Ricolinostat, Gemcitabine Hydrochloride, and Cisplatin in Treating Patients With Unresectable or Metastatic Cholangiocarcinoma

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) or a dose up to 240 mg/day, whichever is lower, of ricolinostat (ACY-1215) in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin in patients with unresectable or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma. (Cohort I) SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. Characterize the safety profile of ACY-1215 in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin in patients with unresectable or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma. (Both cohorts) II. Determine the single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetic (PK) of ACY-1215 in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin in patients with unresectable or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma. (Both cohorts) III. To evaluate tumor response to treatment with ACY-1215 in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin (per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors \[RECIST\] 1.1 criteria). (Both cohorts) IV. To assess progression-free and overall survival of patients treated with ACY-1215 in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin. (Both cohorts) TERTIARY OBJECTIVES: I. Both blood and tissue samples will be obtained at baseline and post-treatment cycle 2 for future biomarker development, analysis, and potential blood based molecular/genomic profiling. (Both cohorts) II. Studies on Tissue pre-cycle 1 and post-cycle 2 of therapy will include: phospho extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2; hedgehog-signaling pathways (Gli transcription factors); BIM; histones acetylation; acetylation alpha (a)-tubulin; histone deacetylase (HDAC)6 levels; autophagy markers heat shock protein (HSP)90/70; hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1)alpha; beclin; microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3 (LC3); Ras homolog gene family member B (RhoB). OUTLINE: This is a dose-escalation study of ricolinostat. Patients receive cisplatin intravenously (IV) followed by gemcitabine hydrochloride IV on days 1 and 8, and ricolinostat orally (PO) on days 1-14. Courses repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up every 3 months for up to 1 year.