16 Background: In PSMAfore (NCT04689828), [ 177 Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 ( 177 Lu-PSMA-617) prolonged rPFS versus androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI) change in taxane-naive adults with PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) progressing once on an ARPI. Baseline circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) fraction was associated with rPFS at the second interim analysis (IA) of OS (ASCO 24). Here, we assessed the association of baseline and cycle 2 day 1 (C2D1) ctDNA fraction, and early ctDNA and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) dynamics, with rPFS and OS at the third IA of OS. Methods: Patients were randomized 1:1 to 177 Lu-PSMA-617 (7.4 GBq Q6W; x6) or ARPI change. Endpoints included rPFS (primary) and OS (key secondary). Plasma ctDNA fraction was analyzed at baseline and at C2D1 using an in-house custom panel. Cox regression (adjusted for 3 risk classes based on clustering of 17 baseline clinical features) and random forest (adjusted for 15 baseline clinical features) modeling were used to assess the association of ctDNA fraction and PSA with clinical outcomes at the Feb-27-2024 data cutoff. Results: Patients with plasma samples at baseline and C2D1 were included ( 177 Lu-PSMA-617, n/N = 82/234; ARPI change, n/N = 91/234). Cox regression models adjusted for clinical features in the 177 Lu-PSMA-617 arm showed that higher ctDNA fraction was associated with shorter rPFS and OS (Table). These associations were stronger for C2D1 than baseline, both when comparing individual models and within a model including both timepoints (Table). In random forest models including clinical features and C2D1 ctDNA fraction, the total area under curves were not improved by addition of baseline ctDNA fraction (rPFS, 0.87; OS, 0.86). In the overall population, fractional decreases from baseline to C2D1 in ctDNA ( p = 0.0015) and PSA ( p < 0.0001) were strongly associated with longer rPFS, and were weakly correlated with one another (correlation coefficient, 0.26). In the 177 Lu-PSMA-617 arm, fractional decrease in ctDNA ( p = 0.002) was more strongly correlated with OS than was decrease in PSA ( p = 0.12). Conclusions: This exploratory analysis suggested that C2D1 ctDNA fraction was more strongly associated than baseline ctDNA fraction with rPFS and OS. Early ctDNA fraction dynamics contributed additional information in the prediction of rPFS and OS beyond PSA dynamics alone. Clinical trial information: NCT04689828 . Cox regression models. a rPFS OS Baseline model, HR (95% CI); p 6.0 (1.6–23.0); 0.0095 12.0 (3.0–48.7); 0.00052 C-index ± SE 0.69 ± 0.04 0.75 ± 0.04 C2D1 model, HR (95% CI); p 47.7 (10.1–226.0); < 0.0001 82.7 (16.4–417.0); < 0.0001 C-index ± SE 0.72 ± 0.03 0.77 ± 0.03 Baseline + C2D1 model Baseline, HR (95% CI); p 3.1 (0.7–14.0); 0.14 2.1 (0.4–12.7); 0.41 C2D1, HR (95% CI); p 35.9 (7.2–180.0); < 0.0001 52.5 (7.6–362.0); < 0.0001 C-index ± SE 0.72 ± 0.03 0.79 ± 0.03 a HRs correspond to 1 unit change in ctDNA fraction.
Baseline ctDNA analyses and associations with outcomes in taxane-naive patients with mCRPC treated with 177Lu-PSMA-617 versus change of ARPI in PSMAfore.
