Efficacy and safety of tepotinib in Asian patients with advanced NSCLC with MET exon 14 skipping enrolled in VISION

BACKGROUND

Tepotinib, a MET inhibitor approved for the treatment of MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping NSCLC, demonstrated durable clinical activity in VISION (Cohort A + C; N = 313): objective response rate (ORR) 51.4% (95% CI: 45.8, 57.1); median duration of response (mDOR) 18.0 months (95% CI: 12.4, 46.4). We report outcomes in Asian patients from VISION (Cohort A + C) (cut-off: November 20, 2022).

METHODS

Patients with advanced METex14 skipping NSCLC, detected by liquid or tissue biopsy, received tepotinib 500 mg (450 mg active moiety) once daily.

PRIMARY ENDPOINT

objective response (RECIST 1.1) by independent review. Secondary endpoints included: DOR, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), safety, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

RESULTS

Across treatment lines in 106 Asian patients (39.6% female, 43.4% smoking history, 79.2% adenocarcinoma, 47.2% treatment-naive), ORR was 56.6% (95% CI: 46.6, 66.2), mDOR 18.5 months (10.4, ne), mPFS 13.8 months (10.8, 22.0), and mOS 25.5 months (19.3, 36.4). Consistent efficacy observed, regardless of baseline characteristics. HRQoL remained stable during treatment. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 95.3% of patients (39.6% Grade ≥3). Most common TRAEs: peripheral edema (62.3%), creatinine increase (38.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Tepotinib demonstrated robust and durable efficacy, with a manageable safety profile, in Asian patients with METex14 skipping NSCLC.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT02864992.

Long-term experience with tepotinib in Japanese patients with MET exon 14 skipping NSCLC from the Phase II VISION study

Tepotinib is a highly selective MET tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that has demonstrated robust and durable clinical activity in patients with MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the Phase II VISION study, patients received oral tepotinib 500 mg once daily. The primary endpoint was an objective response by an independent review committee (IRC) according to RECIST v1.1 criteria. The secondary endpoints included duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. Here we report the analysis of the efficacy and safety of tepotinib in all Japanese patients with advanced METex14 skipping NSCLC from VISION (n = 38) with >18 months' follow-up. The median age of the Japanese patients was 73 years (range 63-88), 39.5% of patients were ≥75 years old, 68.4% were male, 55.3% had a history of smoking, 76.3% had adenocarcinoma, and 10.5% of patients had known brain metastases at baseline. Overall, the objective response rate (ORR) was 60.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 43.4, 76.0) with a median DOR of 18.5 months (95% CI: 8.3, not estimable). ORR in treatment-naïve patients (n = 18) was 77.8% (95% CI: 52.4, 93.6), and in patients aged ≥75 years (n = 15), ORR was 73.3% (95% CI: 44.9, 92.2). The most common treatment-related adverse event (AE) with any grade was blood creatinine increase (65.8%), which resolved following tepotinib discontinuation. Other common treatment-related AEs were peripheral edema (60.5%), hypoalbuminemia (34.2%), diarrhea (28.9%), and nausea (15.8%). In summary, tepotinib demonstrated robust and durable clinical activity irrespective of age or therapy line, with a manageable safety profile in Japanese patients with METex14 skipping NSCLC enrolled in VISION.

Modelling the Effectiveness of Tepotinib in Comparison to Standard-of-Care Treatments in Patients with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Harbouring METex14 Skipping in the UK

BACKGROUND

Patients with non-small cell lung cancer harbouring mesenchymal-epithelial transition exon 14 (METex14) skipping typically demonstrate poorer prognosis than overall non-small cell lung cancer. Until recently, no targeted treatments were available for patients with non-small cell lung cancer harbouring METex14 skipping in the UK, with limited treatments available.

OBJECTIVE

This study estimates the long-term survival and quality-adjusted life-year benefit of MET inhibitor tepotinib versus current standard of care from a UK perspective.

METHODS

A partitioned-survival model assessed the survival and quality-adjusted life-year benefits of tepotinib versus immunotherapy ± chemotherapy and chemotherapy for untreated and previously treated patients, respectively, using evidence from the single-arm VISION trial (NCT02864992). Two approaches were used to inform an indirect treatment comparison: (1) published clinical trials in overall non-small cell lung cancer and (2) real-world evidence in the METex14 skipping population. Results are presented as median and total quality-adjusted life-year gain and survival for progression-free survival and overall survival. Survival curves were validated against the external literature and uncertainty assessed using a probabilistic sensitivity analysis.

RESULTS

Using the indirect treatment comparison against the published literature, tepotinib is estimated to have a median progression-free survival gain versus pembrolizumab ± chemotherapy (11.0 and 9.2 months) in untreated patients, and docetaxel ± nintedanib (5.1 and 6.4 months) in previously treated patients. Across the populations, tepotinib is estimated to have a median survival gain of 15.4 and 9.2 months versus pembrolizumab ± chemotherapy in untreated patients and 12.8 and 5.1 months versus docetaxel ± nintedanib in previously treated patients. The total quality-adjusted life-year gain ranges between 0.56 and 1.17 across the untreated and previously treated populations. Results from the real-world evidence of indirect treatment comparisons are consistent with these findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the limitations of the evidence base, the numerous analyses conducted have consistently indicated positive outcomes for tepotinib versus the current standard of care.

Microsatellite Instability and Mismatch Repair Deficiency Define a Distinct Subset of Lung Cancers Characterized by Smoking Exposure, High Tumor Mutational Burden, and Recurrent Somatic MLH1 Inactivation

INTRODUCTION

Microsatellite instability (MSI) and mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency represent a distinct oncogenic process and predict response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The clinicopathologic features of MSI-high (MSI-H) and MMR deficiency (MMR-D) in lung cancers remain poorly characterized.

METHODS

MSI status from 5171 patients with NSCLC and 315 patients with SCLC was analyzed from targeted next-generation sequencing data using two validated bioinformatic pipelines.

RESULTS

MSI-H and MMR-D were identified in 21 patients with NSCLC (0.41%) and six patients with SCLC (1.9%). Notably, all patients with NSCLC had a positive smoking history, including 11 adenocarcinomas. Compared with microsatellite stable cases, MSI-H was associated with exceptionally high tumor mutational burden (37.4 versus 8.5 muts/Mb, p < 0.0001), MMR mutational signatures (43% versus 0%, p < 0.0001), and somatic biallelic alterations in MLH1 (52% versus 0%, p < 0.0001). Loss of MLH1 and PMS2 expression by immunohistochemistry was found in MLH1 altered and wild-type cases. Similarly, the majority of patients with MSI-H SCLC had evidence of MLH1 inactivation, including two with MLH1 promoter hypermethylation. A single patient with NSCLC with a somatic MSH2 mutation had Lynch syndrome as confirmed by the presence of a germline MSH2 mutation. Among patients with advanced MSI-H lung cancers treated with ICIs, durable clinical benefit was observed in three of eight patients with NSCLC and two of two patients with SCLC. In NSCLC, STK11, KEAP1, and JAK1 were mutated in nonresponders but wild type in responders.

CONCLUSIONS

We present a comprehensive clinicogenomic landscape of MSI-H lung cancers and reveal that MSI-H defines a rare subset of lung cancers associated with smoking, high tumor mutational burden, and MLH1 inactivation. Although durable clinical benefit to ICI was observed in some patients, the broad range of responses suggests that clinical activity may be modulated by co-mutational landscapes.

Initial Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced and Metastatic NUT Carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

NUT carcinoma (NC) is an underdiagnosed and aggressive poorly differentiated or squamous cell cancer. A subset of NC is sensitive to chemotherapy, but the optimal regimen is unknown. Experts have recommended platinum- and ifosfamide-based therapy based on case reports.

METHODS

Patients with pathologically confirmed NC with known survival outcomes after chemotherapy and consented to participate in a worldwide registry were studied. Results were summarized using descriptive methods.

RESULTS

The study included 118 patients with NC. Median age was 34 (range: 1-82) years, 39% were women, and 61% harbored a BRD4::NUTM1 fusion. Patients received platinum (74%) or ifosfamide (26%, including regimens with both, 13%). Of 62 patients with nonmetastatic disease, 40% had a thoracic primary. Compared with platinum-based chemotherapy, patients who received ifosfamide-based chemotherapy had nominally higher progression-free survival (12 mo: 59% [95% CI: 32-87] versus 37% [95% CI: 22-52], hazard ratio = 0.68 [0.32, 1.42], p = 0.3) but not overall survival (OS). Among the 56 patients with metastatic disease, 80% had a thoracic primary. Ifosfamide had an objective response rate (ORR) of 75% (six of eight) and platinum had an ORR of 31% (11 of 36). Nevertheless, there was no difference in progression-free survival or OS. The 3-year OS of the entire cohort was 19% (95% CI: 10%-28%). Of the 11 patients alive greater than 3 years, all presented with nonmetastatic and operable or resectable disease.

CONCLUSION

There is a numerically higher ORR for ifosfamide-based therapy compared with platinum-based therapy, with limited durability. OS at 3 years is only 19%, and development of effective therapies is an urgent unmet need for this patient population.

Diagnosis, testing, treatment, and outcomes among patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer in the United States

INTRODUCTION

Characteristics of patients in clinical trials may differ from those of real-world patients. Our objective was to describe biomarker testing and outcomes among patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) in a real-world setting.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included patients ≥18 years old, diagnosed with stage IIIB/C or IV NSCLC, and in the TEMPUS oncology dataset from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2020. Patient characteristics associated with biomarker testing were evaluated in patients with positive biomarkers using univariate logistic regression models. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate median survival.

RESULTS

Of 9540 patients included, 41.7% had biomarker testing, and 2158 had a positive biomarker result. Men (vs women; odds ratio [OR], 0.82; 95% CI: 0.74-0.91), Black patients (vs White; OR, 0.83; 95% CI: 0.72-0.97), patients with squamous (OR, 0.22; 95% CI: 0.19-0.25) or unknown histology (OR, 0.53; 95% CI: 0.45-0.61) (vs non-squamous histology), and patients with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) of 2+ (OR, 0.69; 95% CI: 0.57-0.84) or missing (OR, 0.56; 95% CI: 0.48-0.66) (vs ECOG PS of 0) were less likely to undergo biomarker testing. Patients with positive biomarkers who received NCCN-recommended treatment options (55.7%) had significantly longer median overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio [HR], 0.84; 95% CI: 0.75-0.95) and real-world progression-free survival (rwPFS) (HR, 0.68; 95% CI: 0.62-0.75).

CONCLUSION

More than 50% of patients were untested for biomarkers. Patients who were less likely to be tested included men, Black patients, current smokers, patients with squamous aNSCLC, and patients with an ECOG PS of 2+. Patients with positive biomarkers who received NCCN-recommended treatment options had significantly longer OS and PFS.

Tepotinib in patients with non-small cell lung cancer with high-level MET amplification detected by liquid biopsy: VISION Cohort B

High-level MET amplification (METamp) is a primary driver in ∼1%-2% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). Cohort B of the phase 2 VISION trial evaluates tepotinib, an oral MET inhibitor, in patients with advanced NSCLC with high-level METamp who were enrolled by liquid biopsy. While the study was halted before the enrollment of the planned 60 patients, the results of 24 enrolled patients are presented here. The objective response rate (ORR) is 41.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.1-63.4), and the median duration of response is 14.3 months (95% CI, 2.8-not estimable). In exploratory biomarker analyses, focal METamp, RB1 wild-type, MYC diploidy, low circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) burden at baseline, and early molecular response are associated with better outcomes. Adverse events include edema (composite term; any grade: 58.3%; grade 3: 12.5%) and constipation (any grade: 41.7%; grade 3: 4.2%). Tepotinib provides antitumor activity in high-level METamp NSCLC (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02864992).

Tepotinib Treatment in Patients With MET Exon 14-Skipping Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Long-term Follow-up of the VISION Phase 2 Nonrandomized Clinical Trial

Importance

MET inhibitors have recently demonstrated clinical activity in patients with MET exon 14 (METex14)-skipping non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, data with longer follow-up and in larger populations are needed to further optimize therapeutic approaches.

