Tepotinib in patients with non-small cell lung cancer with high-level MET amplification detected by liquid biopsy: VISION Cohort B

High-level MET amplification (METamp) is a primary driver in ∼1%-2% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). Cohort B of the phase 2 VISION trial evaluates tepotinib, an oral MET inhibitor, in patients with advanced NSCLC with high-level METamp who were enrolled by liquid biopsy. While the study was halted before the enrollment of the planned 60 patients, the results of 24 enrolled patients are presented here. The objective response rate (ORR) is 41.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.1-63.4), and the median duration of response is 14.3 months (95% CI, 2.8-not estimable). In exploratory biomarker analyses, focal METamp, RB1 wild-type, MYC diploidy, low circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) burden at baseline, and early molecular response are associated with better outcomes. Adverse events include edema (composite term; any grade: 58.3%; grade 3: 12.5%) and constipation (any grade: 41.7%; grade 3: 4.2%). Tepotinib provides antitumor activity in high-level METamp NSCLC (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02864992).

Three-Year Overall Survival of Patients With Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancers With ≥50% PD-L1 Expression Treated With First-Line Pembrolizumab Monotherapy in a Real-World Setting (ESCKEYP GFPC Study)

Outside clinical trials, few data are available on the effect of long-term first-line pembrolizumab in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancers with ≥50% of tumor cells expressing programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1). This French, multicenter study included consecutive advanced patients with non-small-cell lung cancer given first-line pembrolizumab alone between May 2017 (authorization date for this indication) and November 2019 (authorization date for pembrolizumab-chemotherapy combination). Information was collected from patients' medical files, with a local evaluation of the response and progression-free survival (PFS). Overall survival (OS) was calculated from pembrolizumab onset using the Kaplan-Meier method. The analysis concerned 845 patients, managed in 33 centers: median age: 65 (range: 59-72) years, 67.8% men, 78.1% Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0/1, 38.9%/51.5%/6.6% active, ex or never-smokers, respectively, 10.9%/16.8% taking or recently took corticosteroids/antibiotics, 69.6% nonsquamous histology, 48.9% ≥75% PD-L1-positive, and 20.8% had brain metastases at diagnosis. After a median (95% CI) follow-up of 45 (44.1-45.9) months, respective median (95% CI) PFS and OS lasted 8.2 (6.9-9.2) and 22 (8.5-25.9) months; 3-year PFS and OS rates were 25.4% and 39.4%, respectively. Multivariate analysis retained never-smoker status, adenocarcinoma histology, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥2, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio >4 as being significantly associated with shorter survival, but not brain metastases at diagnosis or <75% PD-L1 tumor-cell expression. These long-term results of pembrolizumab efficacy based on a nationwide "real-world" cohort reproduced those obtained in clinical trials.

Tepotinib Treatment in Patients With MET Exon 14-Skipping Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Long-term Follow-up of the VISION Phase 2 Nonrandomized Clinical Trial

Importance

MET inhibitors have recently demonstrated clinical activity in patients with MET exon 14 (METex14)-skipping non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, data with longer follow-up and in larger populations are needed to further optimize therapeutic approaches.

Objective

To assess the long-term efficacy and safety of tepotinib, a potent and highly selective MET inhibitor, in patients with METex14-skipping NSCLC in the VISION study.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The VISION phase 2 nonrandomized clinical trial was a multicohort, open-label, multicenter study that enrolled patients with METex14-skipping advanced/metastatic NSCLC (cohorts A and C) from September 2016 to May 2021. Cohort C (>18 months' follow-up) was an independent cohort, designed to confirm findings from cohort A (>35 months' follow-up). Data cutoff was November 20, 2022.

Intervention

Patients received tepotinib, 500 mg (450 mg active moiety), once daily.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end point was objective response by independent review committee (RECIST v1.1). Secondary end points included duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety.

Results

Cohorts A and C included 313 patients (50.8% female, 33.9% Asian; median [range] age, 72 [41-94] years). The objective response rate (ORR) was 51.4% (95% CI, 45.8%-57.1%) with a median (m)DOR of 18.0 (95% CI, 12.4-46.4) months. In cohort C (n = 161), an ORR of 55.9% (95% CI, 47.9%-63.7%) with an mDOR of 20.8 (95% CI, 12.6-not estimable [NE]) months was reported across treatment lines, comparable to cohort A (n = 152). In treatment-naive patients (cohorts A and C; n = 164), ORR was 57.3% (95% CI, 49.4%-65.0%) and mDOR was 46.4 (95% CI, 13.8-NE) months. In previously treated patients (n = 149), ORR was 45.0% (95% CI, 36.8%-53.3%) and mDOR was 12.6 (95% CI, 9.5-18.5) months. Peripheral edema, the most common treatment-related adverse event, occurred in 210 patients (67.1%) (35 [11.2%] experienced grade ≥3 events).

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings from cohort C in this nonrandomized clinical trial supported the results from original cohort A. Overall, the long-term outcomes of VISION demonstrated robust and durable clinical activity following treatment with tepotinib, particularly in the treatment-naive setting, in the largest known clinical trial of patients with METex14-skipping NSCLC, supporting the global approvals of tepotinib and enabling clinicians to implement this therapeutic approach for such patients.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02864992.

Real-World Treatment Outcomes of MET Exon14 Skipping in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: GFPC 03-18 Study

BACKGROUND

MET-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) demonstrated efficacy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) with MET exon14 skipping mutations (METexon14); yet, data on the management of these patients in clinical practice is sparse.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the management of METexon14 aNSCLC patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This real-life, retrospective study analyzed the management of METexon14 aNSCLC. The primary endpoint was the median overall survival (mOS). Secondary endpoints were to assess investigator-progression-free survival (PFS) and mOS in different subgroups: patients treated with (a) crizotinib, regardless of treatment line; (b) anti-MET TKIs (crizotinib, tepotinib, capmatinib); and (c) immunotherapy.

