Summary of Research: Overall Survival with Osimertinib in Resected EGFR-Mutated NSCLC

This is a summary of the original article ‟Overall survival with osimertinib in resected EGFR-mutated NSCLC.ˮ Osimertinib blocks the activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on cancer cells, causing cancer cell death and tumor shrinkage, and is an effective treatment for EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The ADAURA study assessed the effects of osimertinib versus placebo in patients with EGFR-mutated (exon 19 deletion or L858R) early stage (IB-IIIA) NSCLC removed by surgery (resected). Previous results from ADAURA demonstrated that patients treated with osimertinib stayed alive and cancer-free (disease-free survival) significantly longer than patients who received placebo. Recent data showed the overall length of time patients were alive after starting treatment (overall survival). In both the primary stage II-IIIA and overall stage IB-IIIA populations, patients in the osimertinib group had a significant 51% reduction in the risk of death compared with the placebo group. The data demonstrated that osimertinib after surgery significantly improved overall survival in patients with resected, EGFR-mutated, stage IB-IIIA NSCLC.

Overall Survival with Osimertinib in Resected EGFR-Mutated NSCLC

BACKGROUND

Among patients with resected, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated, stage IB to IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), adjuvant osimertinib therapy, with or without previous adjuvant chemotherapy, resulted in significantly longer disease-free survival than placebo in the ADAURA trial. We report the results of the planned final analysis of overall survival.

METHODS

In this phase 3, double-blind trial, we randomly assigned eligible patients in a 1:1 ratio to receive osimertinib (80 mg once daily) or placebo until disease recurrence was observed, the trial regimen was completed (3 years), or a discontinuation criterion was met. The primary end point was investigator-assessed disease-free survival among patients with stage II to IIIA disease. Secondary end points included disease-free survival among patients with stage IB to IIIA disease, overall survival, and safety.

RESULTS

Of 682 patients who underwent randomization, 339 received osimertinib and 343 received placebo. Among patients with stage II to IIIA disease, the 5-year overall survival was 85% in the osimertinib group and 73% in the placebo group (overall hazard ratio for death, 0.49; 95.03% confidence interval [CI], 0.33 to 0.73; P<0.001). In the overall population (patients with stage IB to IIIA disease), the 5-year overall survival was 88% in the osimertinib group and 78% in the placebo group (overall hazard ratio for death, 0.49; 95.03% CI, 0.34 to 0.70; P<0.001). One new serious adverse event, pneumonia related to coronavirus disease 2019, was reported after the previously published data-cutoff date (the event was not considered by the investigator to be related to the trial regimen, and the patient fully recovered). Adjuvant osimertinib had a safety profile consistent with that in the primary analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Adjuvant osimertinib provided a significant overall survival benefit among patients with completely resected, EGFR-mutated, stage IB to IIIA NSCLC. (Funded by AstraZeneca; ADAURA ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02511106.).

First-line atezolizumab monotherapy versus single-agent chemotherapy in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer ineligible for treatment with a platinum-containing regimen (IPSOS): a phase 3, global, multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled study

BACKGROUND

Despite immunotherapy advancements for patients with advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), pivotal first-line trials were limited to patients with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) 0-1 and a median age of 65 years or younger. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of first-line atezolizumab monotherapy with single-agent chemotherapy in patients ineligible for platinum-based chemotherapy.

METHODS

This trial was a phase 3, open-label, randomised controlled study conducted at 91 sites in 23 countries across Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. Eligible patients had stage IIIB or IV NSCLC in whom platinum-doublet chemotherapy was deemed unsuitable by the investigator due to an ECOG PS 2 or 3, or alternatively, being 70 years or older with an ECOG PS 0-1 with substantial comorbidities or contraindications for platinum-doublet chemotherapy. Patients were randomised 2:1 by permuted-block randomisation (block size of six) to receive 1200 mg of atezolizumab given intravenously every 3 weeks or single-agent chemotherapy (vinorelbine [oral or intravenous] or gemcitabine [intravenous]; dosing per local label) at 3-weekly or 4-weekly cycles. The primary endpoint was overall survival assessed in the intention-to-treat population. Safety analyses were conducted in the safety-evaluable population, which included all randomised patients who received any amount of atezolizumab or chemotherapy. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03191786.

FINDINGS

Between Sept 11, 2017, and Sept 23, 2019, 453 patients were enrolled and randomised to receive atezolizumab (n=302) or chemotherapy (n=151). Atezolizumab improved overall survival compared with chemotherapy (median overall survival 10·3 months [95% CI 9·4-11·9] vs 9·2 months [5·9-11·2]; stratified hazard ratio 0·78 [0·63-0·97], p=0·028), with a 2-year survival rate of 24% (95% CI 19·3-29·4) with atezolizumab compared with 12% (6·7-18·0) with chemotherapy. Compared with chemotherapy, atezolizumab was associated with stabilisation or improvement of patient-reported health-related quality-of-life functioning scales and symptoms and fewer grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events (49 [16%] of 300 vs 49 [33%] of 147) and treatment-related deaths (three [1%] vs four [3%]).

INTERPRETATION

First-line treatment with atezolizumab monotherapy was associated with improved overall survival, a doubling of the 2-year survival rate, maintenance of quality of life, and a favourable safety profile compared with single-agent chemotherapy. These data support atezolizumab monotherapy as a potential first-line treatment option for patients with advanced NSCLC who are ineligible for platinum-based chemotherapy.

FUNDING

F Hoffmann-La Roche and Genentech Inc, a member of the Roche group.

Abstract CT533: Durvalumab (D) plus tremelimumab (T) in platinum-refractory/resistant extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC): Efficacy, safety and ctDNA dynamics from Arm A of the phase 2 BALTIC study

Background: Molecular response based on ctDNA dynamics may be predictive of benefit from immunotherapy in NSCLC, complementing radiologic disease assessment and potentially enabling early clinical decision-making, but data in SCLC are lacking. The phase 2, multi-arm, signal-searching BALTIC study (NCT02937818) assessed novel treatment combinations in platinum-refractory/resistant ES-SCLC; we report efficacy, safety, and exploratory ctDNA and PD-L1 analyses from pts who received D + T in Arm A.

Methods: Eligible pts had ES-SCLC, progressive disease (PD) during or within 90 days of completing 1L platinum-based CT, WHO PS 0-1, and life expectancy ≥8 weeks. In Arm A, pts received D 1500 mg + T 75 mg q4w for 4 cycles, followed by maintenance D 1500 mg q4w until PD. The primary endpoint was ORR (investigator assessment, RECIST v1.1). Secondary endpoints included DCR, PFS, OS, and safety and tolerability. Prespecified exploratory analyses included assessment of baseline/on-treatment ctDNA levels measured by maximum variant allele frequency (MaxVAF), and PD-L1 expression on tumor cells (TC) and immune cells (IC) (VENTANA PD-L1 [SP263] Assay).

