A phase Ib/II study of galunisertib in combination with nivolumab in solid tumors and non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: In this phase Ib/II open-label study, tumor immune suppression was targeted in patients with advanced refractory solid tumors and patients with recurrent/refractory non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using galunisertib with nivolumab. METHODS: Eligible patients were ≥ 18 years old, had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤ 1, and were treatment-naive for anti-programmed cell death-1, its ligand, or transforming growth factor ß receptor 1 kinase inhibitors. Phase Ib was an open-label, dose-escalation assessment of the safety and tolerability of galunisertib with nivolumab in patients with advanced refractory solid tumors. Phase II evaluated the safety of galunisertib with nivolumab in NSCLC patients who had received prior platinum-based treatment but were immuno-oncology agent-naive. RESULTS: This trial was conducted between October 2015 and August 2020. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed in phase I. In the phase II NSCLC cohort (n = 25), patients received 150 mg twice daily galunisertib (14 days on/14 days off dosing schedule for all phases) plus nivolumab at 3 mg/kg (intravenously every 2 weeks). In this phase, the most frequent treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were pruritus (n = 9, 36%), fatigue (n = 8, 32%), and decreased appetite (n = 7, 28%). No grade 4 or 5 treatment-related AEs were observed. Six (24%) patients had confirmed partial response (PR) and 4 (16%) had stable disease; 1 additional patient had confirmed PR after initial pseudo-progression. The median duration of response was 7.43 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.75, NR). Among the 7 responders, including the delayed responder, 1 had high PD-L1 expression (≥ 50%). The median progression-free survival was 5.26 months (95% CI: 1.77, 9.20) and the median overall survival was 11.99 months (95% CI: 8.15, NR). Interferon gamma response genes were induced post-treatment and cell adhesion genes were repressed, although the association of these observations with tumor response and clinical outcomes was not statistically powered due to limited samples available. CONCLUSIONS: The study met its primary endpoint as galunisertib combined with nivolumab was well tolerated. Preliminary efficacy was observed in a subset of patients in the Phase 2 NSCLC cohort. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02423343; 22.04.2015).

Evaluation of the Mass Balance and Metabolic Profile of Futibatinib in Healthy Participants.

Futibatinib, a selective, irreversible fibroblast growth factor receptor 1-4 inhibitor, was recently approved for FGFR2 rearrangement-positive cholangiocarcinoma. This Phase I study evaluated the mass balance and metabolic profile of 14 C-futibatinib single oral 20-mg dose in healthy participants (n = 6). Futibatinib was rapidly absorbed; median time to peak drug concentration was 1.0 hours. The mean elimination half-life in plasma was 2.3 hours for futibatinib, and 11.9 hours for total radioactivity. Mean recovery of total radioactivity was 70% of the dose, with 64% recovered in feces and 6% in urine. The major excretion route was fecal; negligible levels were excreted as parent futibatinib. Futibatinib was the most abundant plasma component, comprising 59% of circulating radioactivity (CRA). The most abundant metabolites were cysteinylglycine-conjugated futibatinib in plasma (13% CRA) and reduction of desmethyl futibatinib in feces (17% of dose). In human hepatocytes, 14 C-futibatinib metabolites included glucuronide and sulfate of desmethyl futibatinib, whose formation was inhibited by 1-aminobenzotriazole (a pan-cytochrome P450 inhibitor), and glutathione- and cysteine-conjugated futibatinib. These data indicate the primary metabolic pathways of futibatinib are O-desmethylation and glutathione conjugation, with cytochrome P450 enzyme-mediated desmethylation as the main oxidation pathway. 14 C-futibatinib was well tolerated in this Phase 1 study.

Evaluation of the Cytochrome P450 3A and P-glycoprotein Drug-Drug Interaction Potential of Futibatinib.

