Overall Survival with Brentuximab Vedotin in Stage III or IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Five-year follow-up in a trial involving patients with previously untreated stage III or IV classic Hodgkin's lymphoma showed long-term progression-free survival benefits with first-line therapy with brentuximab vedotin, a CD30-directed antibody-drug conjugate, plus doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (A+AVD), as compared with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD). A planned interim analysis indicated a potential benefit with regard to overall survival; data from a median of 6 years of follow-up are now available. METHODS: We randomly assigned patients in a 1:1 ratio to receive up to six cycles of A+AVD or ABVD. The primary end point, modified progression-free survival, has been reported previously. The key secondary end point was overall survival in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 664 patients were assigned to receive A+AVD and 670 to receive ABVD. At a median follow-up of 73.0 months, 39 patients in the A+AVD group and 64 in the ABVD group had died (hazard ratio, 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40 to 0.88; P = 0.009). The 6-year overall survival estimates were 93.9% (95% CI, 91.6 to 95.5) in the A+AVD group and 89.4% (95% CI, 86.6 to 91.7) in the ABVD group. Progression-free survival was longer with A+AVD than with ABVD (hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.86). Fewer patients in the A+AVD group than in the ABVD group received subsequent therapy, including transplantation, and fewer second cancers were reported with A+AVD (in 23 vs. 32 patients). Primary prophylaxis with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was recommended after an increased incidence of febrile neutropenia was observed with A+AVD. More patients had peripheral neuropathy with A+AVD than with ABVD, but most patients in the two groups had resolution or amelioration of the event by the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who received A+AVD for the treatment of stage III or IV Hodgkin's lymphoma had a survival advantage over those who received ABVD. (Funded by Takeda Development Center Americas and Seagen; ECHELON-1 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01712490; EudraCT number, 2011-005450-60.).

Subgroup analysis of ICARIA-MM study in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients with high-risk cytogenetics.

Treatment benefit in multiple myeloma (MM) patients with high-risk cytogenetics remains suboptimal. The phase 3 ICARIA-MM trial (NCT02990338) showed that isatuximab plus pomalidomide-dexamethasone prolongs median progression-free survival (mPFS) in patients with relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM). This subgroup analysis of ICARIA-MM compared the benefit of isatuximab in high-risk [defined by the presence of del(17p), t(4;14) or t(14;16)] versus standard-risk patients. The efficacy of isatuximab in patients with gain(1q21) abnormality was also assessed in a retrospective subgroup analysis. In ICARIA-MM, 307 patients received isatuximab-pomalidomide-dexamethasone (n = 154) or pomalidomide-dexamethasone (n = 153). Isatuximab (10 mg/kg intravenously) was given weekly in the first 28-day cycle, and every other week thereafter. Standard pomalidomide-dexamethasone doses were given. Isatuximab-pomalidomide-dexamethasone improved mPFS (7·5 vs 3·7 months; HR, 0·66; 95% CI, 0·33-1·28) and overall response rate (ORR, 50·0% vs 16·7%) in high-risk patients. In patients with isolated gain(1q21), isatuximab addition improved mPFS (11·2 vs 4·6 months; HR, 0·50; 95% CI, 0·28-0·88) and ORR (53·6% vs 27·6%). More grade ≥3 adverse events occurred in high-risk patients receiving isatuximab (95·7%) versus the control group (67·6%); however, isatuximab did not increase events leading to discontinuation or treatment-related mortality. Isatuximab-pomalidomide-dexamethasone provides a consistent benefit over pomalidomide-dexamethasone treatment in RRMM patients regardless of cytogenetic risk.

