Wee, Wen

BACKGROUND A patient-derived organoid (PDO) platform may serve as a promising tool for translational cancer research. In this study, we evaluated PDO’s ability to predict clinical response to gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. METHODS We generated PDOs from primary and metastatic lesions of patients with GI cancers, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, colorectal adenocarcinoma, and cholangiocarcinoma. We compared PDO response with the observed clinical response for donor patients to the same treatments. RESULTS We report an approximately 80% concordance rate between PDO and donor tumor response. Importantly, we found a profound influence of culture media on PDO phenotype, where we showed a significant difference in response to standard-of-care chemotherapies, distinct morphologies, and transcriptomes between media within the same PDO cultures. CONCLUSION While we demonstrate a high concordance rate between donor tumor and PDO, these studies also showed the important role of culture media when using PDOs to inform treatment selection and predict response across a spectrum of GI cancers. TRIAL REGISTRATION Not applicable. FUNDING The Joan F. & Richard A. Abdoo Family Fund in Colorectal Cancer Research, GI Cancer program of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic SPORE in Pancreatic Cancer, Center of Individualized Medicine (Mayo Clinic), Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (Mayo Clinic), Incyte Pharmaceuticals and Mayo Clinic Hepatobiliary SPORE, University of Minnesota-Mayo Clinic Partnership, and the Early Therapeutic program (Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic).

Background: Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) is used in borderline resectable/locally advanced (BR/LA) pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Anatomic imaging (CT/MRI) poorly predicts response, and biochemical (CA 19-9) markers are not useful (nonsecretors/nonelevated) in many patients. Pathologic response highly predicts survival post-NAT, but is only known postoperatively. Because metabolic imaging (FDG-PET) reveals primary tumor viability, this study aimed to evaluate our experience with preoperative FDG-PET in patients with BR/LA PDAC in predicting NAT response and survival. Methods: We reviewed all patients with resected BR/LA PDAC who underwent NAT with FDG-PET within 60 days of resection. Pre- and post-NAT metabolic (FDG-PET) and biochemical (CA 19-9) responses were dichotomized in addition to pathologic responses. We compared post-NAT metabolic and biochemical responses as preoperative predictors of pathologic responses and recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: We identified 202 eligible patients. Post-NAT, 58% of patients had optimization of CA 19-9 levels. Major metabolic and pathologic responses were present in 51% and 38% of patients, respectively. Median RFS and OS times were 21 and 48.7 months, respectively. Metabolic response was superior to biochemical response in predicting pathologic response (area under the curve, 0.86 vs 0.75; P <.001). Metabolic response was the only univariate preoperative predictor of OS (odds ratio, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.13–0.40), and was highly correlated ( P =.001) with pathologic response as opposed to biochemical response alone. After multivariate adjustment, metabolic response was the single largest independent preoperative predictor ( P <.001) for pathologic response (odds ratio, 43.2; 95% CI, 16.9–153.2), RFS (hazard ratio, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.2–0.6), and OS (hazard ratio, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.1–0.4). Conclusions: Among patients with post-NAT resected BR/LA PDAC, FDG-PET highly predicts pathologic response and survival, superior to biochemical responses alone. Given the poor ability of anatomic imaging or biochemical markers to assess NAT responses in these patients, FDG-PET is a preoperative metric of NAT efficacy, thereby allowing potential therapeutic alterations and surgical treatment decisions. We suggest that FDG-PET should be an adjunct and recommended modality during the NAT phase of care for these patients.

