[Chinese expert consensus on the management of clinical pathway and adverse events of trastuzumab deruxtecan (2024 edition)].

Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) is one of the new generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) with bystander effect. T-DXd can not only significantly improve the survival of HER-2-positive advanced breast cancer patients, but also enable advanced breast cancer patients with low HER-2 expression to benefit from HER-2-targeted therapy. T-DXd has been approved by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for the treatment of HER-2-positive or HER-2-low breast cancer patients. It is foreseeable that T-DXd will be widely used in clinical practice in the future. However, T-DXd has also shown different safety characteristics compared to previous HER-2 targeted drugs in clinical trials. How to manage T-DXd adverse events more reasonably and fully utilize the efficacy of T-DXd is an urgent clinical problem. Based on the existing clinical evidence and guideline consensus, combined with clinical practice experience, the expert group finally reached the consensus of clinical care pathway and adverse reaction management of trastuzumab deruxtecan after many discussions. This consensus content includes the clinical use method of T-DXd, pre-treatment patient education, and management of common or noteworthy adverse events of T-DXd. The adverse events include infusion related adverse events, digestive system adverse events (nausea/vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and decreased appetite), hematological adverse events (neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia), respiratory adverse events (interstitial lung disease/pneumonia), cardiovascular adverse events (decreased left ventricular ejection fraction), adverse events in liver function (elevated transaminases) and other common adverse events (alopecia, fatigue, etc). This consensus focuses on the prevention of adverse events, dose adjustment and treatment when adverse events occur, and recommendations for patients' lifestyle, aiming to improve clinicians' understanding of T-DXd and provide practical guidance for clinical oncologists on T-DXd clinical management.

Clinical Pharmacology of the Antibody-Drug Conjugate Enfortumab Vedotin in Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma and Other Malignant Solid Tumors.

Enfortumab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate comprised of a human monoclonal antibody directed to Nectin-4 and monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), a microtubule-disrupting agent. The objectives of this review are to summarize the clinical pharmacology of enfortumab vedotin monotherapy and demonstrate that the appropriate dose has been selected for clinical use. Pharmacokinetics (PK) of enfortumab vedotin (antibody-drug conjugate and total antibody) and free MMAE were evaluated in five clinical trials of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (n = 748). Intravenous enfortumab vedotin 0.5-1.25 mg/kg on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle showed linear, dose-proportional PK. No significant differences in exposure or safety of enfortumab vedotin and free MMAE were observed in mild, moderate, or severe renal impairment versus normal renal function. Patients with mildly impaired versus normal hepatic function had a 37% increase in area under the concentration-time curve (0-28 days), a 31% increase in maximum concentration of free MMAE, and a similar adverse event profile. No clinically significant PK differences were observed based on race/ethnicity with weight-based dosing, and no clinically meaningful QT prolongation was observed. Concomitant use with dual P-glycoprotein and strong cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors may increase MMAE exposure and the risk of adverse events. Approximately 3% of patients developed antitherapeutic antibodies against enfortumab vedotin 1.25 mg/kg. These findings support enfortumab vedotin 1.25 mg/kg monotherapy on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle. No dose adjustments are required for patients with renal impairment or mild hepatic impairment, or by race/ethnicity.

Antibody-Drug Conjugates and Ocular Toxicity: Nursing, Patient, and Organizational Implications for Care.

BACKGROUND: Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a novel class of drugs with rapidly expanding oncology indications across solid and hematologic malignancies. OBJECTIVES: This article provides an overview of ADCs with a high risk of ocular reactions and guidance for oncology nurses to help mitigate risk and identify toxicities for prompt management. METHODS: This review presents updated evidence, manufacturer recommendations, and clinical guidance about three ADCs with a risk of overall ocular reactions exceeding 40%, as well as strategies to prepare patients for treatment, prevent reactions, and respond to presenting ocular toxicities. FINDINGS: ADCs can cause a range of ocular reactions from mild dry eye to severe and dose- limiting corneal adverse reactions and vision loss. Oncology nurses and other members of the interprofessional team can perform focused clinical assessment, provide patient education about self-management and prevention, and coordinate surrounding eye care for patients receiving treatment with ADCs.

