HK1146247B - Treatment of breast tumors with a rapamycin derivative in combination with exemestane - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a new use, in particular a new use for a 40-0-(2-hydroxyethyl)-rapamycin.

Rapamycin is a known macrolide antibiotic produced by Streptomyces hygroscopicus. Derivatives of rapamycin include e.g. compounds of formula I wherein

• R1 is CH3 or C3-6alkynyl,
• R2 is H or -CH2-CH2-OH, and
• X is =O, (H,H) or (H,OH)
• provided that R2 is other than H when X is =O and R1 is CH3.

Compounds of formula I are disclosed e.g. in WO 94/09010 , WO 95/16691 or WO 96/41807 . They may be prepared as disclosed or by analogy to the procedures described in these references.

WO 97/47317 disclosed a pharmaceutical combination comprising a compound of the somatostatin class and a rapamycin macrolide for use in the prevention or treatment of cell hyperproliferation.

Naoko Tsuchiya et. al. (Int J Clin Oncol, 2000, 5: 183-187) disclosed the effects of the aromatase inhibitor fadrozole and the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist leuprorelin acetate on aromatase activity and cell proliferation in a human breast cancer cell line (SK-BR-3).

WO 97/06793 disclosed non-steroidal compounds useful as steroid sulfatase inhibitors in estrogen dependent illnesses.

40-0-(2-hydroxyethyl)-rapamycin (referred thereafter as Compound A), was disclosed as Example 8 in WO 94/09010 .

Compounds of formula I have, on the basis of observed activity, e.g. binding to macrophilin-12 (also known as FK-506 binding protein or FKBP-12), e.g. as described in WO 94/09010 , WO 95/16691 or WO 96/41807 , been found to be useful e.g. as immunosuppressant, e.g. in the treatment of acute allograft rejection. It has now been found that Compounds of formula I have potent antiproliferative properties which make them useful for cancer chemotherapy, particularly of solid tumors, especially of advanced solid tumors. There is still the need to expand the armamentarium of cancer treatment of solid tumors, especially in cases where treatment with anticancer compounds is not associated with disease regression or stabilization.

In accordance with the particular findings of the present invention, there is provided: 40-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-rapamycin in combination with exemestane for use in the treatment of hormone receptor positive tumor, wherein the hormone receptor positive tumor is a breast tumor.

Further embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

Also disclosed are: 1.1 A method for treating solid tumors in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I.

• 1.2 A method for inhibiting growth of solid tumors in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I.
• 1.3 A method for inducing tumor regression, e.g. tumor mass reduction, in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I.
• 1.4 A method for treating solid tumor invasiveness or symptoms associated with such tumor growth in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I.
• 1.5 A method for preventing metastatic spread of tumours or for preventing or inhibiting growth of micrometastasis in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I.

By "solid tumors" are meant tumors and/or metastasis (whereever located) other than lymphatic cancer, e.g. brain and other central nervous system tumors (eg. tumors of the meninges, brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves and other parts of central nervous system, e.g. glioblastomas or medulla blastomas); head and/or neck cancer; breast tumors; circulatory system tumors (e.g. heart, mediastinum and pleura, and other intrathoracic organs, vascular tumors and tumor-associated vascular tissue); excretory system tumors (e.g. kidney, renal pelvis, ureter, bladder, other and unspecified urinary organs); gastrointestinal tract tumors (e.g. oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, colorectal, rectosigmoid junction, rectum, anus and anal canal), tumors involving the liver and intrahepatic bile ducts, gall bladder, other and unspecified parts of biliary tract, pancreas, other and digestive organs); head and neck; oral cavity (lip, tongue, gum, floor of mouth, palate, and other parts of mouth, parotid gland, and other parts of the salivary glands, tonsil, oropharynx, nasopharynx, pyriform sinus, hypopharynx, and other sites in the lip, oral cavity and pharynx); reproductive system tumors (e.g. vulva, vagina, Cervix uteri, Corpus uteri, uterus, ovary, and other sites associated with female genital organs, placenta, penis, prostate, testis, and other sites associated with male genital organs); respiratory tract tumors (e.g. nasal cavity and middle ear, accessory sinuses, larynx, trachea, bronchus and lung, e.g. small cell lung cancer or non-small cell lung cancer); skeletal system tumors (e.g. bone and articular cartilage of limbs, bone articular cartilage and other sites); skin tumors (e.g. malignant melanoma of the skin, non-melanoma skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma of skin, squamous cell carcinoma of skin, mesothelioma, Kaposi's sarcoma); and tumors involving other tissues including peripheral nerves and autonomic nervous system, connective and soft tissue, retroperitoneum and peritoneum, eye and adnexa, thyroid, adrenal gland and other endocrine glands and related structures, secondary and unspecified malignant neoplasm of lymph nodes, secondary malignant neoplasm of respiratory and digestive systems and secondary malignant neoplasm of other sites.

