Abstract LB-387: Efficacy and safety of AB928 plus modified FOLFOX-6 (mFOLFOX-6) in participants with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): Initial results at the recommended dose for expansion (ARC-3)

Background: The release of ATP from dying cancer cells in response to platinum-based chemotherapy increases extracellular immunosuppressive adenosine (A), which binds to and activates the A2a and A2b receptors on immune cells resulting in an ineffective anti-tumor immune response. Concomitant adenosine receptor blockade may therefore enhance the therapeutic efficacy of some chemotherapeutic agents. AB928, the first clinical-stage small molecule dual adenosine receptor antagonist, is highly potent, pharmacodynamically active, and has been well tolerated in dose escalation studies as a single agent or in combination with chemo/immunotherapy. Methods: ARC-3 (NCT03720678) is a Phase 1/1b, open-label study in participants (pts) with advanced CRC. Phase 1 escalation identified AB928 150 mg orally once daily as the recommended dose in combination with standard mFOLFOX-6. Phase 1b expansion is ongoing and includes at least 15 and up to 40 pts. Eligible pts must have unresectable or mCRC, ECOG performance status 0-1, and at least one RECIST measurable lesion. Phase 1 eligibility included up to 5 lines of prior therapy; Phase 1b is similarly scoped. Exploratory biomarker analyses include immunohistochemistry of the adenosine axis, tumoral next gene sequencing, and tumor/blood immune correlates. Results: As of 27Dec19, 21 pts received AB928 150 mg + mFOLFOX-6: 7 in Phase 1 and 14 in Phase 1b. All previously treated pts (n=12) were FOLFOX- and/or FOLFIRI-experienced. Prior metastatic therapies range from 3 to 5 in Phase 1 escalation and 0 to 3 in Phase 1b expansion. Adverse events (AEs) reported in >30% of pts included fatigue, diarrhea, and thrombocytopenia. AEs related to AB928 occurred in 13 pts and were mostly mild to moderate. AB928-related Grade 3 AEs reported by 3 pts were diarrhea, AST increase, and neutropenia; there were no Grade 4-5 AB928-related AEs. Out of 15 evaluable pts, by investigator assessment, the disease control rate was 100% with 2 partial responses (13%; 1 confirmed, 1 pending confirmation) and 13 stable disease (87%). Of pts with stable disease, 6/13 (46%) had tumor shrinkage >15%. Median time on treatment was 15.4 (range: 1.7 - 40.6+) and 11.9 (range: 2.7 - 15.7+) weeks for Phase 1 and Phase 1b, respectively, with initiation of Phase 1b dosing on 09Sep19. Enrollment up to 40 pts is proceeding based on early efficacy gates; 15 pts are currently receiving study treatment. Conclusions: AB928 with mFOLFOX-6 has been well tolerated without significant evidence of additive toxicity in pts with mCRC. Combination treatment was associated with disease control in all evaluable pts, including those with microsatellite stable and RAS/BRAF mutated mCRC. Additional updates on the safety, clinical activity, and correlative biomarker results for all escalation/expansion pts will be presented.

Citation Format: Michael Cecchini, Manuel Modiano, Fadi Braiteh, Olivia S. Gardner, Houston N. Gilbert, Daniel DiRenzo, Lisa Seitz, Matt J. Walters, Fangfang Yin, Rachel Woloski, Melissa C. Paoloni, Ki Y. Chung. Efficacy and safety of AB928 plus modified FOLFOX-6 (mFOLFOX-6) in participants with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): Initial results at the recommended dose for expansion (ARC-3) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-387.

ARC-4 study: Efficacy and safety of AB928 plus carboplatin, pemetrexed and a PD-1 antibody in participants with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC)

