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Sharon, Elad

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0044-9719

Mayo Clinic

Harvard University

Citations 38

Safety and Activity of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in People Living With HIV and Cancer: A Real-World Report From the Cancer Therapy Using Checkpoint Inhibitors in People Living With HIV-International (CATCH-IT) Consortium
Zarif, Talal El , Nassar, Amin H. , Adib, Elio , Fitzgerald, Bailey G. , Huang, Jiaming , Mouhieddine, Tarek H. , Rubinstein, P , Nonato, Taylor K., McKay, Rana R. , Li, Mingjia , Baiocchi, Robert A. , Lorentsen, Michael , Dittus, Christopher , Dizman, Nazlı , Falohun, Adewunmi, Abdel‐Wahab, Noha , Diab, Adi , Bankapur, Anand, Reed, Alexandra, Kim, Chul , Arora, Aakriti, El‐Am, Edward , Abdallah, Wassim , Al‐Hader, Ahmad, Ghazal, Batool Abu, Drolen, Claire , Drakaki, Alexandra , Baena, Javier , Nebhan, Caroline A. , Haykal, Tarek , Morse, Michael A. , Cortellini, Alessio , Pinato, David J. , Pria, Alessia Dalla , Bakalov, Veli , Bahary, Nathan , Rajkumar, Aarthi , Mangla, Ankit , Singh, Parminder , Nana, Frank Aboubakar , Lopetegui‐Lia, Nerea , Dobbs, Ryan W. , Funchain, Pauline , Long, Georgina V. , Genova, Carlo , Barletta, Giulia, Idossa, Damé , Lamberti, Giuseppe , Freeman, Dory , Chiao, Elizabeth Y. , Johnson, Douglas B. , Ramaswami, Ramya , Bower, Mark , Emu, Brinda , Baden, Lindsey R. , Sonpavde, Guru , Naqash, Abdul Rafeh , El Zarif, Talal , Rubinstein, Paul G , Mittra, Arjun , Owen, Dwight H , Lorentsen, Michael , Dittus, Christopher , Dizman, Nazli , Abdel-Wahab, Noha , Diab, Adi , Kim, Chul , Shah, Neil J , Kozaily, Elie , Abdallah, Wassim , Saeed, Anwaar , Drolen, Claire , Lechner, Melissa G , Drakaki, Alexandra , Nebhan, Caroline A , Haykal, Tarek , Cortellini, Alessio , Pinato, David J , Dalla Pria, Alessia , Hall, Evan , Bahary, Nathan , Mangla, Ankit , Shah, Vishal , Aboubakar Nana, Frank , Lopetegui-Lia, Nerea , Dima, Danai , Dobbs, Ryan W , Funchain, Pauline , Woodford, Rachel , Long, Georgina V , Menzies, Alexander M , Genova, Carlo , Puri, Sonam , Florou, Vaia , Lamberti, Giuseppe , Addeo, Alfredo , Bersanelli, Melissa , Xie, Wanling , Reid, Erin G , Chiao, Elizabeth Y , Sharon, Elad , Johnson, Douglas B , Ramaswami, Ramya , Bower, Mark , Choueiri, Toni K , Lurain, Kathryn , Sonpavde, Guru , Naqash, Abdul Rafeh , Nassar, Amin H. , Singh, Parminder , Saeed, Anwaar , Shah, Vishal , Dima, Danai , Saleem, Rabia, Saponara, Maristella , Queirolo, Paola , Addeo, Alfredo , Xie, Wanling , Sharon, Elad , Marron, Thomas , Choueiri, Toni K. , Espinar, Javier Baena

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 16, 2023 | Volume: 41 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 3712-3723

10.1200/jco.22.02459 Get It

PURPOSE Compared with people living without HIV (PWOH), people living with HIV (PWH) and cancer have traditionally been excluded from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) trials. Furthermore, there is a paucity of real-world data on the use of ICIs in PWH and cancer. METHODS This retrospective study included PWH treated with anti–PD-1- or anti–PD-L1-based therapies for advanced cancers. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Objective response rates (ORRs) were measured per RECIST 1.1 or other tumor-specific criteria, whenever feasible. Restricted mean survival time (RMST) was used to compare OS and PFS between matched PWH and PWOH with metastatic NSCLC (mNSCLC). RESULTS Among 390 PWH, median age was 58 years, 85% (n = 331) were males, 36% (n = 138) were Black; 70% (n = 274) received anti–PD-1/anti–PD-L1 monotherapy. Most common cancers were NSCLC (28%, n = 111), hepatocellular carcinoma ([HCC]; 11%, n = 44), and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC; 10%, n = 39). Seventy percent (152/216) had CD4+ T cell counts ≥200 cells/µL, and 94% (179/190) had HIV viral load <400 copies/mL. Twenty percent (79/390) had any grade immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and 7.7% (30/390) had grade ≥3 irAEs. ORRs were 69% (nonmelanoma skin cancer), 31% (NSCLC), 16% (HCC), and 11% (HNSCC). In the matched mNSCLC cohort (61 PWH v 110 PWOH), 20% (12/61) PWH and 22% (24/110) PWOH had irAEs. Adjusted 42-month RMST difference was –0.06 months (95% CI, –5.49 to 5.37; P = .98) for PFS and 2.23 months (95% CI, –4.02 to 8.48; P = .48) for OS. CONCLUSION Among PWH, ICIs demonstrated differential activity across cancer types with no excess toxicity. Safety and activity of ICIs were similar between matched cohorts of PWH and PWOH with mNSCLC.
A pilot study of tazemetostat and pembrolizumab in advanced urothelial carcinoma (ETCTN 10183).
Kocherginsky, Masha , Wulff‐Burchfield, Elizabeth , Meeks, Joshua J. , Hussain, Maha , Singh, Parminder Pal , Myint, Zin War , Jiang, Di , Sharon, Elad , Piekarz, Richard , VanderWeele, David James

