Citations

Abstract Introduction: Next generation of Theranostics studies are looking at novel combinations with radiation sensitizers to enhance PRRT’s efficacy. Here, we present safety and efficacy data from a multi-center phase 1 study of a [¹⁷⁷Lu]lutetium-dotatate -triapine combination in patients with GEP-NETs. Methods: The study consisted of two phases (dose escalation and expansion) administering the recommended phase 2 doses (RP2D) for the two agents. All patients received 200 mCi of [¹⁷⁷Lu]lutetium-dotatate on day 1 of four 8-week cycles, in combination with oral triapine administered at assigned dose levels (100 mg, 150 mg or 200mg) from days 1 to 14 of each cycle. Results: A total of 31 (A: 15 ; B: 16 ) patients received treatment. Nine patients experienced dose-limiting toxicities; Grade 3 anemia (n=1), Grade 5 cardiac arrest (n=1), and Grade 4 neutropenia (n=7). Based on the overall safety and pharmacokinetics data, a [¹⁷⁷Lu]lutetium-dotatate (200 mCi) plus triapine (150 mg) dose was selected as the RP2D for the expansion phase. Grade ≥3 treatment related adverse events were observed in 77% patients: anemia (23%), nausea and vomiting (3% ), lymphopenia ( 58%), neutropenia ( 35%) and leukopenia ( 39%). The majority of cytopenias were transient and resolved within two weeks. Among the 28 evaluable patients, the objective response rate (ORR) was 21.4% and the median progression-free survival (mPFS) has not been reached (median follow-up period: 23.7 months). Conclusions: The combination of [¹⁷⁷Lu]lutetium-dotatate (200 mCi) and oral triapine (150 mg D1-14) was well tolerated and demonstrated preliminary activity in patients with well-differentiated GEP-NETs. (NCT04234568).

632 Background: Paltusotine is an oral, nonpeptide, selective somatostatin receptor 2 agonist. In a phase 2 study, treatment with once-daily paltusotine reduced the frequency and severity of carcinoid syndrome (CS) symptoms and was well tolerated. The effect of paltusotine on biomarkers of serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) was further explored. Methods: This exploratory study, without formal power calculations, included an 8-week randomized treatment phase (completed) and a 102-week open-label extension phase (currently ongoing). The purpose was to evaluate safety, pharmacokinetics, and exploratory efficacy endpoints, including changes in biomarkers of paltusotine treatment. Enrolled patients were adults with a stable, documented grade 1 or 2 neuroendocrine tumor (NET) and CS. These patients were actively symptomatic and either untreated with somatostatin receptor ligand (SRL) therapy (average of ≥4 bowel movements [BMs] per day or >2 flushing episodes per day in ≥2 days over a 2-week period) or washed out of SRL therapy (symptoms previously controlled on SRL), with demonstrated symptom worsening after washout. Patients were randomized to once-daily paltusotine 40 mg or 80 mg; one optional uptitration (from 40 mg to 80 mg or 80 mg to 120 mg) was permitted. Blood samples for assessment of biomarkers (serum serotonin and plasma 5-HIAA) were collected longitudinally from screening to end of treatment. Upper limit of normal was prespecified as 541 ng/mL for serotonin and 22 ng/mL for 5-HIAA. This analysis focuses on changes in biomarker from baseline to the end of 8-week randomized treatment phase and after approximately one year (48 weeks). Results: Thirty-six patients (n=9 untreated; n=27 SRL washout) were randomized. Mean age was 60.8 years (range 35-83), and 52.8% were female. Nineteen patients had grade 1 NETs, and 17 had grade 2 NETs. As reported previously, treatment with once-daily, oral paltusotine was well tolerated and reduced the frequency and severity of CS symptoms, justifying further clinical development of the 80 mg dose. Mean serum serotonin decreased from 1553.0 ng/mL at baseline to 643.9 ng/mL at Week 8, and mean plasma 5-HIAA decreased from 245.1 ng/mL to 159.7 ng/mL. There was a trend of untreated patients achieving a greater reduction in comparison to washout patients. At 48-week follow-up, mean serum serotonin was stabilized at 791.50 ng/mL (n=20), and mean plasma 5-HIAA was stabilized at 190.45 ng/mL (n=20). Conclusions: Paltusotine significantly reduced serotonin and 5-HIAA levels, with effects maintained at 48 weeks. Biomarker reductions paralleled reductions in BM and flushing frequency. These findings support further investigation in the ongoing phase 3 study (CAREFNDR, NCT07087054). Clinical trial information: NCT05361668 .