5008 Background: [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 (177Lu-PSMA-617) prolonged radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) versus androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI) change in taxane-naive patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in PSMAfore (NCT04689828). In this exploratory analysis, associations between baseline circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and outcomes were assessed. Methods: Patients were randomized 1:1 to 177Lu-PSMA-617 (7.4 GBq Q6W; 6 cycles) or ARPI change (abiraterone/enzalutamide). Patients known to have actionable mutations (e.g. BRCA) were excluded. The primary endpoint was rPFS. Baseline plasma ctDNA was analyzed using a customized 585-gene sequencing assay. ctDNA fraction was assessed in all samples passing quality control. Alterations in key prostate cancer drivers (prevalent in >10% participants) were assessed in samples with ctDNA fraction >1%. Univariate Cox regression (reference: ARPI change) was used to assess association of ctDNA fraction or alterations with rPFS, prostate-specific antigen response (≥50% decline; PSA50) and RECIST response (RR) at the June 21, 2023 data cutoff. Results: Of 360 samples from 468 patients, 255 passed quality control and 156 had ctDNA fraction >1% (median 5.85%; range 0–85). Detection of ctDNA alterations was comparable between arms and with published data. Median rPFS was shorter for patients with ctDNA fraction > versus ≤1% (HR 2.753; 95% CI 1.957–3.872; p<0.0001) (Table); ctDNA fraction >1% was also associated with worse RR and PSA50 response. Median rPFS was shorter for patients with detected versus undetected AR(HR 1.954; 95% CI 1.333–2.865; p<0.001), TP53(1.655; 1.13–2.426; p<0.01) and PTEN(1.62; 1.018–2.578; p<0.05) alterations. Median rPFS was longer with 177Lu-PSMA-617 versus ARPI change in patients with detected AR, TP53, PTEN(Table) , PI3K pathway and DNA repair pathway alterations. There was no significant association between ctDNA alterations and PSA50 or RR. Conclusions: ctDNA fraction >1% and AR, TP53and PTENalterations were associated with worse outcomes in PSMAfore regardless of treatment. Nonetheless, patients with these negative prognostic biomarkers did better with 177Lu-PSMA-617 than with ARPI change. Clinical trial information: NCT04689828 . [Table: see text]
CA184-095: A randomized, double-blind, phase III trial to compare the efficacy of ipilimumab (Ipi) versus placebo in asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic patients (pts) with metastatic chemotherapy-naive castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).
TPS5093 Background: Globally, docetaxel remains the standard of care for metastatic CRPC; however, its use may be delayed until pts develop symptoms. The presence of infiltrating leukocytes in CRPC tumors suggests a natural antitumor immune response is occurring. This is supported by an overall survival (OS) benefit reported in men with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic CRPC who received sipuleucel-T. Ipi, a monoclonal antibody that binds CTLA-4, augments antitumoral activity of cytotoxic immune cells. Ipi demonstrated OS benefit in two phase III trials for advanced melanoma, with side effects that were managed using product-specific treatment guidelines. In phase I/II trials in metastatic CRPC, Ipi has shown clinical activity (as measured by prostate-specific antigen [PSA] declines and RECIST response) with a similar toxicity profile to that observed in melanoma. This global (149 sites in 24 countries) phase III study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01057810) evaluates Ipi vs placebo in chemotherapy-naïve pts with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic CRPC without visceral metastases. Methods: The primary endpoint is OS; secondary endpoints include progression-free survival, time to pain progression, time to non-hormonal systemic therapy and safety characterization. The study is designed to detect a 9.3-month median difference (HR=0.7) in OS with 90% power and 0.05 two-sided significance. Pts are randomized at a 2:1 ratio to receive Ipi 10 mg/kg every 3 weeks for up to 4 doses or placebo as induction therapy. Eligible pts will receive maintenance therapy of blinded study drug every 12 weeks. The accrual goal is 600 pts randomized. Clinical trial information: NCT01057810. [Table: see text] [Table: see text]
Abstract 385: MTAP gene deficiency creates vulnerability to anti-folate therapy in urothelial bladder carcinoma