Futibatinib, a selective, irreversible fibroblast growth factor receptor 1-4 inhibitor, is being investigated for tumors harboring FGFR aberrations and was recently approved for the treatment of FGFR2 fusion/rearrangement-positive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. In vitro studies identified cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A as the major CYP isoform in futibatinib metabolism and indicated that futibatinib is likely a P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrate and inhibitor. Futibatinib also showed time-dependent inhibition of CYP3A in vitro. Phase I studies investigated the drug-drug interactions of futibatinib with itraconazole (a dual P-gp and strong CYP3A inhibitor), rifampin (a dual P-gp and strong CYP3A inducer), or midazolam (a sensitive CYP3A substrate) in healthy adult participants. Compared with futibatinib alone, coadministration of futibatinib with itraconazole increased futibatinib mean peak plasma concentration and area under the plasma concentration-time curve by 51% and 41%, respectively, and coadministration of futibatinib with rifampin lowered futibatinib mean peak plasma concentration and area under the plasma concentration-time curve by 53% and 64%, respectively. Coadministration of midazolam with futibatinib had no effect on midazolam pharmacokinetics compared with midazolam administered alone. These findings suggest that concomitant use of dual P-gp and strong CYP3A inhibitors/inducers with futibatinib should be avoided, but futibatinib can be concomitantly administered with other drugs metabolized by CYP3A. Drug-drug interaction studies with P-gp-specific substrates and inhibitors are planned.

Trifluridine-Tipiracil and Bevacizumab in Refractory Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: In a previous phase 3 trial, treatment with trifluridine-tipiracil (FTD-TPI) prolonged overall survival among patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Preliminary data from single-group and randomized phase 2 trials suggest that treatment with FTD-TPI in addition to bevacizumab has the potential to extend survival. METHODS: We randomly assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, adult patients who had received no more than two previous chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer to receive FTD-TPI plus bevacizumab (combination group) or FTD-TPI alone (FTD-TPI group). The primary end point was overall survival. Secondary end points were progression-free survival and safety, including the time to worsening of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance-status score from 0 or 1 to 2 or more (on a scale from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater disability). RESULTS: A total of 246 patients were assigned to each group. The median overall survival was 10.8 months in the combination group and 7.5 months in the FTD-TPI group (hazard ratio for death, 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49 to 0.77; P<0.001). The median progression-free survival was 5.6 months in the combination group and 2.4 months in the FTD-TPI group (hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.54; P<0.001). The most common adverse events in both groups were neutropenia, nausea, and anemia. No treatment-related deaths were reported. The median time to worsening of the ECOG performance-status score from 0 or 1 to 2 or more was 9.3 months in the combination group and 6.3 months in the FTD-TPI group (hazard ratio, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.43 to 0.67). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer, treatment with FTD-TPI plus bevacizumab resulted in longer overall survival than FTD-TPI alone. (Funded by Servier and Taiho Oncology; SUNLIGHT ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04737187; EudraCT number, 2020-001976-14.).

Effects of prior therapies on outcomes with trifluridine/tipiracil in patients with metastatic gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer in a randomized phase III trial (TAGS).

