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Dhillon S. Tovorafenib: First Approval. Drugs 2024:10.1007/s40265-024-02069-6. [PMID: 38967715 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-024-02069-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Tovorafenib (OJEMDA™) is a once-weekly oral, selective, brain-penetrant, type II RAF kinase inhibitor being developed by Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., under a license from Takeda Oncology, for the treatment of paediatric low-grade glioma (pLGG) and solid tumours. Most pLGGs harbour alterations in the MAPK pathway, such as a BRAF mutation or BRAF fusion, which result in aberrant intracellular signalling. Tovorafenib is an inhibitor of mutant BRAF V600E, wild-type BRAF and wild-type CRAF kinases and BRAF fusions. In April 2024, tovorafenib received its first approval in the USA for the treatment of patients aged ≥ 6 months with relapsed or refractory pLGGs harbouring a BRAF fusion or rearrangement, or BRAF V600 mutation. It received accelerated approval for this indication based on the response rate and duration of response achieved in this population in the ongoing, pivotal, phase 2 FIREFLY-1 study. Clinical development of tovorafenib is underway in numerous countries worldwide. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of tovorafenib leading to this first approval for relapsed or refractory pLGG with an activating BRAF alteration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohita Dhillon
- Springer Nature, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand.
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2
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Baik C, Cheng ML, Dietrich M, Gray JE, Karim NA. A Practical Review of Encorafenib and Binimetinib Therapy Management in Patients with BRAF V600E-Mutant Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Adv Ther 2024; 41:2586-2605. [PMID: 38698170 PMCID: PMC11213720 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-024-02839-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
According to current guidelines, targeted therapy with a combination of BRAF plus MEK inhibitors is the preferred first-line treatment for patients with BRAF V600E-mutant metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the open-label, single-arm, phase 2 PHAROS trial (NCT03915951), the combination of encorafenib, a potent BRAF inhibitor, and binimetinib, a potent MEK inhibitor, demonstrated durable antitumor activity with a manageable safety profile in this patient population. On the basis of the results of this study, the combination of encorafenib plus binimetinib was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration on October 11, 2023, for patients with BRAF V600E-mutant metastatic NSCLC. In this review, we summarize the efficacy and safety of encorafenib plus binimetinib from the PHAROS study. In addition, we discuss strategies to manage adverse reactions with this combination therapy with the intent of minimizing unnecessary treatment discontinuations in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Baik
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michael L Cheng
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Martin Dietrich
- US Oncology and University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Jhanelle E Gray
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Nagla A Karim
- Inova Schar Cancer Institute, University of Virginia, 8081 Innovation Park Drive, Fairfax, VA, 22031, USA.
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3
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Khoury JVE, Wehbe S, Attieh F, Boutros M, Kesrouani C, Kourie HR. A critical review of RAF inhibitors in BRAF-mutated glioma treatment. Pharmacogenomics 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38884947 DOI: 10.1080/14622416.2024.2355859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BRAF gliomas have garnered significant attention in research due to the lack of effective treatments and their notable incidence, constituting 3% of all gliomas. This underlines the importance of investigating this area and the impact that targeted therapies could hold. This review discusses the development of targeted therapies for these tumors, examining the effectiveness of first-generation BRAF inhibitors such as Vemurafenib, Dabrafenib and Encorafenib, while addressing the challenges posed by paradoxical ERK activation. The advent of pan-RAF inhibitors, notably Tovorafenib, offers a promising advance, demonstrating enhanced efficacy and better penetration of the blood-brain barrier, without the issue of paradoxical activation. Nevertheless, continued research is essential to refine therapeutic strategies for BRAF-mutated gliomas, given the evolving nature of targeted therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sophie Wehbe
- Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Beyrouth, 11-5076, Lebanon
| | - Fouad Attieh
- Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Beyrouth, 11-5076, Lebanon
| | - Marc Boutros
- Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Beyrouth, 11-5076, Lebanon
| | - Carole Kesrouani
- Department of Pathology, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Beyrouth, 11-5076, Lebanon
| | - Hampig Raphaël Kourie
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, Beyrouth, 11-5076, Lebanon
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4
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Turner N, Hamidi S, Ouni R, Rico R, Henderson YC, Puche M, Alekseev S, Colunga-Minutti JG, Zafereo ME, Lai SY, Kim ST, Cabanillas ME, Nurieva R. Emerging therapeutic options for follicular-derived thyroid cancer in the era of immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1369780. [PMID: 38868771 PMCID: PMC11167082 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1369780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Although most follicular-derived thyroid cancers are well differentiated and have an overall excellent prognosis following treatment with surgery and radioiodine, management of advanced thyroid cancers, including iodine refractory disease and poorly differentiated/undifferentiated subtypes, is more challenging. Over the past decade, better understanding of the genetic drivers and immune milieu of advanced thyroid cancers has led to significant progress in the management of these patients. Numerous targeted kinase inhibitors are now approved by the U.S Food and Drug administration (FDA) for the treatment of advanced, radioiodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancers (DTC) as well as anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). Immunotherapy has also been thoroughly studied and has shown promise in selected cases. In this review, we summarize the progress in the understanding of the genetic landscape and the cellular and molecular basis of radioiodine refractory-DTC and ATC, as well as discuss the current treatment options and future therapeutic avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naimah Turner