Abstract Background: The methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) gene encodes an essential enzyme for the salvage pathway of adenosine synthesis and is frequently lost in different types of cancer including urothelial bladder carcinoma. Therefore, MTAP-deficient tumors are theoretically very sensitive to anti-folate agents such as pemetrexed that can effectively block the de novo pathway of adenosine synthesis and as a result, create a state of synthetic lethality. We thus hypothesize that tumor MTAP gene deficiency is associated with response to pemetrexed therapy in bladder cancer. Methods: In this study, we investigated MTAP gene deficiency rates in the TCGA database and confirmed MTAP protein loss by immunohistochemistry using a tumor tissue microarray containing bladder tumor tissues from 151 patients. We then performed in vitro and in vivo studies using MTAP-proficient and MTAP-deficient human bladder cancer cell lines. Functional loss of MTAP was verified with mass spectrometry, which detects its substrate methylthioadenosine (MTA) levels. We also correlated these pre-clinical studies with clinical response data on patients with metastatic bladder cancer treated with pemetrexed. Results: We identified that 27.8% bladder cancer patients have MTAP protein deficiency, which is consistent with exome sequencing data from the TCGA database. In vitro data showed MTAP-deficient human bladder cancer cell lines were significantly more sensitive to pemetrexed, with IC50 at least 40 times lower than MTAP-proficient cell lines. Subsequent knockdown of the MTAP gene in MTAP-proficient cell lines increased sensitivities to pemetrexed treatment. Consistent with the in vitro data, pemetrexed significantly inhibited the growth of MTAP-deficient or knockdown xenograft tumors but not MTAP-proficient tumors. Furthermore, 4 of 4 (100%) patients with MTAP-deficient metastatic bladder cancer responded to pemetrexed treatment, whereas only 1 of 11 (9%) patients with MTAP-proficient metastatic bladder cancer responded to pemetrexed. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that MTAP gene loss in urothelial bladder cancer leads to a metabolic state of synthetic lethality with pemetrexed therapy. Therefore, bladder tumor MTAP loss should be further investigated as a potential biomarker for selection of patients for anti-folate therapy. Citation Format: Jianfeng Chen, Omar Alhalabi, Guangchun Han, Wei-Lien Wang, Xin-Qiao Zhang, Jian H. Song, Lidia P. Lopez, Sumankalai Ramachandran, Anh G. Hoang, Tyrone Garnett, Matthew Campbell, Amishi Y. Shah, Jennifer Wang, Arlene O. Siefker-Radtke, Shi-Ming Tu, Mark Titus, Charles C. Guo, Gary E. Gallick, Eleni Efstathiou, William F. Benedict, Christopher J. Logothetis, Thai H. Ho, Linghua Wang, Jianjun Gao. MTAP gene deficiency creates vulnerability to anti-folate therapy in urothelial bladder carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 385.
Randomized phase II trial of presurgical androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with or without axitinib in prostate cancer (PCa) presenting with lymph node (LN) metastasis.
5078 Background: Strategies integrating androgen targeted and locoregional therapies are being increasingly used in PCa with regional spread, but are rarely curative. Angiogenesis inhibitors delay progression in castration resistant PCa and may synergize with ADT through endothelial cell apoptosis in hormone naïve patients (pts). We hypothesized that the frontline combination of ADT with the potent VEGF inhibitor Axi would improve PCa control relative to ADT alone and allow for meaningful time off systemic therapy after surgical consolidation. Methods: Pts with either clinically detected LN+ (TxN1M0 or TxNxM1a) or very high risk for LN PCa were treated with ADT for 2 mos and then randomized 2:1 to respectively add open label Axi (5 mg PO bid) vs. continue ADT alone for 4 mos until surgery. Those responding with PSA ≤5 ng/mL were offered prostatectomy and extended pelvic lymphadenectomy (RP). ADT +/- Axi was withheld postoperatively and PSA measured q3 mos until 1 y. Primary objective: proportion of pts progression free (FFP) 12 mos after RP, defined as PSA ≤1.0 ng/mL and no radiation or ADT, aiming to detect a 35% difference favoring ADT+Axi. Results: 72 pts completed accrual. We report on the 54 pts with LN+ disease: median age 62 y (range 42-76), pretreatment PSA 22.9 ng/mL (range 3.6 - 404.4), 38 N1 / 16 M1a. Table shows presurgical therapy outcomes. Path responses in the prostate were similar between arms, but in 5 ADT+Axi vs. 0 ADT LN+ pts there was no residual nodal disease. Testosterone recovery: 24/26 ADT+Axi and 9/9 ADT RP pts by 6 mos. 21/36 ADT+Axi and 15/18 ADT pts have failed; 1 y FFP estimates 48.0% (SE 8.6%) and 16.7% (SE 8.3%), respectively (p = 0.02). 1 y undetectable PSA 9 pts (6 ADT+Axi). No grade 4 toxicities or unexpected side-effects were observed. Conclusions: 1 year after RP, ADT+Axi resulted in proportionally greater number of LN+ PCa pts off treatment and progression free than ADT alone. Tissue analysis is evaluating predictors of benefit to further develop angiogenesis inhibition as part of combination strategies for hormone naïve PCa. Clinical trial information: NCT01409200. [Table: see text]
Correlation of methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) loss with response to anti-folate therapy in urothelial bladder carcinoma (UBC).
