Phase I/II clinical trial of regorafenib plus durvalumab (MEDI4736) in patients with chemotherapy-refractory advanced biliary tract cancers.

Abstract

TPS581 Background: Biliary tract cancers (BTC) are a heterogeneous group of cancers affecting the epithelial lining of the intra- and extrahepatic portions of the biliary tree, ranking as the second most prevalent primary liver cancer after hepatocellular carcinoma. A subgroup of BTC was found to have an abundant tumor specific neoantigen expression, enriched expression of immune related genes and genes regulating inhibitory immune checkpoint proteins. Recent advancements in BTC treatment include the TOPZ-1 trial, which established the survival advantage of adding durvalumab to the gemzar + cisplatin regimen with an estimated 24-month overall survival rate of 24.9% versus 10.4% for placebo. The hazard ratio for progression-free survival favored durvalumab at 0.75 (95% CI, 0.63 to 0.89; P=0.001). Objective response rates also showed improvement, with 26.7% for durvalumab and 18.7% for placebo. Furthermore, single agent regorafenib has exhibited efficacy in patients with refractory advanced metastatic cholangiocarcinoma, particularly in terms of progression-free survival, favoring regorafenib over placebo, the overall toxicity profile was as expected. Regorafenib targets multiple tyrosine kinases and has been reported to show immunomodulatory properties that may counteract tumor-induced immunosuppression, providing a rationale for combining it with checkpoint inhibitors. We believe that modulating the tumor microenvironment with small molecule inhibitors like regorafenib will have synergistic effect when combined with checkpoint-based immunotherapy like durvalumab in patients with chemo refractory BTC. Methods: This study comprises a single-arm, unblinded Phase I/II trial designed to assess the safety and efficacy of the combination therapy involving regorafenib and durvalumab in patients with chemo-refractory advanced BTC. The Phase I portion employed a 3 + 3 design with two dose levels of regorafenib (80 mg and 120 mg) administered in conjunction with 1500 mg IV durvalumab every 28 days. Phase I successfully completed, and the Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) endorsed the continuation of the trial as planned. Eligibility: Histologically confirmed unresectable or metastatic disease. Progressed on at least one line of therapy. May have received checkpoint inhibitor in the past. Inclusion criteria also include ECOG PS 0-1. Objectives:Primary Phase I: Safety of regorafenib in combination with durvalumab.Phase II: Progression-free survival (PFS).Secondary:Disease Control Rate (DCR), Overall response rate (ORR), Overall survival (OS). Statistical Plan: Interim futility testing after one year, halting if conditional power < 20%. Final analysis: PFS and OS via Weibull Regression. Enrollment is currently ongoing with 8 out of 40 patients enrolled.