Botta, Gregory P.

TPS2673 Background: The main challenge for developing CAR T therapies for solid tumors is the lack of targets that distinguish tumor from normal cells, resulting in on-target, off-tumor toxicity. Tmod logic-gated CAR T therapy addresses this challenge by incorporating 2 CARs on the same T cell: an activator targeting a marker on both tumor and normal cells, and a blocker targeting HLA-A*02 that inhibits CAR T activity against normal cells while allowing activation against tumor cells (with HLA-A*02 LOH), improving tumor selectivity and decreasing toxicity. Early safety results from 3 ongoing phase 1/2 clinical trials of logic-gated, Tmod CAR T therapy (EVEREST-1, EVEREST-2, and DENALI-1) have demonstrated manageable safety and tolerability in patients with advanced solid tumors (Grierson et al, SITC , 2024; Ward et al, SITC 2025; Specht et al, SABCS , 2025). Early efficacy results include the first ever reported complete response in a patient with non-small cell lung cancer following treatment with a CAR T-cell therapy (A2B694). A2B543 is an autologous Tmod CAR T therapy that contains the same Tmod construct as A2B694 with an added membrane-tethered IL-12 (memIL12) booster. Specifically, A2B543 is comprised of autologous Tmod cells transduced with 2 lentiviral vectors: one expressing both the HLA-A*02-targeted blocker and the mesothelin-targeted CAR activator; and a second expressing the memIL12 booster. Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is a potent, pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a crucial role in inducing antitumor immune responses; however, systemic IL-12 can be prohibitively toxic (Jia et al, Front Immunol , 2022). In A2B543, expression of the memIL12 cassette is under the control of an NFAT promoter and is induced during antigen engagement or T cell activation. This inducible memIL12 is designed to reduce the toxicity associated with systemic IL-12 while enhancing the long-term potency and persistence of Tmod (Zhang et al, J Immunother Cancer , 2025). Methods: EVEREST-2 (NCT06051695) is a phase 1/2, open-label, nonrandomized study evaluating the safety and efficacy of A2B543 in adults with recurrent/metastatic mesothelin-expressing cancers with tumor-associated HLA-A*02 LOH, including mesothelioma, colorectal, non-small cell lung, pancreatic, or ovarian cancer. Patients are enrolled through BASECAMP-1 (NCT04981119), a master prescreening study that identifies patients with HLA LOH via next-generation sequencing and cryopreserves leukapheresis product. Upon progression, A2B543 is manufactured and then administered after lymphodepletion. The phase 1 primary objective is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of A2B543 and identify a recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). The phase 2 primary objective is to assess overall response rate. Clinical trial information: NCT06051695 .

4013 Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is driven predominantly by oncogenic KRAS signaling, yet prior attempts to target the MAPK pathway have been limited by toxicity and emergence of resistance. Atebimetinib is a next-generation, deep cyclic inhibitor (DCI) of MEK designed to achieve pulsatile pathway inhibition with improved tolerability. We report a Phase 2a cohort evaluating atebimetinib in combination with modified gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (mGnP) in the first-line treatment of advanced or metastatic PDAC (NCT05585320). Methods: In this multicenter, open-label, nonrandomized Phase 2a study, patients with previously untreated advanced or metastatic PDAC were eligible for participation and were treated with orally administered atebimetinib daily in combination with mGnP (modification: every other week dosing). The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) per investigator assessment using RECIST 1.1 criteria in response-evaluable patients. The cohort was powered (~80%, one sided alpha 0.05) using an optimal Simon’s 2-stage design. Results: Fifty-five patients were enrolled and treated with 320 mg atebimetinib daily + mGnP. ECOG performance status was 0-1 (100%); median age was 68 years (range 42-85 years), 62% were ≥65 years, and 55% were male. No grade 5 treatment-related adverse events (AE) were observed. No AE related to atebimetinib were higher than grade 3. Grade 3 AE related to atebimetinib occurred in 29% of participants, with the most frequent being rash (5%), ALT increased (5%), and AST increased (5%). Among the 50 response-evaluable patients, best overall response (BOR) achieved were 21 PR, 21 SD, 7 PD, 1 NE. The ORR was 42%, and DCR was 84%. With a median follow-up of 10.4 months (data cutoff Jan 7, 2026), 6- and 9-month OS rates were 88% and 79%, respectively; median PFS was 8.3 months and median OS was not reached. Conclusions: Atebimetinib in combination with mGnP demonstrated favorable safety and promising efficacy compared to historic standard-of-care (SoC) GnP. 1 A phase 3 registrational trial is planned to start in mid-2026 for evaluation of atebimetinib + mGnP versus SoC GnP. 1. Von Hoff DD, Ervin T, Arena FP, et al. Increased survival in pancreatic cancer with nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine. N Engl J Med . 2013;369(18):1691-1703. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1304369 (PMID: 24131140). Clinical trial information: NCT05585320 .

