Andecaliximab Research Articles

Evaluation of the matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) inhibitor Andecaliximab as an Anti-invasive therapeutic in Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

ObjectivesLocoregional and lymphovascular involvement of invasive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) complicates curative treatment. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 is a negative prognostic marker in HNSCC and targets multiple extracellular matrix (ECM) substrates, where it contributes to breaching basement membrane and stromal barriers enabling invasive spread. Andecaliximab (ADX) is a second-generation MMP9 inhibitor well tolerated in clinical trials of gastric and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The impact of selective MMP9 targeting by ADX in HNSCC has not been evaluated. Materials and MethodsEstablished and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) cell lines were utilized in HNSCC invasion assays to determine the inhibitory ability of MMP9-mediated invasion by ADX. MMP9 expression was confirmed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunoblotting. ECM degradation was evaluated with confocal microscopy. Cell invasion from tumor spheroids was monitored by phase microscopy. Histological evaluation was used to determine ADX efficacy in three-dimensional organotypic cultures containing cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs). ResultsMMP9 was expressed in all established and PDX-derived cell lines. While the broad spectrum clinical MMP inhibitor marimastat (BB2516) blocked HNSCC invadopodia function and tumor spheroid invasion, ADX treatment failed to inhibit invadopodia-based matrix degradation, tumor cell or fibroblast-driven ECM invasion in collagen I-based matrices. ConclusionADX monotherapy was ineffective at blocking initial MMP-dependent events of HNSCC invasion, likely due to redundant functions of additional non-targeted MMPs produced by tumor cells and microenvironment. Combination of ADX with existing and emerging therapies targeting additional MMP activation pathways may warrant future investigation.

A phase 1b study of andecaliximab in combination with S-1 plus platinum in Japanese patients with gastric adenocarcinoma

Andecaliximab (ADX) is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), an extracellular enzyme involved in matrix remodeling, tumor growth, and metastasis. In preclinical models, MMP9 inhibitors have been shown to enhance the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapeutic agents and to suppress distant metastasis. In this phase Ib, multicenter study, the safety and efficacy of ADX combined with S-1 plus cisplatin (SP) or S-1 plus oxaliplatin (SOX) as a first-line treatment were evaluated in Japanese patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. ADX was administrated at a dose of 800 mg every 2 weeks for the SP cohort and 1200 mg every three weeks for the SOX cohort. As of December 2019, 16 patients were enrolled (six patients in the SP cohort and 10 patients in the SOX cohort). Peripheral sensory neuropathy (69%), anorexia (63%), nausea (56%), and decreased neutrophil counts (44%) were the most common adverse events (AEs). The grade 3 or higher AEs attributed to ADX were stomatitis and abnormal hepatic function (each one patient) in the SP cohort and decreased neutrophil counts (two patients) in the SOX cohort. The objective response rate in 11 patients with measurable target lesions was 73% (8/11), based on the investigator’s evaluation. Median progression-free survival was11.9 months (90% confidence interval, 5.6–16.6), and median overall survival was not reached. In conclusion, ADX combined with S-1 plus platinum demonstrated a manageable safety profile and promising clinical activity in the first-line treatment of patients with advanced gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma.Clinical Trial Registration information: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02862535 (11/08/2016) and protocol ID: GS-US-296-1884.

Randomized, open-label, phase 2 study of andecaliximab plus nivolumab versus nivolumab alone in advanced gastric cancer identifies biomarkers associated with survival

BackgroundMatrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) selectively cleaves extracellular matrix proteins contributing to tumor growth and an immunosuppressive microenvironment. This study evaluated andecaliximab (ADX), an inhibitor of MMP9, in combination with nivolumab (NIVO),...

Immune monitoring of blood in advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma patients treated with an anti-MMP9 monoclonal antibody in combination with nivolumab.