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 14, 2023 | Volume: 41 | Issue: 6_suppl | Pages: 506-506

10.1200/jco.2023.41.6_suppl.506 Get It

506 Background: Despite response to systemic therapy, few metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) patients (pts) achieve durable responses. Mutations in the COMPASS-related proteins KMT2D, KMT2C, and KDM6A are found in 66% of UC patients suggesting histone regulation may be an acquired mechanism of tumor viability. We previously found regression of UC in mice when treated with EZH2 inhibitor, tazemetostat. In vivo administration of tazemtostat enhanced the immune response with direct regulation of cytokines and antigen recognition machinery (MHCI and MHCII). We hypothesized that restoration of epigenetic imbalance, combined with immunotherapy, may improve outcomes in mUC pts. Methods: ETCTN 10183 (NCT03854474) is a pilot study evaluating the efficacy of tazemetostat 800 mg BID + pembrolizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks for cisplatin-refractory (Cohort A) or cisplatin/chemo-ineligible advanced UC (Cohort B) pts, with N=12 pts in each cohort. The primary objective is to identify the recommended phase two dose (RP2D) of tazemetostat in combination with pembrolizumab. Secondary objectives include RECIST-based response rate, safety, and progression-free survival. The maximum planned treatment duration is 2 years. Translational objectives include defining total and COMPASS-related genes tumor mutational burden, tumor subtyping, TCR clonality, T cell infiltration, and PDL-1 expression. Results: In the safety lead-in phase, 6 mUC pts were treated. There were no dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs). The RP2D for tazemetostat was established at 800 mg BID. Here we report results of fully accrued cohort A (N=12); 67% males, 33% females, 83% white, 8.3% Black, and 25% Hispanic/Latino ethnicity. The primary sites of UC were: bladder (n=9, 75%), renal pelvis (n=2, 17%), and ureter (n=1, 8.3%). The median (interquartile range, IQR) time since primary diagnosis was 1.1 years (0.7, 1.9); 11/12 patients had non-nodal metastatic disease; 10/12 had 1 or more visceral/bone metastasis. Median number of treatment cycles was 5 (IQR: 3-11; range 1-35). Median duration on protocol treatment was 12 weeks (IQR: 7-30; range 3-107 weeks). Three pts had treatment related grade 3/4 AEs: grade 4 sepsis (n=1), grade 3 lymphopenia (n=2); anemia, increased alkaline-phosphatase, and HSV oral infection (n=1 each). Best response was partial response (PR) in 3 pts (25%) and 3 (25%) had stable disease. Median PFS was 3.1 months (95%CI: 2.3-NA), and median overall survival was 8.0 months (95% CI: 4.7 – NA). Conclusions: The RP2D dose for tazemetostat is 800 mg + 200 mg Pembrolizumab q 3 weeks. The combination was feasible, well tolerated, and resulted in durable responses in poor-risk chemo-refractory UC patients. Clinical trial information: 03854474 .
1244 Alliance A151804: Establishment of a national biorepository to advance studies of immune-related adverse events
Kozono, David , Watson, Mark , Wen, Yujia , Keller, Frank G. , Naidoo, Jarushka , Mulhern, Barb, Hoffman, Laura, Naidoo, Jarushka , Kozono, David E , Zemla, Tyler , Dib, Elie G. , Watson, Mark, Kirkwood, John M. , Lyman, Gary H , Le‐Rademacher, Jennifer , Nixon, Andrew B. , Sharon, Elad

Regular and Young Investigator Award Abstracts | November 7, 2022 | Volume: No volume available | Issue: No issue available | Pages: A1290-A1291

10.1136/jitc-2022-sitc2022.1244 Get It

Dasatinib/prednisone induction followed by blinatumomab/dasatinib in Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Advani, Anjali S. , Moseley, Anna , O’Dwyer, Kristen M. , Wood, Brent L. , Park, Jae H. , Wieduwilt, Matthew J. , Jeyakumar, Deepa , Yaghmour, George , Gerds, Aaron T. , Litzow, Mark R. , Stone, Richard M. , Gerds, Aaron T , Litzow, Mark R. , Sharon, Elad , Erba, Harry Paul , Advani, Anjali S , Wood, Brent L , O'Dwyer, Kristin , Atallah, Ehab , O’Brien, Susan , Liesveld, Jane L. , Othus, Megan , Sharon, Elad