RESULTS

A total of 118 patients were included between December 2015 and January 1, 2020 in 13 centers. Median age was 73 years, 62.7% were female, 83.9% had adenocarcinoma, 92.4% at stage IV, and 27% had more than three metastatic sites. The majority of the patients (106, 89.8%) received at least one systemic treatment; 73% received at least one anti-MET TKI: crizotinib (68.6%), tepotinib (16%), capmatinib (10%). Only 10% received two anti-MET TKIs in their treatment sequences. With a median follow-up of 16 months (95% CI 13.6-29.7), mOS was 27.1 months (95% CI 18-31.4). There was no significant difference between mOS of patients treated and never treated with crizotinib, 19.7 (95% CI 13.6-29.7) and 28 (95% CI 16.4-NR) months, respectively (p = 0.16); mOS of the TKI cohort and of the TKI-naïve patient cohort were 27.1 (95% CI 18-29.7) and 35.6 (95% CI 8.6-NR) months respectively, with no significant difference (p = 0.7).

CONCLUSIONS

In this real-life study, there was no evidence of benefit in mOS with anti-MET TKIs.

Real-world multicentre cohort of first-line pembrolizumab alone or in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer PD-L1 ≥ 50

INTRODUCTION

Pembrolizumab alone (IO-mono) or in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy (CT-IO) is first-line standard of care for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with PD-L1 ≥ 50%. This retrospective multicentre study assessed real-world use and efficacy of both strategies.

METHODS

Patients with advanced NSCLC PD-L1 ≥ 50% from eight hospitals who had received at least one cycle of IO-mono or CT-IO were included. Overall survival (OS) and real-word progression-free-survival were estimated using Kaplan-Meier methodology. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs, and a Cox model with inverse propensity treatment weighting was carried out.

RESULTS

Among the 243 patients included, 141 (58%) received IO-mono and 102 (42%) CT-IO. Younger patients, those with symptomatic disease and brain metastases were more likely to be proposed CT-IO. With a median follow-up of 11.5 months (95% CI 10.4-13.3), median OS was not reached, but no difference was observed between groups (p = 0.51). Early deaths at 12 weeks were 11% (95% CI 4.6-16.9) and 15.2% (95% CI 9.0-20.9) in CT-IO and IO groups (p = 0.32). After adjustment for age, gender, performance status, histology, brain metastases, liver metastases and tobacco status, no statistically significant difference was found for OS between groups, neither in the multivariate adjusted model [HR 1.07 (95% CI 0.61-1.86), p = 0.8] nor in propensity adjusted analysis [HR 0.99 (95% CI 0.60-1.65), p = 0.99]. Male gender (HR 2.01, p = 0.01) and PS ≥ 2 (HR 3.28, p < 0.001) were found to be negative independent predictive factors for OS.

CONCLUSION

Younger patients, those with symptomatic disease and brain metastases were more likely to be proposed CT-IO. However, sparing the chemotherapy in first-line does not appear to impact survival outcomes, even regarding early deaths.

SYST-06 INTRACRANIAL ACTIVITY OF TEPOTINIB IN PATIENTS WITH MET EXON 14 (METEX14) SKIPPING NSCLC ENROLLED IN VISION

BACKGROUND

Brain metastases (BMs) occur in 20–40% of patients with METex14 skipping NSCLC. Tepotinib, a highly selective MET inhibitor, demonstrated an objective response rate (ORR) of 49.1% and median duration of response (mDOR) of 13.8 months, in METex14 skipping NSCLC patients in the Phase II VISION study (Cohorts A+C; N=275). Here, we report the intracranial activity of tepotinib in VISION.

METHODS

Patients with METex14 skipping NSCLC received oral tepotinib 500 mg QD (450 mg active moiety). Patients with BM (asymptomatic and symptomatic/stable) were eligible. Primary endpoint was systemic ORR (RECIST v1.1); a subgroup analysis in patients with BM was predefined (data cut-off: February 1, 2021). An ad-hoc retrospective analysis of brain lesions was conducted by an IRC using RANO-BM criteria. Responses were determined in patients with ≥1 evaluable post-baseline tumor assessment. For those with only non-target lesions (NTLs) per RANO-BM (enhancing and non-enhancing NTLs), disease control was defined as non-complete response (CR)/nonprogressive disease (PD). Data cut-off: July 1, 2020.

RESULTS

Fifty-one patients had baseline BM (Cohorts A+C). Systemic efficacy was consistent with the overall population (ORR 52.9% [95% CI: 38.5, 67.1], mDOR 9.0 months [95% CI: 5.6, not estimable]). Fifteen patients were evaluable by RANO-BM (Cohort A); 12 received prior radiotherapy for BM (median 6.4 weeks before treatment). Systemic best objective responses (BORs) were partial response (PR, n=9), stable disease (SD, n=3), and PD (n=3). Seven patients had target CNS lesions per RANO-BM (all with prior radiotherapy); intracranial BORs were PR (n=5), SD (n=1), and PD (n=1). For patients with NTL only (n=8), one had PD, and seven achieved intracranial disease control with three patients achieving CR of the enhancing NTL. 13/15 patients achieved intracranial disease control.

CONCLUSIONS

Tepotinib demonstrated robust systemic activity in patients with METex14 skipping NSCLC with BM, complemented by intracranial activity in an ad-hoc analysis using RANO-BM.

Abstract CT536: Tepotinib efficacy and safety in patients with MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping NSCLC

Introduction: In the primary analysis of VISION, tepotinib — a highly selective, potent MET inhibitor — demonstrated durable efficacy, and a tolerable safety profile in patients (pts) with METex14 skipping NSCLC. We report updated outcomes, with interim analyses from a confirmatory cohort.

Methods: In the Phase II VISION study, pts with advanced/metastatic METex14 skipping NSCLC, identified by liquid (L+) and/or tissue (T+) biopsy, received 500 mg (450 mg active moiety) tepotinib once daily. All pts were assessed for safety; pts with ≥3 months’ follow-up were assessed for efficacy. Primary endpoint was objective response by independent review (RECIST v1.1). Secondary endpoints were disease control (DCR), duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety.

Results: As of Feb 1, 2021, 7,882 pts were pre-screened, and 275 pts were analyzed for efficacy. Patients analyzed for efficacy had a median age of 72.4 years (range, 41-94]), 50.9% were female, 46.5% had smoking history, and median tumor load [target lesions by IRC] was 57.4 mm [range, 10.2-227.8]). Tumor load in L+ pts was 68.0 mm (11.6-227.8) and 52.9 mm (10.2-227.8) in T+ pts.

