1
|
Subbiah V, Kurzrock R. Precision oncology across the ages: Impact on children, adolescents, and young adults. Cancer Cell 2024; 42:1473-1479. [PMID: 39214098 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2024.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2024] [Revised: 07/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Precision oncology endeavors to tailor therapies based on individual patient and tumor characteristics. This rapidly evolving field has transformed cancer treatment across all age groups. In this commentary, we review the application of precision oncology across different age groups, specifically in children, adolescents, and young adults, and emphasize that precision medicine is age and tissue agnostic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Subbiah
- Early-Phase Drug Development, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Razelle Kurzrock
- Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center, and Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chief Medical Officer, Equal Opportunity and Diversity Office, WIN Consortium, Paris, France; Medical Oncology, University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pearson AD, DuBois SG, Macy ME, de Rojas T, Donoghue M, Weiner S, Knoderer H, Bernardi R, Buenger V, Canaud G, Cantley L, Chung J, Fox E, Friend J, Glade-Bender J, Gorbatchevsky I, Gore L, Gupta A, Hawkins DS, Juric D, Lang LA, Leach D, Liaw D, Lesa G, Ligas F, Lindberg G, Lindberg W, Ludwinski D, Marshall L, Mazar A, McDonough J, Nysom K, Ours C, Pappo A, Parsons DW, Rosenfeld A, Scobie N, Smith M, Taylor D, Weigel B, Weinstein A, Karres D, Vassal G. Paediatric strategy forum for medicinal product development of PI3-K, mTOR, AKT and GSK3β inhibitors in children and adolescents with cancer. Eur J Cancer 2024; 207:114145. [PMID: 38936103 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2024.114145] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) signalling pathway is a crucial path in cancer for cell survival and thus represents an intriguing target for new paediatric anti-cancer drugs. However, the unique clinical toxicities of targeting this pathway (resulting in hyperglycaemia) difficulties combining with chemotherapy, rarity of mutations in childhood tumours and concomitant mutations have resulted in major barriers to clinical translation of these inhibitors in treating both adults and children. Mutations in PIK3CA predict response to PI3-K inhibitors in adult cancers. The same mutations occur in children as in adults, but they are significantly less frequent in paediatrics. In children, high-grade gliomas, especially diffuse midline gliomas (DMG), have the highest incidence of PIK3CA mutations. New mutation-specific PI3-K inhibitors reduce toxicity from on-target PI3-Kα wild-type activity. The mTOR inhibitor everolimus is approved for subependymal giant cell astrocytomas. In paediatric cancers, mTOR inhibitors have been predominantly evaluated by academia, without an overall strategy, in empiric, mutation-agnostic clinical trials with very low response rates to monotherapy. Therefore, future trials of single agent or combination strategies of mTOR inhibitors in childhood cancer should be supported by very strong biological rationale and preclinical data. Further preclinical evaluation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta inhibitors is required. Similarly, even where there is an AKT mutation (∼0.1 %), the role of AKT inhibitors in paediatric cancers remains unclear. Patient advocates strongly urged analysing and conserving data from every child participating in a clinical trial. A priority is to evaluate mutation-specific, central nervous system-penetrant PI3-K inhibitors in children with DMG in a rational biological combination. The choice of combination, should be based on the genomic landscape e.g. PTEN loss and resistance mechanisms supported by preclinical data. However, in view of the very rare populations involved, innovative regulatory approaches are needed to generate data for an indication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Steven G DuBois
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ronald Bernardi
- Genentech, A Member of the Roche Group, South San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Vickie Buenger
- Coalition Against Childhood Cancer (CAC2), Philadelphia, USA
| | | | | | - John Chung
- Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Whippany, NJ, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Abha Gupta
- The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Princess Margaret Hospital Toronto, Canada
| | | | | | - Leigh Anna Lang
- Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | - Giovanni Lesa
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), the Netherlands
| | - Franca Ligas
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Lynley Marshall
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK; The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | | | - Joe McDonough
- The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | | | - Christopher Ours
- National Human Genome Research Institute/National Institutes of Health, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Amy Weinstein
- Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the US, Atlanta, USA
| | - Dominik Karres
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), the Netherlands
| | - Gilles Vassal
- ACCELERATE, Europe, Belgium; Gustave Roussy Cancer Centre, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Graff Z, Wachter F, Eapen M, Lehmann L, Cooper T. Navigating Treatment Options and Communication in Relapsed Pediatric AML. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2024; 44:e438690. [PMID: 38862135 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_438690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Despite improved outcomes in newly diagnosed pediatric AML, relapsed disease remains a therapeutic challenge. Factors contributing to slow progress in improving outcomes include inherent challenges in pediatric clinical trial accrual and the scarcity of novel targeted/immunotherapy agents available for pediatric development. This paradigm is changing, however, as international collaboration grows in parallel with the development of promising targeted agents. In this review, we discuss the therapeutic landscape of relapsed pediatric AML, including conventional chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and the challenges of drug approvals in this patient population. We highlight current efforts to improve communication among academia, industry, and regulatory authorities and discuss the importance of international collaboration to improve access to new therapies. Among the therapeutic options, we highlight the approach to second hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and discuss which patients are most likely to benefit from this potentially curative intervention. Importantly, we acknowledge the challenges in providing these high-risk interventions to our patients and their families and the importance of shared communication and decision making when considering early-phase clinical trials and second HSCT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Graff
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and BMT, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Franziska Wachter
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Mary Eapen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Leslie Lehmann
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Todd Cooper
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Charlab R, Leong R, Shord SS, Reaman GH. Pediatric Cancer Drug Development: Leveraging Insights in Cancer Biology and the Evolving Regulatory Landscape to Address Challenges and Guide Further Progress. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2024; 14:a041656. [PMID: 38467448 PMCID: PMC10982696 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
The discovery and development of anticancer drugs for pediatric patients have historically languished when compared to both past and recent activity in drug development for adult patients, notably the dramatic spike of targeted and immune-oncology therapies. The reasons for this difference are multifactorial. Recent changes in the regulatory landscape surrounding pediatric cancer drug development and the understanding that some pediatric cancers are driven by genetic perturbations that also drive disparate adult cancers afford new opportunities. The unique cancer-initiating events and dependencies of many pediatric cancers, however, require additional pediatric-specific strategies. Research efforts to unravel the underlying biology of pediatric cancers, innovative clinical trial designs, model-informed drug development, extrapolation from adult data, addressing the unique considerations in pediatric patients, and use of pediatric appropriate formulations, should all be considered for efficient development and dosage optimization of anticancer drugs for pediatric patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosane Charlab
- Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translational Sciences, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland 20993, USA