A multicenter phase Ia study of AbGn-107, a novel antibody-drug conjugate, in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer.

AbGn-107 is an antibody-drug conjugate directed against AG-7 antigen, a Lewis A-like glycol-epitope expressed in a variety of gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. Based on promising antitumor activity of AbGn-107 in both in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies, we performed a GI cancer-specific Phase I trial. Standard 3 + 3 dose escalation was used evaluating intravenous doses ranging from 0.1 mg/kg every 4 weeks to 1.0 mg/kg every 2 weeks. Key eligibility included chemo-refractory locally advanced, recurrent, or metastatic gastric, colorectal, pancreatic, or biliary cancer, with ECOG PS 0-1; positive AG-7 expression was not required during dose escalation phase. Patients were treated until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, with tumor assessments every 8 weeks. Primary objectives included safety and determination of maximum tolerated dose; secondary objectives included efficacy defined by objective response rate. Thirty-nine patients were enrolled across seven dose levels during dose escalation phase. Based on safety profile and pharmacokinetic data, 1.0 mg/kg Q2W was selected as the dose schedule for cohort expansion phase, in which an additional seven patients were enrolled. Median number of lines of prior therapy was 3 (range 1-7). AbGn-107 was generally well-tolerated, with infections, cytopenias, hyponatremia, fatigue, abdominal pain, and diarrhea representing the most common grade 3 or higher treatment-emergent adverse events. One subject achieved a partial response, while 18 (46.2%) achieved a best response of stable disease. Disease control lasting > 6 months was observed in 6 subjects (13.0%), including 4 of 15 (26.7%) treated at the highest dose level. AbGn-107 showed a reasonable safety profile and modest clinical activity in this highly pretreated patient population. Further evaluation is required to assess the clinical validity of AG-7 as a suitable antigen for therapeutic targeting. Clinical Trial information: NCT02908451.

Trastuzumab deruxtecan in patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (DESTINY-Lung01): primary results of the HER2-overexpressing cohorts from a single-arm, phase 2 trial.