Where hereinbefore and subsequently a tumor, a tumor disease, a carcinoma or a cancer is mentioned, also metastasis in the original organ or tissue and/or in any other location are implied alternatively or in addition, whatever the location of the tumor and/or metastasis is.

Examples of diseases associated with deregulated angiogenesis include without limitation e.g. neoplastic diseases, e.g. solid tumors. Angiogenesis is regarded as a prerequisite for those tumors which grow beyond a certain diameter, e.g. about 1-2 mm.

In a series of further specific or alternative embodiments, the present disclosure also discloses:

1. 1. A pharmaceutical combination comprising a) a first agent which is the Compound A, and b) a co-agent which is the chemotherapeutic agent exemestane.
2. 2. Compound A for use in the treatment of hormone receptor positive breast tumor can comprise co-administration, e.g. concomitantly or in sequence, of a therapeutically effective amount of Compound A, and a second drug substance, said second drug substance being a chemotherapeutic agent exemestane.

By the term "chemotherapeutic agent" is meant an aromatase inhibitor.

The term "aromatase inhibitor" as disclosed herein relates to a compound which inhibits the estrogen production, i.e. the conversion of the substrates androstenedione and testosterone to estrone and estradiol, respectively. The term includes, but is not limited to steroids, especially atamestane, exemestane and formestane and, in particular, non-steroids, especially aminoglutethimide, roglethimide, pyridoglutethimide, trilostane, testolactone, ketokonazole, vorozole, fadrozole, anastrozole and letrozole. Exemestane can be administered, e.g., in the form as it is marketed, e.g. under the trademark AROMASIN™. Formestane can be administered, e.g., in the form as it is marketed, e.g. under the trademark LENTARON™. Fadrozole can be administered, e.g., in the form as it is marketed, e.g. under the trademark AFEMA™. Anastrozole can be administered, e.g., in the form as it is marketed, e.g. under the trademark ARIMIDEX™. Letrozole can be administered, e.g., in the form as it is marketed, e.g. under the trademark FEMARA™ or FEMAR™ Aminoglutethimide can be administered, e.g., in the form as it is marketed, e.g. under the trademark ORIMETEN™. A combination of the invention comprising a chemotherapeutic agent which is an aromatase inhibitor is particularly useful for the treatment of hormone receptor positive tumors, e.g. breast tumors.

Where citations of patent applications or scientific publications are given, the subject-matter relating to the compounds comprises likewise the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, the corresponding racemates, diastereoisomers, enantiomers, tautomers as well as the corresponding crystal modifications of above disclosed compounds where present, e.g. solvates, hydrates and polymorphs, which are disclosed therein. The compounds used as active ingredients in the combinations of the invention can be prepared and administered as described in the cited documents, respectively. Also within the scope of this invention is the combination of more than two separate active ingredients as set forth above, i.e. a pharmaceutical combination within the scope of this invention could include three active ingredients or more. Further both the first agent and the co-agent are not the identical ingredient.

Utility of the compound of Compound A in treating solid tumors as hereinabove specified, may be demonstrated in animal test methods as well as in clinic, for example in accordance with the methods hereinafter described.