TPS4170 Background: IMbrave150 is the first study demonstrating the benefit of anti-PDL1 in the frontline treatment of aHCC, and established Atezo/Bev as a new 1st line standard for aHCC. There is currently limited evidence to guide subsequent therapy for aHCC patients progressing on Atezo/Bev. ACCRU-GI-2008 is designed to determine the benefit of continuing Atezo into 2nd line and the safety of Atezo plus a MKI in patients with aHCC who previously received Atezo/Bev. The study is being conducted across 12 centers in the United States (ClincalTrials.gov#: NCT05168163). Methods: This study utilizes a 2:1 randomized phase II design where eligible patients will receive either Atezo/MKI (experimental arm) or MKI alone (control). Patients will be stratified according to the MKI choice (cabozantinib or lenvatinib, per physician’s decision), etiology of HCC (viral vs. non-viral) and alpha-fetoprotein level ( < 400 vs. > = 400 ng/mL). The major eligibility criteria are histological/cytological diagnosis or clinical diagnosis of HCC per the AASLD or WASL 2018 guidelines, has advanced disease not amendable to curative treatment, previously received and progressed on Atezo/Bev, has received only 1 previous line of systemic therapy (2nd line only), ECOG PS 0-1, Child Pugh Class A, adequate organ reserves and RECIST v1.1 measurable disease; previous MKI for advanced disease is excluded. The primary endpoints are overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). A total sample size of 122, with 89 PFS events, we will have 80% power to detect an improvement in median PFS from 4 to 7 months, assuming a one-sided significance level of 0.05. With approximately 84 deaths, we will have 80% power to detect an improvement in median OS from 10 to 18 months, assuming a one-sided significance level of 0.05. The overall one-sided significance level, for the study, is 0.1. An OS interim analysis will be conducted at 89 PFS events. Secondary endpoints include objective response, duration of response, and adverse events. Archival tumor and serial blood samples will be collected to evaluate for potential prediction biomarkers and mechanisms of sensitivity/resistance. Baseline and on-treatment tumor biopsy specimens will also be collected from the initial 10 patients of each arm. The study is approved by the ethics committee and enrollment to the study will be underway by Q2/3 2022. Clinical trial information: NCT05168163.

4145 Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the 4th leading cause of cancer death. Outcomes remain poor, due to irresectability at diagnosis for many and sub-optimal responses to systemic therapy. Cytotoxic chemotherapy remains the standard of care. High microsatellite instability (MSI-H) predicts response to immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) in many cancers. Detecting high MSI is rare in PDAC (incidence <2%), but case reports demonstrate potential therapeutic benefit with ICI. Here, we present multi-institutional data to characterize the clinical behavior of MSI-H PDAC, with special attention to response to ICI. Methods: Cases of MSI-H PDAC were obtained by reviewing data of all PDAC patients from our tertiary cancer center who had undergone genomic sequencing by one commercially available platform. The resulting cohort was supplemented with MSI-H PDAC cases identified by GI oncology specialists at multiple institutions. De-identified patient data were compiled and analyzed. Results: 15 MSI-H PDAC patients were identified. 20% had stage II disease at diagnosis, 27% stage III, and 53% stage IV. 73% of patients received ICI (n=11); 40% as 1st line and 33% as 2nd line. These patients demonstrated 100% overall response rate; 45% complete response (1 pathologic CR, 4 radiographic CR) and 55% partial response. No patient that received ICI had lost response or died after a median follow-up of 18 months (range 6-89 mos). 1 patient had oligoprogression of a single hepatic lesion after 7 mos that was then irradiated; this patient retained radiographic CR for 17 subsequent mos (ongoing). In this cohort, we observe poor responses to cytotoxic chemotherapy. In total, 12 regimens were trialed among 9 patients. Overall response rate was 0%. 42% achieved disease stability, with median duration of response of 2 mos; only 2 cases maintained disease stability for >5 mos. 4 patients did not receive ICI; all patients died, with a median survival of 7.5 mos. Conclusions: MSI-H PDAC represents a rare but important subtype of PDAC with unique clinical behavior. Given its rarity, large-scale analyses and trials are unlikely to be performed, making case series such as ours crucial. In our cohort, we observe impressive, durable responses to ICI, along with very poor responses to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Our data argues for consideration of ICI in any patient presenting with MSI-H PDAC, including in the first-line and neoadjuvant settings.