BACKGROUND: In the phase III TAGS trial, trifluridine/tipiracil showed survival benefit versus placebo in patients with metastatic gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer and ≥ 2 prior chemotherapies. This post hoc exploratory analysis assessed the impact of prior therapy type on outcomes. METHODS: Based on prior treatment, patients in TAGS (N = 507) were categorized into overlapping subgroups: ramucirumab ± other agents (n = 169), no ramucirumab (n = 338), paclitaxel but no ramucirumab (n = 136), ramucirumab + paclitaxel sequentially or in combination (n = 154), neither paclitaxel nor ramucirumab (n = 202), irinotecan (n = 281), and no irinotecan (n = 226). Overall and progression-free survival, time to Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) ≥ 2, and safety were assessed. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics and prior therapy patterns were generally well balanced between trifluridine/tipiracil and placebo arms across subgroups. Trifluridine/tipiracil was associated with survival benefits versus placebo regardless of prior treatment: across subgroups, median overall survival was 4.6-6.1 versus 3.0-3.8 months (hazard ratios, 0.47-0.88), median progression-free survival was 1.9-2.3 versus 1.7-1.8 months (hazard ratios, 0.49-0.67), and median time to ECOG PS ≥ 2 was 4.0-4.7 versus 1.9-2.5 months (hazard ratios, 0.56-0.88). Among trifluridine/tipiracil-randomized patients, median overall and progression-free survival trended longer in those who had not received ramucirumab, paclitaxel and ramucirumab, or irinotecan (6.0-6.1 and 2.1-2.3 months, respectively) than in those who previously received these agents (4.6-5.7 and 1.9 months). The trifluridine/tipiracil safety profile was consistent across subgroups, with similar overall incidences of grade ≥ 3 adverse events. Minor variations in hematologic toxicities were noted. CONCLUSIONS: In TAGS, third- or later-line trifluridine/tipiracil treatment demonstrated overall and progression-free survival and functioning benefits versus placebo and a consistent safety profile in patients with metastatic gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer, regardless of prior treatment type. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov NCT02500043.

Body weight loss as a prognostic and predictive factor in previously treated patients with metastatic gastric cancer: post hoc analyses of the randomized phase III TAGS trial.

BACKGROUND: Body weight loss (BWL) is a negative prognostic factor in metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer (mGC/GEJC). In the phase III TAGS study, trifluridine/tipiracil improved survival versus placebo in third- or later-line mGC/GEJC. These retrospective analyses examined the association of early BWL with survival outcomes in TAGS. METHODS: Efficacy and safety were assessed in patients who experienced < 3% or ≥ 3% BWL from treatment start until day 1 of cycle 2 (early BWL). The effect of early BWL on overall survival (OS) was assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Body weight data were available for 451 of 507 (89%) patients in TAGS. In the trifluridine/tipiracil and placebo arms, respectively, 74% (224/304) and 65% (95/147) experienced < 3% BWL, whereas 26% (80/304) and 35% (52/147) experienced ≥ 3% BWL at cycle 1 end. Median OS was longer in < 3% BWL versus ≥ 3% BWL subgroups (6.5 vs 4.9 months for trifluridine/tipiracil; 6.0 vs 2.5 months for placebo). In univariate analyses, an unadjusted HR of 0.58 (95% CI, 0.46-0.73) for the < 3% vs ≥ 3% BWL subgroup indicated a strong prognostic effect of early BWL. Multivariate analyses confirmed early BWL as both prognostic (P < 0.0001) and predictive (interaction P = 0.0003) for OS. Similar results were obtained for progression-free survival. Any-cause grade ≥ 3 adverse events were reported in 77% and 82% of trifluridine/tipiracil-treated and 45% and 67% of placebo-treated patients with < 3% and ≥ 3% BWL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In TAGS, early BWL was a strong negative prognostic factor for OS in patients with mGC/GEJC receiving third- or later-line treatment.

