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).

Disease progression model using the integrated Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale.

INTRODUCTION: An Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia disease progression model was developed based on the integrated Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale (iADRS). METHODS: Data from 3483 placebo participants in six AD trials were used to develop the disease progression model with NONMEM (version 7.4.2) and examined for mild cognitive impairment, and mild and moderate dementia due to AD. RESULTS: Baseline iADRS score was significantly influenced by AD symptomatic medication use, EXPEDITION2 enrollment (included moderate AD participants), age, and baseline Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. Rate of disease progression increased across disease stage and was significantly influenced by AD medication use, age, and baseline MMSE score. Apolipoprotein E ε4 carrier status did not influence baseline iADRS score or disease progression. DISCUSSION: These results demonstrate a disease progression model describing the time course of the iADRS across the AD severity spectrum. This model can assist future clinical trials in study design optimization and treatment effect interpretation. HIGHLIGHTS: A disease progression model described the integrated Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale (iADRS) time course in mild cognitive impairment to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Using the linear regression model, iADRS scores can be calculated for Mini-Mental State Examination scores. Results can help optimize future clinical trial design and aid in understanding treatment effects.

Phase 1b/2a study of galunisertib, a small molecule inhibitor of transforming growth factor-beta receptor I, in combination with standard temozolomide-based radiochemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed malignant glioma.

Purpose Galunisertib, a TGF-ß inhibitor, has demonstrated antitumor effects in preclinical and radiographic responses in some patients with malignant glioma. This Phase 1b/2a trial investigated the clinical benefit of combining galunisertib with temozolomide-based radiochemotherapy (TMZ/RTX) in patients with newly diagnosed malignant glioma (NCT01220271). Methods This is an open-label, 2-arm Phase 1b/2a study (N = 56) of galunisertib (intermittent dosing: 14 days on/14 days off per cycle of 28 days) in combination with TMZ/RTX (n = 40), versus a control arm (TMZ/RTX, n = 16). The primary objective of Phase 1b was to determine the safe and tolerable Phase 2 dose of galunisertib. The primary objective of Phase 2a was to confirm the tolerability and pharmacodynamic profile of galunisertib with TMZ/RTX, and the secondary objectives included determining the efficacy and pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of galunisertib with TMZ/RTX in patients with glioblastoma. This study also characterized the changes in the major T-cell subsets during TMZ/RTX plus galunisertib treatment. Results In the Phase 2a study, efficacy results for patients treated with galunisertib plus TMZ/RTX or TMZ/RTX were: median overall survival (18.2 vs 17.9 months), median progression-free survival (7.6 vs 11.5 months), and disease control rate (80% [32/40] vs 56% [9/16] patients) respectively. PK profile of galunisertib plus TMZ/RTX regimen was consistent with previously published PK data of galunisertib. The overall safety profile across treatment arms was comparable. Conclusion No differences in efficacy, safety or pharmacokinetic variables were observed between the two treatment arms.

Novel transforming growth factor beta receptor I kinase inhibitor galunisertib (LY2157299) in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We assessed the activity of galunisertib, a small molecule inhibitor of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß1) receptor I, in second-line patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in two cohorts of baseline serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP). METHODS: Patients with advanced HCC who progressed on or were ineligible to receive sorafenib, Child-Pugh A/B7 and ECOG PS ≤1 were enrolled into Part A (AFP ≥ 1.5× ULN) or Part B (AFP < 1.5× ULN). Patients were treated with 80 or 150 mg galunisertib BID for 14 days per 28-day cycle. Endpoints were time-to-progression (TTP) and changes in circulating AFP and TGF-ß1 levels, as well as safety, pharmacokinetics, progression-free survival and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Patients (n = 149) were enrolled with median age 65 years. Median TTP was 2.7 months (95% CI: 1.5-2.9) in Part A (n = 109) and 4.2 months (95% CI: 1.7-5.5) in Part B (n = 40). Median OS was 7.3 months (95% CI: 4.9-10.5) in Part A and 16.8 months (95% CI: 10.5-24.4) in Part B. OS was longer in AFP responders (>20% decrease from baseline, Part A) compared to non-responders (21.5 months vs 6.8 months). OS was longer in TGF-ß1 responders (>20% decrease from baseline, all patients) compared to non-responders. The most common Grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events were neutropenia (n = 4) and fatigue, anaemia, increased bilirubin, hypoalbuminemia and embolism (each, n = 2). CONCLUSIONS: Galunisertib treatment had a manageable safety profile in patients with HCC. Lower baseline AFP and a response in AFP or TGF-ß1 levels (vs no response) correlated with longer survival. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01246986 at ClinicalTrials.gov.

