Ruxolitinib W/ Preop Chemo For Triple Negative Inflammatory Brca

This study has two phases. The objective of Phase I to find the maximum dose (MTD) of
Ruxolitinib when combined with standard dose of paclitaxel given weekly for advanced or
metastatic breast cancer. Three participants will be entered at a dose ruxolitinib equaling
10 mg orally twice daily with weekly paclitaxel. If no dose-limiting toxicity is seen after 6
weeks of treatment (two cycles), then the dose of ruxolitinib will be escalated using a
standard 3+3 design, until 2 participants experience dose limiting toxicity (DLT). The dose
below the DLT is designated the MTD and this dose of ruxolitinib will be used in the phase II
preoperative study for triple negative IBC.

During Cycle 1 the participant will come into clinic every week. At each visit, the
participant will have a physical exam and will be asked questions regarding general health
and specific questions about any problems that the participant might be having with any
medications. About 2-3 additional tablespoons of blood will be taken before the participant's
begins ruxolitinib, on Cycle 2 Day 1, Cycle 3 Day 1, and at the end of the study for research
blood tests. Because these tests are being performed for research, and their clinical
usefulness is unknown, the participant will not receive the results of these tests. The
investigator will assess the participant's tumor by CT scans or MRI every 2 cycles. In
addition, if the participant has tumors that are visible or can be palpated (felt), then they
will be measured by the participant's study doctor in the clinic. If the participant has had
a history of cancer in the bones or suspected cancer in the bones, then a bone scan will be
performed before the participant can begin ruxolitinib. The bone scan may be repeated every 2
cycles and at the end of the study if the participant study doctor believes it is clinically
needed. Otherwise, it does not need to be repeated. Photographs may be taken of the
participant's tumor to assess the tumor response to the treatment.

The phase II period of the study will treat triple negative inflammatory breast cancer
participants with ruxolitinib combined with 12 weeks of weekly paclitaxel followed by
standard care Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide (AC) chemotherapy, eligible participants will
proceed to surgical mastectomy followed by radiation. The phase II study will begin once the
phase I study has been completed.

During the phase II study, participants will have a research biopsy of the breast followed by
one week of ruxolitinib given twice daily. A second research biopsy of the breast is then
performed and the participants will then receive combination ruxolitinib (at the MTD dose
defined in the phase I study) and standard dose paclitaxel for 12 weeks. Participants will be
seen weekly during treatment. One week after completing the combination therapy, participants
will receive standard dose doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) every 2 weeks for 4 cycles.

We will evaluate the effect of JAK inhibition by ruxolitinib on the tumor by comparing
pSTAT3+ expression of the pre-treatment research biopsy with the pSTAT3+ expression on the
second research biopsy performed after one week of ruxolitinib. Participants who have disease
regression following 12 weeks of ruxolitinib and paclitaxel followed by AC chemotherapy will
undergo mastectomy, and the amount of residual breast cancer will be assessed. We will
correlate the degree of residual cancer in the mastectomy with the amount of pSTAT3+
expression seen in the research biopsies. We will be checking standard blood tests, IL-6 and
CRP levels throughout the treatment to see if the levels change in response to ruxolitinib
treatment. This may be an easier method of determining treatment efficacy. Standard radiation
therapy will be given following mastectomy.

Inclusion Criteria:

Phase I

- Participants must meet the following criteria on screening examination to be eligible
to participate in the study:

- Participants must have histologically confirmed breast cancer that is metastatic or
unresectable and for which standard curative or palliative measures do not exist or
are no longer effective.

- Patients may not have received > 2 prior chemotherapies for advanced disease.

- Either measurable or evaluable disease is allowed.

- Age ≥18 years. Because no dosing or adverse event data are currently available on the
use of ruxolitinib in participants <18 years of age, children are excluded from this
study.

- Life expectancy of greater than 3 months.

- ECOG performance status ≤ 2 (see Appendix A).

- Participants must have normal organ and marrow function as defined below:

- Leukocytes ≥3,000/mcL

- Absolute neutrophil count ≥1,500/mcL

- Platelets ≥100,000/mcL

- Total bilirubin within normal institutional limits

- AST (SGOT)/ALT (SGPT) ≤ 2.5 X institutional upper limit of normal

- Creatinine within normal institutional limits or creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73
m2 for subjects with creatinine levels about institutional normal

- Both men and women are allowed.

- The effects of ruxolitinib on the developing human fetus are unknown. For this reason
women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception
(hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for
the duration of study participation. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is
pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician
immediately.

- Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria:

Phase I

- Participants who exhibit any of the following conditions at screening will not be
eligible for admission into the study.

- Participants may not be receiving any other study agents within 2 weeks of initiating
treatment.

- Participants with untreated or uncontrolled brain metastases are excluded from this
clinical trial. Patients with treated and stable (> 4 weeks) brain metastasis are
allowed.

- History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic
composition to ruxolitinib.

- Participants receiving any medications or substances that are strong inhibitors of
CYP3A4 are ineligible. (Please refer to Appendix B for list and washout periods).

- Chronic corticosteroid use in excess of the equivalent of prednisone 10 mg once daily.

- Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to ongoing or active
infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac
arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with
study requirements.

- Pregnant women are excluded from this study because ruxolitinib is a JAK inhibitor
with the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects. Because there is an
unknown but potential risk of adverse events in nursing infants secondary to treatment
of the mother with ruxolitinib, breastfeeding should be discontinued if the mother is
treated with ruxolitinib. These potential risks may also apply to other agents used in
this study.

- Individuals with a history of a different malignancy are ineligible except for the
following circumstances. Individuals with a history of other malignancies are eligible
if they have been disease-free for at least 3 years and are deemed by the investigator
to be at low risk for recurrence of that malignancy. Individuals with the following
cancers are eligible if diagnosed and treated within the past 3 years: cervical cancer
in situ, and basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.

- Clinically significant malabsorption syndrome.

- Prior chemotherapy or radiation administered within 2 weeks from initiating study
treatment.