Alland, Leila

Abstract In relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (R/R HL), immunotherapies such as the anti-programmed death-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab have demonstrated efficacy as monotherapy and are playing an increasingly prominent role in treatment. The CD30/CD16A-bispecific antibody AFM13 is an innate immune cell engager, a first-in-class, tetravalent antibody, designed to create a bridge between CD30 on HL cells and the CD16A receptor on natural killer cells and macrophages, to induce tumor cell killing. Early studies of AFM13 have demonstrated signs of efficacy as monotherapy for patients with R/R HL and the combination of AFM13 with pembrolizumab represents a rational new treatment modality. Here, we describe a phase 1b, dose-escalation study to assess the safety and preliminary efficacy of AFM13 in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with R/R HL. The primary objective was estimating the maximum tolerated dose; the secondary objectives were to assess safety, tolerability, antitumor efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. In this heavily pretreated patient population, treatment with the combination of AFM13 and pembrolizumab was generally well tolerated, with similar safety profiles compared to the known profiles of each agent alone. The combination of AFM13 with pembrolizumab demonstrated an objective response rate of 88% at the highest treatment dose, with an 83% overall response rate for the overall population. Pharmacokinetic assessment of AFM13 in the combination setting revealed a half-life of up to 20.6 hours. This proof-of-concept study holds promise as a novel immunotherapy combination worthy of further investigation. This phase 1b study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02665650.

Abstract Background AFM13 is a bispecific, tetravalent NK cell-engaging antibody construct binding to CD30 on CD30+ tumor cells and CD16A on NK cells. By engaging CD16A-positive NK cells, AFM13 leads to NK cell-mediated killing of CD30-positive lymphoma cells (Reusch et al., 2014) making it an attractive agent to target classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Pembrolizumab is a PD-1 blocking antibody which has shown high single-agent response rates in patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory HL (RRHL; Armand et al., 2016, Chen et al., 2017). AFM13 has shown clinical activity in RRHL as a single agent in a preceding Phase 1 study (Rothe et al., 2015). Preclinical in vivo data of the combination of AFM13 with PD-1 blockade showed synergistic activity and the potential for induction of cross-talk between innate and adaptive immunity (Zhao et al., 2016). We hypothesize that the combination of the two agents could improve outcomes in pts with RRHL. Methods This Phase 1b study is evaluating the safety and tolerability of the combination of AFM13 with pembrolizumab (Keytruda) as salvage therapy after failure of standard therapies including brentuximab vedotin (BV) in HL (NCT02665650). Pts receive escalating doses of AFM13 in combination with pembrolizumab at a dose of 200 mg flat administered every 3 weeks following a classical 3+3 design, followed by enrollment into an extension cohort at the maximum tolerated dose (MTD)/maximum administered dose (MAD). Response assessment is performed every 12 weeks by PET/CT according to the Lugano Classification (Cheson et al., 2014). The main objectives of the study is to ascertain the MTD/MAD along with the preliminary efficacy of the combination. Results As of June 29, 2018, 30 pts have been enrolled into the study. The median age is 34 years (range, 18-73), with a median of 4 (range 3-7) prior lines of therapy. All pts had relapsed or refractory disease (43% relapsed, 57% refractory) and had failed standard treatments including BV and 43% of pts (13/30) had BV as their latest therapy. Thirty seven percent (11/30) had undergone prior autologous stem cell transplantation. All 30 pts have completed the 6-week dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) observation period. Twelve pts were enrolled into the dose escalation cohorts (Cohorts 1 (n=3), 2 (n=3), and 3 (n=6)) and 18 into the Extension Cohort, with a total of 24 patients treated at the MAD (dose level 3). One DLT was observed in Cohort 3 (missing ≥25% of AFM13 during the DLT period) and another observed in the Extension Cohort (G4 infusion-related reaction; IRR). The most common related adverse events (AEs) were IRRs (80%), rash (30%), pyrexia (23%), nausea (23%), diarrhea (20%), fatigue (17%), headache (17%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (13%), and increased alanine aminotransferase (10%). Treatment related G3/4 AEs included IRRs (13%), elevated AST (3%), gastritis (3%), hypotension (3%), nausea (3%), neutropenia (3%), and vomiting (3%). The majority of IRRs were manageable with standard of care measures and did not lead to treatment discontinuations. Included in the efficacy analysis were the best response from 29 evaluable pts who had at least one post-baseline disease assessment as of the data cutoff on June 29, 2018. The overall response rate (ORR) and complete response (CR) rate for evaluable pts treated at the dose and schedule chosen for expansion (n=23; Cohort 3 and Extension Cohort) were 87% and 35% by the investigator-confirmed assessment, respectively. Independent assessment resulted in an ORR of 87% and CR rate of 39% for these pts. Updated data for all 30 patients will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions The combination of AFM13 and pembrolizumab is a well-tolerated salvage therapy in pts with RRHL. IRRs were the most frequently observed adverse events; however, most of these events were of mild or moderate severity and manageable. Both the ORR and CR rate compare favorably to monotherapy pembrolizumab in a similar RRHL population (Chen et al., 2017). The combination of AFM13 and pembrolizumab could be a potential new therapeutic option for HL patients. Disclosures Bartlett: Immune Design: Research Funding; Affimed: Research Funding; Bristol-Meyers Squibb: Research Funding; Merck & Co: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Forty Seven: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding; ImaginAB: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; KITE: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Research Funding; Acerta: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Chen:Affimed: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech Inc.: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Merck & Co., Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Millennium Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding. Domingo-Domenech:Affimed: Research Funding. Forero-Torres:Affimed: Research Funding. Garcia-Sanz:Affimed: Research Funding. Devata:Affimed: Research Funding. Rodriguez Izquierdo:Affimed: Research Funding. Lossos:Affimed: Research Funding. Reeder:Affimed: Research Funding. Sher:Affimed: Research Funding. Choe-Juliak:Affimed: Employment. Prier:Affimed: Research Funding. Schwarz:Affimed: Employment. Strassz:Affimed: Employment. Alland:Affimed: Employment. Ansell:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Celldex: Research Funding; LAM Therapeutics: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Regeneron: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Merck & Co: Research Funding; Affimed: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding.