A phase 1b study of isatuximab plus pomalidomide/dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

This phase 1b dose-escalation study evaluated isatuximab plus pomalidomide/dexamethasone in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Patients who had received ≥2 prior MM therapies, including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor (PI), were enrolled and received isatuximab at 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg (weekly for 4 weeks, followed by every 2 weeks), pomalidomide 4 mg (days 1-21), and dexamethasone 40 mg (weekly) in 28-day cycles until progression/intolerable toxicity. The primary objective was to determine the safety and recommended dose of isatuximab with this combination. Secondary objectives included evaluation of pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and efficacy. Forty-five patients received isatuximab (5 [n = 8], 10 [n = 31], or 20 [n = 6] mg/kg). Patients received a median of 3 (range, 1-10) prior lines; most were refractory to their last regimen (91%), with 82% lenalidomide-refractory and 84% PI-refractory. Median treatment duration was 9.6 months; 19 patients (42%) remain on treatment. Most common adverse events included fatigue (62%), and upper respiratory tract infection (42%), infusion reactions (42%), and dyspnea (40%). The most common grade ≥3 treatment-emergent adverse event was pneumonia, which occurred in 8 patients (17.8%). Hematologic laboratory abnormalities were common (lymphopenia, leukopenia, anemia, 98% each; neutropenia, 93%; and thrombocytopenia, 84%). Overall response rate was 62%; median duration of response was 18.7 months; median progression-free survival was 17.6 months. These results demonstrate potential meaningful clinical activity and a manageable safety profile of isatuximab plus pomalidomide/dexamethasone in heavily pretreated patients with RRMM. The 10 mg/kg weekly/every 2 weeks isatuximab dose was selected for future studies. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02283775.

Isatuximab for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: review of key subgroup analyses from the Phase III ICARIA-MM study.

In the Phase III ICARIA-MM study (NCT02990338), the addition of the anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody isatuximab to pomalidomide and dexamethasone led to increased progression-free survival and improved response rates in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. There is an unmet treatment need, particularly among patients with poor prognoses, including those with high-risk cytogenetics, those who have renal impairment, those who are elderly and those who are refractory to prior lines of treatment. In this review, the subgroup analyses from the ICARIA-MM study, representing subpopulations with poor prognostic factors, are discussed. Overall, the addition of isatuximab to pomalidomide and dexamethasone improved progression-free survival and disease response rates across different subgroups, regardless of prognostic factor.

Lay abstract Currently, the majority of patients with multiple myeloma are not cured, and current treatments may not be helpful for patients with poor prognoses, including those with high-risk chromosomal changes, those who have impaired kidney function, those who are elderly and those who are refractory to prior treatments. In this review, we will discuss the benefits of the combination of isatuximab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone in these difficult-to-treat patients.

Isatuximab plus pomalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone versus pomalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (ICARIA-MM): a randomised, multicentre, open-label, phase 3 study.