4521 Background: The MTAP gene encodes an essential enzyme for the salvage pathway of nucleotide synthesis and is frequently deleted in UBC. Anti-folate agents such as pemetrexed can effectively inhibit the de novo pathway of nucleotide synthesis and as a result, create a synthetic lethality in MTAP deficient UBC. We hypothesize that MTAP gene loss correlates with enhanced response to pemetrexed in UBC. Methods: We investigated MTAP gene deletion rates in the TCGA database and determined MTAP protein loss rates by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using a UBC tissue microarray (TMA) from 151 patients (pts). We then performed in vitro and in vivo studies using MTAP proficient and MTAP deficient bladder cancer cell lines. At the clinical level, we performed a retrospective analysis based on MTAP status of pts treated with pemetrexed as 2nd line at our institution between 2014 and 2018. We are now enrolling pts in a single-arm, open-label, phase II clinical trial (NCT02693717) with pemetrexed in pts with MTAP deficient UBC. Results: Per our TCGA and TMA IHC analyses, MTAP deficiency rate was 25.9% and 27.8%, respectively. MTAP deficient UBC cell lines were at least 40 times more sensitive to pemetrexed than MTAP proficient lines. Knockdown of the MTAP gene increased apoptosis rate by pemetrexed from approximately 20% to 60%. Additionally, pemetrexed significantly inhibited the growth of MTAP deficient or knockdown xenograft tumors but not MTAP proficient tumors. Retrospective analysis of 12 pts using RECIST criteria indicated that all 4 MTAP deficient UBC pts responded to pemetrexed whereas only 1 of 8 (12.5%) MTAP proficient UBC pts responded. Of the 6 pts enrolled on the clinical trial, 3 (50%) had complete or partial response, 1 had stable disease, 1 was not evaluable and 1 had disease progression. Combined analysis of the entire experience demonstrates a higher response rate in MTAP deficient UBC (70%) as compared to MTAP proficient UBC (12.5%). Conclusions: Our preclinical and clinical data demonstrate that MTAP loss in UBC leads to a state of synthetic lethality when treated with pemetrexed and should be further investigated as a novel biomarker to predict response to anti-folate agents.
Molecular profiling of liquid biopsies from patients (pts) with bone metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (BM-CRPC) treated with radium-223 (RA-223) to reveal differential enrichment for markers that correlate with overall survival (OS).
259 Introduction: RA-223 prolongs OS in BM-CRPC pts but predictive markers are lacking. We hypothesized that molecular profiling of plasma-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) from BM-CRPC pts treated with RA-223 would predict efficacy and inform development of combinations. Methods: Paired baseline (BL) and end of treatment (EoT) blood samples were collected from 25 pts treated with RA-223. Pts were stratified by median OS into 3 groups: 1) 6.3 months (range 3.3-8.5, n=5 pts, UnFav OS), 2) 18.2 months (range 12.6-19.4, n=7 pts, Middle OS) and 3) 27.6 months (range 23.1-33.8, n=13 pts, Fav OS). EVs were isolated from plasma and analyzed for specific proteins and RNA transcripts. Marker profiles by domain and analytic method were determined in pts from the stratified OS groups. Results: At EoT, there is enrichment of RNA transcripts and proteins involved in regulating immune responses, DNA Damage Response (DDR) and bone metabolism (Table). By benchmarking molecular signatures in pts with UnFav Os and Fav OS, we could analyze the molecular profiles of pts in the Middle OS group and stratify them to UnFav OS or Fav OS groups. Conclusion: Plasma-based molecular markers are predictive for RA-223 efficacy. An association between OS and immune and DDR profiles in men with BM-CRPC may indicate mechanism of action and identify subsets most likely to benefit. These preliminary results provide rationale for combination therapy with RA-223 and immune-checkpoint blockade or PARP inhibition. Clinical trial information: NCT02135484. [Table: see text]
Cabozantinib plus androgen deprivation therapy in patients with androgen-dependent metastatic prostate cancer.
