SHR-A1811 (antibody-drug conjugate) in advanced HER2-mutant non-small cell lung cancer: a multicenter, open-label, phase 1/2 study

Antibodies to watch in 2025

The commercial development of antibody therapeutics is a global enterprise involving thousands of biopharmaceutical firms and supporting service organizations. To date, their combined efforts have resulted in over 200 marketed antibody therapeutics and a pipeline of nearly 1,400 investigational product candidates that are undergoing evaluation in clinical studies as treatments for a wide variety of diseases. Here, we discuss key events in antibody therapeutics development that occurred during 2024 and forecast key events related to the late-stage clinical pipeline that may occur in 2025. In particular, we report on 21 antibody therapeutics granted a first approval in at least one country or region during 2024, including bispecific antibodies tarlatamab (IMDELLTRA®), zanidatamab (Ziihera®), zenocutuzumab (BIZENGRI®), odronextamab (Ordspono®), ivonescimab (®), and antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) sacituzumab tirumotecan (®). We also discuss 30 investigational antibody therapeutics for which marketing applications were undergoing review by at least one regulatory agency, as of our last update on December 9, 2024, including ADCs datopotamab deruxtecan, telisotuzumab vedotin, patritumab deruxtecan, trastuzumab botidotin, becotatug vedotin, and trastuzumab rezetecan. Of 178 antibody therapeutics we include in the late-stage pipeline, we summarize key data for 18 for which marketing applications may be submitted by the end of 2025, such as bi- or multispecific antibodies denecimig, sonelokimab, erfonrilimab, and anbenitamab. Key trends in the development and approval of antibody formats such as bispecifics and ADCs, as well as clinical-phase transition and global approval success rates for these antibody formats, are reported.

Advances in molecular pathology and therapy of non-small cell lung cancer

Over the past two decades, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has witnessed encouraging advancements in basic and clinical research. However, substantial unmet needs remain for patients worldwide, as drug resistance persists as an inevitable reality. Meanwhile, the journey towards amplifying the breadth and depth of the therapeutic effect requires comprehending and integrating diverse and profound progress. In this review, therefore, we aim to comprehensively present such progress that spans the various aspects of molecular pathology, encompassing elucidations of metastatic mechanisms, identification of therapeutic targets, and dissection of spatial omics. Additionally, we also highlight the numerous small molecule and antibody drugs, encompassing their application alone or in combination, across later-line, frontline, neoadjuvant or adjuvant settings. Then, we elaborate on drug resistance mechanisms, mainly involving targeted therapies and immunotherapies, revealed by our proposed theoretical models to clarify interactions between cancer cells and a variety of non-malignant cells, as well as almost all the biological regulatory pathways. Finally, we outline mechanistic perspectives to pursue innovative treatments of NSCLC, through leveraging artificial intelligence to incorporate the latest insights into the design of finely-tuned, biomarker-driven combination strategies. This review not only provides an overview of the various strategies of how to reshape available armamentarium, but also illustrates an example of clinical translation of how to develop novel targeted drugs, to revolutionize therapeutic landscape for NSCLC.

Research advancements of antibody drug conjugates in non-small cell lung cancer with HER2 alterations

The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) alterations are significant genetic alterations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), encompassing mutations, amplifications, and protein overexpression. Despite the substantial progress of anti-HER2 targeted therapies in breast and gastric cancers, numerous challenges persist in the treatment of NSCLC with HER2 alterations. Presently, the options for NSCLC with HER2 alterations remain limited, with inferior efficacy observed using small molecule anti-tumor targeted agents and conventional chemotherapy. Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), an organic combination of monoclonal antibodies and cytotoxic drugs targeting specific tumor cells, have revolutionized the treatment landscape of NSCLC with HER2 alterations. Extensive exploration of ADCs has been conducted across NSCLC patients with HER2 alterations, achieving notable efficacy in some populations. This review aims to delve into the biological characteristics and current treatment landscape of NSCLC with HER2 alterations, emphasizing the transformative research advancements surrounding ADCs. By highlighting these developments, we aspire to provide essential insights to enhance clinical practice and improve management strategies for NSCLC patients with HER2 alterations.

Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs): current and future biopharmaceuticals

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) represent a novel class of biopharmaceuticals comprising monoclonal antibodies covalently conjugated to cytotoxic agents via engineered chemical linkers. This combination enables targeted delivery of cytotoxic agents to tumor site through recognizing target antigens by antibody while minimizing off-target effects on healthy tissues. Clinically, ADCs overcome the limitations of traditional chemotherapy, which lacks target specificity, and enhance the therapeutic efficacy of monoclonal antibodies, providing higher efficacy and fewer toxicity anti-tumor biopharmaceuticals. ADCs have ushered in a new era of targeted cancer therapy, with 15 drugs currently approved for clinical use. Additionally, ADCs are being investigated as potential therapeutic candidates for autoimmune diseases, persistent bacterial infections, and other challenging indications. Despite their therapeutic benefits, the development and application of ADCs face significant challenges, including antibody immunogenicity, linker instability, and inadequate control over the release of cytotoxic agent. How can ADCs be designed to be safer and more efficient? What is the future development direction of ADCs? This review provides a comprehensive overview of ADCs, summarizing the structural and functional characteristics of the three core components, antibody, linker, and payload. Furthermore, we systematically assess the advancements and challenges associated with the 15 approved ADCs in cancer therapy, while also exploring the future directions and ongoing challenges. We hope that this work will provide valuable insights into the design and optimization of next-generation ADCs for wider clinical applications.