Objective

To assess the long-term efficacy and safety of tepotinib, a potent and highly selective MET inhibitor, in patients with METex14-skipping NSCLC in the VISION study.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The VISION phase 2 nonrandomized clinical trial was a multicohort, open-label, multicenter study that enrolled patients with METex14-skipping advanced/metastatic NSCLC (cohorts A and C) from September 2016 to May 2021. Cohort C (>18 months' follow-up) was an independent cohort, designed to confirm findings from cohort A (>35 months' follow-up). Data cutoff was November 20, 2022.

Intervention

Patients received tepotinib, 500 mg (450 mg active moiety), once daily.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end point was objective response by independent review committee (RECIST v1.1). Secondary end points included duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety.

Results

Cohorts A and C included 313 patients (50.8% female, 33.9% Asian; median [range] age, 72 [41-94] years). The objective response rate (ORR) was 51.4% (95% CI, 45.8%-57.1%) with a median (m)DOR of 18.0 (95% CI, 12.4-46.4) months. In cohort C (n = 161), an ORR of 55.9% (95% CI, 47.9%-63.7%) with an mDOR of 20.8 (95% CI, 12.6-not estimable [NE]) months was reported across treatment lines, comparable to cohort A (n = 152). In treatment-naive patients (cohorts A and C; n = 164), ORR was 57.3% (95% CI, 49.4%-65.0%) and mDOR was 46.4 (95% CI, 13.8-NE) months. In previously treated patients (n = 149), ORR was 45.0% (95% CI, 36.8%-53.3%) and mDOR was 12.6 (95% CI, 9.5-18.5) months. Peripheral edema, the most common treatment-related adverse event, occurred in 210 patients (67.1%) (35 [11.2%] experienced grade ≥3 events).

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings from cohort C in this nonrandomized clinical trial supported the results from original cohort A. Overall, the long-term outcomes of VISION demonstrated robust and durable clinical activity following treatment with tepotinib, particularly in the treatment-naive setting, in the largest known clinical trial of patients with METex14-skipping NSCLC, supporting the global approvals of tepotinib and enabling clinicians to implement this therapeutic approach for such patients.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02864992.

Randomized Phase 2 Placebo-Controlled Trial of Nintedanib for the Treatment of Radiation Pneumonitis

PURPOSE

Radiation pneumonitis (RP) is the most common dose-limiting toxicity for thoracic radiation therapy. Nintedanib is used for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which shares pathophysiological pathways with the subacute phase of RP. Our goal was to investigate the efficacy and safety of nintedanib added to a prednisone taper compared with a prednisone taper alone in reducing pulmonary exacerbations in patients with grade 2 or higher (G2+) RP.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

In this phase 2, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, patients with newly diagnosed G2+ RP were randomized 1:1 to nintedanib or placebo in addition to a standard 8-week prednisone taper. The primary endpoint was freedom from pulmonary exacerbations at 1 year. Secondary endpoints included patient-reported outcomes and pulmonary function tests. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate the probability of freedom from pulmonary exacerbations. The study was closed early due to slow accrual.

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients were enrolled between October 2015 and February 2020. Of 30 evaluable patients, 18 were randomized to the experimental Arm A (nintedanib + prednisone taper) and 12 to the control Arm B (placebo + prednisone taper). Freedom from exacerbation at 1 year was 72% (confidence interval, 54%-96%) in Arm A and 40% (confidence interval, 20%-82%) in Arm B (1-sided, P = .037). In Arm A, there were 16 G2+ adverse events possibly or probably related to treatment compared with 5 in the placebo arm. There were 3 deaths during the study period in Arm A due to cardiac failure, progressive respiratory failure, and pulmonary embolism.

CONCLUSIONS

There was an improvement in pulmonary exacerbations by the addition of nintedanib to a prednisone taper. Further investigation is warranted for the use of nintedanib for the treatment of RP.

Brief Report: Combination of Osimertinib and Dacomitinib to Mitigate Primary and Acquired Resistance in EGFR-Mutant Lung Adenocarcinomas

PURPOSE

Primary and acquired resistance to osimertinib remain significant challenges for patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancers. Acquired EGFR alterations such as EGFR T790M or C797S mediate resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) and combination therapy with dual EGFR TKIs may prevent or reverse on-target resistance.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted two prospective, phase I/II trials assessing combination osimertinib and dacomitinib to address on-target resistance in the primary and acquired resistance settings. In the initial therapy study, patients received dacomitinib and osimertinib in combination as initial therapy. In the acquired resistance trial, dacomitinib with or without osimertinib was administered to patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancers with disease progression on osimertinib alone and evidence of an acquired EGFR second-site mutation.

RESULTS

Cutaneous toxicities occurred in 93% (any grade) of patients and diarrhea in 72% (any grade) with the combination. As initial therapy, the overall response to the combination was 73% [95% confidence interval (CI), 50%-88%]. No acquired secondary alterations in EGFR were observed in any patients at progression. In the acquired resistance setting, the overall response was 14% (95% CI, 1%-58%).

CONCLUSIONS

We observed no acquired secondary EGFR alterations with dual inhibition of EGFR as up-front treatment, but this regimen was associated with greater toxicity. The combination was not effective in reversing acquired resistance after development of a second-site acquired EGFR alteration. Our study highlights the need to develop better strategies to address on-target resistance in patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancers.

Cost-Effectiveness of Tepotinib Versus Capmatinib for the Treatment of Adult Patients With Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Harboring Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transition Exon 14 Skipping

OBJECTIVES

From the US Medicare perspective, this study compared the cost-effectiveness of tepotinib and capmatinib for treating metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with tumors harboring mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor gene exon 14 skipping.

METHODS

A 3-state partitioned survival model assessed outcomes over a lifetime horizon. Parametric survival analysis of the phase 2 VISION trial informed clinical inputs for tepotinib. Capmatinib inputs were captured using hazard ratios derived from an unanchored matching-adjusted indirect comparison study and published literature. National cost databases, trial data, and literature furnished drug, treatment monitoring, and disease/adverse event management expenditures (2021 US dollars) and utility inputs. Outcomes were discounted at 3% annually.

RESULTS

In the base case, tepotinib dominated capmatinib in frontline settings (incremental discounted quality-adjusted life-years [QALYs] and costs of 0.2127 and -$47 756, respectively) while realizing an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $274 514/QALY in subsequent lines (incremental QALYs and costs of 0.3330 and $91 401, respectively). In a line agnostic context, tepotinib produced an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $105 383/QALY (incremental QALYs and costs of 0.2794 and $29 447, respectively). Sensitivity and scenarios analyses for individual lines typically supported the base case, whereas those for the line agnostic setting suggested sensitivity to drug acquisition costs and efficacy inputs.

CONCLUSIONS

Tepotinib could be cost-effective versus capmatinib in frontline and line agnostic contexts, considering the range of willingness-to-pay thresholds recommended by the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review ($100 000-$150 000/QALY). Tepotinib could be cost-effective in subsequent lines at higher willingness-to-pay levels. These results are to be interpreted cautiously, considering uncertainty in key model inputs.

Targeting NFE2L2/KEAP1 Mutations in Advanced NSCLC With the TORC1/2 Inhibitor TAK-228

INTRODUCTION

Increased insight into the mutational landscape of squamous cell lung cancers (LUSCs) in the past decade has not translated into effective targeted therapies for patients with this disease. NRF2, encoded by NFE2L2, and its upstream regulator, KEAP1, control key aspects of redox balance and are frequently mutated in NSCLCs.

METHODS

Here, we describe the specific potent activity of TAK-228, a TORC1/2 inhibitor, in NSCLC models harboring NRF2-activating alterations and results of a phase 2 clinical trial of TAK-228 in patients with advanced NSCLC harboring NRF2-activating alterations including three cohorts (NFE2L2-mutated LUSC, KEAP1-mutated LUSC, KRAS/NFE2L2- or KEAP1-mutated NSCLC).

RESULTS

TAK-228 was most efficacious in a LUSC cohort with NFE2L2 alterations; the overall response rate was 25% and median progression-free survival was 8.9 months. Additional data suggest that concurrent inhibition of glutaminase with the glutaminase inhibitor CB-839 might overcome metabolic resistance to therapy in these patients.

CONCLUSIONS

TAK-228 has single-agent activity in patients with NRF2-activated LUSC. This study reframes oncogenic alterations as biologically relevant based on their downstream effects on metabolism. This trial represents, to the best of our knowledge, the first successful attempt at metabolically targeting NSCLC and identifies a promising targeted therapy for patients with LUSC, who are bereft of genotype-directed therapies.

Plain language summary of the development of tepotinib: a treatment for a subtype of non-small cell lung cancer called MET exon 14 skipping

WHAT IS THIS SUMMARY ABOUT?

This plain language summary provides an overview of two of the main clinical studies that led to tepotinib's approval, the phase I first-in-human study and the phase II VISION study.

WHAT IS TEPOTINIB?

Tepotinib is a targeted anti-cancer treatment taken orally (by mouth). It is available in many countries for people with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), where the tumor contains a genetic mutation (alteration) called 'MET exon 14 skipping'. Tumor cells rely on this mutation to grow and survive, so targeted blocking of the effect of this mutation is an important treatment approach. MET exon 14 skipping occurs in approximately 3-4% of people with NSCLC. These people are usually of older age. This subtype of NSCLC is associated with poor outcomes. Before treatments that specifically target this MET mutation were developed, only general treatments such as chemotherapy were available for this type of cancer. Because chemotherapy attacks all rapidly dividing cells in a person's body and is administered intravenously (through a vein), it can often cause unwanted side effects. Cancer cells grow and divide rapidly because of defects, often involving proteins called 'tyrosine kinases'. Specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) were therefore developed to slow or stop cancer growth by targeting these proteins. Tepotinib is a MET TKI. This means that it blocks the activity of the MET pathway that is overactive in MET exon 14 skipping NSCLC. Doing this, may slow down cancer growth.

WHAT WERE THE RESULTS FROM THE CLINICAL STUDIES OF TEPOTINIB?

In the studies summarized here, people with MET exon 14 skipping NSCLC who took tepotinib had their tumor growth stopped or their tumor shrunk for a period of time, and they mostly experienced side effects that they could tolerate. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT01014936 (tepotinib first-in-human), NCT02864992 (VISION), NCT03940703 (INSIGHT 2) (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Health Utility Analysis of Tepotinib in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Harboring MET Exon 14 Skipping

OBJECTIVES

The VISION trial showed durable activity of tepotinib in MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping non-small cell lung cancer. We analyzed health state utilities using patient-reported outcomes from VISION.

METHODS

5-level version of EQ-5D (EQ-5D-5L) and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 responses were collected at baseline, every 6 to 12 weeks during treatment, and at the end of treatment and safety follow-up. EQ-5D-5L and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Utility Measure-Core 10 Dimensions (QLU-C10D) utilities were derived using United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Taiwan value sets, where available. Utilities were analyzed with linear mixed models including covariates for progression or time-to-death (TTD).

RESULTS

Utilities were derived for 273/291 patients (EQ-5D-5L, 1545 observations; QLU-C10D, 1546 observations). Mean (± SD) US EQ-5D-5L utilities increased after tepotinib initiation, from 0.687 ± 0.287 at baseline to 0.754 ± 0.250 before independently assessed progression, and decreased post progression (0.704 ± 0.288). US QLU-C10D utilities showed similar trends (0.705 ± 0.215, 0.753 ± 0.195, and 0.708 ± 0.209, respectively). Progression-based models demonstrated a statistically significant impact of progression on utilities and predicted higher utilities pre versus post progression. TTD-based models showed statistically significant associations of TTD with utilities and predicted declining utilities as TTD decreased. Prior treatment (yes/no) did not significantly predict utilities in progression- or TTD-based models. Utilities for Canada, United Kingdom, and Taiwan showed comparable trends.

CONCLUSIONS

In this first analysis of health state utilities in patients with METex14 skipping non-small cell lung cancer, who received tepotinib, utilities were significantly associated with progression and TTD, but not prior treatment.

Real-world outcomes in non-small-cell lung cancer patients with MET Exon 14 skipping mutation and brain metastases treated with capmatinib

Aim: To assess real-world clinical outcomes in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer with MET exon 14 skipping mutation and brain metastases (BM) who received capmatinib, a recently approved MET inhibitor, in routine US clinical practice. Materials & methods: Patient data were collected using a retrospective medical record review, led by participating oncologists. Eligible patients initiated treatment with capmatinib in any line, after BM diagnosis, between May 2020 and June 2021. Data on real-world overall response rate (rwORR) and real-world progression-free survival (rwPFS) were descriptively analyzed. Results: 68 eligible patients were analyzed. In patients treated with first-line (1L) capmatinib (n = 55), the rwORR was 90.9% systemically and 87.3% intracranially; median systemic rwPFS was 14.1 months. Among radiation-naive patients on 1L capmatinib (n = 20), rwORR was 85.0%, both systemically and intracranially; median systemic rwPFS was 14.1 months. Conclusion: This study showed substantial systemic and intracranial effectiveness for capmatinib in real-world setting; findings were consistent for RT-naive patients.

