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Abstract Background: Several immune effector cell (IEC) therapies have been approved for multiple myeloma (MM), including chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies such as idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel) and ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel). We report 14 cases of IEC-associated enterocolitis, in five cases fatal, following CAR-T therapy in MM. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of cases of diarrhea, enterocolitis, or colitis following commercial ide-cel or cilta-cel (including out-of-specification products) at 10 centers within the United States Myeloma Immunotherapy Consortium. Patients were treated according to the local standard of care at each participating center. Results: We identified 14 cases of IEC-associated enterocolitis out of 1159 CAR-T infusions, corresponding to a 1.2% incidence (0.2% for ide-cel and 2.3% for cilta-cel). This proportion excludes 3 cases of potential or confirmed T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders of the bowel. Patients developed acute-onset symptoms (typically non-bloody Grade 3+ diarrhea) with negative infectious workup beginning a median of 79 days (range: 22-210 days) after CAR-T therapy and a median of 74 days after cytokine release syndrome resolution (range: 2-202 days). Biopsies uniformly demonstrated inflammation, with specific findings including intra-epithelial lymphocytosis, crypt dropout on colon biopsies, and villous blunting on duodenal biopsies. Systemic corticosteroids were initiated in 10 patients (71%) a median of 26 days (range: 1-80 days) following symptom onset. Only 40% of steroid-treated patients had symptomatic improvement; subsequent infliximab or vedolizumab led to improvement in 50% and 33% of corticosteroid-refractory patients, respectively. With a median follow-up of 224 days, n = 4 have had diarrhea resolution, n = 5 have had improved or stable symptoms, and n = 5 (36%) have died from IEC-associated enterocolitis or treatment-emergent infections. Conclusions: IEC-associated enterocolitis is a distinct but rare complication of CAR-T therapy characterized by non-bloody diarrhea typically beginning 1-3 months after infusion. Thorough diagnostic workup (including evaluation for potential T-cell malignancies) and appropriate management with an expert gastroenterologist are essential. Further research is critical to understand the pathogenesis of this novel toxicity. In the interim, the early use of infliximab or vedolizumab may potentially hasten symptom resolution and lower reliance on high-dose corticosteroids during the post-CAR-T period.

7532 Background: ABBV-383 is a BCMA x CD3 bispecific antibody with 2 high-affinity BCMA-binding domains and a low-affinity CD3 engaging arm that has been shown to decrease the negative impact of soluble BCMA (sBCMA) and drive sustained T-cell activation with reduced cytokine release in preclinical models of MM. Here, we describe correlative biomarker results of baseline and longitudinal sBCMA levels and immune profiles in the ongoing first-in-human trial that supports 60 mg Q4W as the optimal therapeutic dose of ABBV-383 monotherapy. Methods: Peripheral blood and serum samples from patients with RRMM enrolled in the phase 1 open-label, dose-expansion study (NCT03933735) who received ABBV-383 at 20, 40, or 60 mg Q3W or 60 mg Q4W were collected at baseline (post-dexamethasone, pre–ABBV-383), on treatment, and at disease progression. Samples were analyzed by flow cytometry for immune cell populations, Luminex for cytokines, and electrochemiluminescence ligand binding for sBCMA. Results: Median sBCMA levels at baseline were highly variable among patients, but did not associate with clinical response (≥ partial response [PR]) to ABBV-383 at the selected optimal dose level of 60 mg Q4W (<PR: 244.7 ng/mL; ≥PR: 52.2 ng/mL; P=0.13). Reduction in sBCMA levels over time associated with clinical response (Cmin at cycle 5: <PR, 244.7 ng/mL; ≥PR, 4.7 ng/mL; P=0.04). ABBV-383 treatment led to a rapid and transient increase of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α (Cmax within cycle 1: 29, 349.5, 1375, 456.5 pg/mL, respectively), and promoted T-cell redistribution (89% reduction of CD8+ T cells from periphery), activation (1.9-fold increase in CD69+CD8+ T cells), and proliferation (2-fold increase in Ki67+CD8+ T cells) within cycle 1 in 60-mg Q4W-treated patients. The frequency of baseline CD8+ T-cell exhaustion (PD-1/TIM3) did not impact clinical response at the optimal dose level of 60 mg Q4W ABBV-383 (<PR: 3.5%; ≥PR: 3.9%; P=0.9). Peak induction levels of proinflammatory cytokines during cycle 1 correlated with occurrence of cytokine release syndrome (≥G1) as well as clinical response across dose levels. Conclusions: High-avidity BCMA binding coupled to low-affinity T-cell engagement distinguishes the resulting mechanism of action for ABBV-383. Responses to 60 mg Q4W ABBV-383 were independent of baseline sBCMA levels and resulted in rapid and transient proinflammatory cytokine production that promoted robust T-cell redistribution, activation, and proliferation, indicating that the optimal dose of ABBV-383 maximizes its clinical potential as a convenient, safe, and effective therapy for MM. Clinical trial information: NCT03933735 .

