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Papayannidis, Cristina

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8705-8333

Mayo Clinic

IRCCS Azienda Ospedliero-Universitaria di Bologna Policlinico di Sant'Orsola

Citations 6

Efficacy and safety results from the primary analysis of the pivotal summit trial: Bezuclastinib in adults with non-advanced systemic mastocytosis
Rein, Lindsay , Boggs, Nathan A. , Yi, Cecilia Y. Arana , Elberink, Hanneke Oude , Radia, Deepti , Reiter, Andreas , Piris‐Villaespesa, Miguel , Dybedal, Ingunn , Panse, Jens , Vachhani, Pankit , Kirshenbaum, Arnold S. , Vaughn, Jennifer E. , Cerquozzi, Sonia , Fahrenholz, John M., Pomares, Helena , Üstün, Celalettin , Herrscher, Richard, Barète, Stéphane , Rivera, Candido E., Vadas, Peter , McCulloch, Derek, Keohane, Clodagh, Schafhausen, Philippe, Pilla, Amanda, Zhang, Jenna, Sun, Lei , Shah, Nisha , Jolin, Hina, Easton, Rachael, Sachs, Jessica, Bose, Prithviraj , Modena, Brian D. , Sabato, Vito , Hartmann, Karin , Akin, Cem , George, Tracy I. , Yi, Cecilia Arana , Oh, Stephen T. , Hunter, Anthony M. , Castells, Mariana , Livideanu, Cristina Bulai , Daele, Paul Van , Álvarez‐Twöse, Iván , Taparia, Minakshi , Mital, Andrzej , Hus, Marek , Romano, Alessandra , Lansigan, Frederick , Papayannidis, Cristina , Rondoni, Michela , Manning, Michael, Guilarte, Mar , Bernstein, Jonathan A. , Elena, Chiara , Orfali, Nina M. , Mannelli, Francesco , Shah, Nisha, Siebenhaar, Frank , DeAngelo, Daniel J.

