Dual-targeting CD33/CD123 NANOBODY T-cell engager with potent anti-AML activity and good safety profile.

ABSTRACT: Novel therapies are needed for effective treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Relapse is common and salvage treatment with cytotoxic chemotherapy is rarely curative. CD123 and CD33, 2 clinically validated targets in AML, are jointly expressed on blasts and leukemic stem cells in >95% of patients with AML. However, their expression is heterogenous between subclones and between patients, which may affect the efficacy of single-targeting agents in certain patient populations. We present here a dual-targeting CD33/CD123 NANOBODY T-cell engager (CD33/CD123-TCE) that was designed to decrease the risk of relapse from possible single antigen-negative clones and to increase coverage within and across patients. CD33/CD123-TCE killed AML tumor cells expressing 1 or both antigens in vitro. Compared with single-targeting control compounds, CD33/CD123-TCE conferred equal or better ex vivo killing of AML blasts in most primary AML samples tested, suggesting a broader effectiveness across patients. In a disseminated cell-line-derived xenograft mouse model of AML, CD33/CD123-TCE cleared cancer cells in long bones and in soft tissues. As cytokine release syndrome is a well-documented adverse effect of TCE, the compound was tested in a cytokine release assay and shown to induce less cytokines compared to a CD123 single-targeting control. In an exploratory single-dose nonhuman primate study, CD33/CD123-TCE revealed a favorable PK profile. Depletion of CD123 and CD33 expressing cells was observed, but there were neither signs of cytokine release syndrome nor clinical signs of toxicity. Taken together, the CD33/CD123 dual-targeting NANOBODY TCE exhibits potent and safe anti-AML activity and promises a broad patient coverage.

Immunomodulatory properties of CD38 antibodies and their effect on anticancer efficacy in multiple myeloma.

BACKGROUND: CD38 has been established as an important therapeutic target for multiple myeloma (MM), for which two CD38 antibodies are currently approved-daratumumab and isatuximab. CD38 is an ectoenzyme that degrades NAD and its precursors and is involved in the production of adenosine and other metabolites. AIM: Among the various mechanisms by which CD38 antibodies can induce MM cell death is immunomodulation, including multiple pathways for CD38-mediated T-cell activation. Patients who respond to anti-CD38 targeting treatment experience more marked changes in T-cell expansion, activity, and clonality than nonresponders. IMPLICATIONS: Resistance mechanisms that undermine the immunomodulatory effects of CD38-targeting therapies can be tumor intrinsic, such as the downregulation of CD38 surface expression and expression of complement inhibitor proteins, and immune microenvironment-related, such as changes to the natural killer (NK) cell numbers and function in the bone marrow niche. There are numerous strategies to overcome this resistance, which include identifying and targeting other therapeutic targets involved in, for example, adenosine production, the activation of NK cells or monocytes through immunomodulatory drugs and their combination with elotuzumab, or with bispecific T-cell engagers.

The search for therapeutic targets in lung cancer: Preclinical and human studies of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 5 expression and its associated molecular landscape.

