SB-497115 (Oral Thrombopoietin Receptor Agonist) Versus Placebo In Adult Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

Inclusion criteria:

* Subjects ≥18 years old, who are chemotherapy naïve, with histologically or cytologically confirmed advanced solid tumor (leukemia and lymphoma are excluded) who are scheduled to received carboplatin/paclitaxel as shown below. For the purpose of this study, advanced tumors are defined as tumors that are being treated with palliative intent (i.e., not being treated with curative intent).
* Subjects scheduled to receive first-line chemotherapy as carboplatin AUC 5-6 IV over 30 minutes plus paclitaxel 175-225 mg/m2 IV over 3 hours on day 1 every 21 days, with routine pre-medications, i.e., 20 mg dexamethasone \[or equivalent\] orally 6 and 12 hours pre-paclitaxel, 50 mg IV diphenhydramine \[or equivalent\] and 300 mg IV cimetidine \[or equivalent\] 30-60 minutes pre-paclitaxel.
* ECOG-Zubrod performance status is 0, or 1.
* Subject has no history of platelet disorders or dysfunction and no history of a bleeding disorder.
* Subjects have adequate:

hematologic function (ANC ≥ 1,500/mm3, hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dL, and platelet count ≥100,000/mm3 and \< upper limit of normal range (eg, 400,000 to 450,000/mm3), hepatic function (bilirubin ≤ 2 mg/dL and alanine aminotransferase ≤ three times the upper limit of normal), renal function (creatinine ≤ 2.0 mg/dL).

* Subject has no physical limitation to ingest and retain oral medication.
* Subject has life expectancy of at least 6 months.
* Subject is practicing an acceptable method of contraception (documented in chart). Female subjects (or female partners of male subjects) must either be of nonchildbearing potential (hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, bilateral tubal ligation or post-menopausal \> 1 year), or of childbearing potential and use one of the following acceptable methods of contraception from two weeks prior to administration of study medication, throughout the study, and 28 days after completion or premature discontinuation from the study:

Complete abstinence from intercourse; Intrauterine device (IUD); Two forms of barrier contraception (diaphragm plus spermicide, and for males condom plus spermicide); Male partner is sterile prior to entry into the study and is the only partner of the female; Systemic contraceptives (combined or progesterone only).

* Subject is able to understand and comply with protocol requirements and instructions and intend to complete the study as planned.
* Subject has signed and dated written informed consent.
* Chemotherapy naive patients with advanced solid tumors (without brain metastasis or rapid progression within 2 weeks) who are scheduled to receive standard first-line therapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel every 21 days.
* Adequate hematologic, hepatic and renal function.

Exclusion criteria:

* Any clinically relevant abnormality, other than cancer, identified on the screening examination, or any other medical condition or circumstance, which in the opinion of the Investigator, makes the subject unsuitable for participation in the study and/or would make the patient's data difficult to interpret.
* Subjects with a known history of rapidly progressive disease (marked increase in tumor size \[\>50%\], ascites, or serious symptoms related to underlying cancer in the preceding 4-week period), surgery within the previous 2 weeks, radiotherapy within the previous 4 weeks, or any prior chemotherapy.
* Subjects with known pre-existing cardiac disease, including congestive heart failure, arrhythmias requiring treatment, or myocardial infarction within the preceding 3 months.
* Subjects with abnormal resting 12-lead ECG at screening that would indicate preexisting cardiac disease, as noted in exclusion criterion 3.
* Subjects with known clotting disorder associated with hypercoaguability.
* Subject has consumed aspirin, aspirin-containing compounds, salicylates, quinine or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) for \> 3 consecutive days within 2 weeks of the study start and would require them at any time during the study.
* Treatment with an investigational drug within 30 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) preceding the first dose of study medication.
* Subject has consumed liquid antacids (e.g. Maalox, Mylanta, Amphogel, milk of magnesia), chewable antacids (e.g. TUMS) or calcium supplements within 48 hours of the first dose of study medication, and/or will require these medications during the study.
* Subject has consumed rosuvastatin or pravastatin within 1 week of the first dose of study medication and/or will require these medications at any time during the study.
* Any history of drug-induced thrombocytopenia (e.g., quinine).
* Systemic anti-coagulant use within 4 weeks prior to study entry.
* Consumption of any herbal or dietary supplements, excluding vitamin or mineral supplements (See Exclusion 8 for calcium supplements), within 1 week of the study start.
* Female subjects who are lactating or have a positive beta-hCG at screening.
* Subjects with a history of CNS metastases or clinical signs or symptoms of brain and/or leptomeningeal metastases confirmed by CT or MRI brain scan.
* History of platelet or bleeding disorders.
* Patients using aspirin, aspirin-containing compounds, salicylates, antacids, rosuvastatin, pravastatin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for greater than 3 days during and within 3 weeks prior to the study.
* Females who are pregnant or breastfeeding.