Overall survival with circulating tumor DNA-guided therapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) sequencing guides therapy decisions but has been studied mostly in small cohorts without sufficient follow-up to determine its influence on overall survival. We prospectively followed an international cohort of 1,127 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer and ctDNA-guided therapy. ctDNA detection was associated with shorter survival (hazard ratio (HR), 2.05; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.74-2.42; P < 0.001) independently of clinicopathologic features and metabolic tumor volume. Among the 722 (64%) patients with detectable ctDNA, 255 (23%) matched to targeted therapy by ctDNA sequencing had longer survival than those not treated with targeted therapy (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.52-0.76; P < 0.001). Genomic alterations in ctDNA not detected by time-matched tissue sequencing were found in 25% of the patients. These ctDNA-only alterations disproportionately featured subclonal drivers of resistance, including RICTOR and PIK3CA alterations, and were associated with short survival. Minimally invasive ctDNA profiling can identify heterogeneous drivers not captured in tissue sequencing and expand community access to life-prolonging therapy.

Phase I trial of the TNF-α inhibitor certolizumab plus chemotherapy in stage IV lung adenocarcinomas

We previously identified a chemotherapy-induced paracrine inflammatory loop that paradoxically mitigates the anti-tumor effect of chemotherapy and triggers metastatic propagation in breast and lung cancer models. Therefore, we sought to further validate and translate these findings into patient care by coupling the anti-TNF-α drug certolizumab pegol with standard cisplatin doublet chemotherapy. Here we first validate the anti-metastatic effect of certolizumab in a liver-metastatic Lewis Lung Carcinoma model. We then evaluate the safety, efficacy, and pharmacodynamic effects of certolizumab with cisplatin and pemetrexed in an open label Phase 1 clinical trial (NCT02120807) of eighteen adult patients with stage IV lung adenocarcinomas. The primary outcome is maximum tolerated dose. Secondary outcomes are response rate and progression-free survival (PFS); pharmacodynamic changes in blood and tumor are evaluated as a correlative outcome. There were nine partial responses among 16 patients evaluable (56%, 95% CI 30 to 80%). The median duration of response was 9.0 months (range 5.9 to 42.6 months) and median PFS was 7.1 months (95% CI 6.3 to NR). The standard 400 mg dose of certolizumab, added to cisplatin and pemetrexed, is well-tolerated and, as a correlative endpoint, demonstrates potent pharmacodynamic inhibition of peripheral cytokines associated with the paracrine inflammatory loop.

Abstract CT536: Tepotinib efficacy and safety in patients with MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping NSCLC

Introduction: In the primary analysis of VISION, tepotinib — a highly selective, potent MET inhibitor — demonstrated durable efficacy, and a tolerable safety profile in patients (pts) with METex14 skipping NSCLC. We report updated outcomes, with interim analyses from a confirmatory cohort.

Methods: In the Phase II VISION study, pts with advanced/metastatic METex14 skipping NSCLC, identified by liquid (L+) and/or tissue (T+) biopsy, received 500 mg (450 mg active moiety) tepotinib once daily. All pts were assessed for safety; pts with ≥3 months’ follow-up were assessed for efficacy. Primary endpoint was objective response by independent review (RECIST v1.1). Secondary endpoints were disease control (DCR), duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety.

Results: As of Feb 1, 2021, 7,882 pts were pre-screened, and 275 pts were analyzed for efficacy. Patients analyzed for efficacy had a median age of 72.4 years (range, 41-94]), 50.9% were female, 46.5% had smoking history, and median tumor load [target lesions by IRC] was 57.4 mm [range, 10.2-227.8]). Tumor load in L+ pts was 68.0 mm (11.6-227.8) and 52.9 mm (10.2-227.8) in T+ pts.

In treatment-naïve pts (n=137), ORR was 54.0% (95% CI: 45.3, 62.6), DCR was 74.5% (66.3, 81.5), and &gt;90% of pts had tumor shrinkage. Median (m) DOR was 32.7 months (9.0, not estimable), mPFS was 10.4 months (8.4, 15.3), and mOS was 17.6 months (13.4, 29.7).

In previously treated pts (n=138), ORR was 44.2% (35.8, 52.9), DCR was 75.4% (67.3, 82.3), and &gt;90% of pts had tumor shrinkage. mDOR was 11.1 months (8.4, 18.5), mPFS was 11.0 months (8.2, 12.4), and mOS was 19.9 months (15.8, 22.3). Meaningful clinical activity was observed in L+ and T+ pts (Table).

Overall, 14.1% of pts discontinued due to TRAEs; tepotinib was well-tolerated across treatment lines (Table).

Conclusions: Tepotinib demonstrated robust and durable clinical activity across treatment lines in pts with METex14 skipping NSCLC, with particularly durable efficacy in first line. TRAEs were manageable with few discontinuations.

Table 1. Tepotinib efficacy and safety in patients with METex14 skipping NSCLC (VISION) Tepotinib efficacy (pts with ≥3 months’ follow-up in Cohorts A+C) Overall Treatment-naϊve (n=137) Previously treated (n=138) Combined (N=275) Liquid biopsy* (n=81) Tissue biopsy* (n=86) Liquid biopsy* (n=78) Tissue biopsy* (n=88) Objective response rate, % (95% CI) 49.1 (43.0, 55.2) 54.3 (42.9, 65.4) 54.7 (43.5, 65.4) 43.6 (32.4, 55.3) 47.7 (37.0, 58.6) Disease control rate, % (95% CI) 74.9 (69.4, 79.9) 71.6 (60.5, 81.1) 80.2 (70.2, 88.0) 69.2 (57.8, 79.2) 79.5 (69.6, 87.4) Median duration of response, months (95% CI) 13.8 (9.9, 19.4) 13.8 (7.2, ne) 32.7 (10.8, 32.7) 11.1 (8.4, 19.4) 10.1 (8.3, 15.7) Median progression-free survival, months (95% CI) 10.8 (8.5, 12.4) 8.5 (6.9, 11.3) 15.3 (9.6, ne) 8.3 (5.7, 11.0) 11.1 (8.2, 16.8) Median overall survival, months (95% CI) 19.7 (15.6, 22.1) 15.1 (9.5, 22.1) 29.7 (15.3, ne) 19.9 (12.8, 22.3) 22.3 (17.0, 27.2) Tepotinib safety (all pts who received tepotinib in Cohorts A+C) Overall (N=291) Treatment-naϊve (n=148) Previously treated (n=143) Treatment-related AEs†, n (%) Any grade 264 (90.7) 137 (92.6) 127 (88.8) Grade ≥3 86 (29.6) 49 (33.1) 37 (25.9) Leading to death 2 (0.7) 1 (0.7) 1 (0.7) Leading to a dose reduction 90 (30.9) 51 (34.5) 39 (27.3) Leading to temporary discontinuation 114 (39.2) 63 (42.6) 51 (35.7) Leading to permanent discontinuation 41 (14.1) 24 (16.2) 17 (11.9) All-cause AEs† in ≥20% of patients, n (%) Peripheral edema 191 (65.6) 98 (66.2) 93 (65.0) Nausea 88 (30.2) 51 (34.5) 37 (25.9) Diarrhea 81 (27.8) 42 (28.4) 39 (27.3) Hypoalbuminemia 81 (27.8) 41 (27.7) 40 (28.0) Blood creatinine increase 76 (26.1) 34 (23.0) 42 (29.4) Dyspnea 60 (20.6) 40 (27.0) 20 (14.0) Data cut-off: Feb 1, 2021. *Patients with METex14 skipping detected by both liquid and tissue biopsy are included in both analysis sets (overall, n=59; treatment-naïve, n=30; previously treated, n=29); testing by both methods was not required for enrollment. †AEs were defined as events that started within the day of first dose of trial treatment until 30 days after last dose of treatment or started prior to first dose but worsened during the treatment period. AEs were assessed using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.03. AE, adverse event; CI, confidence interval; MET, mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor; METex14; MET exon 14; ne, not estimable.

Citation Format: Marina C. Garassino, Xiuning Le, Wade T. Iam, Enriqueta Felip, Hiroshi Sakai, Remi Veillon, Egbert F. Smit, Julien Mazieres, Jo Raskin, Alexis B. Cortot, Karin Berghoff, Rolf Bruns, Gordon Otto, Paul K. Paik. Tepotinib efficacy and safety in patients with MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping NSCLC [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr CT536.

Real-world assessment of clinical outcomes in NSCLC patients with MET exon 14 skipping mutation and brain metastases (BM) treated with capmatinib

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Background: Capmatinib, a highly selective and potent MET inhibitor, was approved for patients (pts) with advanced MET exon 14 NSCLC in the US in 2020 based on the GEOMETRY mono-1 trial data. Subgroup analyses from that study showed intracranial (IC) efficacy in pts with BM. However, there were no data on the effectiveness of capmatinib in pts with BM in the real-world setting; IC effectiveness is particularly challenging to study as many pts are also treated with radiation therapy (RT) to the brain. The current study examined real-world clinical outcomes of pts with NSCLC with MET exon 14 skipping mutation and BM who were treated with capmatinib, including those who were RT-naïve. Methods: A retrospective medical record review was performed by panel-based oncologists recruited nationwide in the US. Eligible pts were aged ≥ 18 years, had confirmed BM diagnosis and MET exon 14 skipping mutated NSCLC, started capmatinib therapy in any line following BM diagnosis (with ≥ 1 IC lesion ≥ 10 mm), and had a follow up of ≥ 6 months after starting capmatinib (except death). Modified (pseudo) RECIST and RANO-BM criteria were used for response assessments. Key outcomes were IC and systemic real-world best overall response rate (rwORR), disease control rate (rwDCR), progression-free survival (rwPFS), and time-to-treatment discontinuation (TTD) assessed separately for first-line (1L) capmatinib and immunotherapy (IO)-containing regimens alone or in combination with chemotherapy (CT). The analyses are descriptive in nature. Outcomes were also analyzed in RT-naïve pts (no prior/concurrent BM RT). Results: A total of 68 eligible pt charts were abstracted (median age at BM diagnosis, 64.3 years; 60.3% male; 72.1% treated in academic setting; 83.8% de novo metastatic). For the 1L therapy after BM diagnosis, 80.9% (n = 55) received capmatinib, 16.2% (n = 11) received IO-containing regimens, and 2.9% received CT alone; 29 pts were RT-naive. The IC rwORR in RT-naïve pts was 85.0% for capmatinib 1L and 11.1% for IO 1L (Table). In the overall cohort, the IC rwORR was 87.3% (rwDCR 96.4%) for capmatinib 1L and 27.3% (rwDCR 45.5%) for IO 1L. Median systemic rwPFS was 14.1 months for capmatinib 1L and 5.1 months for IO 1L. The 1-year systemic rwPFS rate was 70.8% for capmatinib 1L and 18.2% for IO 1L. TTD was 13.2 months for capmatinib 1L and 5.1 months IO 1L. Conclusions: This study shows a substantial systemic and IC effectiveness associated with capmatinib 1L use in pts with NSCLC with MET exon 14 and BM in the real-world setting. These findings remain true in RT-naïve pts.[Table: see text]

Tepotinib in Asian patients with advanced NSCLC with MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping

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Background: Tepotinib is a highly selective, potent MET inhibitor approved in several Asian countries for the treatment of advanced METex14 skipping NSCLC. In VISION (n=275; data cut-off: Feb 1, 2021), tepotinib had an objective response rate (ORR) of 49.1% (95% CI: 43.0, 55.2) by independent review (IRC), with a median (m) DOR of 13.8 months (9.9, 19.4) across treatment lines. Here, we report outcomes in Asian pts. Methods: Pts with advanced METex14 skipping NSCLC, detected by liquid (L+) or tissue (T+) biopsy, received tepotinib 500 mg (450 mg active moiety) QD. Primary endpoint was objective response by IRC. Efficacy was assessed in 79 Asian pts with ≥3 months’ follow-up, and safety was assessed in 88 Asian pts who received tepotinib by data cut-off (Feb 1, 2021). Only pts enrolled in Asia were assessed for HRQoL. Results: In 79 Asian pts assessed for efficacy (38% female, 42% smoking history, 34% treatment-naïve [1L] and 82% adenocarcinoma), ORR was 54.4% (42.8, 65.7), mDOR was 18.5 months (8.3, ne), mPFS was 12.1 months (6.9, ne) and mOS was 20.4 months (19.1, ne). ORR was 66.7% (46.0, 83.5) in 1L pts (n=27), and 48.1% (34.0, 62.4) in previously treated pts (n=52). Meaningful activity was observed irrespective of METex14 skipping detection method (Table). In pts analyzed for HRQoL (n=73), mean change from baseline for EORTC QLQ-C30 GHS (3.94), EQ-5D-5L VAS (0.83), and EORTC QLQ-LC13 for cough (-6.59), dyspnea (-1.26), and chest pain (-6.14) symptom scores, demonstrated stability in QoL. In 88 Asian pts analyzed for safety, the most common adverse events (AEs) were peripheral edema, increased blood creatinine, and diarrhea. 29.5% of pts had Grade ≥3 treatment-related (TR) AEs. TRAEs led to dose reductions in 29.5%, temporary interruption in 43.2%, and permanent discontinuation in 14.8% of pts. Conclusions: In VISION, tepotinib showed robust and durable clinical activity in Asian pts with METex14 skipping NSCLC. TRAEs were manageable, with few leading to treatment discontinuation. Currently, VISION has enrolled 106 Asian pts with METex14 skipping NSCLC; analysis in this population is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT02864992. [Table: see text]

Clinical response to tepotinib according to circulating tumor (ct) DNA biomarkers in patients with advanced NSCLC with high-level MET amplification (METamp) detected by liquid biopsy (LBx)

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Background: Tepotinib, a potent, highly selective, oral, MET inhibitor, showed meaningful activity in patients (pts) with NSCLC with high-level METamp by LBx in VISION. Exploratory biomarker analyses are presented herein. Methods: Pts had 0–2 prior therapy lines, high-level METamp by LBx (Guardant360; MET copy number ≥2.5), and no MET exon 14 skipping or EGFR/ ALK alterations. Pts received tepotinib 500 mg once daily (450 mg active moiety). Primary endpoint was objective response by independent review; data cut-off: Aug 20, 2021. Exploratory biomarker analysis included LBx at baseline (BL), on treatment, and end of treatment (EOT). Early molecular response (eMR) was defined as undetectable METamp 6–8 weeks on treatment. Results: 24 pts were enrolled (median age: 63.4 years [yrs]; smokers: 88%; ECOG PS 1: 88%; adenocarcinoma: 67%). Treatment duration was ≥1 yr in five pts and ≥2 yrs in two pts (both ongoing). Overall, objective response rate (ORR) was 41.7% (95% CI: 22.1, 63.4). Treatment-naïve pts (n=7) had an ORR of 71.4% (29.0, 96.3), median (m) DOR was 14.3 months (2.8, not estimable [ne]), and mPFS was 15.6 months (1.4, ne). BL biomarker analyses according to clinical benefit (CR/PR/SD [n=11] vs PD/NE [n=13]) showed association with better outcomes in pts with focal METamp, or without MYCamp or RB1 mutation (Table). MYCamp/ RB1 mutation was detected in 4/7 pts with neuroendocrine/not otherwise specified histology; MYCamp in 2/3 pts with neuroendocrine histology. Low BL ctDNA mutant allele frequency (MAF) was associated with better outcomes. 14 pts had eMRs (ORR 71.4%); persistent METamp (n=4) was associated with lack of clinical response. 2/9 pts with EOT biomarker profiles had emerging resistance mechanisms (MET kinase domain mutations Y1230 and D1228); both had METamp re-emergence. Treatment-related adverse events included edema (composite term; any grade: 46%; Grade 3: 13%) and constipation (any grade: 17%; Grade ≥3: 0%). Conclusions: Tepotinib showed meaningful activity, especially in first line, in the first trial of a MET inhibitor in EGFR WT NSCLC with high-level METamp to enroll based on a convenient LBx assay. BL biomarker analyses indicated focal METamp, MYC/RB1 WT, and low ctDNA MAF were associated with improved outcomes. Serial LBx could monitor molecular response and evaluate resistance. Clinical trial information: NCT02864992. [Table: see text]

A phase 1 trial of the bifunctional EGFR/TGFβ fusion protein BCA101 alone and in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced solid tumors

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Background: BCA101 is a first-in-class bifunctional fusion protein consisting of an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody (mAb) and TGFβ receptor 2 extracellular domain (TGFβRII-ECD). Herein, we report the safety, pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD), and preliminary efficacy data of BCA101 as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab among patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors refractory to standard therapies. Methods: Pts received BCA101 as a single agent (SA) or in combination with pembrolizumab at escalating doses in a parallel 3+3 design starting at 64 mg intravenously (IV) weekly (qw); and at 240 mg IV qw with pembrolizumab 200 mg IV q3w. Primary endpoint: safety and tolerability (CTCAE v5.0); dose limiting toxicity (DLT) period: 21 days. Secondary endpoints: overall response rate (ORR), PK/PD profile, progression-free survival (PFS), and changes in plasma and intra-tumoral TGFβ signaling assessed by SMAD2 phosphorylation. Results: As of 08-Feb-2022, 60 pts have received BCA101 (part A). Forty-five pts (colorectal, n=14; pancreatic, n=7; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma [HNSCC], n=6) received SA BCA101 at doses up to 1500 mg IV weekly. Fifteen subjects (SCC of the anal canal [SCAC], n=8; HNSCC, n=7) received BCA101 doses ranging from 240 to 1500 mg IV qw in combination with pembrolizumab. Maximum tolerated dose has not been reached. Common adverse events (AEs) attributed to BCA101 include rash (70%), fatigue (23%), pruritis and epistaxis (17% each); all grade (G)2 or less. One DLT was observed at the 1250 mg SA dose (G3 anemia, hematuria). No drug-related G4 AEs or deaths were observed. At data cutoff, best response in the SA arm was stable disease (SD) in 15/39 (39%) evaluable pts. In combination, partial response (PR) was observed in 3/11 (27%) evaluable pts (2 in SCAC, 1 in HNSCC) and a disease control rate (DCR) of 9/11 (82%). Two of 3 responders have been on study >4 months; including 1 confirmed PR in a HNSCC pt refractory to anti-PD-1 therapy and cetuximab. Saturation of the EGFR target was observed at BCA101 doses ≥750 mg. Dose proportional increase in Cmax and AUC were observed with doses of BCA101 750-1500 mg. Prolonged neutralization of plasma TGFβ1 was achieved at all doses ≥500 mg. Among paired tumor biopsies (n=23), pSMAD2 reduction up to 62% was observed at doses ≥500 mg. Conclusions: BCA101 is well tolerated and clinically active as a SA and in combination with PD-1 blockade with a predictable PK/PD profile. A recommended dose of 1500 mg both as SA and in combination has advanced to the part B expansion phase for pts with HNSCC, SCAC, and cutaneous SCC. Clinical trial information: NCT04429542.

Immune biomarkers and response to checkpoint inhibition of BRAFV600 and BRAF non-V600 altered lung cancers

BACKGROUND

While 2-4% of lung cancers possess alterations in BRAF, little is known about the immune responsiveness of these tumours.

METHODS

Clinical and genomic data were collected from 5945 patients with lung cancers whose tumours underwent next-generation sequencing between 2015 and 2018. Patients were followed through 2020.

RESULTS

In total, 127 patients with metastatic BRAF-altered lung cancers were identified: 29 tumours had Class I mutations, 59 had Class II/III alterations, and 39 had variants of unknown significance (VUS). Tumour mutation burden was higher in Class II/III than Class I-altered tumours (8.8 mutations/Mb versus 4.9, P < 0.001), but this difference was diminished when stratified by smoking status. The overall response rate to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) was 9% in Class I-altered tumours and 26% in Class II/III (P = 0.25), with median time on treatment of 1.9 months in both groups. Among patients with Class I-III-altered tumours, 36-month HR for death in those who ever versus never received ICI was 1.82 (1.17-6.11). Nine patients were on ICI for >2 years (two with Class I mutations, two with Class II/III alterations, and five with VUS).

CONCLUSIONS

A subset of patients with BRAF-altered lung cancers achieved durable disease control on ICI. However, collectively no significant clinical benefit was seen.

Tepotinib Efficacy and Safety in Patients with MET Exon 14 Skipping NSCLC: Outcomes in Patient Subgroups from the VISION Study with Relevance for Clinical Practice

PURPOSE

Primary analysis of VISION showed tepotinib had durable clinical activity in patients with MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We present updated outcomes for clinically relevant subgroups.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This phase II, open-label, multi-cohort study of 500 mg (450 mg active moiety) tepotinib in patients with METex14 skipping NSCLC assessed efficacy and safety in predefined subgroups according to age, prior therapies (chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors), and brain metastases. An ad hoc retrospective analysis using Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Brain Metastases (RANO-BM) criteria assessed intracranial activity.

RESULTS

152 patients were evaluable for efficacy (median age: 73.1). Overall, objective response rate (ORR) was 44.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 36.7-53.0]. Patients aged <75 (n = 84) and ≥75 (n = 68) had ORRs of 48.8% (95% CI: 37.7-60.0) and 39.7% (95% CI: 28.0-52.3), respectively. Treatment-naïve (n = 69) versus previously treated (n = 83) patients showed consistent efficacy [ORR (95% CI): 44.9% (32.9-57.4) vs. 44.6% (33.7-55.9); median duration of response (95% CI): 10.8 (6.9-not estimable) vs. 11.1 (9.5-18.5) months]. Of 15 patients analyzed by RANO-BM (12 received prior radiotherapy), 13 achieved intracranial disease control; 5 of 7 patients with measurable brain metastases had partial intracranial responses. Of 255 patients evaluable for safety, 64 (25.1%) experienced grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAE), leading to discontinuation in 27 patients (10.6%). Rates of adverse events (AE) were broadly consistent irrespective of prior therapies.

CONCLUSIONS

Tepotinib showed meaningful activity across subgroups by age, prior therapies, and brain metastases, with a manageable safety profile and few treatment discontinuations. See related commentary by Rosner and Spira, p. 1055.

Safety of Tepotinib in Patients with MET Exon 14 Skipping NSCLC and Recommendations for Management

INTRODUCTION

The MET inhibitor tepotinib demonstrated durable clinical activity in patients with advanced MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping NSCLC. We report detailed analyses of adverse events of clinical interest (AECIs) in VISION, including edema, a class effect of MET inhibitors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Incidence, management, and time to first onset/resolution were analyzed for all-cause AECIs, according to composite categories (edema, hypoalbuminemia, creatinine increase, and ALT/AST increase) or individual preferred terms (pleural effusion, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting), for patients with METex14 skipping NSCLC in the phase II VISION trial.

RESULTS

Of 255 patients analyzed (median age: 72 years), edema, the most common AECI, was reported in 69.8% (grade 3, 9.4%; grade 4, 0%). Median time to first edema onset was 7.9 weeks (range: 0.1-58.3). Edema was manageable with supportive measures, dose reduction (18.8%), and/or treatment interruption (23.1%), and rarely prompted discontinuation (4.3%). Other AECIs were also manageable and predominantly mild/moderate: hypoalbuminemia, 23.9% (grade 3, 5.5%); pleural effusion, 13.3% (grade ≥ 3, 5.1%); creatinine increase, 25.9% (grade 3, 0.4%); nausea, 26.7% (grade 3, 0.8%), diarrhea, 26.3% (grade 3, 0.4%), vomiting 12.9% (grade 3, 1.2%), and ALT/AST increase, 12.2% (grade ≥ 3, 3.1%). GI AEs typically occurred early and resolved in the first weeks.

CONCLUSION

Tepotinib was well tolerated in the largest trial of a MET inhibitor in METex14 skipping NSCLC. The most frequent AEs were largely mild/moderate and manageable with supportive measures and/or dose reduction/interruption, and caused few withdrawals in this elderly population.