11177 Background: Early detection of recurrence after curative-intent treatment is a critical priority, traditional imaging often detects relapse when disease burden is high, potentially limiting treatment efficacy. ctDNA has emerged as an established prognostic biomarker for molecular residual disease (MRD) detection and early relapse. We performed a real-world meta-analysis on published datasets that utilized personalized, tumor-informed ctDNA testing to assess its performance across tumor types and clinical management approaches. Methods: Real-world studies published from December 2022 to December 2025 using the personalized, tumor-informed Signatera ctDNA assay (Natera, Inc.) were included. Eligibility required ctDNA assessment in the MRD (2–16 weeks post-surgery (histology dependent)/pre adjuvant therapy (ACT)) and/or surveillance (post-ACT/end of the MRD window if no ACT was given) settings, with outcomes stratified by ctDNA status and hazard ratios (HR) reported from univariable or time-dependent Cox regression analysis. Exclusions included: clinical trials, biobanks, metastatic disease treated with palliative intent, case reports, reviews, editorials, or commentaries. Clinical outcomes were harmonized into a composite event-free survival (EFS) endpoint (time to recurrence, progression, or death). Pooled HRs and 95% CIs were estimated using random and fixed effects models and heterogeneity between studies was assessed using the I 2 and Cochran’s Q test. Median lead time from ctDNA-positivity to radiographic or clinical recurrence was summarized when available. Results: We identified 18 eligible publications comprising 3,004 unique patients across 15 solid tumor types. During the MRD window, ctDNA positivity was associated with a significantly increased risk of an EFS event compared with ctDNA negativity (pooled HR: 8.15; 95% CI: 6.12–10.85, I 2 = 0.00%, P = 0.844, n = 13). During the surveillance window, inclusive of post-definitive treatment, ctDNA positivity conferred an even greater EFS risk (pooled HR: 18.30; 95% CI: 14.17–23.65, I 2 = 0%, P = 0.911 for heterogeneity, n = 16). Across studies, ctDNA detection during surveillance preceded radiographic or clinical recurrence by a median of 3.20 months (95% CI: 2.50-4.10, P < 0.0001, n = 10), although this varied substantially by study/tumor type (I 2 = 80.9%). Conclusions: In this pan-cancer real-world meta-analysis, ctDNA positivity assessed using a tumor-informed assay was highly prognostic following curative-intent therapy at all timepoints evaluated with low heterogeneity between studies. These findings support the broad clinical utility of tumor-informed ctDNA testing for post-treatment risk stratification and longitudinal disease monitoring across solid tumors.

Objective: In this study, we evaluate the utility of ctDNA analysis in a large cohort of patients for whom ctDNA testing was ordered commercially with real-world application. Summary Background Data: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as a prognostic and predictive biomarker for assessing post-surgical molecular residual disease (MRD) and response to treatment. Methods: A real-world data analysis was performed using commercial ctDNA testing (SignateraTM) from patients (N=795, n=5,971 plasma samples) with stage I-III colon cancer treated at multiple US institutions. The association of ctDNA detection within the MRD window, during surveillance, and the impact of ACT was correlated with patient outcomes. Results: ctDNA-positive patients during the MRD window and surveillance showed significantly shorter DFS compared to ctDNA-negative patients (hazard ratio (HR): 9.85, P<0.0001; HR: 26.91, P<0.0001). Multivariate analysis of the MRD window revealed ctDNA-positivity as the most significant factor associated with inferior DFS (adjHR: 7.7, P<0.001). MRD-positive patients who received ACT showed improved DFS compared to patients observed post-surgery (adjHR: 6.1, FDR adj P=0.0007). No ACT benefit was observed in MRD-negative patients (adj HR: 1.20, FDR adj P=0.768). On evaluating ctDNA dynamics from MRD to surveillance, patients who remained ctDNA-positive or converted from negative to positive showed a significantly inferior DFS (HR: 34.40, P<0.0001; HR: 13.65, P<0.0001) compared to persistently ctDNA-negative patients. Conclusions: Postsurgical ctDNA detection is prognostic of relapse and potentially predictive of ACT benefit in patients with resectable colon cancer, which may enable personalized surveillance, intervention, and/or trial options, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

