A qualitative study to understand the experience of somatostatin analog treatments from the perspective of patients with neuroendocrine tumors

Methodology of the SORENTO clinical trial: a prospective, randomised, active-controlled phase 3 trial assessing the efficacy and safety of high exposure octreotide subcutaneous depot (CAM2029) in patients with GEP-NET

BACKGROUND

The current standard of care (SoC) for the initial treatment of unresectable or metastatic well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NET) requires initiation of first-generation somatostatin receptor ligand (SRL) therapy, octreotide and lanreotide, which provide safe and efficacious tumour/symptom control in most patients. However, disease progression can occur with SoC SRL treatment and the optimal dose response of SRL remains unknown. Octreotide subcutaneous depot (CAM2029) is a novel, long-acting, high-exposure formulation that has shown greater bioavailability and improved administration than octreotide long-acting release (LAR) with a well-tolerated safety profile. Retrospective data have highlighted a potential benefit of high-exposure SRL for improved disease control in patients who did not adequately respond to the current SoC SRL treatment. This trial will investigate the efficacy and tolerability of CAM2029 compared to the current SoC, including octreotide LAR and lanreotide autogel (ATG).

METHODS

SORENTO is a prospective, multicentre, randomised, active-controlled, open-label phase 3 trial aiming to demonstrate superiority of treatment with 20 mg octreotide subcutaneous depot (CAM2029) every 2 weeks (Q2W) compared to treatment with the Investigator's choice of SRL therapy at standard doses for tumour control (octreotide LAR 30 mg or lanreotide ATG 120 mg every 4 weeks [Q4W]) as assessed by progression-free survival (PFS) in approximately 300 patients with unresectable/metastatic and well-differentiated GEP-NET. Upon confirmation of disease progression (determined by a Blinded Independent Review Committee [BIRC] and defined as per RECIST 1.1), patients may enter an open-label extension treatment period with once weekly dosing, to investigate the effects of higher frequency dosing. Overall survival follow-up will end a maximum of 2 years after primary analysis. The primary endpoint will be analysed after 194 confirmed PFS events.

DISCUSSION

This is the first trial investigating the efficacy of CAM2029 versus SoC SRL therapy using a head-to-head, superiority trial design. It is expected to be the first trial to investigate the efficacy of increased dosing frequency of a high-exposure SRL. A BIRC will limit bias and measurement variability and ensure high-quality efficacy data. Additionally, inclusion of patients with well-differentiated Grade 3 NET may elucidate treatment strategies for this rarely investigated patient population.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05050942. Registered on 21st September 2021.

Clinical impact of unsuccessful subcutaneous administration of octreotide LAR instead of intramuscular administration in patients with metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Octreotide LAR is a long-acting somatostatin analogue (SSA) used in the management of metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP NETs). It requires intramuscular (IM) injection. Missed IM injections cause subcutaneous nodules (SCNs) on radiologic images. We reviewed the rates of SCNs in a real-world cohort of GEP NETs receiving octreotide LAR and explored treatment outcomes. Patients commencing octreotide LAR between August 5, 2010 and March 8, 2018 at a single cancer center in Canada were identified from pharmacy records. Patients were included if they had a computed tomography (CT) scan performed at the time of progression and a preceding CT with pelvis included to enable assessment for the presence of nodules. Fisher's exact test was used to examine predictors of SCNs, and Kaplan-Meier curves summarized differences in progression free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) that were compared with log-rank tests. Of 243 patients receiving octreotide LAR, 45 had all required CT images available for central review. SCNs were found in 20/45 (44%) of patients on the last scan showing stable disease before progression and were numerically but not statistically more likely in females (OR: 2.36, 95% CI: 0.66-8.29, p = .23). There was an increased risk of SCNs in patients with a skin-to-muscle distance >38 mm (the length of an octreotide LAR needle) on CT (OR: 5.09, 95% CI: 1.39-16.6, p = .018) and a trend toward increased risk in obese patients (OR: 5.71, 95% CI: 1.26-23.4, p = .061). PFS (HR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.56-1.78, p = .98) and OS (HR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.41-1.8, p = .70) was similar between those with/without SCNs. In conclusion, almost half of patients receiving octreotide LAR had SCNs; however, missed administration of SSA did not appear to result in worse survival in this small study. Factors such as sex, younger age skin-to-muscle distance, and obesity may affect SCN development and should be considered when choosing an SSA.

Lanreotide Depot to Treat Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors in a US Community Oncology Setting: A Prospective, Observational Study

INTRODUCTION

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) can result in symptoms such as diarrhea, flushing, abdominal pain, and fatigue and are often associated with a significant disease burden and poor prognosis. This non-interventional, prospective, observational study evaluated the real-world safety and effectiveness of lanreotide depot, a somatostatin analog (SSA) used to treat GEP-NETs, in a community setting.

METHODS

In this prospective, non-interventional study (NCT02730104), adult patients with locally advanced (inoperable), metastatic GEP-NETs treated with lanreotide depot were evaluated by their physician every 6 months from enrollment for 24 months. Clinically defined time to disease progression (TTDP) and overall survival (OS) were estimated for the total population and by primary tumor type (gastrointestinal [GI], pancreatic, unknown origin), and an exploratory analysis determined the rate of progression-free survival (PFS) at 12 and 24 months. Patient satisfaction was evaluated via the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM-9), and safety information was recorded.

RESULTS

Of 99 patients, the 24-month PFS rate was 73.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 63.1-81.7) and 24-month OS rate was 84.2% (95% CI 74.0-90.7). Median TTDP was not reached because few patients experienced disease progression during the study period. The majority of responding patients expressed satisfaction with treatment on each domain of the TSQM-9. Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) occurred in 19.2% of patients, while no serious AEs (SAEs) were related to the study drug.

CONCLUSIONS

Lanreotide depot is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for GEP-NETs in the real-world community setting.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT02730104.