Targeting S100A9-ALDH1A1-retinoic acid signaling to suppress brain relapse in EGFR-mutant lung cancer

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) osimertinib has significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) in EGFR-mutant lung cancer patients, including those with brain metastases. However, despite striking initial responses, osimertinib-treated patients eventually develop lethal metastatic relapse, often to the brain. Although osimertinib-refractory brain relapse is a major clinical challenge, its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using metastatic models of EGFR-mutant lung cancer, we show that cancer cells expressing high intracellular S100A9 escape osimertinib and initiate brain relapses. Mechanistically, S100A9 upregulates ALDH1A1 expression and activates the retinoic acid (RA) signaling pathway in osimertinib-refractory cancer cells. We demonstrate that the genetic repression of S100A9, ALDH1A1, or RA receptors (RAR) in cancer cells, or treatment with a pan-RAR antagonist, dramatically reduces brain metastasis. Importantly, S100A9 expression in cancer cells correlates with poor PFS in osimertinib-treated patients. Our study therefore identifies a novel, therapeutically targetable S100A9-ALDH1A1-RA axis that drives brain relapse.

Matching-Adjusted Indirect Comparison (MAIC) of Tepotinib with Other MET Inhibitors for the Treatment of Advanced NSCLC with MET Exon 14 Skipping Mutations

INTRODUCTION

MET exon 14 skipping in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC), can be targeted with MET inhibitors including tepotinib, capmatinib, savolitinib, and crizotinib. Matching-adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC) methodology was used to compare outcomes data between agents and to address bias from differences in baseline characteristics.

METHODS

Patient-level data from the VISION study (tepotinib) were weighted for comparison with aggregate data from the GEOMETRY mono-1 (capmatinib), NCT02897479 (savolitinib) and PROFILE 1001 (crizotinib) studies in patients with aNSCLC, using baseline characteristics prognostic for overall survival (OS) in VISION. Overall response rate (ORR), OS, progression-free survival (PFS), and duration of response (DOR) were compared. Patients were stratified by line of therapy: overall (all lines), previously treated, and treatment-naïve.

RESULTS

Improvements in ORR and all time-to-event endpoints were predicted for tepotinib compared with crizotinib and savolitinib in the different populations, although comparisons with savolitinib were hindered by considerable differences in baseline patient populations. Tepotinib appeared to be associated with prolonged PFS and OS compared with capmatinib in previously treated patients (PFS HR 0.54; 95% CI 0.36-0.83; OS HR 0.66; 95% CI 0.42-1.06) and the overall populations (PFS HR 0.60; 95% CI 0.43-0.86; OS HR 0.72; 95% CI 0.49-1.05), with smaller improvements in DOR. The ORR comparisons between tepotinib and capmatinib identified a swing of up to ± 6 percentage points in the weighted tepotinib ORR depending on the population studied (treatment-naïve vs. previously treated patients).

CONCLUSIONS

The MAIC identified potential differences in efficacy endpoints with the different MET inhibitors, and predicted prolonged PFS and OS with tepotinib compared with capmatinib and crizotinib. Although MAIC cannot balance for unobserved factors, it remains an informative method to contextualize single-arm studies, where head-to-head trials are unlikely to be feasible.

U.S. health utility in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping mutations treated with tepotinib

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Background: To complement the clinical findings, utilities were analyzed based on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) from VISION trial (Cohort A; data cut: July 1, 2020), a Phase II trial showed durable clinical activity of tepotinib in advanced NSCLC METex14+. Methods: The European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the EuroQol 5 Dimension 5 Level (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaires were completed at Day 1, every 6 weeks for 9 months, then every 12 weeks, for up to 30 days after the last tepotinib dose. The Quality of Life Utility Measure-Core 10 dimensions (QLE-C10D) and EQ-5D-5L utilities were derived using the utility algorithm from published literature and the US crosswalk, respectively. Utilities are preference-based, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) metrics expressed on a scale including 0 (dead) and 1 (full health). Linear mixed regression models were used to analyze utilities at baseline, pre-progression, and post-progression, and to understand the relationship between EQ-5D and QLE-C10D. Utilities were assessed by both independent review committee (IRC) and investigators. Results: Utilities were estimated for 150 of 152 pts, with 983 observations for EORTC and 907 for EQ-5D. Mean EORTC utilities increased after tepotinib initiation, from 0.691 at baseline to 0.722 in the IRC-assessed progression-free period, and decreased after progression (0.671). Consistent trends were identified when progression was based on investigator's assessment. Analyses of EQ-5D utilities yielded similar findings and utilities. The two questionnaires were generally highly correlated (Table). Prior treatment (yes/no; p=0.554), adenocarcinoma (p=0.881), or squamous histology (p=0.841) were not statistically significant predictors of EQ-5D utility, while progression status significantly predicted utility in all progression-based models (p≤0.002). Conclusions: VISION is the first trial of a MET inhibitor to provide data on PROs and utilities in NSCLC harboring METex14 skipping mutation. EORTC and EQ-5D (minimally important difference: 0.08) utilities show an increase in HRQoL from baseline during tepotinib treatment until progression. Utility with tepotinib did not vary by prior treatment status or histology. Clinical trial information: NCT02864992. [Table: see text]

A proteogenomic portrait of lung squamous cell carcinoma

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) remains a leading cause of cancer death with few therapeutic options. We characterized the proteogenomic landscape of LSCC, providing a deeper exposition of LSCC biology with potential therapeutic implications. We identify NSD3 as an alternative driver in FGFR1-amplified tumors and low-p63 tumors overexpressing the therapeutic target survivin. SOX2 is considered undruggable, but our analyses provide rationale for exploring chromatin modifiers such as LSD1 and EZH2 to target SOX2-overexpressing tumors. Our data support complex regulation of metabolic pathways by crosstalk between post-translational modifications including ubiquitylation. Numerous immune-related proteogenomic observations suggest directions for further investigation. Proteogenomic dissection of CDKN2A mutations argue for more nuanced assessment of RB1 protein expression and phosphorylation before declaring CDK4/6 inhibition unsuccessful. Finally, triangulation between LSCC, LUAD, and HNSCC identified both unique and common therapeutic vulnerabilities. These observations and proteogenomics data resources may guide research into the biology and treatment of LSCC.

Tepotinib in patients with NSCLC harbouring MET exon 14 skipping: Japanese subset analysis from the Phase II VISION study

BACKGROUND

MET exon 14 skipping is an oncogenic driver occurring in 3-4% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The MET inhibitor tepotinib has demonstrated clinical efficacy in patients with MET exon 14 skipping NSCLC. Here, we present data from Japanese patients in the Phase II VISION study, evaluating the efficacy and safety of tepotinib.

METHODS

In the open-label, single-arm, Phase II VISION study, patients with advanced/metastatic NSCLC with MET exon 14 skipping received oral tepotinib 500 mg once daily. The primary endpoint was objective response by independent review. Subgroup analyses of Japanese patients were preplanned.

RESULTS

As of 1 January 2020, 19 Japanese patients received tepotinib and were evaluated for safety, 15 of whom had ≥9 months' follow-up and were also analysed for efficacy. By independent review, objective response rate (ORR) was 60.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 32.3, 83.7), median duration of response was not reached (95% CI: 6.9, not estimable [ne]), and progression-free survival was 11.0 months (95% CI: 1.4, ne). ORR in patients with MET exon 14 skipping identified by liquid biopsy (n = 8) was 87.5% (95% CI: 47.3, 99.7), and by tissue biopsy (n = 12) was 50.0% (95% CI: 21.1, 78.9). Patients' quality of life was maintained with tepotinib treatment. Among patients evaluated for safety, the most common treatment-related adverse events (any grade) were blood creatinine increase and peripheral oedema (12 and nine patients, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Tepotinib demonstrated robust and durable clinical efficacy in Japanese patients with advanced NSCLC harbouring MET exon 14 skipping, identified by either liquid or tissue biopsy. The main adverse events, blood creatinine increase and peripheral oedema, were manageable.

Real-world insights into patients with advanced NSCLC and MET alterations

Objectives:

To describe characteristics, treatment and outcomes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with MET alterations (MET exon 14 [METex14] skipping or MET amplification [METamp]) in real-world clinical care.

Methods:

This non-interventional cohort study used real-world data extracted from electronic medical records from academic oncology sites in Israel, The Netherlands, Taiwan, and the USA. Patients had confirmed diagnosis of advanced (Stage IIIB–IV) NSCLC harboring MET alterations (date of diagnosis = index date) between 1 Jan 2010 and 30 Sept 2018. Medical history was assessed prior to and at the index date (baseline period), and outcomes from first date of treatment to death, loss to follow-up, or end of study period.

Results:

A total of 117 patients were included (METex14 n = 70; METamp n = 47); testing methods were heterogeneous. Concomitant oncogenic mutations were more common in the METamp cohort than METex14. Patients in the METex14 cohort were older than those in METamp, and a larger proportion were never smokers. Anticancer first-line therapies received by patients (METex14; METamp) included chemotherapy only (44%; 41%), MET inhibitors (33%; 29%), immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) mono-(12%; 15%) and combination-therapy (8%; 3%). Second-line therapies included chemotherapy (35%; 30%) and MET inhibitors (30%; 39%). In the METex14 cohort, objective response rate (ORR) was generally low (first-line 28%; second-line 30%); no patients who received ICIs had a response. In the METamp cohort, ORR was 36% in first-line and 22% in second-line. Median (95% confidence interval) overall survival from start of first-line therapy was 12.0 months (6.8, 19.2) in the METex14 cohort and 22.0 months (9.8, 31.2) in METamp.

Conclusions:

Heterogeneous treatments reflect the changing landscape and availability of new treatments, as well as the high unmet medical need in older, METex14 patients who had more advanced disease at diagnosis. MET-targeted therapies could be beneficial in patients with these rare MET alterations.

METex14 ctDNA dynamics & resistance mechanisms detected in liquid biopsy (LBx) from patients (pts) with METex14 skipping NSCLC treated with tepotinib

9012

Background: In the VISION study, tepotinib in METex14 skipping NSCLC pts (Cohort A) had robust and durable clinical activity. Serial LBx samples were collected for biomarker analyses, presented herein. Methods: LBx samples taken at baseline (BL), Week 6, 12, & end of treatment (EOT) were analyzed using Guardant360® CDx (73 genes). Investigator (INV)-assessed clinical outcome was evaluated per BL biomarker profiles and by molecular response (MR; defined as > 75% depletion from BL in METex14 variant allele frequency [VAF] ctDNA confirmed in 2 consecutive samples) or molecular progression (MP; defined as VAF increase > 0 from BL). Acquired resistance was investigated in EOT samples, following progression per INV. Results: LBx pts (n = 99) had a median age of 72 yrs (range 49–88), 53% were male, 44% never smokers, 85% had adenocarcinoma. INV ORR was 53% (95% CI 42, 63); ORR in 1L (n = 44) was 59% (43, 74) & ≥2L (n = 55) was 47% (33, 61). 94 pts had BL biomarker profiles; these were similar in 1L and ≥2L pts, except EGFR amp: 1/43 1L [2%] vs 8/51 ≥2L [16%]. Outcomes were not impacted by location/type of METex14 alteration. 1 pt with concomitant MET M1250T mutation had a PFS of 17.3 months. A trend towards better efficacy was seen in pts with concomitant MET amp (6 responses in 8 pts). Response to tepotinib occurred both in pts with wt or mutant TP53; however, there was a trend for longer mDOR in pts with wt TP53 (18.3 [95% CI 9.7, ne] vs 7.1 [4.7, 10.9] months) and mPFS (9.5 [6.7, 19.7] vs 5.1 [2.8, 6.9] months). Concomitant oncogenic mutations were rare, with no responses in 3 pts with KRAS, NRAS alterations and 3 responses in 5 pts with PI3K/AKT alterations. 65 pts had 2 consecutive on-treatment samples: 46 (71%) had confirmed MR, 5 (8%) had confirmed MP, 14 (22%) had no change in VAF or lacked confirmation. MR was associated with clinical response and MP was associated with no response/short PFS (Table). 52 pts with progression had EOT LBx samples. Emerging MET resistance mutations (Y1230H/C & D1228H/N) occurred in 7 (13%) pts, all responders and 5/7 had PFS > 10 months. Analyses on non-MET-driven resistance mechanisms will be presented. Conclusions: LBx biomarker analysis from the largest on-treatment data set for a MET inhibitor in METex14 skipping NSCLC, showed that ctDNA depletion in METex14 VAF is associated with improved clinical response in pts treated with tepotinib. This suggests serial LBx could help us to monitor response/non-response, understand resistance, and guide trials that test escalation/de-escalation strategies to improve outcomes and maximize QOL. Clinical trial information: NCT02864992. [Table: see text]