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 80-80

10.1182/blood-2025-80 Get It

Abstract Background: Systemic mastocytosis (SM) comprises a spectrum of subtypes characterized by neoplastic mast cell (MC) infiltration of tissues and release of MC mediators. Non-advanced SM (NonAdvSM), including indolent SM (ISM), smoldering SM (SSM), and bone marrow mastocytosis (BMM) subtypes, is the most prevalent form of SM. NonAdvSM can be associated with debilitating symptomology which can significantly impair quality of life. The gain-of-function somatic KIT c.2447 C>T (p.D816V) mutation is found in up to 95% of patients with SM. Bezuclastinib (CGT9486) is an oral, potent, and selective type 1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor with activity against KIT D816V. Results from Summit (NCT05186753) Part 1 informed the recommended phase 2 dose (100 mg QD bezuclastinib) for Part 2. We report topline results from the 24-week assessment of Summit Part 2. Methods: Summit is a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo (PBO)-controlled Phase 2 trial of bezuclastinib in patients with NonAdvSM who had inadequate symptom control despite best supportive care (BSC) medications. The primary endpoint was 24-week mean change from baseline in Mastocytosis Symptom Severity Daily Diary (MS2D2) total symptom score (TSS) (range 0–110), which is a fit-for-purpose patient-reported outcome measure of NonAdvSM symptom severity. Key secondary endpoints included the proportion of patients with ≥50% reduction in serum tryptase, KIT p.D816V variant allele frequency (VAF), bone marrow (BM) MC burden, and MS2D2 TSS, ≥30% TSS reduction. Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive 100mg QD bezuclastinib + BSC or PBO + BSC. Results: As of May 22, 2025, 179 patients were enrolled in Part 2: 119 were randomized to receive bezuclastinib and 60 to placebo. Patients enrolled were representative of the NonAdvSM population with moderate to severe symptoms. Median age (range) was 51 (23-78) years; 65.9% female; mean (SD) baseline MS2D2 TSS 55.6 (19.8); 82% of patients had ISM, 11% had BMM, and 7% had smoldering SSM. At baseline, median (range) KIT p.D816V VAF in whole blood, BM MC burden, and serum tryptase was 0.25% (0-34%), 10% (1-75%), and 40 (6-692) ng/mL, respectively. Bezuclastinib demonstrated statistically significant superiority to placebo on all primary and key secondary endpoints. At Week 24, bezuclastinib led to significantly greater symptom improvement vs placebo (LS mean [95% CI] MS2D2 TSS change: –24.3 [–27.6 to –21.1] vs –15.4 [–19.6 to –11.2]; placebo-adjusted difference: –8.9 points; P=0.0002). A ≥50% reduction in serum tryptase was achieved in 87.4% of bezuclastinib-treated patients vs 0% on placebo (P<0.0001). Significantly more patients receiving bezuclastinib achieved ≥50% reductions in KIT D816V VAF, serum tryptase, BM MCs (P<0.0001), MS2D2 TSS (P=0.01), and ≥30% reduction in MS2D2 TSS (P=0.0004). Most treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were low grade (gr; 70% Gr 1) and reversible. The most common TEAEs (≥10%) in any treatment group and occurring in greater frequency in the bezuclastinib arm were hair color changes (69.5% vs 5.0%), altered taste (23.7% vs 0%), nausea (22.0% vs 13.3%), increased ALT/AST (22.0% vs 6.6%), headache (17.8% vs 11.7%), alopecia (11.9% vs 3.3%), and increased ALP (10.2% vs 3.3%). TEAEs (≥10%) that occurred more often in the placebo group were diarrhea (13% vs 18%), dizziness (10% vs 12%), fatigue (7% vs 12%), and arthralgia (6% vs 15%). ALT/AST elevations ≥Gr 3 were experienced by 5.9% of patients. The only hepatic adverse events (AEs) reported were transient lab abnormalities; none required hospitalization. Treatment-related AEs requiring dose reductions occurred in 11% of patients receiving bezuclastinib. All discontinuations (5.9%) due to treatment-related AEs were due to transaminase elevations; all fully resolved. Conclusions: At 24-weeks, bezuclastinib 100 mg QD demonstrated statistically and clinically significant improvements in symptom burden and biomarkers of disease vs placebo in patients with NonAdvSM. The treatment was generally well-tolerated and effective across a population that is representative of the real-world NonAdvSM population, including SSM. These results support the use of bezuclastinib to reduce SM burden and symptoms in pts with NonAdvSM, and a potentially disease-modifying impact.
Ziftomenib in Relapsed or Refractory NPM1 -Mutated AML
Wang, Eunice S. , Montesinos, Pau , Foran, James M. , Erba, Harry P. , Rodríguez‐Arbolí, Eduardo , Fedorov, Kateryna, Heiblig, Maël , Heidel, Florian H. , Altman, Jessica K. , Baer, Maria R. , Pettit, Kristen , Papayannidis, Cristina , Walter, Roland B. , Khawandanah, Mohamad , Garcia, Olga Salamero, Bergeron, Julie , Ulrickson, Matthew L. , Redner, Robert L. , McCloskey, James, Pigneux, Arnaud , Fuente, Adolfo de la , Mitra, Amitava , Soifer, Harris S. , Tabachri, Marilyn, Zhang, Zijing , Riches, Marcie , Corum, Daniel, Leoni, Mollie , Barabé, Frédéric , Bergeron, Julie, Castillo, Teresa Bernal del, Berthon, Céline, Elsawy, Mahmoud , Reyner, Jordi Esteve, Fedorov, Kateryna, Giannini, Caterina, Heiblig, Maël, Issa, Ghayas C., Penedo, Agustín, Garcia, Olga Salamero, Ulrickson, Matthew, Venditti, Adriano , Walter, Roland B., Wang, Eunice S., Foran, James M , Erba, Harry Paul , Peterlin, Pierre , Berthon, Céline , Walter, Roland B , Shah, Mithun V , Balasubramanian, Suresh , Khawandanah, Mohamad , Bergeron, Julie , Roboz, Gail J , Ulrickson, Matthew , Pigneux, Arnaud , de la Fuente Burguera, Adolfo , Issa, Ghayas , Fathi, Amir T , Wang, Eunice S. , Montesinos, Pau , Pettit, Kristen , Papayannidis, Cristina , Heiblig, Mael , Fedorov, Kateryna, Adès, Lionel , Shah, Meera , Garcia, Olga Salamero, Madanat, Yazan F. , Roboz, Gail J. , Castillo, Teresa Bernal del, Deeren, Dries , Esteve, Jordi , Fedorov, Kateryna, Heiblig, Maël, Issa, Ghayas C., Lanza, Francesco , Garcia, Olga Salamero, Schwarzer, Adrian , Ulrickson, Matthew, Walter, Roland B., Wang, Eunice S.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | September 25, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 31 | Pages: 3381-3390