Blood Advances | November 2, 2022 | Volume: 7 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 1279-1285

10.1182/bloodadvances.2022008216 Get It

Abstract Novel treatment strategies are needed for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome–positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in older patients. This trial evaluated the feasibility and outcomes with the anti-CD19 bispecific T-cell–engaging antibody, blinatumomab, in combination with dasatinib and steroids. Patients 65 years of age or older with Ph+ or Ph-like ALL (with dasatinib-sensitive fusions/mutations) were eligible and could be newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory. Induction therapy consisted of dasatinib/prednisone. Patients not achieving response by day 56 proceeded to blinatumomab reinduction therapy. Patients achieving response with induction or reinduction therapy proceeded to blinatumomab/dasatinib postremission therapy for 3 cycles followed by dasatinib/prednisone maintenance. All patients received central nervous system prophylaxis with intrathecal methotrexate for a total of 8 doses. Response was assessed at days 28, 56, and 84 and at additional time points based on response parameters. Measurable residual disease was assessed centrally by 8-color flow cytometry at day 28. A total of 24 eligible patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ ALL were enrolled with a median age of 73 years (range, 65-87 years). This combination was safe and feasible. With a median of 2.7 years of follow-up, 3-year overall survival and disease-free survival were 87% (95% confidence interval [CI], 64-96) and 77% (95% CI, 54-90), respectively. Although longer follow-up is needed, these results are encouraging, and future trials are building on this backbone regimen. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02143414.
Results of the DIAL study (NCI 10089), a randomized phase 2 trial of varlilumab combined with nivolumab in patients with relapsed/refractory aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (r/r B-NHL).
Lazaryan, Aleksandr , Hernandez‐Ilizaliturri, Francisco J. , Geethakumari, Praveen Ramakrishnan , Shune, Leyla , Reeder, Craig B. , Atherton, Pamela J. , Fiskum, Jack, Adjei, Alex A. , Ansell, Stephen M. , Villasboas, José C. , Kline, Justin Paul , Bartlett, Nancy L. , Awan, Farrukh T. , Karmali, Reem , Lansigan, Frederick , Diefenbach, Catherine , Sharon, Elad , Yin, Jun

Journal of Clinical Oncology | June 8, 2022 | Volume: 40 | Issue: 17_suppl | Pages: LBA7564-LBA7564

10.1200/jco.2022.40.17_suppl.lba7564 Get It

LBA7564 Background: Patients with r/r B-NHL have a dismal prognosis. DIAL (Dual Immunomodulation in Aggressive Lymphoma) was a multi-center randomized phase II study testing the efficacy of nivolumab (PD-1 inhibitor) plus varlilumab (CD27 agonist) in this population. Methods: Patients were randomized (1:1) to nivolumab (240 mg IV every 2 weeks for 4 months, 480 mg IV monthly thereafter; group 1) alone or combined with varlilumab (3 mg/kg IV monthly; group 2). Cross-over (group 1 to 2) was allowed for progression. Primary endpoint was overall response (ORR) per LYRIC criteria. A sample size of 48 patients per arm would provide 80% power to detect increase in ORR from 25% to 45% using a one-sided test (p = 0.15). Pre-specified interim analysis occurred after half of the patients completed first radiologic assessment. Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and adverse events (AEs). Exploratory endpoints included tumor genomic assessment and immune profiling of blood and tumor. Results: 53 patients were enrolled (27 in group 1; 26 in group 2). Interim analysis included 24 patients from each arm. Mean age was 65.2 years, 34 (70.8%) were male, and 36 (75%) received prior CAR-T cell therapy. Baseline characteristics were balanced between arms. Grade ≥ 3 AEs were observed in 8 (33.3%) and 7 (30.4%) of patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Common AEs (> 5%) of any grade included fatigue, lymphopenia, diarrhea, rash. There were no treatment-associated deaths. Toxicity profile was similar between arms. Table summarizes efficacy outcomes. ORR was achieved in 6 patients (12.5%), not statistically different between arms; 4 responses were complete. Seven patients crossed over (1 responded after crossing). Median OS (8.6 vs 7.3 months; p = 0.39) and PFS (2.7 vs 1.4 months; p = 0.06) were similar between arms. Subgroup analysis of patients with prior CAR-T cell therapy showed similar ORR (5/36; 14%), not statistically different between arms. Correlative analysis results will be presented at conference. The trial met futility criterion on interim analysis and enrollment ceased based on pre-specified stopping rule. Conclusions: Dual immunomodulatory therapy did not enhance anti-tumor activity in patients with aggressive B-NHL compared to nivolumab alone. Response rates were low and consistent with previous data using PD-1 inhibitors in this population. Prior therapy with CAR-T cell does not seem to sensitize patients to PD-1 blockade. Toxicity profile was acceptable and dual therapy did not increase the rate of AEs. Clinical trial information: NCT03038672. [Table: see text]
A Phase 2 Study of Dasatinib, Prednisone, and Blinatumomab for Older Patients with Philadelphia-Chromosome (Ph) Positive or Ph-like Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) (with Dasatinib Sensitive Fusions/ Mutations)
Moseley, Anna , O’Dwyer, Kristen M. , Park, Jae H. , Wieduwilt, Matthew J. , Jeyakumar, Deepa , Yaghmour, George , O’Brien, Susan , Litzow, Mark R. , Stone, Richard M. , Advani, Anjali S. , O'Dwyer, Kristin , Wood, Brent L. , Atallah, Ehab , Gerds, Aaron T. , Liesveld, Jane L. , Othus, Megan , Sharon, Elad , Erba, Harry Paul

