GS-3583, a novel FLT3 agonist Fc fusion protein, to expand conventional dendritic cells in healthy volunteers.

Abstract

2559 Background: Conventional dendritic cells subtype 1 (cDC1) play a vital role in the priming and expansion of tumor specific CD8+ T cells and their recruitment to tumor microenvironment (TME). However, cDC1s are often underrepresented in the TME. Systemic administration of Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3L), a hematopoietic growth factor that binds to FLT3 on myeloid and lymphoid progenitor cells, leads to expansion of cDC1s in the periphery which can then be recruited into the TME. We hypothesize that FLT3 pathway stimulation using GS-3583, a FLT3 agonist Fc fusion protein, has the potential to promote T cell mediated anti-tumor activity. Methods: This was a first-in-human placebo-controlled study of GS-3583 in healthy volunteers to evaluate the safety, PK, and PD of escalating single doses (ranging from 75μg to 2000μg) of GS-3583. The study was blinded to the subjects and the investigator. Each dose cohort enrolled 8-12 healthy subjects who received GS-3583 or placebo as single IV infusion at 3:1 ratio. Subjects were observed in the phase 1 unit for 15 days and then for 12 weeks as outpatients. As part of the PD evaluation, we investigated the changes in the number of cDC1s and cDC subtype 2 (cDC2) cells. Results: As of 8th Feb 2021, selected safety, PK and PD data from the first 3 cohorts were available. GS-3583 was well tolerated and all subjects had been discharged. To date, there have been no serious or grade 3 or higher adverse events. Preliminary PK analysis suggested dose-dependent increase in GS-3583 exposure (AUC and Cmax). Preliminary PD analysis shows that administration of GS-3583 resulted in dose-dependent increases in cDC1/cDC2 cells that peaked at day 5 or day 8 and returned to baseline within three weeks of drug administration. Conclusions: GS-3583 was safe and well tolerated and induced dose dependent expansion of dendritic cells in the periphery. In patients with cancer, this increase in dendritic cells can be utilized to enhance anti-tumor responses to immuno-oncology therapies.[Table: see text]