Results: 41 pts received treatment with D + T (median age 63 years; 76% male; 76% PS 1). At the data cut-off (DCO; Jun 22, 2020), median treatment duration was 12 weeks, with 3 pts ongoing D treatment (these pts had received ≥38, ≥21, and ≥19 doses of D, respectively, at DCO). Confirmed ORR was 7.3% (95% CI 1.54‒19.92; 3 partial responses [PR]). DCR at 12 weeks was 27%. 21 pts (51%) were PD-L1 evaluable. Of 12 pts with PD-L1 expression (TC or IC) ≥1%, 3 (25%) had a best response of PR or stable disease, compared with 1 (11%) of 9 pts with PD-L1 (TC or IC) &lt;1%. Median PFS was 1.84 mo (95% CI 1.77‒1.91) and median OS was 5.36 mo (95% CI 2.89‒7.23). Grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 8 pts (20%); TRAEs led to treatment discontinuation in 5 pts (12%) and death in 1 pt (hemorrhagic enterocolitis). 26 pts (63%) were evaluable for ctDNA at baseline, and 10 pts (24%) had on-treatment ctDNA data. Pts with baseline MaxVAF in low (n=9), medium (n=8), and high (n=9) tertiles had a median OS of 12.8, 4.5, and 2.3 mo, respectively. Pts with a decrease in on-treatment ctDNA level (delta MaxVAF &lt;0) had a longer median OS (12.0 mo) vs those with an increase (5.6 mo).

Conclusions: Although limited antitumor activity was observed in refractory/resistant ES-SCLC in BALTIC, association of lower baseline ctDNA levels (MaxVAF) with longer OS may reflect the prognostic effect of disease burden. Association of on-treatment reduction in ctDNA level with longer OS suggests potential use of ctDNA as a surrogate of treatment response in ES-SCLC. Further analyses in larger datasets and in a randomized setting are warranted.

Citation Format: Niels Reinmuth, Oscar Juan-Vidal, Zsolt Horváth, Dariusz Kowalski, Anna Kryzhanivska, Eszter Csánky, Gabriella Gálffy, Maciej Bryl, David Vicente, Ihor Vynnychenko, Zsolt Pápai-Székely, Jon Armstrong, Tapashi Dalvi, Yashaswi Shrestha, Mingchao Xie, Haiyi Jiang, Igor Bondarenko. Durvalumab (D) plus tremelimumab (T) in platinum-refractory/resistant extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC): Efficacy, safety and ctDNA dynamics from Arm A of the phase 2 BALTIC study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr CT533.

Two-year update from KEYNOTE-799: Pembrolizumab plus concurrent chemoradiation therapy (cCRT) for unresectable, locally advanced, stage III NSCLC

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Background: Primary analysis (database cutoff, Oct 28, 2020) of the global KEYNOTE-799 study (NCT03631784) in patients (pts) with unresectable, locally advanced stage III NSCLC, showed that pembrolizumab (pembro; anti–PD-1) plus cCRT resulted in an ORR of 70.5% in cohort A (n = 112; squamous and nonsquamous) and 70.6% in cohort B (n = 102; nonsquamous only) and grade ≥3 pneumonitis in 9 (8.0%) and 7 (6.9%) pts, respectively. We present updated outcomes with 1 y of additional follow-up. Methods: In this nonrandomized, phase 2 study, eligible pts were aged ≥18 y with previously untreated, unresectable, pathologically confirmed, stage IIIA-C NSCLC with measurable disease per RECIST v1.1. Pts in cohort A (squamous and nonsquamous) received carboplatin AUC 6 plus paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 and pembro 200 mg for one 3-wk cycle, followed by carboplatin AUC 2 plus paclitaxel 45 mg/m2 QW for 6 wks plus 2 cycles of pembro 200 mg Q3W plus standard thoracic radiotherapy (TRT). Pts in cohort B (nonsquamous) received 3 cycles of cisplatin 75 mg/m2, pemetrexed 500 mg/m2, and pembro 200 mg Q3W plus standard TRT in cycles 2 and 3. All pts received 14 additional cycles of pembro 200 mg Q3W. Primary endpoints were ORR per RECIST v1.1 by blinded independent central review (BICR) and the incidence of grade ≥3 pneumonitis (per NCI CTCAE v4.0). Results: Of 216 pts enrolled in this study, 112 in cohort A and 102 in cohort B received treatment. Median (range) time from first dose to database cutoff (Oct 18, 2021) was 30.2 (25.3–35.5) mo in cohort A and 25.4 (14.5–35.2) mo in cohort B. ORR (95% CI) was 71.4% (62.1%–79.6%) in cohort A and 75.5% (66.0%–83.5%) in cohort B. Median duration of response (DOR) and OS were not reached (NR) in both cohorts; median PFS was 30.6 mo in cohort A, and NR in cohort B (Table). ORR was 66.7% in pts with PD-L1 TPS <1% and 77.3% in pts with PD-L1 TPS ≥1% in cohort A and 78.6% and 72.5%, respectively, in cohort B. ORR was similar by histology (squamous, 72.0%; nonsquamous, 74.1%). Grade ≥3 pneumonitis occurred in 16 pts (7.5%) overall; 9 pts (8.0%) in cohort A and 7 (6.9%) in cohort B. Treatment-related grade ≥3 AEs occurred in 64.3% and 51.0% of pts in cohort A and B, respectively. Conclusions: With the accrual of additional responses after >2 y of follow-up, pembro plus cCRT continues to demonstrate robust and durable responses, regardless of PD-L1 TPS and tumor histology, promising survival outcome and manageable safety in pts with previously untreated, locally advanced stage III NSCLC. Clinical trial information: NCT03631784. [Table: see text]

Phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled study of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) with or without pembrolizumab in patients with unresected stage I or II non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): KEYNOTE-867

TPS8597

Background: Anti–PD-(L)1-directed therapy following radiotherapy or following concurrent chemoradiation is associated with significantly longer PFS and OS in patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC, including those with locally advanced inoperable tumors. KEYNOTE-867 (NCT03924869) evaluates the efficacy and safety of SBRT with or without pembrolizumab in patients with unresected stage I or II NSCLC. Methods: In this phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled study, approximately 530 adult patients with previously untreated, unresected, histologically/cytologically confirmed stage I or II (T1 to limited T3, N0, M0) NSCLC are randomized 1:1 to receive thoracic SBRT to primary tumors for ≤2 wk (Table) and either pembrolizumab 200 mg or placebo every 3 wk for 17 cycles (approximately 1 year) or until disease recurrence, development of unacceptable AEs, SBRT not started for any reason, or study withdrawal. Randomization is stratified by disease stage (I vs II), ECOG PS (0 or 1 vs 2), geographic region (East Asia vs non-East Asia), and reason for not receiving surgery (medically inoperable vs refused surgery). Imaging assessment by blinded independent central review (BICR) occurs at 12 wk (≥10 wk after SBRT completion), followed by every 16 wk for 3 y, and then every 6 mo. Primary endpoints are event-free survival (EFS) by BICR and OS. Secondary endpoints include time to death or distant metastases and safety; exploratory endpoints are time to subsequent treatment, disease-specific survival, and time to recurrence/progression on subsequent line of therapy. AEs are monitored throughout the trial until 30 d after last dose (90 for serious AEs) and graded according to NCI CTCAE version 4.0. EFS and OS are analyzed by the nonparametric Kaplan-Meier method, treatment differences by stratified log-rank test, and hazard ratios by stratified Cox proportional hazard model with Efron's method of tie handling. Enrollment started on June 17, 2019, and is ongoing at 168 sites around the world. Clinical trial information: NCT03924869. [Table: see text]

First-in-human, open-label, phase 1/2 study of the monoclonal antibody programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) inhibitor cetrelimab (JNJ-63723283) in patients with advanced cancers

Purpose

To assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary efficacy of cetrelimab (JNJ-63723283), a monoclonal antibody programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) inhibitor, in patients with advanced/refractory solid tumors in the phase 1/2 LUC1001 study.