Blood | November 24, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 3397-3397

10.1182/blood-2021-145529 Get It

Abstract Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have improved the outcomes of patients with Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Many older patients (pts) are not good candidates for intensive chemotherapy and are treated with TKIs plus corticosteroids or low intensity chemotherapy. Although the remission rates with this approach have been high, the median disease-free survival (DFS) has been short. Therefore, novel treatment strategies are needed. This trial evaluated the feasibility of combining the TKI dasatinib with prednisone and blinatumomab in older pts with Ph+ ALL. Methods: This trial was activated through the NCTN in January 2015 and closed to accrual in April 2021. Pt eligibility included: age ≥ 65 years; Ph+ or Ph-like ALL (with dasatinib-sensitive fusions or mutations); newly diagnosed or relapsed/ refractory; no evidence of central nervous system (CNS) disease; and adequate organ function. Treatment: For induction, pts received dasatinib 140 mg/d orally (PO) Days 1-56 along with prednisone 60 mg/m 2/d PO Days 1-24. Pts achieving complete remission (CR) or CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi) (Day 28 or Day 56) continued dasatinib until Day 84 followed by 3 cycles of post-remission therapy (PRT) with blinatumomab/ dasatinib. Pts not achieving CR or CRi by Day 56 received re-induction with blinatumomab. Response was assessed at Day 35 of blinatumomab. Pts not achieving CR/ CRi could receive a second cycle of blinatumomab. This was followed by 3 cycles of PRT with blinatumomab/ dasatinib. Maintenance therapy consisted of prednisone 60 mg/m 2/d x 5 days every 28 days for a total of 18 cycles along with dasatinib 140 mg po qd indefinitely. CNS prophylaxis included intrathecal (IT) methotrexate every 4-6 weeks x 8 doses. IT methotrexate was given at least 2 days apart from blinatumomab. Response was assessed at Days 28, 56, 84 and additional time points were dependent on response. Minimal residual disease (MRD) was assessed centrally by multi-color flow cytometry at Day 28. Statistics: 9 eligible/ evaluable pts receiving PRT were to be evaluated before enrolling additional pts. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were defined as: &gt; Grade 3 non-hematologic toxicities with the exception of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (if manageable with supportive care measures) or Grade 4 neutropenia lasting &gt; 42 days with possible relationship to dasatinib or blinatumomab. If due to unexpected accrual, 12 pts were evaluable for DLT, the following rules would apply. If &gt; 4 of the 12 pts experienced a DLT, the study would be temporarily closed pending review. Upon re-opening, 8 additional eligible and evaluable pts would be enrolled for a total of 20 pts receiving blinatumomab. Results: Due to rapid accrual, 16 pts enrolled before accrual was paused to assess feasibility and safety. Twelve pts were evaluable for DLT and 4 experienced a DLT: Grade 3 dyspnea and gastrointestinal pain (n=1), Grade 3 hypertension (n=1), Grade 3 dyspnea (n=1), Grade 3 hyperglycemia (n=1). These adverse events were deemed acceptable by the NCI and FDA and the study re-opened. A total of 25 eligible pts were accrued. The median age was 73 years (range 62-87). All pts were newly diagnosed. One pt was Ph-like, with the remainder being Ph+; 89% of Ph+ pts had additional cytogenetic abnormalities. During induction, 2 pts experienced treatment-related non-hematologic Grade 4 toxicities. No Grade 4 or higher treatment-related non-hematologic toxicities occurred during post-remission therapy or maintenance. Twenty-three out of 25 pts (92%) achieved a CR during dasatinib-based and prednisone induction therapy. Four did not receive PRT (2 due to adverse events, 1 to receive transplant, 1 because of insurance issues). Sixteen pts who achieved CR had MRD data. Five out of 16 pts (31%) were MRD negative at Day 28. One pt remains on PRT and 10 are on maintenance. The median follow up for pts who are alive is 1.7 years. The median overall survival (OS) and DFS have not been reached as of July 8, 2021. Kaplan-Meier 3-year estimates of OS and DFS are 85% (95% CI 58%-95%) and 80% (95% CI 55%-92%), respectively (Figure). Conclusions: This trial demonstrates the feasibility of combining dasatinib and blinatumomab in Ph+ ALL. In addition, with 1.7 years of follow up, outcomes are encouraging with high estimated 3-year DFS and OS. Longer follow up will be needed to determine the durability of these results. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Advani: Kite Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Glycomimetics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Immunogen: Research Funding; OBI: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Macrogenics: Research Funding; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Moseley: BioSight Ltd: Consultancy. Wood: Pfizer, Amgen, Seattle Genetics: Honoraria; Juno, Pfizer, Amgen, Seattle Genetics: Other: Laboratory Services Agreement. Park: Intellia: Consultancy; Kura Oncology: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Affyimmune: Consultancy; Curocel: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Artiva: Consultancy; PrecisionBio: Consultancy; Servier: Consultancy; Kite Pharma: Consultancy; Innate Pharma: Consultancy; Minerva: Consultancy; Autolus: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy. Wieduwilt: Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Reata: Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company. Jeyakumar: Jazz: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding. Atallah: Abbvie: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy. Gerds: PharmaEssentia Corporation: Consultancy; CTI BioPharma: Research Funding; Sierra Oncology: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; Celgene/Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Constellation: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy. O'Brien: Amgen, Astellas, Celgene, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen Oncology, Aptose Biosciences Inc., Vaniam Group LLC, AbbVie, Alexion, Verastem, Juno Therapeutics, Vida Ventures, Autolus, Johnson and Johnson, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, NOVA Research Company, Eli Lill: Consultancy; Kite, Regeneron, Acerta, Caribou, Gilead, Pharmacyclics, TG Therapeutics, Pfizer, Sunesis: Research Funding. Othus: Celgene: Other: Data safety monitoring board; Merck: Consultancy; Biosight: Consultancy; Glycomimetics: Other: Data safety monitoring board; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy. Litzow: Jazz: Other: Advisory Board; Pluristem: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Actinium: Research Funding; Omeros: Other: Advisory Board; Astellas: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding; Biosight: Other: Data monitoring committee. Stone: Actinium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Consultancy; Arog: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astellas: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BerGen Bio: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Boston Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Elevate Bio: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Foghorn Therapeutics: Consultancy; Gemoab: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy; Innate: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Jazz: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Onconova: Consultancy; Syndax: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Syntrix/ACI: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Syros: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Aprea: Consultancy; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; Macrogenics: Consultancy. Erba: AbbVie Inc; Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc; ALX Oncology; Amgen Inc; Daiichi Sankyo Inc; FORMA Therapeutics; Forty Seven Inc; Gilead Sciences Inc; GlycoMimetics Inc; ImmunoGen Inc; Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc; MacroGenics Inc; Novartis; PTC Therapeutics: Research Funding; AbbVie Inc; Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celgene, a Bristol Myers Squibb company; Incyte Corporation; Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; AbbVie Inc: Other: Independent review committee; AbbVie Inc; Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc; Astellas; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celgene, a Bristol Myers Squibb company; Daiichi Sankyo Inc; Genentech, a member of the Roche Group; GlycoMimetics Inc; Incyte Corporation; Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc; Kura Oncology; Nov: Other: Advisory Committee.
Minimal Toxicity Seen When Pembrolizumab Is Added to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and Persistently Detectable Minimal Residual Disease: Early Results from an Ongoing Phase II Trial (ECOG-ACRIN EA9171)
Roopcharan, Kevin, Radich, Jerry, Little, Richard F. , Gore, Steven D. , Caldwell, Anne , Luger, Selina M. , Litzow, Mark R. , Zeidan, Amer M. , Bewersdorf, Jan Philipp , Bhatt, Vijaya Raj , Sharon, Elad