Galunisertib plus gemcitabine vs. gemcitabine for first-line treatment of patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Galunisertib is the first-in-class, first-in-human, oral small-molecule type I transforming growth factor-beta receptor (ALK5) serine/threonine kinase inhibitor to enter clinical development. The effect of galunisertib vs. placebo in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer was determined. METHODS: This was a two-part, multinational study: phase 1b was a non-randomised, open-label, multicentre, and dose-escalation study; phase 2 was a randomised, placebo- and Bayesian-augmented controlled, double-blind study in patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma considered candidates for first-line chemotherapy with gemcitabine. Patients were randomised 2:1 to galunisertib-gemcitabine (N = 104) or placebo-gemcitabine (N = 52). Gemcitabine dose was 1000 mg/m2 QW. Primary endpoints for phases 1b and 2, respectively, were phase 2 dose and overall survival. Secondary objectives included tolerability and biomarkers. RESULTS: Dose-escalation suggested a 300-mg/day dose. Primary objective was met: median survival times were 8.9 and 7.1 months for galunisertib and placebo, respectively (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.79 [95% credible interval: 0.59-1.09] and posterior probability HR < 1 = 0.93). Lower baseline biomarkers macrophage inflammatory protein-1-alpha and interferon-gamma-induced protein 10 were associated with galunisertib benefit. CONCLUSIONS: Galunisertib-gemcitabine combination improved overall survival vs. gemcitabine in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer, with minimal added toxicity. Future exploration of galunisertib in pancreatic cancer is ongoing in combination with durvalumab.

Disposition and metabolism of [14C]-galunisertib, a TGF-ßRI kinase/ALK5 inhibitor, following oral administration in healthy subjects and mechanistic prediction of the effect of itraconazole on galunisertib pharmacokinetics.

1. The disposition and metabolism of galunisertib (LY2157299 monohydrate, a TGF-ßRI Kinase/ALK5 Inhibitor) was characterized following a single oral dose of 150 mg of [14C]-galunisertib (100 µCi) to six healthy human subjects. 2. The galunisertib plasma half-life was 8.6 h, while the 14C half-life was 10.0 h. Galunisertib was abundant in circulation (40.3% of the 14C AUC024 h), with 7 additional metabolites detected in plasma. Two metabolites LSN3199597 (M5, mono-oxidation), and M4 (glucuronide of M3) were the most abundant circulating metabolites (10.7 and 9.0% of the 14C AUC024 h respectively). The pharmacological activity of LSN3199597 was tested and found to be significantly less potent than galunisertib. 3. The dose was recovered in feces (64.5%) and in urine (36.8%). Galunisertib was cleared primarily by metabolism, based on low recovery of parent in excreta (13.0% of dose). Due to the slow in vitro metabolism of galunisertib in suspended hepatocytes, a long term hepatocyte system was used to model the human excretion profile. 4. Expressed cytochromes P450 and hepatocytes indicated clearance was primarily CYP3A4-mediated. Mechanistic static modeling that incorporated small non-CYP-mediated metabolic clearance and renal clearance components predicted an AUC ratio of 4.7 for the effect of itraconazole, a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, on galunisertib.

Biomarker and Histopathology Evaluation of Patients with Recurrent Glioblastoma Treated with Galunisertib, Lomustine, or the Combination of Galunisertib and Lomustine.

Galunisertib, a Transforming growth factor-ßRI (TGF-ßRI) kinase inhibitor, blocks TGF-ß-mediated tumor growth in glioblastoma. In a three-arm study of galunisertib (300 mg/day) monotherapy (intermittent dosing; each cycle =14 days on/14 days off), lomustine monotherapy, and galunisertib plus lomustine therapy, baseline tumor tissue was evaluated to identify markers associated with tumor stage (e.g., histopathology, Ki67, glial fibrillary acidic protein) and TGF-ß-related signaling (e.g., pSMAD2). Other pharmacodynamic assessments included chemokine, cytokine, and T cell subsets alterations. 158 patients were randomized to galunisertib plus lomustine (n = 79), galunisertib (n = 39) and placebo+lomustine (n = 40). In 127 of these patients, tissue was adequate for central pathology review and biomarker work. Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1) negative glioblastoma patients with baseline pSMAD2⁺ in cytoplasm had median overall survival (OS) 9.5 months vs. 6.9 months for patients with no tumor pSMAD2 expression (p = 0.4574). Eight patients were IDH1 R132H⁺ and had a median OS of 10.4 months compared to 6.9 months for patients with negative IDH1 R132H (p = 0.5452). IDH1 status was associated with numerically higher plasma macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC/CCL22), higher whole blood FOXP3, and reduced tumor CD3⁺ T cell counts. Compared to the baseline, treatment with galunisertib monotherapy preserved CD4⁺ T cell counts, eosinophils, lymphocytes, and the CD4/CD8 ratio. The T-regulatory cell compartment was associated with better OS with MDC/CCL22 as a prominent prognostic marker.

