Clinical Research Directory

Avastin is an anti-angiogenic therapy that disrupts a tumor's ability to grow by blocking the vascular endothelial growth factor protein, or VEGF. In tumors, cells produce excess VEGF therefore avastin's ability to block VEGF may prevent the growth of new blood vessels, including normal blood vessels and blood vessels that feed tumors. Avastin is not a chemotherapy; the purpose of Avastin is to block the blood supply that feeds the tumor. In this study Avastin is given IV at 10 mg/kg twice monthly for 10 cycles. This totals 20 administrations over a 1.12 year period.

Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating agent related to nitrogen mustard and is inactive until it is metabolized by P450 isoenzymes (CYP2B6, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4) in the liver to active compounds. The initial product is 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide (4-HC) which is in equilibrium with aldophosphamide which spontaneously releases acrolein to produce phosphoramide mustard. Phosphoramide mustard has been shown to produce interstrand DNA cross-link analogous to those produced by mechlorethamine. The plasma half-life ranges from 4.1 to 16 hours after IV administration. Cytoxan is taken orally as a 25 mg/m2 tablet daily for 14 days for 10 cycles (max dose =50mg). This totals 140 days over a 1.12 year period.

Valproic acid is a short chain fatty acid (VPA, 2-propylpetanoic acid) and approved for the treatment of epilepsy, bipolar disorders, migraines, and clinically used for schizophrenia. Currently, VPA is examined in numerous clinical trials for different leukemias and solid tumor entities. In addition to clinical assessment, the experimental examination of VPA as anti-cancer drug is ongoing. Although other mechanisms may also contribute to VPA-induced anti-cancer effects, inhibition of histone deacetylases appears to play a central role. Valproic acid is either given in suspension or tablet form 5 mg/kg, TID for 13 days for 10 cycles. This totals 130 days in a 1.12 year period.

Temsirolimus \[an ester of the immunosuppressive compound sirolimus, (rapamycin, Rapamune®)\] blocks cell cycle progression from the G1 to the S phase by binding to the intracellular cytoplasmic protein, FK506 binding protein (FKBP)12. This complex inhibits activity of the enzyme mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), inhibiting translation of several key proteins that regulate progression through the G1 phase in response to growth factors. Sirolimus, the major metabolite of temsirolimus, also binds to FKBP12. Given twice monthly at 25 mg/m2 via IV administration for 10 cycles totalling 20 administrations for 1.12 years.