BACKGROUND: DESTINY-Lung01 is a multicentre, open-label, phase 2 study evaluating the antitumour activity and safety of trastuzumab deruxtecan, a HER2-directed antibody-drug conjugate, in patients with HER2-overexpressing or HER2 (ERBB2)-mutant unresectable or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The results of the HER2-mutant cohort (cohort 2) have been reported elsewhere. Herein, we report the primary analysis of cohorts 1 and 1A, which aimed to evaluate the activity and safety of trastuzumab deruxtecan 5·4 mg/kg and 6·4 mg/kg in patients with HER2-overexpressing NSCLC. METHODS: Patients aged 18 years or older with unresectable or metastatic (or both unresectable and metastatic) non-squamous NSCLC who had relapsed following or were refractory to standard treatment or for whom no standard treatment was available, with an HER2 immunohistochemistry score of 3+ or 2+ (without known HER2 mutations) and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score of 0 or 1, were enrolled at 20 specialist hospitals in France, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, and the USA. Patients were assigned to cohorts sequentially, first to cohort 1, to receive trastuzumab deruxtecan 6·4 mg/kg (cohort 1), then to cohort 1A, to receive trastuzumab deruxtecan 5·4 mg/kg, both administered intravenously once every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was confirmed objective response rate by independent central review and was assessed in the full analysis set, which included all patients who signed an informed consent form and were enrolled in the study. Safety was assessed in all enrolled patients who received at least one dose of trastuzumab deruxtecan. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03505710, and is ongoing (closed to recruitment). FINDINGS: Between Aug 27, 2018, and Jan 28, 2020, 49 patients were enrolled in cohort 1 (median age 63·0 years [IQR 58·0-68·0], 30 [61%] male, 19 [39%] female, and 31 [63%] White), and from June 16 to Dec 9, 2020, 41 patients were enrolled in cohort 1A (median age 62·0 years [IQR 56·0-66·0], 22 [54%] male, 19 [46%] female, and 31 [76%] White). As of data cutoff (Dec 3, 2021), the median treatment duration was 4·1 months (IQR 1·4-7·1) in cohort 1 and 5·5 months (1·4-8·7) in cohort 1A, and median follow-up was 12·0 months (5·4-22·4) in cohort 1 and 10·6 months (4·5-13·5) in cohort 1A. Confirmed objective response rate by independent central review was 26·5% (95% CI 15·0-41·1; 13 of 49, all partial responses) in cohort 1 and 34·1% (20·1-50·6; 14 of 41; two complete responses and 12 partial responses) in cohort 1A. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events of grade 3 or worse were neutropenia (12 [24%] of 49 in cohort 1, none in cohort 1A), pneumonia (six [12%] and two [5%], respectively), fatigue (six [12%] and three [7%], respectively), and disease progression (six [12%] and four [10%], respectively). Drug-related treatment-emergent adverse events of grade 3 or worse occurred in 26 (53%) of 41 patients in cohort 1 and nine (22%) of 49 patients in cohort 1A. Drug-related serious adverse events were reported in ten (20%) patients and three (7%) patients, respectively. Deaths due to treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in ten (20%) patients in cohort 1 (disease progression in six (12%) patients and bronchospasm, hydrocephalus, respiratory failure, and pneumonitis in one [2%] patient each), and in seven (17%) patients in cohort 1A (due to disease progression in four (10%) patients and dyspnoea, malignant neoplasm, and sepsis in one (2%) patient each). One death due to a treatment-emergent adverse event was determined to be due to study treatment by the investigator, which was in cohort 1 (pneumonitis). Independent adjudication of interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis found that drug-related interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis occurred in ten (20%) patients in cohort 1 (two [4%] grade 1, five [10%] grade 2, and three [6%] grade 5) and two (5%) patients in cohort 1A (one [2%] grade 2 and one [2%] grade 5). An additional patient in cohort 1A had grade 4 pneumonitis after the data cutoff, which was subsequently adjudicated as drug-related grade 5 interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis. INTERPRETATION: Given the low antitumour activity of existing treatment options in this patient population, trastuzumab deruxtecan might have the potential to fill a large unmet need in HER2-overexpressing NSCLC. Our findings support further investigation of trastuzumab deruxtecan in patients with HER2-overexpressing NSCLC. FUNDING: Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca.

Clinical management, monitoring, and prophylaxis of adverse events of special interest associated with datopotamab deruxtecan.

Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) are an emerging class of treatments designed to improve efficacy and decrease toxicity compared with other systemic therapies through the selective delivery of cytotoxic agents to tumor cells. Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) is a novel ADC comprising a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload and a monoclonal antibody directed to trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 (TROP2), a protein that is broadly expressed in several types of solid tumors. Dato-DXd is being investigated across multiple solid tumor indications. In the ongoing, first-in-human TROPION-PanTumor01 phase I study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03401385), encouraging and durable antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile was demonstrated in patients with advanced/metastatic hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor2-negative breast cancer (HR+/HER2- BC), triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Improved understanding of the adverse events (AEs) that are associated with Dato-DXd and their optimal management is essential to ensure safe and successful administration. Interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis, infusion-related reactions, oral mucositis/stomatitis, and ocular surface events have been identified as AEs of special interest (AESIs) for which appropriate prevention, monitoring, and management is essential. This article summarizes the incidence of AESIs among patients with HR+/HER2- BC, TNBC, and NSCLC reported in TROPION-PanTumor01. We report our recommendations for AESI prophylaxis, early detection, and management, using experience gained from treating AESIs that occur with Dato-DXd in clinical trials.

