1
|
Qin S, Pan H, Blanc JF, Grando V, Lim HY, Chang XY, O'Brate A, Stroh C, Friese-Hamim M, Albers J, Johne A, Faivre S. Activity of Tepotinib in Hepatocellular Carcinoma With High-Level MET Amplification: Preclinical and Clinical Evidence. JCO Precis Oncol 2024; 8:e2300328. [PMID: 38354329 DOI: 10.1200/po.23.00328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE MET amplification (METamp) has been reported in 1%-5% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and may be sensitive to MET inhibition. Tepotinib, a selective MET inhibitor, has shown promising activity in HCC with MET overexpression. We investigated the preclinical and clinical activity of tepotinib in HCC with METamp (MET gene copy number [GCN] ≥5), including high-level METamp (MET GCN ≥10). METHODS Preclinical antitumor activity of tepotinib 100 mg/kg (orally, days 1-5, every 7 days, 3-5 weeks; 3-12 replicates) was evaluated according to METamp status, as determined using the nCounter platform (NanoString), in 37 HCC patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) in immunodeficient mice. Clinical outcomes were evaluated in patients with METamp by fluorescence in situ hybridization who received tepotinib 500 mg (450 mg active moiety) in two phase Ib/II trials in HCC with MET overexpression. RESULTS Across the PDX models, tepotinib induced complete or near-complete tumor regression in the only two models with high-level METamp. Median tumor volume reductions were 100% and 99.8% in models with MET GCN 47.1 and 44.0, respectively. Across the two clinical trials, 15/121 patients had METamp. Disease control was achieved by 11/15 patients with METamp (complete response [CR], n = 1; partial response [PR], n = 4; stable disease [SD], n = 6) and 4/4 with high-level METamp (CR, n = 1; PR, n = 2; SD, n = 1). All three patients with high-level METamp and objective response received treatment for >1 year, including one patient who received first-line tepotinib for >6 years. CONCLUSION High-level METamp may be an oncogenic driver in HCC that is sensitive to MET inhibitors such as tepotinib.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shukui Qin
- PLA Cancer Center, Nanjing Bayi Hospital, Nanjing, China
- Cancer Center of Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongming Pan
- Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | | | | | - Ho Yeong Lim
- Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Xin Ying Chang
- Global Clinical Development China, Merck Serono Co., Ltd, Beijing, China, an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Aurora O'Brate
- The healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | | | - Joachim Albers
- The healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Andreas Johne
- The healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Decaens T, Barone C, Assenat E, Wermke M, Fasolo A, Merle P, Blanc JF, Grando V, Iacobellis A, Villa E, Trojan J, Straub J, Bruns R, Berghoff K, Scheele J, Raymond E, Faivre S. Phase 1b/2 trial of tepotinib in sorafenib pretreated advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with MET overexpression. Br J Cancer 2021; 125:190-199. [PMID: 33824476 PMCID: PMC8292404 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01334-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This Phase 1b/2 study evaluated tepotinib, a highly selective MET inhibitor, in US/European patients with sorafenib pretreated advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC) with MET overexpression. METHODS Eligible adults had aHCC, progression after ≥4 weeks of sorafenib, and, for Phase 2 only, MET overexpression. Tepotinib was administered once daily at 300 or 500 mg in Phase 1b ('3 + 3' design), and at the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) in Phase 2. Primary endpoints were dose-liming toxicities (DLTs; Phase 1b) and 12-week investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS; Phase 2). RESULTS In Phase 1b (n = 17), no DLTs occurred and the RP2D was confirmed as 500 mg. In Phase 2 (n = 49), the primary endpoint was met: 12-week PFS was 63.3% (90% CI: 50.5-74.7), which was significantly greater than the predefined null hypothesis of ≤15% (one-sided binomial exact test: P < 0.0001). Median time to progression was 4 months. In Phase 2, 28.6% of patients had treatment-related Grade ≥3 adverse events, including peripheral oedema and lipase increase (both 6.1%). CONCLUSIONS Tepotinib was generally well tolerated and the RP2D (500 mg) showed promising efficacy and, therefore, a positive benefit-risk balance in sorafenib pretreated aHCC with MET overexpression. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02115373.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Decaens
- University Grenoble Alpes, Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology and Digestive Oncology, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Institute for Advanced Biosciences INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France.
