Wang, Hengbang

Introduction MM is characterized by the proliferation of abnormal clonal plasma cells, causing destructive bone lesions, kidney injury, anemia, and hypercalcemia. Treatment of MM involves immunomodulatory agents, proteasome inhibitors, and anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies to achieve disease remission. AL amyloidosis comprises disorders of abnormal extracellular deposition of misfolded proteins in various organs with resultant damage, and the key strategy of treatment is to prolong the time to or reverse organ dysfunction. However, many patients will relapse from the standard triplet or quadruplet therapies, necessitating additional treatments with novel mechanisms of action. Lisaftoclax is a novel investigational BCL-2 inhibitor with strong antitumor activity in hematologic malignancies. Here, we report clinical trial data on lisaftoclax combined with novel therapeutic regimens in pts with R/R MM or R/R AL amyloidosis. Methods Eligible patients had an ECOG performance status ≤ 2, ≥ 1 prior line of therapy, and adequate organ function. Patients with R/R AL amyloidosis had confirmed symptomatic organ involvement, purpura, and/or carpal tunnel syndrome. Lisaftoclax was administered orally daily at doses assigned in repeated 28-day cycles. Pomalidomide, daratumumab, and lenalidomide were administered per label use. Dexamethasone 40 mg (20 mg, pts > 75 years old) was administered on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of 28-day cycles. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of lisaftoclax combined with pomalidomide and dexamethasone (Pd; Arm A) or daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (DRd; Arm B) in R/R MM and lisaftoclax combined with Pd in R/R AL amyloidosis (Arm C). Intensive blood samples were collected for pharmacokinetic (PK) analyses. Results As of May 29, 2024, 52 pts were enrolled, including 42 with R/R MM and 10 with AL amyloidosis. In Arm A (n = 35), lisaftoclax was administered orally at dose assigned: 400 mg (n = 3), 600 mg (n = 4), 800 mg (n = 15), 1,000 mg (n = 7), and 1,200 mg (n = 6). In Arm B (n = 7), all pts were treated with lisaftoclax 600 mg. In Arm C (n = 10), lisaftoclax was administered at 400 mg (n = 1), 600 mg (n = 4), 800 mg (n = 3), and 1,000 mg (n = 2). The median (range) age of all patients was 69.5 (24-88) years, of whom 63.5% were male and 63.5% were ≥ 65 years of age. The enrolled patients were heavily treated, with a median (range) number of treatment cycles of 4 (1-26), and a median (range) number of prior therapy lines of 3 (1-19). In Arm A, out of 31 evaluable patients, 3 (9.7%) achieved complete remission (CR), 7 (22.6%) reached very good partial remission (VGPR), and 9 (29.0%) achieved partial response (PR). The overall response rate (ORR) was 19 (61.3%), and the ≥ VGPR rate was 10 (32.3%). In Arm B, of 4 evaluable patients, 2 (50%) achieved CR and 2 (50%) ≥ VGPR. In Arm C, of 7 assessed patients, 1 (14.3%) achieved CR, 4 (57.1%) VGPR, 1 (14.3%) PR, and 5 (71.4%) ≥ VGPR, for an ORR of 6 (85.7%); 2 pts had cardiac response. Among 49 pts in the safety population, 34 (69.4%) reported any-grade lisaftoclax treatment-related AEs (TRAEs; ≥ 5% incidence), including neutropenia (20.4%), thrombocytopenia (6.1%), leukopenia (10.2%), nausea (16.3%), abdominal distension (10.2%), diarrhea (12.2%), and constipation (8.2%). A total of 11 pts experienced grade ≥ 3 TRAEs, including neutropenia (14.3%) and febrile neutropenia (2%), and 3 pts experienced lisaftoclax-related serious AEs (1 each): febrile neutropenia, acute kidney injury, and diarrhea with electrolyte imbalance. In Arm B, 1 pt experienced a dose-limiting toxicity (prolonged QT interval). Pharmacokinetic analyses showed no drug-drug interaction (DDI) in all pts treated with lisaftoclax at all doses in combination with other therapeutic agents used in 3 arms. Conclusions Our findings suggest that lisaftoclax improves the depth of response in pts with R/R MM or AL amyloidosis when combined with Pd or DRd. These combination therapies demonstrated a favorable safety profile with no drug-drug interactions, particularly in hematologic side effects. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT04942067; internal study identifier: APG2575MU101.