Futibatinib for FGFR2-Rearranged Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Alterations in fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) have emerged as promising drug targets for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer with a poor prognosis. Futibatinib, a next-generation, covalently binding FGFR1-4 inhibitor, has been shown to have both antitumor activity in patients with FGFR-altered tumors and strong preclinical activity against acquired resistance mutations associated with ATP-competitive FGFR inhibitors. METHODS: In this multinational, open-label, single-group, phase 2 study, we enrolled patients with unresectable or metastatic FGFR2 fusion-positive or FGFR2 rearrangement-positive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and disease progression after one or more previous lines of systemic therapy (excluding FGFR inhibitors). The patients received oral futibatinib at a dose of 20 mg once daily in a continuous regimen. The primary end point was objective response (partial or complete response), as assessed by independent central review. Secondary end points included the response duration, progression-free and overall survival, safety, and patient-reported outcomes. RESULTS: Between April 16, 2018, and November 29, 2019, a total of 103 patients were enrolled and received futibatinib. A total of 43 of 103 patients (42%; 95% confidence interval, 32 to 52) had a response, and the median duration of response was 9.7 months. Responses were consistent across patient subgroups, including patients with heavily pretreated disease, older adults, and patients who had co-occurring TP53 mutations. At a median follow-up of 17.1 months, the median progression-free survival was 9.0 months and overall survival was 21.7 months. Common treatment-related grade 3 adverse events were hyperphosphatemia (in 30% of the patients), an increased aspartate aminotransferase level (in 7%), stomatitis (in 6%), and fatigue (in 6%). Treatment-related adverse events led to permanent discontinuation of futibatinib in 2% of the patients. No treatment-related deaths occurred. Quality of life was maintained throughout treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In previously treated patients with FGFR2 fusion or rearrangement-positive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, the use of futibatinib, a covalent FGFR inhibitor, led to measurable clinical benefit. (Funded by Taiho Oncology and Taiho Pharmaceutical; FOENIX-CCA2 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02052778.).

Effect of Futibatinib on Cardiac Repolarization: Results of a Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind, QT/QTc, Phase 1 Study in Healthy Subjects.

Futibatinib, a fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) 1-4 inhibitor, is being investigated for FGFR-aberrant tumors. A 4-period, crossover, phase 1 thorough QT/QTc study compared effects on Fridericia heart rate-corrected QT (QTcF) interval of single doses of futibatinib 20 and 80 mg (therapeutic and supratherapeutic doses, respectively), placebo, and moxifloxacin (positive control) in healthy subjects. The study objective was to assess the time-matched difference in change from baseline in QTcF (ddQTcF) between futibatinib and placebo. In addition, changes from baseline in QTcF and other electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters, pharmacokinetics, ECG morphology, and safety were assessed. Forty-eight subjects were randomized. ddQTcF upper limits of 2-sided 90%CIs remained <10 milliseconds (clinical threshold) for both futibatinib doses at all time points (range, 2.0-4.5 milliseconds). Assay sensitivity was demonstrated by lower limits of 2-sided 97.5%CIs of the dQTcF difference between moxifloxacin and placebo of >5 milliseconds. Futibatinib exposure increased in a dose-dependent manner, and no significant relationship was detected between plasma futibatinib concentration and ddQTcF. There were no significant effects on heart rate, other ECG parameters, or ECG morphology. No serious adverse events occurred. Futibatinib did not prolong QTcF or affect other cardiac measures at therapeutic or supratherapeutic doses.

Evaluation of Potential Food Effects and Drug Interactions With Lansoprazole in Healthy Adult Volunteers Receiving Futibatinib.

Futibatinib, an oral, irreversible fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) 1-4 inhibitor, is being evaluated for FGFR-aberrant tumors. Two open-label phase 1 studies evaluated the effects of high-fat, high-calorie food and concomitant proton pump inhibitors (PPIs; lansoprazole) on single-dose futibatinib (20 mg) pharmacokinetics and safety in healthy adults. In the food effect study (N  =  17), subjects received futibatinib under fed and fasted conditions, separated by a 7-day washout. In the PPI study (N  =  20), subjects received futibatinib alone, underwent a 2-day washout, and then received lansoprazole 60 mg once daily for 5 days, with futibatinib also administered on day 5. Under fed versus fasted conditions, futibatinib bioavailability was 11.2% lower (area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to infinity geometric mean ratio 88.8%; 90% confidence interval, 79.8%-98.9%), and median time to maximum plasma concentration was significantly delayed (4.0 vs 1.5 hours; P < .0001). There were no significant differences in futibatinib exposure between futibatinib plus lansoprazole and futibatinib alone. No serious adverse events occurred in either study. These findings suggest that food and PPIs are unlikely to have clinically meaningful impacts on futibatinib bioavailability. Thus, futibatinib may be used with or without food and concomitantly with acid-reducing agents.