Efficacy and safety of trastuzumab deruxtecan in treating human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-low/positive advanced breast cancer:A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: A novel antibody-drug conjugate, trastuzumab deruxtecan is a combination of a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeting antibody and DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor used to treat HER2-low/positive advanced breast cancer. To determine its safety and efficacy in treating HER2-low/positive advanced breast cancer, we performed a meta-analysis of several randomized clinical trials (RCTs) including DESTINY-Breast02 (NCT03523585), DESTINY-Breast03 (NCT03529110), and DESTINY-Breast04 (NCT03734029). METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for RCTs on the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab deruxtecan that were published before May 2023. The efficacy endpoints included median progressive-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), duration of response (DOR), overall response rate (ORR), and clinical benefit rate (CBR). The safety endpoints included treatment-related adverse events. Statistical analyses were performed using RevMan 5.4 software. To ensure transparency, this study was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews website (CRD42023414170). RESULTS: Three RCTs involving 1689 patients were included. Compared with physician-recommended and conventional treatments, trastuzumab deruxtecan exhibited statistically significant improvements in PFS, ORR, and CBR. The median OS and DOR failed to be combined; however, the analyzed studies showed that they were longer. The incidence of adverse events was generally higher with trastuzumab deruxtecan than with physician-recommended or conventional treatments. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that trastuzumab deruxtecan is more effective in treating HER2-low/positive advanced breast cancer than physician-recommended or conventional treatments. However, trastuzumab deruxtecan-related adverse drug reactions should be closely monitored because of its higher incidence of adverse events.

Pivekimab sunirine (IMGN632), a novel CD123-targeting antibody-drug conjugate, in relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukaemia: a phase 1/2 study.

BACKGROUND: Pivekimab sunirine (IMGN632) is a first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate comprising a high-affinity CD123 antibody, cleavable linker, and novel indolinobenzodiazepine pseudodimer payload. CD123 is overexpressed in several haematological malignancies, including acute myeloid leukaemia. We present clinical data on pivekimab sunirine in relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukaemia. METHODS: This first-in-human, phase 1/2 dose-escalation and dose-expansion study enrolled participants aged 18 years or older at nine hospitals in France, Italy, Spain, and the USA with CD123+ haematological malignancies (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-1); participants reported here were in a cohort of participants with acute myeloid leukaemia who were refractory to or had relapsed on one or more previous treatments for acute myeloid leukaemia. The 3 + 3 dose-escalation phase evaluated two dosing schedules: schedule A (once every 3 weeks, on day 1 of a 3-week cycle) and fractionated schedule B (days 1, 4, and 8 of a 3-week cycle). The dose-expansion phase evaluated two cohorts: one cohort given 0·045 mg/kg of bodyweight (schedule A) and one cohort given 0·090 mg/kg of bodyweight (schedule A). The primary endpoints were the maximum tolerated dose and the recommended phase 2 dose. Antileukaemia activity (overall response and a composite complete remission assessment) was a secondary endpoint. The study is ongoing and registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03386513. FINDINGS: Between Dec 29, 2017, and May 27, 2020, 91 participants were enrolled (schedule A, n=68; schedule B, n=23). 30 (44%) of schedule A participants were female and 38 (56%) were male; 60 (88%) were White, six (9%) were Black or African American, and two (3%) were other races. Pivekimab sunirine at doses of 0·015 mg/kg to 0·450 mg/kg in schedule A was administered in six escalating doses with no maximum tolerated dose defined; three dose-limiting toxicities were observed (reversible veno-occlusive disease; 0·180 mg/kg, n=1 and 0·450 mg/kg, n=1; and neutropenia; 0·300 mg/kg, n=1). Schedule B was not pursued further on the basis of comparative safety and antileukaemia findings with schedule A. The recommended phase 2 dose was selected as 0·045 mg/kg once every 3 weeks. At the recommended phase 2 dose (n=29), the most common grade 3 or worse treatment-related adverse events were febrile neutropenia (three [10%]), infusion-related reactions (two [7%]), and anaemia (two [7%]). Treatment-related serious adverse events occurring in 5% or more of participants treated at the recommended phase 2 dose were febrile neutropenia (two [7%]) and infusion-related reactions (two [7%]). Among 68 participants who received schedule A, one death (1%) was considered to be treatment-related (cause unknown; 0·300 mg/kg cohort). At the recommended phase 2 dose, the overall response rate was 21% (95% CI 8-40; six of 29) and the composite complete remission rate was 17% (95% CI 6-36; five of 29). INTERPRETATION: Pivekimab sunirine showed single-agent activity across multiple doses, with a recommended phase 2 dose of 0·045 mg/kg once every 3 weeks. These findings led to a phase 1b/2 study of pivekimab sunirine plus azacitidine and venetoclax in patients with CD123-positive acute myeloid leukaemia. FUNDING: ImmunoGen.