e21659

Background: Adenosine, derived from ATP released by dying cancer cells in response to chemotherapy, binds to and activates the A2a and A2b receptors on immune cells, resulting in an ineffective anti-tumor immune response. Adenosine receptor blockade may therefore enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy when co-administered with a checkpoint inhibitor. AB928, the first clinical-stage small molecule dual A2aR/ A2bR antagonist, is highly potent and was well tolerated in dose escalation studies as a single agent or in combination with chemo/immunotherapy. Methods: ARC-4 (NCT03846310) is a Phase 1/1b, open-label study in participants (pts) with metastatic, locally advanced, or recurrent non-squamous NSCLC with no alternative or curative therapy option. Pts whose tumor has a genetic alteration for which targeted therapy exists must be chemo/immunotherapy naïve. Pts must have ECOG PS 0-1 and at least one measurable lesion. Two escalating doses of AB928 (75 or 150 mg) administered orally daily were given with standard doses of carboplatin, pemetrexed and pembrolizumab. Results: As of 27Dec19, 7 pts have received AB928 in Ph 1: 75 mg (n = 3), 150 mg (n = 4). Number of prior therapies range from 0 to 6 (median = 3). Most treatment emergent AEs (TEAEs) were Grade 1 or 2, with no Grade 5 events. The most common AEs were anemia, nausea and AST elevation. One pt experienced an SAE (Gr4 thrombocytopenia) that was at least possibly related to AB928. One pt discontinued before assessment due to adverse event (muscle weakness). Of the 6 patients with post-baseline disease assessments, all demonstrated decrease size of target lesion. Three patients (43%) achieved a confirmed partial response: one treatment naïve patient, one patient with EGFRmut disease that had previously progressed on treatment with erlotinib and osimertinib, and one patient who had progressed on therapy with ipilimumab and nivolumab. One additional pt had a > 30% decrease in target lesions and findings consistent with new lesions but opted to continue study treatment. Conclusions: Addition of AB928 to carboplatin, pemetrexed and pembrolizumab did not significantly add to the established safety profile of the standard agents. Combination treatment was associated with disease control in all evaluable pts, including responses in those with PD after TKI and immunotherapy. Expansion is on-going in pts with EGFRmut NSCLC that has failed treatment with TKI. Additional updates on the safety, clinical activity, and correlative biomarker results will be presented. Clinical trial information: 03846310.

A phase Ib/II, open-label, platform study evaluating the efficacy and safety of AB928-based treatment combinations in participants with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer

TPS272

Background: The tumor microenvironment contains high levels of immunosuppressive adenosine, which binds to and activates the A2a and A2b receptors (R) on immune cells, resulting in an ineffective anti-tumor immune response. Extracellular adenosine is primarily produced by the enzyme CD73. In prostate cancer (PC), the activity of prostatic acid phosphatase produces additional adenosine. AB928 is the first clinical-stage small molecule dual antagonist of both A2aR and A2bR, which is highly potent, pharmacodynamically active, and has been well tolerated in dose escalation studies as a single agent or in combination with chemo/immunotherapy. Targeting the adenosine pathway in combination with standard of care regimens may have a more profound effect on activating and inducing sustained anti-tumor immunity. Methods: This Phase 1b/2, open-label, multi-cohort platform study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of AB928 combination therapy in participants with metastatic castrate resistant PC (mCRPC). Each cohort will independently assess AB928 plus AB122 (anti-PD-1 antibody) in combination with standard of care (SOC; enzalutamide, docetaxel) or AB928 plus AB680 (CD73 inhibitor) with or without AB122. Cohort eligibility is informed by prior treatment history. In Ph1b, up to 15 participants will receive investigational products at the single-agent recommended dose with SOC per label guidance. Provided safety and activity stopping criteria are not met, further accrual will proceed in Ph2 and, depending on treatment cohort, may involve randomization to enzalutamide or docetaxel; crossover to experimental therapy will be allowed following progression on control treatment. Investigator-assessed antitumor response (radiologic, prostate specific antigen) will follow PCWG3 criteria. Conclusions: This Ph1b/2 study is the first to target the adenosine axis using a dual A2aR/A2bR antagonist (AB928) together with a small molecule CD73 inhibitor (AB680), anti-PD-1 antibody (AB122), and SOC for mCRPC. Study enrollment is proceeding in the United States; results will be shared in upcoming scientific conferences.

Phase I Study of DSTP3086S, an Antibody-Drug Conjugate Targeting Six-Transmembrane Epithelial Antigen of Prostate 1, in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE

Six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 1 (STEAP1) is highly expressed in prostate cancers. DSTP3086S is a humanized immunoglobulin G1 anti-STEAP1 monoclonal antibody linked to the potent antimitotic agent monomethyl auristatin E. This study evaluated the safety and activity of DSTP3086S in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

METHODS

Patients were enrolled in a 3 + 3 dose escalation study to evaluate DSTP3086S (0.3 to 2.8 mg/kg intravenously) given once every 3 weeks followed by cohort expansion at the recommended phase II dose or weekly (0.8 to 1.0 mg/kg).