Introduction BCL-2 inhibition with venetoclax (ven) was a major advance in CLL treatment, but the 5-week dose ramp-up to mitigate the risk of tumor lysis syndrome and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) challenge treatment optimization. Lisaftoclax is an investigational, oral BCL-2i with a short half-life, allowing it to be ramped-up on a daily schedule. We present updated results of a phase 1b/2 study of lisaftoclax alone or combined with acalabrutinib or rituximab in pts with treatment-naïve (TN; lisaftoclax-acalabrutinib arm), relapsed/refractory, or prior ven-treated CLL/SLL (NCT04215809). Methods Pts were treated with a rapid 4- to 6-day daily ramp-up of lisaftoclax from 20 mg to a target dose of 400, 600, or 800 mg, receiving daily oral lisaftoclax alone or, plus continuous acalabrutinib or 6 cycles of rituximab in 28-day cycles, starting on Cycle 1 Day 8 (C1D8) until disease progression, complete response by C24, or unacceptable toxicity. Intensive blood samples were collected for pharmacokinetic (PK) and exposure-response (E-R) analyses. Results From March 20, 2020, to June 27, 2024, 176 pts were enrolled: 46 in monotherapy and 39 and 91 in rituximab and acalabrutinib combination cohorts, respectively; 154/176 (87.5%) were R/R and 22/176 (12.5%) TN. The median (range) age was 63 (34-80) years; 67% were male; 25.6% had del(17p) and/or TP53 mutation; and 70.6% had unmutated IGHV. Median (range) duration of treatment with lisaftoclax was 16.5 (1-54; monotherapy), 24 (3-39; rituximab), and 27 (1-43; acalabrutinib) months. In R/R pts, the median (range) number of prior lines of therapy was 2 (1-15), and 14 (9%) pts had been treated with ven. Prior ven pts had a median (range) age of 65 (51-78); 79% were male; of evaluable pts, 50% had del(17p), 36% TP53 mut, 64% del(11q), 38% complex karyotype (≥ 3 abnormalities), and 92% unmutated IGHV; 57% were BTKi naïve; and the median (range) number of prior therapies was 3 (1-6). Incidence and severity of TEAEs were similar across cohorts. Common (>10%) any-grade TEAEs in all cohorts combined were neutropenia (59 [33.5%]), diarrhea (38 [21.6%]), anemia (27 [15.3%]), and thrombocytopenia (26 [14.8%]). Grade ≥ 3 TEAEs were neutropenia in 15 (32.6%), 10 (25.6%), and 22 (24%) pts and anemia in 10 (21.7%), 5 (12.8%), and 12 (13.2%) pts in monotherapy, rituximab, and acalabrutinib combination cohorts, respectively. Comprehensive E-R analyses indicated that lisaftoclax had similar systemic exposure as monotherapy or when combined with acalabrutinib or rituximab; lisaftoclax had no DDI when combined with acalabrutinib or rituximab. No discontinuations were attributed to lisaftoclax TRAEs. Forty-four (95.7%) pts in monotherapy discontinued treatment. Most discontinuations were due to progressive disease (n = 41 [23.3%]) and 13 (7.4%), AEs; 9 (5.1%) pts withdrew consent; 7 (4%) achieved complete response or MRD negativity after ≥ 24 cycles; 5 (2.8%) died; and 18 (10.2%) discontinued for other reasons. Clinical (n = 2) and laboratory (n = 3) TLS was observed in 5 (2.8%) pts on lisaftoclax (by Howard/Cairo-Bishop criteria), with cases rapidly resolving to resume lisaftoclax safely. ORR for lisaftoclax plus acalabrutinib in 87 pts was 96.6%, and the median DOR (95% CI, 23-NR) and median PFS (95% CI, 34-NR) were not reached. The 12- and 18-month PFS rates were 89% and 86%, respectively. Fourteen R/R CLL ven-exposed pts received lisaftoclax plus acalabrutinib, of whom 9 had progressed on ven, 3 relapsed after completing ven, and 2 discontinued due to ven intolerance. Median (range) duration of treatment was 16 (3-25) months. Safety profile was similar to that of other study cohorts. ORR was 85.7% (12/14), 100% (8/8), and 66.7% (4/6) in the ven-exposed, ven-exposed but BTKi-naïve, and ven- and BTKi-exposed pts, respectively. The median duration of response (DOR) and progression-free survival (PFS) were not reached. The 12- and 18-month PFS rates were 84% and 73%, respectively. Conclusions Our data suggest that lisaftoclax combined with acalabrutinib is effective for pts with prior ven exposure, including those with progression on ven. In this updated analysis with longer follow-up, no DDIs or new safety findings were observed in TN or R/R CLL/SLL pts treated with lisaftoclax monotherapy/combinations. We continue to accrue pts with prior ven exposure to further evaluate this promising signal. A global registrational phase 3 study GLORA (NCT06104566) is recruiting.