Blood | November 23, 2021 | Volume: 138 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 3613-3613

10.1182/blood-2021-145015 Get It

Abstract Background: CML is managed by life-long TKI therapy in most pts which can be associated with chronic toxicities and substantial costs. Discontinuation of TKI in some pts can result in sustained therapy-free remission (TFR); however only a minority are candidates for discontinuation approaches; of those most still relapse and must restart TKI. High expression of programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1 on CML-specific cytotoxic T-cells and CML cells, respectively, suggests that PD-1/PD-L1-mediated immune escape contribute to CML persistence and relapse after TKI discontinuation. We designed the BLAST MRD CML trial (NCT#03516279) to study whether adding anti-PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab to TKI therapy is safe and tolerable and increases rate of conversion to undetectable minimal residual disease (UMRD). We present data from the early safety cohort from this ongoing trial with a data cut-off date June 15th, 2021. Methods: BLAST MRD CML-1 is an ongoing national, ECOG-sponsored, single-arm pilot phase II clinical trial that enrolls adults with chronic phase CML who achieved a major molecular response (MR 3) but not UMRD while on a stable dose of up to three lines of TKI therapy. UMRD was defined as an undetectable BCR-ABL by central RQ-PCR (assay sensitivity of 4.5 [MR 4.5]) on 2 consecutive samples separated by ≥4 weeks. Once enrolled, pts continue on TKI and concurrently receive pembrolizumab 200mg IV on day (D)1 of each 21-D cycle with central MRD assessment every 4 cycles for 17 cycles. Pts who achieve UMRD at or prior to C17 discontinue pembrolizumab, while those with persistent MRD continue TKI + pembrolizumab for another 18 cycles. TKI is discontinued one year following first documentation of UMRD. After TKI discontinuation, BCR-ABL is monitored at defined intervals for 24 months. Primary endpoint is proportion of CML pts on stable-dose TKI who convert to UMRD within 2 years (yrs) of combined TKI + pembrolizumab therapy. Secondary endpoints include rates of TKI discontinuation and proportion of pts achieving 2-year TFR, MRD kinetics, and safety. Immune related and other adverse events (AE) were assessed and graded according to CTCAE v 5.0. Results: As of cut-off date, 6 pts enrolled in safety cohort. Median age was 43 yrs (range 32-65). TKIs received on trial included imatinib (N=2), dasatinib (N=3), and nilotinib (N=1). All 6 pts were on 2 nd line TKI. Median exposure to pembrolizumab was 20 doses (range, 5-36). Five pts were still on combined pembrolizumab + TKI treatment, while the 6 th pt has completed combined therapy for 2 yrs and then continued TKI monotherapy on trial after achievement of UMRD (pt has to be in UMRD for 1 yr before TKI can be discontinued). The combination of TKI and pembrolizumab was safe and well tolerated (Table 1). Only 3 pts experienced grade (G) 1/2 AEs as the worst non-hematologic AE while on trial. Hematologic toxicity reported was also generally minimal with only one G 1/2 anemia AE. The only reported G3 AE was a lipase elevation (283 U/L, normal range 11 - 55 U/L) noted on routine laboratory assessment in a pt receiving nilotinib at 400mg BID dose after 48 weeks of starting on trial combined therapy. Amylase was also elevated at G2. No baseline lipase levels were available as protocol at that time did not require baseline assessments. The pt had no symptoms and CT imaging showed no radiologic evidence of pancreatitis. The lipase and amylase levels normalized with holding of both nilotinib and pembrolizumab for 7 weeks, and the AE did not recur with resumption of combined therapy at same dose of pembrolizumab but with nilotinib reduced to 400mg daily. No G4 or 5 AEs occurred. No other dose-adjustments or treatment discontinuation/interruptions due to AEs occurred. No immune-related AEs (IRAEs) have been reported. Discussion: Data from the early safety cohort suggest that the combination of TKI and pembrolizumab is safe and well tolerated. The AEs observed were mild and generally G1/2. No pt discontinued trial therapy due to AEs. Only one G3 AE (asymptomatic lipase elevation) was reported, which could have been related to nilotinib therapy and could have predated trial entry as no baseline lipase value was available and was fully reversible with a temporary hold of therapy. No IRAEs have been reported to date. Work is ongoing on an amendment to study protocol to enhance accrual. Efficacy results will be reported as they mature. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Zeidan: Boehringer Ingelheim: Consultancy, Research Funding; Ionis: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy, Other: Clinical Trial Committees; Loxo Oncology: Consultancy, Other: Clinical Trial Committees; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astex: Research Funding; Jasper: Consultancy; Cardiff Oncology: Consultancy, Other: Travel support, Research Funding; Aprea: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; BeyondSpring: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy, Other: Clinical Trial Committees, Research Funding; Acceleron: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Other: Clinical Trial Committees, Travel support, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy; Epizyme: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; BioCryst: Other: Clinical Trial Committees; Janssen: Consultancy; Kura: Consultancy, Other: Clinical Trial Committees; Geron: Other: Clinical Trial Committees; Astellas: Consultancy; ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding; Agios: Consultancy; Jazz: Consultancy; Pfizer: Other: Travel support, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Other: Clinical Trial Committees, Research Funding. Radich: Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genentech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Bhatt: National Marrow Donor Program: Research Funding; Tolero Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; Jazz: Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Partnership for health analytic research, LLC: Consultancy; Servier Pharmaceuticals LLC: Consultancy; Rigel: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy. Luger: Syros: Honoraria; Agios: Honoraria; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; Brystol Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Acceleron: Honoraria; Astellas: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Onconova: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Biosight: Research Funding; Hoffman LaRoche: Research Funding; Kura: Research Funding. Litzow: Omeros: Other: Advisory Board; Astellas: Research Funding; Jazz: Other: Advisory Board; Amgen: Research Funding; Pluristem: Research Funding; Biosight: Other: Data monitoring committee; Actinium: Research Funding; AbbVie: Research Funding. OffLabel Disclosure: Pembrolizumab has not been approved for the treatment of CML
Abstract PD14-09: Nci 10013 - A randomized phase 2 study of neoadjuvant carboplatin and paclitaxel, with or without atezolizumab in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC)
Chen, Ina , Northfelt, Donald W. , Arora, Mili, Dees, Claire, Santa‐Maria, Cesar A. , Connolly, Roisín M. , Force, Jeremy , Moreno‐Aspitia, Alvaro , Larson, Sarah , Gillanders, William E. , Ademuyiwa, Foluso O. , Gao, Feng , Wesolowski, Robert , Brufsky, Adam , Santa-Maria, Cesar Augusto , Larson, Sarah, Sharon, Elad