OBJECTIVES: CEACAM5 is a cell-surface glycoprotein expressed on epithelial cells of some solid tumors. Tusamitamab ravtansine (SAR408701), a humanized antibody-drug conjugate targeting CEACAM5, is in clinical development for nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSQ-NSCLC) with CEACAM5 high expression (HE), defined as membranous CEACAM5 immunohistochemistry staining at ≥ 2+ intensity in ≥ 50% of tumor cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated correlations between CEACAM5 expression by immunohistochemistry, CEACAM5 protein expression by ELISA, and CEACAM5 RNA expression by RNA-seq in NSQ-NSCLC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, and tumor responses to tusamitamab ravtansine in these models. We assessed prevalence of CEACAM5 HE, clinicopathologic characteristics and molecular markers in patients with NSQ-NSCLC in clinical cohorts. RESULTS: In a lung PDX set of 10 NSQ-NSCLC specimens, correlations between CEACAM5 by IHC, ELISA and RNA-seq ranged from 0.72 to 0.88. In a larger lung PDX set, higher H-scores were present in NSQ- (n = 93) vs SQ-NSCLC (n = 128) models, and in 12 of these NSQ-NSCLC models, more tumor responses to tusamitamab ravtansine occurred in CEACAM5 HE (5/8; 62.5%) versus moderate or negative expression (1/4; 25%), including 3 with KRAS mutations among the 6 responders. In clinical NSQ-NSCLC samples, CEACAM5 HE prevalence was (52/214; 24.3%) in primary tumors and (6/17; 35.3%) in metastases. In NSQ-NSCLC primary tumors, CEACAM5 HE prevalence was significantly higher in KRAS-altered versus wild-type (35.0% vs 19.5%; P = 0.028) and in programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) negative (tumor cells 0%)/low (1-49%) versus high (≥50%) (33.3%, 26.1%, 5.0%; P = 0.031), but not significantly different in EGFR-mutated versus wild-type (20.0% vs 25.7%, P = 0.626). CONCLUSIONS: In NSQ-NSCLC tumors, CEACAM5 HE prevalence was 24.3% overall and was higher with KRAS altered and with PD-L1 negative/low tumors but similar regardless of EGFR mutation status. These findings support targeting CEACAM5 and the clinical development of tusamitamab ravtansine for patients with NSQ-NSCLC with CEACAM5 HE.

Control of acute myeloid leukemia by a trifunctional NKp46-CD16a-NK cell engager targeting CD123.

CD123, the alpha chain of the IL-3 receptor, is an attractive target for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment. However, cytotoxic antibodies or T cell engagers targeting CD123 had insufficient efficacy or safety in clinical trials. We show that expression of CD64, the high-affinity receptor for human IgG, on AML blasts confers resistance to anti-CD123 antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) in vitro. We engineer a trifunctional natural killer cell engager (NKCE) that targets CD123 on AML blasts and NKp46 and CD16a on NK cells (CD123-NKCE). CD123-NKCE has potent antitumor activity against primary AML blasts regardless of CD64 expression and induces NK cell activation and cytokine secretion only in the presence of AML cells. Its antitumor activity in a mouse CD123+ tumor model exceeds that of the benchmark ADCC-enhanced antibody. In nonhuman primates, it had prolonged pharmacodynamic effects, depleting CD123+ cells for more than 10 days with no signs of toxicity and very low inflammatory cytokine induction over a large dose range. These results support clinical development of CD123-NKCE.

Anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody interference with blood compatibility testing: Differentiating isatuximab and daratumumab via functional epitope mapping.

BACKGROUND: There are two FDA-approved anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies for treatment of multiple myeloma: isatuximab and daratumumab. Owing to expression of CD38 on reagent red blood cells (RBCs), these antibodies interfere with indirect antiglobulin tests (IATs). We sought to understand differences in such interference by performing binding experiments. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In vitro experiments to compare the binding to RBCs of isatuximab and daratumumab alone or in the presence of a mouse anti-human CD38 antibody (HB-7 or AT13/5) or a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-analog CD38 inhibitor were performed and quantified by flow cytometry, imaging, mass spectrometry, surface plasmon resonance, and LigandTracer technologies. Serologic testing was performed on plasma samples spiked with isatuximab or daratumumab. RESULTS: CD38 expressed on RBCs can be directly bound by daratumumab, whereas isatuximab requires a co-factor, such as HB-7, AT13/5, or a CD38 inhibitor, suggesting that the isatuximab epitope on RBCs is masked in vitro. Daratumumab samples more frequently showed interference and had stronger reactions than isatuximab samples. Dithiothreitol treatment was equally effective in mitigating the interference caused by either drug. DISCUSSION: Both isatuximab and daratumumab interfere with IATs but at different magnitudes, reflecting distinct binding to CD38 on RBCs. From the binding studies, we conclude that the isatuximab epitope on RBCs is masked in vitro and binding requires a certain CD38 conformation or co-factor. This circumstance may explain why interference is seen only in a subset of patients receiving isatuximab when compared with interference seen in most patients on daratumumab therapy.