10.1200/jco-25-01694 Get It

PURPOSE Ziftomenib—a potent, highly selective, oral menin inhibitor—was well tolerated and demonstrated encouraging clinical activity as monotherapy for relapsed/refractory NPM1 -mutated ( NPM1 -m) and KMT2A -rearranged AML in the KOMET-001 phase I trial. METHODS In the registration-enabling phase II part of KOMET-001, patients with relapsed/refractory NPM1 -m AML received ziftomenib 600 mg once daily. The primary end point was the rate of complete remission with full hematologic recovery (CR)/CR with partial hematologic recovery (CRh). RESULTS From January 26, 2023, to May 13, 2024, 92 patients (median age, 69 years [range, 33-84]) were treated. The primary end point was met, with a CR/CRh rate of 22% (95% CI, 14 to 32; P = .0058); 61% were negative for measurable residual disease. Overall response rate was 33% (95% CI, 23 to 43), with a median duration of 4.6 months (95% CI, 2.8 to 7.4). Prespecified subgroup analyses showed comparable CR/CRh regardless of previous therapy, including venetoclax, or type of comutations. Median overall survival was 6.6 months (95% CI, 3.6 to 8.6). Common grade ≥3 treatment-emergent adverse events were febrile neutropenia (26%), anemia (20%), and thrombocytopenia (20%). Differentiation syndrome occurred in 25% of patients (15% grade 3; no grade 4-5) and was manageable with protocol-defined mitigation. Three patients (3%) discontinued treatment because of ziftomenib-related adverse events. CONCLUSION Ziftomenib demonstrated significant clinical benefit and deep responses in patients with heavily pretreated, relapsed/refractory NPM1 -m AML. Ziftomenib was well tolerated with a safety profile consistent with previous studies, including manageable differentiation syndrome, lack of clinically significant QTc prolongation, and low rates of myelosuppression.
Ziftomenib in relapsed/refractory (R/R) NPM1 -mutant acute myeloid leukemia (AML): Phase 1b/2 clinical activity and safety results from the pivotal KOMET-001 study.
Foran, James M. , Rodríguez‐Arbolí, Eduardo , Fedorov, Kateryna , Altman, Jessica K. , Baer, Maria R. , Pettit, Kristen , Zhang, Zijing , Riches, Marcie , Corum, Daniel, Leoni, Mollie , Fathi, Amir T. , Pettit, Kristen , Wang, Eunice S. , Montesinos, Pau , Issa, Ghayas , Erba, Harry Paul , Heiblig, Maël , Heidel, Florian H. , Adès, Lionel , Peterlin, Pierre , Papayannidis, Cristina

