Citations 146

A phase Ib/II study of the polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) inhibitor, onvansertib, in combination with FOLFIRI and bevacizumab for second-line treatment of patients with KRAS-mutated metastatic colorectal Cancer (mCRC).

Journal of Clinical Oncology | January 22, 2021 | Volume: 39 | Issue: 3_suppl | Pages: TPS155-TPS155

10.1200/jco.2021.39.3_suppl.tps155

TPS155 Background: Chemotherapy in combination with targeted agents are standard-of-care options for patients for mCRC with response rates > 50% in first line. In the second line setting, efficacy of chemotherapy and targeted agents are much lower with response rates of 5% for FOLFIRI (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan) + bevacizumab (anti-VEGF). New treatment options are urgently needed in particular for the 50 % of patients harboring a KRAS mutation. PLK1 is a serine/threonine kinase, master regulator of the mitotic checkpoint and cell division. PLK1 is overexpressed in CRC and its overexpression is associated with poor prognostic. A genome wide RNAi screen identified PLK1 as a synthetic lethal target in KRAS mutant CRC cells, inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis upon inhibition. Onvansertib is an oral, highly selective PLK1 inhibitor that demonstrates single agent and synergistic activity with irinotecan and 5-FU in preclinical CRC models. Additionally, KRAS mutated versus wild-type cells showed higher sensitivity to onvansertib. PLK1 inhibition is a potential target in KRAS-mutated mCRC, and the combination of onvansertib + FOLFIRI + bevacizumab may provide a new second-line treatment option. Methods: The primary objective of this single-arm Phase 1b/2 study is to assess the safety and preliminary efficacy of onvansertib in combination with FOLFIRI and bevacizumab in the second line setting for KRAS-mutated mCRC patients. For the Phase 1b segment, a standard 3 + 3 dose-escalation design is used to determine the maximum tolerated dose or recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of onvansertib. As of September 15th 2020, the first two dose levels have been cleared for safety and the third is enrolling. Efficacy will be determined by objective response rate (ORR) according to RECIST v1.1 (primary endpoint), progression-free survival and reduction in KRAS allelic burden in liquid biopsies (secondary endpoints). Biomarker analyses include genomic profiling of circulating tumor DNA genomic to evaluate altered pathways that correlate with patient clinical response. Based on a one-sided one sample log-rank test with 10% Type I error, there will be at least 90% power to detect an improvement in ORR from 5% to 20% with 32 patients. Clinical trial information: NCT03829410.
Serial cell-free DNA (cfDNA) sampling in advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients may predict therapeutic outcome.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | January 22, 2021 | Volume: 39 | Issue: 3_suppl | Pages: 423-423

10.1200/jco.2021.39.3_suppl.423

423 Background: Advanced PDAC remains a deadly disease with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. cfDNA - based next generation sequencing (NGS) may identify actionable alterations in patients with PDAC. In this study, we aim to determine the feasibility of utilizing serial cfDNA NGS testing and its potential relevance in predicting therapeutics outcomes. Methods: A total of 23 PDAC patients with PDAC cfDNA isolated from plasma collected at diagnosis and upon disease progression to first line SOC therapy and were analyzed on a 73-74 gene NGS panel (Guardant Health). Changes in molecular profiles from baseline to progression were analyzed for overall survival, progression free survival (PFS), and treatment response. PFS and OS were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test was used to compare the survival of different groups of patients. All p-values were two-sided. Analyses were performed using R (version 3.5.1, R Foundation, Vienna, Austria). Results: In this retrospective study, the 1-year probability of survival was 71% (median 473 days) and the 1-year PFS was 14% (median 212 days). TP53 and KRAS were the most frequently mutated genes identified in baseline samples, with 78% prevalence for each. Patients with clearance of TP53 17% (3/18) patients and/or KRAS 33% (6/18) patients clones after first line therapy significantly increases PFS (p=0.0056 and p=0.037, with HR of 0.087 and 0.32, respectively). However, appearance of TP53 or KRAS alterations upon progression does not significantly affect overall survival or PFS. Conclusions: The preliminary results from this study suggest that cfDNA clearance of TP53 and/or KRAS alterations may predict for improved PFS in PDAC. Confirmation of these findings in larger studies is warranted.
Silmitasertib (CX-4945) in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin as first-line treatment for patients with locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma: A phase Ib/II study.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | January 22, 2021 | Volume: 39 | Issue: 3_suppl | Pages: 312-312

