A phase Ib study evaluating the recommended phase II dose, safety, tolerability, and efficacy of mivavotinib in combination with nivolumab in advanced solid tumors.

Mivavotinib (TAK-659/CB-659), a dual SYK/FLT3 inhibitor, reduced immunosuppressive immune cell populations and suppressed tumor growth in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy in cancer models. This dose-escalation/expansion study investigated the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary efficacy of mivavotinib plus nivolumab in patients with advanced solid tumors. Patients received oral mivavotinib 60-100 mg once-daily plus intravenous nivolumab 3 mg/kg on days 1 and 15 in 28-day cycles until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The dose-escalation phase evaluated the recommended phase II dose (RP2D; primary endpoint). The expansion phase evaluated overall response rate (primary end point) at the RP2D in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). During dose-escalation (n = 24), two dose-limiting toxicities (grade 4 lipase increased and grade 3 pyrexia) occurred in patients who received mivavotinib 80 mg and 100 mg, respectively. The determined RP2D was once-daily mivavotinib 80 mg plus nivolumab 3 mg/kg. The expansion phase was terminated at ~50% enrollment (n = 17) after failing to meet an ad hoc efficacy futility threshold. Among all 41 patients, common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) included dyspnea (48.8%), aspartate aminotransferase increased, and pyrexia (46.3% each). Common grade ≥3 TEAEs were hypophosphatemia and anemia (26.8% each). Mivavotinib plasma exposure was generally dose-proportional (60-100 mg). One patient had a partial response. Mivavotinib 80 mg plus nivolumab 3 mg/kg was well tolerated with no new safety signals beyond those of single-agent mivavotinib or nivolumab. Low response rates highlight the challenges of treating unresponsive tumor types, such as TNBC, with this combination and immunotherapies in general. TRIAL REGISTRATION ID: NCT02834247.

The AGAMENON-SEOM model for prediction of survival in patients with advanced HER2-positive oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma receiving first-line trastuzumab-based therapy.

Background: Trastuzumab and chemotherapy is the standard first-line treatment in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive advanced gastro-oesophageal cancer. The objective was to develop a predictive model for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients treated with trastuzumab. Methods: Patients with HER2-positive advanced gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinoma (AGA) from the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM)-AGAMENON registry and treated first line with trastuzumab and chemotherapy between 2008 and 2021 were included. The model was externally validated in an independent series (The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK). Results: In all, 737 patients were recruited (AGAMENON-SEOM, n = 654; Manchester, n = 83). Median PFS and OS in the training cohort were 7.76 [95% confidence interval (CI), 7.13-8.25] and 14.0 months (95% CI, 13.0-14.9), respectively. Six covariates were significantly associated with OS: neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, Lauren subtype, HER2 expression, histological grade and tumour burden. The AGAMENON-HER2 model demonstrated adequate calibration and fair discriminatory ability with a c-index for corrected PFS/OS of 0.606 (95% CI, 0.578-0.636) and 0.623 (95% CI, 0.594-0.655), respectively. In the validation cohort, the model is well calibrated, with a c-index of 0.650 and 0.683 for PFS and OS, respectively. Conclusion: The AGAMENON-HER2 prognostic tool stratifies HER2-positive AGA patients receiving trastuzumab and chemotherapy according to their estimated survival endpoints.