BACKGROUND: Isatuximab is a monoclonal antibody that binds a specific epitope on the human CD38 receptor and has antitumour activity via multiple mechanisms of action. In a previous phase 1b study, around 65% of patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma achieved an overall response with a combination of isatuximab with pomalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone. The aim of this study was to determine the progression-free survival benefit of isatuximab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone compared with pomalidomide and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. METHODS: We did a randomised, multicentre, open-label, phase 3 study at 102 hospitals in 24 countries in Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific regions. Eligible participants were adult patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma who had received at least two previous lines of treatment, including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor. Patients were excluded if they were refractory to previous treatment with an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. We randomly assigned patients (1:1) to either isatuximab 10 mg/kg plus pomalidomide 4 mg plus dexamethasone 40 mg (20 mg for patients aged ≥75 years), or pomalidomide 4 mg plus dexamethasone 40 mg. Randomisation was done using interactive response technology and stratified according to the number of previous lines of treatment (2-3 vs >3) and age (<75 years vs ≥75 years). Treatments were assigned based on a permuted blocked randomisation scheme with a block size of four. The isatuximab-pomalidomide-dexamethasone group received isatuximab intravenously on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 in the first 28-day cycle, then on days 1 and 15 in subsequent cycles. Both groups received oral pomalidomide on days 1 to 21 in each cycle, and oral or intravenous dexamethasone on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of each cycle. Treatment continued until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or consent withdrawal. Dose reductions for adverse reactions were permitted for pomalidomide and dexamethasone, but not for isatuximab. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival, determined by an independent response committee and assessed in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was assessed in all participants who received at least one dose of study drug. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02990338. FINDINGS: Between Jan 10, 2017, and Feb 2, 2018, we randomly assigned 307 patients to treatment: 154 to isatuximab-pomalidomide-dexamethasone, and 153 to pomalidomide-dexamethasone. At a median follow-up of 11·6 months (IQR 10·1-13·9), median progression-free survival was 11·5 months (95% CI 8·9-13·9) in the isatuximab-pomalidomide-dexamethasone group versus 6·5 months (4·5-8·3) in the pomalidomide-dexamethasone group; hazard ratio 0·596, 95% CI 0·44-0·81; p=0·001 by stratified log-rank test. The most frequent treatment-emergent adverse events (any grade; isatuximab-pomalidomide-dexamethasone vs pomalidomide-dexamethasone) were infusion reactions (56 [38%] vs 0), upper respiratory tract infections (43 [28%] vs 26 [17%]), and diarrhoea (39 [26%] vs 29 [20%]). Adverse events with a fatal outcome were reported in 12 patients (8%) in the isatuximab-pomalidomide-dexamethasone group and 14 (9%) in the pomalidomide-dexamethasone group. Deaths due to treatment-related adverse events were reported for one patient (<1%) in the isatuximab-pomalidomide-dexamethasone group (sepsis) and two (1%) in the pomalidomide-dexamethasone group (pneumonia and urinary tract infection). INTERPRETATION: The addition of isatuximab to pomalidomide-dexamethasone significantly improves progression-free survival in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. Isatuximab is an important new treatment option for the management of relapsed and refractory myeloma, particularly for patients who become refractory to lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor. FUNDING: Sanofi. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

A phase 1b study of isatuximab plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

This phase 1b, open-label, dose-escalation study assessed the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody isatuximab given in 2 schedules (3, 5, or 10 mg/kg every other week [Q2W] or 10 or 20 mg/kg weekly [QW] for 4 weeks and then Q2W thereafter [QW/Q2W]), in combination with lenalidomide 25 mg (days 1-21) and dexamethasone 40 mg (QW), in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Patients received 28-day treatment cycles; the primary objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of isatuximab with lenalidomide and dexamethasone. Fifty-seven patients (median 5 [range 1-12] prior regimens; 83% refractory to previous lenalidomide therapy) were treated. Median duration of dosing was 36.4 weeks; 15 patients remained on treatment at data cutoff. Isatuximab-lenalidomide-dexamethasone was generally well tolerated with only 1 dose-limiting toxicity reported (grade 3 pneumonia at 20 mg/kg QW/Q2W); the MTD was not reached. The most common isatuximab-related adverse events were infusion-associated reactions (IARs) (56%), which were grade 1/2 in 84% of patients who had an IAR and predominantly occurred during the first infusion. In the efficacy-evaluable population, the overall response rate (ORR) was 56% (29/52) and was similar between the 10 mg/kg Q2W and 10 and 20 mg/kg QW/Q2W cohorts. The ORR was 52% in 42 evaluable lenalidomide-refractory patients. Overall median progression-free survival was 8.5 months. Isatuximab exposure increased in a greater than dose-proportional manner; isatuximab and lenalidomide pharmacokinetic parameters appeared independent. These data suggest that isatuximab combined with lenalidomide and dexamethasone is active and tolerated in heavily pretreated patients with RRMM. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01749969.

A phase Ib dose-escalation and expansion study of the oral MEK inhibitor pimasertib and PI3K/MTOR inhibitor voxtalisib in patients with advanced solid tumours.