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sarah Hamidi
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Rim Ouni
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Rene Rico
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ying C. Henderson
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Maria Puche
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Engineering, Houston Christian University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sayan Alekseev
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
- Program of Biology, College of Sciences, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Jocelynn G. Colunga-Minutti
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
- Program of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), Houston, TX, United States
| | - Mark E. Zafereo
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Stephen Y. Lai
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sang T. Kim
- Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Maria E. Cabanillas
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Roza Nurieva
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
- Program of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), Houston, TX, United States
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5
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Isaak AJ, Clements GR, Buenaventura RGM, Merlino G, Yu Y. Development of Personalized Strategies for Precisely Battling Malignant Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5023. [PMID: 38732242 PMCID: PMC11084485 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25095023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most severe and fatal form of skin cancer, resulting from multiple gene mutations with high intra-tumor and inter-tumor molecular heterogeneity. Treatment options for patients whose disease has progressed beyond the ability for surgical resection rely on currently accepted standard therapies, notably immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies. Acquired resistance to these therapies and treatment-associated toxicity necessitate exploring novel strategies, especially those that can be personalized for specific patients and/or populations. Here, we review the current landscape and progress of standard therapies and explore what personalized oncology techniques may entail in the scope of melanoma. Our purpose is to provide an up-to-date summary of the tools at our disposal that work to circumvent the common barriers faced when battling melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yanlin Yu
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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6
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Yin H, Tang Q, Xia H, Bi F. Targeting RAF dimers in RAS mutant tumors: From biology to clinic. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:1895-1923. [PMID: 38799634 PMCID: PMC11120325 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
RAS mutations occur in approximately 30% of tumors worldwide and have a poor prognosis due to limited therapies. Covalent targeting of KRAS G12C has achieved significant success in recent years, but there is still a lack of efficient therapeutic approaches for tumors with non-G12C KRAS mutations. A highly promising approach is to target the MAPK pathway downstream of RAS, with a particular focus on RAF kinases. First-generation RAF inhibitors have been authorized to treat BRAF mutant tumors for over a decade. However, their use in RAS-mutated tumors is not recommended due to the paradoxical ERK activation mainly caused by RAF dimerization. To address the issue of RAF dimerization, type II RAF inhibitors have emerged as leading candidates. Recent clinical studies have shown the initial effectiveness of these agents against RAS mutant tumors. Promisingly, type II RAF inhibitors in combination with MEK or ERK inhibitors have demonstrated impressive efficacy in RAS mutant tumors. This review aims to clarify the importance of RAF dimerization in cellular signaling and resistance to treatment in tumors with RAS mutations, as well as recent progress in therapeutic approaches to address the problem of RAF dimerization in RAS mutant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Yin
- Division of Abdominal Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qiulin Tang
- Division of Abdominal Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Hongwei Xia
- Division of Abdominal Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Feng Bi
- Division of Abdominal Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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7
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Aya F, Lanuza-Gracia P, González-Pérez A, Bonnal S, Mancini E, López-Bigas N, Arance A, Valcárcel J. Genomic deletions explain the generation of alternative BRAF isoforms conferring resistance to MAPK inhibitors in melanoma. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114048. [PMID: 38614086 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Resistance to MAPK inhibitors (MAPKi), the main cause of relapse in BRAF-mutant melanoma, is associated with the production of alternative BRAF mRNA isoforms (altBRAFs) in up to 30% of patients receiving BRAF inhibitor monotherapy. These altBRAFs have been described as being generated by alternative pre-mRNA splicing, and splicing modulation has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy to overcome resistance. In contrast, we report that altBRAFs are generated through genomic deletions. Using different in vitro models of altBRAF-mediated melanoma resistance, we demonstrate the production of altBRAFs exclusively from the BRAF V600E allele, correlating with corresponding genomic deletions. Genomic deletions are also detected in tumor samples from melanoma and breast cancer patients expressing altBRAFs. Along with the identification of altBRAFs in BRAF wild-type and in MAPKi-naive melanoma samples, our results represent a major shift in our understanding of mechanisms leading to the generation of BRAF transcripts variants associated with resistance in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Aya
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Investigacions Biomedicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Lanuza-Gracia
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Abel González-Pérez
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sophie Bonnal
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Estefania Mancini
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nuria López-Bigas
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Arance
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Investigacions Biomedicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Valcárcel
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.
