Osimertinib and Selpercatinib Efficacy, Safety, and Resistance in a Multicenter, Prospectively Treated Cohort of EGFR-Mutant and RET Fusion-Positive Lung Cancers

PURPOSE

Acquired RET fusions have been reported at resistance to treatment with EGFR inhibitors in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, a multicenter cohort of patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancers treated with osimertinib and selpercatinib for RET fusion-mediated osimertinib resistance has not previously been published.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients who received selpercatinib in combination with osimertinib on a prospective expanded access clinical trial (NCT03906331) and single-patient compassionate use programs across five countries were centrally analyzed. All patients had advanced EGFR-mutant NSCLC with a RET fusion detected from tissue or plasma following osimertinib therapy. Clinicopathologic and outcomes data were collected.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients with EGFR-mutant and RET fusion-positive lung cancers who experienced prior progression on osimertinib received osimertinib and selpercatinib. EGFR exon 19 deletions (±T790M, 86%) and non-KIF5B fusions (CCDC6-RET 50%, NCOA4-RET 36%) predominated. Osimertinib 80 mg daily and selpercatinib 80 mg twice daily were the most commonly administered dosages. The response rate, disease control rate, and median treatment duration were 50% [95% confidence interval (CI), 25%-75%, n = 12], 83% (95% CI, 55%-95%), and 7.9 months (range, 0.8-25+), respectively. Resistance was complex, involving EGFR on-target (EGFR C797S), RET on-target (RET G810S), and off-target (EML4-ALK/STRN-ALK, KRAS G12S, BRAF V600E) mechanisms; RET fusion loss; or polyclonal mechanisms.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC with an acquired RET fusion as a mechanism of EGFR inhibitor resistance, the addition of selpercatinib to osimertinib was feasible and safe and offered clinical benefit, supporting the prospective evaluation of this combination. See related commentary by Krebs and Popat, p. 2951.

A phase I study of LY3410738, a first-in-class covalent inhibitor of mutant IDH1 in cholangiocarcinoma and other advanced solid tumors

TPS350

Background: Mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (mIDH1) are found in approximately 20-30% of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), and less commonly in glioma, chondrosarcoma, and other gastrointestinal malignancies. Despite documented clinical activity of mIDH1 inhibition in solid tumors, there are no approved targeted therapies for this patient population. LY3410738 is a potent, selective, and covalent inhibitor of mIDH1 R132. LY3410738 is differentiated from prior mIDH1 inhibitors by 1) its unique covalent binding mode, 2) its increased potency, and 3) its unique binding site outside of the dimer interface, which enables activity in the setting of known common second-site IDH1 mutations. Methods: This is an open-label, multicenter, global phase 1 study with oral LY3410738 currently enrolling patients with advanced CCA and other solid tumor types (NCT04521686). A dose escalation cohort will be followed with 4 exploratory expansion cohorts. The primary objective for dose escalation is determination of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD)/recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). The primary objective for dose expansion is to assess the preliminary anti-tumor activity by ORR of LY3410738 when administered alone or in combination with cisplatin plus gemcitabine. Secondary objectives include evaluating safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, progression free survival, and overall survival. Key inclusion criteria include any solid tumor with the presence of mIDH1 R132, ECOG performance status ≤1, and adequate organ function. Any prior treatment including an IDH1 inhibitor is allowed in the dose escalation cohort. Exclusion criteria include presence of active central nervous system metastases, leptomeningeal disease, and active or uncontrolled infection. CCA patients must not have had locoregional therapy within 4 weeks prior to the initial study dose, history of hepatic encephalopathy or refractory ascites, ongoing cholangitis, or mixed hepatocellular-CCA histology. Dose escalation will follow a 3+3 design and will allow patient back-fill to dose levels previously cleared for safety. Each cycle will be 28 days (4 weeks). Once the RP2D is determined, LY3410738 will be evaluated as monotherapy in expansion cohorts 1-3, and in combination with cisplatin plus gemcitabine in expansion cohort 4. Cohort 1 will enroll CCA patients with measurable disease who have received prior chemotherapy. Cohort 2 will enroll patients with advanced solid tumors except CCA who have measurable disease and received standard therapies. Cohort 3 will enroll patients with advanced solid tumors who have non-measurable disease and received standard therapies. Cohort 4 will enroll CCA patients with measurable disease who are treatment naïve for advanced disease. Clinical trial information: NCT04521686.