10.1200/jco.2021.39.3_suppl.312

312 Background: Silmitasertib (CX-4945), an oral small molecule inhibitor of casein kinase 2 (CK2), has exhibited preclinical antitumor activity and strong synergism with gemcitabine + cisplatin. We investigated the safety and efficacy of silmitasertib in combination with gemcitabine + cisplatin in patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Methods: S4-13-001 is a multicenter, open-label, phase Ib/II study of silmitasertib in combination with gemcitabine + cisplatin in patients with locally advanced or metastatic CCA. The phase Ib portion included dose-escalation, expansion, and exploratory cohorts of silmitasertib with doses ranging from 200 to 1000 mg bid (6 days for the escalation/expansion cohorts and 10 and 21 days’ continuous dosing for the exploratory cohorts). In the phase II portion patients received silmitasertib 1000 mg bid for 10 days in combination with gemcitabine + cisplatin on days 1 & 8 over a 21-day cycle. In this interim analysis, we present findings from the combined population of patients from the phase Ib and II portions of the study. Response to treatment was assessed by RECIST v1.1 every 6 weeks. Primary efficacy outcome measure was progression-free survival (PFS). ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02128282). Results: A total of 87 patients were enrolled and received silmitasertib in the phase Ib (n=50) and phase II (n=37) portions of the study. Of these, 55 patients were evaluable for efficacy with details as follows: median PFS 11.1 (95% CI 7.6–14.7) months; median overall survival (OS) 17.4 (95% CI 13.4–25.7) months; overall response rate (ORR) 32.1%; and disease control rate (DCR) 79.3%. Almost all patients (79/87; 90.8%) evaluable for safety reported ≥1 treatment-related adverse event (TEAE). The most common TEAEs (all grades) with silmitasertib were diarrhea (65.5%), nausea (50.6%), vomiting (33.3%), fatigue (31.0%), and anemia (21.8%). The most common grade ≥3 TEAEs were diarrhea (13.8%), neutropenia (11.5%), nausea (9.2%), anemia (8.0%), and thrombocytopenia (8.0%). Eleven patients (12.6%) discontinued treatment due to TEAEs. Conclusions: Silmitasertib in combination with gemcitabine + cisplatin yields promising preliminary evidence of efficacy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic CCA. Based on these data a randomized phase III trial is planned. Clinical trial information: NCT02128282.
Systemic Therapy and Sequencing Options in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

JAMA Oncology | October 22, 2020 | Volume: 6 | Issue: 12 | Pages: e204930

10.1001/jamaoncol.2020.4930 | PMID 33090186

Abstract CT235: A phase 1b/2 study of onvansertib (PCM-075) in combination with FOLFIRI and bevacizumab for second line treatment of patients with KRAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC)

Cancer Research | September 4, 2020 | Volume: 80 | Issue: 16_Supplement | Pages: CT235-CT235

10.1158/1538-7445.am2020-ct235

Abstract Background: Chemotherapy in combination with targeted agents are standard-of-care options for patients for mCRC with response rates >50% in first line. In the second line setting, efficacy of chemotherapy and targeted agents are much lower with response rates of 5% for FOLFIRI (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan) + bevacizumab (anti-VEGF). New treatment options are urgently needed in particular for the 50 % of patients harboring a KRAS mutation. Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is a serine/threonine kinase, master regulator of the mitotic checkpoint and cell division. PLK1 is overexpressed in CRC and its overexpression is associated with poor prognostic. A genome wide RNAi screen identified PLK1 as a synthetic lethal target in KRAS mutant CRC cells, inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis upon inhibition. Onvansertib is an oral, highly selective PLK1 inhibitor that demonstrates single agent and synergistic activity with irinotecan in preclinical CRC models. Additionally, KRAS mutated vs wild-type cells showed higher sensitivity to onvansertib. PLK1 inhibition is a potential target in KRAS-mutated mCRC and onvansertib + FOLFIRI + bevacizumab may provide a new second-line treatment option. Trial design: The primary objective of this single-arm Phase 1b/2 study is to assess the safety and preliminary efficacy of onvansertib in combination with FOLFIRI and bevacizumab in the second line setting for KRAS-mutated mCRC patients. For the Phase 1b segment, a standard 3 + 3 dose-escalation design is used to determine the maximum tolerated dose or recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of onvansertib. As of January 24th 2020, enrollment in the second dose level is ongoing. Efficacy will be determined by objective response rate (ORR) according to RECIST v1.1 (primary endpoint), progression-free survival and reduction in KRAS allelic burden in liquid biopsies (secondary endpoints). In the phase 2, based on a one-sided one sample log-rank test with 10% Type I error, there will be at least 90% power to detect an improvement in ORR from 5% to 20% with 26 patients. Exploratory endpoints include genomic studies of circulating tumor cells and ctDNA to evaluate altered pathways that correlate with patient response. Clinical trial identification NCT03829410. Citation Format: Afsaneh Barzi, Heinz-Josef Lenz, Errin Samuëlsz, Maya Ridinger, Mark Erlander, Tanios S. Bekaii-Saab, Daniel H. Ahn. A phase 1b/2 study of onvansertib (PCM-075) in combination with FOLFIRI and bevacizumab for second line treatment of patients with KRAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr CT235.
Homologous Recombination Repair Defect May Predict Treatment Response to Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy for Neuroendocrine Tumors