First-in-human phase I study of the bifunctional EGFR/TGF fusion protein BCA101 in patients with EGFR-driven advanced solid cancers

3074

Background: Therapeutic targeting of EGFR has demonstrated efficacy in common advanced malignancies such as colorectal cancer (CRC), squamous cell of the head and neck (SCCHN), and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). TGFβ has pro-tumorigenic effects on migration, invasion and tumor-specific immunosuppression, which may enhance the oncogenic effects of activated EGFR. Inhibition of EGFR signaling can lead to TGFβ upregulation as a resistance mechanism. BCA101 is a bifunctional recombinant fusion protein consisting of a chimeric anti-EGFR antibody and an extracellular domain (ECD) of human TGFβRII which demonstrated anti-tumor activity in several preclinical models. Methods: Patients with EGFR-driven advanced solid cancers refractory to standard therapies received BCA101 at escalating doses from 64 mg to 1000 mg intravenously (IV) weekly across 6 dose levels using a 3+3 design to determine dose limiting toxicities (DLT, established within 21 days of initial dosing), maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and/or recommended dose (RD). Secondary endpoints include detailed pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD) studies in serial tumor and/or blood samples and assessment of anti-tumor activity. Results: As of 2/11/2021, 21 patients received single agent BCA101 at 64 (n = 3), 240 (n = 7), 500 (n = 2), 750 (n = 3), 800 (n = 3) or 1000 (n = 3) mg IV weekly, including patients with CRC (n = 6), SCCHN (n = 5) uveal melanoma (n = 2), ovarian cancer (n = 2), glioblastoma multiforme (n = 2), conjunctival melanoma, chordoma, pancreatic cancer and anal squamous cell carcinoma (all n = 1). These patients had 1-7 prior lines of antineoplastic therapy (median 4), including 3 patients with prior EGFR inhibitor exposure. Adverse events (AE) related to BCA101 observed in > 1 patient included grade (G) 1-2 rash (n = 9), G 1-2 lipase elevation (n = 2). G3 vitreous hemorrhage at the 240 mg dose level has been the only DLT. The MTD has not been reached and the RD will be based on safety, exposure and pending PD data. Saturation of the clearance was observed at doses above 500mg. Dose proportional increase in Cmax and AUC were observed with doses of 750-1000mg. Best RECISTv1.1 response was stable disease (SD) in 3/10 evaluable patients, with 1 patient on drug ≥4 months. Conclusions: BCA101 is well tolerated at biologically active doses. BCA101 is now being tested in combination with the PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab in patients with SCCHN and anal carcinoma. Clinical trial information: NCT04429542.

Tepotinib in patients (pts) with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with MET amplification (METamp)

9021

Background: METamp is an oncogenic driver occurring in 1–5% of NSCLCs that confers a poor prognosis and lacks approved targeted therapies. Tepotinib, a highly selective MET inhibitor, provided durable response in NSCLC with MET exon 14 ( METex14) skipping in Cohort A of the Phase II VISION trial (NCT02864992). VISION Cohort B evaluated tepotinib in pts with advanced NSCLC and METamp, as detected by a convenient and minimally invasive liquid biopsy assay, in the absence of METex14 skipping. Methods: Pts with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) 0–1, 0–2 prior lines of therapy, EGFR/ ALK wild-type status, no METex14 skipping, and METamp by liquid biopsy (Guardant360®; MET gene copy number ≥2.5) received oral tepotinib 500 mg QD (450 mg active moiety). The primary endpoint was objective response (RECIST v1.1) by independent review committee (IRC). Secondary endpoints included duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS) and safety. The data cut-off was July 1, 2020. Results: Among 24 enrolled pts, median age was 63.4 years (range: 38–73), 21 pts (88%) were male, 21 (88%) had ECOG PS 1 and 21 (88%) were smokers. Tepotinib was given to 7 pts (29%) in first line (1L), 10 pts (42%) in second line (2L) and 7 pts (29%) in third line (3L). As of November 2020, treatment was ongoing for > 1 year in 5 pts (1L, n = 2; 2L, n = 2; 3L, n = 1). Objective response rate (ORR) by IRC was 42% (10/24 pts) overall, 71% (5/7 pts) in 1L, 30% (3/10 pts) in 2L and 29% (2/7 pts) in 3L (Table). Median DOR by IRC was not estimable (NE; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.8 months–NE). Investigator-assessed outcomes were similar. Five pts (20.8%) discontinued due to adverse events (AEs), which were considered unrelated to tepotinib. Treatment-related AEs were reported in 16 pts (67%; Grade 3/4, 7 pts [29%]) and included peripheral edema (9 pts [38%]; Grade 3/4, 2 pts [8%]), generalized edema (4 pts [17%]; Grade 3/4, 2 pts [8%]) and constipation (4 pts [17%]; Grade 3/4, 0 pts). Conclusions: In the first study of a MET inhibitor in NSCLC with METamp prospectively detected by liquid biopsy, tepotinib showed high and clinically meaningful activity, especially in 1L, and was generally well tolerated. Tepotinib warrants further evaluation in NSCLC with METamp. Clinical trial information: NCT02864992. [Table: see text]

Intracranial activity of tepotinib in patients (pts) with MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping NSCLC enrolled in VISION

9084

Background: Brain metastases (BMs) are reported in 20–40% of pts with METex14 skipping NSCLC and present a high unmet need with poor prognosis. Tepotinib is a highly selective MET inhibitor that has demonstrated intracranial activity in preclinical MET-driven lung cancer orthotopic BM models, and has high binding in brain tissue with 25% of free tepotinib levels in brain, relative to plasma. In VISION Cohort A (N = 152), tepotinib had robust and durable clinical activity in pts with METex14 skipping NSCLC, with an objective response rate (ORR) of 45% and a median duration of response (mDOR) of 11.1 months. Here, we report the intracranial activity of tepotinib. Methods: In the Phase II VISION study, pts with METex14 skipping NSCLC received 500 mg QD (450 mg active moiety) oral tepotinib. Study eligibility allowed for pts with BM (neurologically stable on symptomatic therapy with stable steroids, and pts with asymptomatic BM). Primary endpoint: systemic OR per RECIST v1.1; subgroup analysis in pts with BM (determined by RECIST v1.1) was predefined. An ad hoc retrospective analysis of brain lesions determined by CT/MRI was conducted by an IRC using Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Brain Metastases (RANO-BM) criteria, which accounts for pts’ clinical status and steroid use. Responses were determined in pts with ≥1 evaluable post-baseline tumor assessment (due to the retrospective nature and resulting incomplete data, confirmation was not required). For pts with non-measurable lesions per RANO-BM (enhancing and non-enhancing non-target lesions [NTL]), disease control in the brain was defined as non-complete response/non-progressive disease. Data cut-off: July 1, 2020. Results: Based on RECIST v1.1, 23 pts in Cohort A had BM at baseline. Systemic efficacy in pts with BM (ORR 47.8% [95% CI: 26.8, 69.4], mDOR 9.5 months [95% CI: 5.5, not estimable]) was consistent with the overall population. 15 pts were evaluable by RANO-BM; 12 received prior radiotherapy for BM (median 6.4 weeks before tepotinib initiation [range 2.6–44]). Systemic best objective responses (BORs) were partial response (PR, n = 9), stable disease (SD, n = 3), and progressive disease (PD; n = 3). Of 7 pts with measurable CNS disease per RANO-BM (all of whom received prior radiotherapy), intracranial BORs were PR (n = 5; including 3 with complete disappearance of target lesions), SD (n = 1) and PD (n = 1). Of 8 pts with NTL only, 7 achieved intracranial disease control and 1 had PD. Of the 7 pts with disease control, 3 had CR of the enhancing NTL. Conclusions: Tepotinib demonstrated robust systemic activity in pts with METex14 skipping NSCLC with BM; this is complemented by intracranial activity in an ad hoc analysis using RANO-BM. Small pt numbers, a large proportion of pts with prior radiotherapy for BM, and the retrospective nature of analysis should be considered. Prospective evaluation of intracranial activity data from VISION Cohort C is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT02864992.

Overall survival with circulating tumor DNA-guided therapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer

9009

Background: The effectiveness of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) at matching patients to life prolonging therapy has been studied mostly in small cohorts with limited follow up. The prognostic value of ctDNA alterations, particularly those absent on tissue, is also unclear. To address these questions, we studied survival outcomes in a prospective cohort of patients (N = 1002) with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Adults with metastatic or recurrent NSCLC were eligible if they had no known driver mutation or a known driver with progression following targeted therapy. Patients were enrolled at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York, NY) starting October 21, 2016; analysis here is from a snapshot November 1, 2020. All patients had ctDNA sequenced via the Resolution ctDx Lung platform. To reduce inclusion of incidental germline mutations, we excluded non-functionally significant mutations with an allele frequency 35-65% that were present in gnomAD. Patients could also receive, at their provider’s discretion, tissue sequencing with MSK-IMPACT, which filters germline and clonal hematopoietic (CH) mutations with matched white blood cell sequencing. We performed survival analyses using Cox proportional hazards models from time of diagnosis of advanced disease to death, left truncating at time of study entry. Results: Of 1002 patients, 348 (35%) were treated with targeted therapy; in 181 of these (52%) the targetable alteration was detected in ctDNA. Patients treated with targeted therapy had prolonged survival whether matched by tissue-based methods (HR 0.39, 95%CI 0.30-0.51) or ctDNA (HR 0.47, 95%CI 0.37-0.61). These benefits persisted across multiple subgroups. ctDNA alterations themselves were associated with worse survival (HR 2.2, 95%CI 1.8-2.8), in a manner that scaled with allele fraction and burden. Of 401 patients with time-matched tissue sampling, 62 (15%) had ctDNA alterations that were absent on IMPACT (“unique” ctDNA alterations). Three such patients had unique ctDNA EGFR T790M mutations leading to changes in therapy. However, unique ctDNA alterations were generally associated with worse survival than no ctDNA alterations (HR 2.5, 95%CI 1.7-3.7) and even tissue-matched ctDNA alterations (HR 1.7, 95%CI 1.1-2.4). Of 98 unique ctDNA mutations, 48 (49%) were detectable in tissue at subthreshold levels, 12 (12%) were filtered by IMPACT as CH or germline, and 38 mutations (39%) were absent even at subthreshold levels. ctDNA alteration burden correlated with radiographic disease extent. In multivariate models with radiographic disease extent and other clinical variables, ctDNA alterations were the strongest independent predictor of worse survival. Conclusions: Our results show that ctDNA may match patients to life-prolonging targeted therapy and have prognostic importance. ctDNA may provide data about a patient’s cancer missed by spatially restricted tissue sequencing. Clinical trial information: NCT01775072.

The Impact of Durvalumab on Local-Regional Control in Stage III NSCLCs Treated With Chemoradiation and on KEAP1-NFE2L2-Mutant Tumors

INTRODUCTION

KEAP1-NFE2L2-mutant NSCLCs are chemoradiation resistant and at high risk for local-regional failure (LRF) after concurrent chemoradiation (cCRT). To elucidate the impact of durvalumab on local-regional control, we evaluated LRF in patients with NSCLC treated with cCRT with and without durvalumab.

METHODS

Patients with stage III NSCLC treated with cCRT or cCRT and durvalumab who underwent tumor genomic profiling were evaluated. The incidence of LRF and outcomes of patients with and without KEAP1-NFE2L2-mutant tumors were evaluated.

RESULTS

We analyzed 120 consecutive patients (cCRT alone, n = 54; cCRT and durvalumab, n = 66). Patients treated with cCRT alone had significantly more LRF events compared with those treated with cCRT and durvalumab, with 12-month LRF incidence of 39% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 24%-54%) and 18% (95% CI: 8%-28%), respectively (p = 0.002). Among patients treated with cCRT alone and cCRT and durvalumab, 20 patients (37%) and 18 patients (27%), respectively, had KEAP1-NFE2L2-mutant tumors. In patients treated with cCRT alone, those with KEAP1-NFE2L2-mutant tumors had worse local-regional control (p = 0.015), and on multivariate analysis, KEAP1-NFE2L2 mutation predicted for LRF (hazard ratio = 3.9, 95% CI: 1.6-9.8, p = 0.003). Nevertheless, patients with and without KEAP1-NFE2L2-mutant tumors had similar LRF outcomes (p = 0.541) when treated with cCRT and durvalumab, and mutational status did not predict for LRF (p = 0.545). Among those with KEAP1-NFE2L2-mutant tumors, cCRT and durvalumab significantly reduced the incidence of LRF compared with cCRT alone: 12-month LRF incidence of 62% (95% CI: 40%-84%) versus 25% (95% CI: 4%-46%), respectively (p = 0.021).