In treatment-naïve pts (n=137), ORR was 54.0% (95% CI: 45.3, 62.6), DCR was 74.5% (66.3, 81.5), and &gt;90% of pts had tumor shrinkage. Median (m) DOR was 32.7 months (9.0, not estimable), mPFS was 10.4 months (8.4, 15.3), and mOS was 17.6 months (13.4, 29.7).

In previously treated pts (n=138), ORR was 44.2% (35.8, 52.9), DCR was 75.4% (67.3, 82.3), and &gt;90% of pts had tumor shrinkage. mDOR was 11.1 months (8.4, 18.5), mPFS was 11.0 months (8.2, 12.4), and mOS was 19.9 months (15.8, 22.3). Meaningful clinical activity was observed in L+ and T+ pts (Table).

Overall, 14.1% of pts discontinued due to TRAEs; tepotinib was well-tolerated across treatment lines (Table).

Conclusions: Tepotinib demonstrated robust and durable clinical activity across treatment lines in pts with METex14 skipping NSCLC, with particularly durable efficacy in first line. TRAEs were manageable with few discontinuations.

Table 1. Tepotinib efficacy and safety in patients with METex14 skipping NSCLC (VISION) Tepotinib efficacy (pts with ≥3 months’ follow-up in Cohorts A+C) Overall Treatment-naϊve (n=137) Previously treated (n=138) Combined (N=275) Liquid biopsy* (n=81) Tissue biopsy* (n=86) Liquid biopsy* (n=78) Tissue biopsy* (n=88) Objective response rate, % (95% CI) 49.1 (43.0, 55.2) 54.3 (42.9, 65.4) 54.7 (43.5, 65.4) 43.6 (32.4, 55.3) 47.7 (37.0, 58.6) Disease control rate, % (95% CI) 74.9 (69.4, 79.9) 71.6 (60.5, 81.1) 80.2 (70.2, 88.0) 69.2 (57.8, 79.2) 79.5 (69.6, 87.4) Median duration of response, months (95% CI) 13.8 (9.9, 19.4) 13.8 (7.2, ne) 32.7 (10.8, 32.7) 11.1 (8.4, 19.4) 10.1 (8.3, 15.7) Median progression-free survival, months (95% CI) 10.8 (8.5, 12.4) 8.5 (6.9, 11.3) 15.3 (9.6, ne) 8.3 (5.7, 11.0) 11.1 (8.2, 16.8) Median overall survival, months (95% CI) 19.7 (15.6, 22.1) 15.1 (9.5, 22.1) 29.7 (15.3, ne) 19.9 (12.8, 22.3) 22.3 (17.0, 27.2) Tepotinib safety (all pts who received tepotinib in Cohorts A+C) Overall (N=291) Treatment-naϊve (n=148) Previously treated (n=143) Treatment-related AEs†, n (%) Any grade 264 (90.7) 137 (92.6) 127 (88.8) Grade ≥3 86 (29.6) 49 (33.1) 37 (25.9) Leading to death 2 (0.7) 1 (0.7) 1 (0.7) Leading to a dose reduction 90 (30.9) 51 (34.5) 39 (27.3) Leading to temporary discontinuation 114 (39.2) 63 (42.6) 51 (35.7) Leading to permanent discontinuation 41 (14.1) 24 (16.2) 17 (11.9) All-cause AEs† in ≥20% of patients, n (%) Peripheral edema 191 (65.6) 98 (66.2) 93 (65.0) Nausea 88 (30.2) 51 (34.5) 37 (25.9) Diarrhea 81 (27.8) 42 (28.4) 39 (27.3) Hypoalbuminemia 81 (27.8) 41 (27.7) 40 (28.0) Blood creatinine increase 76 (26.1) 34 (23.0) 42 (29.4) Dyspnea 60 (20.6) 40 (27.0) 20 (14.0) Data cut-off: Feb 1, 2021. *Patients with METex14 skipping detected by both liquid and tissue biopsy are included in both analysis sets (overall, n=59; treatment-naïve, n=30; previously treated, n=29); testing by both methods was not required for enrollment. †AEs were defined as events that started within the day of first dose of trial treatment until 30 days after last dose of treatment or started prior to first dose but worsened during the treatment period. AEs were assessed using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.03. AE, adverse event; CI, confidence interval; MET, mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor; METex14; MET exon 14; ne, not estimable.

Citation Format: Marina C. Garassino, Xiuning Le, Wade T. Iam, Enriqueta Felip, Hiroshi Sakai, Remi Veillon, Egbert F. Smit, Julien Mazieres, Jo Raskin, Alexis B. Cortot, Karin Berghoff, Rolf Bruns, Gordon Otto, Paul K. Paik. Tepotinib efficacy and safety in patients with MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping NSCLC [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 CT536.

Efficacy of dabrafenib-trametinib combination in BRAF V600E-mutated metastatic non–small cell lung cancer: Results of the IFCT-2004 BLaDE cohort