Incidence of antibody-drug conjugate-related fatigue in patients with breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have reported the efficacy of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for treating breast cancer. However, during cytotoxic drug treatment, long-term disabling fatigue is common. Moreover, studies in the relevant literature have indicated that fatigue can significantly increase the incidence of depression and sleep disorders. Therefore, this meta-analysis aims to evaluate the incidence of fatigue in breast cancer survivors treated with ADCs. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched for articles and conference abstracts published before March 16, 2023. Further, two authors independently extracted data from the included studies. The primary outcome of this study was the incidence of all-grade fatigue caused by the use of ADCs in patients with breast cancer. Finally, a random-effects model was used to calculate the incidence and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the outcome. RESULTS: Overall, 7963 patients from 31 studies were included in this meta-analysis to assess the incidence of fatigue caused by the use of approved and marketed ADCs in patients with breast cancer. Notably, the incidence of all-grade fatigue during ADC monotherapy was 39.84% (95% CI, 35.09%-44.69%). In subgroup analyses, among ADCs, the incidence of trastuzumab deruxtecan-induced fatigue was the highest, with an all-grade fatigue incidence of 47.05% (95% CI, 42.38%-51.75%). Meanwhile, the incidence of trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1)-induced all-grade fatigue was 35.17% (95% CI, 28.87%-41.74%), which was the lowest among ADCs. Further, the incidence of all-grade fatigue due to sacituzumab govitecan was 42.82% (95% CI, 34.54%-51.32%), which was higher than that due to T-DM1. Moreover, the incidence of fatigue was higher with T-DM1 combination therapy than with monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians have highlighted the high incidence of ADC-related fatigue and its negative impact on patients' physical and mental health, making fatigue an important research variable. The results of this study will further contribute to a comprehensive understanding of ADCs, which have some clinical importance and are of great benefit to patients with breast cancer.

UGT1A1 Testing in Breast Cancer: should it become routine practice in patients treated with antibody-drug conjugates?

The use of genetic testing to personalize therapeutic strategies in cancer is rapidly evolving and thus changing the landscape of treatment of oncologic patients. The UGT1A1 gene is an important component for the metabolism and glucoronidation of certain drugs, including irinotecan and sacituzumab govitecan (SG); therefore, various UGT1A1 polymorphisms leading to decreased function of the UGT1A1 enzyme may lead to increased risk of treatment-related side effects. Testing for UGT1A1 polymorphism is not routinely adopted in clinical practice; that is due to the lack of concise studies and recommendations concerning the clinical relevance of this test and its impact on the quality of life of cancer patients. The knowledge regarding UGT1A1 polymorphism and its clinical relevance will be reviewed in this article, as well as the published literature on the association between UGT1A1 polymorphism and the toxicity risk of irinotecan as well as sacituzumab govitecan. The current recommendations and guidelines on UGT1A1 testing will be discussed in detail in the hopes of providing guidance to oncologists in their clinical practice.

Loss of or decrease in CD30 expression in four patients with anaplastic large cell lymphoma after brentuximab vedotin-containing therapy.

