Functional precision medicine in colorectal cancer based on patient-derived tumoroids and in-vitro sensitivity drug testing.

Abstract

e15567 Background: Precision oncology based on in-vitro, functional assays has potential advantages compared to the much more common molecular approach, but the clinical benefit is unknown. We here report the results from the largest prospective interventional clinical trial testing the clinical outcome in colorectal cancer patients treated with drugs showing cytotoxic effect in matched patient-derived tumoroids. Methods: This single-center, phase II trial included patients with metastatic colorectal cancer previously exposed to all standard therapies. Specimens from one to three 18-16 G core needle biopsies were manually dissected, enzymatically treated, cultivated, and incubated to form 3D spherical microtumors, i.e. tumoroids. In the assay for in-vitro sensitivity testing, the tumoroids were challenged with single drugs and combinations thereof to determine patient-specific responses. Using tumoroid screening technology (IndiTreat, 2cureX, Copenhagen, Denmark), results were generated by comparing the sensitivity of the individual patient’s tumoroids with a reference panel from other patients. The testing included standard cytostatics and drugs with proven effect in previous early-phase clinical trials, a total of 15 drugs. The primary endpoint was the fraction of patients with progression-free survival (PFS) at two months. Based on placebo arms in randomized last-line trials, a minimal relevant difference of 20% (20% to 40%) was stated. Using Simon's two-stage design, a sample size of 45 patients was calculated with at least 14 PFS at two months (significance 5%, power 90%). Results: Ninety patients were enrolled from 9/2017 to 9/2020. Biopsies from 82 patients were obtained and sent for tumoroid formation of which 44 (54%, 95% CI 42-65) were successful and at least one treatment was suggested. Thirty-four patients initiated treatment according to the response obtained in the drug assays within a median of 51 days from inclusion (IQR 39-63). The primary endpoint, PFS at two months, was met in 17 of 34 patients (50%, 95%CI 32-68). There were no radiological responses. Median PFS was 81 days (95% CI 51-112) and median OS was 189 days (95% CI 103-277). Conclusions: Precision oncology using a functional approach with patient-derived tumoroids and in-vitro drug sensitivity testing seems feasible. The approach is limited by the fraction of patients with successful tumoroid development. The primary endpoint was met, as half of the patients were without progression at two months. Further clinical studies are justified. Clinical trial information: NCT03251612.