Inclusion Criteria:
- Confirmed diagnosis of multiple myeloma with relapsed or refractory disease following
at least two prior therapies
- Measurable disease defined as:
- Serum monoclonal protein >= 1 gm/dL or
- Urine monoclonal protein of >= 200 mg/24 hours, or
- Measurable free light chains by free light chain assay of >= 10 mg/dL with
abnormal kappa to lambda free light chain ratio, or
- Measurable bone disease, defined as >= 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion
(longest diameter to be recorded) >= 20 mm with conventional techniques or >= 10
mm with spiral CT scan (for patients with lytic bone disease)
- ECOG performance status =< 2
- Absolute neutrophil count: >= 1,000/μL (independent of blood cell growth factors)
- Platelets: >= 75,000/μL (independent of blood cell growth factors or transfusion)
- Total bilirubin: =< 1.5 x upper normal limit; however, patients with documented
Gilbert's syndrome are eligible
- AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT): < 2.5 x ULN
- Creatinine: < 3.0 x ULN
- Known HIV infected patients meeting the following characteristics are eligible:
- CD4 cell count >= 500/mm^3
- Meeting either of the following:
- Willing to suspend antiretroviral therapy for duration of protocol therapy
or
- On stable regimen of combination antiretroviral therapy that does not
include either zidovudine or stavudine for at least 12 weeks and without
evidence of toxicity
- No HIV-associated condition that defines AIDS
- Prior allogeneic stem cell transplant is allowed provided that all of the following
conditions are met:
- >= 6 months have elapsed since allogeneic transplant
- No Graft vs. Host Disease (GVHD) is present
- Not currently on immunosuppressive therapy
- Women of child-bearing potential must agree to use a medically accepted form of
contraception prior to, during, and for four weeks following study treatment; men
must agree to use a medically accepted form of contraception prior to, during, and
for sixteen weeks following study treatment
- Able and willing to provide a written informed consent
- Prior palliative and/or localized radiation therapy is permitted, provided at least
14 days have passed from date of last radiation therapy
- Pulse oximetry of >= 95% on room air
Exclusion Criteria:
- Any concurrent condition or planned treatment that would compromise study objectives
or represent an unacceptable patient risk, including but not limited to:
- Planned concurrent treatment for multiple myeloma other than bisphosphonates;
ongoing corticosteroids for indications other than multiple myeloma allowed as
long as the dose does not exceed 60mg of prednisone per day or equivalent
- Persisting effects of any previous or ongoing treatment that might compromise
delivery of study treatment or assessment of adverse events
- Planned concurrent treatment with any other investigational agents
- Cytotoxic chemotherapy less than 2 weeks, or biologic therapy less than 2 weeks, or
corticosteroids less than 2 weeks prior to registration
- No other malignancy unless the patient has been disease-free for >= 1 year
- Known multiple myeloma of central nervous system or leptomeninges
- History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic
composition to AZD6244
- Previous MEK inhibitor use
- Uncontrolled hypertension, i.e., persistent blood pressure (BP) of >= 160/95
- Significant cardiovascular disease (New York Heart Association Class II, III or IV
cardiac disease), hypertrophic cardiomegaly or restrictive cardiomyopathy, myocardial
infarction within the past 6 months, unstable angina, unstable arrhythmia unstable or
a need for anti-arrhythmic therapy (use of medication for atrial fibrillation is
allowed, if stable for at least 3 months)
- Refractory nausea and vomiting, chronic gastrointestinal diseases (e.g. inflammatory
bowel disease), or significant bowel resection that would preclude adequate
absorption
- Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active
infection or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with
study requirements
- Pregnant or nursing
- LVEF =< 45% by ECHO or MUGA scan
- Any requirement for supplemental oxygen