| | - Ruby Leong
- Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translational Sciences, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland 20993, USA
| | - Stacy S Shord
- Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translational Sciences, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland 20993, USA
| | - Gregory H Reaman
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pearson ADJ, de Rojas T, Karres D, Reaman G, Scobie N, Fox E, Lesa G, Ligas F, Norga K, Nysom K, Pappo A, Weigel B, Weiner SL, Vassal G. Impact of ACCELERATE Paediatric Strategy Forums: a review of the value of multi-stakeholder meetings in oncology drug development. J Natl Cancer Inst 2024; 116:200-207. [PMID: 37975877 PMCID: PMC10852613 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djad239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In a landscape of an increasing number of products and histology and age agnostic trials for rare patient cancer, prioritization of products is required. Paediatric Strategy Forums, organized by ACCELERATE and the European Medicines Agency with participation of the US Food and Drug Administration, are multi-stakeholder meetings that share information to best inform pediatric drug development strategies and subsequent clinical trial decisions. Academia, industry, regulators, and patient advocates are equal members, with patient advocates highlighting unmet needs of children and adolescents with cancer. The 11 Paediatric Strategy Forums since 2017 have made specific and general conclusions to accelerate drug development. Conclusions on product prioritization meetings, as well as global master protocols, have been outputs of these meetings. Forums have provided information for regulatory discussions and decisions by industry to facilitate development of high-priority products; for example, 62% of high-priority assets (agreed at a Forum) in contrast to 5% of those assets not considered high priority have been the subject of a Paediatric Investigational Plan or Written Request. Where there are multiple products of the same class, Forums have recommended a focused and sequential approach. Class prioritization resulted in an increase in waivers for non-prioritized B-cell products (44% to 75%) and a decrease in monotherapy trials, proposed in Paediatric Investigation Plans (PIP) submissions of checkpoint inhibitors from 53% to 19%. Strategy Forums could play a role in defining unmet medical needs. Multi-stakeholder forums, such as the Paediatric Strategy Forum, serve as a model to improve collaboration in the oncology drug development paradigm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dominik Karres
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gregory Reaman
- US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth Fox
- St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Giovanni Lesa
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Franca Ligas
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Koen Norga
- Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
- Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, (EMA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Alberto Pappo
- St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | | | - Gilles Vassal
- ACCELERATE, Brussels, Belgium, Europe
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Centre, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Guinn D, Gafford M, Burckart GJ, Reaman G, Charlab R. Assessing Information Gaps Associated with Initial Pediatric Study Plans for New Oncology Drug and Biological Products. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2023; 114:618-622. [PMID: 37422730 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.2995] [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: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
The Research Acceleration for Cure and Equity (RACE) for Children Act requires sponsors to submit a Pediatric Study Plan (PSP) with a proposed pediatric investigation of new molecularly targeted drugs and biologics that are intended for treatment of adult cancers, and whose target is relevant to pediatric cancer or provide a justification for a plan to request a deferral or waiver of the required investigation. A landscape analysis was performed to identify trends in information gaps associated with a sponsor's first initial PSP (iPSP) submission for oncologic new molecular entities received in 2021. Comments sent to sponsors by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during the review process of each evaluated iPSP were categorized using nine flags relating to different portions of the PSP. For iPSPs that included a plan for a full waiver request, the most common information gap was inadequate justification based on molecular target relevance. All other sponsor proposed plans (deferral and/or partial waiver or investigation) were found to have information gaps related to clinical study features, clinical pharmacology, and/or missing clinical or nonclinical data. This landscape analysis of iPSPs shows the trends in comments that often occur during initial review and may help to provide sponsors with more direction for preparing an adequate iPSP to fulfill statutory requirements aimed at ensuring pediatric patients are considered in the development of new molecularly targeted drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daphne Guinn
- Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translational Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Marilyn Gafford
- Harding University College of Pharmacy, Searcy, Arkansas, USA
| | - Gilbert J Burckart
- Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translational Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Gregory Reaman
- Oncology Center of Excellence, Office of the Commissioner, and Office of Oncologic Diseases, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Rosane Charlab
- Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translational Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Valle-Simón P, Borobia AM, Pérez-Martínez A. Clinical research with targeted drugs in paediatric oncology. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103672. [PMID: 37330039 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The development of targeted drugs in paediatric oncology has been notoriously slow, in part due to the peculiarities of this rare and highly heterogeneous population. To provide therapeutic breakthroughs for the highest risk subgroups of childhood cancer, innovative research solutions have been implemented in the last several years by different international collaborative groups and regulators. Here, we discuss and summarise some of these approaches, as well as challenges and unmet needs that are still being addressed. A wide range of topics were covered in this review including molecular diagnosis optimisation, innovative research methodologies, big data approaches, trial enrolment strategies, and improvements in regulation and preclinical research platforms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Valle-Simón
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Idipaz, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Alberto M Borobia
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, La Paz University Hospital, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) IdiPAZ, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Pérez-Martínez
- Paediatric Haemato-Oncology Department, La Paz University Hospital, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), IdiPAZ, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Pearson ADJ, Federico S, Gatz SA, Ortiz M, Lesa G, Scobie N, Gounaris I, Weiner SL, Weigel B, Unger TJ, Stewart E, Smith M, Slotkin EK, Reaman G, Pappo A, Nysom K, Norga K, McDonough J, Marshall LV, Ludwinski D, Ligas F, Karres D, Kool M, Horner TJ, Henssen A, Heenen D, Hawkins DS, Gore L, Bender JG, Galluzzo S, Fox E, de Rojas T, Davies BR, Chakrabarti J, Carmichael J, Bradford D, Blanc P, Bernardi R, Benchetrit S, Akindele K, Vassal G. Paediatric Strategy Forum for medicinal product development of DNA damage response pathway inhibitors in children and adolescents with cancer: ACCELERATE in collaboration with the European Medicines Agency with participation of the Food and Drug Administration. Eur J Cancer 2023; 190:112950. [PMID: 37441939 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.112950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