Cancer Research | February 15, 2021 | Volume: 81 | Issue: 4_Supplement | Pages: PD14-09-PD14-09

10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs20-pd14-09 Get It

Abstract Background Inhibition of PD-L1 with atezolizumab combined with chemotherapy has shown acceptable safety and improved survival in patients with metastatic PD-L1 positive triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Patients with TNBC who do not achieve a pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy have a high risk of disease recurrence and death. This randomized, open-label, phase 2 trial evaluates neoadjuvant carboplatin and paclitaxel with or without atezolizumab in patients with previously untreated clinical stages II and III TNBC. Methods Women aged ≥18 years with clinical stage T2-T4c, any N, M0 primary tumor by AJCC 7th edition staging TNBC; ECOG PS 0-2; and no prior systemic therapy for the indexed breast cancer were eligible. Patients were randomized in a 1:2 ratio to carboplatin AUC5 q 3 weeks x 4 + paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 q week x 12 (Arm A), or carboplatin AUC5 q 3 weeks x 4 + paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 q week x 12 + atezolizumab 1200 mg q3 weeks x 4 (Arm B). Surgery was 3-6 weeks following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Adjuvant dose-dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide was administered q2 weeks with growth factor support to all patients as per routine care. pCR and tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) percentages are the co-primary endpoints. pCR-evaluable population includes all eligible women who have been randomized and received at least one dose of combination therapy, while the TIL-evaluable population includes all eligible women who have evaluable TIL percentage after one cycle of therapy. A sample size of 67 (22 in Arm A, and 45 in Arm B) provided 80% power at 1-sided alpha = 0.10 to detect a minimum of 15% difference in TIL and 29% improvement (40% vs. 69%) in pCR, respectively. Herein, we report pCR results in the per protocol modified intent-to-treat population (mITT), which includes all eligible patients who were randomized and received at least one dose of combination therapy. Results Sixty-seven patients were randomized between 8/2017 and 9/2019. Six patients randomized to Arm A withdrew consent; 2 of these received protocol therapy but are excluded from the mITT analyses as they are not evaluable because definitive pathology reports are not available. Median follow up is 6 months (range 0.3 - 12.6 months). Median age is 52 years (range 25 - 78). Forty-three (64.2%) were Caucasian and thirteen (19.4%) were African American. Twenty-five (37.3%) were pre-menopausal. 67.2% and 32.8% had stages II and III disease respectively. Nine (13.4%) had a germline mutation in either BRCA1 or BRCA2. In the mITT population, 3 of 16 patients achieved pCR in Arm A - 18.8% (95% CI 4.0%- 45.6%), versus 25 of 45 patients in Arm B - 55.6% (95% CI 40.0%-70.4%); p value 0.018. pCR in those with BRCA mutations was 50% and 80% in Arm A and Arm B, respectively. Treatment delays were observed in 9 patients (40.9%) in Arm A, and 20 (44.4%) in Arm B; dose reductions occurred in 4 patients (18.1%) in Arm A, and in 6 (13.3%) in Arm B. There were 4 SAEs in Arm A and 10 in Arm B. One patient in Arm B had grade 3 adrenal insufficiency. One patient in Arm B died from recurrent disease during the follow-up period. Conclusions: The addition of atezolizumab to neoadjuvant carboplatin and paclitaxel resulted in an increased pCR rate in patients with clinical stages II and III TNBC. However, the pCR in the control Arm A was lower than expected, possibly due to the absence of neoadjuvant anthracyclines. The high pCR rate observed in the experimental arm of this study is similar to that observed in other neoadjuvant trials utilizing anthracyclines, taxanes, and carboplatin in TNBC. Clinical trial information: NCT02883062. Citation Format: Foluso O Ademuyiwa, Feng Gao, Ina Chen, Donald W Northfelt, Robert Wesolowski, Mili Arora, Adam Brufsky, Claire Dees, Cesar A Santa-Maria, Roisin M Connolly, Jeremy Force, Alvaro Moreno-Aspitia, Sarah Larson, Elad Sharon, William Gillanders. Nci 10013 - A randomized phase 2 study of neoadjuvant carboplatin and paclitaxel, with or without atezolizumab in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD14-09.
Blast MRD CML 1 Trial: Blockade of PD-1 Added to Standard Therapy to Target Measurable Residual Disease (MRD) in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)- a Phase II Study of Adding the Anti-PD-1 Pembrolizumab to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Patients with Chronic M
Wang, Victoria , Radich, Jerald P. , Gore, Steven D. , Luger, Selina M. , Litzow, Mark R. , Zeidan, Amer M. , Bewersdorf, Jan Philipp , Bhatt, Vijaya Raj , Sharon, Elad

Blood | November 4, 2020 | Volume: 136 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 1-1