Methods

In phase 1, patients with advanced solid tumors received intravenous cetrelimab 80, 240, 460, or 800 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W) or 480 mg Q4W. In phase 2, patients with melanoma, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and microsatellite instability–high (MSI-H)/DNA mismatch repair-deficient colorectal cancer (CRC) received cetrelimab 240 mg Q2W. Response was assessed Q8W until Week 24 and Q12W thereafter.

Results

In phase 1, 58 patients received cetrelimab. Two dose-limiting toxicities were reported and two recommended phase 2 doses (RP2D) were defined (240 mg Q2W or 480 mg Q4W). After a first dose, mean maximum serum concentrations (C_max) ranged from 24.7 to 227.0 µg/mL; median time to C_max ranged from 2.0 to 3.2 h. Pharmacodynamic effect was maintained throughout the dosing period across doses. In phase 2, 146 patients received cetrelimab 240 mg Q2W. Grade ≥ 3 adverse events (AEs) occurred in 53.9% of patients. Immune-related AEs (any grade) occurred in 35.3% of patients (grade ≥ 3 in 6.9%). Overall response rate was 18.6% across tumor types, 34.3% in NSCLC, 52.6% in programmed death ligand 1–high (≥ 50% by immunohistochemistry) NSCLC, 28.0% in melanoma, and 23.8% in centrally confirmed MSI-H CRC.

Conclusions

The RP2D for cetrelimab was established. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic characteristics, safety profile, and clinical activity of cetrelimab in immune-sensitive advanced cancers were consistent with known PD-1 inhibitors.

Trial registrations

NCT02908906 at ClinicalTrials.gov, September 21, 2016; EudraCT 2016–002,017-22 at clinicaltrialsregister.eu, Jan 11, 2017.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00280-022-04414-6.

A thymoma or not a thymoma-that is the question: a case report

Thymomas are malignant, epithelial tumors of the thymus of diverse morphology that may metastasize or relapse after resection. The WHO histological classification includes five main subtypes A, AB, B1, B2 and B3. Types A and AB usually harbour a specific GTF2I gene mutation. Thymolipomas are very rare, benign tumors composed of thymic parenchyma and adipose tissue. We present the case of a 37-year-old male with an incidentally found mediastinal tumor that shared morphological features of a thymoma of unknown histological type and a thymolipoma-like tumor. Microscopically the tumor contained three components: (I) a highly organoid component that reproduced the thymic parenchyma with numerous Hassall corpuscles; (II) a lymphocyte-poor, epithelial component; (III) mature adipose tissue. A wide panel of immunohistochemical tests was used, but the results were not decisive for differential diagnosis. Genetic analysis of GTF2I, BRAF and NRAS genes revealed no mutations. The tumor was completely resected. The patient did not receive adjuvant radiotherapy. A 1.5 years after resection there was no evidence of tumor recurrence. Based on our case we carefully analyse and compare the microscopic features of thymoma vs. thymolipoma. The differentiation between these tumors is crucial due to their distinct clinical course and required therapeutic approach.

Abstract LBA039: Canakinumab as Adjuvant Therapy in Patients With Completely Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: CANOPY-A Trial

Background: In the CANTOS study, canakinumab (selective interleukin 1β inhibitor) treatment was associated with reduced incidence and mortality from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in stable post–myocardial infarction patients with elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels. The CANOPY-A study was designed to investigate the therapeutic role of canakinumab in NSCLC. Methods: The CANOPY-A study (NCT03447769) is evaluating the efficacy and safety of canakinumab as adjuvant therapy in adult patients with completely resected NSCLC. Patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control version 8 stage IIA-IIIA and IIIB (T &gt;5 cm, N2), any histology, completely resected (R0) NSCLC and completion of adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy (≥2 cycles) and radiotherapy (if applicable) are eligible. Patients must not have had prior neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Patients (~1500) are randomized 1:1 to receive canakinumab (200 mg) or placebo subcutaneously every 3 weeks for 18 cycles or until disease recurrence as determined by investigator, unacceptable toxicity, or treatment discontinuation at the discretion of the investigator. The primary objective is to compare disease-free survival (DFS) in the canakinumab versus placebo arm per local investigator assessment. Secondary objectives are overall survival (OS), lung cancer–specific survival, safety, pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and patient-reported outcomes. Adult patients with stage IIA-IIIA and IIIB (T&gt;5 cm, N2 disease only) NSCLC who are candidates for complete resection surgery (and therefore prospective candidates for the main study) will be asked to participate in a biomarker substudy to understand how resection may impact biomarkers involved in the interleukin 1β inflammatory pathway and mutations present in blood. In the substudy, the levels of hs-CRP, other cytokines, and additional biomarkers in blood will be assessed before and after surgery (endpoint: summary statistics of hs-CRP and other pharmacodynamic biomarkers). For patients who will enroll in the main study, possible associations between pre- and post-surgery biomarker levels with canakinumab efficacy will be assessed (endpoint: DFS and OS by hs-CRP and other pharmacodynamic biomarkers). The CANOPY-A study is currently enrolling. As of August 6, 2021, there are 399 study locations.

Citation Format: Edward B. Garon, Andrea Ardizzoni, Fabrice Barlesi, Byoung Chul Cho, Pedro De Marchi, Yasushi Goto, Dariusz Kowalski, Shun Lu, David R. Spigel, Michael Thomas, James Chih-Hsin Yang, Sabine Turri, Wen Zhou, Teri Kreisl, Luis Paz-Ares. Canakinumab as Adjuvant Therapy in Patients With Completely Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: CANOPY-A Trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC Virtual International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2021 Oct 7-10. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2021;20(12 Suppl):Abstract nr LBA039.

Real-world clinical outcomes of first-generation and second-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in a large cohort of European non-small-cell lung cancer patients

BACKGROUND

First-generation or second-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are commonly used in EGFR-mutation-positive advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with no relevant differences in efficacy in randomised clinical trials (RCTs). Patients enrolled to RCTs may differ from NSCLC population in everyday practice. Limited real-world experience (RWE) exists on efficacy of EGFR TKIs in European patient cohorts.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this retrospective study, real-world data of all patients who started first-line EGFR TKIs between 2012 and 2016 in Poland were analysed. The main endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints were an objective response rate and toxicity.

RESULTS

A total of 620 treatment-naive EGFR mutated patients with stage III/IV NSCLC were analysed with follow-up time of 24.5 months. A significantly longer median PFS (p=0.005) and higher 1-year OS rate (p=0.004) for afatinib (16.4 months and 78.2%) vs gefitinib (10.3 months and 69.1%) and erlotinib (12.1 months and 71.6%) were observed. In multivariate analysis toxicity was predictive for PFS and OS. In patients with adverse events (AEs) versus those without AEs, improved median PFS (13.6 months vs 8.8 months) and median OS (23.6 vs 15.5 months) were observed. Median OS in the group with AE of grades 3-4 and those with AE of grades 1-2 were 42.1 months and 23.4 months, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study represents the largest RWE of first-line TKI therapy in a European country with longer survival of patients receiving second-generation TKI. We confirmed in everyday practice the role of toxicity as a marker of clinical benefit.

Oral vinorelbine and cisplatin as first-line therapy for advanced squamous NSCLC patients: a prospective randomized international phase II study (NAVoTrial 03)

Objective:

The study investigated the efficacy and safety of oral vinorelbine-cisplatin (OV-CDDP) and gemcitabine-cisplatin (GEM-CDDP) in patients with squamous non-small cell lung cancer (sq-NSCLC).