169 Background: Cabozantinib (Cabo), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of c-Met and VEGFR2, modulates the tumor microenvironment in a therapeutically favorable manner. We combined Cabo with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in patients (pts) with androgen-dependent metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) (NCT01630590). Methods: Pts received Cabo (starting dose 60 mg PO daily) and ADT with a GnRH analogue. Pts could receive up to 3 months of ADT prior to initiating Cabo. Bone scan (BS) and CT scans were performed every 12 weeks (wks). Efficacy endpoints included response in markers, BS and RECIST, and time to castrate-resistant progression defined by radiographic progression, clinical progression, or receipt of additional anti-cancer therapy. Results: From 01/27/2014 to 01/12/2016, 62 pts were enrolled: 94% (58/62) with bone metastasis, 56% (35/62) with measurable disease, 15% (9/62) with visceral involvement and 26% (16/62) with prior treatment of their primary tumor. 79% (49/62) of pts have high volume disease defined by > 4 bone lesions and/or involvement of viscera. Median time from start of ADT to start of Cabo was 3.4 wks. Improvements in BS were observed in 81% (44/54) of evaluable pts including complete responses (CR) in 15% (8/54). In evaluable pts with measurable disease, best response was stable disease in 9% (3/33), PR in 61% (20/33) and CR in 30% (10/33). Reductions in PSA > 90%, bone specific alkaline phosphatase > 50% and urine N-telopeptides > 50% occurred in 83% (50/60), 87% (34/39), 86% (19/22) of evaluable pts, respectively. With a median follow up of 21.4 months (mo), median PFS is 15.6 mo. Median duration of Cabo treatment is 13 mo. Most common toxicities are Grade 3 hypertension (16%), pulmonary embolus (6%), diarrhea (4%), fatigue (3%), nausea (3%), and deep venous thrombosis (3%) with no Grade 4 events. Cabo dose reductions to 40 and 20 mg occurred in 68% and 18% of pts, respectively, with discontinuations due to toxicity in 10% of pts. Conclusions: Cabo plus ADT has potent clinical activity in pts with high volume androgen-dependent PCa including improvements BS and reduction in markers of bone stromal function. Studies are underway to identify biomarkers predictive of best response. Clinical trial information: NCT01630590.
Characterization of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in a phase 3 trial of ipilimumab (Ipi) versus placebo (Pbo) in post-docetaxel mCRPC.
52 Background: Ipi enhances antitumor immunity by blocking cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4. We recently reported the results of CA184-043, a phase 3 study of post-docetaxel mCRPC with Ipi vs Pbo, following single-dose radiotherapy (RT). While the study did not meet the primary endpoint of improving overall survival (HR=0.85, p=0.053), Ipi demonstrated antitumor activity in other efficacy endpoints, including progression-free survival. The present analyses further characterize the safety profile of Ipi in this study. Methods: Safety was evaluated for all treated patients (pts; N=393 for Ipi 10 mg/kg, N=396 for Pbo) starting from first study dose and ending 70 days after the last study dose, including maintenance dosing. Results: Any grade (Gr) irAEs occurred in 63.4% and 21.7% of pts in the Ipi and Pbo arms, respectively. Most common Gr 3/4 irAEs were gastrointestinal (GI) (18.1%; mostly diarrhea and colitis). Gr 3/4 liver irAEs (4.6%) were mostly elevations in AST or ALT. Other Gr 3/4 irAEs were uncommon: endocrine (2.0%), skin (1.0%), and neurological (0.3%). Among Ipi-treated pts, there were no meaningful differences in the frequency or severity of GI AEs between those who received baseline pelvic RT and those who did not (n=141 vs 252; any Gr 77.3% vs 69.8%; Gr 3/4 25.5% vs 21.8%, respectively). There were 5 GI perforations in the Ipi arm (3 within 70 days of last dose [2 related, 1 unrelated], 2 after 70 days of last dose, both related), and none in the Pbo arm. Deaths due to study drug toxicity, as per the investigators, occurred in 4 pts (4, Ipi and 0, Pbo). Conclusions: In this study of Ipi in mCRPC, the most frequent severe irAEs were diarrhea and colitis. Most irAEs were manageable using established treatment algorithms. Clinical trial information: NCT00861614. [Table: see text]
Results of subset analyses on overall survival (OS) from study CA184-043: Ipilimumab (Ipi) versus placebo (Pbo) in post-docetaxel metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
2 Background: The CA184-043 phase 3 study did not reach statistical significance for its primary endpoint of OS (HR=0.85, p=0.053). However, antitumor activity was observed in other efficacy endpoints, including progression-free survival. Prespecified subset analyses were performed to understand if any prognostic features may identify mCRPC patients (pts) more likely to benefit from Ipi treatment. Methods: 799 pts were randomized to receive a single dose of radiotherapy (RT) followed by either Ipi (N=399) or Pbo (N=400). Prespecified subset analyses based on Kaplan-Meier/Cox methodology were performed using known prognostic factors for OS in mCRPC. Results: Prespecified subset analyses suggested that Ipi may be more active in pts with favorable prognostic factors, including no visceral disease, alkaline phosphatase <1.5 ULN, and hemoglobin ≥11 g/dL (Table). The safety profile in this study was consistent with previous reports of Ipi. Conclusions: Based on these subset analyses, Ipi added to RT appears to have greater activity than RT alone in pts with a favorable prognostic profile. These results support continued investigation of Ipi in the ongoing CA184-095 study in chemotherapy-naive mCRPC pts. Clinical trial information: NCT00861614. [Table: see text]