The Oncologist | June 8, 2020 | Volume: 25 | Issue: 8 | Pages: e1246-e1248

10.1634/theoncologist.2020-0029 | PMID 32510802

AbstractLutetium-177-dotatate (177Lu-dotatate), a form of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of advanced somatostatin receptor–positive gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) in 2018 based on the promising results of the NETTER-1 trial for grade 1–2 midgut NETs. Here, we present a patient with a grade 3 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor and BRCA1 germline mutation who had a significant response to 177Lu-dotatate.
The natural history of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)-altered cholangiocarcinoma (CCA).

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 25, 2020 | Volume: 38 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: e16686-e16686

10.1200/jco.2020.38.15_suppl.e16686

e16686 Background: Genetic alterations in the FGFR pathway are emerging as promising therapeutic targets in CCA. The clinical and molecular features of patients (pts) with CCA harboring FGFR genetic alterations are reported here. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed in pts with CCA who were found to have an FGFR alteration on tumor molecular profiling as part of routine care between 9/2007 and 12/2019. Data on demographics, risk factors, pathology, molecular characteristics, systemic therapies, radiographical response, time on treatment, and overall survival (OS) were collected in a multi-center collaborative effort across seven academic centers. Results: Among 135 pts with FGFR-altered CCA, the median age at diagnosis was 57 years old (range = 25-92 years), and 80 (59.3%) pts were female, 129 (95.6%) had intrahepatic CCA, and 6 (5.6%) had chronic HBV. At presentation, 28.2% of pts had resectable disease, including 65.0% with Stage I-II, 22.5% with Stage III, and 5.0% with Stage IV. At the time of initial diagnosis, CA19-9 was < 35U/mL in 42.6% of pts. Bone metastases were observed in 41 (30.6%) pts with advanced disease. FGFR2 fusions were the most common FGFR alteration (68.2%), followed by FGFR2 mutations (21.5%), FGFR3 mutations (3.7%), FGFR2 rearrangements (1.5%), FGFR1 amplification (1.5%), and FGFR2 amplification (1.5%). The most common FGFR2 fusion partners were BICC1 (28.3%), SORBS1 (4.4%), POC1B (3.3%), and TACC2 (3.3%). The median lines of palliative systemic therapies received was 3 (range = 0-8), and 40/135 (29.6%) pts received a liver-directed therapy. For the 55 (59.8%) pts with FGFR2 fusions who received gemcitabine/cisplatin as first-line palliative systemic therapy, the median time on treatment was 6.2 months (95% CI: 4.1-9.3). The median OS from time of initial diagnosis was 36.1 months (95% CI: 28.3-51.6) in the FGFR2 fusion positive cohort. Among the 92 pts with FGFR2 fusions, 70 (76.1%) pts received an FGFR inhibitor on a clinical trial; 12 (17.1%) were subsequently treated with a second FGFR inhibitor, and 58.3% stayed on the second FGFR inhibitor for ≥4 months. Pts with a BICC1 fusion partner (n = 16) had an overall response rate of 42.9% on FGFR-selective inhibitors compared to 30.8% in non-BICC1 fusion partners (n = 54). Conclusions: Pts with CCA harboring FGFR alterations were found to have a high rate of normal CA19-9, high rate of bone metastases, and short median time on treatment on first-line palliative gemcitabine/cisplatin. Additional comparative studies are necessary to evaluate these findings.
A phase Ib/II study of the polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) inhibitor, onvansertib, in combination with FOLFIRI and bevacizumab for second-line treatment of patients with KRAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 25, 2020 | Volume: 38 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: TPS4116-TPS4116