Models for change in tumour size, appearance of new lesions and survival probability in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.

AIMS: The aims of this study were (i) to develop a modelling framework linking change in tumour size during treatment to survival probability in metastatic ovarian cancer; and (ii) to model the appearance of new lesions and investigate their relationship with survival and disease characteristics. METHODS: Data from a randomized Phase III clinical trial comparing carboplatin monotherapy to gemcitabine plus carboplatin combotherapy in 336 patients with metastatic ovarian cancer were used. A population model describing change in tumour size based on drug treatment information was established and its relationship with time to appearance of new lesions and survival were investigated with time to event models. RESULTS: The tumour size profiles were well characterized as evaluated by visual predictive checks. Metastasis in the liver at enrolment and change in tumour size up to week 12 were predictors of time to appearance of new lesions. Survival was predicted based on the patient tumour size and ECOG performance status at enrolment and on appearance of new lesions during treatment and change in tumour size up to week 12. Tumour size and survival data from a separate study were adequately predicted. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed models simulate tumour dynamics following treatment and provide a link to the probability of developing new lesions as well as to survival. The models have potential to be used for optimizing the design of late phase clinical trials in metastatic ovarian cancer based on early phase clinical study results and simulation.

Pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and biomarker evaluation of transforming growth factor-ß receptor I kinase inhibitor, galunisertib, in phase 1 study in patients with advanced cancer.

Purpose Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) signaling plays a key role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of tumors, including malignant glioma. Small molecule inhibitors (SMI) blocking TGF-ß signaling reverse EMT and arrest tumor progression. Several SMIs were developed, but currently only LY2157299 monohydrate (galunisertib) was advanced to clinical investigation. Design The first-in-human dose study had three parts (Part A, dose escalation, n = 39; Part B, safety combination with lomustine, n = 26; Part C, relative bioavailability study, n = 14). Results A preclinical pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model predicted a therapeutic window up to 300 mg/day and was confirmed in Part A after continuous PK/PD. PK was not affected by co-medications such as enzyme-inducing anti-epileptic drugs or proton pump inhibitors. Changes in pSMAD2 levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were associated with exposure indicating target-related pharmacological activity of galunisertib. Twelve (12/79; 15%) patients with refractory/relapsed malignant glioma had durable stable disease (SD) for 6 or more cycles, partial responses (PR), or complete responses (CR). These patients with clinical benefit had high plasma baseline levels of MDC/CCL22 and low protein expression of pSMAD2 in their tumors. Of the 5 patients with IDH1/2 mutation, 4 patients had a clinical benefit as defined by CR/PR and SD ≥6 cycles. Galunisertib had a favorable toxicity profile and no cardiac adverse events. Conclusion Based on the PK, PD, and biomarker evaluations, the intermittent administration of galunisertib at 300 mg/day is safe for future clinical investigation.

Mechanism for enhanced absorption of a solid dispersion formulation of LY2300559 using the artificial stomach duodenum model.

An artificial stomach duodenum (ASD) model has been used to demonstrate the performance difference between two formulations of LY2300559, a low-solubility acidic developmental drug. The two formulations investigated were a conventional high-shear wet granulation (HSWG) formulation and a solid dispersion formulation. A pharmacokinetic study in humans demonstrated the enhanced performance of the solid dispersion formulation relative to the HSWG formulation. The Cmax and AUC of the solid dispersion was 2.6 and 1.9 times greater, respectively, compared to the HSWG formulation. In the ASD, the solid dispersion formulation performance was characterized by three main phases: (1) rapid release in the stomach, creating a supersaturated concentration of drug, (2) precipitation in the stomach, and (3) rapid redissolution of the precipitate in the duodenum to concentration levels that are supersaturated relative to crystalline drug. A series of complementary experiments were employed to describe this performance behavior mechanistically. Imaging experiments with a pH indicating dye showed that local pH gradients from meglumine in the solid dispersion formulation were responsible for creating a high initial supersaturation concentration in the stomach. Upon dissipation of meglumine, the drug precipitated in the stomach as an amorphous solid. Because the precipitated drug is in an amorphous form, it can then rapidly redissolve as it transits to the more neutral environment of the duodenum. This unexpected sequence of physical state changes gives a mechanistic explanation for the enhanced in vivo performance of the solid dispersion formulation relative to the HSWG formulation.