7531 Background: MM eventually becomes refractory to current treatments, and new therapeutic options with convenient dosing and improved safety are needed to enhance patient (pt) adherence, access, and outcomes. ABBV-383 is a distinctive next-generation BCMA x CD3 bispecific antibody composed of 2 high-affinity BCMA-binding domains, a low-affinity CD3-binding domain designed to reduce cytokine release syndrome (CRS) risk, and a silenced Fc tail for an extended half-life allowing convenient dosing. ABBV-383 monotherapy has shown promising activity in the ongoing first-in-human phase 1 trial in RRMM (Vij et al. Blood 2023;142[suppl 1]:3378). Here, safety and efficacy results are reported that support the RP2D of 60mg Q4W as the optimal therapeutic ABBV-383 monotherapy dose. Methods: This phase 1 open-label, dose-escalation/expansion trial (NCT03933735) enrolled pts with RRMM who received ≥3 prior lines of therapy with exposure to PI, IMiD, and anti-CD38 mAb. ABBV-383 regimens explored in the expansion phase included 60mg Q4W and 40 or 60mg Q3W. A modified dexamethasone premedication schedule and shortened CRS monitoring period were implemented in the 60mg Q4W cohort for cycle 1. IV ABBV-383 was administered as a flat dose with no step-up schedule. Treatment was continued until disease progression/unacceptable toxicity. Primary objectives were to assess safety, tolerability, PK, PD, and determine the RP2D. Efficacy evaluation was a secondary objective. TEAEs were assessed per CTCAE v5.0 and tumor response per IMWG 2016 criteria. Results: As of May 2023, 220 pts received ABBV-383 (median age: 68 yr [35–92]; median prior therapy lines: 5 [3‒23]). Median FU was 4.1 mo (0.8–5.2) at 60mg Q4W (n=21), 12.2 mo (1.3–34.4) at 40mg Q3W (n=55), and 24.2 mo (0.6–33.4) at 60mg Q3W (n=61). At 60mg Q4W, with the modified premedication regimen, CRS was reported in 43% of pts (38% G1, 5% G2), and ICANS in 5% of pts (G2). In Q3W cohorts, CRS was reported in 71% (40mg; 45% G1, 25% G2) and 70% (60mg; 51% G1, 18% G2, 2% G3) of pts. The incidence of G3/4 neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia was 14/24/10% at 60mg Q4W, 31/31/16% at 40mg Q3W, and 34/13/13% at 60mg Q3W. G3/4 infections occurred in 10/24/34% of pts at 60mg Q4W, 40mg and 60mg Q3W, respectively. ORR and ≥VGPR were 65/50% at 60mg Q4W, 64/53% at 40mg Q3W, and 60/52% at 60mg Q3W. Corresponding exposure-response (ER) analyses and correlative analyses further supported RP2D determination (separate abstract submissions). Conclusions: The optimal therapeutic dose of 60mg Q4W ABBV-383 monotherapy was selected on the basis of safety, efficacy, and ER analyses. The extended interval of Q4W, with a shortened CRS monitoring period in cycle 1 and no step-up dosing, will improve convenience and reduce the treatment burden for pts. ABBV-383 at 60mg Q4W will be investigated in the registrational phase 3 trial (NCT06158841) in RRMM. Clinical trial information: NCT03933735 .

