Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) using Guardant360 to predict response in BRAF V600 WT metastatic melanoma (MM) patients (pts) receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI).

Abstract

10050 Background: ctDNA detected by ddPCR predicts ICI response in MM, although its utility is limited to pts with known recurring mutations eg. BRAF, NRAS, KIT. We sought to overcome this limitation by using a next generation sequencing approach in BRAF V600 wild type (WT) MM pts. Methods: Plasma was collected at baseline and Week (wk) 6 in 35 BRAF V600 WT MM pts treated with ICI. Cell free (cf)DNA was analyzed using Guardant360 and only somatic non-synonymous and promoter variants were considered. Pts who failed cfDNA extraction at baseline were excluded (n = 3). Favorable ctDNA was defined as undetectable ctDNA at wk 6 and unfavorable ctDNA defined as detectable ctDNA at wk6. Response was according to RECIST at first restaging. Results: Of the evaluable 32 pts (64 plasma samples), median baseline cfDNA quantity was 33ng (range 4-657ng) and ctDNA was detected in 29/32 pts (91%). All 3 pts with undetectable baseline ctDNA had less than 10ng cfDNA compared to only 1/29 pts with detectable baseline ctDNA. Number of mutations identified in the 29 ctDNA-positive pts was 4 per pt (range 1-22). Response assessment was performed on 30 evaluable pts. Candidate driver mutation(s) in BRAF, NF1, or N/K/HRAS were identified in 26/30 pts. These mutations were often detected with other established mutations involved in tumorigenesis (eg. TERT promoter), or passenger mutations (eg. clonal hematopoiesis). Analysis of driver mutations revealed a sensitivity and specificity in predicting treatment failure of 92% and 93%, respectively (table). When all mutations identified were evaluated for treatment response, 9/18 responding pts retained some ctDNA at wk 6, although this never included TERT variants. The resulting sensitivity and specificity in predicting treatment failure changed to 100% and 50%, respectively, when all cfDNA variants were included. Conclusions: The extensive coverage of Guardant360 improves ctDNA detection in BRAF V600 WT MM pts, allowing non-invasive, rapid, and longitudinal assessment of response in a broader population. The expanded coverage also identifies passenger variants of potential non-MM origin, eg. clonal hematopoiesis, and with significant overlap with ctDNA, it is not possible to distinguish between the two in the circulation. We therefore recommend identification and monitoring of known cancer driver mutations only. [Table: see text]