Trastuzumab rezetecan, a HER2-directed antibody-drug conjugate, in patients with advanced HER2-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (HORIZON-Lung): phase 2 results from a multicentre, single-arm study

BACKGROUND

Trastuzumab rezetecan (also known as SHR-A1811) is a novel antibody-drug conjugate consisting of a humanised HER2-directed monoclonal antibody, cleavable tetrapeptide-based linker, and DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor. In the phase 1 portion of this phase 1/2 study, trastuzumab rezetecan showed preliminary anti-tumour activity and a favourable safety profile in patients with HER2-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We present phase 2 results from the study, which aimed to further evaluate the activity and safety of trastuzumab rezetecan at the recommended dose.

METHODS

In this multicentre, single-arm, phase 2 trial, conducted in 35 hospitals in China, we recruited patients aged 18-75 years, with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with an activating HER2 mutation and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score of 0-1, who had disease progression after or were intolerant to platinum-based chemotherapy and anti-PD-1 treatment or anti-PD-L1 treatment. Trastuzumab rezetecan was administered at 4·8 mg/kg intravenously once every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was objective response rate assessed by an independent review committee in patients who received at least one cycle of study treatment. All patients who received at least one cycle of study treatment were included in safety analyses. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04818333, and is ongoing but not recruiting.

FINDINGS

Between April 14, 2023, and Dec 14, 2023, 94 patients were enrolled and treated. 42 (45%) patients were male, 52 (55%) female, 92 (98%) were Han Chinese, and two (2%) were other ethnicity Chinese. At data cutoff (June 14, 2024), the median duration of follow-up was 8·7 months (IQR 7·0-10·4). 69 (73%; 95% CI 63·3-82·0) of 94 patients had a confirmed objective response, as assessed by independent review committee. The most common grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events were decreased neutrophil count (38 [40%] patients), decreased white blood cell count (25 [27%]), anaemia (22 [23%]), decreased platelet count (10 [11%]), and decreased lymphocyte count (seven [7%]). Treatment-related serious adverse events occurred in 22 (23%) patients, which were decreased platelet count (six [6%]), decreased neutrophil count (six [6%]), interstitial lung disease (five [5%]), decreased white blood cell count (four [4%]), anaemia (four [4%]), vomiting (three [3%]), pneumonia (three [3%]), hyponatraemia (two [2%]), and pyrexia (one [1%]), small intestinal obstruction (one [1%]), nausea (one [1%]), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (one [1%]). There were no treatment-related deaths.

INTERPRETATION

Trastuzumab rezetecan showed clinically meaningful activity and manageable safety in patients with previously treated HER2-mutant NSCLC. Further trials are justified.

FUNDING

Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals, National Multi-disciplinary Treatment Project for Major Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Clinical and Translational Science by the Ministry of Education & Shanghai.

TRANSLATION

For the Chinese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Emerging Targeted Therapies in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Targeted therapies have changed the treatment landscape of non-small-cell lung cancer and led to improved patient survival across all stages of lung cancer. Newer advances in common and novel oncogenic drivers continue to occur at vigorous speed, making it challenging to stay up to date with the rapidly evolving field. In this article, we review the emerging perspectives in the treatment of actionable targets in lung cancer. We focus on the development of newer KRAS-directed therapies, particularly on non-G12C mutations, pan-RAS inhibitors, and RAS-GTP inhibitors. We also describe the current standard of care for EGFR- and ALK-altered NSCLC and dive into the novel treatments expected to be in the clinic soon. A similar approach is taken toward MET, HER2, RET, ROS1, and FGFR alterations as emerging targets in non-small-cell lung cancer. Finally, we conclude this review with the current body of evidence for targeting TROP-2 as a novel target, potentially of importance in post-targeted therapy scenarios.

AYVM to AYMM Transition on HER2 Exon 20 Insertion Induces Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Resistance in NSCLC

INTRODUCTION

Pyrotinib, a novel pan-HER tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has demonstrated substantial anti-tumor activity in patients with NSCLC harboring HER2 mutations. Nevertheless, the inevitable resistance to pyrotinib necessitates an in-depth understanding of the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Resistance-associated mutations were identified through genomic sequencing of paired baseline and post-resistance samples from 40 patients. Integrated computational and experimental approach were utilized to validate the resistance mechanisms and explore strategies for overcoming resistance in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

Analysis of novel mutations upon the development of resistance did not identify any predominant secondary HER2 mutations. Nevertheless, 12 secondary HER2 mutations (38.7%) occurred either as single nucleotide variations (75%) or insertions-deletions (25%), on the basis of HER2 p.Y772_P775dup mutation. Only two mutations led to HER2 autophosphorylation and IL3-independent proliferation of Ba/F3 cells from the in vitro experiments, implying that the remaining 10 secondary mutations were passenger mutations. Further in vivo and in vitro validation showed that the HER2 p.E770_A771insAYMM mutation diminished the sensitivity of murine HER2 mutant lung adenocarcinoma cell line to pyrotinib, with ineffective inhibition of HER2 and its downstream pathways. Drug screening indicated that mobocertinib and dacomitinib could effectively restrain the growth of tumors bearing the HER2 p.E770_A771insAYMM mutation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings unveil a new form of resistance-a secondary mutation superimposed on the original mutation-and offer insights into a potentially sequential strategy for overcoming resistance to pyrotinib.

Antibody-Drug Conjugates for the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Central Nervous System Metastases

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) represent an emerging class of targeted anticancer agents that have demonstrated impressive efficacy in numerous cancer types. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), ADCs have become a component of the treatment armamentarium for a subset of patients with metastatic disease. Emerging data suggest that some ADCs exhibit impressive activity even in central nervous system (CNS) metastases, a disease site that is difficult to treat and associated with poor prognosis. Herein, we describe and summarize the existing evidence surrounding ADCs in NSCLC with a focus on CNS activity.