10.1200/jco.2020.38.15_suppl.tps4116

TPS4116 Background: Chemotherapy in combination with targeted agents are standard-of-care options for patients for mCRC with response rates >50% in first line. In the second line setting, efficacy of chemotherapy and targeted agents are much lower with response rates of 5% for FOLFIRI (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan) + bevacizumab (anti-VEGF). New treatment options are urgently needed in particular for the 50 % of patients harboring a KRAS mutation. PLK1 is a serine/threonine kinase, master regulator of the mitotic checkpoint and cell division. PLK1 is overexpressed in CRC and its overexpression is associated with poor prognostic. A genome wide RNAi screen identified PLK1 as a synthetic lethal target in KRAS mutant CRC cells, inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis upon inhibition. Onvansertib is an oral, highly selective PLK1 inhibitor that demonstrates single agent and synergistic activity with irinotecan in preclinical CRC models. Additionally, KRAS mutated vs wild-type cells showed higher sensitivity to onvansertib. PLK1 inhibition is a potential target in KRAS-mutated mCRC, and the combination of onvansertib + FOLFIRI + bevacizumab may provide a new second-line treatment option. Methods: The primary objective of this single-arm Phase 1b/2 study is to assess the safety and preliminary efficacy of onvansertib in combination with FOLFIRI and bevacizumab in the second line setting for KRAS-mutated mCRC patients. For the Phase 1b segment, a standard 3 + 3 dose-escalation design is used to determine the maximum tolerated dose or recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of onvansertib. As of January 24, 2020, enrollment in the second dose level is ongoing. Efficacy will be determined by objective response rate (ORR) according to RECIST v1.1 (primary endpoint), progression-free survival and reduction in KRAS allelic burden in liquid biopsies (secondary endpoints). In the phase 2, based on a one-sided one sample log-rank test with 10% Type I error, there will be at least 90% power to detect an improvement in ORR from 5% to 20% with 26 patients. Exploratory endpoints include genomic studies of circulating tumor cells and ctDNA to evaluate altered pathways that correlate with patient clinical response. Clinical trial information: NCT03829410 .
Preemptive versus reactive topical clobetasol for regorafenib-induced hand-foot reactions: Results from the ReDOS trial.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 6, 2020 | Volume: 37 | Issue: 15_suppl | Pages: 11586-11586

10.1200/jco.2019.37.15_suppl.11586

11586 Background: Hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR) is the most common regorafenib adverse event. However, no intervention has demonstrated efficacy in preventing or palliating this adverse event, short of modulating the regorafenib dose. Methods: The Regorafenib Dose Optimization Study (ReDOS) was a randomized trial ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02368886 ); here we describe an a priori secondary analysis of ReDOS with the goal of assessing whether clobetasol 0.05% cream (a potent corticosteroid) applied to the palms and soles twice per day is more effective when prescribed pre-emptively (before the development of HFSR) versus reactively (after the development of HFSR). Patients were assessed during the 1st 2 cycles of regorafenib. Results: Among 116 evaluable patients, 61 received pre-emptive clobetasol, and 55 reactive clobetasol. Baseline demographics were comparable between groups. During the 1st regorafenib cycle, 46% and 52% of patients developed HFSR with pre-emptive and reactive clobetasol, respectively (p = 0.52). However, during the 2nd cycle, 56% (of 47 total patients) and 80% (of 41 total patients), developed this toxicity with pre-emptive and reactive clobetasol, respectively (p = 0.02). Of note, during the 2nd cycle, rates of grade 1,2, and 3 HFSR were 40%, 11%, and 4% (pre-emptive) and 45%, 25%, and 10% (reactive) (p = 0.07). A sensitivity analysis to examine rates of no HFSR over all 2 regorafenib cycles showed that no HFSR occurred in 33% (of 61 total patients) with pre-emptive clobetasol versus 15% (of 55 total patients) with reactive clobetasol (p = 0.02). Patient-reported outcomes showed HFSR compromised activities of daily living, including getting dressed, preparing meals, walking, and even driving, with seemingly worse descriptive outcomes in patients who received reactive therapy. No adverse events from clobetasol were reported. Conclusions: Compared to reactive therapy, pre-emptive topical clobetasol might lessen regorafenib-induced HFSR. Clinical trial information: NCT02368886.
Real-World Dosing Patterns and Outcomes of Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer Treated With a Liposomal Irinotecan Regimen in the United States

Pancreas | February 6, 2020 | Volume: 49 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 193-200

10.1097/mpa.0000000000001479 | PMID 32011529

Objectives Liposomal irinotecan (nal-IRI) is a topoisomerase inhibitor proven to improve survival in metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC). This study describes real-world characteristics of patients treated with nal-IRI for mPC. Methods Patients 18 years or older diagnosed with stage IV mPC and treated with nal-IRI were selected retrospectively from a deidentified electronic health record database of more than 2 million US cancer patients. Demographics, clinical and dosing characteristics, and treatment outcomes were collected. Results Of 257 total patients, 145 (57%) received nal-IRI as first- or second-line therapy. Median nal-IRI treatment duration was 51 days, longer when nal-IRI was used as first/second versus as third-line therapy or later (62 vs 44.5 days). Seventy patients (27.2%) experienced dose modification. Median time to treatment discontinuation was 2.3 versus 1.6 months for first-/second- versus third-line therapy or later, respectively. Median overall survival from nal-IRI initiation was 5.6 versus 4.1 months for first-/second- versus third-line therapy or later, respectively. Prior irinotecan treatment, baseline serum albumin less than 40 g/L, and baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio greater than 5 were associated with reduced overall survival. Conclusions This is the first large US study of real-world US mPC patients treated with nal-IRI. These results, comparable to the NAPOLI-1 trial, can help inform future studies and the efficacy of nal-IRI in mPC therapy.