A phase II study of TAS-117 in patients with advanced solid tumors harboring germline PTEN-inactivating mutations.

PTEN acts as a potent tumor suppressor within the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Germline mutations in the PTEN gene are a hallmark of PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome, which includes Cowden syndrome, where they appear to elevate lifetime risk of cancer. Targeted AKT directed therapy has been proposed as an effective approach in cancer patients having germline PTEN mutations. The mechanism of action, safety and dosing regimen for the novel allosteric AKT inhibitor TAS-117 have been explored in a phase I study in Japan in which activity was observed against certain tumor types. Here we describe the study protocol of an international, two-part phase II study evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and antitumor activity of TAS-117 in patients with advanced solid tumors harboring germline PTEN-inactivating mutations.

Signaling paths control growth and activities inside cells. Overactivity in these paths can encourage many types of cancers to develop. Tumor suppressor proteins can inhibit cell signals that promote cancer. This protection can be lost if there are errors in any gene coding for a tumor suppressor protein. We are carrying out a clinical study to test TAS-117, a potential new oral medicine, in people who have solid tumors and whose cells have changes in their genes that inactivate a tumor suppressor protein called PTEN. TAS-117 targets part of a signaling path that may be overactive due to loss of PTEN activity. In early research, TAS-117 has shown promising activity against certain tumor types. Our trial will explore if TAS-117 can provide a new treatment for rare forms of cancer where genetic changes have led to a loss of PTEN activity. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT04770246 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Efficacy and safety of trifluridine/tipiracil in older and younger patients with metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer: subgroup analysis of a randomized phase 3 study (TAGS).

BACKGROUND: Trifluridine and tipiracil (FTD/TPI) demonstrated survival benefit vs placebo and manageable safety in previously treated patients with metastatic gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer (mGC/GEJC) in the randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 TAGS study. This subgroup analysis of TAGS examined efficacy/safety outcomes by age. METHODS: In TAGS, patients with mGC/GEJC and ≥ 2 prior therapies were randomized (2:1) to receive FTD/TPI 35 mg/m2 or placebo, plus best supportive care. A preplanned subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate efficacy and safety outcomes in patients aged < 65, ≥ 65, and ≥ 75 years. RESULTS: Among 507 randomized patients (n = 337 FTD/TPI; n = 170 placebo), 55%, 45%, and 14% were aged < 65, ≥ 65, and ≥ 75 years, respectively. Overall survival hazard ratios for FTD/TPI vs placebo were 0.67 (95% CI 0.51-0.89), 0.73 (95% CI 0.52-1.02), and 0.67 (95% CI 0.33-1.37) in patients aged < 65, ≥ 65, and ≥ 75 years, respectively. Regardless of age, patients receiving FTD/TPI experienced improved progression-free survival and stayed longer on treatment than those receiving placebo. Among FTD/TPI-treated patients, frequencies of any-cause grade ≥ 3 adverse events (AEs) were similar across age subgroups (80% each), although grade ≥ 3 neutropenia was more frequent in older patients [40% (≥ 65 and ≥ 75 years); 29% (< 65 years)]; AE-related discontinuation rates did not increase with age [14% (< 65 years), 12% (≥ 65 years), and 12% (≥ 75 years)]. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this subgroup analysis show the efficacy and tolerability of FTD/TPI treatment regardless of age in patients with mGC/GEJC who had received 2 or more prior treatments.

Futibatinib, an Irreversible FGFR1-4 Inhibitor, in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors Harboring FGF/FGFR Aberrations: A Phase I Dose-Expansion Study.