Background ABBV-383 is an off-the-shelf, fully human B-cell maturation antigen (BMCA) X CD3 bispecific antibody with bivalent BCMA domain and low CD3 affinity that targets both BCMA-expressing multiple myeloma (MM) cells and CD3-expressing T cells. ABBV-383 has shown promising activity in an ongoing phase 1 study in patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory (RR) MM ( Voorhees et al. ASH 2022; Weisel et al. EHA 2023). Here, we report the safety and efficacy results from the ABBV-383 IV Q3W at 20 mg, 40 mg and 60 mg dose levels. Methods The phase 1 dose escalation (ESC) and expansion (EXP) study (NCT03933735) of ABBV-383 enrolled pts with RRMM with ≥3 prior lines of therapy (LOT), including a PI, IMiD, and an anti-CD38 mAb with no prior BCMA exposure. After exploring 14 dose levels in dose ESC, 3 dose levels were further explored in dose EXP including ABBV-383 Q3W IV 20 mg, 40 mg, and 60 mg, until disease progression/unacceptable toxicity. The primary objectives were to determine safety/tolerability, PK/PD, and RP2D. The secondary objective was to evaluate clinical activity. Responses were investigator assessed per IMWG 2016 criteria and adverse events (AEs) by CTCAE v5.0. Results As of 17May2023, 220 pts were treated with ABBV-383, 73 pts in the dose ESC and 147 in the dose EXP with 32 pts at 20 mg, 55 pts at 40 mg, and 61 pts at 60 mg Q3W. Median duration of follow up was 7.1 (0.8-36.9), 12.2 (1.3-34.4) and 24.2 (0.6-33.4) months (mo) in the 20 mg, 40 mg and 60 mg dose levels with 25%, 36% and 21% pts continuing treatment (tx), respectively. Median age for all pts was 68 yrs (range, 35-92 yrs), Median prior LOT was 5 (range, 3-23), and 80% were triple-class refractory. Baseline characteristics are summarized in Table 1 by dose level. Treatment-emergent (TE) AEs were reported in 97% (78% ≥G3) of pts at 20 mg, 100% (84% ≥G3) of pts at 40 mg, and 100% (82% ≥G3) of pts at 60 mg. CRS, the most common TEAE, occurred in 50% (34% G1/13% G2/3% G3) of pts at 20 mg, 71%(45% G1/25% G2/0% ≥G3) of pts at 40 mg, and 70%(51% G1/18% G2/2% G3) of pts at 60mg. At the 3 dose levels, CRS occurring after the first dose had median time to onset of 1 day (range, 1-2) and median duration was 2 days (range, 1-10). ICANS occurred in 3% (3% G1/0% ≥G2) of pts at 20 mg, 5% (2 % G1/4% G2/0% ≥G3) of pts at 40 mg, and 5% (3% G2/2% G3) of pts at 60 mg. No G4/5 CRS or ICANS occurred. Infections occurred in 56% (25% ≥G3) of pts at 20 mg, 71% (26% ≥G3) of pts at 40 mg, and 57% (34% ≥G3) of pts at 60 mg; most frequently (≥10%) reported were upper respiratory tract infections (15%, G3/4 1%), pneumonia (14%, G3/4 12%), urinary tract infections (12%, G3/4 3%), and COVID-19 (11%, G3/4 1%). At 20 mg, 40 mg, and 60 mg, the incidence of neutropenia was 41% (25% ≥G3), 42% (31% ≥G3), and 43% (34% ≥G3); anemia 50% (25% ≥G3), 55% (31% ≥G3), and 38% (13% ≥G3); thrombocytopenia 44% (28% ≥G3), 36% (16% ≥G3) and 26% (13% ≥G3), respectively. The tx discontinuation due to AEs was 6%, 11%, 10% in 20 mg, 40 mg and 60 mg, respectively, with no single PT reported in &gt;2 pts. Clinical responses are shown in Figure 1. The median time to ≥VGPR was 0.7mo (0.7-5.8) at 20 mg, 1.0mo (0.7-10.4) at 40 mg, and 1.4 mo (0.7-7.8) at 60 mg. The median DOR was 9.7 mo (3.5-not reached (NR)) at 20 mg, and NR at 40 mg and 60 mg. The Kaplan-Meier (KM) estimates for DOR at 12 mo was 42% at 20 mg, 70% at 40 mg, 66% at 60 mg. The mPFS was 3.8 mo (2.4-7.9) at 20mg, 13.7mo (5.0-NR) at 40 mg, and 11.2 mo (4.8-NR) at 60 mg. The KM estimates for PFS at 12 mo was 19% at 20 mg, 51% at 40 mg, 49% at 60 mg. The median OS was 21.6 mo (7.9-NR) at 20 mg, and NR at 40 mg and 60 mg. ABBV-383 at 20 mg, 40 mg, and 60 mg led to rapid and transient production of key proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL8, IFN-γ, and TNF-α), and reduction of soluble BCMA levels over time that were associated with disease response. ABBV-383 also promoted T-cell activation and proliferation with upregulation of CD69 and KI67 markers on peripheral CD4 and CD8 T cells in evaluable pts. Conclusions ABBV-383 showed a manageable safety profile at dosages of 20 mg, 40 mg, and 60 mg IV Q3W, with low incidence of TEAEs leading to discontinuation. Also, extended Q3W dosing interval with no step-up dosing schedule of ABBV-383 may provide enhanced convenience. However, 20 mg yielded numerically lower responses when compared to 40 mg and 60 mg. At 40 mg and 60 mg, ABBV-383 monotherapy yielded deep and durable responses with mPFS of 13.7 mo and 11.2 mo, and 12-month DOR of 70% and 66% (mDOR NR in pts with ≥CR), respectively. These results in heavily pretreated RRMM pts support further clinical evaluation.