The prognosis of high-grade gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) is highly variable and reported median overall survival remains low. There is no established standard of care for patients with higher grade 2 (G2) (Ki-67 ≥ 10% and ≤ 20%) and grade 3 (G3) (Ki-67 ≥ 20% and ≤ 55%) GEP-NETs and most of the current treatment regimens, particularly for G3 NETs, are extrapolated from lower-grade GEP-NET treatments or based on data from small retrospective studies. Robust evidence to support treatment recommendations for high-grade NETs, especially in the first-line (1L) setting, is limited and the optimal treatment sequence has not been clearly defined. This review summarizes the latest literature on sequencing of therapies, identifies patient selection considerations for utilizing peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), and offers data-driven expert opinions and clinical practice recommendations in high-grade GEP-NETs. As authors, we recommend that all patients with well-differentiated, higher G2 and G3 NETs are evaluated with [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-peptide positron emission tomography (PET) for baseline somatostatin receptor expression and if positive, a 1L treatment option of PRRT should be considered, especially in clinically stable patients. Somatostatin analog therapy may benefit patients with low-volume, indolent disease, and chemotherapy is usually a better fit for patients in visceral crisis, in need of urgent treatment, or with no access to [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-peptide PET. In complex cases, a robust discussion at a multidisciplinary NET tumor board can be beneficial.

ASCO Guidelines provide recommendations with comprehensive review and analyses of the relevant literature for each recommendation, following the guideline development process as outlined in the ASCO Guidelines Methodology Manual . ASCO Guidelines follow the ASCO Conflict of Interest Policy for Clinical Practice Guidelines . Clinical Practice Guidelines and other guidance (“Guidance”) provided by ASCO is not a comprehensive or definitive guide to treatment options. It is intended for voluntary use by clinicians and should be used in conjunction with independent professional judgment. Guidance may not be applicable to all patients, interventions, diseases or stages of diseases. Guidance is based on review and analysis of relevant literature and is not intended as a statement of the standard of care. ASCO does not endorse third-party drugs, devices, services, or therapies and assumes no responsibility for any harm arising from or related to the use of this information. See complete disclaimer in Appendix 1 and 2 (online only) for more. PURPOSE To develop a clinical practice guideline and recommendations for symptom management of patients with well-differentiated grade 1 to grade 3 metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. METHODS ASCO convened an Expert Panel to develop a clinical practice guideline by reviewing the literature for relevant guidelines, systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and observational studies to develop recommendations for clinical practice. RESULTS The literature review identified eight guidelines, 19 systematic reviews, and three RCTs that informed the development of guideline recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendations are included for carcinoid syndrome, carcinoid heart disease and carcinoid crisis, and functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor syndromes. Recommendations are provided for surgical management, liver-directed therapy, and systemic therapy options, as well as palliative care. Limited guidance is provided for sequencing of interventions. Additional information is available at www.asco.org/gastrointestinal-cancer-guidelines .