Futibatinib, a highly selective, irreversible FGFR1-4 inhibitor, was evaluated in a large multihistology phase I dose-expansion trial that enrolled 197 patients with advanced solid tumors. Futibatinib demonstrated an objective response rate (ORR) of 13.7%, with responses in a broad spectrum of tumors (cholangiocarcinoma and gastric, urothelial, central nervous system, head and neck, and breast cancer) bearing both known and previously uncharacterized FGFR1-3 aberrations. The greatest activity was observed in FGFR2 fusion/rearrangement-positive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ORR, 25.4%). Some patients with acquired resistance to a prior FGFR inhibitor also experienced responses with futibatinib. Futibatinib demonstrated a manageable safety profile. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were hyperphosphatemia (81.2%), diarrhea (33.5%), and nausea (30.4%). These results formed the basis for ongoing futibatinib phase II/III trials and demonstrate the potential of genomically selected early-phase trials to help identify molecular subsets likely to benefit from targeted therapy. SIGNIFICANCE: This phase I dose-expansion trial demonstrated clinical activity and tolerability of the irreversible FGFR1-4 inhibitor futibatinib across a broad spectrum of FGFR-aberrant tumors. These results formed the rationale for ongoing phase II/III futibatinib trials in cholangiocarcinoma, breast cancer, gastroesophageal cancer, and a genomically selected disease-agnostic population.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 275.

Correction: Biomarkers and overall survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with TGF-ßRI inhibitor galunisertib.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222259.].

A phase I, open-label study evaluating the safety and pharmacokinetics of trifluridine/tipiracil in patients with advanced solid tumors and varying degrees of renal impairment.

PURPOSE: Trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) is approved for advanced colorectal and gastric/gastroesophageal cancer; however, data in patients with renal impairment (RI) are limited. This phase I study evaluated FTD/TPI in patients with advanced solid tumors and varying degrees of RI to develop dosing guidance. METHODS: Patients were enrolled into normal renal function (CrCl ≥ 90 mL/min), mild RI (CrCl 60-89 mL/min), or moderate RI (CrCl 30-59 mL/min) cohorts and administered the recommended FTD/TPI dose (35 mg/m2 twice daily, days 1-5 and 8-12; 28-day cycle). Based on interim pharmacokinetics/safety data, patients with severe RI (CrCl 15-29 mL/min) were enrolled and received FTD/TPI 20 mg/m2 twice daily. RESULTS: Forty-three patients (normal renal function [n = 12]; mild RI [n = 12]; moderate RI [n = 11]; severe RI [n = 8]) were enrolled and treated. At steady state, compared to values in patients with normal renal function, FTD area under the curve (AUC) was not significantly different in patients with RI, but TPI AUC was significantly higher and increased with RI severity. FTD/TPI safety profile was consistent with prior experience, but grade ≥ 3 adverse events (AEs) were more frequent in the RI cohorts (83.3% [mild], 90.9% [moderate], 75.0% [severe], and normal [50.0%]). Hematologic AEs (anemia and neutropenia) were more frequent with RI. Overall, seven patients discontinued because of unrelated, nonhematologic AEs. CONCLUSION: FTD/TPI is safe and tolerable at the recommended 35 mg/m2 dose in patients with mild/moderate RI and at the reduced 20 mg/m2 dose in patients with severe RI. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02301117, registration date: November 21, 2014.

A Phase I Study of an IDO-1 Inhibitor (LY3381916) as Monotherapy and in Combination With an Anti-PD-L1 Antibody (LY3300054) in Patients With Advanced Cancer.