| | - Carlo Barone
- Medical Oncology, Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Roma, Italy
| | - Eric Assenat
- Medical Oncology, CHU Saint Eloi, Montpellier, France
| | - Martin Wermke
- NCT/UCC Early Clinical Trial Unit, University Hospital Carl-Gustav-Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Philippe Merle
- Service d'Hépato-Gastro-Entérologie, Hôpital de la Croix Rousse, Lyon, France
| | - Jean-Frédéric Blanc
- Service d'Hépato-Gastroentérologie et d'Oncologie Digestive, Groupe Hospitalier Haut-Lévêque, CHU Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | | | - Angelo Iacobellis
- Reparto di Gastroenterologia ed Endoscopia Digestiva, Ospedale Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza IRCCS, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Erica Villa
- Division of Gastroenterology Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Joerg Trojan
- Gastrointestinal Oncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Josef Straub
- Clinical Biomarker & Companion Diagnostics, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Rolf Bruns
- Biostatistics, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Karin Berghoff
- Global Patient Safety Innovation, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Juergen Scheele
- Global Clinical Development Oncology, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Eric Raymond
- Medical Oncology, Paris-St Joseph Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Faivre
- Medical Oncology, Saint-Louis Hospital & Paris 7 University, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang T, Zhang Q, Wang N, Liu Z, Zhang B, Zhao Y. Research Progresses of Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:3107-3146. [PMID: 33050856 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666201013162144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, with nearly one million new cases and deaths every year. Owing to the complex pathogenesis, hidden early symptoms, rapidly developing processes, and poor prognosis, the morbidity and mortality of HCC are increasing yearly. With the progress being made in modern medicine, the treatment of HCC is no longer limited to traditional methods. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy have emerged to treat advanced and metastatic HCC in recent years. Since Sorafenib is the first molecular targeting drug against angiogenesis, targeted drugs for HCC are continually emerging. Moreover, immunotherapy plays a vital role in clinical trials. In particular, the application of immune checkpoint inhibitors, which have received increasing attention in the field of cancer treatment, is a possible research path. Interestingly, these two therapies generally complement each other at some stages of HCC, bringing new hope for patients with advanced HCC. In this paper, we discuss the research progress of targeted therapy and immunotherapy for HCC in recent years, which will provide a reference for the further development of drugs for HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
| | - Qiting Zhang
- Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
| | - Ziqi Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, the PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center, Beijing 100088, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin Kenneth Li Marine Biopharmaceutical Research Center, Department of Marine Pharmacy, College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
| | - Yufen Zhao
- Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Guo R, Luo J, Chang J, Rekhtman N, Arcila M, Drilon A. MET-dependent solid tumours - molecular diagnosis and targeted therapy. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2020; 17:569-587. [PMID: 32514147 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-020-0377-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Attempts to develop MET-targeted therapies have historically focused on MET-expressing cancers, with limited success. Thus, MET expression in the absence of a genomic marker of MET dependence is a poor predictor of benefit from MET-targeted therapy. However, owing to the development of more sensitive methods of detecting genomic alterations, high-level MET amplification and activating MET mutations or fusions are all now known to be drivers of oncogenesis. MET mutations include those affecting the kinase or extracellular domains and those that result in exon 14 skipping. The activity of MET tyrosine kinase inhibitors varies by MET alteration category. The likelihood of benefit from MET-targeted therapies increases with increasing levels of MET amplification, although no consensus exists on the optimal diagnostic cut-off point for MET copy number gains identified using fluorescence in situ hybridization and, in particular, next-generation sequencing. Several agents targeting exon 14 skipping alterations are currently in clinical development, with promising data available from early-phase trials. By contrast, the therapeutic implications of MET fusions remain underexplored. Here we summarize and evaluate the utility of various diagnostic techniques and the roles of different classes of MET-targeted therapies in cancers with MET amplification, mutation and fusion, and MET overexpression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robin Guo
- Thoracic Oncology Service, Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jia Luo
- Thoracic Oncology Service, Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jason Chang
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Natasha Rekhtman
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria Arcila
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexander Drilon
- Thoracic Oncology Service, Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA. .,Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
|
6
|
Johne A, Scheible H, Becker A, van Lier JJ, Wolna P, Meyring M. Open-label, single-center, phase I trial to investigate the mass balance and absolute bioavailability of the highly selective oral MET inhibitor tepotinib in healthy volunteers. Invest New Drugs 2020; 38:1507-1519. [PMID: 32221754 PMCID: PMC7497692 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-020-00926-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Tepotinib (MSC2156119J) is an oral, potent, highly selective MET inhibitor. This open-label, phase I study in healthy volunteers (EudraCT 2013-003226-86) investigated its mass balance (part A) and absolute bioavailability (part B). In part A, six participants received tepotinib orally (498 mg spiked with 2.67 MBq [14C]-tepotinib). Blood, plasma, urine, and feces were collected up to day 25 or until excretion of radioactivity was <1% of the administered dose. In part B, six participants received 500 mg tepotinib orally as a film-coated tablet, followed by an intravenous [14C]-tepotinib tracer dose (53–54 kBq) 4 h later. Blood samples were collected until day 14. In part A, a median of 92.5% (range, 87.1–96.9%) of the [14C]-tepotinib dose was recovered in excreta. Radioactivity was mainly excreted via feces (median, 78.7%; range, 69.4–82.5%). Urinary excretion was a minor route of elimination (median, 14.4% [8.8–17.7%]). Parent compound was the main constituent in excreta (45% [feces] and 7% [urine] of the radioactive dose). M506 was the only major metabolite. In part B, absolute bioavailability was 72% (range, 62–81%) after oral administration of 500 mg tablets (the dose and formulation used in phase II trials). In conclusion, tepotinib and its metabolites are mainly excreted via feces; parent drug is the major eliminated constituent. Oral bioavailability of tepotinib is high, supporting the use of the current tablet formulation in clinical trials. Tepotinib was well tolerated in this study with healthy volunteers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Johne
- Global Clinical Development, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, 64293, Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Holger Scheible
- Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Merck KGaA, Grafing, Germany
| | - Andreas Becker
- Global Clinical Development, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, 64293, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Jan Jaap van Lier
- Pharmaceutical Research Association (PRA), Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Wolna
- Global Clinical Development, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, 64293, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Michael Meyring
- Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Merck KGaA, Grafing, Germany
| |
Collapse
|