7078 Background: Lisaftoclax is a novel, oral, highly selective, potent BCL-2 inhibitor in development. In an ibrutinib-resistant patient-derived WM xenograft/preclinical model, lisaftoclax + ibrutinib has a strong synergistic effect. This report provides updated efficacy and safety data of lisaftoclax-based therapies (including combinations with ibrutinib) in pts with WM. Methods: In this global, open-label, phase 1b/2 multicenter study, pts with WM were enrolled in 3 arms: Arm A (lisaftoclax) included BTKi-resistant/intolerant pts; Arm B (lisaftoclax + ibrutinib), treatment-naïve pts; and Arm C (lisaftoclax + rituximab), BTKi-naïve relapsed/refractory pts. Lisaftoclax was escalated from 400 to 1,200 mg using a modified toxicity probability interval design. A 3-day ramp-up was used for pts at high risk of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). Objectives were efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics (PK) assessments (responses assessed per IWWM criteria). Results: As of January 25, 2024, 46 pts were enrolled and treated at doses of up to 1,000 (Arm A), 1,200 (Arm B), and 800 mg (Arm C; Table). The median (range) treatment duration was 11 (1-28; Arm A), 23.5 (1-34; B), and 11.5 (5-33; C) months. Objective response rates (PR, VGFR, CR) were: 41.7% (Arm A), 90.9% (B), and 37.5% (C). In Arm A, pts with wild-type CXCR4 (n = 7) had better overall response to lisaftoclax than the CXCR4mut group (n = 3). No significant difference was observed between pts with/without CXCR4mut in Arms B and C. In Arm B, 1 DLT (grade 3 clinical TLS due to preexisting renal impairment) was reported at 1,200 mg; 1 grade 3 laboratory TLS, primarily attributed to dehydration and concomitant symptomatic therapies, occurred at 1,000 mg; abnormal electrolytes resolved after 1 day of drug interruption, without recurrence. Grade ≥ 3 lisaftoclax-related AEs included neutropenia (15.2%), thrombocytopenia (4.3%), decreased leukocytes (4.3%), TLS (4.3%), anemia (2.2%), weight loss (2.2%), and septic shock (2.2%). Ventricular arrhythmia was not observed. One pt required dose reduction because of neutropenia. The MTD was not reached. Lisaftoclax + ibrutinib showed a PK exposure comparable to lisaftoclax or ibrutinib alone, indicating no potential drug-drug interactions. Conclusions: Lisaftoclax alone and combined with ibrutinib or rituximab was well tolerated and demonstrated measurable effects in pts with naïve or BTKi-treatment-failed WM. (CT.gov: NCT04260217; Internal ID: APG2575WU101) *Co-first authors: ML and SA. Clinical trial information: NCT04260217 . [Table: see text]

7569 Background: B-cell lymphoma 2 inhibitors (BCL-2i) are well tolerated and effective in treating B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders such as CLL. Investigational agent lisaftoclax is a novel, oral, highly selective and potent BCL-2i. Preclinical data show a strong synergistic effect of lisaftoclax plus ibrutinib in an ibrutinib-insensitive PDXWM1 model. Methods: This global, open-label, multicenter study evaluates the safety and efficacy of lisaftoclax alone and combined with ibrutinib or rituximab in pts with WM. Pts were enrolled in 3 arms: Arm A (lisaftoclax), BTKi-resistant/intolerant pts; Arm B (lisaftoclax plus ibrutinib), treatment-naïve pts; and Arm C (lisaftoclax plus rituximab), BTKi-naïve relapsed/refractory pts. Lisaftoclax was escalated from 400 to 1,200 mg using a modified toxicity probability interval design. A 3-day ramp-up was used for pts at high TLS risk. Primary objectives were pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and efficacy assessments; responses were assessed per IWWM criteria. Results: As of January 25, 2023, 46 pts were enrolled (Arm A [n = 14]; up to 1,000 mg; Arm B [n = 24]; up to 1,200 mg; Arm C [n = 8]; up to 800 mg). Baseline characteristics are shown in the table. Median (range) treatment duration was 6 (1-18; Arm A), 14 (1-27; B), and 8 (2-26; C) months. Overall response rates (ORRs) were: Arm A, 25% (median time to response [MTTR], 4.3 months); Arm B, 90.9% (MTTR, 1.9); Arm C, 37.5% (MTTR, 4.4). No significant difference was observed between pts with and without CXCR4-mut. At 1,200 mg, 1 DLT (grade 3 clinical TLS), due to pre-existing renal impairment, was reported. At 1,000 mg, 1 grade 3 laboratory TLS occurred in Arm B because of dehydration and active symptomatic therapies; abnormal electrolytes resolved after 1 day of drug interruption, without recurrence. Grade ≥ 3 lisaftoclax-related AEs included neutropenia (13%), leukocytopenia (4.3%), anemia (2.2%), weight loss (2.2%), and septic shock (2.2%). Ventricular arrhythmias were not observed. Only 1 pt required dose reduction (due to neutropenia). MTD has not been reached. A total of 14 pts discontinued study treatment because of disease progression (n = 5) and AE (n = 1). Lisaftoclax plus ibrutinib showed a PK exposure comparable to ibrutinib alone, indicating no potential DDI. Conclusions: Lisaftoclax alone or combined with ibrutinib/rituximab demonstrated measurable effects in pts with naïve or BTKi-treatment-failed WM. Internal study identifier: APG2575WU101. *SA and ML are co-first authors. Clinical trial information: NCT04260217 . [Table: see text]