BACKGROUND: This phase Ib study evaluated the safety, maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary efficacy of pimasertib (MSC1936369B), a MEK1/2 inhibitor, in combination with voxtalisib (SAR245409), a pan-PI3K and mTORC1/mTORC2 inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumours. METHODS: This study included a dose escalation and expansion in patients with select tumour types and alterations in the MAPK or PI3K pathways. A 3 + 3 design was used to determine MTD. Patients were evaluated for adverse events and tumour response. RESULTS: 146 patients were treated, including 63 in dose escalation and 83 in expansion. The MTD was pimasertib 90 mg and voxtalisib 70 mg daily. Based on the safety profile, the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) was pimasertib 60 mg and voxtalisib 70 mg. The most frequent treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were diarrhoea (75%), fatigue (57%), and nausea (50%). Responses included a complete response in one patient (1%), partial response in five (5%), and stable disease in 51 (46%). At the RP2D, 74 patients required dose interruption (73%), 20 required dose reduction (20%), and 26 discontinued treatment due to TEAEs (26%). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of pimasertib and voxtalisib showed poor long-term tolerability and limited anti-tumour activity in patients with advanced solid tumours.

Isatuximab plus pomalidomide/dexamethasone versus pomalidomide/dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: ICARIA Phase III study design.

Treatment for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) remains an unmet need. Isatuximab, an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody has shown efficacy and tolerability as a monotherapy and combination therapy in Phase I/II studies in RRMM. Here, we describe the design of the Phase III ICARIA-MM study (NCT02990338) which will evaluate isatuximab in combination with pomalidomide (Pom) and low-dose dexamethasone (dex) (Pom/dex) versus Pom/dex alone in RRMM. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival. Response will be determined by an independent response review committee using IMWG criteria (2016) and safety will be assessed throughout. Approximately 300 patients (150 in each arm) are expected to enroll. The first patient was recruited in January 2017 and accrual is ongoing.

Phase I/II dose-escalation study of PI3K inhibitors pilaralisib or voxtalisib in combination with letrozole in patients with hormone-receptor-positive and HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer refractory to a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor.

This phase I/II dose-escalation study evaluated the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of pilaralisib (SAR245408), a pan-class I phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, or voxtalisib (SAR245409), a PI3K and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, in combination with letrozole in hormone-receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor-refractory, recurrent or metastatic breast cancer. Maximum tolerated doses (MTDs) were determined using a 3 + 3 design in phase I. Efficacy was evaluated at the MTDs in phase II. Twenty-one patients were enrolled in phase I; MTDs were determined to be pilaralisib tablets 400 mg once daily (QD) or voxtalisib capsules 50 mg twice daily in combination with letrozole tablets 2.5 mg QD. Fifty-one patients were enrolled in phase II; one patient had a partial response in the pilaralisib arm. Rates of progression-free survival at 6 months were 17 and 8 % in the pilaralisib and voxtalisib arms, respectively. The most frequently reported treatment-related grade ≥ 3 adverse events were aspartate aminotransferase increased (5 %) and rash (5 %) in the pilaralisib arm, and alanine aminotransferase increased (11 %) and rash (9 %) in the voxtalisib arm. Pilaralisib and voxtalisib did not interact pharmacokinetically with letrozole. Pilaralisib had a greater pharmacodynamic impact than voxtalisib, as demonstrated by its impact on glucose homeostasis. There was no association between molecular alterations in the PI3K pathway and efficacy. In summary, pilaralisib or voxtalisib, in combination with letrozole, was associated with an acceptable safety profile and limited efficacy in endocrine therapy-resistant HR+ , HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer.

Phase I/II study of pilaralisib (SAR245408) in combination with trastuzumab or trastuzumab plus paclitaxel in trastuzumab-refractory HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.