CONCLUSIONS

Durvalumab after cCRT significantly improves local-regional control and reduces LRF in chemoradiation-resistant KEAP1-NFE2L2-mutant NSCLC tumors.

Phase 1 Trial of MLN0128 (Sapanisertib) and CB-839 HCl (Telaglenastat) in Patients With Advanced NSCLC (NCI 10327): Rationale and Study Design

INTRODUCTION

There are currently no approved targeted therapies for lung squamous-cell carcinoma (LSCC) and KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). About 30% of LSCC and 25% of KRAS-mutant LUAD exhibit hyperactive NRF2 pathway activation through mutations in NFE2L2 (the gene encoding NRF2) or its negative regulator, KEAP1. Preclinical data demonstrate that these tumors are uniquely sensitive to dual inhibition of glycolysis and glutaminolysis via mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and glutaminase inhibitors. This phase 1 study was designed to assess safety and preliminary activity of the mTOR inhibitor MLN0128 (sapanisertib) in combination with the glutaminase inhibitor CB-839 HCl.

METHODS

Phase 1 dose finding will use the queue-based variation of the 3 + 3 dose escalation scheme with the primary endpoint of identifying the recommended expansion dose. To confirm the acceptable tolerability of the recommended expansion dose, patients will subsequently enroll onto 1 of 4 expansion cohorts (n = 14 per cohort): (1) LSCC harboring NFE2L2 or (2) KEAP1 mutations, or (3) LUAD harboring KRAS/(KEAP1 or NFE2L2) coalterations, or (4) LSCC wild type for NFE2L2 and KEAP1. The primary endpoint of the dose expansion is to determine the preliminary efficacy of MLN0128/CB-839 combination therapy.

CONCLUSION

This phase 1 study will determine the recommended expansion dose and preliminary efficacy of MLN0128 and CB-839 in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer with a focus on subsets of LSCC and KRAS-mutant LUAD harboring NFE2L2 or KEAP1 mutations.

Tepotinib in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer with MET Exon 14 Skipping Mutations

BACKGROUND

A splice-site mutation that results in a loss of transcription of exon 14 in the oncogenic driver MET occurs in 3 to 4% of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We evaluated the efficacy and safety of tepotinib, a highly selective MET inhibitor, in this patient population.

METHODS

In this open-label, phase 2 study, we administered tepotinib (at a dose of 500 mg) once daily in patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC with a confirmed MET exon 14 skipping mutation. The primary end point was the objective response by independent review among patients who had undergone at least 9 months of follow-up. The response was also analyzed according to whether the presence of a MET exon 14 skipping mutation was detected on liquid biopsy or tissue biopsy.

RESULTS

As of January 1, 2020, a total of 152 patients had received tepotinib, and 99 patients had been followed for at least 9 months. The response rate by independent review was 46% (95% confidence interval [CI], 36 to 57), with a median duration of response of 11.1 months (95% CI, 7.2 to could not be estimated) in the combined-biopsy group. The response rate was 48% (95% CI, 36 to 61) among 66 patients in the liquid-biopsy group and 50% (95% CI, 37 to 63) among 60 patients in the tissue-biopsy group; 27 patients had positive results according to both methods. The investigator-assessed response rate was 56% (95% CI, 45 to 66) and was similar regardless of the previous therapy received for advanced or metastatic disease. Adverse events of grade 3 or higher that were considered by investigators to be related to tepotinib therapy were reported in 28% of the patients, including peripheral edema in 7%. Adverse events led to permanent discontinuation of tepotinib in 11% of the patients. A molecular response, as measured in circulating free DNA, was observed in 67% of the patients with matched liquid-biopsy samples at baseline and during treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with advanced NSCLC with a confirmed MET exon 14 skipping mutation, the use of tepotinib was associated with a partial response in approximately half the patients. Peripheral edema was the main toxic effect of grade 3 or higher. (Funded by Merck [Darmstadt, Germany]; VISION ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02864992.).

COVID-19 in patients with lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Patients with lung cancers may have disproportionately severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. Understanding the patient-specific and cancer-specific features that impact the severity of COVID-19 may inform optimal cancer care during this pandemic.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We examined consecutive patients with lung cancer and confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 (n = 102) at a single center from 12 March 2020 to 6 May 2020. Thresholds of severity were defined a priori as hospitalization, intensive care unit/intubation/do not intubate ([ICU/intubation/DNI] a composite metric of severe disease), or death. Recovery was defined as >14 days from COVID-19 test and >3 days since symptom resolution. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles were inferred from MSK-IMPACT (n = 46) and compared with controls with lung cancer and no known non-COVID-19 (n = 5166).

RESULTS

COVID-19 was severe in patients with lung cancer (62% hospitalized, 25% died). Although severe, COVID-19 accounted for a minority of overall lung cancer deaths during the pandemic (11% overall). Determinants of COVID-19 severity were largely patient-specific features, including smoking status and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [odds ratio for severe COVID-19 2.9, 95% confidence interval 1.07-9.44 comparing the median (23.5 pack-years) to never-smoker and 3.87, 95% confidence interval 1.35-9.68, respectively]. Cancer-specific features, including prior thoracic surgery/radiation and recent systemic therapies did not impact severity. Human leukocyte antigen supertypes were generally similar in mild or severe cases of COVID-19 compared with non-COVID-19 controls. Most patients recovered from COVID-19, including 25% patients initially requiring intubation. Among hospitalized patients, hydroxychloroquine did not improve COVID-19 outcomes.

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 is associated with high burden of severity in patients with lung cancer. Patient-specific features, rather than cancer-specific features or treatments, are the greatest determinants of severity.

Tumor Analyses Reveal Squamous Transformation and Off-Target Alterations As Early Resistance Mechanisms to First-line Osimertinib in EGFR-Mutant Lung Cancer

PURPOSE

Patterns of resistance to first-line osimertinib are not well-established and have primarily been evaluated using plasma assays, which cannot detect histologic transformation and have differential sensitivity for copy number changes and chromosomal rearrangements.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

To characterize mechanisms of resistance to osimertinib, patients with metastatic EGFR-mutant lung cancers who received osimertinib at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and had next-generation sequencing performed on tumor tissue before osimertinib initiation and after progression were identified.

RESULTS

Among 62 patients who met eligibility criteria, histologic transformation, primarily squamous transformation, was identified in 15% of first-line osimertinib cases and 14% of later-line cases. Nineteen percent (5/27) of patients treated with first-line osimertinib had off-target genetic resistance (2 MET amplification, 1 KRAS mutation, 1 RET fusion, and 1 BRAF fusion) whereas 4% (1/27) had an acquired EGFR mutation (EGFR G724S). Patients with squamous transformation exhibited considerable genomic complexity; acquired PIK3CA mutation, chromosome 3q amplification, and FGF amplification were all seen. Patients with transformation had shorter time on osimertinib and shorter survival compared with patients with on-target resistance. Initial EGFR sensitizing mutation, time on osimertinib treatment, and line of therapy also influenced resistance mechanism that emerged. The compound mutation EGFR S768 + V769L and the mutation MET H1094Y were identified and validated as resistance mechanisms with potential treatment options.

CONCLUSIONS

Histologic transformation and other off-target molecular alterations are frequent early emerging resistance mechanisms to osimertinib and are associated with poor clinical outcomes.See related commentary by Piotrowska and Hata, p. 2441.

Tepotinib in patients (pts) with NSCLC with MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL)

9575

Background: In the phase II VISION study (NCT02864992) tepotinib had promising efficacy (response rate of 40–50% & median duration of response >1 y) and tolerable safety in pts with advanced NSCLC with METex14 skipping (3–4% of NSCLC), who are typically elderly with poor prognosis. Pt reported outcomes (PROs) of HRQoL are described here. Methods: Pts with advanced NSCLC positive for METex14 skipping by tissue or liquid biopsy received oral tepotinib 500 mg once daily; PROs were assessed using QLQ-LC13 (lung cancer symptoms), EORTC QLQ-C30 (Global health status [GHS] & 5 functional scales), and EQ-5D-5L (VAS). Questionnaires were completed at baseline (BL) and every 6 weeks (Wk); results were scored from 0–100 (minimal clinically important difference [MCID] ≥10 points). Mean change from BL was analyzed at Wk 12 (predefined analyses). Results: By 19 Jul 19 cut-off, 130 pts across treatment lines were enrolled (median age 74.2 y), with PROs available for 129. Questionnaire completion rates were 90.1% at Wk 12. Symptom burden at BL was moderate for advanced NSCLC; mean change from BL for PROs are shown in the table (better functioning: lower QLQ-LC13 or higher QLQ-C30 scores). For the QLQ-LC13 symptoms, mean changes from BL indicated a meaningful improvement in coughing, with a median time to improvement (2.8 months) paralleling the onset of objective response (within first 3 months), and a numerical improvement in dyspnea (–2.3 at Wk 12) and chest pain (–4.2 at Wk 12). QLQ-C30 values remained stable over treatment as did EQ-5D-5L scores (higher=better): mean (standard deviation, SD) change from BL score (60 [20.4]) was 6 (18.6) at Wk 6 and 5 (20.9) at Wk 12. Conclusions: In this first analysis of PROs in pts with advanced NSCLC with METex14 skipping with a moderate symptom burden, treatment with tepotinib led to a clinically meaningful improvement in coughing symptoms, while maintaining HRQoL. Coupled with the efficacy and safety profile, the predefined HRQoL analysis from the VISION study supports tepotinib as a promising treatment option for this elderly population with METex14+ NSCLC. Clinical trial information: NCT02864992 . [Table: see text]

Phase II study of TAK228 in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring NFE2L2 and KEAP1 mutations

9607

Background: Despite past efforts, no targeted therapies exist for squamous cell lung cancer (LUSC) pts. We identified a heretofore untargeted oncogene (NFE2L2)/tumor suppressor (KEAP1) pair, each mutated in ~15% of LUSCs. NFE2L2 encodes NRF2, a transcription factor involved in the oxidative stress response and targeted for degradation by KEAP1. NFE2L2 mutations (mut) occur only in an exon 2 hotspot (Neh2 domain), which is the binding site for KEAP1. Mutations in this region disrupt KEAP1 binding, leading to NRF2 nuclear translocation and increased mTOR signaling via RagD. We report translational studies and results from a phase 2 trial of the oral TORC1/2 inhibitor TAK228 in biomarker-selected pts. Methods: Cell line and xenograft experiments were performed using LK-2 LUSC (NFE2L2 E79K mut), A549 ADCL (KRAS G12S + KEAP1 loss), and SK-MES-1 LUSC cells (NFE2L2/KEAP1 WT) treated with TAK-228, everolimus, rapamycin, or deforolimus. Pts with stage IV LUSC harboring NFE2L2 or KEAP1 mut and ADCL harboring KRAS + KEAP1 co-mut were treated on an NCI CTEP phase 2 study of TAK228 3mg po qd (NCT02417701). Primary endpoint: ORR. Secondary endpoint: PFS. The study used a Simon 2-stage design for each cohort with H0 = 5% (N≥1/5 responses), HA = 40% (N≥2/10 responses). Results: TAK228 exhibited differential anti-tumor activity over TORC1 rapalogs in LK-2 and A549 cells. TAK228 alone was cytotoxic at sub-[μM] (IC50 68nM) in LK-2 cells; all other rapalogs had IC50s > 10μM. This was associated with marked decrease in TORC1/2 & MAPK signaling (decreased pS6, pAKT, pERK). Anti-tumor response was seen in LK-2 and A549 xenografts treated with TAK228. No anti-tumor/growth inhibitory responses were seen with any other rapalog. N = 21 evaluable pts have been treated (10 NFE2L2, 6 KEAP1, 5 KRAS+NFE2L2/KEAP1). Median age = 70; median prior lines tx = 2, smokers = 100%, median pack yrs = 39. Most common AEs included hyperglycemia (72%), fatigue (32%), diarrhea (32%), decreased appetite (32%). In NFE2L2 mut LUSC pts, ORR = 20% (2/10 confirmed PR), DCR = 100% with median PFS = 8.9mos (95%CI 7-NR). In KEAP1 mut LUSC pts, ORR = 17% (1/6 confirmed PR), DCR = 67% with PFS range = 1.8-8.6 mos. In KRAS + NFE2L2/KEAP1 mut ADCL pts, ORR = 0% and DCR = 0%. Conclusions: TAK228 is tolerable with differential activity in NFE2L2 (primary endpoint met) and KEAP1 mutant LUSC. A randomized phase 2 trial of TAK228 + docetaxel vs. SoC chemotherapy in advanced LUSC pts with NFE2L2/KEAP1 mut is in development (LungMAP S1900D) as is an NCI CTEP phase 1/1b trial of TAK228 + CB-839 in advanced NSCLC patients with NFE2L2/KEAP1 mut (NCI #10327). Clinical trial information: NCT02417701 .