LY3381916 is an orally available, highly selective, potent inhibitor of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1. This study explored the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and antitumor activity of LY3381916 monotherapy and in combination with a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor (LY3300054) in patients with advanced solid tumors. During dose escalation, patients received escalating doses of LY3381916 at 60-600 mg once daily (qd) and 240 mg twice daily in monotherapy (n=21) and in combination with PD-L1 inhibitor at 700 mg every 2 weeks (n=21). A modified toxicity probability interval method was used to guide dose escalation. Dose-limiting toxicities occurred in 3 patients; 1 at LY3381916 240 mg twice daily (alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase increase and systemic inflammatory response syndrome) and 2 at LY3381916 240 mg qd in combination with PD-L1 inhibitor (fatigue and immune-related hepatitis). LY3381916, at the recommended phase II dose, 240 mg qd, in combination with PD-L1 inhibitor, produced maximal inhibition of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 activity in plasma and tumor tissue, and led to an increase of CD8 T cells in tumor tissue. In the combination dose expansion cohorts, 14 triple-negative breast cancer and 4 non-small cell lung cancer patients were enrolled. Treatment-related liver toxicity (grade ≥2 alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase increase or immune-related hepatitis) was the most prominent adverse event in triple-negative breast cancer patients (n=5, 35.7%). Best response was stable disease. These preliminary data suggest an alternative dose level of LY3381916 is needed for the combination with PD-L1 inhibitor. The combination clinical activity was limited in this study.

Phase 1b study of galunisertib and ramucirumab in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Preclinical data suggest that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß signaling interact to stimulate angiogenesis and suppress antitumor immune responses. Thus, combined inhibition of both pathways may offer greater antitumor activity compared with VEGF-targeted antiangiogenic monotherapy against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: This is a multicenter, open-label, phase 1b study of galunisertib, an inhibitor of TGF-ß receptor 1, and ramucirumab, an anti-VEGF receptor 2 antibody, in patients with advanced HCC aiming to define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Secondary objectives included safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), antitumor efficacy, and plasma alpha-fetoprotein and TGF-ß kinetics. Dose escalation employed a 3 + 3 design. Patients received galunisertib at 80 mg (cohort 1) or 150 mg (cohort 2) orally twice a day on days 1-14 of a 28-day cycle combined with ramucirumab 8 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks. RESULTS: Eight patients were enrolled: three in cohort 1 and five in cohort 2 (two patients were unevaluable due to rapid disease progression and replaced). No dose-limiting toxicities were observed. Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) of any grade in ≥2 patients included nausea (25%) and vomiting (25%). There was one Grade 3 treatment-related AE, a cerebrovascular accident possibly related to ramucirumab. Galunisertib exposure was dose-proportional and not affected by ramucirumab. The RECIST version 1.1 objective response rate and disease control rate were 0% and 12.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Combination therapy was safe and tolerable and displayed favorable PK. The MTD was established at galunisertib at 150 mg orally twice a day and ramucirumab 8 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks. The results do not support the preclinical hypothesis that blocking TGFß signaling enhances efficacy of VEGF-targeted therapy; thus further clinical development was halted for the combination of galunisertib and ramucirumab.

Safety and activity of the TGFß receptor I kinase inhibitor galunisertib plus the anti-PD-L1 antibody durvalumab in metastatic pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFß) receptor inhibitor galunisertib co-administered with the anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody durvalumab in recurrent/refractory metastatic pancreatic cancer previously treated with ≤2 systemic regimens. METHODS: This was a two-part, single-arm, multinational, phase Ib study. In a dose-finding phase, escalating oral doses of galunisertib were co-administered on days 1-14 with fixed-dose intravenous durvalumab 1500 mg on day 1 every 4 weeks (Q4W), followed by an expansion cohort phase. RESULTS: The galunisertib recommended phase II dose (RP2D) when co-administered with durvalumab 1500 mg Q4W was 150 mg two times per day. No dose-limiting toxicities were recorded. Among 32 patients treated with galunisertib RP2D, 1 patient had partial response, 7 had stable disease, 15 had objective progressive disease, and 9 were not evaluable. Disease control rate was 25.0%. Median overall survival and progression-free survival were 5.72 months (95% CI: 4.01 to 8.38) and 1.87 months (95% CI: 1.58 to 3.09), respectively. Pharmacokinetic profiles for combination therapy were comparable to those published for each drug. There was no association between potential biomarkers and treatment outcomes. CONCLUSION: Galunisertib 150 mg two times per day co-administered with durvalumab 1500 mg Q4W was tolerable. Clinical activity was limited. Studying this combination in patients in an earlier line of treatment or selected for predictive biomarkers of TGFß inhibition might be a more suitable approach. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02734160.