RESULTS

Seventy-seven patients were given DSTP3086S once every 3 weeks, and seven were treated weekly. Two patients in the once-every-3-weeks dose escalation had dose-limiting grade 3 transaminitis. Grade 3 hyperglycemia and grade 4 hypophosphatemia were dose-limiting toxicities in one patient treated at 1.0 mg/kg weekly. Initial cohort expansion evaluated dosing at 2.8 mg/kg once every 3 weeks (n = 10), but frequent dose reductions led to testing of 2.4 mg/kg (n = 39) in the expansion phase. Common related adverse events (> 20%) across doses (once every 3 weeks) were fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, nausea, constipation, anorexia, diarrhea, and vomiting. DSTP3086S pharmacokinetics were linear. Among 62 patients who received > 2 mg/kg DSTP3086S once every 3 weeks, 11 (18%) demonstrated a ≥ 50% decline in prostate-specific antigen; two (6%) of 36 with measurable disease at baseline achieved a radiographic partial response; and of 27 patients with informative unfavorable baseline circulating tumor cells ≥ 5/7.5 mL of blood, 16 (59%) showed conversions to favorable circulating tumor cells < 5. No prostate-specific antigen or RECIST responses were seen with weekly dosing.

CONCLUSION

DSTP3086S has acceptable safety at the recommended phase II dose level of 2.4 mg/kg once every 3 weeks. Antitumor activity at doses between 2.25 and 2.8 mg/kg once every 3 weeks supports the potential benefit of treating STEAP1-expressing metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer with an STEAP1-targeting antibody-drug conjugate.

A multicenter, single-arm, open-label, phase 2 study of apitolisib (GDC-0980) for the treatment of recurrent or persistent endometrial carcinoma (MAGGIE study)

BACKGROUND

The current single-arm, open-label trial was designed to evaluate the activity of apitolisib (GDC-0980), a dual phosphoinositide 3-kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/mTOR) inhibitor, in patients with advanced endometrial cancer (EC).

METHODS

Patients with recurrent or persistent EC who were treated with 1 to 2 prior lines of chemotherapy but no prior PI3K/mTOR inhibitor received oral apitolisib at a dose of 40 mg daily during 28-day cycles until disease progression or intolerable toxicity occurred. Patients with type I/II diabetes who required insulin were excluded. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) at 6 months and objective response rate.

RESULTS

A total of 56 women were enrolled, including 13 (23%) with well-controlled diabetes. Reasons for discontinuation were disease progression (24 patients; 43%), adverse events (13 patients; 23%), and withdrawal by subject (12 patients; 21%). Grade 3/4 apitolisib-related adverse events were hyperglycemia (46%), rash (30%), colitis (5%), and pneumonitis (4%) (toxicities were graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [version 4.0]). The PFS rate at 6 months was 20% (Kaplan-Meier estimate; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 7%-33%). The objective response rate was 6% (confirmed). The median PFS was 3.5 months (95% CI, 2.7-3.7 months) and the median overall survival was 15.7 months (95% CI, 9.2-17.0 months). Nineteen patients discontinued the study before the first tumor assessment. Dose reductions were required for 4 diabetic (31%) and 18 nondiabetic (42%) patients. Comprehensive molecular profiling of 46 evaluable archival tumor samples demonstrated that 57% of patients had at least 1 alteration in phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), or AKT1. All 3 patients with a confirmed response had at least 1 alteration in a PI3K pathway gene.

CONCLUSIONS

The antitumor activity noted with the use of a dose of 40 mg of apitolisib daily was limited by tolerability, especially in diabetic patients. Patients with PI3K pathway mutations may have derived enhanced benefit from apitolisib. Cancer 2016;122:3519-28. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

MBASED: allele-specific expression detection in cancer tissues and cell lines

Allele-specific gene expression, ASE, is an important aspect of gene regulation. We developed a novel method MBASED, meta-analysis based allele-specific expression detection for ASE detection using RNA-seq data that aggregates information across multiple single nucleotide variation loci to obtain a gene-level measure of ASE, even when prior phasing information is unavailable. MBASED is capable of one-sample and two-sample analyses and performs well in simulations. We applied MBASED to a panel of cancer cell lines and paired tumor-normal tissue samples, and observed extensive ASE in cancer, but not normal, samples, mainly driven by genomic copy number alterations.