SAR442085, a novel anti-CD38 antibody with enhanced antitumor activity against multiple myeloma.

Anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) represent a breakthrough in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), yet some patients fail to respond or progress quickly with this therapy, highlighting the need for novel approaches. In this study we compared the preclinical efficacy of SAR442085, a next-generation anti-CD38 mAb with enhanced affinity for activating Fcγ receptors (FcγR), with first-generation anti-CD38 mAb daratumumab and isatuximab. In surface plasmon resonance and cellular binding assays, we found that SAR442085 had higher binding affinity than daratumumab and isatuximab for FcγRIIa (CD32a) and FcγRIIIa (CD16a). SAR442085 also exhibited better in vitro antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against a panel of MM cells expressing variable CD38 receptor densities including MM patients' primary plasma cells. The enhanced ADCC of SAR442085 was confirmed using NK-92 cells bearing low and high affinity FcγRIIIa (CD16a)-158F/V variants. Using MM patients' primary bone marrow cells, we confirmed that SAR442085 had an increased ability to engage FcγRIIIa, resulting in higher natural killer (NK) cell activation and degranulation against primary plasma cells than preexisting Fc wild-type anti-CD38 mAbs. Finally, using huFcgR transgenic mice that express human Fcγ receptors under the control of their human regulatory elements, we demonstrated that SAR442085 had higher NK cell-dependent in vivo antitumor efficacy and better survival than daratumumab and isatuximab against EL4 thymoma or VK*MYC myeloma cells overexpressing human CD38. These results highlight the preclinical efficacy of SAR442085 and support the current evaluation of this next-generation anti-CD38 antibody in phase I clinical development in patients with relapsed/refractory MM.

Targeting CD38 and PD-1 with isatuximab plus cemiplimab in patients with advanced solid malignancies: results from a phase I/II open-label, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Preclinical data suggest that concurrent treatment of anti-CD38 and antiprogrammed death 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibodies substantially reduce primary tumor growth by reversing T-cell exhaustion and thus enhancing anti-PD-1/PD-L1 efficacy. METHODS: This phase I/II study enrolled patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) or advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The primary objectives of phase I were to investigate the safety and tolerability of isatuximab (anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody)+cemiplimab (anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, Isa+Cemi) in patients with mCRPC (naïve to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy) or NSCLC (progressed on anti-PD-1/PD-L1-containing therapy). Phase II used Simon's two-stage design with response rate as the primary endpoint. An interim analysis was planned after the first 24 (mCRPC) and 20 (NSCLC) patients receiving Isa+Cemi were enrolled in phase II. Safety, immunogenicity, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and antitumor activity were assessed, including CD38, PD-L1, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment (TME), and peripheral immune cell phenotyping. RESULTS: Isa+Cemi demonstrated a manageable safety profile with no new safety signals. All patients experienced ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse event. Grade≥3 events occurred in 13 (54.2%) patients with mCRPC and 12 (60.0%) patients with NSCLC. Based on PCWG3 criteria, assessment of best overall response with Isa+Cemi in mCRPC revealed no complete responses (CRs), one (4.2%) unconfirmed partial response (PR), and five (20.8%) patients with stable disease (SD). Per RECIST V.1.1, patients with NSCLC receiving Isa+Cemi achieved no CR or PR, and 13 (65%) achieved SD. In post-therapy biopsies obtained from patients with mCRPC or NSCLC, Isa+Cemi treatment resulted in a reduction in median CD38+ tumor-infiltrating immune cells from 40% to 3%, with no consistent modulation of PD-L1 on tumor cells or T regulatory cells in the TME. The combination triggered a significant increase in peripheral activated and cytolytic T cells but, interestingly, decreased natural killer cells. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that CD38 and PD-1 modulation by Isa+Cemi has a manageable safety profile, reduces CD38+ immune cells in the TME, and activates peripheral T cells; however, such CD38 inhibition was not associated with significant antitumor activity. A lack of efficacy was observed in these small cohorts of patients with mCRPC or NSCLC. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: NCT03367819.