DNA damage response inhibitors have a potentially important therapeutic role in paediatric cancers; however, their optimal use, including patient selection and combination strategy, remains unknown. Moreover, there is an imbalance between the number of drugs with diverse mechanisms of action and the limited number of paediatric patients available to be enrolled in early-phase trials, so prioritisation and a strategy are essential. While PARP inhibitors targeting homologous recombination-deficient tumours have been used primarily in the treatment of adult cancers with BRCA1/2 mutations, BRCA1/2 mutations occur infrequently in childhood tumours, and therefore, a specific response hypothesis is required. Combinations with targeted radiotherapy, ATR inhibitors, or antibody drug conjugates with DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor-related warheads warrant evaluation. Additional monotherapy trials of PARP inhibitors with the same mechanism of action are not recommended. PARP1-specific inhibitors and PARP inhibitors with very good central nervous system penetration also deserve evaluation. ATR, ATM, DNA-PK, CHK1, WEE1, DNA polymerase theta and PKMYT1 inhibitors are early in paediatric development. There should be an overall coordinated strategy for their development. Therefore, an academia/industry consensus of the relevant biomarkers will be established and a focused meeting on ATR inhibitors (as proof of principle) held. CHK1 inhibitors have demonstrated activity in desmoplastic small round cell tumours and have a potential role in the treatment of other paediatric malignancies, such as neuroblastoma and Ewing sarcoma. Access to CHK1 inhibitors for paediatric clinical trials is a high priority. The three key elements in evaluating these inhibitors in children are (1) innovative trial design (design driven by a clear hypothesis with the intent to further investigate responders and non-responders with detailed retrospective molecular analyses to generate a revised or new hypothesis); (2) biomarker selection and (3) rational combination therapy, which is limited by overlapping toxicity. To maximally benefit children with cancer, investigators should work collaboratively to learn the lessons from the past and apply them to future studies. Plans should be based on the relevant biology, with a focus on simultaneous and parallel research in preclinical and clinical settings, and an overall integrated and collaborative strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D J Pearson
- ACCELERATE, c/o BLSI, Clos Chapelle-aux-Champs 30, Bte 1.30.30 BE-1200 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Sara Federico
- St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Susanne A Gatz
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Michael Ortiz
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Giovanni Lesa
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Ioannis Gounaris
- Merck Serono Ltd (an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), Feltham, UK
| | | | | | - T J Unger
- Repare Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Gregory Reaman
- US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Springs, MD, USA
| | - Alberto Pappo
- St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | - Koen Norga
- Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium; Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Joe McDonough
- The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | - Lynley V Marshall
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Hospital, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, UK
| | | | - Franca Ligas
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dominik Karres
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marcel Kool
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Douglas S Hawkins
- Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA; Children's Oncology Group, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lia Gore
- Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA; University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | | | - Elizabeth Fox
- St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Teresa de Rojas
- ACCELERATE, c/o BLSI, Clos Chapelle-aux-Champs 30, Bte 1.30.30 BE-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | - Juliet Carmichael
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Hospital, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, UK
| | - Diana Bradford
- US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Springs, MD, USA
| | | | - Ronald Bernardi
- Genentech, a Member of the Roche Group, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sylvie Benchetrit
- National Agency for the Safety of Medicine and Health Products, Paris, France
| | | | - Gilles Vassal
- ACCELERATE, c/o BLSI, Clos Chapelle-aux-Champs 30, Bte 1.30.30 BE-1200 Brussels, Belgium; Gustave Roussy Cancer Centre, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Croft NM, de Ridder L, Griffiths AM, Hyams JS, Ruemmele FM, Turner D, Cheng K, Lutsar I, Greco M, Gołębiewska Z, Laumond F, Cavaller-Bellaubi M, Elgreey A, Altepeter TA, Pallidis C, Norga K, Nelson R, Crandall W, Vassal G. Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective to Improve Development of Drugs for Children and Adolescents. J Crohns Colitis 2023; 17:249-258. [PMID: 36130314 PMCID: PMC10024546 DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjac135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Despite recent approvals for new drugs to treat adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, there are only two approved advanced treatment options [infliximab and adalimumab] for children with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. There are many potential new therapies being developed for adult and paediatric IBD. Moreover, regulatory agencies in both the European Union and USA have processes in place to support the early planning and initiation of paediatric studies. Nevertheless, unacceptable delays in approvals for use of drugs in children persist, with an average 7-year gap, or longer, between authorization of new IBD drugs for adults and children. METHODS A 2-day virtual meeting was held during April 14-15, 2021 for multi-stakeholders [clinical academics, patient community, pharmaceutical companies and regulators] to discuss their perspectives on paediatric drug development for IBD. RESULTS The multi-stakeholder group presented, discussed and proposed actions to achieve expediting the approval of new drugs in development for paediatric IBD. CONCLUSIONS Collaborative action points for all stakeholders are required to make progress and facilitate new drug development for children with IBD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas M Croft
- Corresponding author: Nicholas M Croft, Blizard Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, UK. Tel: +44 20 7882 2642;
| | | | - Anne M Griffiths
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Frank M Ruemmele
- Université de Paris, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Universitaire Necker Enfants Malades, Service de Gastroentérologie Pédiatrique, Paris, France
| | - Dan Turner
- Shaare Zedek Medical Center, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Irja Lutsar
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Marco Greco
- European Patients’ Forum (EPF), Chaussée d’Etterbeek, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Zuzanna Gołębiewska
- J-elita, Polish Society for the Support of People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | - Adam Elgreey
- Crohn and Colitis Foundation Israel (CCFI), Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tara A Altepeter
- Division of Gastroenterology, Office of Immunology and Inflammation, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Chrissi Pallidis
- Paediatric Medicines, European Medicines Agency, The Netherlands
| | - Koen Norga
- Paediatric Committee (PDCO), European Medicines Agency, The Netherlands
| | | | - Wallace Crandall
- Pediatric Immunology, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Gilles Vassal
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Center and Paris Saclay University, Villejuif, France
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Vassal G, de Rojas T, Pearson ADJ. Impact of the EU Paediatric Medicine Regulation on new anti-cancer medicines for the treatment of children and adolescents. THE LANCET. CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH 2023; 7:214-222. [PMID: 36682367 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-4642(22)00344-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The European Paediatric Medicine Regulation was launched in 2007, aiming to provide better medicines for children. However, its benefit for paediatric patients with cancer has been questioned and the European Paediatric and Orphan Regulations have been under review since November, 2020. To ascertain the effect of the European Paediatric Medicine Regulation, all paediatric anti-cancer medicines assessed by the European Medicines Agency from 1995 to 2022 were identified and reviewed using the agency's public assessment reports, and all Paediatric Investigation Plans granted since 2007 were analysed. 16 new molecular entities (NMEs; ie, a drug that contains an active moiety that had never been approved before) have been approved since the regulation was launched in 2007. The number of paediatric marketing authorisations increased from 2007 but represented the same 17% of all anti-cancer drug marketing authorisations before and after 2007. After 2007, nine (56%) of 16 NMEs were first authorised both in adults and children. For seven NMEs, a first paediatric indication was approved with a median lag time of 6·4 years (range 1·2-21·5 years) after the first authorisation in adults. Half of NMEs were authorised for the treatment of malignancies responsible for only 5·4% of all European childhood cancer deaths, including three medicines for melanoma and thyroid cancer-adult cancers occurring very rarely in children. The increased number of paediatric anti-cancer NMEs after 2007 is a result of the major increase in new medicines authorised for adult cancers since 2005 rather than a direct effect of the Paediatric Regulation. Paediatric development of these NMEs was driven by their adult market and did not address major unmet medical needs of children and adolescents with cancer. An improved, fit-for-purpose regulatory environment that incentivises paediatric drug development based on mechanism of action, better incentives, and a systematic multi-stakeholder engagement, with greater investment from industry, public funding, and non-governmental organisations, will increase the number of new medicines approved in the future to cure more children and adolescents with cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Vassal