Abstract Background BMS-911543 is an oral, selective small-molecule inhibitor of JAK2 (IC50=1.1nM) with potent anti-proliferative and pharmacodynamic effects in cell lines and in vivo models dependent upon JAK2 signaling. In vitro, BMS-911543 demonstrates high selectivity within the JAK family (JAK1 [IC50=356nM], JAK3 [IC50=73nM] or TYK2 [IC50=66nM]) and across a large kinase panel (at 1 µM concentration of BMS-911543, only 8 of 451 kinases were markedly inhibited [≥67%]) It also has little activity in cells dependent on other JAK family pathways. Anti-proliferative responses were observed with BMS-911543 in colony growth assays using primary progenitor cells isolated from patients with JAK2V617F-positive polycythemia vera (PV) (Leukemia 2012;26:280). Methods In a multicenter phase 1/2a study, BMS-911543 was administered orally using a BID dosing schedule, in patients with high-, intermediate-2 or intermediate-1 risk symptomatic primary or secondary MF (JAK2 WT or mutant) with platelet counts ≥50,000/mm3. Patients were not required to have palpable splenomegaly. The aim of the study is to determine safety, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary efficacy of BMS-911543. Safety was assessed using NCI-CTCAE version 4.0. Treatment effect was assessed using the International Working Group (IWG) response criteria, MF-SAF, BFI, physical examination, spleen and liver volume assessment by MRI, bone marrow morphology, karyotype, V617F mutant allele burden, plasma cytokine analysis, circulating CD34+ cells and other molecular parameters. Current status To date, 84 patients have been treated (dose escalation [n=42]; dose expansion [n=42]) and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was defined as 200mg BID. The summary below represents an interim data analysis of 36 patients from the dose escalation phase dosed at 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 120, 160, and 200mg BID. Fifteen of 36 (42%) patients had received prior Jak inhibitors (Jaki) including 3 who had received ≥2 Jak inhibitors. PK, PD, Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy After repeat dosing, greater than dose-proportional increase in the Cmax and AUC, and drug accumulation was observed at doses ≥40mg BID. PD analysis indicated inhibition of JAK/STAT pathway signaling activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and modulation of several soluble peripheral blood proteins including IL-6, EPO and Leptin. Eleven patients (31%) had drug-related AEs. The nine hematological AEs included 3 anemia (1 grade 3 and 2 grade 2); 3 neutropenia (grade 4); and single leukopenia (grade 4), thrombocytopenia (grade 4), and reduction in platelet count (grade 2). Nine non-hematological AEs included 3 nausea (grade1/2); amylase increased (grade 3) and lipase increased (grade 3) one each; and grade 1 fatigue, muscle spasms, insomnia, erectile dysfunction one each. Ten patients (28%) discontinued treatment: 4 were attributed to disease progression, 2 to lack of efficacy, 2 at patient’s request, 1 to poor compliance, and 1 to unrelated AE. Spleen volume reductions (SVR) by MRI were observed in Jaki failure and in Jaki naive patients. Of 11 patients treated at 160 and 200mg, 8 patients (73%) had SVR greater than 35% at 3 months. In contrast, 1 of 4 patients treated at 120mg and none treated below 120mg had SVR greater than 35%. Of the patients treated at 160mg and 200mg, more than 50% had MF-SAF reductions > 50%. Overall, 3 patients (8.3%; 2 treated at 10mg BID and 1 at 200mg BID) had an increase in hemoglobin of ≥2g/dL;. Other signs of clinical activity included reductions in V617F mutant allele burden, leukocytosis, leukoerythroblastosis, circulating CD34+ cells, and LDH. Conclusion BMS-911543 was generally well tolerated and has an acceptable safety and efficacy profile. BMS-911543 induced rapid control of constitutional symptoms, and splenomegaly in patients with symptomatic MF, including those previously treated with one or more Jak inhibitors. Updated data from all 84 patients who have been treated in the dose escalation and ongoing expansion phases, including MRI assessments of spleen and liver volume, V617F mutant allele burden and levels of select plasma cytokines, will be presented.</abstract> Disclosures: Pardanani: JW Pharmaceutical Corp.: Clinical trial support, Clinical trial support Other; PharmaMar: Clinical trial support, Clinical trial support Other; Sanofi: Clinical trial support, Publication support services, Clinical trial support, Publication support services Other; Bristol Myers Squibb: Clinical trial support Other. Off Label Use: Use of BMS-911543, Ruxolitinib, Momelotinib, Fedratinib and Pomalidomide for treatment of Myelofibrosis in Clinical Trial setting. Roberts:AbbVie, Inc.: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research: Employee, recieves commercial income related to ABT-199, Employee, recieves commercial income related to ABT-199 Other, Employment. Seymour:Genentech: Consultancy, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees. Verstovsek:Incyte Corporation: Research Funding. Yoshitsugu:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Employment, Equity Ownership. Gestone:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Employment, Equity Ownership. Phillips:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Employment, Equity Ownership. Xing:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Employment, Equity Ownership. Peltz:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Employment, Equity Ownership. Lorenzi:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Equity Ownership, Former employment Other. Alland:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Employment, Equity Ownership. Woolfson:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Equity Ownership, Former employment Other.