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 6506-6506

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.6506 Get It

6506 Background: NPM1 -m drives leukemogenesis in ~30% of AML. Despite current risk stratification, nearly half will have R/R disease within a year, after which outcomes are poor with <10% complete response following chemotherapy. Ziftomenib – a potent, highly selective, oral, investigational menin inhibitor – has shown clinical activity as monotherapy and in combination for adults with R/R NPM1 -m and KMT2A -r AML, with 600 mg once-daily (QD) as the recommended phase 2 monotherapy dose for NPM1 -m. Here we present the primary analysis for NPM1 -m patients (pts) treated with ziftomenib 600 mg QD in the pivotal KOMET-001 study. Methods: KOMET-001 (NCT04067336) is a multicenter, open-label phase 1/2 study of ziftomenib in adults with R/R AML. In phase 2, pts with NPM1 -m R/R AML received ziftomenib 600 mg QD. Phase 2 primary endpoint: complete remission with full/partial hematologic recovery (CR/CRh); key secondary endpoints: composite complete remission (CRc), durations of CR/CRh and CRc, and safety. The analyses below include NPM1 -m pts pooled from phase 1b/2. Results: The phase 2 primary endpoint was met ( p =0.0058). As of 20 Dec 2024, 112 pts were enrolled (51% US/Canada, 49% Europe/UK) in phase 1b/2 and treated with ziftomenib 600 mg QD, with a median follow-up of 4.2 months. Median age was 69 yrs (range 22–86), 56% female, 83% ECOG PS 0–1, median of 2 prior therapies (range 1–7), including 60% prior venetoclax (VEN) and 23% prior transplant. CR/CRh rate in all phase 1b/2 pts was 25% (28/112; 95% CI 17–34) and overall response rate was 35% (39/112; 95% CI 26–44). In phase 2 pts, 23% (21/92; 95% CI 15–33) achieved CR/CRh (Table), with 67% (10/15) MRD negativity among CR/CRh responders tested (local). Comparable CR/CRh rates were observed in both VEN-naïve and exposed pts (21% vs. 24%). Ziftomenib was well tolerated with 3% (3/112) discontinuing due to treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). 40% (45/112) of pts had Grade (Gr) ≥3 TRAEs, including 13% differentiation syndrome (all Gr3), ≤5% each anemia, febrile neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, and 2% QTc prolongation (Gr3). Updated clinical activity and safety data will be presented. Conclusions: In the pivotal KOMET-001, the phase 2 primary endpoint was met: Ziftomenib achieved deep and durable responses in R/R NPM1 -m AML, regardless of prior VEN. Ziftomenib was well tolerated with limited myelosuppression and only 3% ziftomenib-related discontinuations. Taken together, these data support the potential use of ziftomenib monotherapy as a new treatment option for R/R NPM1 -m AML. Clinical trial information: NCT04067336 . Response, n (%) Phase 2600 mg QDN=92 Phase 1b/2600 mg QDN=112 CR 13 (14) 20 (18) CR/CRh 21 (23) 28 (25) CRc 24 (26) 32 (29) Median duration, months (95% CI) CR/CRh 3.7 (1.9–NE) 3.7 (1.9–7.7) CRc 4.6 (2.8–11.4) 5.1 (2.8–8.1) Restricted mean duration, months (95% CI) CR/CRh 4.3 (3.1–5.6) 5.2 (3.6–6.7) CRc 5.9 (4.0–7.7) 6.4 (4.6–8.1)
The evolving therapeutic revolution in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Kantarjian, Hagop M. , Litzow, Mark R. , Luger, Selina M. , Ribera, Josep‐María , Short, Nicholas J. , Chifotides, Helen T. , Jabbour, Elias , Kantarjian, Hagop , Papayannidis, Cristina , Ribera, Josep-Maria , Short, Nicholas , Chifotides, Helen T , Jabbour, Elias , Jain, Nitin , Papayannidis, Cristina

Cancer | May 5, 2025 | Volume: 131 | Issue: 10 | Pages: No page available

10.1002/cncr.35872 Get It

Abstract The past decade has witnessed remarkable advances in deciphering the pathophysiology of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and in developing novel targeted therapies. Basic research and genomic mapping have identified new prognostic biomarkers, targets, and ALL subtypes (e.g., Philadelphia‐like ALL). The ongoing therapeutic revolution in ALL is driven by the addition to the treatment arsenal of therapies that target the ABL fusions, like the BCR::ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors, as well as novel agents that target CD19 and CD22: the CD22 antibody–drug conjugate inotuzumab ozogamicin, the bispecific CD3/CD19 T‐cell engager antibody blinatumomab, and CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell therapies. These combinations have improved the long‐term survival rates in B‐cell ALL to 70%, and in Philadelphia chromosome‐positive ALL to 80%–90%. The desired goals are to achieve cure rates comparable to those in pediatric ALL and to reduce or eliminate the need for prolonged intensive/maintenance chemotherapy and associated toxicities.
Apex Part 2 Trial in Progress: A Phase 2 Open-Label Clinical Study of Bezuclastinib in Adult Patients with Advanced Systemic Mastocytosis
Goncalves, Isaac , Fuller, Stephen J. , Vachhani, Pankit , Pullarkat, Vinod , Panse, Jens , Ng, Teng Fong , Piris‐Villaespesa, Miguel , Tashi, Tsewang , Yi, Cecilia Y. Arana , Pomares, Helena , Patel, Jay , Cridtina, Bulai Livideanu, Schwaab, Juliana , Dybedal, Ingunn , Lambert, Jonathan, Wierzbicka-Hainaut, E. , Deininger, Michael W. , Pilla, Amanda, Radia, Deepti , Gotlib, Jason , DeAngelo, Daniel J. , Klein, Saskia K. , Sperr, Wolfgang R. , Hartmann, Karin , Shoumariyeh, Khalid , Hunter, Anthony M. , Bose, Prithviraj , Yi, Cecilia Arana , Jain, Manish Kumar , George, Tracy I. , Papayannidis, Cristina , Taparia, Minakshi , Lambert, Jonathan , Jain, Tania , Hermine, Olivier , Bonifacio, Massimiliano , Hobbs, Gabriela , Carden, Marcus A.

