Phase II randomized double blind trial of axitinib (Axi) +/- PF-04518600, an OX40 antibody (PFOX) after PD1/PDL1 antibody (IO) therapy (Tx) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

Abstract

4529 Background: Immune checkpoint blockade has revolutionized mRCC Tx, but primary and acquired resistance continues to result in poor patient outcomes. OX40 (CD-134) mediates IO resistance. Co-stimulatory OX40 (CD-134) activates exhausted T-cells. OX40 activation in dendritic cells increases the proliferation, effector function, and survival of T cells. PFOX is an agonist for OX40. We hypothesized that PFOX + the VEGFR inhibitor Axi would improve outcomes vs. Axi in patients (pts) with mRCC after IO Tx. Methods: Pts with predominantly clear cell mRCC were stratified for MSKCC risk groups then randomized 1:1 to Axi 5mg po bid plus PFOX 0.3mg/kg iv (Arm 1) or placebo (PL) iv (Arm 2) on Day 1 of a 2-week cycle. The primary endpoint was progression free survival (PFS); secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR) per RECIST v1.1, and safety/tolerability. A prespecified interim analysis (IA) tested PFS at a 1-sided P < 0.02 when ≥ 33 events were observed. Results: Between February 2018 and October 2021 a total of 59 pts were randomly assigned and treated with Axi+PFOX (N = 29) or Axi+PL (N = 30). Pt and disease characteristics are summarized in the table. As of October 2021, 38 PFS events had occurred, 19 on each arm. The IA rejected the hypothesis of added efficacy for PFOX with a p of 0.0089. Subsequently the study was closed to new accrual. At a median follow up of 13.4 mo, median PFS was 13.1 (6-15.8) months (mo) for Arm 1 and 8.5 (5.5-11) mo for Arm 2 (HR = 0.85 [95% CI: 0.45-1.60] p = 0.61). After adjusting by MSKCC risk group and prior lines of Tx, HR = 0.74 [95% CI: 0.38-1.46] p = 0.39. Median OS was not reached (adjusted HR = 0.71 [95% CI: 0.24-2.12] p = 0.54). ORR Arm 1: 31% PR, 52% SD, 14% PD, and Arm 2: 37% PR, 50% SD, 13% PD. Median DOR 9.1 (3.3-23.9) mo for Arm 1, and 7.5 (1.8-32.7) mo. for Arm 2. Rates of any grade Tx related adverse events (TRAEs; 93% vs 100%), including grade 3 or 4 TRAEs (66% vs 47%), in Arm 1 and Arm 2, respectively. 4 pts discontinued Tx due to TRAE, 3 in Arm 1 (1 grade 3 hypertension, 1 grade 2 stroke, 1 grade 3 bullous dermatitis) and 1 in Arm 2 (grade 4 ALT elevation). The most common TRAEs were diarrhea 52%, hypertension 52%, fatigue 41%, nausea 41% for Arm 1 and hypertension 67%, diarrhea 53%, fatigue 50% for Arm 2. Conclusions: In IO-pretreated mRCC pts, Axi + PFOX did not improve outcomes compared to Axi alone. Clinical trial information: NCT03092856. [Table: see text]