Does HER2 status influence in the benefit of ramucirumab and paclitaxel as second line treatment of advanced gastro-esophageal adenocarcinoma? Data from the AGAMENON-SEOM registry.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare ramucirumab-paclitaxel versus chemotherapy in second-line (2L) advanced gastroesophageal cancer (aGEC) based on HER2 status and analyze prognostic factors. METHODS: The study includes patients from the AGAMENON-SEOM registry with aGEC and known HER2 status who received 2L between 2016 and 2021. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) and multivariable Cox regression analysis was done to adjust for confounding variables. RESULTS: Of the 552 patients who met the selection criteria, 149 (26.9%) had HER2-positive aGEC, 89 were treated with chemotherapy, and 60 with ramucirumab-paclitaxel, and 403 had an HER2-negative aGEC, 259 were treated with chemotherapy, and 144 with ramucirumab-paclitaxel. In the whole sample, 2L PFS was 3.0 months (95% CI 2.8-3.2), 2L OS, 5.7 months (5.2-6.3), and ramucirumab-paclitaxel versus chemotherapy was associated with increased PFS (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.53-0.78, p < 0.0001) and OS (HR 0.68, 0.55-0.83, p = 0.0002). Median PFS of ramucirumab- paclitaxel versus chemotherapy was 3.5 vs 2.8 months (HR 0.67, 0.54-0.83, p = 0.0004) in HER2-negative, and 4.7 vs 2.7 months (HR 0.57, 0.40-0.82, p = 0.0031) in HER2-positive aGEC, respectively. Median OS for ramucirumab-paclitaxel versus chemotherapy was 6.6 vs 5 months (HR 0.67, 0.53-0.85, p = 0.0007) in HER2-negative, and 7.4 vs 5.6 months (HR 0.70, 0.53-1.04, p = 0.083) in HER2-positive aGEC, respectively. ECOG-PS, tumor burden, Lauren subtype, and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio were prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with an aGEC from the AGAMENON-SEOM registry, 2L treatment with ramucirumab-paclitaxel was superior to chemotherapy in PFS, OS and response rate, independent of HER2 status.

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 (Cmax) ranged from 24.7 to 227.0 µg/mL; median time to Cmax 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.

DPYD Exome, mRNA Expression and Uracil Levels in Early Severe Toxicity to Fluoropyrimidines: An Extreme Phenotype Approach.

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency is a major cause of severe fluoropyrimidine-induced toxicity and could lead to interruption of chemotherapy or life-threatening adverse reactions. This study aimed to characterize the DPYD exon sequence, mRNA expression and in vivo DPD activity by plasma uracil concentration. It was carried out in two groups of patients with extreme phenotypes (toxicity versus control) newly treated with a fluoropyrimidine, during the first three cycles of treatment. A novel nonsense gene variant (c.2197insA) was most likely responsible for fluoropyrimidine-induced toxicity in one patient, while neither DPYD mRNA expression nor plasma uracil concentration was globally associated with early toxicity. Our present work may help improve pharmacogenetic testing to avoid severe and undesirable adverse reactions to fluoropyrimidine treatment and it also supports the idea of looking beyond DPYD.

Error Detection and Cost Savings With an Image-Based Workflow Management System Connected to a Computerized Prescription Order Entry Program for Antineoplastic Compounding.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyze both the prevalence of errors with the implementation of an image-based workflow management system during the antineoplastic compounding process, and the estimated costs associated with the negative clinical outcome if the errors had not been intercepted. METHODS: Three months after the implementation of Phocus Rx system at a hospital pharmacy department, the identification, classification (type, preparation stage, and cause), and potential severity degree (from negligible to catastrophic) of the errors intercepted were determined. The probability of an error causing an adverse event if it had reached the patient (from nil [0] to high [0.6]) and its consequences was estimated by a team of clinical pharmacists and physicians. Cost-effectiveness analysis from the hospital's perspective was performed. RESULTS: Overall, 9872 antineoplastic medications were prepared using Phocus Rx. The total compounding error rate was 0.8% (n = 78, 56 [69.2%] were related to incorrect dose, 20 [28.2%] to incorrect drug preparation or conditioning technique, and 2 [2.6%] were wrong drugs). Approximately 70% of the detected errors were classified as undetectable via the previous verification practice, with 11.55% judged to be potentially severe (n = 9) and 51.3% moderate (n = 29). Likelihood of occurrence of an adverse event was medium (0.4) to high (0.6) for 37.2% of the errors. Estimated cost ratio and return on investment were €4.21 and 321%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of Phocus Rx prevented antineoplastic preparation errors that would have reached the patient otherwise. In addition, acquisition of this technology was estimated to be cost-effective.