Individualized genetic makeup that controls natural killer cell function influences the efficacy of isatuximab immunotherapy in patients with multiple myeloma.

BACKGROUND: Phase IIb clinical trial with isatuximab (Isa)-lenalidomide (Len)-dexamethasone (Dex) showed an improved progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), but the efficacy varied by patient. Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) by natural killer (NK) cells plays a crucial role in arbitrating antitumor activities of therapeutic-antibodies. We tested if patient-specific genetic makeup known to set NK cell functional threshold influence response to Isa-Len-Dex therapy. METHODS: We characterized 57 patients with RRMM receiving Isa-Len-Dex for polymorphisms of killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR), human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I, and FCGR3A loci. In vitro ADCC assay, coincubating primary NK cells expressing specific KIR repertoire with multiple myeloma cell lines (MM cells) expressing selected HLA class I ligands, was used to confirm the identified genetic correlatives of clinical response. RESULTS: Patients with KIR3DL2+ and its cognate-ligand HLA-A3/11+ had superior PFS than patients missing this combination (HR=0.43; p=0.02), while patients carrying KIR2DL1+ and HLA-C2C2+ compared with to patients missing this pair showed short PFS (HR=3.54; p=0.05). Patients with KIR3DL2+ and HLA-A3/11+ plus high-affinity FCGR3A-158V allele showed the most prolonged PFS (HR=0.35; p=0.007). Consistent with these clinical data, mechanistic experiments demonstrated that NK cells expressing KIR3DL2 trigger greater ADCC when MM cells express HLA-A3/11. Inversely, NK cells expressing KIR2DL1 do not kill if MM cells express the HLA-C2C2 ligand. NK cells expressing high-affinity FCGR3A-158VV-induced greater ADCC compared with those with low-affinity FCGR3A-158FF. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that KIR3DL2+ and HLA-A3/11+ with FCGR3A-158V markers lead to enhanced Isa-dependent NK-mediated cytolysis against MM cells and results in improved PFS in patients with RRMM treated by Isa-Len-Dex. Moreover, the presence of KIR2DL1+ and HLA-C2C2+ identifies patients who may have a lower response to Isa-Len-Dex therapy linked to a reduced NK-mediated ADCC. These biomarkers could potentially identify, via precision medicine, patients more likely to respond to Isa-Len-Dex immunotherapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01749969.

Isatuximab Acts Through Fc-Dependent, Independent, and Direct Pathways to Kill Multiple Myeloma Cells.

Isatuximab is a monoclonal antibody targeting the transmembrane receptor and ectoenzyme CD38, a protein highly expressed on hematological malignant cells, including those in multiple myeloma (MM). Upon binding to CD38-expressing MM cells, isatuximab is thought to induce tumor cell killing via fragment crystallizable (Fc)-dependent mechanisms, including antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), as well as via direct Fc-independent mechanisms. Here, these mechanisms of action were investigated in MM and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cell lines, as well as in peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from healthy donors, and in MM patient-derived samples. Our findings show that isatuximab-mediated cytotoxicity occurred primarily via ADCC and ADCP in MM cell lines and via ADCC and apoptosis in DLBCL cell lines expressing high levels of CD38. We identified the programmed cell death-1/programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) pathway and MM cell-secreted transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) as tumor cell-related features that could suppress CD38-mediated ADCC. Furthermore, we established that isatuximab can directly activate natural killer (NK) cells and promote NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity via crosslinking of CD38 and CD16. Finally, isatuximab-induced CDC was observed in cell lines with high CD38 receptor density (>250,000 molecules/cell) and limited expression of inhibitory complement regulatory proteins (CD46, CD55, and CD59; <50,000 molecules/cell). Taken together, our findings highlight mechanistic insights for isatuximab and provide support for a range of combination therapy approaches that could be tested for isatuximab in the future.