Patients and methods:

This was an open-label, prospective, multicenter, international phase II study that enrolled untreated patients with advanced sq-NSCLC. Patients were randomized to receive 3-week cycles of either 60–80 mg/m² OV days 1 and 8 in combination with 80 mg/m² CDDP day 1 (arm A) or 1250 mg/m² GEM days 1 and 8 in combination with 75 mg/m² CDDP day 1 (arm B). After four cycles, patients without disease progression continued maintenance dose of OV or GEM until progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary objective was disease control rate (DCR). Secondary objectives included progression-free survival (PFS), time to treatment failure (TTF), overall survival (OS), safety, and quality of life (QoL).

Results:

A total of 114 patients with sq-NSCLC were randomized, and 113 were treated (57 in arm A and 56 in arm B). DCR was high in both arms: 73.7% (95%CI: 62.4–100.0) in arm A and 75.0% (95%CI: 63.7–100.0) in arm B. Median PFS and TTF were similar in arm A and B 4.2 and 2.8 months, and 4.3 and 3.1 months, respectively. Even though the difference was not significant, the OS was 10.2 for arm A and 8.4 months for arm B. The safety profiles were consistent with the current knowledge of adverse events. QoL results revealed an improvement in patients under OV treatment.

Conclusion:

The OV-CDDP combination showed comparable efficacy to GEM-CDDP with acceptable safety profile and enhanced patients’ QoL.

Trial registration:

The study was registered under EudraCT number 2012-003531-40.

Afatinib in EGFR TKI-Naïve Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic EGFR Mutation-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Pooled Analysis of Three Phase IIIb Studies

Background

Afatinib is approved for first-line treatment of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-positive (EGFRm+) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we report findings from a combined analysis of three phase IIIb studies of afatinib in EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-naïve patients.

Methods

EGFR-TKI-naïve patients with EGFRm+ NSCLC received afatinib 40 mg/day. Dose reductions were permitted for adverse events (AEs). Efficacy endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), time to symptomatic progression (TTSP), and tumor response. Subgroup analyses were performed by Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS), presence of brain metastasis, age and common/uncommon EGFR mutations (plus other factors).

Results

1108 patients were treated. Median age was 61 years (range, 25-89); 19.2% had baseline brain metastases, 4.4% had ECOG PS ≥2, and 17.9% had tumors harboring uncommon mutations. Treatment-related AEs (TRAEs) were reported in 97.2%, most commonly diarrhea and rash. 41.6% had AEs leading to dose reduction. Median PFS was 13.0 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 12.0-13.8]; median TTSP was 14.8 months (95% CI: 13.9-16.1). Objective response rate (ORR) was 55.0%. Age, presence of baseline brain metastases, major (G719X, L861Q, S768I) or compound uncommon mutations had little/no effect on PFS, TTSP, or ORR, while outcomes were poorer in patients with ECOG PS 2 or exon 20 insertion/T790M mutations.

Conclusions

Afatinib was tolerable with no new safety signals. Afatinib demonstrated encouraging efficacy in a broad patient population, including those with brain metastases or uncommon EGFR mutations.

Abstract CT255: Canakinumab as adjuvant therapy in patients with completely resected non-small cell lung cancer: CANOPY-A trial

Background: In the CANTOS study, canakinumab (selective interleukin 1β inhibitor) treatment was associated with reduced incidence and mortality from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in stable post-myocardial infarction patients with elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels. The CANOPY-A study was designed to investigate the therapeutic role of canakinumab in NSCLC. Methods: The CANOPY-A study (NCT03447769) is evaluating the efficacy and safety of canakinumab as adjuvant therapy in adult patients with completely resected NSCLC. Patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control version 8 stage IIA-IIIA and IIIB (T &gt;5 cm, N2), any histology, completely resected (R0) NSCLC and completion of adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy (≥2 cycles) and radiotherapy (if applicable) are eligible. Patients must not have had prior neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Patients (~1500) are randomized 1:1 to receive canakinumab (200 mg) or placebo subcutaneously every 3 weeks for 18 cycles or until disease recurrence as determined by investigator, unacceptable toxicity, or treatment discontinuation at the discretion of the investigator. The primary objective is disease-free survival (DFS) per local investigator assessment. Secondary objectives are overall survival (OS), lung cancer-specific survival, safety, pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and patient-reported outcomes. Adult patients with stage IIA-IIIA and IIIB (T&gt;5 cm, N2 disease only) NSCLC who are candidates for complete resection surgery (and therefore prospective candidates for the main study) will be asked to participate in a biomarker substudy to understand how resection may impact biomarkers involved in the interleukin 1β inflammatory pathway and mutations present in blood. In the substudy, the levels of hs-CRP, other cytokines, and additional biomarkers in blood will be assessed before and after surgery (endpoint: summary statistics of hs-CRP and other pharmacodynamic biomarkers). For patients who will enroll in the main study, possible associations between pre- and postsurgery biomarker levels with canakinumab efficacy will be assessed (endpoint: DFS and OS by hs-CRP and other pharmacodynamic biomarkers). The CANOPY-A study is currently enrolling. As of October 19, 2020, there are 356 study locations.

Citation Format: Alexander Spira, Andrea Ardizzoni, Fabrice Barlesi, Byoung Chul Cho, Pedro De Marchi, Yasushi Goto, Dariusz Kowalski, Shun Lu, Luis Paz-Ares, David R. Spigel, Michael Thomas, Sabine Turri, Vanessa Rodrik-Outmezguine, Wen Zhou, Terri Kreisl, James Chih-Hsin Yang, Edward B. Garon. Canakinumab as adjuvant therapy in patients with completely resected non-small cell lung cancer: CANOPY-A trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr CT255.

Early circulating tumor (ct) DNA dynamics and efficacy of lorlatinib: Analysis from the CROWN study

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Background: Lorlatinib, a third-generation ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor, significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall/intracranial responses vs crizotinib in patients (pts) with previously untreated ALK-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the ongoing randomized Phase 3 CROWN study (NCT03052608). To identify whether additional molecular biomarker analysis correlated with efficacy, we evaluated early ctDNA dynamics compared with clinical outcomes. Methods: Plasma samples were prospectively collected at screening (SC), week 4 (cycle 2, day 1 [C2D1]), week 24 (C7D1), and end of treatment for ctDNA analysis. ctDNA was analyzed using Guardant360CDx (Guardant Health, Inc., Redwood City, CA, USA). Mean variant allele fraction (VAF) of ALK alterations (fusions and/or mutations) and overall detected alterations at each time point and longitudinal mean change (dVAF) as (VAFC2D1) – (VAFSC) were calculated; dVAF <0 indicated decreased ctDNA at week 4. Objective tumor response and PFS were evaluated according to dVAF. These analyses were repeated vs ctDNA results at week 24. Additional correlation analyses between depth of molecular response and/or ctDNA clearance and clinical outcomes are ongoing. Results: Paired samples were available at SC and week 4 from 232 of 255 pts included in the ctDNA analysis: 118/130 (90.8%) in the lorlatinib arm and 114/125 (91.2%) in the crizotinib arm. ALK alterations were detected in 122/232 (52.6%) pts at SC (62/118 [52.5%] from the lorlatinib arm) but only 19/232 (8.2%) at week 4 (8/118 [6.8%] from the lorlatinib arm). Mean VAF of ALK alterations at week 4 was significantly decreased compared with SC in both treatment arms (lorlatinib -1.54, crizotinib -1.25; both P<0.0001; P=0.4239 between arms). In the lorlatinib arm, mean VAF at week 4 was significantly decreased compared with SC in pts with a complete or partial response (dVAF -1.53; n=47; P<0.0001), or stable disease (dVAF -1.37; n=12; P=0.0304). Similar results were observed in the crizotinib arm. In pts with dVAF <0 for ALK alterations, mean percent change from screening in tumor size was -40.8% with lorlatinib (n=59) and -38.7% with crizotinib (n=58). Only 2 pts had dVAF ≥0, both from the crizotinib arm. Median PFS for pts with dVAF <0 for ALK alterations was not reached in the lorlatinib arm (n=62), and was 7.4 months (95% CI, 7.2–9.3) in the crizotinib arm (n=58). Similar response and PFS data were observed in the analysis of dVAF for ALK alterations at week 24. Conclusions: Early ctDNA dynamics may predict lorlatinib efficacy in pts with previously untreated ALK-positive NSCLC. The magnitude of reduction in ctDNA at 4 weeks may be associated with better responses and potentially longer PFS. These findings further support the utility of dynamic ctDNA monitoring in ALK-positive NSCLC. Reference: Shaw AT, et al. N Engl J Med. 2020;383:2018-2029. Clinical trial information: NCT03052608.