Brentuximab vedotin (BV), CD30 specific antibody drug conjugate, has been used to treat anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and classic Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL); it is also used in the treatment of other CD30-positive peripheral T-cell lymphomas. We aimed to investigate the incidence and clinicopathological characteristics of patients with ALCL or CHL with loss of or decrease in CD30 expression after BV-containing therapy. Twelve and nine patients with refractory/relapsed CHL and ALCL, respectively, were analyzed after receiving BV-containing therapy. In four ALCL patients (44%), CD30 expression was lost/decreased in re-biopsy materials, including one with complete loss and three with a reduction of less than 20%. All 12 CHL patients showed consistent CD30 expression levels after BV treatment. Compared with five ALCL patients with consistent CD30 expression, four ALCL patients with a loss of/decrease in CD30 expression received a higher cumulative dose of BV (P = 0.014) and revealed a lower intensity of CD30 expression in initial biopsy materials (P = 0.017). The subtypes of ALCL (ALK positive, ALK negative, and primary cutaneous) were not related to the loss of/decrease in CD30 expression. In conclusion, 44% of ALCL patients, regardless of histological subtypes, showed a loss of/decrease in CD30 expression after receiving BV-containing therapy, but this phenomenon was not observed in CHL patients. A higher cumulative dose of BV and a lower amount of CD30 antigen in tumor cells in the initial biopsy materials might be predictors of a loss of/decrease in CD30 expression in ALCL patients.

Translational insights and overall survival in the U31402-A-U102 study of patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd) in EGFR-mutated NSCLC.

BACKGROUND: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) is broadly expressed in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is the target of patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd), an antibody-drug conjugate consisting of a HER3 antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload via a tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker. U31402-A-U102 is an ongoing phase I study of HER3-DXd in patients with advanced NSCLC. Patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated NSCLC that progressed after EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC) who received HER3-DXd 5.6 mg/kg intravenously once every 3 weeks had a confirmed objective response rate (cORR) of 39%. We present median overall survival (OS) with extended follow-up in a larger population of patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC and an exploratory analysis in those with acquired genomic alterations potentially associated with resistance to HER3-DXd. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Safety was assessed in patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC previously treated with EGFR TKI who received HER3-DXd 5.6 mg/kg; efficacy was assessed in those who also had prior PBC. RESULTS: In the safety population (N = 102), median treatment duration was 5.5 (range 0.7-27.5) months. Grade ≥3 adverse events occurred in 76.5% of patients; the overall safety profile was consistent with previous reports. In 78/102 patients who had prior third-generation EGFR TKI and PBC, cORR by blinded independent central review (as per RECIST v1.1) was 41.0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 30.0% to 52.7%], median progression-free survival was 6.4 (95% CI 4.4-10.8) months, and median OS was 16.2 (95% CI 11.2-21.9) months. Patients had diverse mechanisms of EGFR TKI resistance at baseline. At tumor progression, acquired mutations in ERBB3 and TOP1 that might confer resistance to HER3-DXd were identified. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC after EGFR TKI and PBC, HER3-DXd treatment was associated with a clinically meaningful OS. The tumor biomarker characterization comprised the first description of potential mechanisms of resistance to HER3-DXd therapy.

BCMA-directed therapy, new treatments in the myeloma toolbox, and how to use them.

To address the dearth of therapeutic options available for relapsed-refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), attention has shifted to immunotherapeutic strategies, with most products in development targeting the B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA). BCMA is a transmembrane receptor of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, essential for plasma cell survival and minimally expressed on non-hematopoietic tissues; it represents an ideal therapeutic target. Three categories of BCMA-directed therapies exist, with distinct strengths and weaknesses. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are immediately available with modest single-agent efficacy in RRMM, but deliverability is hampered by corneal toxicity. CAR T-cells are the most effective class but face significant logistical and financial barriers. Bispecific antibodies offer superior efficacy and tolerability compared to ADCs, but prolonged exposure causes significant cumulative infectious risk. In this review, we will examine the role of BCMA in MM biology, the approved and emerging therapies targeting this antigen, and how these agents can be optimally sequenced.