Construction and optimization of gene expression signatures for prediction of survival in two-arm clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Gene expression signatures for the prediction of differential survival of patients undergoing anti-cancer therapies are of great interest because they can be used to prospectively stratify patients entering new clinical trials, or to determine optimal treatment for patients in more routine clinical settings. Unlike prognostic signatures however, predictive signatures require training set data from clinical studies with at least two treatment arms. As two-arm studies with gene expression profiling have been rarer than similar one-arm studies, the methodology for constructing and optimizing predictive signatures has been less prominently explored than for prognostic signatures. RESULTS: Focusing on two "use cases" of two-arm clinical trials, one for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) patients treated with the anti-angiogenic molecule aflibercept, and the other for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients treated with the small molecule iniparib, we present derivation steps and quantitative and graphical tools for the construction and optimization of signatures for the prediction of progression-free survival based on cross-validated multivariate Cox models. This general methodology is organized around two more specific approaches which we have called subtype correlation (subC) and mechanism-of-action (MOA) modeling, each of which leverage a priori knowledge of molecular subtypes of tumors or drug MOA for a given indication. The tools and concepts presented here include the so-called differential log-hazard ratio, the survival scatter plot, the hazard ratio receiver operating characteristic, the area between curves and the patient selection matrix. In the CRC use case for instance, the resulting signature stratifies the patient population into "sensitive" and "relatively-resistant" groups achieving a more than two-fold difference in the aflibercept-to-control hazard ratios across signature-defined patient groups. Through cross-validation and resampling the probability of generalization of the signature to similar CRC data sets is predicted to be high. CONCLUSIONS: The tools presented here should be of general use for building and using predictive multivariate signatures in oncology and in other therapeutic areas.

A dose-finding Phase 2 study of single agent isatuximab (anti-CD38 mAb) in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

A Phase 2 dose-finding study evaluated isatuximab, an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM; NCT01084252). Patients with ≥3 prior lines or refractory to both immunomodulatory drugs and proteasome inhibitors (dual refractory) were randomized to isatuximab 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks (Q2W), 10 mg/kg Q2W(2 cycles)/Q4W, or 10 mg/kg Q2W. A fourth arm evaluated 20 mg/kg QW(1 cycle)/Q2W. Patients (N = 97) had a median (range) age of 62 years (38-85), 5 (2-14) prior therapy lines, and 85% were double refractory. The overall response rate (ORR) was 4.3, 20.0, 29.2, and 24.0% with isatuximab 3 mg/kg Q2W, 10 mg/kg Q2W/Q4W, 10 mg/kg Q2W, and 20 mg/kg QW/Q2W, respectively. At doses ≥10 mg/kg, median progression-free survival and overall survival were 4.6 and 18.7 months, respectively, and the ORR was 40.9% (9/22) in patients with high-risk cytogenetics. CD38 receptor density was similar in responders and non-responders. The most common non-hematologic adverse events (typically grade ≤2) were nausea (34.0%), fatigue (32.0%), and upper respiratory tract infections (28.9%). Infusion reactions (typically with first infusion and grade ≤2) occurred in 51.5% of patients. In conclusion, isatuximab is active and generally well tolerated in heavily pretreated RRMM, with greatest efficacy at doses ≥10 mg/kg.

Trispecific antibodies enhance the therapeutic efficacy of tumor-directed T cells through T cell receptor co-stimulation.