Influence of pipe material on biofilm microbial communities found in drinking water supply system

The biofilms and water samples from a model installation built of PVC-U, PE-HD and cast iron pipes were investigated using standard heterotrophic plate count and 16S rRNA Next Generation Sequencing. The results of the high throughput identification imply that the construction material strongly influences the microbiome composition. PVC-U and PE-HD pipes were dominated with Proteobacteria (54-60%) while the cast pipe was overgrown by Nitrospirae (64%). It was deduced that the plastic pipes create a more convenient environment for the potentially pathogenic taxa than the cast iron. The 7-year old biofilms were described as complex habitats with sharp oxidation-reduction gradients, where co-existence of methanogenic and methanotrophic microbiota takes place. Furthermore, it was found that the drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) are a useful tool for studying the ecology of rare bacterial phyla. New ecophysiological aspects were described for Aquihabitans, Thermogutta and Vampirovibrio. The discrepancy between identity of HPC-derived bacteria and NGS-revealed composition of biofilm and water microbiomes point to the need of introducing new diagnostical protocols to enable proper assessment of the drinking water safety, especially in DWDSs operating without disinfection.

Metronomic oral vinorelbine in previously untreated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients unfit for platinum-based chemotherapy: results of the randomized phase II Tempo Lung trial

Background

To assess the efficacy and safety of a metronomic schedule of oral vinorelbine (mVNR) in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients unfit for platinum-based combination chemotherapy.

Patients and methods

This was a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label phase II study in treatment-naive patients with TNM stage IIIB/IV NSCLC. Patients received mVNR at a fixed dose of 50 mg × 3 or standard schedule 60-80 mg/m² weekly until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) without grade 4 toxicity (G4PFS; NCI-CTC v4). Main secondary objectives were safety, disease control rate (DCR) without grade 4 toxicity (G4DCR), DCR, PFS, overall survival (OS) and quality of life (QoL).

Results

A total of 167 patients were included, 83 and 84 patients in the mVNR and standard arms, respectively. The median G4PFS was 4.0 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.6-4.3] and 2.2 months (95% CI: 1.5-2.9), hazard ration (HR) = 0.63 (95% CI: 0.45-0.88), P = 0.0068 in favor of metronomic arm; G4DCR was 45.8% and 26.8% in the mVNR and standard arms, respectively. Grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events were less frequent in the mVNR arm (25.3% versus 54.4%) mainly owing to a reduction in all grades (15.7% versus 51.9%) and grade 3-4 neutropenia (10.8% versus 42%). PFS was 4.3 (95% CI: 3.3-5.1) and 3.9 months (95% CI: 2.8-5.2) in mVNR and standard arms, respectively. No difference in median OS was observed. QoL was comparable between arms.

Conclusions

Metronomic oral vinorelbine significantly prolonged median G4PFS in advanced NSCLC patients unfit for platinum combinations as first-line treatment. It was associated with a clear reduction in toxicity and may be considered as an important option in this challenging population.

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First-line oral vinorelbine prolonged PFS without grade 4 toxicity in platinum-unfit patients with advanced NSCLC.

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Metronomic oral vinorelbine is associated with a clear reduction of grade 3-4 toxicities (mainly hematological ones).

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Metronomic oral vinorelbine allows home treatment and easy tailoring of the treatment according to patient tolerance.

Tissue MicroRNA Expression as a Predictor of Response to Immunotherapy in NSCLC Patients

Introduction

Expression of PD-L1 protein on tumor cells, which is so far the only validated predictive factor for immunotherapy, is regulated by epigenetic and genetic factors. Among the most important ones that regulate gene expression are microRNAs.

Materials and Methods

The study included 60 patients with NSCLC who underwent first or second line immunotherapy with pembrolizumab or nivolumab. FFPE materials were collected before the start of immunotherapy. We examined relative expression of microRNAs (miR-141, miR-200a, miR-200b, miR-200c, miR-429, miR-508-3p, miR-1184, miR-1255a) and PD-L1 mRNA expression. Copy number variation (CNV) of PD-L1 gene by qPCR and FISH methods were assessed. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in promoter region of PD-L1 gene (rs822335 and rs822336) were examined. Expression of PD-L1 protein on tumor cells was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The response rate to immunotherapy and progression free survival (PFS) measured in weeks and overall survival (OS) measured in months from the start of immunotherapy were evaluated.

Results

Response to immunotherapy was observed in nine patients (15%, including one complete response), disease stabilization in 22 patients (36.7%), and progression in 29 patients (48.3%). Significantly higher (p=0.015) expression of miR-200b and significantly lower (p=0.043) expression of miR-429 were observed in responders compared to patients who did not respond to immunotherapy. The median PFS in the whole group of patients was 16 weeks, and the median OS was 10.5 month. In univariate analysis, the median PFS was significantly higher in patients with high miR-200b expression (HR=0.4253, 95%CI: 0.1737–1.0417, p=0.05) and high miR-508 expression (HR=0.4401, 95%CI: 0.1903–1.0178, p=0.05) and with low expression of miR-429 (HR=0.1288, 95%CI: 0.01727–0.9606, p=0.0456) compared to patients with low and high expression of these molecules, respectively. The median OS was higher in patients with low expression of miR-429 (HR=0,6288, 95%CI: 0,3053–1,2949, p=0.06) compared with patients with high expression of this microRNA. In multivariate analysis, we found that patients with PD-L1 expression on ≥1% of tumor cells compared to patients without PD-L1 expression on cancer cells had a significantly lower risk of progression (HR=0.3857, 95%CI: 0.1612–0.9226, p=0.0323) and death (HR=0.377, 95%CI: 0.1636–0.8688, p=0.022).

Conclusion

The miR-200b and miR-429 molecules in tumor cells seem to have greatest impact on the effectiveness of immunotherapy in NSCLC patients.

First-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab in unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (CheckMate 743): a multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial

BACKGROUND

Approved systemic treatments for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) have been limited to chemotherapy regimens that have moderate survival benefit with poor outcomes. Nivolumab plus ipilimumab has shown clinical benefit in other tumour types, including first-line non-small-cell lung cancer. We hypothesised that this regimen would improve overall survival in MPM.