This phase I/II dose-escalation study investigated the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of the pan-class I phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor pilaralisib in combination with trastuzumab (Arm 1) or trastuzumab plus paclitaxel (Arm 2) in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Patients had progressed on prior trastuzumab (Arms 1 and 2) and received prior taxane (Arm 2). The MTD of pilaralisib was determined using a 3 + 3 dose-escalation design (starting dose 200 mg once daily). Forty-two patients were enrolled (21 in each arm). Five patients had a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT; three in Arm 1 and two in Arm 2). Dose-limiting toxicities were rash (three patients) and neutropenia (two patients). The MTD of pilaralisib was determined at 400 mg once daily in both arms. The most frequently reported treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were diarrhea (23.8 % in Arm 1 vs. 66.7 % in Arm 2), fatigue (14.3 vs. 42.9 %), and rash (33.3 vs. 38.1 %). The most frequently reported treatment-related grade ≥3 AEs were erythematous rash (9.5 %) in Arm 1 and diarrhea, peripheral neuropathy, and neutropenia (14.3 % each) in Arm 2. Steady-state pilaralisib exposure was similar to previous studies with pilaralisib monotherapy. No responses occurred in Arm 1; four of 20 evaluable patients (20 %) in Arm 2 had a partial response. Observed PIK3CA mutations in cell-free circulating DNA did not correlate with response. Pilaralisib in combination with trastuzumab with or without paclitaxel had an acceptable safety profile in metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, with clinical activity in the paclitaxel arm.

Phase II study of the PI3K inhibitor pilaralisib (SAR245408; XL147) in patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with endometrial carcinoma who progress after first-line chemotherapy have a poor prognosis. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors are investigational treatment options in this setting. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of the PI3K inhibitor pilaralisib (SAR245408; XL147) in advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: This Phase II, multicenter, single-arm, open-label study enrolled patients with histologically confirmed advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma, who had received one or two prior chemotherapy regimens. Patients received pilaralisib 600mg capsules or 400mg tablets once daily. Primary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR), proportion of patients with progression-free survival (PFS) >6months and safety. Molecular profiling in archival tumor tissue and circulating tumor DNA were performed to identify molecular markers associated with response or resistance to pilaralisib. RESULTS: 67 patients were enrolled, of which 50 and 17 patients had received one or two prior regimens, respectively. Complete or partial tumor responses occurred in two patients each (ORR 6.0%); three had tumors with normal PTEN expression and PIK3R1 mutations and one had a tumor with PTEN protein deficiency. However, there was no association between molecular alterations and clinical activity. Rate of PFS>6months was 11.9%. The most commonly reported treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were rash (40.3%), diarrhea (37.3%) and fatigue (28.4%). The most commonly reported treatment-related grade ≥3 AEs were rash (9.0%), diarrhea (4.5%) and increased alanine aminotransferase (4.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Pilaralisib was associated with a favorable safety profile and minimal antitumor activity in advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma.

Isatuximab-Pomalidomide-Dexamethasone Versus Pomalidomide-Dexamethasone in East Asian Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: ICARIA-MM Subgroup Analysis.

BACKGROUND: In the pivotal phase III, randomized, multicenter ICARIA-MM study (NCT02990338), isatuximab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone (Isa-Pd) improved progression-free survival and overall response rate versus pomalidomide and dexamethasone (Pd) in the overall population of patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this predefined subgroup analysis, efficacy, and safety between East Asian patients and the overall population were assessed. RESULTS: In total, 36 East Asian patients were included (Japanese, n = 13; Korean, n = 9; Taiwanese, n = 14). At a median follow-up of 11.6 months, median progression-free survival was not reached (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.80-not calculable) in the Isa-Pd arm and was 7.9 months (95% CI 2.90-not calculable) in the Pd arm. The hazard ratio for the between-group difference was 0.52 (95% CI 0.19-1.39), which was similar to the overall population (hazard ratio, 0.60; 95% CI 0.44-0.82). No new safety signals were observed, except that a higher proportion of patients in the East Asian population experienced Grade ≥ 3 neutropenia compared with the overall population. CONCLUSION: These results confirm the efficacy of Isa-Pd in East Asian patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, and the related safety data are consistent with those observed in the overall population and are manageable.

Isatuximab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma according to prior lines of treatment and refractory status: ICARIA-MM subgroup analysis.

Patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) experience several relapses, and become refractory to successive therapies. In the ICARIA-MM trial (NCT02990338), isatuximab plus pomalidomide-dexamethasone prolonged median progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with RRMM. This subgroup analysis of ICARIA-MM assessed the treatment benefit of isatuximab by prior lines of therapy and refractory status. A total of 307 patients were randomized to isatuximab-pomalidomide-dexamethasone (n = 154) or pomalidomide-dexamethasone (n = 153). Isatuximab (10 mg/kg intravenously) was given weekly in the first 28-day cycle, then every other week. Standard pomalidomide-dexamethasone doses were given. PFS was assessed by prior lines and refractory status. Overall, 102 (66 %) patients receiving isatuximab-pomalidomide-dexamethasone and 101 (66 %) patients receiving pomalidomide-dexamethasone had received 2-3 prior lines; 52 (34 %) and 52 (34 %) had received >3 prior lines, respectively. Median PFS was higher with isatuximab-pomalidomide-dexamethasone versus pomalidomide-dexamethasone for patients who received 2-3 prior lines of therapy (12.3 vs. 7.8 months) and >3 prior lines of therapy (9.4 vs. 4.3 months). Median PFS was higher with isatuximab-pomalidomide-dexamethasone versus pomalidomide-dexamethasone for patients who were lenalidomide-refractory (11.4 vs. 5.6 months), lenalidomide-refractory at last line (11.6 vs. 5.7 months), refractory to a proteasome inhibitor (PI) (11.4 vs. 5.6 months), and double-refractory (11.2 vs. 4.8 months). Overall response rate (ORR) in patients receiving isatuximab-pomalidomide-dexamethasone versus pomalidomide-dexamethasone was 59.0 % versus 31.4 % in lenalidomide-refractory; 60.2 % versus 32.2 % in PI-refractory; and 58.6 % versus 29.9 % in double-refractory patients. Isatuximab-pomalidomide-dexamethasone improved PFS and ORR regardless of prior lines of therapy or refractory status, consistent with the benefit in the overall population.

Final results of a phase 1b study of isatuximab short-duration fixed-volume infusion combination therapy for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

Part B of this phase 1b study (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02283775) evaluated safety and efficacy of a fixed-volume infusion of isatuximab, an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone (Pd) in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients. Isatuximab (10 mg/kg weekly for 4 weeks, then every other week) was administered as a fixed-volume infusion of 250 mL (mL/h infusion rate) with standard doses of Pd on 28-day cycles. Patients (N = 47) had a median of three prior treatment lines (range, 1-8). Median duration of exposure was 36.9 weeks and median duration of first, second, and 3+ infusions were 3.7, 1.8, and 1.2 h, respectively. The most common non-hematologic treatment-emergent adverse events were fatigue (63.8%), infusion reactions (IRs), cough, and upper respiratory tract infection (40.4% each). IRs were all grade 2 and occurred only during the first infusion. The overall response rate was 53.2% in all patients (55.5% in response-evaluable population, 60.0% in daratumumab-naïve patients). Efficacy and safety findings were consistent with data from the isatuximab plus Pd infusion schedule in Part A of this study and also from the phase 3 ICARIA-MM study, and these new data confirm the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of fixed-volume infusion of isatuximab.

Isatuximab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients with renal impairment: ICARIA-MM subgroup analysis.