Blood | December 5, 2024 | Volume: 144 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 4569.1-4569.1

10.1182/blood-2024-194550 Get It

Background and Significance: Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is a rare heterogeneous disease characterized by the aberrant accumulation of neoplastic mast cells (MC). In about 95% of adult patients, SM is driven by a gain-of-function mutation (D816V) in exon 17 of KIT. Advanced SM (AdvSM) is a life-threatening form of SM and includes three subtypes: aggressive SM (ASM), SM with an associated hematologic neoplasm (SM-AHN), and mast cell leukemia (MCL). Despite improvement in disease control with approval of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), there is still unmet need for improved tolerability and efficacy in AdvSM treatments. Bezuclastinib, an oral and selective type 1 TKI that potently inhibits KIT D816V, is being studied in patients diagnosed with AdvSM in the Apex study (NCT04996875). Results from the Part 1 dose optimization portion of Apex were presented previously. Part 1 randomized 32 patients 1:1:1:1 to receive bezuclastinib at 50, 100, or 200 mg BID or 400 mg QD. Initial results from the Part 1 dose optimization portion of the Apex trial in patients with AdvSM demonstrated encouraging safety profile and signs of clinical activity, as well as deep reductions across biomarkers of MC burden including bone marrow MC burden, serum tryptase levels, and KIT D816V variant allele fraction (VAF). In addition, 94%, 93%, and 100% of patients demonstrated ≥50% reduction in serum tryptase, KIT D816V VAF, and bone marrow MC burden, respectively. Exposure achieved with 100 mg BID of bezuclastinib original formulation resulted in optimal efficacy and safety outcomes. 150 mg QD of an optimized formulation is expected to deliver bezuclastinib exposures consistent with the 100 mg BID of the original formulation. Part 2 is further evaluating the efficacy and safety of bezuclastinib in patients with AdvSM at the selected Part 2 dose of 150mg QD of the optimized formulation. Study Design and Methods: Apex is a multicenter, Phase 2 open-label study of bezuclastinib in patients with AdvSM as defined per the WHO criteria. Enrollment includes previously treated and treatment-naïve patients. Part 2 is enrolling approximately 65 patients including up to 15 patients without measurable mIWG C-findings. The Part 2 expansion portion of the Apex study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bezuclastinib in patients with AdvSM, including ASM, SM-AHN, or MCL. Key eligibility criteria include measurable disease (centrally adjudicated) according to modified IWG-MRT-ECNM criteria and clinically acceptable laboratory values including platelet count ≥50,000/µL. The primary efficacy endpoint of Part 2 is overall response rate (ORR = complete response [CR] + complete remission with partial hematologic recovery [CRh] + partial response [PR] + clinical improvement [CI]) per mIWG-MRT-ECNM criteria according to mIWG-MRT-ECNM response criteria and will be confirmed by a Central Response Review Committee. Secondary endpoints include further characterization of safety and tolerability, pure pathologic response, biomarker response (including changes in bone marrow MC burden, serum tryptase level, and KIT D816V mutational burden), duration of response, time to response, progression-free survival, and overall survival (OS). Apex Part 2 is actively enrolling. Study sites are enrolling in North America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. In addition, a high-risk SM-AHN sub-study assessing the safety and feasibility of the combination of bezuclastinib 150 mg QD and azacitidine may enroll up to 20 patients who are currently receiving or indicated for azacitidine and have biopsy-proven SM with an associated high- or very high-risk myeloid neoplasm. Patients with SM-AHN from Part 1 or Part 2 who have demonstrated AHN progression may enroll in an additional rollover cohort to receive bezuclastinib with concomitant azacitidine or hydroxyurea.