- ACCELERATE, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Institut Gustave Roussy and Paris-Saclay University, Villejuif, France.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Pearson AD, Allen C, Fangusaro J, Hutter C, Witt O, Weiner S, Reaman G, Russo M, Bandopadhayay P, Ahsan S, Barone A, Barry E, de Rojas T, Fisher M, Fox E, Bender JG, Gore L, Hargrave D, Hawkins D, Kreider B, Langseth AJ, Lesa G, Ligas F, Marotti M, Marshall LV, Nasri K, Norga K, Nysom K, Pappo A, Rossato G, Scobie N, Smith M, Stieglitz E, Weigel B, Weinstein A, Viana R, Karres D, Vassal G. Paediatric Strategy Forum for medicinal product development in mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway inhibitors: ACCELERATE in collaboration with the European Medicines Agency with participation of the Food and Drug Administration. Eur J Cancer 2022; 177:120-142. [PMID: 36335782 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
As the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway is activated in many paediatric cancers, it is an important therapeutic target. Currently, a range of targeted MAPK pathway inhibitors are being developed in adults. However, MAPK signals through many cascades and feedback loops and perturbing the MAPK pathway may have substantial influence on other pathways as well as normal development. In view of these issues, the ninth Paediatric Strategy Forum focused on MAPK inhibitors. Development of MAPK pathway inhibitors to date has been predominantly driven by adult indications such as malignant melanoma. However, these inhibitors may also target unmet needs in paediatric low-grade gliomas, high-grade gliomas, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia and several other paediatric conditions. Although MAPK inhibitors have demonstrated activity in paediatric cancer, the response rates and duration of responses needs improvement and better documentation. The rapid development and evaluation of combination approaches, based on a deep understanding of biology, is required to optimise responses and to avoid paradoxical tumour growth and other unintended consequences including severe toxicity. Better inhibitors with higher central nervous systempenetration for primary brain tumours and cancers with a propensity for central nervous system metastases need to be studied to determine if they are more effective than agents currently being used, and the optimum duration of therapy with MAPK inhibition needs to be determined. Systematic and coordinated clinical investigations to inform future treatment strategies with MAPK inhibitors, rather than use outside of clinical trials, are needed to fully assess the risks and benefits of these single agents and combination strategies in both front-line and in the refractory/relapse settings. Platform trials could address the investigation of multiple similar products and combinations. Accelerating the introduction of MAPK inhibitors into front-line paediatric studies is a priority, as is ensuring that these studies generate data appropriate for scientific and regulatory purposes. Early discussions with regulators are crucial, particularly if external controls are considered as randomised control trials in small patient populations can be challenging. Functional end-points specific to the populations in which they are studied, such as visual acuity, motor and neuro psychological function are important, as these outcomes are often more reflective of benefit for lower grade tumours (such as paediatric low-grade glioma and plexiform neurofibroma) and should be included in initial study designs for paediatric low-grade glioma. Early prospective discussions and agreements with regulators are necessary. Long-term follow-up of patients receiving MAPK inhibitors is crucial in view of their prolonged administration and the important involvement of this pathway in normal development. Further rational development, with a detailed understanding of biology of this class of products, is crucial to ensure they provide optimal benefit while minimising toxicity to children and adolescents with cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Carl Allen
- Texas Children Hospital, Houston, TX, USA; Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jason Fangusaro
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, USA; Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA
| | - Caroline Hutter
- St. Anna Children's Hospital, Vienna, Austria; Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - Olaf Witt
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Pratiti Bandopadhayay
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Broad Institute, USA; Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, USA
| | | | - Amy Barone
- US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Springs, USA
| | - Elly Barry
- Day One Biopharmaceuticals, San Francisco, USA
| | | | - Michael Fisher
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Elizabeth Fox
- St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Lia Gore
- Children's Hospital Colorado, USA; University of Colorado, USA
| | - Darren Hargrave
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London UK
| | - Doug Hawkins
- Seattle Children's Hospital, USA; Children's Oncology Group, Seattle, USA
| | | | | | - Giovanni Lesa
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Netherlands
| | - Franca Ligas
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Netherlands
| | | | - Lynley V Marshall
- The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK; The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | | | - Koen Norga
- Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium; Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, (EMA), Netherlands; Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Alberto Pappo
- St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Tennessee, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ruth Viana
- Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dominik Karres
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Netherlands
| | - Gilles Vassal
- ACCELERATE, Europe; Gustave Roussy Cancer Centre, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Karres D, Lesa G, Ligas F, Benchetrit S, Galluzzo S, Van Malderen K, Sterba J, van Dartel M, Renard M, Sisovsky P, Wang S, Norga K. European regulatory strategy for supporting childhood cancer therapy developments. Eur J Cancer 2022; 177:25-29. [PMID: 36323049 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Regulatory decisions on paediatric investigation plans (PIPs) aim at making effective and safe medicines timely available for children with high unmet medical need. At the same time, scientific knowledge progresses continuously leading frequently to the identification of new molecular targets in the therapeutic area of oncology. This, together with further efforts to optimise next generation medicines, results in novel innovative products in development pipelines. In the context of global regulatory development requirements for these growing pipelines of innovative products (e.g. US RACE for children Act), it is an increasing challenge to complete development efforts in paediatric oncology, a therapeutic area of rare and life-threatening diseases with high unmet needs. OBJECTIVE Regulators recognise feasibility challenges of the regulatory obligations in this context. Here, we explain the EU regulatory decision making strategy applied to paediatric oncology, which aims fostering evidence generation to support developments based on needs and robust science. Because there is a plethora of products under development within given classes of or within cancer types, priorities need to be identified and updated as evidence evolves. This also includes identifying the need for third or fourth generation products to secure focused and accelerated drug development. CONCLUSION An agreed PIP, as a plan, is a living document which can be modified in light of new evidence. For this to be successful, input from the various relevant stakeholders, i.e. patients/parents, clinicians and investigators is required. To efficiently obtain this input, the EMA is co-organising with ACCELERATE oncology stakeholder engagement platform meetings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Karres
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands.