Despite the significant therapeutic advances provided by immune-checkpoint blockade and chimeric antigen receptor T cell treatments, many malignancies remain unresponsive to immunotherapy. Bispecific antibodies targeting tumor antigens and activating T cell receptor signaling have shown some clinical efficacy; however, providing co-stimulatory signals may improve T cell responses against tumors. Here, we developed a trispecific antibody that interacts with CD38, CD3 and CD28 to enhance both T cell activation and tumor targeting. The engagement of both CD3 and CD28 affords efficient T cell stimulation, whereas the anti-CD38 domain directs T cells to myeloma cells, as well as to certain lymphomas and leukemias. In vivo administration of this antibody suppressed myeloma growth in a humanized mouse model and also stimulated memory/effector T cell proliferation and reduced regulatory T cells in non-human primates at well-tolerated doses. Collectively, trispecific antibodies represent a promising platform for cancer immunotherapy.

Impact of Prior Bevacizumab Treatment on VEGF-A and PlGF Levels and Outcome Following Second-Line Aflibercept Treatment: Biomarker Post Hoc Analysis of the VELOUR Trial.

PURPOSE: Aflibercept is a targeted anti-VEGF therapy used to treat patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) following progression on oxaliplatin-based regimens. This post hoc study evaluated the effect of prior bevacizumab treatment and growth factor levels on patient outcomes associated with aflibercept in the VELOUR phase III trial. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Baseline biomarker plasma concentrations were measured using a bead-based multiplex assay. Patients were grouped according to prior bevacizumab treatment, second-line treatment, and serum biomarker concentrations, and analyzed for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: Plasma samples were available for 553 patients (placebo n = 265; aflibercept n = 288), of which 169 had received prior bevacizumab. Nine biomarkers implicated in angiogenesis or bevacizumab resistance correlated with prior bevacizumab therapy. VEGF-A and placental growth factor (PlGF) were the most significantly increased in patients who had received prior bevacizumab compared with those who had not received prior bevacizumab. In the placebo group, patients with high VEGF-A (>144 pg/mL) levels at baseline had worse OS and PFS compared with patients with lower levels at baseline (9.6 vs. 12.9 months). This was also seen in patients who received placebo and had high baseline PlGF (>8 pg/mL; 9.7 vs. 11.7 months). In the aflibercept group, prolonged OS and PFS were observed regardless of baseline VEGF-A or PlGF levels. CONCLUSIONS: High VEGF-A and PlGF serum levels may underlie development of resistance to bevacizumab in patients with mCRC. Aflibercept retains its activity regardless of baseline VEGF-A and PlGF levels and may be an effective second-line treatment for patients with bevacizumab-induced resistance.

Therapeutic Opportunities with Pharmacological Inhibition of CD38 with Isatuximab.

CD38 is a transmembrane glycoprotein with ectoenzymatic activity involved in regulation of migration, signal transduction, and receptor-mediated adhesion. CD38 is highly expressed on various malignant cells, including multiple myeloma (MM), and at relatively low levels in other tissues, making it a suitable target for therapeutic antibodies. Several anti-CD38 therapies have been, or are being, developed for the treatment of MM, including daratumumab and isatuximab (SAR650984), respectively. Studies have shown that anti-CD38 therapies are effective in the treatment of relapsed/refractory MM and are well tolerated, with infusion reactions being the most common side effects. They can be used as monotherapy or in combination with immunomodulatory agents, such as pomalidomide, or proteasome inhibitors to potentiate their activity. Here we examine isatuximab and several anti-CD38 agents in development that were generated using new antibody engineering techniques and that may lead to more effective CD38 targeting. We also summarize trials assessing these antibodies in MM, other malignancies, and solid organ transplantation. Finally, we propose that further research on the mechanisms of resistance to anti-CD38 therapy and the development of biomarkers and new backbone regimens with CD38 antibodies will be important steps in building more personalized treatment for patients with MM.