Methyl Donor Deficiency Blocks Colorectal Cancer Development by Affecting Key Metabolic Pathways

Our understanding of the role of folate one-carbon metabolism in colon carcinogenesis remains incomplete. Previous studies indicate that a methyl donor-deficient (MDD) diet lacking folic acid, choline, methionine, and vitamin B12 is associated with long-lasting changes to the intestinal epithelium and sustained tumor protection in Apc-mutant mice. However, the metabolic pathways by which the MDD diet affects these changes are unknown. Colon samples harvested from Apc^Δ14/+ mice fed the MDD diet for 18 weeks were profiled using a GC-MS and LC-MS/MS metabolomics platform. Random forest and pathway analyses were used to identify altered metabolic pathways, and associated gene expression changes were analyzed by RT-PCR. Approximately 100 metabolites affected by the MDD diet were identified. As expected, metabolites within the methionine cycle, including methionine (-2.9-fold, P < 0.001) and betaine (-3.3-fold, P < 0.001), were reduced. Elevated homocysteine (110-fold, P < 0.001) was associated with increased flux through the transsulfuration pathway. Unexpectedly, levels of deoxycholic acid (-4.5-fold, P < 0.05) and several other secondary bile acids were reduced. There were also unexpected reductions in the levels of carnitine (-2.0-fold, P < 0.01) and a panel of acylcarnitines involved in fatty acid β-oxidation. Finally, metabolites involved in redox balance, including ascorbate and hypotaurine, were found to be persistently elevated. These findings provide clues to the molecular changes underlying MDD-mediated tumor protection and identify regulatable metabolic pathways that may provide new targets for colon cancer prevention and treatment. IMPLICATIONS: Metabolomic profiling reveals molecular changes underlying MDD-induced tumor protection and may provide new targets for colorectal cancer prevention and treatment.

A novel bioactive derivative of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) suppresses intestinal tumor development in ApcΔ14/+ mice

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a genetic disorder characterized by the development of hundreds of polyps throughout the colon. Without prophylactic colectomy, most individuals with FAP develop colorectal cancer at an early age. Treatment with EPA in the free fatty acid form (EPA-FFA) has been shown to reduce polyp burden in FAP patients. Since high-purity EPA-FFA is subject to rapid oxidation, a stable form of EPA compound has been developed in the form of magnesium l-lysinate bis-eicosapentaenoate (TP-252). We assessed the chemopreventive efficacy of TP-252 on intestinal tumor formation using ApcΔ14/+ mice and compared it with EPA-FFA. TP-252 was supplemented in a modified AIN-93G diet at 1, 2 or 4% and EPA-FFA at 2.5% by weight and administered to mice for 11 weeks. We found that administration of TP-252 significantly reduced tumor number and size in the small intestine and colon in a dose-related manner and as effectively as EPA-FFA. To gain further insight into the cancer protection afforded to the colon, we performed a comprehensive lipidomic analysis of total fatty acid composition and eicosanoid metabolites. Treatment with TP-252 significantly decreased the levels of arachidonic acid (AA) and increased EPA concentrations within the colonic mucosa. Furthermore, a classification and regression tree (CART) analysis revealed that a subset of fatty acids, including EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and their downstream metabolites, including PGE3 and 14-hydroxy-docosahexaenoic acid (HDoHE), were strongly associated with antineoplastic activity. These results indicate that TP-252 warrants further clinical development as a potential strategy for delaying colectomy in adolescent FAP patients.

Associations of dietary fat with risk of early neoplasia in the proximal colon in a population-based case-control study

PURPOSE

Excess dietary fat consumption is strongly associated with the risk of colorectal cancer, but less is known about its role in the earliest stages of carcinogenesis, particularly within the proximal colon. In the following case-control study, we evaluated the relationship between the intake of dietary fats and the frequency of early proximal neoplasia [aberrant crypt foci (ACF) or polyps], detectable by high-definition colonoscopy with contrast dye-spray.

METHODS

Average-risk screening individuals underwent a high-definition colonoscopy procedure as part of larger ongoing clinical study of precancerous lesions in the proximal colon. Dietary fat intake was assessed using the Block Brief Food Frequency Questionnaire, which estimates average dietary intake based on 70 food items. The diets of individuals with no endoscopically identifiable lesions (n = 36) were compared to those with either ACF or polyps detected in the proximal colon.

