Pharmacokinetic, Safety and Efficacy Study of Nanoparticle Paclitaxel in Patients With Peritoneal Cancers

This is an open-label, Phase 1, dose-escalation study evaluating the safety, pharmacokinetics and preliminary efficacy of an intraperitoneally administered suspension of nanoparticle paclitaxel (Nanotax) in patients with refractory malignancies principally confined to the peritoneal cavity. Nanotax will be administered via intraperitoneal infusion once every 28 days (equals one treatment cycle), continuing on this treatment schedule until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity is experienced. This study will treat one patient per predefined dose level until one patient experiences a dose limiting toxicity (DLT) or until one patient has a Grade 2 or higher non-hematological toxicity or a Grade 3 or higher hematological toxicity during the first cycle of treatment. At this time, two additional patients will be treated at this dose level. If these 2 additional patients do not experience a DLT, then the next cohort of three patients will be treated at the next highest dose level. If 2/3 or 3/3 patients experience a DLT then the next cohort of three patients is enrolled at the next lower dose level. If 1/3 of the patients experience a DLT, then the next cohort of three patients is enrolled at the same dose level. If 0/3 patients experience a DLT, then the next cohort of three patients is enrolled at the next highest dose level. If 2 (or more)/6 patients at a given level experience a DLT, then the maximum tolerated dose has been exceeded and another cohort of three patients is treated at the next lower dose level. The protocol will not treat above the highest dose level of 275 mg/m2. Adverse event data will be collected throughout the study. Peritoneal fluid and blood samples will be collected prior to Nanotax administration and up to 14 days following infusion for Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 only. Evaluation of tumor response using RECIST criteria will be conducted following each treatment cycle.