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Background: BRAF V600E mutations occur up to 2% of advanced non-small cell lung (NSCLC). Dabrafenib-trametinib (D-T) combination was associated with improved OS rates in phase II study and was approved in the 1st-line setting and further. The IFCT-2004 BLaDE study reports the D-T combination efficacy in a large French real-world multicenter cohort of advanced BRAF V600E-mutated NSCLC. Methods: Patients (pts) with advanced NSCLC harboring BRAF V600E mutation diagnosed between 01.01.2016 and 31.12.2019 and treated with D-T combination (D 300 mg + T 2 mg daily) whatever the treatment line were included. Demographic, clinical, pathological data were collected as well as data of efficacy and reason of treatment discontinuation. The primary endpoint was 12 months-OS rate in pts receiving the D-T as 2nd-line or subsequent treatment (L2+). Results: 163 pts were included in 54 centers through 32 national testing labs: 50.3 % were female, 30.2% never-smokers, 95.1 % had adenocarcinoma and PDL1 was > 1% in 78.2%. Median age was 68.3 years. At D-T initiation, 80.8 % of pts were PS 0/1, 93.9 % were stage IIIB/C ineligible for surgery or local therapy and IV, 20.9% had brain metastases and 27% received D+T as 1st line treatment (L1). At the data cutoff (30.06.2021), median (m) follow-up was 27.4 months [95% CI 22.2-31.9] and 47 pts (28.8%) remained on study treatment. 12 months-OS rate in pts receiving D+T in L2+ (n = 119) was 67.4% [95% CI 57.8-75.3] with a median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 10.4 months [95% CI 7.3-13.1]. In the 44 pts receiving D+T in L1, 12 months-OS rate was also 67.4% [95% CI 51.2-79.3] with a mPFS of 18.2 months [95% CI 7.7-21.3]. Objective response rates were 73.8% [95% CI 65.5 - 82.2] and 82.9% [95% CI 71.4 - 94.4], disease progression was observed as best response in 3.7% [95% CI 0.1 - 7.3] and 0% in L2+ and L1, respectively. Other efficacy results are detailed in the table. D-T discontinuation for toxicity was reported in 10.3% of pts. 51.2% and 43.7% of pts received subsequent treatment in L2+ and L1 respectively. For L2+ pts, subsequent treatments were immunotherapy (IO)-based in 37.2 % and chemotherapy in 58.3%. For L1 pts, subsequent treatments were (IO)-based in 42.9% and chemotherapy in 42.7%. Conclusions: Our series confirms significant efficacy of D-T combination in BRAF V600E-mutated metastatic NSCLC. These results in real-world conditions are consistent with registration studies but also support its use in 1st line setting. [Table: see text]

Tepotinib Efficacy and Safety in Patients with MET Exon 14 Skipping NSCLC: Outcomes in Patient Subgroups from the VISION Study with Relevance for Clinical Practice

PURPOSE

Primary analysis of VISION showed tepotinib had durable clinical activity in patients with MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We present updated outcomes for clinically relevant subgroups.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This phase II, open-label, multi-cohort study of 500 mg (450 mg active moiety) tepotinib in patients with METex14 skipping NSCLC assessed efficacy and safety in predefined subgroups according to age, prior therapies (chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors), and brain metastases. An ad hoc retrospective analysis using Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Brain Metastases (RANO-BM) criteria assessed intracranial activity.

RESULTS

152 patients were evaluable for efficacy (median age: 73.1). Overall, objective response rate (ORR) was 44.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 36.7-53.0]. Patients aged <75 (n = 84) and ≥75 (n = 68) had ORRs of 48.8% (95% CI: 37.7-60.0) and 39.7% (95% CI: 28.0-52.3), respectively. Treatment-naïve (n = 69) versus previously treated (n = 83) patients showed consistent efficacy [ORR (95% CI): 44.9% (32.9-57.4) vs. 44.6% (33.7-55.9); median duration of response (95% CI): 10.8 (6.9-not estimable) vs. 11.1 (9.5-18.5) months]. Of 15 patients analyzed by RANO-BM (12 received prior radiotherapy), 13 achieved intracranial disease control; 5 of 7 patients with measurable brain metastases had partial intracranial responses. Of 255 patients evaluable for safety, 64 (25.1%) experienced grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAE), leading to discontinuation in 27 patients (10.6%). Rates of adverse events (AE) were broadly consistent irrespective of prior therapies.

CONCLUSIONS

Tepotinib showed meaningful activity across subgroups by age, prior therapies, and brain metastases, with a manageable safety profile and few treatment discontinuations. See related commentary by Rosner and Spira, p. 1055.

Safety of Tepotinib in Patients with MET Exon 14 Skipping NSCLC and Recommendations for Management

INTRODUCTION

The MET inhibitor tepotinib demonstrated durable clinical activity in patients with advanced MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping NSCLC. We report detailed analyses of adverse events of clinical interest (AECIs) in VISION, including edema, a class effect of MET inhibitors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Incidence, management, and time to first onset/resolution were analyzed for all-cause AECIs, according to composite categories (edema, hypoalbuminemia, creatinine increase, and ALT/AST increase) or individual preferred terms (pleural effusion, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting), for patients with METex14 skipping NSCLC in the phase II VISION trial.

RESULTS

Of 255 patients analyzed (median age: 72 years), edema, the most common AECI, was reported in 69.8% (grade 3, 9.4%; grade 4, 0%). Median time to first edema onset was 7.9 weeks (range: 0.1-58.3). Edema was manageable with supportive measures, dose reduction (18.8%), and/or treatment interruption (23.1%), and rarely prompted discontinuation (4.3%). Other AECIs were also manageable and predominantly mild/moderate: hypoalbuminemia, 23.9% (grade 3, 5.5%); pleural effusion, 13.3% (grade ≥ 3, 5.1%); creatinine increase, 25.9% (grade 3, 0.4%); nausea, 26.7% (grade 3, 0.8%), diarrhea, 26.3% (grade 3, 0.4%), vomiting 12.9% (grade 3, 1.2%), and ALT/AST increase, 12.2% (grade ≥ 3, 3.1%). GI AEs typically occurred early and resolved in the first weeks.

CONCLUSION

Tepotinib was well tolerated in the largest trial of a MET inhibitor in METex14 skipping NSCLC. The most frequent AEs were largely mild/moderate and manageable with supportive measures and/or dose reduction/interruption, and caused few withdrawals in this elderly population.

The impact of sarcopenia on the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with solid tumours

BACKGROUND

Evidence suggests that sarcopenia is a significant predictive factor of worst outcomes and treatment-associated toxicities in patients with metastatic solid tumours. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between low muscle mass and clinical outcomes and immune-related severe toxicities (IrST) in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

METHODS

A retrospective cohort of 261 consecutive metastatic solid tumour patients treated with ICIs were included in our study. Low muscle mass was defined as skeletal muscle index <41 cm²/m² for females and <43 cm²/m² for males if body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m² or <53 cm²/m² if BMI ≥ 25 kg/m². Severe toxicities (ST), including grade III-IV toxicities and side effects leading to treatment interruption, were recorded.