RESULTS

In multivariate analysis, high dietary intake of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and intake of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids were positively associated with neoplastic lesions in the proximal colon. When comparing ACF and polyp groups separately, a positive association was observed for both proximal polyps (OR 2.28; CI 1.16-7.09) and ACF (OR 2.86; CI 1.16-7.09) for total PUFA intake. Furthermore, the prevalence of proximal ACF was increased with higher intake of omega-6 (OR 3.54; CI 1.32-9.47) and omega-3 fatty acids (OR 2.29; CI 1.02-5.13), although there was no discernible difference in the omega-6/omega-3 ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that dietary PUFAs may be positively associated with risk of early neoplasia in the proximal colon. This study provides further evidence that dietary PUFA composition may play an important role in altering the microenvironment within the human colon.

An Immunotherapeutic CD137 Agonist Releases Eomesodermin from ThPOK Repression in CD4 T Cells

Agonists to the TNF/TNFR costimulatory receptors CD134 (OX40) and CD137 (4-1BB) elicit antitumor immunity. Dual costimulation with anti-CD134 plus anti-CD137 is particularly potent because it programs cytotoxic potential in CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells. Cytotoxicity in dual-costimulated CD4 T cells depends on the T-box transcription factor eomesodermin (Eomes), which we report is induced via a mechanism that does not rely on IL-2, in contrast to CD8⁺ CTL, but rather depends on the CD8 T cell lineage commitment transcription factor Runx3, which supports Eomes expression in mature CD8⁺ CTLs. Further, Eomes and Runx3 were indispensable for dual-costimulated CD4 T cells to mediate antitumor activity in an aggressive melanoma model. Runx3 is also known to be expressed in standard CD4 Th1 cells where it fosters IFN-γ expression; however, the CD4 T cell lineage commitment factor ThPOK represses transcription of Eomes and other CD8 lineage genes, such as Cd8a Hence, CD4 T cells can differentiate into Eomes⁺ cytotoxic CD4⁺CD8⁺ double-positive T cells by terminating ThPOK expression. In contrast, dual-costimulated CD4 T cells express Eomes, despite the continued expression of ThPOK and the absence of CD8α, indicating that Eomes is selectively released from ThPOK repression. Finally, although Eomes was induced by CD137 agonist, but not CD134 agonist, administered individually, CD137 agonist failed to induce CD134^-/- CD4 T cells to express Eomes or Runx3, indicating that both costimulatory pathways are required for cytotoxic Th1 programming, even when only CD137 is intentionally engaged with a therapeutic agonist.

Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling reveals cancer-associated changes within early colonic neoplasia

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterized by genome-wide alterations to DNA methylation that influence gene expression and genomic stability. Less is known about the extent to which methylation is disrupted in the earliest stages of CRC development. In this study we have combined laser-capture microdissection (LCM) with reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) to identify cancer-associated DNA methylation changes in human aberrant crypt foci (ACF), the earliest putative precursor to CRC. Using this approach, methylation profiles have been generated for 10 KRAS-mutant ACF and 10 CRCs harboring a KRAS mutation, as well as matched samples of normal mucosa. Of 811 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) identified in ACF, 537 (66%) were hypermethylated and 274 (34%) were hypomethylated. DMRs located within intergenic regions were heavily enriched for AP-1 transcription factor binding sites and were frequently hypomethylated. Furthermore, gene ontology (GO) analysis demonstrated that DMRs associated with promoters were enriched for genes involved in intestinal development, including homeobox genes and targets of the Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). Consistent with their role in the earliest stages of colonic neoplasia, 75% of the loci harboring methylation changes in ACF were also altered in CRC samples, though the magnitude of change at these sites was lesser in ACF. While aberrant promoter methylation was associated with altered gene expression in CRC, this was not the case in ACF, suggesting the insufficiency of methylation changes to modulate gene expression in early colonic neoplasia. Together, these data demonstrate that DNA methylation changes, including significant hypermethylation, occur more frequently in early colonic neoplasia than previously believed, and identify epigenomic features of ACF that may provide new targets for cancer chemoprevention or lead to the development of new biomarkers for CRC risk.