A. In Vitro A.1 Antiproliferative activity in combination with other agents

A cell line, e.g. the Compound A resistant A549 line (IC₅₀ in low nM range) versus the comparative Compound A resistant KB-31 and HCT116 lines (IC₅₀ in the µM range), is added to 96-well plates (1,500 cells/well in 100 µl medium) and incubated for 24 hr. Subsequently, a two-fold dilution series of each compound (Compound of formula I or a known chemotherapeutic agent) is made in separate tubes (starting at 8 x the IC₅₀ of each compound) either alone or in paired combinations, and the dilutions are added to the wells. The cells are then re-incubated for 3 days. Methylene blue staining is performed on day 4 and the amount of bound dye (proportional to the number of surviving cells that bind the dye) determined. IC₅₀s are subsequently determined using the Calcusyn program, which provides a measure of the interaction, namely the so-called non-exclusive combination index (Cl), where: Cl ∼ 1 = the interaction is nearly additive; 0.85 - 0.9 = slight synergism; < 0.85 = synergy. In this assay, the Compound A shows interesting antiproliferative activity in combination with another chemotherapeutic agent. For example the following Cl values are obtained with a combination of Compound A and cisplatinum, paclitaxel, gemcitabine and doxorubicin, showing synergistic effects.

Cl
Cell line	Cisplatinum	Paclitaxel	Gemcitabine	Doxorubicin
KB-31	0.74	0.9	0.79	0.7
A549	0.47	0.74	0.76	0.64
HCT116	0.47	0.3	0.9	0.52

Furthermore, in this assay, Compound A potentiates the loss of A549 cell viability and cell death when it is used in combination with gemcitabine.

A.2 Antiangiogenic activity

In vitro assay of the antiproliferative activity of Compound A against human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) demonstrates IC₅₀ values of 120 ± 22 pM and 841 ± 396, and > 10 000 pM for VEGF- and bFGF- and FBS-stimulated proliferation, respectively. Additionally, no significant effects of Compound A on bFGF-stimulated normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) proliferation are observed over the same concentration range. These results indicate that Compound A inhibits the proliferation of HUVECs, being particularly potent against the VEGF-induced proliferation, VEGF being a key pro-angiogenic factor.

B. In Vivo

In the following assays, antitumor activity is expressed as T/C% (mean increase in tumor volumes of treated animals divided by the mean increase of tumor volumes of control animals multiplied by 100) and % regressions (tumor volume minus initial tumor volume divided by the initial tumor volume and multiplied by 100).

B.1 Activity in A549 human lung tumor xenografts

Fragments of A549 tumors (approx. 25 mg; derived from Cell line CCL 185, ATCC, Rockville MD, USA) are transplanted subcutaneously into the left flank of BALB/c nude mice. Treatment is started on day 7 or day 12 following tumor transplantation. The compound to be tested is administered p.o. once per day from day 7/12 to day 38/55, respectively. In this assay, when administered at a daily dose ranging from 0.1 mg/kg to 2.5 mg/kg, the compound A exhibit dose-dependent inhibition of tumor growth; for example in one representative experiment Compound A when administered at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg results in persisting regressions (41 %); a dose of 0.5 mg/kg results in transient regressions (38 % on day 17), with a final T/C of 16 %, and a dose of 0.1 mg/kg slows tumor growth resulting in a final T/C of 43 % (T/C for control animals is 100%).

B.2 Activity in KB-31 human epidermoid tumor xenografts

Fragments of KB-31 tumors (approx. 25 mg; derived from the cell lines obtained from Roswell Park Memorial Institute Buffalo, NY, USA) are transplanted subcutaneously into the left flank of BALB/c nude mice. Treatment is started on day 7 or on day 10 following tumor transplantation. The compound to be tested is administered p.o. once per day from day 7/10 to day 25/35, respectively. Antitumor activity is expressed as T/C% as indicated above. In this assay, when administered at a daily dose ranging from 0.5 mg/kg to 2.5 mg/kg, the compound A inhibit tumor growth; for example in one representative experiment Compound A when administered at a dose of 2,5 mg/kg/day results in a final T/C cvalue of 25%(T/C for control animals is 100%).