RESULTS

The majority of patients (n = 179; 69%) included in this study had metastatic lung cancer. The prevalence of low muscle mass was 47%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 32.2 weeks for low muscle mass patients and 24.3 weeks for non-low muscle mass patients (adjusted HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.60-1.055; p = 0.11). For low muscle mass and non-low muscle mass lung cancer patients, median PFS was 24.0 weeks and 18.8 weeks (adjusted HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.50-0.98; p = 0.04) and median overall survival was 50.7 weeks and 41.1 weeks (adjusted HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.54-1.10, p = 0.15) respectively. Immune-related severe toxicities occurred in 3.3% and 9.4% of low muscle mass and non-low muscle mass patients respectively (adjusted OR, 0.69; 95% CI: 0.31-1.49; p = 0.35).

CONCLUSION

No difference in outcomes and safety was observed for low muscle mass and non-low muscle mass patients treated with ICIs.

465 Bintrafusp alfa in combination with chemotherapy in patients with stage IV NSCLC: safety and pharmacokinetic results of the INTR@PID LUNG 024 study

Background

Bintrafusp alfa is a first-in-class bifunctional fusion protein composed of the extracellular domain of the TGF-βRII receptor (a TGF-β ”trap”) fused to a human IgG1 mAb blocking PD-L1. Here we report cumulative safety and pharmacokinetic (PK) results from the global, phase 1b/2 INTR@PID LUNG 024 study (NCT03840915), which evaluated bintrafusp alfa in combination with chemotherapy (CT) in patients with stage IV NSCLC.

Methods

Adult patients with stage IV nonsquamous or squamous NSCLC and an ECOG PS ≤1 were included. Cohorts A, B, and C included patients with no prior systemic therapy; patients in cohort D had disease that progressed with previous anti–PD-(L)1 therapy. Cohorts received bintrafusp alfa 2400 mg every 3 weeks intravenously in combination with CT for 4 cycles (A [nonsquamous only]: cisplatin or carboplatin + pemetrexed; B: carboplatin + nab-paclitaxel or paclitaxel; C: cisplatin or carboplatin + gemcitabine; D: docetaxel) followed by bintrafusp alfa maintenance (monotherapy or in combination with pemetrexed in cohort A) for up to 31 cycles. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of bintrafusp alfa in combination with CT. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were assessed during a 3-week observation period. Serial samples were drawn to assess serum concentration and calculate PK parameters by noncompartmental analysis.

Results

As of the May 5, 2021, data cutoff, 70 patients received bintrafusp alfa in combination with CT. Of 35 patients included in the DLT analysis, 4 experienced 1 DLT according to a safety monitoring committee (data cutoff May 5, 2021; A: n=1/8; B: n=1/8; C: n=0/8; D: n=2/11). Cumulative safety data are reported in table 1. PK data were available for 67 patients (A: n=38; B: n=9; C: n=8; D: n=12). PK profiles were similar across cohorts and between patients who did and did not experience a DLT. Observed bintrafusp alfa first-cycle exposures (Cmax, AUC, and Ctrough) were consistent with the published population PK (popPK) model.1

Abstract 465 Table 1

Safety results from the INTR@PID LUNG 024 study

Conclusions

The safety profile of bintrafusp alfa in combination with CT was manageable and similar to that reported for ICIs in combination with CT, with the exception of TGF-β–related skin lesions known to occur with TGF-β inhibition. No new safety signals were identified and there were no treatment-related deaths. The PK profile was consistent with the predicted monotherapy popPK model, suggesting no victim DDI potential for bintrafusp alfa with CT.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the patients and their families, investigators, co-investigators, and the study teams at each of the participating centers, at the healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and at EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA.

Trial Registration

NCT03840915

Reference

Wilkins JJ, Vugmeyster Y, Dussault I. Population pharmacokinetic analysis of bintrafusp alfa in different cancer types. Adv Ther 2019;36:2414–2433.

Ethics Approval

The trial was approved by each site’s independent ethics committee.

TRLS-03. Intracranial activity of tepotinib in patients with MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping NSCLC enrolled in VISION

Background

Brain metastases (BMs) are reported in 20–40% patients with METex14 skipping NSCLC. Tepotinib, a highly selective MET inhibitor, has demonstrated an objective response rate (ORR) of 45% and median duration of response (mDOR) of 11.1 months, in METex14 skipping NSCLC patients in Cohort A of the Phase II VISION study. Here, we report the intracranial activity of tepotinib in Cohort A.

Methods

Patients received oral tepotinib 500 mg QD. Study eligibility allowed for patients with BM (asymptomatic and symptomatic/stable). Primary endpoint: systemic objective response (RECIST v1.1); subgroup analysis in patients with BM (RECIST v1.1) was predefined.

An ad hoc retrospective analysis of brain lesions (by CT/MRI) was conducted by an IRC using Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Brain Metastases (RANO-BM) criteria. Responses were determined in patients with ≥1 evaluable post-baseline tumor assessment. For non-measurable lesions (enhancing and non-enhancing non-target lesions [NTL]), disease control in the brain was defined as non-complete response/non-progressive disease. Data cut-off: July 1, 2020.

Results

Twenty-three patients had baseline BM. Systemic efficacy in patients with BM (ORR 47.8% [95% CI: 26.8, 69.4]; mDOR 9.5 months [95% CI: 5.5, not estimable]) was consistent with the overall population.

Fifteen patients were evaluable by RANO-BM; 12 received prior radiotherapy for BM (median 6.4 weeks before treatment). Systemic best objective responses (BORs) were partial response (PR, n=9), stable disease (SD, n=3), and progressive disease (PD; n=3).

Of seven patients with measurable CNS disease (all of whom received prior radiotherapy), intracranial BORs were PR (n=5), SD (n=1), and PD (n=1). For patients with NTL only (n=8), one had PD, and seven achieved intracranial disease control with three patients achieving CR of the enhancing NTL.

Conclusions

Tepotinib demonstrated intracranial activity in patients with METex14 skipping NSCLC with BM. Prospective evaluation of intracranial activity in VISION Cohort C is ongoing.