Dietary Methyl Donor Depletion Suppresses Intestinal Adenoma Development

The role of folate one-carbon metabolism in colorectal cancer development is controversial, with nutritional intervention studies producing conflicting results. It has been reported that Apc^Min/+ mice maintained on a diet deficient in the methyl donors folic acid, methionine, choline, and vitamin B12, and supplemented with homocysteine, show a greater than 95% reduction in intestinal tumor development. The present study extends these findings and shows that tumor protection afforded by dietary methyl donor deficiency (MDD) is long-lasting. After 11 weeks of MDD, tumor protection persisted for at least an additional 7 weeks of methyl donor repletion (22.2 ± 3.5 vs. 70.2 ± 4.6 tumors per mouse; P < 0.01). Sustained tumor protection was associated with a reduction in intestinal crypt length (26%, P < 0.01), crypt cell division and crypt fission, and an increase in apoptosis of both normal crypts and tumors (4.9- and 3.2-fold, respectively, P < 0.01). MDD also caused a significant reduction in the number of Dclk1-positive cells in the intestine (62%, P < 0.01), a long-lived crypt cell with cancer stem cell potential. Several undesirable effects associated with methyl donor restriction (e.g., reduced body weight gain) were shown to be transient and readily reversible following methyl donor repletion. Taken together, these results indicate that even temporary dietary methyl donor restriction in adenoma-prone mice can induce persistent changes to the intestinal epithelium and provide long-lasting tumor protection. These data also suggest that transient reductions in dietary methyl donor consumption should be considered when studying the impact of folate on colon cancer risk in humans. Cancer Prev Res; 9(10); 812-20. ©2016 AACR.

Abstract 899: Cancer protection associated with dietary methyl donor deficiency is characterized by persistent changes to epithelial proliferation and metabolism

The role of folate one-carbon metabolism in colorectal cancer development is incompletely understood, and nutritional intervention studies have produced conflicting results. We previously demonstrated that a diet deficient in the methyl donors folic acid, methionine, choline and vitamin B12, and supplemented with homocysteine, reduces intestinal tumor incidence by greater than 95% in ApcMin/+ mice. Here we extend these findings to a second mouse tumor model, ApcÄ14, and further show that the cancer protection afforded by even short-term dietary methyl donor deficiency (MDD) is long-lasting. Eleven weeks of MDD followed by methyl donor repletion was sufficient to maintain tumor suppression for at least 7 additional weeks (22.2 ± 3.5 vs 70.2 ± 4.6 intestinal tumors; p &lt; 0.001). Sustained tumor protection was associated with altered intestinal crypt homeostasis. MDD increased the proportion of intestinal epithelial cells undergoing apoptosis in normal crypts and in tumors (4.9- and 3.2-fold, respectively), while reducing cell proliferation (Ki-67) and mitosis (PHH3). In addition, metabolomic profiling and metabolite set enrichment analysis (MSEA) revealed that tumor protection is associated with persistent alterations to metabolic pathways related to cellular proliferation, including glutamine metabolism, biogenic amine synthesis, nucleotide salvage and glutathione synthesis. Taken together, these results indicate that even a temporary dietary methyl donor restriction in cancer-prone mice can induce persistent changes to the intestinal epithelium that provide long-lasting protection in adult mice.

Citation Format: Matthew P. Hanley, Daniel W. Rosenberg. Cancer protection associated with dietary methyl donor deficiency is characterized by persistent changes to epithelial proliferation and metabolism. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 899.

Abstract 893: Metabolomic profiling of APCΔ14/+ mice maintained on a methyl donor deficient diet reveals alterations to methionine and fatty acid metabolism associated with cancer protection

Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that administration of a diet deficient in methyl donor nutrients (folic acid, methionine, choline and vitamin B12) reduces tumor multiplicity by greater than 95% in ApcMin/+ mice. However, the mechanism by which this dramatic cancer protection is afforded is unknown. To begin to identify the metabolic consequences of methyl donor deficiency, we have conducted an LC/MS-based metabolic profiling analysis of colonic mucosa collected from ApcΔ14/+ mice fed a methyl donor deficient (MDD) diet for 17 weeks. Methyl donor deficiency causes significant alterations to a number of key metabolic pathways, including those involved in the methionine cycle, fatty acid oxidation, and tryptophan catabolism. We observed significant reductions in methionine (65% reduction, p&lt;0.001) and betaine (70% reduction, p&lt;0.001), accompanied by large increases in homocysteine (88.6-fold increase, p&lt;0.001) and S-adenosylmethionine (17.2-fold increase, p&lt;0.001), confirming that dietary methyl donor deficiency alters one-carbon metabolites in the colon. MDD mice were found to have reduced levels of acyl-carnitines and free carnitine (58% reduction, p&lt;0.001). Additionally, we detected a reduction in the critical metabolic component, acetyl CoA, suggesting decreased transport of fatty acids into the mitochondria for use in fatty acid oxidation (FAO). Finally, we observed changes in the mucosal levels of tryptophan (32% reduction, p = 0.02), kynurenine (2.8-fold increase, p = 0.008) and indolepropionate (5.1-fold increase, p = 0.005), that were retained for seven weeks beyond active methyl donor deficiency. Taken together, these findings suggest that dietary methyl donor deficiency significantly disrupts the methionine cycle, inhibits fatty acid transport and oxidation, and may induce long-term changes to tryptophan metabolism. This study has improved our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the cancer protection conveyed by dietary methyl donor deficiency and has identified metabolic pathways that are candidate targets for chemopreventive intervention.