Abstract Purpose: This global phase I trial investigated the safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of lisaftoclax (APG-2575), a novel, orally active, potent selective B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) inhibitor, in patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma (R/R CLL/SLL) and other hematologic malignancies (HMs). Patients and Methods: Maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended phase II dose were evaluated. Outcome measures were safety and tolerability (primary) and pharmacokinetic variables and antitumor effects (secondary). Pharmacodynamics in patient tumor cells were explored. Results: Among 52 patients receiving lisaftoclax, MTD was not reached. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) included diarrhea (48.1%), fatigue (34.6%), nausea (30.8%), anemia and thrombocytopenia (28.8% each), neutropenia (26.9%), constipation (25.0%), vomiting (23.1%), headache (21.2%), peripheral edema and hypokalemia (17.3% each), and arthralgia (15.4%). Grade ≥ 3 hematologic TEAEs included neutropenia (21.2%), thrombocytopenia (13.5%), and anemia (9.6%), none resulting in treatment discontinuation. Clinical pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic results demonstrated that lisaftoclax had a limited plasma residence and systemic exposure and elicited rapid clearance of malignant cells. With a median treatment of 15 (range, 6–43) cycles, 14 of 22 efficacy-evaluable patients with R/R CLL/SLL experienced partial responses, for an objective response rate of 63.6% and median time to response of 2 (range, 2–8) cycles. Conclusions: Lisaftoclax was well tolerated, with no evidence of tumor lysis syndrome. Dose-limiting toxicity was not reached at the highest dose level. Lisaftoclax has a unique pharmacokinetic profile compatible with a potentially more convenient daily (vs. weekly) dose ramp-up schedule and induced rapid clinical responses in patients with CLL/SLL, warranting continued clinical investigation.

Abstract Purpose: Development of B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2)–specific inhibitors poses unique challenges in drug design because of BCL-2 homology domain 3 (BH3) shared homology between BCL-2 family members and the shallow surface of their protein–protein interactions. We report herein discovery and extensive preclinical investigation of lisaftoclax (APG-2575). Experimental Design: Computational modeling was used to design “lead” compounds. Biochemical binding, mitochondrial BH3 profiling, and cell-based viability or apoptosis assays were used to determine the selectivity and potency of BCL-2 inhibitor lisaftoclax. The antitumor effects of lisaftoclax were also evaluated in several xenograft models. Results: Lisaftoclax selectively binds BCL-2 (Ki < 0.1 nmol/L), disrupts BCL-2:BIM complexes, and compromises mitochondrial outer membrane potential, culminating in BAX/BAK-dependent, caspase-mediated apoptosis. Lisaftoclax exerted strong antitumor activity in hematologic cancer cell lines and tumor cells from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, or Waldenström macroglobulinemia. After lisaftoclax treatment, prodeath proteins BCL-2‒like protein 11 (BIM) and Noxa increased, and BIM translocated from cytosol to mitochondria. Consistent with these apoptotic activities, lisaftoclax entered malignant cells rapidly, reached plateau in 2 hours, and significantly downregulated mitochondrial respiratory function and ATP production. Furthermore, lisaftoclax inhibited tumor growth in xenograft models, correlating with caspase activation, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 cleavage, and pharmacokinetics of the compound. Lisaftoclax combined with rituximab or bendamustine/rituximab enhanced antitumor activity in vivo. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that lisaftoclax is a novel, orally bioavailable BH3 mimetic BCL-2–selective inhibitor with considerable potential for the treatment of certain hematologic malignancies.