METex14 ctDNA dynamics & resistance mechanisms detected in liquid biopsy (LBx) from patients (pts) with METex14 skipping NSCLC treated with tepotinib

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Background: In the VISION study, tepotinib in METex14 skipping NSCLC pts (Cohort A) had robust and durable clinical activity. Serial LBx samples were collected for biomarker analyses, presented herein. Methods: LBx samples taken at baseline (BL), Week 6, 12, & end of treatment (EOT) were analyzed using Guardant360® CDx (73 genes). Investigator (INV)-assessed clinical outcome was evaluated per BL biomarker profiles and by molecular response (MR; defined as > 75% depletion from BL in METex14 variant allele frequency [VAF] ctDNA confirmed in 2 consecutive samples) or molecular progression (MP; defined as VAF increase > 0 from BL). Acquired resistance was investigated in EOT samples, following progression per INV. Results: LBx pts (n = 99) had a median age of 72 yrs (range 49–88), 53% were male, 44% never smokers, 85% had adenocarcinoma. INV ORR was 53% (95% CI 42, 63); ORR in 1L (n = 44) was 59% (43, 74) & ≥2L (n = 55) was 47% (33, 61). 94 pts had BL biomarker profiles; these were similar in 1L and ≥2L pts, except EGFR amp: 1/43 1L [2%] vs 8/51 ≥2L [16%]. Outcomes were not impacted by location/type of METex14 alteration. 1 pt with concomitant MET M1250T mutation had a PFS of 17.3 months. A trend towards better efficacy was seen in pts with concomitant MET amp (6 responses in 8 pts). Response to tepotinib occurred both in pts with wt or mutant TP53; however, there was a trend for longer mDOR in pts with wt TP53 (18.3 [95% CI 9.7, ne] vs 7.1 [4.7, 10.9] months) and mPFS (9.5 [6.7, 19.7] vs 5.1 [2.8, 6.9] months). Concomitant oncogenic mutations were rare, with no responses in 3 pts with KRAS, NRAS alterations and 3 responses in 5 pts with PI3K/AKT alterations. 65 pts had 2 consecutive on-treatment samples: 46 (71%) had confirmed MR, 5 (8%) had confirmed MP, 14 (22%) had no change in VAF or lacked confirmation. MR was associated with clinical response and MP was associated with no response/short PFS (Table). 52 pts with progression had EOT LBx samples. Emerging MET resistance mutations (Y1230H/C & D1228H/N) occurred in 7 (13%) pts, all responders and 5/7 had PFS > 10 months. Analyses on non-MET-driven resistance mechanisms will be presented. Conclusions: LBx biomarker analysis from the largest on-treatment data set for a MET inhibitor in METex14 skipping NSCLC, showed that ctDNA depletion in METex14 VAF is associated with improved clinical response in pts treated with tepotinib. This suggests serial LBx could help us to monitor response/non-response, understand resistance, and guide trials that test escalation/de-escalation strategies to improve outcomes and maximize QOL. Clinical trial information: NCT02864992. [Table: see text]

Intracranial activity of tepotinib in patients (pts) with MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping NSCLC enrolled in VISION

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Background: Brain metastases (BMs) are reported in 20–40% of pts with METex14 skipping NSCLC and present a high unmet need with poor prognosis. Tepotinib is a highly selective MET inhibitor that has demonstrated intracranial activity in preclinical MET-driven lung cancer orthotopic BM models, and has high binding in brain tissue with 25% of free tepotinib levels in brain, relative to plasma. In VISION Cohort A (N = 152), tepotinib had robust and durable clinical activity in pts with METex14 skipping NSCLC, with an objective response rate (ORR) of 45% and a median duration of response (mDOR) of 11.1 months. Here, we report the intracranial activity of tepotinib. Methods: In the Phase II VISION study, pts with METex14 skipping NSCLC received 500 mg QD (450 mg active moiety) oral tepotinib. Study eligibility allowed for pts with BM (neurologically stable on symptomatic therapy with stable steroids, and pts with asymptomatic BM). Primary endpoint: systemic OR per RECIST v1.1; subgroup analysis in pts with BM (determined by RECIST v1.1) was predefined. An ad hoc retrospective analysis of brain lesions determined by CT/MRI was conducted by an IRC using Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Brain Metastases (RANO-BM) criteria, which accounts for pts’ clinical status and steroid use. Responses were determined in pts with ≥1 evaluable post-baseline tumor assessment (due to the retrospective nature and resulting incomplete data, confirmation was not required). For pts with non-measurable lesions per RANO-BM (enhancing and non-enhancing non-target lesions [NTL]), disease control in the brain was defined as non-complete response/non-progressive disease. Data cut-off: July 1, 2020. Results: Based on RECIST v1.1, 23 pts in Cohort A had BM at baseline. Systemic efficacy in pts with BM (ORR 47.8% [95% CI: 26.8, 69.4], mDOR 9.5 months [95% CI: 5.5, not estimable]) was consistent with the overall population. 15 pts were evaluable by RANO-BM; 12 received prior radiotherapy for BM (median 6.4 weeks before tepotinib initiation [range 2.6–44]). Systemic best objective responses (BORs) were partial response (PR, n = 9), stable disease (SD, n = 3), and progressive disease (PD; n = 3). Of 7 pts with measurable CNS disease per RANO-BM (all of whom received prior radiotherapy), intracranial BORs were PR (n = 5; including 3 with complete disappearance of target lesions), SD (n = 1) and PD (n = 1). Of 8 pts with NTL only, 7 achieved intracranial disease control and 1 had PD. Of the 7 pts with disease control, 3 had CR of the enhancing NTL. Conclusions: Tepotinib demonstrated robust systemic activity in pts with METex14 skipping NSCLC with BM; this is complemented by intracranial activity in an ad hoc analysis using RANO-BM. Small pt numbers, a large proportion of pts with prior radiotherapy for BM, and the retrospective nature of analysis should be considered. Prospective evaluation of intracranial activity data from VISION Cohort C is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT02864992.