TPS4205 Background: Multiple lines of evidence support the use of platinum-based chemotherapy for patients with homologous recombination deficiency-associated pancreatic adenocarcinoma (HRD PDAC; 15-20%). However, the impact of the specific platinum agent used remains uncertain. Mechanistically, oxaliplatin and cisplatin act distinctly on cancer cells, reflected in disparate toxicity profiles and target disease indications; furthermore, preclinical studies have shown that BRCA2-deficient cell lines and mice demonstrate significantly greater sensitivity to cisplatin compared to oxaliplatin. While oxaliplatin, part of the FOLFIRINOX regimen, represents the most commonly used platinum analogue for PDAC, clinical data shows that cisplatin (in combination with gemcitabine) can produce robust response rates (~70%) specifically in patients with germline BRCA/PALB2-mutated metastatic PDAC. We therefore designed a randomized clinical trial (PLATINUM) through the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology cooperative group to assess the optimal chemotherapy regimen in patients with HRD-associated metastatic PDAC following front-line FOLFIRINOX and to test the hypothesis that a platinum switch strategy will be beneficial. Methods: The study consists of a seamless phase II/III design, with the primary endpoint of the phase III component being overall survival. Eligible patients will have metastatic PDAC, a confirmed pathogenic BRCA1/2 or PALB2 mutation (somatic or germline), and demonstrated disease progression on front-line FOLFIRINOX, with or without subsequent PARP inhibitor maintenance. Patients will be randomized 1:1 to receive (1) the de facto standard of gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel; or (2) the experimental 3-drug combination of gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel, and cisplatin (NABPLAGEM), which has been previously studied in non-biomarker-selected patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (SWOG1815) and metastatic PDAC. Both treatment arms will use a once every other week dosing schedule. A total of 100 patients will be enrolled, which provides 90% power to detect an effect size of hazard ratio 0.5 (median OS of 18 vs 9 months) at a one-sided alpha of 0.05. Reports containing efficacy, adverse events, and administrative information will be provided to the Alliance DSMB every 6 months. Planned correlatives include ctDNA analysis for BRCA reversion mutations in all patients, as well as whole genome and transcriptome sequencing in an optional biopsy cohort. This study was activated in December 2023. Clinical trial information: NCT06115499 .