Intratumoral nanoplexed poly I:C BO-112 in combination with systemic anti-PD-1 for patients with anti-PD-1-refractory tumors.

Intratumoral therapies, especially Toll-like receptor agonists, can trigger both the innate and adaptive immune systems. BO-112 is a nanoplexed form of polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) that induces local and systemic immunotherapeutic effects in mouse models. In a multicenter phase 1 clinical trial, repeated intratumoral administrations of BO-112 induced an increase in tumor cell necrosis and apoptosis, as well as augmented immune reactivity according to gene expression profiling. The first three cohorts receiving BO-112 as a monotherapy resulted in a recommended dose of 1 mg that could be safely repeated. Two grade 3 to 4 adverse reactions in the form of reversible thrombocytopenia were reported. In a fourth cohort of 28 patients with tumors that had primary resistance to anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), the combination of intratumoral BO-112 with nivolumab or pembrolizumab was also well tolerated, and 3 patients (2 with melanoma and 1 with renal cell carcinoma) achieved partial responses, with 10 more patients having stable disease at 8 to 12 weeks. Thus, local BO-112 combined with a systemic anti-PD-1 agent might be a strategy to revert anti-PD-1 resistance.

Phase I dose-escalation of trifluridine/tipiracil in combination with oxaliplatin in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pre-clinical data have shown that combining trifluridine/tipiracil with oxaliplatin enhances anti-tumour activity compared with either monotherapy. A phase I dose-escalation study was conducted to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), recommended dose (RD) for phase II and pharmacokinetic profile of this combination in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who had progressed after at least 1 prior line of treatment. METHODS: Using a 3 + 3 design, patients received escalating trifluridine/tipiracil doses from 25, then 30 and to 35 mg/m2 twice daily, days 1-5, q14 days, together with a fixed dose of 85 mg/m2 of oxaliplatin day 1, q14 days. An intermediate cohort with a lower oxaliplatin dose (65 mg/m2) was also investigated. After MTD determination, additional patients were treated to define the RD. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were enrolled. One dose-limiting toxicity of grade 3 febrile neutropenia was observed at the highest dose level, which was established as the MTD and subsequently the RD. The most common drug-related adverse events (AEs) were asthenia, nausea, diarrhoea, peripheral neuropathy, neutropenia, decreased appetite, thrombocytopenia, vomiting, anaemia and peripheral sensory neuropathy. Most drug-related AEs (93.0%) were of grade 1-2. Pharmacokinetic parameters of trifluridine/tipiracil were not influenced by oxaliplatin co-administration. Best overall responses at the RD (n = 14) included 1 patient with partial response (7.1%) and 7 patients with stable disease (50.0%). CONCLUSION: The combination of trifluridine/tipiracil and oxaliplatin in patients with mCRC has a manageable safety profile with some efficacy. The RD is 35 mg/m2 of trifluridine/tipiracil twice daily, days 1-5, q14 days and 85 mg/m2 of oxaliplatin day 1, q14 CLINICALTRIALS. GOV NUMBER: NCT02848443.

Chemotherapy Plus Bevacizumab as Neoadjuvant or Conversion Treatment in Patients with Colorectal Liver Metastases.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of chemotherapy plus bevacizumab as neoadjuvant or conversion treatment for colorectal liver metastases (CLM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was carried out of 74 patients with CLM treated with neoadjuvant or conversion chemotherapy plus bevacizumab. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 63.4%. An optimal morphological response by computed tomography was reported in 35% of patients. The rate of complete resection was 71.6%. Complete or major pathological response (pR) was attained in 58.2%. The median overall survival (OS) was not reached. Median progression-free (PFS) and relapse-free (RFS) survival were 14.6 and 8.7 months. Among patients reaching an optimal pR, median OS was not reached (p=0.08), and a trend towards longer RFS and PFS was seen. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant or conversion chemotherapy with bevacizumab is an active and tolerable option for CLM with minimal post-surgery complications. Optimal pR is associated with a longer OS and a trend for prolonged PFS and RFS.