Abstract The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for all cancer sites, including gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP‐NETs), is meant to be dynamic, requiring periodic updates to optimize AJCC staging definitions. This entails the collaboration of experts charged with evaluating new evidence that supports changes to each staging system. GEP‐NETs are the second most prevalent neoplasm of gastrointestinal origin after colorectal cancer. Since publication of the AJCC eighth edition, the World Health Organization has updated the classification and separates grade 3 GEP‐NETs from poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma. In addition, because of major advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies for GEP‐NETs, AJCC version 9 advocates against the use of serum chromogranin A for the diagnosis and monitoring of GEP‐NETs. Furthermore, AJCC version 9 recognizes the increasing role of endoscopy and endoscopic resection in the diagnosis and management of NETs, particularly in the stomach, duodenum, and colorectum. Finally, T1NXM0 has been added to stage I in these disease sites as well as in the appendix.

PURPOSE To develop recommendations for systemic therapy for well-differentiated grade 1 (G1) to grade 3 (G3) metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). METHODS ASCO convened an Expert Panel to conduct a systematic review of relevant studies and develop recommendations for clinical practice. RESULTS Eight randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. RECOMMENDATIONS Somatostatin analogs (SSAs) are recommended as first-line systemic therapy for most patients with G1-grade 2 (G2) metastatic well-differentiated GI-NETs. Observation is an option for patients with low-volume or slow-growing disease without symptoms. After progression on SSAs, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is recommended as systematic therapy for patients with somatostatin receptor (SSTR)–positive tumors. Everolimus is an alternative second-line therapy, particularly in nonfunctioning NETs and patients with SSTR-negative tumors. SSAs are standard first-line therapy for SSTR-positive pancreatic (pan)NETs. Rarely, observation may be appropriate for asymptomatic patients until progression. Second-line systemic options for panNETs include PRRT (for SSTR-positive tumors), cytotoxic chemotherapy, everolimus, or sunitinib. For SSTR-negative tumors, first-line therapy options are chemotherapy, everolimus, or sunitinib. There are insufficient data to recommend particular sequencing of therapies. Patients with G1-G2 high-volume disease, relatively high Ki-67 index, and/or symptoms related to tumor growth may benefit from early cytotoxic chemotherapy. For G3 GEP-NETs, systemic options for G1-G2 may be considered, although cytotoxic chemotherapy is likely the most effective option for patients with tumor-related symptoms, and SSAs are relatively ineffective. Qualifying statements are provided to assist with treatment choice. Multidisciplinary team management is recommended, along with shared decision making with patients, incorporating their values and preferences, potential benefits and harms, and other characteristics and circumstances, such as comorbidities, performance status, geographic location, and access to care. Additional information is available at www.asco.org/gastrointestinal-cancer-guidelines .