TROPHY-U-01, a phase II open-label study of sacituzumab govitecan in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma progressing after platinum-based chemotherapy and checkpoint inhibitors: updated safety and efficacy outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Sacituzumab govitecan (SG) is a Trop-2-directed antibody-drug conjugate containing cytotoxic SN-38, the active metabolite of irinotecan. SG received accelerated US Food and Drug Administration approval for locally advanced (LA) or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) previously treated with platinum-based chemotherapy and a checkpoint inhibitor, based on cohort 1 of the TROPHY-U-01 study. Mutations in the uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) gene are associated with increased adverse events (AEs) with irinotecan-based therapies. Whether UGT1A1 status could impact SG toxicity and efficacy remains unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS: TROPHY-U-01 (NCT03547973) is a multicohort, open-label, phase II registrational study. Cohort 1 includes patients with LA or mUC who progressed after platinum- and checkpoint inhibitor-based therapies. SG was administered at 10 mg/kg intravenously on days 1 and 8 of 21-day cycles. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) per central review; secondary endpoints included progression-free survival, overall survival, and safety. Post hoc safety analyses were exploratory with descriptive statistics. Updated analyses include longer follow-up. RESULTS: Cohort 1 included 113 patients. At a median follow-up of 10.5 months, ORR was 28% (95% CI 20.2% to 37.6%). Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 5.4 months (95% CI 3.5-6.9 months) and 10.9 months (95% CI 8.9-13.8 months), respectively. Occurrence of grade ≥3 treatment-related AEs and treatment-related discontinuation were consistent with prior reports. UGT1A1 status was wildtype (∗1|∗1) in 40%, heterozygous (∗1|∗28) in 42%, homozygous (∗28|∗28) in 12%, and missing in 6% of patients. In patients with ∗1|∗1, ∗1|∗28, and ∗28|∗28 genotypes, any grade treatment-related AEs occurred in 93%, 94%, and 100% of patients, respectively, and were managed similarly regardless of UGT1A1 status. CONCLUSIONS: With longer follow-up, the ORR remains high in patients with heavily pretreated LA or mUC. Safety data were consistent with the known SG toxicity profile. AE incidence varied across UGT1A1 subgroups; however, discontinuation rates remained relatively low for all groups.

Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Gynecologic Cancers.

OPINION STATEMENT: Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a novel class of targeted cancer therapies with the ability to selectively deliver a cytotoxic drug to a tumor cell using a monoclonal antibody linked to a cytotoxic payload. The technology of ADCs allows for tumor-specificity, improved efficacy, and decreased toxicity compared to standard chemotherapy. Common toxicities associated with ADC use include ocular, pulmonary, hematologic, and neurologic toxicities. Several ADCs have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the management of patients with recurrent or metastatic gynecologic cancers, a population with poor outcomes and limited effective treatment options. The first FDA-approved ADC for recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer was tisotumab vedotin, a tissue factor-targeting agent, after demonstrating response in the innovaTV 204 trial. Mirvetuximab soravtansine targets folate receptor alpha and is approved for use in patients with folate receptor alpha-positive, platinum-resistant, epithelial ovarian cancer based on results from the SORAYA trial. While there are no FDA-approved ADCs for the treatment of uterine cancer, trastuzumab deruxtecan, an anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) agent, is actively being investigated. In this review, we will describe the structure and mechanism of action of ADCs, discuss their toxicity profiles, review ADCs both approved and under investigation for the management of gynecologic cancers, and discuss mechanisms of ADC resistance.

Trastuzumab deruxtecan in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-expressing salivary gland carcinoma: a pooled analysis of two phase I studies.

