3007 Background: Belvarafenib, a potent, selective RAF dimer (type II) inhibitor, exhibits clinical activity in BRAFV600E- and NRAS-mutant (NRASm) melanoma patients. The combination of belvarafenib and cobimetinib more potently and durably suppressed MAPK pathway output and tumor growth than currently approved BRAF/MEK inhibitors in RAS- or RAF-mutant tumor xenograft models. This interim results of phase 1b trial evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and anti-tumor activity of belvarafenib in combination with cobimetinib in dose-escalation and NRASm melanoma patients among the 9 indication-specific expansion cohorts. Methods: Patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors harboring RAS or RAF mutation were enrolled in the dose-escalation stage, and the recommended doses were explored in the indication-specific expansion stage. Patients in the dose-escalation stage were given belvarafenib (100–300mg BID) in combination with cobimetinib (20–40mg QD) and the dose of subsequent cohorts was decided by a traditional 3+3 design and safety profile. Primary objectives were to evaluate the safety and tolerability, to estimate the maximum tolerable dose, and to identify the RP2D of the combination. Results: A total of 32 patients enrolled were evaluated for safety analysis; 19 were enrolled in 4 cohorts in the dose-escalation stage and 13 NRASm melanoma patients were enrolled in the indication-specific expansion stage (cut-off date: 2020-7-24). There were 3 DLTs (G3 colitis, G3 diarrhoea, G3 nausea) in 2 patients at the starting dose of belvarafenib 200mg BID continuously and cobimetinib 40mg QD 21/7 schedule. Belvarafenib dose was escalated to 300mg BID with cobimetinib 20mg QD, which did not result in DLTs. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events that occurred in ≥30% of 32 patients were dermatitis acneiform, diarrhoea, constipation, and increase in blood creatine phosphokinase. Two combination doses were explored in the indication-specific expansion stage. Out of the 9 indication-specific expansion cohorts, NRASm melanoma patients exhibited promising efficacy signal; 5 patients reached partial responses (PRs) out of 13, giving a response rate of 38.5%. Among them, 11 had been previously treated with checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs), including 5 (45.5%) who achieved PR. The median PFS was 7.3 months and 5 patients remained on the treatment at the cut-off date. Conclusions: Belvarafenib in combination with cobimetinib showed acceptable tolerability and encouraging efficacy in NRASm melanoma, and in those with prior CPI treatment. Further research is ongoing in other cohorts (Clinicaltrial.gov, NCT03284502) and in NRASm melanoma (reference GO42273 by clinicaltrials.gov ID number). *S.J.S and J.L contributed equally to this work. Clinical trial information: NCT03284502.
BackgroundRegulatory T-cells (Treg) are essential in maintaining self tolerance, but they can also suppress anti-tumor immunity in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Treg are recruited into tumors by C-C motif chemokine ligand 17 (CCL17), and 22 (CCL22), which are produced by tumor cells and other cells in the TME. These chemokines serve as a ”homing signal” to Treg by binding to their cognate receptor, C-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CCR4), the predominant chemokine receptor on human Treg.1 2 3 FLX475, is an orally available and selective small-molecule antagonist of CCR4. In preclinical studies it has demonstrated potent inhibition of CCL17- and CCL22-induced CCR4-mediated chemotaxis, an increase in the intratumoral Teff/Treg ratio, and anti-tumor efficacy as a single agent and in combination with checkpoint inhibitors. In a first-in-human healthy volunteer study, the orally-available CCR4 antagonist was well tolerated, with solid safety profile. A receptor occupancy (RO) pharmacodynamic (PD) assay using peripheral blood Treg demonstrated the ability to safely achieve exposure levels predicted to maximally inhibit Treg recruitment into tumors.4 The proposed mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics (PK), PD, and safety profile of FLX475 have enabled the optimized design of an ongoing Phase 2 study to assess the safety, efficacy of FLX475 in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer.MethodsThis clinical trial is a Phase 2, open-label study to assess the safety and efficacy of FLX475 in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (NCT04768686). Approximately 90 subjects may be enrolled across 2 cohorts to examine the safety and efficacy when administered 100mg PO QD of FLX475 with 200mg IV Q3W of pembrolizumab. In cohort 1, checkpoint inhibitor naïve Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-negative gastric cancer subjects who have progressed on at least 2 prior systemic treatments for advanced or metastatic gastric cancer will be enrolled, and in cohort 2, checkpoint inhibitor naïve EBV-positive gastric cancer subjects who had at least 1 prior systemic treatment for advanced or metastatic gastric cancer will be enrolled. Both EBV negative and positive gastric cancer are predicted to express high levels of CCR4 ligands and enriched in Treg (i.e. ‘charged tumor’). The study is planned initially as a 2-stage design for each cohort, and an interim analysis reviewing efficacy and safety results as well as available PK and PD data for both cohorts will be performed prior to stage 2.AcknowledgementsThanks to the patients, and to their families and caregivers for allowing us to be part of the journey.RAPT Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA is providing FLX475 for the study.Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA is providing pembrolizumab for the study.Trial RegistrationNCT04768686ReferencesTalay O, et al. Potent and selective C-C chemokine receptor (CCR4) antagonists potentiate anti-tumor immune responses by inhibiting regulatory T cells (Treg). J Immunother Cancer 2017;5(Suppl 2):P467 (SITC 2017).Curiel, Tyler J, et al. Specific recruitment of regulatory T cells in ovarian carcinoma fosters immune privilege and predicts reduced survival. Nature medicine 10.9 (2004):942–949.Nakayama et al. Selective induction of Th2-attracting chemokines CCL17 and CCL22 in human B cells by latent membrane protein 1 of Epstein-Barr virus. J Virol 2004 February; 78(4):1665–74.van Marle S, et al. Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of FLX475, an orally-available, potent, and selective small-molecule antagonist of CCR4, in healthy volunteers. J Immunother Cancer 2018;6(Suppl 1):P484 (SITC 2018).
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