B.3 Activity in CA20948 rat pancreatic tumors

Tumors are established in male Lewis rats by subcutaneous injection of CA20948 tumor cell suspension derived from donor rats into the left flank. Treatment is started on day 4 post inoculation. The compound to be tested is administered p.o. once per day (6 days a week) from day 4 to day 9-15 post inoculation. Antitumor activity is expressed as T/C% as indicated above. In this assay, when administered at a daily dose of 0.5 mg/kg to 2.5 mg/kg, the compound A inhibit tumor growth; for example in a representative experiment Compound A when administered p.o. at a daily dose of 2.5 mg/kg results in a final T/C value of 23 %. In the same experiment, intermittent administration of Compound A, 5mg/kg twice per week, results in a final T/C value of 32%. Compound A significantly and consistently decreases in these assays the rate of CA20948 pancreatic tumor growth when compared to vehicle controls (T/C for control animals is defined as 100%).

Compound A has been tested in further tumor models in accordance with the procedure as disclosed above. For example, a daily dosage of 2.5 mg/kg or 5 mg/kg Compound A produces final T/Cs of 18% and 9% when administered to the human NCI H-596 lung tumor model and the human MEXF 989 melanoma tumor model, respectively; 5 mg/kg produces final T/Cs of 20% (primary tumor) and 36% (cervical lymph node metastases) when administered to the orthotopic mouse B16/BL6 melanoma tumor model and 24% when administered to the human AR42J pancreatic tumor model; 2.5 mg/kg produces a final T/C of 28% when administered to the multi-drug resistant (MDR) human KB-8511 epidermoid tumor model. Good antitumor responses are also obtained when Compound A is administered intermittently, e.g. 2 subsequent days per week or twice a week, to mice transplanted with human AR42J pancreatic tumors.

B.4 Combination with doxorubicin

Mice transplanted with human KB-31 epidermoid tumors are treated for 21 days with doxorubicin at a dose of 5 mg/kg i.v. once per week, Compound A at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg p.o once per day, or a combination of both. Thereafter Compound A treatment alone is continued in the combination group in order to determine if the Compound A can suppress the outgrowth of tumors that respond to conventional agents. Antitumor activity is expressed as T/C% or % regressions as indicated above. For example, the combination of Compound A and doxorubicin produces greater antitumor effect (74 % regressions) as compared to either agent alone (Compound A, T/C 32 %; doxorubicin 44 % regressions). No exacerbation of the body weight losses caused by doxorubicin occurs when Compound A treatment is added. Continuing Compound A treatment in the combination group, after ceasing doxorubicin, inhibits tumor outgrowth such that the tumor volumes of the doxorubicin monotherapy group are significantly larger than those of the combination group. Moreover, the combination appears to produce a greater cure rate (8/8 tumors) at 14 days post end of treatment than doxorubicin alone (3/8 tumors).

B.5 Combination with cisplatinum

Mice transplanted with human NCl H-596 lung tumors are treated for 21 days with cisplatinum at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg i.v. once per week, Compound A at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg p.o. once per day, or a combination of both. Antitumor activity is expressed as T/C% or % regressions as indicated above. A combination of Compound A and cisplatinum produces a greater antitumor effect (5% regressions) as compared to either agent alone (Compound A, T/C 26%; cisplatinum, T/C 26%). The combination did not lead to worsened tolerability.

B.6 Antiangiogenic activity

B16/BL6 cells (5 X10⁴) are injected intradermally into the ear of C57BL/6 mice. Seven days later treatment with Compound A, or vehicle is initiated. Primary tumor and cervical lymph nodes are collected after two weeks of daily treatment for measurement of vessel density. Endothelium of perfused vessels in the tumors is visualized using a nuclear staining dye (Hoechst 33342, 20 mg/kg) that is injected i.v. shortly before killing the mice. Tumors and metastases are snap frozen and sections examined under a light microscope equipped with an epifluorescent source. The fluorescence H33342-labelled endothelium cells are used to measure vessel number and size over the whole tumor section. Vessels are assigned to groups of 10 µm-size range. Distribution of vessel size is assessed using a histogram frequency analysis. At a dose of 5 mg/kg p.o., Compound A reduces vessel density in both the primary tumor (e.g. T/C 50 % for Compound A) and the metastases (e.g.T/C 40 % for Compound A) as compared to controls. Compound A also changes vessel size distribution in the metastases.