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8
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Planchard D, Sanborn RE, Negrao MV, Vaishnavi A, Smit EF. BRAF V600E-mutant metastatic NSCLC: disease overview and treatment landscape. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:90. [PMID: 38627602 PMCID: PMC11021522 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00552-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
In this review, we cover the current understanding of BRAF mutations and associated clinical characteristics in patients with metastatic NSCLC, approved and emerging treatment options, BRAF sequencing approaches, and unmet needs. The BRAFV600E mutation confers constitutive activity of the MAPK pathway, leading to enhanced growth, proliferation, and survival of tumor cells. Testing for BRAF mutations enables patients to be treated with therapies that directly target BRAFV600E and the MAPK pathway, but BRAF testing lags behind other oncogene testing in metastatic NSCLC. Additional therapies targeting BRAFV600E mutations provide options for patients with metastatic NSCLC. Emerging therapies and combinations under investigation could potentially overcome issues of resistance and target non-V600E mutations. Therefore, because targeted therapies with enhanced efficacy are on the horizon, being able to identify BRAF mutations in metastatic NSCLC may become even more important.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Planchard
- Thoracic Cancer Group, Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.
| | - Rachel E Sanborn
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Marcelo V Negrao
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Aria Vaishnavi
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Egbert F Smit
- Department of Pulmonary Disease, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
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9
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Yaman I, Bouffet E. How will tovorafenib change our treatment of pediatric low-grade glioma? Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2024; 29:1-3. [PMID: 38293894 DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2024.2312817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Inci Yaman
- The Hospital for Sick Children, 55 University Avenue, Toronto, Canada
| | - Eric Bouffet
- The Hospital for Sick Children, 55 University Avenue, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
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10
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Riaud M, Maxwell J, Soria-Bretones I, Dankner M, Li M, Rose AAN. The role of CRAF in cancer progression: from molecular mechanisms to precision therapies. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:105-122. [PMID: 38195917 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00650-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
The RAF family of kinases includes key activators of the pro-tumourigenic mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Hyperactivation of RAF proteins, particularly BRAF and CRAF, drives tumour progression and drug resistance in many types of cancer. Although BRAF is the most studied RAF protein, partially owing to its high mutation incidence in melanoma, the role of CRAF in tumourigenesis and drug resistance is becoming increasingly clinically relevant. Here, we summarize the main known regulatory mechanisms and gene alterations that contribute to CRAF activity, highlighting the different oncogenic roles of CRAF, and categorize RAF1 (CRAF) mutations according to the effect on kinase activity. Additionally, we emphasize the effect that CRAF alterations may have on drug resistance and how precision therapies could effectively target CRAF-dependent tumours. Here, we discuss preclinical and clinical findings that may lead to improved treatments for all types of oncogenic RAF1 alterations in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody Riaud
- Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jennifer Maxwell
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Isabel Soria-Bretones
- Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthew Dankner
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Meredith Li
- Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - April A N Rose
- Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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11