10.1182/blood-2020-137734 Get It

Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is driven by the activity of the oncogenic BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase, which can be effectively inhibited by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) leading to prolonged overall and disease-free survival. Despite their effectiveness, disease can progress on TKI therapy, and lifelong treatment with TKI can have substantial negative effects on quality of life and financial health. Studies assessing the safety of TKI discontinuation in CML patients in molecular remission showed that TKIs can be discontinued in up to 45% of patients without disease recurrence. Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) is an inhibitory immune checkpoint receptor expressed by T-cells that can be inhibited by the anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody pembrolizumab. Preclinical data have shown that PD-1 is highly expressed on CML-specific cytotoxic T-cells and PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) is present on CML cells. In murine CML models, the administration of anti-PD-L1 antibodies prolonged survival. As these studies suggest that disease relapse might be due to PD-1/PD-L1 mediated immune escape by CML cells, we designed the BLAST MRD CML 1 trial to study whether adding pembrolizumab to TKI is safe, increases the rate of conversion to undetectable minimal residual disease (UMRD) and allows a higher rate of TKI discontinuation. Methods: The primary endpoint of this ongoing national, ECOG-sponsored, single-arm pilot phase II clinical trial is to assess the proportion of CML patients on stable-dose TKI who convert to UMRD during or within 2 years of initiating pembrolizumab therapy (NCT#03516279). Secondary endpoints are (I) the proportion of CML patients who maintain UMRD for 6 months and 12 months, (II) the proportion of CML patients who discontinue TKI after achieving UMRD, (III) the proportion of patients who maintain UMRD off TKI at 2 years after first determined UMRD, and (IV) the incidence of grade 3 or 4 immune related adverse events related to pembrolizumab treatment during the first 2 years after registration. UMRD state is defined as an undetectable BCR-ABL using the central RQ-PCR assay with a sensitivity of 4.5 [MR4.5] on 2 consecutive occasions separated by at least 4 weeks with the date of achievement of UMRD constituting the date of first test. Immune related and other adverse events will be assessed according to CTCAE v 5.0 terminology and grading. Adult (≥18 years) patients with pathologically-confirmed CML and who have achieved major molecular response (MR3) but not UMRD at time of screening are eligible. Eligibility was recently expanded to allow third line TKI. Therefore, currently eligible patients must have been on first, second, or third line TKI therapy with either dasatinib, imatinib, nilotinib, or bosutinib for at least 2 years prior to enrolment. Patients with accelerated or blast phase CML or who have received prior allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant or anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy are excluded. Patients will continue a standard dose of TKI therapy and receive pembrolizumab at 200 mg IV every 21 days (Figure 1). MRD status will be assessed centrally every 4 cycles. Patients who achieve UMRD at or prior to cycle 17 will discontinue TKI and pembrolizumab. If MRD remains positive prior to cycle 17, TKI and pembrolizumab will be continued for an additional 18 cycles. If MRD is still detectable after the second year of combined therapy, patients will come off study. If patients are in an UMRD state by the end of year 1 or 2 of pembrolizumab therapy, pembrolizumab will be discontinued. Patients who remain in UMRD status for one year after the first UMRD result will discontinue TKI therapy. Once TKI is discontinued, BCR-ABL will monitored q4 weeks for the first six months post TKI discontinuation, then q8 weeks for the subsequent six months, then q12 weeks for another year. Assuming that the addition of pembrolizumab to TKI will increase the conversion rate to UMRD from 20% to 40%, enrollment of 36 patients (40 patients to allow for 10% drop-out) would give this trial 91% power with a one-sided type-I error of 0.089. The combination therapy will be considered promising if 11 or more patients meet the criteria for TKI discontinuation. Toxicity will be monitored and reviewed every six months. Disclosures Zeidan: Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Cardinal Health: Consultancy, Honoraria; Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: Other; Epizyme: Consultancy, Honoraria; Ionis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Jazz: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene / BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Otsuka: Consultancy, Honoraria; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Agios: Consultancy, Honoraria; Boehringer-Ingelheim: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Cardiff Oncology: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other; Taiho: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Astellas: Consultancy, Honoraria; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria; Acceleron: Consultancy, Honoraria; CCITLA: Other; Astex: Research Funding; MedImmune/Astrazeneca: Research Funding; Trovagene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Aprea: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria; BeyondSpring: Consultancy, Honoraria; ADC Therapeutics: Research Funding. Radich:Amgen: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Jazz: Consultancy; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding. Bhatt:Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy; Omeros: Consultancy; Agios: Consultancy; Rigel: Consultancy; Tolero: Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Partnership for health analytic research: Consultancy; Jazz: Research Funding; National Marrow Donor Program: Research Funding; Oncoceutics: Other. Gore:Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Luger:Daiichi-Sankyo: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Acceleron: Honoraria; Agios: Honoraria; Loxo Oncology: Honoraria; Onconova: Research Funding; Kura: Research Funding; Hoffman La Roche: Research Funding; Ariad: Research Funding; Biosight: Research Funding.