Phase 1/2 study of EPI-7386 in combination with enzalutamide (enz) compared with enz alone in subjects with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)

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Background: EPI-7386 is a next generation aniten designed to inhibit androgen receptor (AR) activity by binding to the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the AR while effectively blocking transcription despite AR resistance mechanisms driven by the ligand-binding domain (LBD), including point mutations and splice variants. Preclinical models demonstrate the combination of EPI-7386 with enzalutamide (enz) results in a deeper blockade of the AR pathway (per RNAseq and ChIPseq data) and greater antitumor activity, prompting initiation of this trial. Methods: This Phase 1/2 multicenter, open-label clinical trial (NCT05075577) is enrolling mCRPC pts on androgen deprivation therapy and naïve to second-generation antiandrogens (one line of prior chemotherapy allowed). Phase 1 (P1) of the trial examines escalating doses of EPI-7386 in combination with a fixed dose of enz. The primary and secondary endpoints of P1 are to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics (PK) aspects of EPI-7386 and enz when administered in combination to establish the recommended Phase 2 combination doses (RP2CDs) and address any possible drug-drug interactions. Once the RP2CDs are established, Phase 2 of the trial will commence as a two -arm, 2:1 randomized trial evaluating the antitumor activity of EPI-7386 in combination with enz versus enz alone. Results: Seven pts have been enrolled in the first 2 cohorts: 3 in cohort 1 (600 mg QD EPI-7386 + 120 mg QD enz) and 4 in cohort 2 (800 mg QD EPI-7386 + 120 mg QD enz). No DLTs were observed, and the safety profile was consistent with second-generation antiandrogens (e.g., Grade 1 or 2 AEs of fatigue and hot flashes). PK results demonstrated enz exposure was minimally impacted by EPI-7386, while, as expected, EPI-7386 exposure was reduced 60-80% by enz (well-established CYP3A4 inducer). The observed EPI-7386 exposures remained in the clinically relevant range suggested by preclinical xenograft studies. 4/6 evaluable patients showed a PSA decrease >90% at/before week 12 regardless of the pt’s previous chemotherapy status and 5/6 evaluable patients achieved a PSA decrease of at least 85%; all 6 patients showed stable disease by imaging. Conclusions: With no safety concerns from cohorts 1 and 2, cohort 3 is enrolling at 600 mg BID EPI-7386 + 120 mg QD enz to assess if the exposure of EPI-7386 can be further increased in light of the augmented metabolism of the drug induced by enz. Clinical trial information: NCT05075577 .

Oral EPI-7386 in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

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Background: EPI-7386 is a next generation aniten, a novel class of compounds designed to inhibit androgen receptor (AR) activity by binding to the N-terminal domain. Preclinical data supports disruption of AR regulated gene transcription even in the presence of resistance mechanisms including ligand-binding domain point mutations and truncated splice variants. Here we report results of the Part 1a first-in-human trial of EPI-7386 in mCRPC (NCT04421222). Methods: This Phase 1, open-label, multicenter, dose escalation (Part 1a) and expansion (Part 1b) trial was designed to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and antitumor activity of EPI-7386 in mCRPC patients (pts) progressing on standard of care treatment, including next generation antiandrogen(s) and chemotherapy. Originally designed to assess up to 5 doses of EPI-7386 (200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 mg QD), two additional cohorts were added examining 400 and 600 mg BID due to 600 mg QD showing exposure saturation while demonstrating a favorable safety profile. Results: 31 pts were enrolled in the QD cohorts and 8 in the BID cohorts. Pts had a median of 4 lines of prior therapy for mCRPC: 83% received abiraterone and at least one next generation AR inhibitor, and 58% had at least one line of prior chemotherapy. No DLTs were observed; EPI-7386 was safe and well tolerated at all doses/schedules evaluated. All related adverse events (AEs) were Grade 1 and 2 and consistent with AEs associated with second-generation antiandrogens. For doses above 400 mg QD, exposures were at or above those associated with antitumor activity in animal models. Evidence of antitumor activity (including significant and durable PSA responses and/or decreases in ctDNA, and/or radiographically documented tumor shrinkage) were observed in pts with fewer than 3 lines of treatment for mCRPC, no visceral metastases and no prior chemotherapy (9/31 pts). Conclusions: Part 1a treatment with EPI-7386 monotherapy was safe, well tolerated up to a daily dose of 1200 mg (600 mg BID), achieved target clinical exposures and showed preliminary signals of antitumor activity in heavily-pretreated mCRPC. Part 1b is open with enrollment focused on pre-chemotherapy, post-second generation antiandrogen treated mCRPC pts in one cohort, and treatment-naïve non-mCRPC pts in a window of opportunity proof-of-concept second cohort. Two doses will be evaluated (600 mg BID and QD) based on FDA Project Optimus recommendations. Clinical trial information: NCT04421222 .