Background: Although recently available immune-based approaches in multiple myeloma produce high response rates, curative outcomes have not yet been achieved, which highlights the need for new agents that further activate the immune system without increasing toxicity. ORIC-533 is a highly potent and selective, orally bioavailable, small molecule inhibitor of CD73, an enzyme expressed by various cell types, including immune cells and which catalyzes the generation of adenosine from adenosine monophosphate (AMP) (Allard 2019). Adenosine itself is highly immunosuppressive, diminishing activity of a range of immune cell types, including T, NK, and dendritic cells (Young 2014). By blocking adenosine production from AMP via inhibition of CD73, ORIC-533 has demonstrated the ability to restore and enhance immune function. Multiple myeloma (MM) patient bone marrow (BM) contains multiple cell types that also express CD73, including immune cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, and endothelial cells (Allard 2019). Moreover, elevated adenosine levels in the MM BM niche correlate with disease progression (Horenstein 2016; Yang 2020). We have previously observed that CD73-mediated adenosine activity suppresses the cytolytic antitumor immune function in the MM BM milieu (Ray 2022). ORIC-533 treatment reduced adenosine production, overcame this immune suppression with evidence of restored DC-mediated priming and activated cytotoxic CD8 + T-cell function, and significantly enhanced immune cell cytolytic behavior against RRMM tumor cells in autologous patient ex vivo experiments (Junttila 2022), making ORIC-533 a potential immunotherapy for patients with MM. Methods: ORIC-533-01 (NCT05227144) is an ongoing i3+3 Phase 1b dose escalation study in patients with RRMM. The primary objectives are to determine single agent safety/tolerability and pharmacokinetics (PK) of ORIC-533 to select the RP2D. Pharmacodynamic assessments include measurement of CD73 functional activity in serum and BM, as well as enumeration of immune cell subsets and activation state in blood and BM. Patients are also evaluated for clinical efficacy using IMWG criteria. Results: As of 23 June 2023, 17 patients received ORIC-533 once daily across 4 dose levels (400 mg to 1600 mg). All patients were triple-class refractory, 88% were penta-refractory, and 59% also received prior anti-BCMA/CD3 bispecific therapy or anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy. Overall, ORIC-533 was very well tolerated, with 5 patients experiencing a total of 10 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). Fatigue was the only G3 AE and the only TRAE seen in more than 1 patient (1 event each of G3 and G2); all other events seen in 1 patient each, were G1 or G2 in severity, and of no specific system organ class. No dose limiting toxicities, no Grade ≥4 TRAEs, and no treatment-related serious adverse events have been observed. PK showed increased exposure with dose with a plasma half-life of ~24 hrs. Soluble CD73 enzymatic activity was nearly completely inhibited by C1D15 in serum of all patients across all dose levels, while the largest relative suppression in surface CD73 activity in BM cells was observed at the highest dose level. There was also evidence for increases in the abundance of circulating NK and CD8+ T cells after 1 treatment cycle, with preliminary evidence of enhanced CD8+ T-cell activation at the highest dose levels tested in both peripheral blood and BM. In addition, early evidence of single agent clinical activity was observed. Conclusions: ORIC-533 has demonstrated an acceptable safety profile and preliminary evidence of immune activation in a heavily pretreated RRMM patient population. Enrollment is ongoing and updated data will be presented.