| | - Giovanni Lesa
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Franca Ligas
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sylvie Benchetrit
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité Du Médicament et des Produits de Santé (ANSM), Paris, France; Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sara Galluzzo
- Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA), Rome, Italy; Scientific Advice Working Party and Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Karen Van Malderen
- Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP), Brussels, Belgium; Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jaroslav Sterba
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, University Hospital Brno, And Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, International Clinical Research Center, St Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic; Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Maaike van Dartel
- College Ter Beoordeling van Geneesmiddelen, Utrecht, Netherlands; Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marleen Renard
- University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP), Brussels, Belgium; Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Peter Sisovsky
- State Institute for Drug Control, Bratislava, Slovakia; Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Siri Wang
- Norwegian Medicines Agency, Oslo, Norway; Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Koen Norga
- Antwerp University Hospital, Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP), Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Hwang TJ, Bourgeois FT. New legislation to promote paediatric studies for new cancer medicines. Lancet Oncol 2022; 23:e368-e369. [DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(22)00376-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
|
14
|
Paediatric Strategy Forum for medicinal product development of multi-targeted kinase inhibitors in bone sarcomas: ACCELERATE in collaboration with the European Medicines Agency with participation of the Food and Drug Administration. Eur J Cancer 2022; 173:71-90. [PMID: 35863108 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The eighth Paediatric Strategy Forum focused on multi-targeted kinase inhibitors (mTKIs) in osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma. The development of curative, innovative products in these tumours is a high priority and addresses unmet needs in children, adolescents and adults. Despite clinical and investigational use of mTKIs, efficacy in patients with bone tumours has not been definitively demonstrated. Randomised studies, currently being planned or in progress, in front-line and relapse settings will inform the further development of this class of product. It is crucial that these are rapidly initiated to generate robust data to support international collaborative efforts. The experience to date has generally indicated that the safety profile of mTKIs as monotherapy, and in combination with chemotherapy or other targeted therapy, is consistent with that of adults and that toxicity is manageable. Increasing understanding of relevant predictive biomarkers and tumour biology is absolutely critical to further develop this class of products. Biospecimen samples for correlative studies and biomarker development should be shared, and a joint academic-industry consortium created. This would result in an integrated collection of serial tumour tissues and a systematic retrospective and prospective analyses of these samples to ensure robust assessment of biologic effect of mTKIs. To support access for children to benefit from these novel therapies, clinical trials should be designed with sufficient scientific rationale to support regulatory and payer requirements. To achieve this, early dialogue between academia, industry, regulators, and patient advocates is essential. Evaluating feasibility of combination strategies and then undertaking a randomised trial in the same protocol accelerates drug development. Where possible, clinical trials and development should include children, adolescents, and adults less than 40 years. To respond to emerging science, in approximately 12 months, a multi-stakeholder group will meet and review available data to determine future directions and priorities.
Collapse
|
15
|
ACCELERATE – Five years accelerating cancer drug development for children and adolescents. Eur J Cancer 2022; 166:145-164. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
16
|
Brivio E, Baruchel A, Beishuizen A, Bourquin JP, Brown PA, Cooper T, Gore L, Kolb EA, Locatelli F, Maude SL, Mussai FJ, Vormoor-Bürger B, Vormoor J, von Stackelberg A, Zwaan CM. Targeted inhibitors and antibody immunotherapies: Novel therapies for paediatric leukaemia and lymphoma. Eur J Cancer 2022; 164:1-17. [PMID: 35121370 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Despite improved outcomes achieved in the last decades for children with newly diagnosed leukaemia and lymphoma, treatment of patients with refractory/relapsed disease remains a challenge. The cure rate is still unsatisfactory and often achieved at the cost of significant morbidity. Exploring treatment with novel agents should offer less toxic therapeutic options, without compromising efficacy. Bispecific and antibody-drug conjugates targeting CD19 and CD22 (blinatumomab and inotuzumab ozogamicin) play an important role in the treatment of relapsed and refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP-ALL); antibodies targeting CD123 and CD38 are also under investigation for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and T-ALL, respectively. Targeted therapy with small molecules is of primary importance for specific genetic subtypes, such as BCR-ABL-positive ALL, FLT3-ITD AML and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. KMT2A-directed targeted therapy with menin inhibitors holds promise to be of relevance in KMT2A-rearranged leukaemias, known to have dismal prognosis. Target inhibition in cellular pathways such as BCL-2, RAS, MEK, Bruton's tyrosine kinase, JAK-STAT or CDK4/CDK6 inhibition may be suitable for different diseases with common mutated pathways. Nevertheless, development and approval of new agents for paediatric cancers lags behind adult therapeutic options. New regulations were implemented to accelerate drug development for children. Considering the number of oncology medicinal products available for adults and the rarity of paediatric cancers, prioritisation based on scientific evidence and medical need, as well as international collaboration, is critical. Herein, we review the current status of drug development for children with leukaemia and lymphoma, excluding cellular therapy despite its well-known significance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erica Brivio
- Princess Ma´xima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Pediatric Oncology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - André Baruchel
- Hématologie-Immunologie Pédiatrique, Hoˆ pital Universitaire Robert Debré (APHP) and Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Auke Beishuizen
- Princess Ma´xima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Pediatric Oncology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jean-Pierre Bourquin
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Patrick A Brown
- Departments of Oncology and Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Todd Cooper
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center/Children's Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lia Gore
- University of Colorado School of Medicine and Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, USA
| | - E Anders Kolb
- Nemours Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Nemours/Alfred I DuPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Sapienza, University of Rome, Italy
| | - Shannon L Maude
- Division of Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Francis J Mussai
- Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cancer Research UK Birmingham Centre, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Josef Vormoor
- Princess Ma´xima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands; University Medical Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
| | | | - C Michel Zwaan
- Princess Ma´xima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Pediatric Oncology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; The Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer Consortium, Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Abstract
There are encouraging signs in our collective progress to leverage the immune system to treat pediatric cancers. Here, we summarize interim successes in cancer immunotherapy and opportunities to translate from the adult world to pediatrics, and highlight challenges that could benefit from additional development, focusing on solid tumors. Just a decade ago, other than antibodies targeting disialoganglioside (GD2) in neuroblastoma, pediatric cancer immunotherapy was mostly relegated to obscure preclinical studies in a few academic labs. Today there are numerous clinical trials of a variety of antibody, cellular, gene, and viral therapies and vaccines designed to either promote antitumor immunity or specifically attack validated immunotherapy targets. Understanding those targets and their pediatric relevance is paramount. While much work is underway to evaluate the utility of numerous immunologic targets, the lack of regulatory approvals is emblematic of the challenges that remain. Herein we focus our review on the most promising targeted immunotherapies in clinical trials for children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Gupta
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, New York, USA.