B.7 Combination with an antiangiogenic agent

B16/BL6 cells (5 X10⁴) are injected intradermally into the ear of C57BL/6 mice. Seven days later treatment with Compound A, a VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, e.g. 1-(4-chloroanilino)-4-(4-pyridylmethyl)phthalazine or a salt thereof, e.g. the succinate, or a combination of both is initiated and effects on the growth and weight of the primary tumor and cervical lymph node metastases are monitored, respectively. Daily administration of the antiangiogenic agent (100 mg/kg p.o.) or of Compound A, (1 mg/kg p.o.) alone, reduces the size of the primary tumor (final T/C: 65 % and 74 %, respectively), whereas the combination of these two agents is synergistic (T/C 12 %). Compound A and the antiangiogenic agent treatment alone reduces cervical lymph node weights (related to regional metastases) (T/C: 75 % and 34 %, respectively), and the combination further reduces lymph node weights (T/C 13 %). The treatments significantly promote body weight gains as compared to controls. For the primary tumors, analysis of possible interaction shows synergy with Compound A and antiangiogenic agent as antiangiogenic agent /controls = 0.66; Compound A/controls = 0.77; Compound A and antiangiogenic agent /controls = 0.135. As Compound A and antiangiogenic agent /controls < Compound A/controls x antiangiogenic agent /controls (0.51), this is defined as synergy. For the metastases, analysis also shows synergy with Compound A and the antiangiogenic agent as antiangiogenic agent /controls = 0.337; Compound A/controls = 0.75; Compound A and antiangiogenic agent /controls = 0.122. As Compound A and antiangiogenic agent /controls < Compound A/controls x antiangiogenic agent /controls (0.252), this is also defined as synergy (Clark, Breast Cancer Research Treatment 1997;46:255).

C. Clinical Trial C.1 Investigation of clinical benefit of Compound A as monotherapy in solid tumours

Aim of the study: To identify the optimal dose of said compound, given orally once weekly, in a dose escalating study and the efficacy of the optimal dosage in solid tumours.

The study is divided into 2 parts:

• Part 1: Primary Aim: Identify the optimal dose of Compound A given p.o. once weekly, assuming this should be the minimum dose associated with prolonged inhibition of mTOR and blood levels of said compound at least equivalent to those achieving an anti-tumor effect in in-vivo preclinical levels.Secondary Aim: Assess safety of said compound when given alone to cancer patients and assess changes in tumor metabolic activity.Design: Successive groups of 4 patients with advanced malignant solid tumors, refractory or resistant to standard therapies to receive Compound A every 7 days different doses (group 1 to receive 5 mg; group 2 to receive 10 mg, group 3 to receive 20 mg) for 4 weeks. In week 4, establish the pharmacokinetic profile and the profile of mTOR inhibition as reflected by the inhibition of p70s6 kinase in peripheral lymphocytes. Carry out comparative 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging (before 1st dose, after 3rd dose) to explore the change in tumor metabolism.Patients' main selection criteria: Adults with advanced-stage (III-V) solid tumors, resistant or refractory to standard therapies. At least one tumoral lesion should be measurable (>20 mm in one dimension).Main variables for evaluation: Safety (adverse events), standard serum biochemistry and haematology, blood levels of the compound to be tested, lymphocyte p70-s6kinase activity, changes in tumor glucose uptake by FDG-PET.
• Part 2: Primary Aim: Explore the efficacy of Compound A in patients with advanced solid tumors when given once a week at the optimal dosage, as identified in Part 1 as shown by tumor response.Secondary Aim: Assess the safety of said compound at this dosage.Design: 20 patients with progressing, advanced-stage solid tumors, resistant or refractory to standard therapies, to receive said compound at the dosage recommended as a result of Part 1. The general clinical state of the patient is investigated weekly by physical and laboratory examination. Changes in tumor burden are assessed every 2 months by radiological examination. Initially patients receive treatment for 2 months. Thereafter, they remain on treatment for as long as their disease does not progress and the drug is satisfactorily tolerated.Main variables for evaluation: Safety (adverse events), standard serum biochemistry and haematology, tumor dimensions by computerised tomographic (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