A phase II randomized study of telaglenastat, a glutaminase (GLS) inhibitor, versus placebo, in combination with pembrolizumab (Pembro) and chemotherapy as first-line treatment for KEAP1/NRF2-mutated non-squamous metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC)

TPS9627

Background: Mutational activation of the KEAP1/NRF2 pathway occurs in >20% of NSCLC patients (pts). KEAP1/NRF2 activation protects tumor cells from diverse forms of oxidative stress and promotes tumor growth and survival. In pts w/ advanced NSCLC, mutation of the KEAP1/NRF2 pathway is associated w/ dramatically reduced survival and poor outcomes following standard-of-care therapy. These tumors have increased dependence on GLS-mediated conversion of glutamine to glutamate due to upregulation of NRF2 target genes involved in glutamine metabolism. Telaglenastat (CB-839), an investigational, first-in-class, potent, oral GLS inhibitor, has demonstrated preclinical activity in KEAP1/NRF2-mutated NSCLC cell lines and xenograft models. This study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of telaglenastat + standard-of-care pembro and chemotherapy as 1L therapy for KEAP1/NRF2-mutated non-squamous mNSCLC (NCT04265534). Methods: This phase II, randomized, multicenter, double-blind study will enroll ~120 pts with histologically or cytologically documented stage IV non-squamous NSCLC w/ KEAP1 or NRF2 mutation, no prior systemic therapy for mNSCLC, measurable disease (RECIST v1.1), ECOG PS 0-1, and no EGFR, ALK, ROS, or other actionable mutation w/ available approved therapy in 1L setting. KEAP1 or NRF2 mutations will be determined by next generation sequencing (NGS), and study-provided liquid biopsy NGS will be available. Pts will be randomized 1:1 to receive telaglenastat (800 mg BID PO) or placebo, in combination with pembro, carboplatin, and pemetrexed at standard doses on day 1 of each 21-day cycle. Pts will be stratified by STK11/LKB1 mutational status and M stage of cancer (M1a-b vs M1c). The study will include an initial safety run-in period (n=12; 1 cycle). Co-primary endpoints are safety and investigator-assessed progression-free survival (RECIST v1.1). Secondary endpoints include overall response rate, duration of response, overall survival, and efficacy analysis in the subgroup of pts w/ biochemical confirmation of KEAP1/NRF2 pathway activation. Findings of this novel NGS biomarker-selected study will inform the efficacy and safety profile of telaglenastat + standard-of-care chemoimmunotherapy for 1L treatment of KEAP1/NRF2-mutated, non-squamous mNSCLC. Clinical trial information: NCT04265534 .

YES1 amplification as a primary driver of lung tumorigenesis and YES1/YAP1 amplifications as mediators of acquired resistance (AR) to ALK and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs)

e21591

Background: Our previous work identified YES1 amplification as a mechanism of AR to EGFR TKIs. The current study investigates the potential role of YES1 amplification as a primary driver of tumorigenesis and of YES1/YAP1 amplifications as mediators of AR to ALK and EGFR TKIs. Methods: Models of ectopic expression were established and characterized for YES1 and YAP1 in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) and ALK fusion-positive ( ALK+) and EGFR-mutant ( EGFRm) lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cell lines. MSK-IMPACT data for all LUAD cases and for ALK and EGFR TKI AR cases were surveyed for YES1 and YAP1 amplification. Results: YES1 was found to be amplified in 0.5% of all LUAD cases currently in the MSK-IMPACT database. To demonstrate its potential as a primary driver of tumorigenesis, YES1 was inducibly expressed in HBECs and shown to promote EGF-independent growth, focus formation, and increases in proliferation rate and sensitivity to Src family kinase (SFK) TKIs. Consistent with these findings, a partial response by RECIST criteria to third-line dasatinib was observed for a patient with stage IV LUAD in which MSK-IMPACT detected YES1 amplification and no established primary driver alteration. In models of AR, overexpression of either YES1 or YAP1 in multiple ALK+ and EGFRm cell lines conferred resistance to ALK and EGFR TKIs. Sensitivity to ALK or EGFR TKIs was partially recovered in YES1-overexpressing cells lines by siRNA-mediated gene knockdown of YAP1, and was restored in YAP1-overexpressing cells lines by knockdown of YES1 or mutation of the YES1-phosphorylation site on YAP1. ALK + or EGFR m cells overexpressing either YES1 or YAP1 were sensitive to dual inhibition of the primary driver and SFKs with single-agent repotrectinib or dasatinib, respectively. In contrast, treatment of YAP1-overexpressing ALK+ H3122 cells with alectinib induced changes in morphology and gene expression consistent with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and rendered the cells insensitive to repotrectinib. Similar resistance to dual inhibition was seen in other YAP1-overexpressing cell lines after treatment with only ALK or EGFR blockade. To date, one LUAD case each of EGFR and ALK TKI AR has been found through MSK-IMPACT™ to be associated with YAP1 amplification. Conclusions: SFK inhibition can potentially be exploited to therapeutically target YES1 amplification as a primary driver in tumorigenesis and YES1/YAP1 amplifications as mediators of AR to ALK and EGFR TKIs.

Primary efficacy and biomarker analyses from the VISION study of tepotinib in patients (pts) with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with METex14 skipping

9556

Background: Preliminary tepotinib data showed durable activity in pts with NSCLC with METex14 skipping prospectively identified by liquid (L+) or tissue (T+) biopsy. Having met target enrollment of ≥60 L+ pts & ≥60 T+ pts, we report primary data. Methods: VISION Cohort A enrolled pts with advanced EGFR/ALK wt, METex14 skipping NSCLC (asymptomatic brain metastases [BM] allowed), who received oral tepotinib 500 mg QD. On-study treatment decisions were based on investigator assessment (INV) of response. Primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) by independent review committee (IRC) analyzed in 3 primary ITT sets: L+ and/or T+, L+, T+. 2ary endpoints included ORR by INV, duration of response (DOR), disease control rate (DCR), PFS, OS, & safety. Preplanned analyses were performed in pts with BM at baseline (BL). BL/on-treatment ctDNA plasma samples (L+) were analyzed using a 73-gene NGS panel (Guardant360). Deep molecular responses (MR), defined as > 75% depletion of METex14, were compared with objective responses (OR). Results: By data cut-off (1 Oct 19) 151 pts received tepotinib (safety set); 99 L+/T+, 66 L+, 60 T+ pts comprised the 3 ITT sets with ≥6-month [m] follow-up. Across treatment lines (n = 44 1L, n = 55 ≥2L), primary ORR & mPFS [95% CI] in 99 L+/T+ pts were 43% [34–54] & 8.6 m [6.9–11.0] by IRC and 56% [45–66] & 9.5 m [6.7–13.5] by INV. ORR was similar in L+ or T+ pts (table) or in T+L− pts (n = 25): 40% [21–61] by IRC and 48% [28–69] by INV. Only 2 pts were T−L+. Outcomes were also comparable in pts with BM (n = 11): IRC ORR 55% [23–83] & mPFS 10.9 m [8.0–ne]. 34/51 pts (67%) with matched BL/on-treatment L+ samples had deep MR strongly associated with clinical response: 32/34 pts (94%) with MR had disease control (INV), including 29/34 pts (85%) with OR; 2/34 pts had progressive disease. Further biomarker data will be presented. Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were reported by 37/151 pts (25%). 13 pts (9%) discontinued due to TRAEs. Conclusions: Tepotinib is a promising targeted therapy with durable clinical activity and manageable toxicity in pts with METex14 skipping NSCLC L+ or T+, including pts with BM. High ORR & DCR in pts with ctDNA molecular responses support that MET inhibition in METex14+ tumor cells can lead to clinical benefit. Clinical trial information: NCT02864992 . [Table: see text]

A Prospective Study of Circulating Tumor DNA to Guide Matched Targeted Therapy in Lung Cancers

BACKGROUND

Liquid biopsy for plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) next-generation sequencing (NGS) is commercially available and increasingly adopted in clinical practice despite a paucity of prospective data to support its use.

METHODS

Patients with advanced lung cancers who had no known oncogenic driver or developed resistance to current targeted therapy (n = 210) underwent plasma NGS, targeting 21 genes. A subset of patients had concurrent tissue NGS testing using a 468-gene panel (n = 106). Oncogenic driver detection, test turnaround time (TAT), concordance, and treatment response guided by plasma NGS were measured. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

Somatic mutations were detected in 64.3% (135/210) of patients. ctDNA detection was lower in patients who were on systemic therapy at the time of plasma collection compared with those who were not (30/70, 42.9% vs 105/140, 75.0%; OR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.1 to 0.5, P < .001). The median TAT of plasma NGS was shorter than tissue NGS (9 vs 20 days; P < .001). Overall concordance, defined as the proportion of patients for whom at least one identical genomic alteration was identified in both tissue and plasma, was 56.6% (60/106, 95% CI = 46.6% to 66.2%). Among patients who tested plasma NGS positive, 89.6% (60/67; 95% CI = 79.7% to 95.7%) were also concordant on tissue NGS and 60.6% (60/99; 95% CI = 50.3% to 70.3%) vice versa. Patients who tested plasma NGS positive for oncogenic drivers had tissue NGS concordance of 96.1% (49/51, 95% CI = 86.5% to 99.5%), and directly led to matched targeted therapy in 21.9% (46/210) with clinical response.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma ctDNA NGS detected a variety of oncogenic drivers with a shorter TAT compared with tissue NGS and matched patients to targeted therapy with clinical response. Positive findings on plasma NGS were highly concordant with tissue NGS and can guide immediate therapy; however, a negative finding in plasma requires further testing. Our findings support the potential incorporation of plasma NGS into practice guidelines.

A Phase II Trial of Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel and Gemcitabine in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Stage IV Squamous Cell Lung Cancers

PURPOSE

Gemcitabine and albumin-bound paclitaxel (ABP) exhibit synergistic antitumor efficacy, with ABP serving to increase the intratumoral gemcitabine concentration. Both drugs are active in squamous cell lung cancers (SQCLC) and are conventional partners for carboplatin. We hypothesized that combining gemcitabine and ABP would enhance the antitumor activity in patients with advanced SQCLCs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a Simon two-stage, open-label, single-arm, multicenter phase II study that enrolled patients between August 1, 2015 and June 1, 2018. We enrolled 37 patients with chemotherapy-naïve, PD-L1 low/unknown advanced stage IV SQCLC. Patients were administered weekly intravenous gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m²) plus ABP (100 mg/m²) in a 3-week on, 1-week off schedule during stage I and a 2-week on, 1-week off schedule in stage II. The primary endpoint was best objective response rate (ORR). Next-generation sequencing by MSK-IMPACT was used to calculate tumor mutation burden and genome doubling and assess somatic variants for correlations with efficacy.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients were evaluable for response assessment. The study satisfied its primary endpoint, with confirmed partial responses in 18 of 32 patients and a complete response in 1 patient [ORR 59%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 42%-74%]. Median progression-free survival (PFS), a secondary endpoint, was 7.5 (95% CI, 6.7-10.5) months. There were no unexpected toxicities.

CONCLUSIONS

Gemcitabine plus ABP was a safe, tolerable, and effective first-line therapy for patients with chemotherapy-naïve SQCLCs, with an ORR and median PFS substantially higher than carboplatin doublet regimens and efficacy comparable with carboplatin plus taxane plus pembrolizumab.