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van Tilburg CM, Kilburn LB, Perreault S, Schmidt R, Azizi AA, Cruz-Martínez O, Zápotocký M, Scheinemann K, Meeteren AYNSV, Sehested A, Opocher E, Driever PH, Avula S, Ziegler DS, Capper D, Koch A, Sahm F, Qiu J, Tsao LP, Blackman SC, Manley P, Milde T, Witt R, Jones DTW, Hargrave D, Witt O. LOGGIC/FIREFLY-2: a phase 3, randomized trial of tovorafenib vs. chemotherapy in pediatric and young adult patients with newly diagnosed low-grade glioma harboring an activating RAF alteration. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:147. [PMID: 38291372 PMCID: PMC10826080 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-11820-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric low-grade glioma (pLGG) is essentially a single pathway disease, with most tumors driven by genomic alterations affecting the mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK (MAPK) pathway, predominantly KIAA1549::BRAF fusions and BRAF V600E mutations. This makes pLGG an ideal candidate for MAPK pathway-targeted treatments. The type I BRAF inhibitor, dabrafenib, in combination with the MEK inhibitor, trametinib, has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the systemic treatment of BRAF V600E-mutated pLGG. However, this combination is not approved for the treatment of patients with tumors harboring BRAF fusions as type I RAF inhibitors are ineffective in this setting and may paradoxically enhance tumor growth. The type II RAF inhibitor, tovorafenib (formerly DAY101, TAK-580, MLN2480), has shown promising activity and good tolerability in patients with BRAF-altered pLGG in the phase 2 FIREFLY-1 study, with an objective response rate (ORR) per Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology high-grade glioma (RANO-HGG) criteria of 67%. Tumor response was independent of histologic subtype, BRAF alteration type (fusion vs. mutation), number of prior lines of therapy, and prior MAPK-pathway inhibitor use. METHODS LOGGIC/FIREFLY-2 is a two-arm, randomized, open-label, multicenter, global, phase 3 trial to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of tovorafenib monotherapy vs. current standard of care (SoC) chemotherapy in patients < 25 years of age with pLGG harboring an activating RAF alteration who require first-line systemic therapy. Patients are randomized 1:1 to either tovorafenib, administered once weekly at 420 mg/m2 (not to exceed 600 mg), or investigator's choice of prespecified SoC chemotherapy regimens. The primary objective is to compare ORR between the two treatment arms, as assessed by independent review per RANO-LGG criteria. Secondary objectives include comparisons of progression-free survival, duration of response, safety, neurologic function, and clinical benefit rate. DISCUSSION The promising tovorafenib activity data, CNS-penetration properties, strong scientific rationale combined with the manageable tolerability and safety profile seen in patients with pLGG led to the SIOPe-BTG-LGG working group to nominate tovorafenib for comparison with SoC chemotherapy in this first-line phase 3 trial. The efficacy, safety, and functional response data generated from the trial may define a new SoC treatment for newly diagnosed pLGG. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05566795. Registered on October 4, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelis M van Tilburg
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | - Rene Schmidt
- Institute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, Münster, Germany
| | - Amedeo A Azizi
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ofelia Cruz-Martínez
- Neuro-oncology Unit, Pediatric Cancer Center, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michal Zápotocký
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Katrin Scheinemann
- Division of Oncology-Hematology, Children's Hospital of Eastern Switzerland, St. Gallen, Switzerland
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
- Department of Pediatrics, McMaster Children's Hospital and McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | | | - Astrid Sehested
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Enrico Opocher
- Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant Division, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Pablo Hernáiz Driever
- German HIT-LOGGIC-Registry for LGG in Children and Adolescents, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Shivaram Avula
- Department of Radiology, Alder Hey Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - David S Ziegler
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Children's Cancer Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David Capper
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- DKTK Partner Site, Berlin, Germany
| | - Arend Koch
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix Sahm
- Department of Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), University Hospital Heidelberg and CCU Neuropathology, German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jiaheng Qiu
- Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Brisbane, CA, USA
| | - Li-Pen Tsao
- Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Brisbane, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Till Milde
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ruth Witt
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David T W Jones
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Glioma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Darren Hargrave
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
| | - Olaf Witt
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany.