356 Background: Autologous anti-claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) CAR T cell, satricabtagene autoleucel (satri-cel), was developed to treat solid tumors. We report the completed results of the Phase 1b ELIMYN18.2 study (Cohort A) in gastric/gastroesophageal junction (GC/GEJ) and pancreatic cancer (PC). Methods: This single-arm, open-label, Phase 1b/2 study (NCT04404595) evaluated the safety and efficacy of satri-cel in patients with CLDN18.2-positive advanced GC/GEJ or PC. Cohort A consisted of a modified 3+3 design. After a conditioning regimen of fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and nab-paclitaxel, patients were administered 1-3 cycles of satri-cel. The primary objectives were safety and determination of the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D). Adverse Events (AEs) were graded per CTCAE 5.0, objective response rate (ORR), and clinical benefit rate (CBR) including CR, PR, and ≥6-month SD were assessed by the investigator per RECIST 1.1. Results: As of May 14, 2023, twenty-four patients underwent leukapheresis in Cohort A. Nineteen patients (7 GC/GEJ and 12 PC) with a median of 3 (range: 1-8) prior therapeutic lines had satri-cel at three dose levels (DLs) between 250×106 and 600×106 cells. Seven patients received a 2nd dose and two patients received a 3rd dose of satri-cel at a median of 113 and 259 days, respectively, post-first infusion. All 19 patients experienced at least one AE. No DLTs occurred and 17 patients experienced cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Two cases of Grade 3 CRS were reported, and all other CRS were Grade 1 or 2. Two Grade 1 immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) occurred. All CRS and ICANS were resolved. No severe gastrointestinal-related AEs were found. No increased toxicities were reported after any reinfusion. No satri-cel treatment-related death occurred. For all patients, the best ORR was 26.3%, the median DOR was 3.7 months and the CBR was 42.1%. The median PFS was 5.2 months, and overall survival was 12.8 months (95% CI 5.7-NE) after leukapheresis, and the median PFS was 3.3 months, and overall survival was 8.9 months (95% CI 3.3-NE) after the first infusion. In the GC/GEJ group, the ORR was 42.9% (3/7), the median DOR was 6.9 months and the CBR was 57.1%. In the PC group, the ORR was 16.7% (2/12), the median DOR was 3.4 months and the CBR was 33.3%. An ORR of 42.9% (3/7) and a CBR of 71.4% were reported at the DL3 of 600×106 cells which was selected as RP2D. At DL3, one GC patient achieved a CR and two PC patients had PR, suggesting the PC group achieved an ORR of 40% (2/5) and the GC group achieved an ORR of 50% (1/2). In addition, tumor shrinkage was detected in 73.7 % (14/19) of patients. Conclusions: The safety profile and therapeutic efficacy of satri-cel were shown to be promising in heavily pretreated patients with CLDN18.2-positive advanced GC/GEJ and PC . In the Phase 2 study, the first patient with GC received satri-cel in May 2023. Clinical trial information: NCT04404595 .

2538 Background: Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) is a highly selective cell lineage marker with limited expression in normal gastric tissues and significantly higher expression in primary gastric, pancreatic tumors and their metastases. Anti-CLDN18.2-targeted CAR T cells, termed CT041, were developed to evaluate tumor response and patient-reported outcomes in the gastric and pancreatic cancer. Preliminary results of the trial (NCT03874897) showed an objective response rate (ORR) of about 60% in gastric cancer from a non-Western population. Here we report the results of CT041 for metastatic gastric cancer after ≥ 2 prior lines of systemic therapy or pancreatic cancer ≥ 1 prior line from six centers in the United States. Methods: This single-arm, open-label, phase Ib study (NCT04404595) investigated autologous CT041 CAR T cells in patients with CLDN18.2 positive advanced gastric (including diffuse, signet-ring) or pancreatic adenocarcinoma. All patients completed a conditioning regimen consisting of fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and nab-paclitaxel prior to CT041 CAR T cells. The primary objective was to assess the safety, efficacy and cytokinetic profile of CT041. Adverse Events (AEs) were graded according to CTCAE 5.0, and tumor response was assessed per RECIST 1.1. Results: As of February 15, 2022, 11 patients (5 gastric and 6 pancreatic) with a median of 2 prior lines of therapy (range 1- 4) were treated with CT041 at a dose between 2.5 and 4 x 108 cells. There were no dose limiting toxicities, treatment-related deaths, severe cytokine release syndrome (CRS), immune effector cell-associated neurologic syndrome (ICANS), or severe gastrointestinal (GI) related AEs. All CRS were grade 1 or 2. Only one patient received tocilizumab. No grade 4 AEs were observed except for hematologic toxicities related to conditioning. The first eight patients were evaluable for response by the date of data cut-off: 1 patient achieved a complete response after two CT041 doses (gastric), 2 had partial response (gastric), 2 had stable disease with tumor shrinkage (pancreatic) and 3 (pancreatic) had progression of disease after an initial biochemical response. ORR was 37.5% (3/8) in all patients including 100% (3/3) in the gastric subgroup (all ≥ 3 prior lines). The last three patients had not reached the time for response assessment. CAR T cell expansion correlated with ctDNA reduction. The median duration of response and the progression-free survival had not been reached. Conclusions: These preliminary results indicate that CT041 therapy was safe and had therapeutic efficacy in patients with advanced GI cancers. In heavily pre-treated gastric cancer, CT041 may have significantly improved anti-tumor activity compared to historical treatment regimens. Clinical trial information: NCT04404595.