Exploration of potential prognostic biomarkers in aflibercept plus FOLFIRI in Japanese patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Aflibercept plus 5-fluorouracil/levofolinate/irinotecan (FOLFIRI) is a second-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer. This ancillary exploratory analysis of data in Japanese people was aimed at exploring the relationship between a set of potential prognostic biomarkers and efficacy endpoints following aflibercept plus FOLFIRI therapy. Sixty-two patients with metastatic colorectal cancer received aflibercept (4 mg/kg) plus FOLFIRI every 2 weeks. Seventy-eight potential protein biomarkers were chosen for analysis based on their roles in angiogenesis, tumor progression, and tumor-stroma interaction. Plasma levels of biomarkers at baseline and at pre-dose 3 (day 1 of treatment cycle 3) were measured in all patients by ELISA. Relationships between these levels and efficacy endpoints were assessed. Ten potential biomarkers had a ±30% change from baseline to pre-dose 3 (adjusted P < .001), with the greatest changes occurring in placental growth factor (median: +4716%) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (+2171%). Baseline levels of eight potential biomarkers correlated with overall survival in a univariate Cox regression analysis: extracellular newly identified receptor for advanced glycation end-products binding protein, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1, interleukin-8, kallikrein 5, pulmonary surfactant-associated protein D, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1, tenascin-C, and tumor necrosis factor receptor 2. None correlated with progression-free survival or maximum tumor shrinkage. Pre-dose 3 levels did not correlate with any efficacy endpoints. Preliminary data show that these eight biomarkers could be associated with overall survival. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01882868.

Aflibercept, a New Way to Target Angiogenesis in the Second Line Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC).

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading tumour worldwide, and the median survival of metastatic patients with the latest therapeutic options today reaches 30 months. Therefore, it is important to plan a therapeutic strategy, able to optimize the use of the available drugs (fluoropyrimides, oxaliplatin, irinotecan and target biologic therapy), with the objective of maximizing the long-term efficacy, reducing toxicities and assuring better quality of life for the patients with mCRC. Among the most recently available drugs for the treatment of mCRC, aflibercept, a new antiangiogenetic agent, should be considered a promising therapeutical option for the second line setting. In this review, the mechanism of action and preclinical evidence, as well as pharmacological and clinical aspects of aflibercept will be analysed. In particular, this drug has a peculiar and unique mechanism of action, inhibiting VEGF-A, -B and PlGF pathways, which may help to overcome tumour escape mechanisms to bevacizumab treatment. From a clinical point of view, the addition of aflibercept to FOLFIRI regimen was able to significantly improve all the clinical outcome with respect to the chemotherapy alone in second line treatment of mCRC patients, regardless of age, RAS status, and prior use of bevacizumab. Finally, the safety profile of aflibercept is well known and manageable in most of the patients. Aflibercept can be considered a novel standard of care in the second line setting and an important therapeutic option for mCRC patients.

A Vulnerability of a Subset of Colon Cancers with Potential Clinical Utility.

BRAF(V600E) mutant colon cancers (CCs) have a characteristic gene expression signature that is also found in some tumors lacking this mutation. Collectively, they are referred to as "BRAF-like" tumors and represent some 20% of CCs. We used a shRNA-based genetic screen focused on genes upregulated in BRAF(V600E) CCs to identify vulnerabilities of this tumor subtype that might be exploited therapeutically. Here, we identify RANBP2 (also known as NUP358) as essential for survival of BRAF-like, but not for non-BRAF-like, CC cells. Suppression of RANBP2 results in mitotic defects only in BRAF-like CC cells, leading to cell death. Mechanistically, RANBP2 silencing reduces microtubule outgrowth from the kinetochores, thereby inducing spindle perturbations, providing an explanation for the observed mitotic defects. We find that BRAF-like CCs display far greater sensitivity to the microtubule poison vinorelbine both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that vinorelbine is a potential tailored treatment for BRAF-like CCs.