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Ahmed, Muneeb

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0323-8260

Mayo Clinic

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Citations 3

An open-label, multicenter study investigating RP3 oncolytic immunotherapy in combination with first- or second-line systemic atezolizumab and bevacizumab therapy in patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma.
Ahmed, Muneeb , Cohan, David Michael, Bekaii‐Saab, Tanios , Yarchoan, Mark , Wee, Wen

Journal of Clinical Oncology | June 4, 2023 | Volume: 41 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: TPS4178-TPS4178

10.1200/jco.2023.41.16_suppl.tps4178 Get It

TPS4178 Background: Despite advances in treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), long-term survival rates remain poor. The combination of bevacizumab (Bev) and atezolizumab (Atezo) is the preferred frontline therapy for advanced HCC, but a minority of patients (pts) respond, and secondary resistance usually occurs within months. HCC has an immune-suppressed tumor microenvironment, mediated by activated immune checkpoint signaling and angiogenesis pathways, which may contribute to therapeutic resistance. RP3 is a genetically modified herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) that expresses the fusogenic gibbon ape leukemia virus glycoprotein with the R sequence deleted (GALV-GP-R–), an anti–CTLA-4 antibody-like molecule, CD40 ligand, and 4-1BB ligand. The direct oncolytic effect coupled with immune stimulation by RP3 in the tumor microenvironment is intended to provide systemic antitumor activity and enhance therapeutic response to anti–PD-1/PD-L1 agents, such as Atezo. Preclinical data have demonstrated improved distribution of oncolytic HSV within tumors in combination with Bev, supporting the clinical combination of RP3 with Bev. This study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of RP3 combined with Atezo and Bev as first- (1L) and second-line (2L) systemic therapies for unresectable and advanced HCC. Methods: The 1L and 2L cohorts will each enroll up to 30 pts. Pts in the 1L cohort may not have received prior systemic treatment; pts in the 2L cohort must have progressed on or following one prior line of systemic therapy, which must have included a PD-1/PD-L1−directed agent. Key inclusion criteria include advanced, unresectable HCC with ≥1 measurable tumor of ≥1 cm in longest diameter, Child-Pugh Class A, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0−1. Key exclusion criteria include untreated esophageal and/or gastric varices with bleeding or at high risk for bleeding and macroscopic invasion of tumor into any major blood vessel(s) and/or main bile ducts. Pts with a history of medically refractory hepatic encephalopathy and/or hepato-renal syndrome are also excluded. Pts in the 1L cohort will receive 1200 mg Atezo and 15 mg/kg Bev every 3 weeks (Q3W) together with RP3 intratumorally Q3W for a total of up to 8 doses. Pts in the 2L cohort will receive RP3 every 2 weeks for 4 doses with Bev Q3W starting on cycle (C) 1 day (D) 1, then RP3 and Bev Q3W for up to 4 more doses with Atezo Q3W being added on C4D1. The primary endpoint is overall response rate (ORR) by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v1.1. Secondary endpoints are safety, ORR using HCC modified RECIST, duration of response, complete response rate, and progression-free survival. Clinical trial information: NCT05733598 .
An open-label clinical trial of RP2 and RP3 oncolytic immunotherapy in combination with atezolizumab and bevacizumab for the treatment of patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma.
Ahmed, Muneeb , Shepard, Dale R. , Bekaii‐Saab, Tanios , Wolff, Johannes Ernst Alexander

Journal of Clinical Oncology | June 4, 2023 | Volume: 41 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: TPS3628-TPS3628