Citation Format: Matthew P. Hanley, Daniel W. Rosenberg. Metabolomic profiling of APCΔ14/+ mice maintained on a methyl donor deficient diet reveals alterations to methionine and fatty acid metabolism associated with cancer protection. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 893. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-893

Abstract 237: Gene expression profiling identifies Sulindac-resistant colon tumors

Sulindac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with established chemopreventive efficacy for colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite its tumor suppressive effects, occasional resistance to this drug has been observed in clinical trials. To establish underlying mechanisms that may contribute to sulindac resistance, we have identified differentially expressed gene sets in two groups of colon tumors - those that respond to sulindac treatment and those that do not. Strain A mice were injected (ip) with azoxymethane (AOM) once per week for six weeks, followed by sulindac (180 ppm) treatment for an additional 15 weeks. Throughout the sulindac treatment period, tumor response was monitored endoscopically using a 3-mm fiber optic camera; tumor size and multiplicity were measured in situ every 3 weeks, allowing a real-time evaluation of tumor response to sulindac. At sacrifice, colons were removed and tumors were stratified according to size; large tumors (≥3 mm) were considered to be sulindac-resistant, whereas tumors ≤2 mm were classified as sulindac-responsive. Endoscopic measurements showed that presumed resistant tumors had an average doubling time of 0.9 ± 0.16 weeks, while sulindac-responsive tumors had an average doubling time of 4.0 ± 2.0 weeks. Whole genome expression analysis was conducted using an Illumina Mouse WG-6 Expression Microarray. Using Gene Ontology analysis, genes associated with inflammation, survival and proliferation were found to be differentially expressed between the two groups. Of particular interest was an increased expression of IL-1β and CXCL2, which have previously been implicated as part of a paracrine drug-resistance network in breast and lung cancers. Additionally, the growth factor MDK, which is involved in drug-resistant neuroblastomas, was found to be up-regulated in the largest colon tumors. These findings provide new insights into potential signaling networks that may contribute to the inconsistent response to sulindac chemoprevention and provide potential new targets for cancer protection.

Citation Format: Matthew P. Hanley, Shingo Miyamoto, Daniel Rosenberg. Gene expression profiling identifies Sulindac-resistant colon tumors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 237. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-237

Abstract 3240: Proximal human aberrant crypt foci as surrogate markers of colorectal cancer risk

Despite effective use of screening colonoscopy, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. ‘Interval’ cancers, or those occurring between screening colonoscopy procedures, are often found within the proximal (right) colon, underscoring the need for advanced screening approaches using high-definition chromoendoscopy. To better define the colonic mucosa at-risk, we have focused considerable effort on identification and molecular analysis of aberrant crypt foci (ACF), an early macroscopically detectable lesion commonly found in the distal colon. ACF may serve as a surrogate marker of cancer risk, but have rarely been studied within context of the right colon. We hypothesize that proximal ACF may associate with risk factors for CRC and act as a surrogate marker for CRC risk. While distal ACF are frequent (approximately 13 per patient) proximal ACF are not (&lt;1 per patient). We report that subjects with at least one proximal ACF are significantly more likely to have higher ACF multiplicity (p = 0.0002) and more importantly, are more likely to harbor synchronous colonic neoplasia (OR=2.38 [1.24-4.59], p = 0.0087). Histologically, proximal ACF are more frequently dysplastic (41%) compared to distal colon ACF (8%). ACF (n=49) were analyzed for a panel of oncogenes and tumor suppressors using mass spectrometry (MS)-based genotyping (Sequenom). Among the 112 targets analyzed, after KRAS (20%) and BRAF (22%), APC mutations (12%) were most common and specifically associated with dysplasia. Due to their diminutive size and flat morphology, proximal ACF are almost certainly missed during routine colonoscopy. However, our findings suggest that the identification, removal and analysis of proximal ACF may be especially important during screening colonoscopy of high-risk individuals.

Citation Format: David A. Drew, Matthew P. Hanley, Allen Mo, Gyuhyeong Goh, Nicole A. Horelik, Thomas J. Devers, Joel Levine, Richard G. Stevens, James J. Grady, Daniel W. Rosenberg. Proximal human aberrant crypt foci as surrogate markers of colorectal cancer risk. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3240. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3240