METHODS

This open-label, randomised, phase 3 study (CheckMate 743) was run at 103 hospitals across 21 countries. Eligible individuals were aged 18 years and older, with previously untreated, histologically confirmed unresectable MPM, and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1. Eligible participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to nivolumab (3 mg/kg intravenously once every 2 weeks) plus ipilimumab (1 mg/kg intravenously once every 6 weeks) for up to 2 years, or platinum plus pemetrexed chemotherapy (pemetrexed [500 mg/m² intravenously] plus cisplatin [75 mg/m² intravenously] or carboplatin [area under the concentration-time curve 5 mg/mL per min intravenously]) once every 3 weeks for up to six cycles. The primary endpoint was overall survival among all participants randomly assigned to treatment, and safety was assessed in all participants who received at least one dose of study treatment. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02899299, and is closed to accrual.

FINDINGS

Between Nov 29, 2016, and April 28, 2018, 713 patients were enrolled, of whom 605 were randomly assigned to either nivolumab plus ipilimumab (n=303) or chemotherapy (n=302). 467 (77%) of 605 participants were male and median age was 69 years (IQR 64-75). At the prespecified interim analysis (database lock April 3, 2020; median follow-up of 29·7 months [IQR 26·7-32·9]), nivolumab plus ipilimumab significantly extended overall survival versus chemotherapy (median overall survival 18·1 months [95% CI 16·8-21·4] vs 14·1 months [12·4-16·2]; hazard ratio 0·74 [96·6% CI 0·60-0·91]; p=0·0020). 2-year overall survival rates were 41% (95% CI 35·1-46·5) in the nivolumab plus ipilimumab group and 27% (21·9-32·4) in the chemotherapy group. Grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events were reported in 91 (30%) of 300 patients treated with nivolumab plus ipilimumab and 91 (32%) of 284 treated with chemotherapy. Three (1%) treatment-related deaths occurred in the nivolumab plus ipilimumab group (pneumonitis, encephalitis, and heart failure) and one (<1%) in the chemotherapy group (myelosuppression).

INTERPRETATION

Nivolumab plus ipilimumab provided significant and clinically meaningful improvements in overall survival versus standard-of-care chemotherapy, supporting the use of this first-in-class regimen that has been approved in the USA as of October, 2020, for previously untreated unresectable MPM.

FUNDING

Bristol Myers Squibb.

Afatinib in EGFR TKI-naïve patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer: Interim analysis of a Phase 3b study

OBJECTIVES

Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that afatinib is a suitable treatment option for patients with epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-positive (EGFRm +) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, such studies often exclude patients treated in routine clinical practice. We report interim results from a Phase 3b, open-label, multicenter, single-arm, exploratory trial, in which afatinib was investigated in a real-world setting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with EGFRm + tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-naïve NSCLC received afatinib 40 mg orally, once-daily, until disease progression, or voluntary withdrawal. Primary objective was safety.

RESULTS

Overall, 479 patients received afatinib: median age 65 years, 8 % of patients had an ECOG performance status ≥ 2, 17 % had brain metastases, and 13 % had tumors containing uncommon mutations only. All but one patient (99.8 %) had an adverse event (AE). Treatment-related AEs (TRAEs; any/grade ≥ 3) occurred in 97 %/44 % of patients; most common were diarrhea (87 %/16 %) and rash (51 %/11 %). AEs leading to afatinib dose-reduction were reported in 258 patients (54 %), and 37 patients (8 %) discontinued treatment due to a TRAE. Objective response rate was 45.5 %, median duration of response was 14.1 months (95 % CI: 12.2-16.4). Overall median time to symptomatic progression and progression-free survival were 14.9 months (95 % CI: 13.8-17.6) and 13.4 months (95 % CI: 11.8-14.5), respectively, in the overall population and 19.3 months (95 % CI: 15.6-21.8) and 15.9 months (95 % CI: 13.9-19.1) in patients with EGFR exon 19 deletions.

CONCLUSIONS

Afatinib administration in routine clinical practice was well tolerated with no new safety signals and demonstrated promising efficacy in patients with EGFRm + NSCLC. TRAEs were generally manageable with tolerability-guided dose reductions. Overall, these data independently support findings from randomized controlled trials of afatinib in EGFRm + NSCLC.

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

BACKGROUND

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

METHODS

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

RESULTS

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

CONCLUSIONS

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

Abstract CT287: CANOPY-A: A phase III, multicenter, randomized trial evaluating canakinumab versus placebo as adjuvant therapy in patients with completely resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Background: In the CANTOS study, treatment with canakinumab (selective IL-1β inhibitor) was associated with reduced incidence and mortality of NSCLC in patients with stable post-myocardial infarction who had elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels. The results provided a rationale to investigate the therapeutic role of canakinumab in NSCLC. Methods: The phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled CANOPY-A study (NCT03447769) is evaluating the efficacy and safety of canakinumab as adjuvant therapy in adult patients with completely resected NSCLC. Patients with AJCC/UICC v.8 stages II-IIIA and IIIB (T&gt;5 cm, N2), any histology, completely resected (R0) NSCLC who have completed adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy (≥2 cycles) and radiation therapy (if applicable) are eligible. Patients must not have had prior neoadjuvant chemotherapy or neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Patients (~1500) are randomized 1:1 to receive canakinumab (200 mg Q3W, SC) or placebo (Q3W, SC) for 18 cycles or until NSCLC disease recurrence as determined by investigator, unacceptable toxicity, treatment discontinuation at the discretion of the investigator or patient, start of a new antineoplastic therapy, death, or loss to follow-up. Randomization is stratified by AJCC/UICC v.8 stage (IIA vs IIB vs IIIA vs IIIB with T&gt;5 cm, N2 disease), tumor histology (squamous vs non-squamous), and region (western Europe and North America vs eastern Asia vs rest of the world). Primary objective is disease-free survival (DFS) per local investigator assessment. Secondary objectives are overall survival (OS), lung cancer specific survival, safety, pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and patient reported outcomes. Adult patients with stage IIA-IIIA, IIIB (N2 disease only) NSCLC who are candidates for complete resection surgery (and therefore prospective candidates for the main study) will be asked to participate in a biomarker sub-study to understand how resection surgery may impact biomarkers involved in the IL-1β inflammatory pathway as well as mutations present in blood. For all patients participating into the sub-study, the levels of hs-CRP, other cytokines, and additional biomarkers in blood will be assessed at pre- and post-surgery (endpoint: summary statistics of hs-CRP and other pharmacodynamics [PD] biomarkers). For patients who will also enroll into the main study, possible associations between pre- and post-surgery biomarker levels with canakinumab efficacy will be determined (endpoint: DFS and OS by hs-CRP and other PD biomarkers). The CANOPY-A study is currently enrolling. As of Jan 13, 2020, there are 307 study locations.

Citation Format: Edward B. Garon, Andrea Ardizzoni, Fabrice Barlesi, Byoung Chul Cho, Pedro De Marchi, Yasushi Goto, Dariusz Kowalski, Shun Lu, Luis Paz-Ares, David R. Spigel, Alexander Spira, Michael Thomas, Mimi Leung, Jason Baum, Zewen Zhu, Bijoyesh Mookerjee, James Chih-Hsin Yang. CANOPY-A: A phase III, multicenter, randomized trial evaluating canakinumab versus placebo as adjuvant therapy in patients with completely resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr CT287.