BACKGROUND: HER2-expressing salivary gland carcinoma (SGC) is associated with poor prognosis. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd, DS-8201) has shown evidence of antitumor activity for several HER2-expressing solid tumors in multiple studies. This study aimed to present the efficacy and safety of T-DXd in patients with HER2-expressing SGC from a pooled analysis. METHODS: Patients with HER2-expressing SGC were pooled from two phase I, open-label studies of T-DXd: a two-phase, multiple-dose, first-in-human study (NCT02564900) and a single-sequence crossover drug-drug interaction study (NCT03383692). Endpoints included efficacy (objective response rate [ORR], duration of response [DoR] and progression-free survival [PFS]) and safety. RESULTS: This pooled analysis included 17 patients with SGC (median age: 57 years; male: 88.2%); median (range) follow-up duration was 12.0 (2.3-|34.8) months. Among these patients, 14 had received prior HER2-targeted agents and 13 had undergone prior radiotherapy. The investigator-assessed confirmed ORR was 58.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 32.9-|81.6). The median (95% CI) DoR and PFS were 17.6 months (4.0 to not evaluable [NE]) and 20.5 months (11.1-NE), respectively. All 17 patients reported treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs); 76.5% reported TEAEs of grade ≥3. The most common TEAEs were decreased appetite (94.1%), nausea (88.2%) and neutrophil count decreased (76.5%). Of the 17 patients, five (29.4%) reported adjudicated drug-related interstitial lung disease (grade 1, n = 3; grade 2, n =1; grade 3, n = 1). CONCLUSION: The results of this pooled analysis provide evidence that clinical benefit is achievable with T-DXd in patients with HER2-expressing SGC. CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION: FIH study, NCT02564900; DDI study, NCT03383692.

Lung toxicity induced by anti-HER2 antibody - drug conjugates for breast cancer.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) serves as both a prognostic indicator and a therapeutic target for breast cancer. Therefore, anti-HER2 therapy plays a crucial role in the treatment of HER2-positive cancer. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are composed of a monoclonal antibody, a chemical linker and a payload, wherein their aim is to reduce the toxicity associated with chemotherapy drugs by utilizing specific antibodies. Among the anti-HER2 ADCs currently approved for clinical use, trastuzumab emtansine(T-DM1) and trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-Dxd) have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in treating HER2-positive breast cancer. However, it is essential to emphasize the occurrence of lung toxicity during the treatment process, which can be life-threatening. In this review, we provide an overview of the new epidemiological features associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD) related to anti-HER2 ADCs in breast cancer. We also summarize the potential pathogenesis and explore the diagnosis and treatment strategies within this field.

Sacituzumab Govitecan in Combination With Pembrolizumab for Patients With Metastatic Urothelial Cancer That Progressed After Platinum-Based Chemotherapy: TROPHY-U-01 Cohort 3.

PURPOSE: Pembrolizumab is standard therapy for patients with metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) who progress after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy; however, only approximately 21% of patients respond. Sacituzumab govitecan (SG) is a trophoblast cell surface antigen-2-directed antibody-drug conjugate with US Food and Drug Administration-accelerated approval to treat patients with locally advanced or mUC who previously received platinum-based chemotherapy and a checkpoint inhibitor (CPI). Here, we report the primary analysis of TROPHY-U-01 cohort 3. METHODS: TROPHY-U-01 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03547973) is a multicohort, open-label phase II study. Patients were CPI-naïve and had mUC progression after platinum-based chemotherapy in the metastatic setting or ≤12 months in the (neo)adjuvant setting. Patients received 10 mg/kg of SG once on days 1 and 8 and 200 mg of pembrolizumab once on day 1 of 21-day cycles. The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR) per central review. Secondary end points included clinical benefit rate (CBR), duration of response (DOR) and progression-free survival (PFS) per central review, and safety. RESULTS: Cohort 3 included 41 patients (median age 67 years; 83% male; 78% visceral metastases [29% liver]). With a median follow-up of 14.8 months, the ORR was 41% (95% CI, 26.3 to 57.9; 20% complete response rate), CBR was 46% (95% CI, 30.7 to 62.6), median DOR was 11.1 months (95% CI, 4.8 to not estimable [NE]), and median PFS was 5.3 months (95% CI, 3.4 to 10.2). The median overall survival was 12.7 months (range, 10.7-NE). Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 61% of patients; most common were neutropenia (37%), leukopenia (20%), and diarrhea (20%). CONCLUSION: SG plus pembrolizumab demonstrated a high response rate with an overall manageable toxicity profile in patients with mUC who progressed after platinum-based chemotherapy. No new safety signals were detected. These data support further evaluation of SG plus CPI in mUC.