C.2 Combined Treatment

Suitable clinical studies are, for example, open label non-randomized, dose escalation studies in patients with advanced solid tumors. Such studies prove in particular the synergism of the active ingredients of the combination of the invention. The beneficial effects on proliferative diseases can be determined directly through the results of these studies or by changes in the study design which are known as such to a person skilled in the art. Such studies are, in particular, suitable to compare the effects of a monotherapy using the active ingredients and a combination of the invention. Preferably, the dose of agent (a) is escalated until the Maximum Tolerated Dosage is reached, and the co-agent (b) is administered with a fixed dose. Alternatively, the agent (a) is administered in a fixed dose and the dose of co-agent (b) is escalated. Each patient receives doses of the agent (a) either daily or intermittent. The efficacy of the treatment can be determined in such studies, e.g., after 12, 18 or 24 weeks by radiologic evaluation of the tumors every 6 weeks.

Alternatively, a placebo-controlled, double blind study can be used in order to prove the benefits of the combination of the invention mentioned herein.

The combination of the invention can also be applied in combination with surgical intervention, mild prolonged whole body hyperthermia and/or irradiation therapy.

The administration of a pharmaceutical combination of the invention results not only in a beneficial effect, e.g. a synergistic therapeutic effect, e.g. with regard to slowing down, arresting or reversing the neoplasm formation or a longer duration of tumor response, but also in further surprising beneficial effects, e.g. less side-effects, an improved quality of life or a decreased mortality and morbidity, compared to a monotherapy applying only one of the pharmaceutically active ingredients used in the combination of the invention, in particular in the treatment of a tumor that is refractory to other chemotherapeutics known as anti-cancer agents. In particular, an increased up-take of the co-agent (b) in tumor tissue and tumor cells is observed, when applied in combination with the first agent (a).

A further benefit is that lower doses of the active ingredients of the combination of the invention can be used, for example, that the dosages need not only often be smaller but are also applied less frequently, or can be used in order to diminish the incidence of side-effects, while controlling the growth of neoplasm formation. This is in accordance with the desires and requirements of the patients to be treated.

One specific embodiment of the invention discloses the use of a combination of the invention for the prevention, delay of progression or treatment of or for the preparation of a medicament for the prevention, delay of progression or treatment of breast cancer. In such embodiment the combination comprises as co-agent b) an aromatase inhibitor.

The terms "co-administration" or "combined administration" or the like as utilized herein are meant to encompass administration of the selected therapeutic agents to a single patient, and are intended to include treatment regimens in which the agents are not necessarily administered by the same route of administration or at the same time.

It is one objective of this invention to provide a pharmaceutical composition comprising a quantity, which is jointly therapeutically effective against a proliferative malignant disease comprising a combination of the invention. In this composition, the first agent a) and co-agent (b) can be administered together, one after the other or separately in one combined unit dosage form or in two separate unit dosage forms. The unit dosage form may also be a fixed combination.

The pharmaceutical compositions for separate administration of the first agent a) and co-agent b) and for the administration in a fixed combination, i.e. a single galenical composition comprising at least two combination partners a) and b), according to the invention can be prepared in a manner known per se and are those suitable for enteral, such as oral or rectal, and parenteral administration to mammals (warm-blooded animals), including humans, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one pharmacologically active combination partner alone, e.g. as indicated above, or in combination with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents, especially suitable for enteral or parenteral application.