| | - Timothy P Cripe
- Division of Hematology/Oncology/Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
de Rojas T, Pearson AJ, Scobie N, Knox L, Wariabharaj D, Kearns P, Vassal G, Reaman G. Intercontinental collaboration in clinical trials for children and adolescents with cancer-A systematic review by ACCELERATE. Cancer Med 2021; 10:8462-8474. [PMID: 34687165 PMCID: PMC8633236 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since pediatric cancer drug development is a global enterprise, we sought to provide an overview of the landscape of intercontinental clinical trials in pediatric oncology opened over the last decade. METHODS ClinicalTrials.gov was systematically searched to identify all clinical therapeutic trials which opened between 2010 and 2020 and recruited pediatric patients (<18 years) with cancer. RESULTS Over the last 10 years, 295 (8.7%) of 3383 therapeutic pediatric cancer trials were international and 182 (5.4%) were intercontinental. Most intercontinental trials were phase-1 or 2, with 25% late-phase, 65% were sponsored by industry, and North America was involved in 92%. Industry-sponsored proportionally more phase-1 trials than academia (41% vs. 25%); conversely, academia sponsored more phase-2 and late-phase trials (39% and 31% vs. 36% and 21%, respectively) (p = 0.020). North America-Europe collaboration was predominantly industry sponsored as opposed to North America-Oceania and Europe-Oceania collaboration, more frequently academic (p < 0.0001). Most late-phase trials (18/20, 90%) focusing on pediatric malignancies were conducted by academic sponsors and 10 of these were conducted by Children's Oncology Group (COG)/National Cancer Institute in the United States and Oceania. There was no significant increase over time of intercontinental trials and a trend for a reduction in academic trials. CONCLUSIONS Despite the relative rarity of childhood malignancies, especially within molecular subtypes, only 5.4% of pediatric cancer trials were intercontinental. The number of intercontinental trials remains small, with no significant increase over the last decade. The ACCELERATE International Collaboration Working Group aims to identify existing hurdles and propose solutions to improve intercontinental collaboration in clinical research for the benefit of children and adolescents with cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Pamela Kearns
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials UnitNational Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research CentreInstitute of Cancer and Genomic SciencesBirminghamUK
| | - Gilles Vassal
- ACCELERATEBrusselsBelgium
- Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology DepartmentGustave Roussy Cancer CampusINSERM U1015Université Paris‐SaclayVillejuifFrance
| | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Pearson AD, Rossig C, Mackall C, Shah NN, Baruchel A, Reaman G, Ricafort R, Heenen D, Bassan A, Berntgen M, Bird N, Bleickardt E, Bouchkouj N, Bross P, Brownstein C, Cohen SB, de Rojas T, Ehrlich L, Fox E, Gottschalk S, Hanssens L, Hawkins DS, Horak ID, Taylor DH, Johnson C, Karres D, Ligas F, Ludwinski D, Mamonkin M, Marshall L, Masouleh BK, Matloub Y, Maude S, McDonough J, Minard-Colin V, Norga K, Nysom K, Pappo A, Pearce L, Pieters R, Pule M, Quintás-Cardama A, Richardson N, Schüßler-Lenz M, Scobie N, Sersch MA, Smith MA, Sterba J, Tasian SK, Weigel B, Weiner SL, Zwaan CM, Lesa G, Vassal G. Paediatric Strategy Forum for medicinal product development of chimeric antigen receptor T-cells in children and adolescents with cancer: ACCELERATE in collaboration with the European Medicines Agency with participation of the Food and Drug Administration. Eur J Cancer 2021; 160:112-133. [PMID: 34840026 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The seventh multi-stakeholder Paediatric Strategy Forum focused on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells for children and adolescents with cancer. The development of CAR T-cells for patients with haematological malignancies, especially B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP-ALL), has been spectacular. However, currently, there are scientific, clinical and logistical challenges for use of CAR T-cells in BCP-ALL and other paediatric malignancies, particularly in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), lymphomas and solid tumours. The aims of the Forum were to summarise the current landscape of CAR T-cell therapy development in paediatrics, too identify current challenges and future directions, with consideration of other immune effector modalities and ascertain the best strategies to accelerate their development and availability to children. Although the effect is of limited duration in about half of the patients, anti-CD19 CAR T-cells produce high response rates in relapsed/refractory BCP-ALL and this has highlighted previously unknown mechanisms of relapse. CAR T-cell treatment as first- or second-line therapy could also potentially benefit patients whose disease has high-risk features associated with relapse and failure of conventional therapies. Identifying patients with very early and early relapse in whom CAR T-cell therapy may replace haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and be definitive therapy versus those in whom it provides a more effective bridge to haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a very high priority. Development of approaches to improve persistence, either by improving T cell fitness or using more humanised/fully humanised products and co-targeting of multiple antigens to prevent antigen escape, could potentially further optimise therapy. Many differences exist between paediatric B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (B-NHL) and BCP-ALL. In view of the very small patient numbers with relapsed lymphoma, careful prioritisation is needed to evaluate CAR T-cells in children with Burkitt lymphoma, primary mediastinal B cell lymphoma and other NHL subtypes. Combination trials of alternative targets to CD19 (CD20 or CD22) should also be explored as a priority to improve efficacy in this population. Development of CD30 CAR T-cell immunotherapy strategies in patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma will likely be most efficiently accomplished by joint paediatric and adult trials. CAR T-cell approaches are early in development for AML and T-ALL, given the unique challenges of successful immunotherapy actualisation in these diseases. At this time, CD33 and CD123 appear to be the most universal targets in AML and CD7 in T-ALL. The results of ongoing or planned first-in-human studies are required to facilitate further understanding. There are promising early results in solid tumours, particularly with GD2 targeting cell therapies in neuroblastoma and central nervous system gliomas that represent significant unmet clinical needs. Further understanding of biology is critical to success. The comparative benefits of autologous versus allogeneic CAR T-cells, T-cells engineered with T cell receptors T-cells engineered with T cell receptor fusion constructs, CAR Natural Killer (NK)-cell products, bispecific T-cell engager antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates require evaluation in paediatric malignancies. Early and proactive academia and multi-company engagement are mandatory to advance cellular immunotherapies in paediatric oncology. Regulatory advice should be sought very early in the design and preparation of clinical trials of innovative medicines, for which regulatory approval may ultimately be sought. Aligning strategic, scientific, regulatory, health technology and funding requirements from the inception of a clinical trial is especially important as these are very expensive therapies. The model for drug development for cell therapy in paediatric oncology could also involve a 'later stage handoff' to industry after early development in academic hands. Finally, and very importantly, strategies must evolve to ensure appropriate ease of access for children who need and could potentially benefit from these therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudia Rossig
- University Children´s Hospital Muenster, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Germany