Defining a therapeutic window for the novel TGF-ß inhibitor LY2157299 monohydrate based on a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model.

AIMS: To identify prospectively a safe therapeutic window for administration of a novel oral transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) inhibitor, LY2157299 monohydrate, based on a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model. Simulations of population plasma exposures and biomarker responses in tumour were performed for future trials of LY2157299 in glioblastoma and other cancer populations. METHODS: The model was updated after completion of each cohort during the first-in-human dose (FHD) study. The flexible design allowed continuous assessment of PK variability by recruiting the required number of patients in each cohort. Based on 30% inhibition of TGF-ß RI kinase phosphorylates (pSMAD), biologically effective exposures were anticipated to be reached from 160 mg onwards. The therapeutic window was predicted, based on animal data, to be between 160 and 360 mg. RESULTS: No medically significant safety issues were observed and no dose limiting toxicities were established in this study. Observed plasma exposures (medians 2.43 to 3.7 mg l⁻¹ h, respectively) with doses of 160 mg to 300 mg were within the predicted therapeutic window. Responses, based on the MacDonald criteria, were observed in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: A therapeutic window for the clinical investigation of LY2157299 in cancer patients was defined using a targeted PK/PD approach, which integrated translational biomarkers and preclinical toxicity. The study supports using a therapeutic window based on a PK/PD model in early oncology development.

Handling missing data in a duloxetine population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model - imputation methods and selection models.

PURPOSE: In pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) modelling and simulations (M&S), omitting dropouts can cause inaccuracies in parameter estimation and clinical trial simulations (CTS). This study examines the impact of different imputation methods for missing data on the interpretation of model results, as well as develops a selection model (where dropout and efficacy are jointly modelled) for use in CTS. METHODS: Missing data were imputed using single and multiple imputation and pattern mixtures methods for a previously reported duloxetine PK/PD model. The probability of dropout was described in the selection model and CTS was conducted with a hypothetical drug to examine the impact of dropout on trial results. RESULTS: The study completion rate was 75% and dropouts were not random. Model parameters obtained with different imputation methods were mostly within 40% (range 0 to 63%) compared to the model without dropouts. CTS showed 0.3 points lower median pain scores and 3% lower coefficient of variation over the 12-week simulations when dropout was included. CONCLUSIONS: Missing data had little impact on the original population PK/PD analyses. Sensitivity analyses for dropouts should be conducted in M&S exercises. The utility of selection models in CTS was explored via a hypothetical case study.

Donanemab Population Pharmacokinetics, Amyloid Plaque Reduction, and Safety in Participants with Alzheimer's Disease.

Donanemab is an amyloid-targeting therapy that resulted in robust amyloid plaque reduction and slowed Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression compared with placebo in the phase II TRAILBLAZER-ALZ study (NCT03367403). The objectives of the current analyses are to characterize (i) the population pharmacokinetics of donanemab, (ii) the relationship between donanemab exposure and amyloid plaque reduction (response), and (iii) the relationship between donanemab exposure and amyloid-related imaging abnormalities with edema or effusions (ARIA-E). Model development included data from participants with mild cognitive impairment or mild to moderate dementia due to AD from the phase Ib study on donanemab (NCT02624778) and participants with early symptomatic AD from the TRAILBLAZER-ALZ study. The analysis showed donanemab has a terminal elimination half-life of 11.8 days. Body weight and antidrug antibody titer impact donanemab exposure but not the pharmacodynamic response. Maintaining a donanemab serum concentration above 4.43 µg/mL (95% confidence interval: 0.956, 10.4) is associated with amyloid plaque reduction. The time to achieve amyloid plaque clearance (amyloid plaque level < 24.1 Centiloids) varied depending on the baseline amyloid level, where higher baseline levels were associated with fewer participants achieving amyloid clearance. The majority of participants achieved amyloid clearance by 52 weeks on treatment. Apolipoprotein ε4 carriers, irrespective of donanemab serum exposure, were 4 times more likely than noncarriers to have an ARIA-E event by 24 weeks.