Pharmacodynamic effects and mechanisms of resistance to vemurafenib in patients with metastatic melanoma

PURPOSE To assess pharmacodynamic effects and intrinsic and acquired resistance mechanisms of the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib in BRAF(V600)-mutant melanoma, leading to an understanding of the mechanism of action of vemurafenib and ultimately to optimization of metastatic melanoma therapy. METHODS In the phase II clinical study NP22657 (BRIM-2), patients received oral doses of vemurafenib (960 mg twice per day). Serial biopsies were collected to study changes in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, cell-cycle progression, and factors causing intrinsic or acquired resistance by immunohistochemistry, DNA sequencing, or somatic mutation profiling. Results Vemurafenib inhibited MAPK signaling and cell-cycle progression. An association between the decrease in extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and objective response was observed in paired biopsies (n = 22; P = .013). Low expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog showed a modest association with lower response. Baseline mutations in MEK1(P124) coexisting with BRAF(V600) were noted in seven of 92 samples; their presence did not preclude objective tumor responses. Acquired resistance to vemurafenib associated with reactivation of MAPK signaling as observed by elevated ERK1/2 phosphorylation levels in progressive lesions and the appearance of secondary NRAS(Q61) mutations or MEK1(Q56P) or MEK1(E203K) mutations. These two activating MEK1 mutations had not previously been observed in vivo in biopsies of progressive melanoma tumors. CONCLUSION Vemurafenib inhibits tumor proliferation and oncogenic BRAF signaling through the MAPK pathway. Acquired resistance results primarily from MAPK reactivation driven by the appearance of secondary mutations in NRAS and MEK1 in subsets of patients. The data suggest that inhibition downstream of BRAF should help to overcome acquired resistance.

Genome and transcriptome sequencing of lung cancers reveal diverse mutational and splicing events

Lung cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease in terms of both underlying genetic lesions and response to therapeutic treatments. We performed deep whole-genome sequencing and transcriptome sequencing on 19 lung cancer cell lines and three lung tumor/normal pairs. Overall, our data show that cell line models exhibit similar mutation spectra to human tumor samples. Smoker and never-smoker cancer samples exhibit distinguishable patterns of mutations. A number of epigenetic regulators, including KDM6A, ASH1L, SMARCA4, and ATAD2, are frequently altered by mutations or copy number changes. A systematic survey of splice-site mutations identified 106 splice site mutations associated with cancer specific aberrant splicing, including mutations in several known cancer-related genes. RAC1b, an isoform of the RAC1 GTPase that includes one additional exon, was found to be preferentially up-regulated in lung cancer. We further show that its expression is significantly associated with sensitivity to a MAP2K (MEK) inhibitor PD-0325901. Taken together, these data present a comprehensive genomic landscape of a large number of lung cancer samples and further demonstrate that cancer-specific alternative splicing is a widespread phenomenon that has potential utility as therapeutic biomarkers. The detailed characterizations of the lung cancer cell lines also provide genomic context to the vast amount of experimental data gathered for these lines over the decades, and represent highly valuable resources for cancer biology.

Resampling-based empirical Bayes multiple testing procedures for controlling generalized tail probability and expected value error rates: focus on the false discovery rate and simulation study

This article proposes resampling-based empirical Bayes multiple testing procedures for controlling a broad class of Type I error rates, defined as generalized tail probability (gTP) error rates, gTP (q,g) = Pr(g (V(n),S(n)) > q), and generalized expected value (gEV) error rates, gEV (g) = E [g (V(n),S(n))], for arbitrary functions g (V(n),S(n)) of the numbers of false positives V(n) and true positives S(n). Of particular interest are error rates based on the proportion g (V(n),S(n)) = V(n) /(V(n) + S(n)) of Type I errors among the rejected hypotheses, such as the false discovery rate (FDR), FDR = E [V(n) /(V(n) + S(n))]. The proposed procedures offer several advantages over existing methods. They provide Type I error control for general data generating distributions, with arbitrary dependence structures among variables. Gains in power are achieved by deriving rejection regions based on guessed sets of true null hypotheses and null test statistics randomly sampled from joint distributions that account for the dependence structure of the data. The Type I error and power properties of an FDR-controlling version of the resampling-based empirical Bayes approach are investigated and compared to those of widely-used FDR-controlling linear step-up procedures in a simulation study. The Type I error and power trade-off achieved by the empirical Bayes procedures under a variety of testing scenarios allows this approach to be competitive with or outperform the Storey and Tibshirani (2003) linear step-up procedure, as an alternative to the classical Benjamini and Hochberg (1995) procedure.