| | - Crystal Mackall
- Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, Stanford University, Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Nirali N Shah
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, USA
| | - Andre Baruchel
- Hôpital Universitaire Robert Debré (APHP) and Université de Paris, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Michael Berntgen
- Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Dominik Karres
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Franca Ligas
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Lynley Marshall
- The Royal Marsden Hospital and the Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | | | | | - Shannon Maude
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | | | - Veronique Minard-Colin
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Koen Norga
- Antwerp University Hospital, Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Rob Pieters
- Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Martina Schüßler-Lenz
- Chair of CAT (Committee for Advanced Therapies), European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands; Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Jaroslav Sterba
- University Hospital Brno, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sarah K Tasian
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | | | | | - Christian Michel Zwaan
- Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Netherlands; Haematological Malignancies Co-Chair Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer Consortium (ITCC), Europe; Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Giovanni Lesa
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Gilles Vassal
- ACCELERATE, Europe; Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Rei Bolislis W, Bejeuhr G, Benzaghou F, Corriol‐Rohou S, Herrero‐Martinez E, Hildebrand H, Hill‐Venning C, Hoogland H, Johnson C, Joos A, Vart R, Le Visage G, Kühler TC. Optimizing Pediatric Medicine Developments in the European Union Through Pragmatic Approaches. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2021; 110:871-879. [PMID: 33411346 PMCID: PMC8518420 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.2152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The European Union's Pediatric Regulation has strengthened the development of medicines for children in Europe through its system of obligations and rewards. However, opportunities remain to further optimize pediatric medicine developments, notably in relation to the implementation of the regulatory framework. This paper therefore describes bottlenecks identified by industry that occur during the medicinal development process, including those relating to the scientific advice process, pediatric investigation plan (PIP) development, compliance checks, and study submissions, and offers some considerations and insights to address these. Considerations, which are workable within the current legislative framework, focus on an integrated scientific discussion, optimization of PIP procedures and compliance checks, and an alignment of study-reporting requirements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Craig Johnson
- GlaxoSmithKline Research & Development Ltd.MiddlesexUK
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Pearson ADJ, Barry E, Mossé YP, Ligas F, Bird N, de Rojas T, Zimmerman ZF, Wilner K, Woessmann W, Weiner S, Weigel B, Venkatramani R, Valteau D, Trahair T, Smith M, Singh S, Selvaggi G, Scobie N, Schleiermacher G, Richardson N, Park J, Nysom K, Norga K, Merino M, McDonough J, Matloub Y, Marshall LV, Lowe E, Lesa G, Irwin M, Karres D, Gajjar A, Doz F, Fox E, DuBois SG, Donoghue M, Casanova M, Caron H, Buenger V, Bradford D, Blanc P, Barone A, Reaman G, Vassal G. Second Paediatric Strategy Forum for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibition in paediatric malignancies: ACCELERATE in collaboration with the European Medicines Agency with the participation of the Food and Drug Administration. Eur J Cancer 2021; 157:198-213. [PMID: 34536944 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The first (2017) and sixth (2021) multistakeholder Paediatric Strategy Forums focused on anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibition in paediatric malignancies. ALK is an important oncogene and target in several paediatric tumours (anaplastic large cell lymphoma [ALCL], inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour [IMT], neuroblastoma and hemispheric gliomas in infants and young children) with unmet therapeutic needs. ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been demonstrated to be active both in ALK fusion-kinase positive ALCL and IMT. ALK alterations differ, with fusions occurring in ALCL, IMT and gliomas, and activating mutations and amplification in neuroblastoma. While there are many ALK inhibitors in development, the number of children diagnosed with ALK driven malignancies is very small. The objectives of this ALK Forum were to (i) Describe current knowledge of ALK biology in childhood cancers; (ii) Provide an overview of the development of ALK inhibitors for children; (iii) Identify the unmet needs taking into account planned or current ongoing trials; (iv) Conclude how second/third-generation inhibitors could be evaluated and prioritised; (v) Identify lessons learnt from the experience with ALK inhibitors to accelerate the paediatric development of other anti-cancer targeted agents in the new regulatory environments. There has been progress over the last four years, with more trials of ALK inhibitors opened in paediatrics and more regulatory submissions. In January 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration approved crizotinib for the treatment of paediatric and young adult patients with relapsed or refractory ALCL and there are paediatric investigation plans (PIPs) for brigatinib and for crizotinib in ALCL and IMT. In ALCL, the current goal is to investigate the inclusion of ALK inhibitors in front-line therapy with the aim of decreasing toxicity with higher/similar efficacy compared to present first-line therapies. For IMT, the focus is to develop a joint prospective trial with one product in children, adolescents and adults, taking advantage of the common biology across the age spectrum. As approximately 50% of IMTs are ALK-positive, molecular analysis is required to identify patients to be treated with an ALK inhibitor. For neuroblastoma, crizotinib has not shown robust anti-tumour activity. A focused and sequential development of ALK inhibitors with very good central nervous system (CNS) penetration in CNS tumours with ALK fusions should be undertaken. The Forum reinforced the strong need for global academic collaboration, very early involvement of regulators with studies seeking possible registration and early academia-multicompany engagement. Innovations in study design and conduct and the use of 'real-world data' supporting development in these rare sub-groups of patients for whom randomised clinical trials are not feasible are important initiatives. A focused and sequenced development strategy, where one product is evaluated first with other products being assessed sequentially, is applicable for ALK inhibitors and other medicinal products in children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yael P Mossé
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, USA
| | - Franca Ligas
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Koen Norga
- Antwerp University Hospital, Paediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency, Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Lynley V Marshall
- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and the Institute of Cancer Research, UK
| | - Eric Lowe
- Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, USA
| | - Giovanni Lesa
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Dominik Karres
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, Human Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gilles Vassal
- ACCELERATE, Europe; Gustave Roussy Cancer Centre, France