A phase 1b study of the Notch inhibitor crenigacestat (LY3039478) in combination with other anticancer target agents (taladegib, LY3023414, or abemaciclib) in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors.

Notch signaling plays an important role in development and tissue homeostasis. Deregulation of Notch signaling has been implicated in multiple malignancies. Crenigacestat (LY3039478), a potent Notch inhibitor, decreases Notch signaling and its downstream biologic effects. I6F-MC-JJCD was a multicenter, nonrandomized, open-label, Phase 1b study with 5 separate, parallel dose-escalations in patients with advanced or metastatic cancer from a variety of solid tumors, followed by a dose-confirmation phase in prespecified tumor types. This manuscript reports on 3 of 5 groups. The primary objective was to determine the recommended Phase 2 dose of crenigacestat in combination with other anticancer agents (taladegib, LY3023414 [dual inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase; mechanistic target of rapamycin], or abemaciclib). Secondary objectives included evaluation of safety, tolerability, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics. Patients (N = 63) received treatment between November 2016 and July 2019. Dose-limiting toxicities occurred in 12 patients, mostly gastrointestinal (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting). The maximum-tolerated dose of crenigacestat was 25 mg in Part B (LY3023414), 50 mg in Part C (abemaciclib), and not established in Part A (taladegib) due to toxicities. Patients had at least 1 adverse event (AE) and 75.0-82.6% were ≥ Grade 3 all-causality AEs. No patient had complete or partial response. Disease control rates were 18.8% (Part B) and 26.1% (Part C). The study was terminated before dose confirmation cohorts were triggered. This study demonstrated that crenigacestat combined with different anticancer agents (taladegib, LY3023414, or abemaciclib) was poorly tolerated, leading to lowered dosing and disappointing clinical activity in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors. NCT02784795 and date of registration: May 27, 2016.

Trifluridine/tipiracil in patients with metastatic gastroesophageal junction cancer: a subgroup analysis from the phase 3 TAGS study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with advanced gastroesophageal junction cancer (GEJC) have poor survival outcomes, and GEJC-specific data from trials evaluating agents in gastric cancers (GCs) as a whole are lacking. Trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) was approved for previously treated metastatic GC or GEJC (mGC/mGEJC) based on results of the phase 3 TAGS trial. Subgroup analyses by primary tumor type (GC or GEJC) in TAGS are reported here. METHODS: Pa tients with mGC/mGEJC treated with ≥ 2 prior chemotherapy regimens were randomized (2:1) to receive FTD/TPI or placebo, plus best supportive care. A pre-planned sub-analysis was performed to evaluate efficacy and safety outcomes by primary tumor type (GEJC or GC). RESULTS: Of 507 randomized patients, 145 (29%) had GEJC and 360 (71%) had GC as the primary disease site. Baseline characteristics were generally similar between the GEJC and GC subgroups, except that more patients in the GEJC subgroup had received ≥ 3 prior regimens (72 vs. 59% in the GC subgroup). Survival benefit with FTD/TPI was observed in both subgroups. The overall survival hazard ratio for FTD/TPI vs placebo was 0.75 (95% CI 0.50-1.11) and 0.67 (95% CI 0.52-0.87) in the GEJC and GC subgroups, respectively. Grade ≥ 3 adverse events of any cause were reported in 75 (77%) and 192 (81%) FTD/TPI-treated patients in the GEJC and GC subgroups, respectively. No new safety concerns were noted with FTD/TPI. CONCLUSION: As in patients with GC, FTD/TPI showed an efficacy benefit in patients with GEJC in the TAGS trial, along with demonstrating a manageable safety profile.