Donanemab exposure and efficacy relationship using modeling in Alzheimer's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Donanemab is an amyloid-targeting therapy that specifically targets brain amyloid plaques. The objective of these analyses was to characterize the relationship of donanemab exposure with plasma biomarkers and clinical efficacy through modeling. METHODS: Data for the analyses were from participants with Alzheimer's disease from the phase 1 and TRAILBLAZER-ALZ studies. Indirect-response models were used to fit plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (p-tau217) and plasma glial fibrillated acidic protein (GFAP) data over time. Disease-progression models were developed using pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling. RESULTS: The plasma p-tau217 and plasma GFAP models adequately predicted the change over time, with donanemab resulting in decreased plasma p-tau217 and plasma GFAP concentrations. The disease-progression models confirmed that donanemab significantly reduced the rate of clinical decline. Simulations revealed that donanemab slowed disease progression irrespective of baseline tau positron emission tomography (PET) level within the evaluated population. DISCUSSION: The disease-progression models show a clear treatment effect of donanemab on clinical efficacy regardless of baseline disease severity.

Population pharmacokinetic modelling of S-warfarin to evaluate the design of drug-drug interaction studies for CYP2C9.

This study is to assess pharmacokinetic (PK) sampling time schedules and trial size requirements of drug-drug interaction (DDI) studies for CYP2C9, based on S-warfarin population PK models. S-warfarin plasma concentrations from eight DDI studies were utilized to develop S-warfarin population PK models. Optimal PK sampling times were obtained that minimized mean squared error of geometric mean of the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC(0-∞)). The powers and type I error rates of testing the equivalences of the geometric means of AUC(0-∞) only and AUC(0-∞) and maximum concentration (C (max)), jointly, were assessed via simulation for two-by-two cross-over designs. The results were compared to those from three bioequivalence sample size calculation methods. Two-compartment population PK models with first order absorption were established for non-Asian and Asian subjects. The optimal PK sampling times of size 17 per individual per period were found to be 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 10.0, 12.0, 16.0, 24.0, 36.0, 48.0, 60.0, 72.0, 96.0, 120.0, 144.0 h post a single oral dose of 25 mg warfarin. For non-Asian subjects, the minimum numbers of subjects required per trial with the optimal PK sampling schedule to achieve 80% power and 5% type I error rate, ranged from 6 to 19 for the equivalence of AUC(0-∞) and C (max) jointly. It has been demonstrated that appropriately selected PK sampling time points can greatly increase the corresponding power of the study without increasing the number of subjects, especially when the true ratio is near the default bioequivalence boundary (0.8-1.25).

Association of Amyloid Reduction After Donanemab Treatment With Tau Pathology and Clinical Outcomes: The TRAILBLAZER-ALZ Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: ß-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tau deposits biologically define Alzheimer disease. Objective: To perform post hoc analyses of amyloid reduction after donanemab treatment and assess its association with tau pathology and clinical measures. Design, Setting, and Participants: The Study of LY3002813 in Participants With Early Symptomatic Alzheimer's Disease (TRAILBLAZER-ALZ) was a phase 2, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial conducted from December 18, 2017, to December 4, 2020, with a double-blind period of up to 76 weeks and a 48-week follow-up period. The study was conducted at 56 centers in the US and Canada. Enrolled were participants from 60 to 85 years of age with gradual and progressive change in memory function for 6 months or more, early symptomatic Alzheimer disease, elevated amyloid, and intermediate tau levels. Interventions: Donanemab (an antibody specific for the N-terminal pyroglutamate ß-amyloid epitope) dosing was every 4 weeks: 700 mg for the first 3 doses, then 1400 mg for up to 72 weeks. Blinded dose-reduction evaluations occurred at 24 and 52 weeks based on amyloid clearance. Main Outcomes and Measures: Change in amyloid, tau, and clinical decline after donanemab treatment. Results: The primary study randomized 272 participants (mean [SD] age, 75.2 [5.5] years; 145 female participants [53.3%]). The trial excluded 1683 of 1955 individuals screened. The rate of donanemab-induced amyloid reduction at 24 weeks was moderately correlated with the amount of baseline amyloid (Spearman correlation coefficient r, -0.54; 95% CI, -0.66 to -0.39; P < .001). Modeling provides a hypothesis that amyloid would not reaccumulate to the 24.1-centiloid threshold for 3.9 years (95% prediction interval, 1.9-8.3 years) after discontinuing donanemab treatment. Donanemab slowed tau accumulation in a region-dependent manner as measured using neocortical and regional standardized uptake value ratios with cerebellar gray reference region. A disease-progression model found a significant association between percentage amyloid reduction and change on the integrated Alzheimer Disease Rating Scale only in apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 carriers (95% CI, 24%-59%; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: Results of post hoc analyses for donanemab-treated participants suggest that baseline amyloid levels were directly associated with the magnitude of amyloid reduction and inversely associated with the probability of achieving complete amyloid clearance. The donanemab-induced slowing of tau was more pronounced in those with complete amyloid clearance and in brain regions identified later in the pathologic sequence. Data from other trials will be important to confirm aforementioned observations, particularly treatment response by APOE ε4 status. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03367403.