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Hajjo R, Sabbah DA, Bardaweel SK, Zhong HA. Targeting the EGFR/RAS/RAF signaling pathway in anticancer research: a recent update on inhibitor design and clinical trials (2020-2023). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2024; 34:51-69. [PMID: 38450537 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2024.2327307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recent years have seen significant strides in drug developmenttargeting the EGFR/RAS/RAF signaling pathway which is critical forcell growth and proliferation. Protein-protein interaction networksamong EGFR, RAS, and RAF proteins offer insights for drug discovery. This review discusses the drug design and development efforts ofinhibitors targeting these proteins over the past 3 years, detailingtheir structures, selectivity, efficacy, and combination therapy.Strategies to combat drug resistance and minimize toxicities areexplored, along with future research directions. AREA COVERED This review encompasses clinical trials and patents on EGFR, KRAS,and BRAF inhibitors from 2020 to 2023, including advancements indesign and synthesis of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) forprotein degradation. EXPERT OPINION To tackle drug resistance, designing allosteric fourth-generationEGFR inhibitors is vital. Covalent, allosteric, or combinationaltherapies, along with PROTAC degraders, are key methods to addressresistance and toxicity in KRAS and BRAF inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rima Hajjo
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Board Member, National Center for Epidemics and Communicable Disease Control (JCDC), Amman, Jordan
| | - Dima A Sabbah
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Sanaa K Bardaweel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Haizhen A Zhong
- DSC 309, Department of Chemistry, The University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
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Kilburn LB, Khuong-Quang DA, Hansford JR, Landi D, van der Lugt J, Leary SES, Driever PH, Bailey S, Perreault S, McCowage G, Waanders AJ, Ziegler DS, Witt O, Baxter PA, Kang HJ, Hassall TE, Han JW, Hargrave D, Franson AT, Yalon Oren M, Toledano H, Larouche V, Kline C, Abdelbaki MS, Jabado N, Gottardo NG, Gerber NU, Whipple NS, Segal D, Chi SN, Oren L, Tan EEK, Mueller S, Cornelio I, McLeod L, Zhao X, Walter A, Da Costa D, Manley P, Blackman SC, Packer RJ, Nysom K. The type II RAF inhibitor tovorafenib in relapsed/refractory pediatric low-grade glioma: the phase 2 FIREFLY-1 trial. Nat Med 2024; 30:207-217. [PMID: 37978284 PMCID: PMC10803270 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02668-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
BRAF genomic alterations are the most common oncogenic drivers in pediatric low-grade glioma (pLGG). Arm 1 (n = 77) of the ongoing phase 2 FIREFLY-1 (PNOC026) trial investigated the efficacy of the oral, selective, central nervous system-penetrant, type II RAF inhibitor tovorafenib (420 mg m-2 once weekly; 600 mg maximum) in patients with BRAF-altered, relapsed/refractory pLGG. Arm 2 (n = 60) is an extension cohort, which provided treatment access for patients with RAF-altered pLGG after arm 1 closure. Based on independent review, according to Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology High-Grade Glioma (RANO-HGG) criteria, the overall response rate (ORR) of 67% met the arm 1 prespecified primary endpoint; median duration of response (DOR) was 16.6 months; and median time to response (TTR) was 3.0 months (secondary endpoints). Other select arm 1 secondary endpoints included ORR, DOR and TTR as assessed by Response Assessment in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Low-Grade Glioma (RAPNO) criteria and safety (assessed in all treated patients and the primary endpoint for arm 2, n = 137). The ORR according to RAPNO criteria (including minor responses) was 51%; median DOR was 13.8 months; and median TTR was 5.3 months. The most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were hair color changes (76%), elevated creatine phosphokinase (56%) and anemia (49%). Grade ≥3 TRAEs occurred in 42% of patients. Nine (7%) patients had TRAEs leading to discontinuation of tovorafenib. These data indicate that tovorafenib could be an effective therapy for BRAF-altered, relapsed/refractory pLGG. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT04775485 .
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dong-Anh Khuong-Quang
- Children's Cancer Centre, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jordan R Hansford
- Michael Rice Centre for Hematology and Oncology, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia; South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | | | | | - Sarah E S Leary
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Seattle Children's, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Pablo Hernáiz Driever
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Berlin, German HIT-LOGGIC-Registry for LGG in Children and Adolescents, Berlin, Germany
| | - Simon Bailey
- Great North Children's Hospital and Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | | | - Geoffrey McCowage
- Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - David S Ziegler
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Olaf Witt
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit, Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patricia A Baxter
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hyoung Jin Kang
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Timothy E Hassall
- Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jung Woo Han
- Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Darren Hargrave
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
| | - Andrea T Franson
- C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Helen Toledano
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petach Tikva, and Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Valérie Larouche
- Department of Pediatrics, Centre Mère-Enfant Soleil du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Cassie Kline
- Division of Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mohamed S Abdelbaki
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Nada Jabado
- McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), Montreal Children's Hospital (MCH), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nicholas G Gottardo
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology and Hematology, Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, Australia, and Brain Tumor Research Program, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Nicolas U Gerber
- Department of Oncology, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicholas S Whipple
- Primary Children's Hospital and University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | - Susan N Chi
- Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Liat Oren
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Rambam Healthcare Campus, Haifa, Israel
| | - Enrica E K Tan
- Haematology/Oncology Service, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sabine Mueller
- Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Lisa McLeod
- Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Brisbane, CA, USA
| | - Xin Zhao
- Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Brisbane, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Roger J Packer
- Division of Neurology, Brain Tumor Institute, Center for Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Karsten Nysom
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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