A phase I and pharmacokinetic study of liposomal vinorelbine in patients with advanced solid tumor

Purpose This phase I study was performed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of an untargeted liposomal formulation of vinorelbine (NanoVNB®) and to characterize its plasma pharmacokinetics in patients with advanced solid tumors which were refractory to conventional treatment or without an effective treatment. Patients & methods The study incorporated an accelerated titration design. Twenty-two patients with various solid tumors were enrolled. NanoVNB® was administered intravenously at doses of 2.2–23 mg/m2 once every 14 days. Pharmacokinetic endpoints were evaluated in the first cycle. The safety profiles and anti-tumor effects of NanoVNB® were also determined. Results Skin rash was the DLT and the most common non-hematological toxicity. The MTD was 18.5 mg/m2. Drug-related grade 3–4 hematological toxicities were infrequent. Compared with intravenous free vinorelbine, NanoVNB® showed a high Cmax and low plasma clearance. Of the 11 patients completing at least 1 post-treatment tumor assessment, 5 had stable disease. No responders were noted. Conclusion NanoVNB® was well tolerated and exhibited more favorable pharmacokinetic profiles than free vinorelbine. Based on dose-limiting skin toxicity, further evaluation of NanoVNB® starting from 18.5 mg/m2 as a single agent or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents for vinorelbine-active malignancies is warranted.