin measurements were available from 29 patients. Using the schedule of 100 mg qd (MTD), α₂-integrin expression was inhibited more strongly than the I _int,50 and I _int,90 in greater than 95% and greater than 50% of patients, respectively. Moderate inhibition of α₂- integrin expression corresponded to tumor stasis in mice, and similar levels could be reached in patients with the dose level of 100 mg qd.