First-line pembrolizumab monotherapy for PD-L1-positive (TPS ≥ 50%) advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) in the real world: A national French bispective multicentric cohort—ESCKEYP trial (GFPC 05-2018)

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Background: To determine real-world outcomes with first line pembrolizumab monotherapy, for aNSCLC with PD-L1 TPS ≥50%. Methods: Bispective, national and multicentric study including consecutively aNSCLC patients who initiated first-line pembrolizumab monotherapy from May 5, 2017 (marketing authorization of pembrolizumab monotherapy in France) to Nov 22, 2019 (marketing authorization of pembrolizumab-chemotherapy for non-squamous aNSCLC). Data were collected on medical charts. Responses were locally assessed according to RECIST v1.1; overall survival (OS) and real-world progression-free survival (rwPFS) were assessed by Kaplan-Meier method. Results: 845 patients (pts) were included by 33 centres: 67.8% were men, PS 0/1/≥2: 25.5%/46.9%/27.6%, active/former/nonsmokers: 39.1%/51.7%/6.4%, adenocarcinoma: 70.8%; stage IV at diagnosis: 91.6%; median number of metastatic sites at baseline: 2±1 (brain (20.8%), liver (13.9%) and bone (35%)); KRAS mutated: 27.7%, PDL1 TPS > 75%: 53.7% At the cut off date (31 December 2020), on the 783/845 (92.7%) evaluable pts, CR, PR, disease stabilization and progression were reported on 4.7%, 42.6%, 24.1% and 28.6% of cases, respectively; 588 (69.6%) pts had discontinued pembrolizumab, 390 (66.4%) had a first disease progression; 320/390 (82.1%) received a second line treatment, mainly platinum-based chemotherapy (90.6%). With a median follow up of 25,8 [95%CI: 24,8-26,7] months, median rwPFS and median OS were 8,2 [95%CI: 6,9-9,5] and 22,6 [95%CI: 18,5-27,4] months, respectively; 6, 12, 18-months survival rates were 76,8%, 64,8% and 54,3%. 835 adverse events were reported in 48% of the patients, grade ≥3 in 13.8% of cases, mainly asthenia, colitis, pneumonitis. For evaluable patients receiving a platinum-based doublet in second line (266/290, 89%), CR, PR, disease stabilization and progression were reported on 1.9%, 41%, 35.3% and 21.8% of cases, respectively. Uni and multivariate analysis of factors related to OS will be presented at the congress. Conclusions: Despite a less stringent selection of patients, pembrolizumab as a single agent achieves similar tumor shrinkage, rwPFS and OS than those of pivotal clinical trials.

Comparison of Fast-Progression, Hyperprogressive Disease, and Early Deaths in Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer Treated With PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors or Chemotherapy

PURPOSE

Hyperprogressive disease (HPD), fast progression (FP), and early death (ED) have been described in 13.8%, 4.7%, and 5.6% and in 5.1%, 2.8%, and 6.8%, respectively, of patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with single-agent programmed cell death ligand 1 inhibitors (ICI) or chemotherapy, respectively. Whether FP/ED and HPD represent overlapping patterns is unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

FP, ED, and HPD were retrospectively assessed in patients with NSCLC treated with single-agent ICI or chemotherapy. Eligibility required 2 computed tomography (CT) scans before and 1 CT scan during treatment. (1) HPD, (2) FP, (3) ED were defined as (1) RECIST version 1.1 progression at first CT scan and tumor growth rate variation per month > 50%, (2) ≥ 50% increase in the sum of the longest diameters of target lesions within 6 weeks from baseline, and (3) death as a result of radiologic progression within 12 weeks from baseline CT scan, respectively.

RESULTS

Of 406 ICI-treated NSCLC, 56 patients (13.8%), 9 patients (2.2%), and 36 patients (8.8%) were HPD, FP, and ED, respectively. Eight (14.2%) and 20 (35.7%) of 56 patients with HPD were also FP and ED. ED significantly correlated with baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥ 2 compared with HPD (33% v 13%, P = .02). Overall survival was significantly longer for HPD (3.4 months [95% CI, 2.7 to 4.0 months]) compared with FP (0.7 months [95% CI, 0.6 to 0.8 months]); HR, 0.18 [95% CI, 0.08 to 0.42]; P < .0001) and ED (1.4 months [95% CI, 1.3 to 1.6 months]); HR, 0.19 [95% CI, 0.11 to 0.34]); P < .0001), whereas it did not differ between FP and ED (HR, 1.3 [95% CI, 0.56 to 3.0]; P = .55). Of 59 patients with NSCLC treated with single-agent chemotherapy, the HPD, FP, and ED rates were 5.1%, 1.7%, and 6.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

FP, ED, and HPD represent distinct progression patterns with limited overlap and different survival outcomes.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors versus second line chemotherapy for patients with lung cancer refractory to first line chemotherapy

PURPOSE

Anti Programmed Death-ligand (PD1/PD-L1) directed immune-checkpoint-inhibitors (ICI) are widely used to treat patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who progress after first line chemotherapy. The best strategy after early progression under first line has not been specifically studied.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a multicenter, retrospective study including all consecutive NSCLC patients progressing within the first 3 months following introduction of first-line chemotherapy and being treated with second line ICI monotherapy or chemotherapy between March 2010 and November 2017. We analysed the clinicopathological data and outcome under second line chemotherapy vs. second line ICI: objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS.

RESULTS

We identified 176 patients with refractory disease, 99 who received subsequent immunotherapy and 77 undergoing chemotherapy. The 2 populations were comparable regarding the main prognostic criteria, median age was 60, main histology was adenocarcimoma (68.2%). PFS was not significantly different between both treatments 1.9 [1.8-2.1] versus 1.6 month [1.4-2.0] (P=0.125). Compared to chemotherapy, ICI treated patients had a superior OS (P=0.03) (Median [95% CI] OS 4.6 [2.8-6.7] versus 4.2 months [3.4-5.9] and a non-significant improvement in ORR (17.2% versus 7.9%, respectively, P=0.072). Poor performance status (ECOG PS≥2) and a higher number of metastatic sites (≥3) were associated with poorer prognosis. KRAS-mutated patients did not seem to benefit more from ICI than chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

ICI appears to be the preferred second-line treatment for patients who are refractory to first line chemotherapy.

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.).

Immune checkpoint inhibitors for patients with advanced lung cancer and oncogenic driver alterations: results from the IMMUNOTARGET registry

Background

Anti-PD1/PD-L1 directed immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are widely used to treat patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The activity of ICI across NSCLC harboring oncogenic alterations is poorly characterized. The aim of our study was to address the efficacy of ICI in the context of oncogenic addiction.

Patients and methods

We conducted a retrospective study for patients receiving ICI monotherapy for advanced NSCLC with at least one oncogenic driver alteration. Anonymized data were evaluated for clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes for ICI therapy: best response (RECIST 1.1), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) from ICI initiation. The primary end point was PFS under ICI. Secondary end points were best response (RECIST 1.1) and OS from ICI initiation.