Suitable pharmaceutical compositions contain, for example, from about 0.1 % to about 99.9%, preferably from about 1 % to about 60 %, of the active ingredient(s). Pharmaceutical preparations for the combination therapy for enteral or parenteral administration are, for example, those in unit dosage forms, such as sugar-coated tablets, tablets, capsules or suppositories, or ampoules. If not indicated otherwise, these are prepared in a manner known per se, for example by means of conventional mixing, granulating, sugar-coating, dissolving or lyophilizing processes. It will be appreciated that the unit content of a combination partner contained in an individual dose of each dosage form need not in itself constitute an effective amount since the necessary effective amount can be reached by administration of a plurality of dosage units.

In particular, a therapeutically effective amount of each of the combination partner of the combination of the invention may be administered simultaneously or sequentially and in any order, and the components may be administered separately or as a fixed combination. For example, the method of delay of progression or treatment of a proliferative malignant disease according to the invention may comprise (i) administration of the first agent a) in free or pharmaceutically acceptable salt form and (ii) administration of a co-agent b) in free or pharmaceutically acceptable salt form, simultaneously or sequentially in any order, in jointly therapeutically effective amounts, preferably in synergistically effective amounts, e.g. in daily or intermittently dosages corresponding to the amounts described herein. The individual combination partners of the combination of the invention may be administered separately at different times during the course of therapy or concurrently in divided or single combination forms. Furthermore, the term administering also encompasses the use of a pro-drug of a combination partner that convert in vivo to the combination partner as such. The instant invention is therefore to be understood as embracing all such regimens of simultaneous or alternating treatment and the term "administering" is to be interpreted accordingly.

The effective dosage of each of the combination partners employed in the combination of the invention may vary depending on the particular compound or pharmaceutical composition employed, the mode of administration, the condition being treated, the severity of the condition being treated. Thus, the dosage regimen of the combination of the invention is selected in accordance with a variety of factors including the route of administration and the renal and hepatic function of the patient. A physician, clinician or veterinarian of ordinary skill can readily determine and prescribe the effective amount of the single active ingredients required to prevent, counter or arrest the progress of the condition. Optimal precision in achieving concentration of the active ingredients within the range that yields efficacy without toxicity requires a regimen based on the kinetics of the active ingredients' availability to target sites.

Daily dosages for the first agent a) will, of course, vary depending on a variety of factors, for example the compound chosen, the particular condition to be treated and the desired effect. In general, however, satisfactory results are achieved on administration of Compound A at daily dosage rates of the order of ca. 0.1 to 25 mg as a single dose or in divided doses. Compound A may be administered by any conventional route, in particular enterally, e.g. orally, e.g. in the form of tablets, capsules, drink solutions or parenterally, e.g. in the form of injectable solutions or suspensions. Suitable unit dosage forms for oral administration comprise from ca. 0.05 to 10 mg active ingredient Compound A, together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable diluents or carriers therefor.

Exemestane may be administered orally to a human in a dosage range varying from about 5 to about 200 mg/day, preferably from about 10 to about 25 mg/day, or parenterally from about 50 to 500 mg/day, preferably from about 100 to about 250 mg/day. If the drug shall be administered in a separate pharmaceutical composition, it can be administered in the form disclosed in GB 2,177,700 .

Compound A is well tolerated at dosages required for use in accordance with the present invention. For example, the NTEL for Compound A in a 4-week toxicity study is 0.5 mg/kg/day in rats and 1.5 mg/kg/day in monkeys.

Claims (4)

1. 40-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-rapamycin in combination with exemestane for use in the treatment of hormone receptor positive tumor, wherein the hormone receptor positive tumor is a breast tumor.
2. 40-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-rapamycin in combination with exemestane for use according to claim 1, wherein 40-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-rapamycin is to be administered at a daily dose from 0.1 to 25 mg as a single dose or in divided doses.
3. 40-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-rapamycin in combination with exemestane for use according to claim 1, wherein exemestane is to be administered orally to a human in a dose from 5 to 200 mg/day or parenterally from 50 to 500 mg/day.
4. 40-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-rapamycin in combination with exemestane for use according to claim 1, wherein exemestane is to be administered orally to a human in a dose from 10 to 25 mg/day or parenterally from 100 to 250 mg/day.