Investigating the impact of target lesion selection on drug effect evaluation and tumour growth rate determination using tumour growth inhibition models: Example of malignant pleural mesothelioma patients treated with cisplatin alone or in combination with pemetrexed.

In the last update of the RECIST criteria in 2009, it was proposed that the number of target lesions to be followed over time for response-to-treatment assessment be reduced from 10 to 5 lesions maximum, with up to 2 per organ. We explored the impact of reducing the number of target lesion on the assessment of drug effect in a randomised phase III clinical trial using a tumour growth inhibition (TGI) model. Tumour size measurements from 441 (out of 456) patients were used to build two datasets for which observations were the sum of longest diameters of all measurable lesions (ALL dataset) or following the RECIST 1.1 recommendations (R1.1 dataset). TGI models incorporating a categorical covariate for treatment group or a pharmacokinetic metric (i.e. dose; simulated area under the curve) were used to describe the longitudinal tumour size kinetics. Drug exposure was not superior to treatment group at describing drug effect. ALL and R1.1 individual estimates of drug effect appeared to be strongly correlated (r2=0.88). Including pharmacokinetic metrics in TGI models should be conducted carefully when no pharmacokinetic samples are available. Reducing the number of target lesion did not seem to compromise the determination of drug effect using TGI models.

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.

Randomized Phase III Study of FOLFOX Alone or With Pegilodecakin as Second-Line Therapy in Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer That Progressed After Gemcitabine (SEQUOIA).

PURPOSE: SEQUOIA compared efficacy and safety of adding pegilodecakin (PEG), a pegylated recombinant human interleukin (IL)-10, with folinic acid, fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) in patients following progression on first-line gemcitabine-containing therapy with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: SEQUOIA, a randomized, global phase III study, compared FOLFOX with PEG + FOLFOX as second line in gemcitabine-refractory PDAC. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 (PEG + FOLFOX:FOLFOX) and stratified by prior gemcitabine and region. Eligible patients had only one prior gemcitabine-containing treatment. Primary end point was overall survival (OS). Secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS), response evaluation per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor (RECIST) 1.1, and safety. Exploratory analyses included biomarkers related to immune activation. RESULTS: Between March 1, 2017, and September 9, 2019, 567 patients were randomly assigned PEG + FOLFOX (n = 283) or FOLFOX (n = 284). Most (94.7%) patients received prior gemcitabine plus nab paclitaxel. OS was similar comparing PEG + FOLFOX versus FOLFOX (median: 5.8 v 6.3 months; hazard ratio = 1.045; 95% CI, 0.863 to 1.265). Also, PFS (median 2.1 v 2.1 months; hazard ratio = 0.981; 95% CI, 0.808 to 1.190) and objective response rate (4.6% v 5.6%) were similar between the treatment arms. Most common (≥ 35%) treatment-emergent adverse events in PEG + FOLFOX versus FOLFOX were thrombocytopenia (55% v 20%), anemia (40% v 16%), fatigue (61% v 45%), neutropenia (39% v 28%), abdominal pain (37% v 29%), nausea (45% v 41%), neuropathy (37% v 38%), and decreased appetite (35% v 31%). Exploratory analyses revealed increases in total IL-18, interferon (IFN)-γ, and granzyme B and decreases in transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß with the addition of PEG. CONCLUSION: PEG added to FOLFOX did not improve efficacy in advanced gemcitabine-refractory PDAC. Safety findings were consistent as previously observed from PEG with chemotherapy; toxicity was manageable and tolerable. Exploratory pharmacodynamic results were consistent with immunostimulatory signals of the IL-10R pathway.