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Karres D, Reaman G, Ligas F, Lesa G, McCune S, Malli S, Bax R, Temeck J. Common Commentary on Paediatric Oncology Drug Development Published: Another Step in Optimising Global Regulatory Coordination of Paediatric Development Plans. Ther Innov Regul Sci 2021; 55:1109-1110. [PMID: 34498227 DOI: 10.1007/s43441-021-00339-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The European Medicines Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration recently published a common commentary document on paediatric oncology drug development, building on the call for simultaneous submissions of paediatric investigation plans and initial pediatric study plans. The objective of this document is to guide deliberations and permit focused discussions at the monthly paediatric cluster calls, allowing early regulatory coordination of global development plans. The differences in regulations related to timeline are not considered posing a barrier in that regard.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Karres
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Human Medicines Division, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Gregory Reaman
- Oncology Center of Excellence, Office of the Commissioner, Office of Oncologic Diseases, Office of New Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, USA
| | - Franca Ligas
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Human Medicines Division, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Giovanni Lesa
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Human Medicines Division, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Susan McCune
- Office of Pediatric Therapeutics, Office of the Commissioner, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, USA
| | - Suzanne Malli
- Office of Pediatric Therapeutics, Office of the Commissioner, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, USA
| | - Ralph Bax
- Paediatric Medicines Office, Human Medicines Division, Scientific Evidence Generation Department, European Medicines Agency (EMA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jean Temeck
- Office of Pediatric Therapeutics, Office of the Commissioner, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Barry E, Walsh JA, Weinrich SL, Beaupre D, Blasi E, Arenson DR, Jacobs IA. Navigating the Regulatory Landscape to Develop Pediatric Oncology Drugs: Expert Opinion Recommendations. Paediatr Drugs 2021; 23:381-394. [PMID: 34173206 PMCID: PMC8275539 DOI: 10.1007/s40272-021-00455-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory changes have been enacted in the United States (US) and European Union (EU) to encourage the development of new treatments for pediatric cancer. Here, we review some of the factors that have hampered the development of pediatric cancer treatments and provide a comparison of the US and EU regulations implemented to address this clinical need. We then provide some recommendations for each stage of the oncology drug development pathway to help researchers maximize their chance of successful drug development while complying with regulations. A key recommendation is the engagement of key stakeholders such as regulatory authorities, pediatric oncologists, academic researchers, patient advocacy groups, and a Pediatric Expert Group early in the drug development process. During drug target selection, sponsors are encouraged to consult the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), and the FDA target list, in addition to relevant US and European consortia that have been established to characterize and prioritize oncology drug targets. Sponsors also need to carefully consider the resourcing requirements for preclinical testing, which include ensuring appropriate access to the most relevant databases, clinical samples, and preclinical models (cell lines and animal models). During clinical development, sponsors can account for the pharmacodynamic (PD)/pharmacokinetic (PK) considerations specific to a pediatric population by developing pediatric formulations, selecting suitable PD endpoints, and employing sparse PK sampling or modeling/simulation of drug exposures where appropriate. Additional clinical considerations include the specific design of the clinical trial, the potential inclusion of children in adult trials, and the value of cooperative group trials.
Collapse
|
24
|
Pearson AD, DuBois SG, Buenger V, Kieran M, Stegmaier K, Bandopadhayay P, Bennett K, Bourdeaut F, Brown PA, Chesler L, Clymer J, Fox E, French CA, Germovsek E, Giles FJ, Bender JG, Hattersley MM, Ludwinski D, Luptakova K, Maris J, McDonough J, Nikolova Z, Smith M, Tsiatis AC, Vibhakar R, Weiner S, Yi JS, Zheng F, Vassal G. Bromodomain and extra-terminal inhibitors-A consensus prioritisation after the Paediatric Strategy Forum for medicinal product development of epigenetic modifiers in children-ACCELERATE. Eur J Cancer 2021; 146:115-124. [PMID: 33601323 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Based on biology and pre-clinical data, bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibitors have at least three potential roles in paediatric malignancies: NUT (nuclear protein in testis) carcinomas, MYC/MYCN-driven cancers and fusion-driven malignancies. However, there are now at least 10 BET inhibitors in development, with a limited relevant paediatric population in which to evaluate these medicinal products. Therefore, a meeting was convened with the specific aim to develop a consensus among relevant biopharmaceutical companies, academic researchers, as well as patient and family advocates, about the development of BET inhibitors, including prioritisation and their specific roles in children. Although BET inhibitors have been in clinical trials in adults since 2012, the first-in-child study (BMS-986158) only opened in 2019. In the future, when there is strong mechanistic rationale or pre-clinical activity of a class of medicinal product in paediatrics, early clinical evaluation with embedded correlative studies of a member of the class should be prioritised and rapidly executed in paediatric populations. There is a strong mechanistic and biological rationale to evaluate BET inhibitors in paediatrics, underpinned by substantial, but not universal, pre-clinical data. However, most pan-BET inhibitors have been challenging to administer in adults, since monotherapy results in only modest anti-tumour activity and provides a narrow therapeutic index due to thrombocytopenia. It was concluded that it is neither scientifically justified nor feasible to undertake simultaneously early clinical trials in paediatrics of all pan-BET inhibitors. However, there is a clinical need for global access to BET inhibitors for patients with NUT carcinoma, a very rare malignancy driven by bromodomain fusions, with proof of concept of clinical benefit in a subset of patients treated with BET inhibitors. Development and regulatory pathway in this indication should include children and adolescents as well as adults. Beyond NUT carcinoma, it was proposed that further clinical development of other pan-BET inhibitors in children should await the results of the first paediatric clinical trial of BMS-986158, unless there is compelling rationale based on the specific agent of interest. BDII-selective inhibitors, central nervous system-penetrant BET inhibitors (e.g. CC-90010), and those dual-targeting BET/p300 bromodomain are of particular interest and warrant further pre-clinical investigation. This meeting emphasised the value of a coordinated and integrated strategy to drug development in paediatric oncology. A multi-stakeholder approach with multiple companies developing a consensus with academic investigators early in the development of a class of compounds, and then engaging regulatory agencies would improve efficiency, productivity, conserve resources and maximise potential benefit for children with cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jessica Clymer
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Medical School, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - John Maris
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, USA
| | | | - Zariana Nikolova
- Celgene International, a Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, USA
| | | | - Joanna S Yi
- Texas Children's Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|