4130 Background: KRAS is mutationally activated in over 90% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Compared to pts with KRAS mutation, KRAS wild-type (wt) PDAC seem to have better response to therapy and may harbor potentially actionable molecular alterations. Here, we analyze the molecular profile and clinical outcome of a cohort of pts with KRAS wt PDAC. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on pts with PDAC who underwent CLIA-certified Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) testing at Mayo Clinic between December 1, 2018 and December 1, 2021. Pts with KRAS wt PDAC with available reports were included. Their genomic drivers, RNA expression, demographics, disease characteristics, therapies offered, and clinical outcome data were collected. The study was approved by the institutional IRB. Results: Of the 241 eligible pts, 8% (19) has KRAS wt PDAC. Among those, 2 pts had no mutation identified by the gene/molecular panel used. Of the 17 pts (89%) with identified alterations, mutations found in ³ 2 pts were TP53 (53%), CDKN2A (16%) and CDKN2B/ERBB2/PTEN/MSH3/RNF43/FBXW7/KMT2D/GNAS (11% each). Chromosomal rearrangements were identified in 5 (26%): CADPS2-BRAF, GP2-ERBB2, PTPRK-RSPO3, EML4-NTRK3 and TFG-MET. RNA expression results were available in 12 pts: common overexpression were ERBB2 (27%) and MET/NRAS/MYC/CCDN1/CCNE1/AR (18% each); and the under-expression MGMT (18%). Among the 13 pts with available MSI status via NGS, 2 (11%) were MSI-high (both had high TMB [28.4 and 23.7 m/MB]) while all others were TMB < 10 m/MB. The median age at diagnosis was 61 years (68% males). 8/19 (42%) were Stage IV at diagnosis with 15/19 (79%) pts ultimately diagnosed with metastatic disease. Among metastatic pts, median lines of treatment received was 2.5 (range:0-4). 4 pts received FOLFIRINOX (FFX), 2 gemcitabine/ nab-paclitaxel (GP) and tumor response were comparable to previously reported results. 1 received 1st-line pembrolizumab and remained on therapy at the time of analysis. The median length of follow up from diagnosis was 29 months. A patient with TFG-MET re-arrangement previously progressed on FFX and GP was treated using a MET inhibitor, and achieved significant CA19-9 drop and pancreas tumor shrinkage at 1st restaging, with ongoing response. Conclusions: The molecular profile of KRAS wt PDAC is highly heterogeneous and difficult to generalize. Novel approaches (e.g., basket trials) are needed to develop therapy for this rare PDAC subgroup.

TPS3172 Background: Ulixertinib (BVD-523) is a small molecule inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) in development as a novel anti-cancer drug. Early clinical data demonstrated anti-tumor activity, especially for patients with tumors harboring atypical BRAF or MEK1/2 alterations (Sullivan et al., Cancer Discov. 2018;8(2):184-195). Atypical BRAF (non-V600) alterations can be categorized according to characteristics of molecular signaling (Class II or III), are seen in approximately 3% of all human cancers, and there are currently no approved therapies for this indication. Similar to atypical BRAF alterations, the incidence of MEK1/2 alterations are rare in human tumors (< 1 %). Preclinical data have demonstrated activity of ulixertinib in MEK mutant models. Ulixertinib has FDA fast-track designation for patients with solid tumors, other than CRC, with specific BRAF mutations (G469A, L485W, or L597Q). Designed with intent to register, the BVD-523-ABC clinical trial will continue evaluation of ulixertinib in patients with tumors harboring any atypical BRAF or MEK1/2 alteration (NCT04488003). Methods: This multi-center, phase II study, will be conducted in two parts and assess the clinical benefit, safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of ulixertinib in patients with advanced malignancies. Ulixertinib will be administered at the RP2D of 600 mg BID for 28-day treatment cycles. Eligible patients will have locally advanced or metastatic cancer which progressed following standard systemic therapies, or for which the patient is not a candidate or refused systemic therapy. Planned correlative analyses include reverse phase protein array and transcriptomics of tumor tissue. Part A is open-label and tumor agnostic, except for group 4 and 6 (CRC patients only). Patients will enroll into one of six groups based on BRAF (groups 1-4) or MEK1/2 (groups 5-6) tumor alteration (38 patients per group). Overall response rate (ORR) is the primary endpoint for Part A, with secondary endpoints including duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Part B is tumor histology specific. Patients will be randomized to receive either ulixertinib or physician's choice of treatment in a 2:1 ratio. Up to three specified tumor histologies will be defined, guided by available Part A data (n = 80-100 per histology). The primary endpoint of Part B is PFS, and secondary endpoints include OS, ORR, and DOR. This study has enrolled 43 patients of the planned 228 in Part A at the time of abstract submission. Clinical trial information: NCT04488003.

