First-in-Human Phase I Study of the Liposomal RNA Interference Therapeutic Atu027 in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors

Purpose Atu027 is a novel liposomal RNA interference therapeutic that includes a short-interfering RNA (siRNA), which silences expression of protein kinase N3 in the vascular endothelium. Atu027 has previously been shown to inhibit local tumor invasion as well as lymph node and pulmonary metastasis in mouse cancer models. This first-in-human study aimed to assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of Atu027 while evaluating therapeutic effects on both primary tumors and metastatic lesions. Patients and Methods Thirty-four patients with advanced solid tumors received 10 escalating doses of Atu027 without premedication, as one single followed by eight intravenous infusions twice per week during a 28-day cycle. Response was monitored by computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging at baseline, at the end of treatment (EoT), and at final follow-up (EoS), and was assessed according to RECIST. Results Atu027 was well tolerated up to dose levels of 0.336 mg/kg; most adverse events (AEs) were low-gr...