10.1200/jco.2023.41.16_suppl.tps3628 Get It

TPS3628 Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. PD-1/PD-L1 inhibition, in combination with other modalities, has demonstrated significant benefit in patients (pts) with microsatellite instability-high or mismatch repair deficient CRC. However, these agents have limited, if any, clinical benefit in pts with microsatellite stable (MSS) or mismatch repair proficient (pMMR) CRC. RP2 is an enhanced potency oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 which expresses the fusogenic gibbon ape leukemia virus glycoprotein with the R sequence deleted (GALV-GP-R–), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and an anti–CTLA-4 antibody-like molecule; RP3 additionally expresses 4-1BB and CD40 activating ligands, but does not express GM-CSF. Both agents have demonstrated preliminary safety and efficacy in pts with solid tumors. This study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of RP2 and RP3 in combination with atezolizumab (Atezo) and bevacizumab (Bev) in pts with advanced MSS and pMMR CRC. Methods: Pts with a histologic diagnosis of unresectable and/or metastatic CRC, with documented MSS or pMMR status, and previously treated with up to 3 standard-of-care systemic regimens will be enrolled in the RP2 + Atezo + Bev or RP3 + Atezo + Bev treatment groups (30 pts per group). Further key inclusion criteria include Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0–1 and adequate hepatic, renal, and hematologic function. RP2/RP3 will be injected into tumors by direct (including via colonoscope) or image-guided injection. Pts will receive 8 total doses of up to 10 mL of RP2 or RP3, with a first dose concentration of 1 × 106 plaque-forming units (PFU)/mL, followed by 3 doses of 1 × 107 PFU/mL every 2 weeks, and then 4 doses of 1 × 107 PFU/mL every 3 weeks. Pts may receive a second course of up to 8 injections of RP2/RP3 if study criteria are met. Bev will be administered starting on day 1 (with first dose of RP2/RP3); Atezo will be administered starting week 7 on the same days as RP2/RP3. The primary endpoint is objective response rate; secondary endpoints are safety, overall survival, progression-free survival, duration of response, and complete response rate. Antitumor activity will be evaluated using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 as modified for this study. Safety will be assessed by physical examination, clinical laboratory evaluations, vital signs, and monitoring for adverse events (AEs; including serious AEs). Clinical trial information: NCT05733611 .
An open-label, multicenter study investigating RP3 oncolytic immunotherapy in combination with first- or second-line systemic atezolizumab and bevacizumab therapy in patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma.
Ahmed, Muneeb , Cohan, David Michael, Bekaii‐Saab, Tanios , Yarchoan, Mark , Wee, Wen

Journal of Clinical Oncology | January 24, 2023 | Volume: 41 | Issue: 4_suppl | Pages: TPS623-TPS623

10.1200/jco.2023.41.4_suppl.tps623 Get It

TPS623 Background: Despite advances in treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), long-term survival rates remain poor. The combination of bevacizumab (Bev) and atezolizumab (Atezo) is the preferred frontline therapy for advanced HCC, but a minority of patients (pts) respond, and secondary resistance usually occurs within months. HCC has an immune-suppressed tumor microenvironment, mediated by activated immune checkpoint signaling and angiogenesis pathways, which may contribute to therapeutic resistance. RP3 is a genetically modified herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) that expresses the fusogenic GALV-GP R- protein, an anti–CTLA-4 antibody-like molecule, CD40 ligand, and 4-1BB ligand. The direct oncolytic effect coupled with immune stimulation by RP3 in the tumor microenvironment is intended to provide systemic anti-tumor activity and reverse therapeutic resistance to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agents. Pre-clinical data has demonstrated improved distribution of oncolytic HSV within tumors in combination with Bev supporting the clinical combination of RP3 with Bev. RP3 combined with anti-PD1 therapy has demonstrated clinical activity and safety in pts with various malignant solid tumors. This study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of RP3 combined with Atezo and Bev as 1st (1L) and 2nd (2L) line systemic therapies for inoperable and advanced HCC. Methods: The 1L and 2L cohorts will each enroll up to 30 pts with advanced, unresectable HCC. Pts in the 1L cohort may not have received prior systemic treatment; pts in the 2L cohort must have progressed on or following one prior line of systemic therapy, which must have included a PD-(L)1 directed agent. Key inclusion criteria include advanced unresectable HCC with at least 1 measurable tumor of ≥1 cm in longest diameter, Childs-Pugh Class A, and ECOG Score of 0 or 1. Important exclusion criteria include untreated esophageal and/or gastric varices with bleeding or at high risk for bleeding, and macroscopic invasion of tumor into major blood vessels and/or main bile ducts. Pts with a history of medically refractory hepatic encephalopathy and/or hepato-renal syndrome are also excluded. Pts in 1L cohort will receive 1200 mg Atezo and 15mg/kg Bev Q3W together with RP3 intratumorally (IT) Q3W for a total of up to 8 doses. In 2L pts will receive RP3 Q2W for 4 doses with Bev Q3W starting on C1D1, then RP3 and Bev Q3W for up to 4 more doses with Atezo Q3W being added on C4D1. The primary endpoint includes overall response rate (ORR) by RECIST v1.1. Secondary endpoints are safety, ORR using HCC mRECIST, duration of response, complete response rate, and progression-free survival.