The randomized, phase 3 ICARIA-MM study investigated isatuximab (Isa) with pomalidomide and dexamethasone (Pd) versus Pd in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and ≥2 prior lines. This prespecified subgroup analysis examined efficacy in patients with renal impairment (RI; estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m²). Isa 10 mg/kg was given intravenously once weekly in cycle 1, and every 2 weeks in subsequent 28-day cycles. Patients received standard doses of Pd. Median progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with RI was 9.5 months with Isa-Pd (n = 55) and 3.7 months with Pd (n = 49; hazard ratio [HR] 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30-0.85). Without RI, median PFS was 12.7 months with Isa-Pd (n = 87) and 7.9 months with Pd (n = 96; HR 0.58; 95% CI, 0.38-0.88). The overall response rate (ORR) with and without RI was higher with Isa-Pd (56 and 68%) than Pd (25 and 43%). Complete renal response rates were 71.9% (23/32) with Isa-Pd and 38.1% (8/21) with Pd; these lasted ≥60 days in 31.3% (10/32) and 19.0% (4/21) of patients, respectively. Isa pharmacokinetics were comparable between the subgroups, suggesting no need for dose adjustment in patients with RI. In summary, the addition of Isa to Pd improved PFS, ORR and renal response rates.

Efficacy of trastuzumab in routine clinical practice and after progression for metastatic breast cancer patients: the observational Hermine study.

BACKGROUND: The Hermine study observed the use of trastuzumab for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in routine practice, including patients who received trastuzumab treatment beyond progression (TBP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study observed 623 patients for > or = 2 years. Treatment was given according to oncologists' normal clinical practices. Endpoints included duration of treatment, efficacy, and cardiac safety. The TBP subanalysis compared overall survival (OS) in 177 patients who received first-line trastuzumab and either continued trastuzumab for > or = 30 days following progression or stopped at or before progression. RESULTS: The median treatment duration was 13.3 months. In the first-, second-, and third-line or beyond treatment groups, the median time to progression (TTP) were 10.3 months, 9.0 months, and 6.3 months, and the median OS times were 30.3 months, 27.1 months, and 23.2 months, respectively. Heart failure was observed in 2.6% of patients, although no cardiac-associated deaths occurred. In the TBP subanalysis, the median OS duration from treatment initiation and time of disease progression were longer in patients who continued receiving trastuzumab TBP (>27.8 months and 21.3 months, respectively) than in those who stopped (16.8 months and 4.6 months, respectively). However, the groups were not completely comparable, because patients who continued trastuzumab TBP had better prognoses at treatment initiation. The median TTP was longer in patients who continued trastuzumab TBP (10.2 months) than in those who stopped (7.1 months). CONCLUSION: The Hermine findings confirm that the pivotal trials of first-line trastuzumab treatment in MBC patients are applicable in clinical practice. The subanalysis suggests that trastuzumab TBP offers a survival benefit to MBC patients treated with first-line trastuzumab.

Drug-Disease Interaction and Time-Dependent Population Pharmacokinetics of Isatuximab in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma Patients.

Isatuximab, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) of immunoglobulin G (IgG) isotype, specifically targets the cluster of differentiation 38 antigen overexpressed in malignant plasma cells. Isatuximab is used to treat multiple myeloma (MM), characterized by the excessive production of abnormal "myeloma proteins" (M-proteins) that may interact with therapeutic IgG mAb on the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn)-mediated recycling pathway. The clinical pharmacology profile of isatuximab was investigated by population pharmacokinetics (PKs) modeling in 476 patients with MM who received 1-20 mg/kg isatuximab either as single agent or in combination with pomalidomide-dexamethasone in 4 clinical trials. Isatuximab PKs were characterized by a two-compartment model with parallel time-varying linear clearance (CL) and nonlinear elimination. Due to a mechanism-based drug-disease interaction, patients secreting IgG M-protein exhibited a twofold lower drug exposure compared with patients with non-IgG MM. No dose adjustment was required based on MM immunoglobulin type because efficacy and safety profiles were comparable between IgG and non-IgG MM subpopulations. ß2-microglobulin, body weight, sex, drug material, and race have a limited effect on drug exposure and do not require any dose adjustment. A typical 50% decrease in linear CL from initial treatment to steady-state was predicted, and this decrease correlated with the best overall response rate and was slower for patients with IgG MM. These findings suggest that the time-dependent effect of isatuximab is likely mediated by a combined factor of both disease state evolution and the perturbation of the FcRn-mediated recycling pathway.

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.