PURPOSE ABBV-383, a B-cell maturation antigen × CD3 T-cell engaging bispecific antibody, has demonstrated promising results in an ongoing first-in-human phase I study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03933735 ) in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Herein, we report safety and efficacy outcomes of this phase I dose escalation/expansion study. METHODS Patients with RRMM (≥ three prior lines including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory drug, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody) were eligible. ABBV-383 was administered intravenously over 1-2 hours once every 3 weeks, without any step dosing. A 3 + 3 design with backfilling for dose escalation was used (intrapatient escalation to highest safe dose permitted) followed by initiation of dose expansion. RESULTS As of January 8, 2022, 124 patients (dose escalation [0.025-120 mg], n = 73; dose expansion [60 mg], n = 51) have received ABBV-383; median age was 68 years (range, 35-92 years). The most common hematologic treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were neutropenia (all grades: 37%) and anemia (29%). The most common nonhematologic TEAEs were cytokine release syndrome (57%) and fatigue (30%). Seven deaths from TEAEs were reported with all considered unrelated to study drug by the investigator. For all efficacy-evaluable patients (n = 122; all doses), the objective response rate (ORR) was 57% and very good partial response (VGPR) or better (≥ VGPR) rate was 43%. In the 60 mg dose expansion cohort (n = 49), the ORR and ≥ VGPR rates were 59% and 39%, respectively; and in the ≥ 40 mg dose escalation plus dose expansion cohorts (n = 79) were 68% and 54%, respectively. CONCLUSION ABBV-383 in patients with RRMM was well tolerated with an ORR of 68% at doses ≥ 40 mg. This novel therapy's promising preliminary antitumor activity in heavily pretreated patients warrants further clinical evaluation.

Abstract Background Prognosis is poor for patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM; median overall survival: &lt;1 year), indicating a clear need to identify agents with novel mechanisms of action. B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) has recently emerged as a novel treatment target for MM due to its highly selective expression in plasma cells. TNB-383B, a BCMA x CD3 T-cell engaging bispecific antibody, was designed to overcome the toxicity limitations of existing BCMA therapies and has demonstrated promising results in an ongoing first-in-human phase 1 study in pts with RRMM (Rodriguez C, et al. Blood 2020;136[suppl 1]:43-44). Herein, we report the updated efficacy and safety outcomes of this phase 1 study. Methods This multicenter, phase 1, open-label, dose-escalation/expansion study (NCT03933735) enrolled pts with RRMM (≥3 prior lines of therapy that included a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory drug, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody), estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥30 mL/min as calculated by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula, and ECOG performance status ≤2. Prior BCMA-targeted therapy is prohibited. Primary objectives include safety/tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and determination of recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D); secondary objectives include assessment of clinical activity (per IMWG criteria 2016). TNB-383B is administered intravenously over 1-2 hours every 3 weeks (Q3W) with the first dose administered inpatient. The study uses a 3+3 design with backfilling for dose and permits intrapatient dose escalation to highest safe dose. Dose expansion was initiated on selection of RP2D. Pts are treated until progression, unacceptable toxicity, or other discontinuation criteria are met. The efficacy-evaluable population includes all pts who received at least 1 dose of TNB-383B and have at least 1 postdose assessment. The safety population includes all pts who received at least 1 dose of study drug; adverse events (AEs) are graded according to NCI CTCAE v5.0. Results As of 10 May 2021, 103 pts (dose escalation, n=73; dose expansion, n=30) have been treated with TNB-383B (0.025-120 mg). The RP2D of 60 mg Q3W was selected on the basis of tolerability, safety, PK, and clinical activity. Pt demographics and baseline characteristics are summarized in Table 1. Three dose-limiting toxicities were reported in dose escalation (platelet count decreased: grade [Gr] 4, 60 mg; cytokine release syndrome [CRS]: Gr 3, 90 mg and 120 mg); none were reported as serious. Treatment-related AEs (TRAEs) were reported in 79 (77%) pts, with Gr ≥3 and serious AEs occurring in 33 (32%) and 23 (22%) pts, respectively. The most common TRAEs (Table 2) include CRS (n=54, 52%), neutropenia (n=18, 17%), and fatigue (n=14, 14%). At the RP2D (n=39), the Gr ≥3 CRS rate was 3% (n=1). Onset of CRS typically occurred on the same or next day following the first dose and all pts recovered using tocilizumab or standard supportive care measures. Treatment-emergent AEs (TEAEs) of infusion-related reactions were reported in 8 (8%) pts and infections occurred in 29 (28%) pts; pneumonia (n=5, 5%) and upper respiratory tract infection (n=4, 4%) were the most common. Five deaths from TEAEs were reported; all