Abstract Background: Radiation is a potent inducer of DNA double-strand breaks, and ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis and repair of DNA, making RNR-targeted therapy a rationale therapeutic strategy for radiosensitization. ETCTN 10388 (NCT04234568) evaluated safety and efficacy of the combination of lutetium 177 DOTATATE, a beta-emitting radionuclide in combination with triapine, a ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) inhibitor. Method: This study was a multicenter phase 1 dose escalation trial [using the Bayesian optimal interval design (BOIN)] of triapine in combination with fixed dose lutetium Lu 177 DOTATATE for well-differentiated somatostatin receptor-positive gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (GEP-NETs) after the failure of at least one line of prior systemic cancer treatment with an expansion cohort at the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). Oral triapine (100mg, 150mg, 200mg) was administered once daily on days 1-14 and Lu-177 DOTATATE [200 mCi] intravenously on day 1 of every 56-day cycle. A total of 4 cycles were administered. Response and adverse effects were assessed per RECIST and CTCAE 5.0, respectively. Exploratory correlative studies included tumor somatic and germline mutation testing, RNA sequencing, pharmacokinetics, deoxynucleosides and circulating cell free DNA analysis. Primary endpoints were safety and RP2D. Results: Overall, 31 patients were enrolled between 6 sites, 15 in the dose escalation phase and 16 in the dose expansion phase. Adverse events (AE) were assessed in all 31 patients per CTCAE 5.0. One DLT in dose level 1, seven DLTs in dose level 2, and one grade 5 DLT in dose level 3 were observed. The RP2D of the combination is triapine 150 mg QD (dose level 2) on days 1-14 in combination with Lu-177 DOTATATE on day 1 of every 56-day cycle. Detailed safety and adverse event data will be presented at the meeting. There were 28 patients evaluable for efficacy, of which 6 (21%) achieved a partial response. At 12 months, 6 patients had progressed, while 22 (86%) remained progression free. Median PFS has not been reached. PK data were available for 12 patients enrolled in the dose escalation cohort. The geometric mean (SD) AUC0-inf was 1159 (1.22) µg/L•h for the 100mg dose level and 1862 (1.76) µg/L•h for the 150 mg dose level, suggesting that exposure increased with dose, and inter-patient variability was as expected for an oral agent. Conclusion: The combination of triapine and Lu-177 DOTATATE was safe with preliminary efficacy signals, which will be further evaluated in ETCTN 10558, a randomized phase 2 study that is comparing the effectiveness of triapine and Lu-177 DOTATATE to Lu-177 DOTATATE alone. Citation Format: Aman Chauhan, Susanne Arnold, Jill Kolesar, William Carson, Heidi Weiss, Rani Jayswal, Donglin Yan, Riham El Khouli, Aman Khurana, Jan Beumer, Heloisa Soares, Mary Mulcahy, Thorvardur Halfdanarson, Daneng Li, Heather Jacene, Percy Ivy, Elise Kohn, John Wright, Larry Rubinstein, Zeta Chow, Piotr Rychahou, Mark B. Evers, Charles Kunos, Lowell Anthony, Bhavana Konda. ETCTN 10388: a first in human phase I trial of triapine and lutetium Lu 177 DOTATATE in well-differentiated somatostatin receptor-positive gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 2 (Clinical Trials and Late-Breaking Research); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(8_Suppl):Abstract nr CT194.

648 Background: Radiation is a potent inducer of DNA double-strand breaks, and ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is the rate-limiting enzyme for conversion of ribonucleoside diphosphate to deoxyribonucleotide diphosphate, and thus repair of DNA in this setting. ETCTN 10388 evaluated safety of combination Lu-177 DOTATATE, a beta-emitting radionuclide in combination with triapine, a ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) inhibitor. Methods: This investigator initiated, NCI sponsored, multicenter phase 1 trial, enrolled a total of 31 patients in the dose escalation [using the Bayesian optimal interval design (BOIN)] and dose expansion cohorts. Oral triapine was administered on days 1-14 and Lu-177 DOTATATE [200 mCi] intravenously on day 1 of every 56-day cycle. A total of 4 cycles were administered. All enrolled patients had blood samples collected for triapine pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis in EDTA tubes prior to and at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 h after oral administration during cycle 1. Results: Five patients were enrolled in triapine Dose Level 1 (100 mg/day), twenty-five to dose level two (150 mg/day), and one patient to dose level three (200 mg/day). PK data were available for 12 patients enrolled in the dose escalation cohort. The geometric mean (SD) AUC0-inf was 1159 (1.22) µg/L•h for the 100mg dose level and 1862 (1.76) µg/L•h for the 150 mg dose level, suggesting that exposure increased with dose, and inter-patient variability was as expected for an oral agent. Triapine PK parameter values observed in this trial, were comparable to previous reports that used a previous formulation [ 1 ]. While exposure was similar, variability appeared smaller with the current oral formulation. Adverse events (AE) were assessed in all 31 patients per CTCAE 5.0. A total of one DLT in dose level 1, seven DLTs (Transient cytopenia; primarily neutropenia and rarely thrombocytopenia) in dose level 2, and one grade 5 DLT (Death probably from progressive cancer and carcinoid heart disease but possibly from trial drugs) in dose level 3 were observed. Detailed AE profile will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions: The RP2D of triapine is 150 mg QD on days 1-14 in combination with Lu-177 DOTATATE on day 1 of every 56-day cycle. Clinical trial information: 04234568 .