Abstract CT288: Phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled study of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) with or without pembrolizumab in patients with inoperable stage I/IIA non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): KEYNOTE-867

Background: Anti-PD-(L)1-directed therapy following radiotherapy or following concurrent chemoradiation is associated with significantly longer PFS and OS in patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC, including those with locally advanced inoperable tumors. KEYNOTE-867 (NCT03924869) evaluates the efficacy and safety of SBRT with or without pembrolizumab in patients with inoperable stage I/IIA NSCLC. Trial Design: In this phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled study, approximately 530 adult patients with previously untreated, medically inoperable, histologically/cytologically confirmed stage I/IIA NSCLC are randomized 1:1 to receive thoracic SBRT to primary tumors for ≤2 wk (Table) and either pembrolizumab 200 mg or placebo every 3 wk for 17 cycles (approximately 1 year) or until disease recurrence, development of unacceptable AEs, SBRT not started for any reason, or study withdrawal. Randomization is stratified by disease stage (I/IIA), ECOG PS (0-1/2), and geographic region (East Asia/other). Imaging assessment by blinded independent central review (BICR) occurs at 12 wk (≥10 wk after SBRT completion), followed by every 16 wk for 3 y, and then every 6 mo. Primary endpoints are event-free survival (EFS) by BICR and OS. Secondary endpoints include time to death or distant metastases and safety; exploratory endpoints are time to subsequent treatment, disease-specific survival, and time to recurrence/progression on subsequent line of therapy. AEs are monitored throughout the trial until 30 d after last dose (90 for serious AEs) and graded according to NCI CTCAE version 4.0. EFS and OS are analyzed by the nonparametric Kaplan-Meier method, treatment differences by stratified log-rank test, and hazard ratios by stratified Cox proportional hazard model with Efron's method of tie handling. Enrollment started on June 17, 2019, at 131 sites.

Table.Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy RegimenUnit Dose Strength(s)Peripheral tumors3×15 Gy or 3×18 Gy fractions (preferred regimens); 4×12 Gy or 5×10 Gy fractions (acceptable regimens)Tumors abutting the chest wall4×12 Gy fractions or 5×10 Gy fractionsCentral tumors5×10 Gy fractions

Citation Format: Salma K. Jabbour, Baerin Houghton, Andrew G. Robinson, Xavier Quantin, Thomas Wehler, Dariusz Kowalski, Myung-Ju Ahn, Mustafa Erman, Giuseppe Giaccone, Hossein Borghaei, Jessica McLean, Jin Zhang, Fabricio Souza, Roy Decker. Phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled study of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) with or without pembrolizumab in patients with inoperable stage I/IIA non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): KEYNOTE-867 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr CT288.

Abstract 3385: Liquid biopsy to detect MET exon 14 skipping (METex14) and MET amplification in patients with advanced NSCLC: Biomarker analysis from VISION study

Purpose: In the ongoing, single-arm, Phase 2 VISION study (NCT02864992), tepotinib (a highly selective MET inhibitor) has shown durable clinical activity in NSCLC patients (pts) with METex14 skipping. Here, we report the biomarker profile of pts screened with liquid biopsy (LBx) for inclusion in the study.

Methods: Pts with advanced NSCLC and previously confirmed EGFR/ALK wild-type status were prospectively screened for MET alterations using plasma samples collected during pre-screening/screening. Plasma ctDNA sequencing was performed at a central laboratory using a 73-gene next-generation sequencing panel (Guardant360®).

Results: Of 6,034 pts screened, 813 pts had results pending at data cut and of 5,221 pts tested, sequencing failed in 41 pts. The success rate of LBx testing was consistent across centers. Of 5,180 patients analyzed, 694 pts (13.4%) had no mutation detected. Despite the intent of screening EGFR/ALK wild-type pts, 327 pts (6.3%) had EGFR mutations and 49 (0.9%) had ALK/ROS fusions. 188 pts (3.6%) had METex14 skipping (Table) and 256 pts (4.9%) had MET amplification (amp) without METex14 skipping. The median age of METex14 pts was 72 years; 47% were male; 46% were never smokers and 65% had adenocarcinoma histology. In METex14 pts, the most frequently occurring driver co-alterations were amp in MET (13.3%), EGFR (7.4%), CDK4 (6.4%), BRAF (5.3%) and CDK6 (4.8%), and mutations in GNAS (5.3%). In METamp pts, the most frequently occurring driver co-alterations were CDK6 (60.5%), BRAF (43.4%), EGFR (28.9%), MYC (21.9%) and CCNE1 (19.9%) amps. Overall, TP53 mutations were detected in 55.9% of METex14 pts and 79.7% of METamp pts.

Table:Characterization of METex14 skipping (n=188)n (%)Insertions/deletions (indels)93 (49.5)Indel at acceptor site54 (28.7)Indel at donor site36 (19.1)Whole exon 14 deletion3 (1.6)Single nucleotide variation (SNV)95 (50.5)SNV at donor site93 (49.5)SNV at acceptor site2 (1.1)SNVs and indelsSNV/indel at donor site129 (68.6)SNV/indel at acceptor site56 (29.8)SNV/indel whole exon 14 deletion3 (1.6)

Conclusions: In this population, METex14 skipping can be successfully detected through non-invasive LBx analysis using a next-generation sequencing panel. The rate of METex14 skipping and the genomic profile and demographics of pts were similar to previously reported data.

Citation Format: Xiuning Le, Dariusz Kowalski, Byoung Chul Cho, Pierfranco Conte, Enriqueta Felip, Marina Chiara Garassino, Santiago Viteri, Gee-Chen Chang, John Richart, Luiz Paz-Ares, Dilafruz Juraeva, Josef Straub, Christopher Stroh, Paul Paik. Liquid biopsy to detect MET exon 14 skipping (METex14) and MET amplification in patients with advanced NSCLC: Biomarker analysis from VISION study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 3385.

Evolving development of PD-1 therapy: Cetrelimab (JNJ-63723283) from monotherapy to combination with erdafitinib

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Background: Cetrelimab (CET) is an investigational checkpoint inhibitor (CI). In part 1 of a first-in-human (FIH) trial (LUC1001; NCT02908906), pts with advanced solid tumors with ≥1 prior treatment received CET 80–800 mg Q2W or 480 mg Q4W. Response rates and safety profiles were similar to other CIs. Based on preclinical and clinical data, a phase 1/2 study (NORSE; NCT03473743) of CET + erdafitinib (ERD) in metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) + FGFR alterations (alt) was initiated and is ongoing. Methods: In LUC1001 Part 2, pts with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), melanoma (MEL), or MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) received CET IV 240 q2w. Overall response rates (ORR = % complete response + partial response [PR] confirmed) were assessed as per RECIST v1.1. Adverse events (AEs) were assessed for all patients receiving CET IV 240 q2w in parts 1 and 2. Results: As of July 1, 2019, 122 pts with NSCLC (n=30); MEL (n=50); or CRC (n= 42) had been treated in Part 2. Median age ranged from 58 to 64 yrs (overall range, 23–86 yrs). Duration of treatment was 8.1 mos (range, 0.0-24.7) for NSCLC; 5.5 mos (range, 0.0-25.0) for MEL; and for 3.0 mos (0.0-16.1) for CRC. ORR was 37% in NSCLC; 53% in PD-L1+ NSCLC (≥50% by IHC), 28% in MEL; 32% in non-uveal MEL, 14% in CRC and 24% in centrally confirmed MSI-high CRC. In all CET IV 240 q2w treated pts in the FIH study (N= 162), treatment-related grade ≥3 and serious AEs were reported in 15% and 12% of pts, respectively. All grade and grade ≥3 immune-related (ir) AEs were reported in 41% and 8% of pts, respectively Most common ir AE: hypothyroidism (8%), asthenia (6%), diarrhea (4%), rash (4%), hyperthyroidism (4%), dyspnea (3%), pruritis (3%) and pneumonitis (3%). There was 1 treatment-related death due to myasthenia gravis. In the phase 1 combination study (NORSE), pts with mUC + FGFR alt (n=17) received fixed-dose CET IV 240 q2w + ERD 6mg, 8 mg or 8mg + up titration (UpT) to 9 mg to establish the RP2D for the combination as CET + ERD 8mg + UpT. In the RP2D group (n=10), 60% had treatment-related grade ≥3 AEs. ORR (all confirmed PR) was 50% in the all treated response-evaluable group (n=16). Conclusions: CET is a CI with efficacy and safety profiles in advanced solid tumors similar to approved CIs. In NORSE phase 1, CET+ ERD demonstrated antitumor activity in mUC with an acceptable safety profile. NORSE phase 2 is evaluating this combination as first-line therapy in pts with mUC with FGFR alt. References: Rutkowski, et al J Clin Oncol.2019; 37 (8 suppl): 31-31. Moreno, et al. ASCO-GU Genitourinary Cancers Symposium. February 13-15, 2020. San Francisco, CA. Clinical trial information: NCT02908906 and NCT03473743 .