TPS3158 Background: ELU001 is a novel, first-in-class, new molecular entity described as a C’Dot Drug Conjugate (CDC). ELU001 consists of ̃12 folic acid targeting moieties and ̃22 exatecan topoisomerase-1 inhibitor payloads on Cathepsin-B cleavable linkers covalently bound to the surface of each silicon core/polyethylene glycol C’Dot nanoparticle. CDCs are small in size (̃6 nm), have a greater ability to penetrate into and through tumors as compared to ADCs, and are rapidly eliminated by the kidneys. The rapid systemic elimination is expected to lead to less toxicity than is observed with targeting platforms like ADCs that have a longer half-life in circulation. ELU001’s high avidity is believed to promote internalization into FRα overexpressing cancer cells, selectively delivering it’s ̃22 molecules of payload. The first-in-human clinical trial, ELU-FRα-1, is currently recruiting patients that have advanced, recurrent or refractory FRα overexpressing tumors considered to be topoisomerase 1 inhibitor-sensitive based on the literature, and, in the opinion of the Investigator, have no satisfactory therapeutic options available. Methods: This is a Phase 1 / 2 multicenter, open label clinical trial with two parts: Part 1 Dose Escalation and Part 2 Tumor Group Expansion Cohort(s). In Part 1, patients with cancer types with a high likelihood of having FRα overexpressing tumors based on historical data, (specifically, ovarian, endometrial, colorectal, gastric, gastroesophageal junction, triple negative breast, or non-small cell lung cancers, or cholangiocarcinoma), will be enrolled to the study. Patients will receive ELU001 on a weekly dose regimen (QW) (once a week for 3 weeks, 1 week rest) or every other week dose regimen (Q2W, with no rest between cycles). Retrospective analysis of FRα expression will be determined. Part 2 uses a Simon’s Two-Stage design to evaluate 4-6 tumor group expansion cohorts, each consisting of patients with specific tumor types (to be identified based on emerging data) that overexpress FRα (prospectively determined prior to enrollment). The primary objective for Part 1 is to identify the MTD/RP2D and for Part 2 is ORR. Dose Escalation will recruit about 25 patients per dose regimen (QW or Q2W). Dose Expansion will recruit about 15 patients per tumor group expansion cohort. Secondary objectives are anti-tumor activity (DOR, PFS, TFST, PFS2, OS), frequency, severity and tolerability of adverse events, PK, ADA, and FRα expression assessments. The study is actively enrolling in the US – Cohorts 1-2 have been completed without DLT. Enrollment to Cohort 3 began in December 2021. Clinical trial information: NCT05001282 .

Abstract Purpose: This phase Ib/2 trial investigated pembrolizumab-containing trimodality therapy in patients with gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. Patients and Methods: Patients with GEJ adenocarcinoma (cT1–3NanyM0) received neoadjuvant pembrolizumab-containing chemoradiation (CROSS regimen) followed by surgical resection and adjuvant pembrolizumab. The primary endpoints were tolerability in the first 16 patients and pathologic complete response [pCR (ypT0N0)]. Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). An independent propensity-score-matched cohort (treated with CROSS without immunotherapy) was used for comparison. Exploratory analyses included immune biomarkers in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and plasma. Results: We enrolled 31 eligible patients, of whom 29 received all expected doses of neoadjuvant pembrolizumab and 28 underwent R0 resection. Safety endpoints were met. The primary efficacy endpoint was not met [7/31 (22.6%) achieved pCR]. Patients with high [i.e., combined positive score (CPS) ≥ 10] baseline expression of programmed death (PD)-L1 in the TME had a significantly higher pCR rate than those with low expression [50.0% (4/8) vs. 13.6% (3/22); P = 0.046]. Patients with high PD-L1 expression also experienced longer PFS and OS than propensity-score-matched patients. Among trial patients with PD-L1 CPS &lt; 10, unprespecified analysis explored whether extracellular vesicles (EV) could identify further responders: an elevated plasma level of PD-L1–expressing EVs was significantly associated with higher pCR. Conclusions: Adding pembrolizumab to trimodality therapy showed acceptable tolerability but did not meet the pre-specified pCR endpoint. Exploratory analyses suggested that high PD-L1 expression in the TME and/or on EVs may identify patients most likely to achieve tumor response.

AbstractOraxol consists of an oral dosage form of the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel administered with a novel P‐glycoprotein inhibitor encequidar methanesulfonate monohydrate (formerly named HM30181A), which allows oral treatment of cancers that would otherwise be treated with intravenous paclitaxel. Here we describe the population pharmacokinetics (popPK) analyses for oral paclitaxel in patients with advanced/metastatic solid tumors to characterize pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles and quantify sources of PK variability. The best fit popPK model for oral paclitaxel, based on data from seven clinical studies (197 patients with advanced/metastatic solid tumors), involves a linear two‐compartment structural model containing first‐order absorption with a short lag time and first‐order elimination as well as a log additive error. In this popPK model, lower population estimates of central volume for Asian patients versus Caucasian patients did not translate into clinical meaningful differences in oral paclitaxel exposure. Age, sex, body weight or surface area, mild hepatic impairment, and mild to moderate renal impairment had no clinically meaningful effects on the systemic exposure of oral paclitaxel. Simulations were performed on clinical therapeutic dose (oral paclitaxel 205 mg/m2 once daily ×3 days per week) to predict exposure of oral paclitaxel and to support treatment benefits observed in a pivotal phase III trial.