Results

We studied 551 patients treated in 24 centers from 10 countries. The molecular alterations involved KRAS (n = 271), EGFR (n = 125), BRAF (n = 43), MET (n = 36), HER2 (n = 29), ALK (n = 23), RET (n = 16), ROS1 (n = 7), and multiple drivers (n = 1). Median age was 60 years, gender ratio was 1 : 1, never/former/current smokers were 28%/51%/21%, respectively, and the majority of tumors were adenocarcinoma. The objective response rate by driver alteration was: KRAS = 26%, BRAF = 24%, ROS1 = 17%, MET = 16%, EGFR = 12%, HER2 = 7%, RET = 6%, and ALK = 0%. In the entire cohort, median PFS was 2.8 months, OS 13.3 months, and the best response rate 19%. In a subgroup analysis, median PFS (in months) was 2.1 for EGFR, 3.2 for KRAS, 2.5 for ALK, 3.1 for BRAF, 2.5 for HER2, 2.1 for RET, and 3.4 for MET. In certain subgroups, PFS was positively associated with PD-L1 expression (KRAS, EGFR) and with smoking status (BRAF, HER2).

Conclusions

: ICI induced regression in some tumors with actionable driver alterations, but clinical activity was lower compared with the KRAS group and the lack of response in the ALK group was notable. Patients with actionable tumor alterations should receive targeted therapies and chemotherapy before considering immunotherapy as a single agent.

SAT0540 ONE-YEAR OUTCOMES AFTER RHEUMATIC IMMUNE-RELATED ADVERSE EVENTS FROM CHECKPOINT INHIBITORS

Background:

Description and initial management of rheumatic immune-related adverse-events (irAEs) from cancer immunotherapies have been reported by several groups but to date, few studies have evaluated the long-term outcomes and management of rheumatic irAEs (1).

Objectives:

To describe the long-term management and assess the one-year outcomes of patients who experienced rheumatic immune-related adverse events (irAEs) due to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI).

Methods:

This was a single-centre prospective observational study including patients referred for musculoskeletal symptoms while treated with ICI. After baseline rheumatological evaluation defining the clinical entity presented, follow-up visits were organised according to the type and severity of irAE. At one year, persistence of irAE, ongoing treatment, as well as cancer outcomes were assessed.

Results:

63 patients were included between September 2015 and June 2018. 24 patients (38%) presented with non-inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions managed with short-term symptomatic treatment and did not require specific follow-up. 39 patients (62%) experienced inflammatory manifestations, mimicking either rheumatoid arthritis (RA, n=19), polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR, n=16), psoriatic arthritis (PsA, n=3) and one flare of a preexisting axial spondyloarthritis. Overall, 32 patients (82%) received systemic glucocorticoids, with a median rheumatic dosage of 15mg/day (range: 5-60mg/day). None of the patients had to permanently discontinue ICI therapy for rheumatic irAE. 20 patients (67%) were still receiving glucocorticoids at one year, with a median dosage of 5mg/day (range: 2-20mg/day). Glucocorticoids were more frequently discontinued for patients with RA-like condition (44%) than PMR-like condition (23%), but no other predictive factor of glucocorticoids withdrawal could be identified. At one year, overall survival and progression-free survival were comparable between patients who were still receiving glucocorticoids for rheumatic irAE and patients who have discontinued. Eight patients required csDMARDs.

Conclusion:

At one year, a majority of patients required long-term low-dose glucocorticoids for chronic rheumatic irAE, which seems not altering oncological control.

References:

[1]Braaten TJ, Brahmer JR, Forde PM, et al. Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced inflammatory arthritis persists after immunotherapy cessation. Ann Rheum Dis. 2019 Sep 20.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

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]

Hyperprogressive Disease in Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated With PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors or With Single-Agent Chemotherapy

Importance

Hyperprogressive disease (HPD) is a new pattern of progression recently described in patients with cancer treated with programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors. The rate and outcome of HPD in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are unknown.

Objectives

To investigate whether HPD is observed in patients with advanced NSCLC treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors compared with single-agent chemotherapy and whether there is an association between treatment and HPD.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this multicenter retrospective study that included patients treated between August 4, 2011, and April 5, 2017, the setting was pretreated patients with advanced NSCLC who received PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors (8 institutions) or single-agent chemotherapy (4 institutions) in France. Measurable disease defined by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST version 1.1) on at least 2 computed tomographic scans before treatment and 1 computed tomographic scan during treatment was required.

Interventions

The tumor growth rate (TGR) before and during treatment and variation per month (ΔTGR) were calculated. Hyperprogressive disease was defined as disease progression at the first evaluation with ΔTGR exceeding 50%.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end point was assessment of the HPD rate in patients treated with IO or chemotherapy.

Results

Among 406 eligible patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors (63.8% male), 46.3% (n = 188) were 65 years or older, 72.4% (n = 294) had nonsquamous histology, and 92.9% (n = 377) received a PD-1 inhibitor as monotherapy in second-line therapy or later. The median follow-up was 12.1 months (95% CI, 10.1-13.8 months), and the median overall survival (OS) was 13.4 months (95% CI, 10.2-17.0 months). Fifty-six patients (13.8%) were classified as having HPD. Pseudoprogression was observed in 4.7% (n = 19) of the population. Hyperprogressive disease was significantly associated with more than 2 metastatic sites before PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors compared with non-HPD (62.5% [35 of 56] vs 42.6% [149 of 350]; P = .006). Patients experiencing HPD within the first 6 weeks of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor treatment had significantly lower OS compared with patients with progressive disease (median OS, 3.4 months [95% CI, 2.8-7.5 months] vs 6.2 months [95% CI, 5.3-7.9 months]; hazard ratio, 2.18 [95% CI, 1.29-3.69]; P = .003). Among 59 eligible patients treated with chemotherapy, 3 (5.1%) were classified as having HPD.

Conclusions and Relevance

Our study suggests that HPD is more common with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors compared with chemotherapy in pretreated patients with NSCLC and is also associated with high metastatic burden and poor prognosis in patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Additional studies are needed to determine the molecular mechanisms involved in HPD.