Phase II study of pembrolizumab (pembro) plus platinum doublet chemotherapy and radiotherapy as first-line therapy for unresectable, locally advanced stage III NSCLC: KEYNOTE-799

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Background: KEYNOTE-799 (NCT03631784) evaluates pembro plus concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) in pts with unresectable, locally advanced stage III NSCLC. Methods: In this phase 2, nonrandomized, open-label trial, pts with previously untreated, unresectable, pathologically confirmed stage IIIA–C NSCLC with measurable disease (RECIST 1.1) received up to 17 cycles of pembro 200 mg Q3W starting with cycle 1 plus standard thoracic radiotherapy (60 Gy in 30 daily 2-Gy fractions) in cycles 2–3 and investigator’s choice of paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 + carboplatin AUC 6 Q3W for cycle 1, then paclitaxel 45 mg/m2 + carboplatin AUC 2 QW for cycles 2–3 (cohort A), or cisplatin 75 mg/m2 + pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 Q3W (nonsquamous only) in cycles 1–3 (cohort B). Primary endpoints were ORR (CR/PR per RECIST 1.1 by blinded independent central review) and rate of grade ≥3 pneumonitis (per NCI CTCAE v4.0). CIs were estimated using the Clopper-Pearson method. Safety was assessed in all treated patients; efficacy was assessed in pts with ≥15 wks follow-up. Results: As of Jan 3, 2020, 112 and 73 pts have been enrolled in cohorts A and B, respectively; 63 in cohort A and 52 in cohort B continue on treatment. Median (range) follow up was 8.3 (0.7–14.0) mo in cohort A and 5.8 (0.2–13.7) mo in cohort B. ORR (90% CI) was 67.0% (58.9%–74.3%) in cohort A and 56.6% (44.4%–68.2%) in cohort B (Table). Grade ≥3 pneumonitis occurred in 9 pts (8.0%; 90% CI, 4.3%–13.6%) in cohort A and 4 pts (5.5%; 90% CI, 1.9%–12.1%) in cohort B. Treatment-related grade ≥3 AEs occurred in 72 pts (64.3%) in cohort A and 30 pts (41.1%) in cohort B. 4 pts had treatment-related grade 5 pneumonitis (all in cohort A). Enrollment is complete for cohort A and ongoing in cohort B. Conclusions: Pembro plus CCRT shows promising antitumor activity in pts with unresectable, locally advanced stage III NSCLC. Toxicity was as anticipated with pembro plus CCRT. Clinical trial information: NCT03631784. [Table: see text]

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

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

Randomized Phase III Study of Ganetespib, a Heat Shock Protein 90 Inhibitor, With Docetaxel Versus Docetaxel in Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (GALAXY-2)

PURPOSE

Ganetespib, a highly potent heat shock protein 90 inhibitor, blocks multiple oncogenic pathways, resulting in antitumor activity. We evaluated the combination of ganetespib and docetaxel for second-line therapy of patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the lung.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this international phase III trial, patients with stage IIIB or IV adenocarcinoma diagnosed > 6 months before study entry and 1 prior systemic therapy were randomly assigned (1:1) to ganetespib 150 mg/m² on days 1 and 15 with docetaxel 75 mg/m² on day 1 of a 21-day cycle or to docetaxel alone. The primary end point was overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Of 677 enrolled patients, 335 were randomly assigned to ganetespib and docetaxel and 337 were assigned to docetaxel. The trial was stopped early as a result of futility at a planned interim analysis. The median OS time was 10.9 months (95% CI, 9.0 to 12.3 months) in the ganetespib and docetaxel arm compared with 10.5 months (95% CI, 8.6 to 12.2 months) in docetaxel arm (hazard ratio [HR], 1.11; 95% CI, 0.899 to 1.372; P = .329). Median progression-free survival was 4.2 months in the ganetespib and docetaxel arm and 4.3 months in the docetaxel arm (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.96 to 1.403; P = .119). The addition of ganetespib did not improve outcomes compared with docetaxel alone for any secondary end point, including survival in the elevated lactate dehydrogenase or EGFR and ALK wild-type populations. The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse event in both arms was neutropenia (30.9% with ganetespib and docetaxel v 25% with docetaxel).

CONCLUSION

The addition of ganetespib to docetaxel did not result in improved survival for salvage therapy of patients with advanced-stage lung adenocarcinoma.

Health-Related Quality of Life With Carboplatin-Paclitaxel or nab-Paclitaxel With or Without Pembrolizumab in Patients With Metastatic Squamous Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

PURPOSE

In the phase 3 KEYNOTE-407 study, the addition of pembrolizumab to carboplatin-paclitaxel/nab-paclitaxel significantly improved overall survival, progression-free survival, and objective response rate in patients with previously untreated metastatic squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with little impact on severe toxicity. We present patient-reported outcomes (PROs) from KEYNOTE-407.

METHODS

Patients were randomly assigned to receive 4 cycles of pembrolizumab 200 mg or placebo once every 3 weeks plus carboplatin plus paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel, followed by pembrolizumab or placebo for an additional 31 cycles. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was evaluated using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and Quality of Life Questionnaire-Lung Cancer Module 13 (QLQ-LC13). Key PRO endpoints were change from baseline to weeks 9 and 18 (during and after platinum therapy) in the QLQ-C30 global health status/quality of life (GHS/QoL) score and time to deterioration in the composite endpoint of cough, chest pain, or dyspnea from the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-LC13. Two-sided, nominal P values are provided.

RESULTS

A total of 554 and 553 patients completed ≥ 1 QLQ-C30 or ≥ 1 QLQ-LC13 assessment, respectively. GHS/QoL score improved for the pembrolizumab-combination group (least squares [LS] mean [95% CI] change from baseline: week 9, 1.8 [-0.9 to 4.4]; week 18, 4.3 [1.7 to 6.9]) and deteriorated in the placebo-combination group (week 9, -1.8 [-4.4 to 0.7]; week 18, -0.57 [-3.3 to 2.2]). Between-group differences were improved for the pembrolizumab-combination group (difference in LS mean scores: week 9, 3.6 [95% CI, 0.3 to 6.9], nominal P = .0337; week 18, 4.9 [1.4 to 8.3], nominal P = .0060). Median time to deterioration in cough, chest pain, or dyspnea was not reached in either group (hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.58 to 1.06]; nominal P = .125).

CONCLUSION

Addition of pembrolizumab to chemotherapy maintained or improved HRQoL measurements relative to baseline and improved HRQoL versus chemotherapy alone at weeks 9 and 18. These results support use of pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy as first-line therapy for metastatic squamous NSCLC.