were unrelated to study drug. Forty-two (40%) pts discontinued treatment due to disease progression. In the dose-escalation cohorts of ≥40 mg Q3W (n=24), the objective response rate (ORR) was 79% (19/24), with a very good partial response or better (≥VGPR) rate of 63% (15/24), and a complete response (CR) rate of 29% (7/24) at the data cutoff date; these pts have the longest follow-up (ie, mature data) with median time on study of 6.1 months (Figure 1). At doses ≥40 mg in the combined dose-escalation and -expansion cohorts (n=44), the observed ORR, ≥VGPR, and CR rates were 64% (28/44), 43% (19/44), and 16% (7/44), respectively; these pts have shorter follow-up (ie, immature data) with median time on study of 3.1 months. Twenty-nine (66%) of the 44 pts administered ≥40 mg were triple-class refractory and reported an ORR of 55% (16/29). Conclusions TNB-383B in pts with RRMM is well tolerated with an ORR of 79% observed at doses ≥40 mg in the dose-escalation cohorts. Despite having a shorter follow-up period, this trend was also observed at doses ≥40 mg in the combined dose-escalation/expansion cohorts (ORR: 64%). Enrollment into the dose-expansion arm is ongoing; updated data will be presented at the meeting. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Kumar: Novartis: Research Funding; Carsgen: Research Funding; KITE: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Astra-Zeneca: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Roche-Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bluebird Bio: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Beigene: Consultancy; Oncopeptides: Consultancy; Antengene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Tenebio: Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Adaptive: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding. D'Souza: Imbrium, Pfizer, BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi, Takeda, Teneobio, CAELUM, Prothena: Research Funding; Janssen, Prothena: Consultancy. Shah: Oncopeptides: Consultancy; Nektar: Research Funding; Poseida: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Indapta Therapeutics: Consultancy; GSK: Consultancy; CareDx: Consultancy; BMS/Celgene: Research Funding; Bluebird Bio: Research Funding; CSL Behring: Consultancy; Teneobio: Research Funding; Kite: Consultancy; Sutro Biopharma: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Precision Biosciences: Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy. Rodriguez: Takeda: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Oncopeptides: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Voorhees: AbbVie Inc, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Consulting Agreement: GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Oncopeptides: Other: Advisory Committee; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.: Other: Data Safety & Monitoring. Bueno: AbbVie: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Buelow: Teneobio, Inc.: Current Employment, Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company. Freise: Abbvie, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company. Yue: Abbvie, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company. Pothacamury: AbbVie: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company. Polepally: Abbvie, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company. Vij: BMS: Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria; GSK: Honoraria; Oncopeptides: Honoraria; Karyopharm: Honoraria; CareDx: Honoraria; Legend: Honoraria; Biegene: Honoraria; Adaptive: Honoraria; Harpoon: Honoraria.

Metabolic reprogramming, which is characteristic of cancer cells that rapidly adapt to the hypoxic microenvironment and is crucial for tumor growth and metastasis, is recognized as one of the major mechanisms underlying therapeutic resistance. Mitochondria, which are directly involved in metabolic reprogramming, are used to design novel mitochondria-targeted anticancer agents. Despite being targeted by melatonin, the functional role of mitochondria in melatonin’s oncostatic activity remains unclear. In this study, we aim to investigate the role of melatonin in mitochondrial metabolism and its functional consequences in head and neck cancer. We analyzed the effects of melatonin on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines (Cal-27 and SCC-9), which were treated with 100, 500, and 1500 µM of melatonin for 1, 3, and 5 days, and found a connection between a change of metabolism following melatonin treatment and its effects on mitochondria. Our results demonstrate that melatonin induces a shift to an aerobic mitochondrial metabolism that is associated with changes in mitochondrial morphology, function, fusion, and fission in HNSCC. We found that melatonin increases oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and inhibits glycolysis in HNSCC, resulting in increased ROS production, apoptosis, and mitophagy, and decreased cell proliferation. Our findings highlight new molecular pathways involved in melatonin’s oncostatic activity, suggesting that it could act as an adjuvant agent in a potential therapy for cancer patients. We also found that high doses of melatonin, such as those used in this study for its cytotoxic impact on HNSCC cells, might lead to additional effects through melatonin receptors.