First-time in-human study of VMD-928, an allosteric and irreversible TrkA selective inhibitor, in patients with solid tumors or lymphoma.

Abstract

TPS3146 Background: Tropomysin receptor kinase A (TrkA) is a protein encoded by the NTRK1 gene. NTRK fusions involving the kinase domain are oncogenic for multiple tumor types and larotrectinib was recently approved for advanced solid tumors harboring NTRK gene fusions. Larotrectinib, an ATP-competitive, reversible pan-TrkA/B/C inhibitor, has shown impressive response rates in patients harboring these fusions; however, resistance can develop due to acquired ATP-site mutations. This has been previously identified in other oncogenic driver kinases such as ALK and EGFR treated with ATP-competitive kinase inhibitors. A newly approved allosteric ALK/EGFR inhibitor brigatinib was able to clinically overcome acquired resistance of many ATP-competitive ALK/EGFR inhibitors (1). Also, irreversible EGFR inhibitors such as afatinib (ATP-competitive) were active against tumors resistant to first-generation inhibitors (2), although their efficacy can be compromised by acquired ATP-site mutations (3). VMD-928 is the first oral small-molecule TrkA (NTRK1) selective inhibitor with dual allosteric and irreversible mechanisms of action. It inhibits TrkA non-competitively at an allosteric (non-ATP) site and has no resistance in vitro to acquired ATP-site mutations such as G667C. VMD-928 in vitro has little or no activity against 348 other kinases including TrkB (NTRK2) and TrkC (NTRK3). We are conducting the first time in human phase 1 trial of oral VMD-928, a novel allosteric and irreversible TrkA selective inhibitor. Methods: This is an open label, Phase 1 study investigating the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of oral VMD-928 in adults with advanced solid tumors or lymphoma (NCT03556228). In part 1 of the study, an accelerated titration scheme will be utilized to determine the recommended phase 2 dose and evaluate PK / PD of VMD-928. In part 2, expansion cohorts including patients with thymic, pancreatic, triple-negative breast carcinoma, or solid tumors with TrkA alterations will be accrued to further evaluate safety and efficacy. Part 3 of the study will characterize the biologically active dose. The study is open and accruing patients at City of Hope. Clinical trial information: NCT03556228.