13 Background: A phase 1b study was conducted in Japanese patients with >2nd line advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA) to evaluate the safety, tolerability and explore efficacy and biomarkers, of andecaliximab (ADX), an anti-MMP9 monoclonal antibody, in combination with nivolumab (nivo). In this study, 5 of the 10 enrolled patients had a partial response and the remaining 5 had progressive disease. A larger parallel study in western patients showed no improvement in response or survival for the addition of ADX to nivo. A biomarker study is reported here which explored the hypothesis that baseline levels or early changes in the frequency of peripheral immune cells might identify responders to immunotherapy. Methods: Blood samples were collected at screen, C1D1, C1D8, C1D15, C2D1, C2D15 and then at CXD1 until end of treatment and processed to viably-frozen PBMCs. Immune cell analysis was conducted by flow cytometry (FCM), and included evaluation of T cells, B cells, myeloid derived suppressor cells, NK cells, monocytes, and dendritic cells (DCs). Baseline status and on treatment changes were explored. Results: FCM analysis of peripheral blood showed that the 5 responders had higher frequency of LAG3+CD8+ T cells and myeloid DCs, and lower frequency of plasmacytoid DC than non-responders at baseline. The number of CD8+ T cells decreased at C1D8 and then recovered in responders. In contrast, no CD8+ T cell changes were observed in non-responders. CTLA-4+ CD4+ T cells also increased after treatment in responders but not in non-responders. Changes in other evaluated cell populations were not observed. Conclusions: The observation that baseline levels of LAG3+CD8+ T cells and DCs were higher in responders is consistent with a prior anti-tumor immune response. Transient decreased peripheral CD8+ T cells might reflect T-cell trafficking into tumor in response to immunotherapy, and increased peripheral CTLA-4+ CD4+ T cells may also relate to tumor-localized response. Although in a very small number of patients, the observations are consistent with early changes in peripheral immune cells that may relate to response to immunotherapy. Clinical trial information: NCT02862535.

A phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of andecaliximab combined with mFOLFOX6 as first-line treatment in patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (GAMMA-1).

4 Background: Andecaliximab (ADX) is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits matrix metalloproteinase 9, an extracellular enzyme involved in matrix remodeling, tumor growth, and metastasis. A phase I/Ib study of mFOLFOX6 + ADX revealed encouraging antitumor activity in patients (pts) with gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma (median first-line, progression-free survival [PFS] of 9.9 months). Methods: This phase 3, randomized, double-blind, multicenter study investigated the efficacy and safety of mFOLFOX6 with/without ADX in pts with untreated HER2-negative gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma. Randomization was 1:1 to mFOLFOX6 + ADX or mFOLFOX6 + placebo (PBO). Oxaliplatin was administered on Days 1 and 15 of each 28-day treatment cycle (total of 6 cycles), followed by leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil dosing on Days 1 and 15 of each 28-day treatment cycle until disease progression. ADX/PBO 800 mg was infused on Days 1 and 15 of each 28-day cycle until disease progression. The study had 85% power (one-sided significance of 0.025) to detect a hazard ratio of 0.7 for overall survival (OS) by intention-to-treat analysis using the log-rank test. Secondary endpoints were PFS, objective response rate (ORR, RECIST 1.1), and safety. Results: Between September 2015 and May 2017, 432 pts were randomized; 218 pts to ADX and 214 pts to PBO. Median (95% CI) OS was 12.5 (11.2, 14.0) vs 11.8 (10.3, 13.5) months in the ADX and PBO groups, respectively (HR 0.93 [0.74, 1.18], two-sided p=0.56). Median PFS was 7.5 vs 7.1 months in the ADX and PBO groups, respectively (HR 0.84 [0.672, 1.038], two-sided p=0.10). Median investigator assessed ORR was 50.5% vs 41.1% in the ADX and PBO groups, respectively (two-sided p=0.049). The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were nausea, diarrhea, neutropenia, and fatigue. There were no meaningful differences in the safety profile of the ADX vs PBO groups. Subgroup analysis is ongoing. Conclusion: Additionof ADX to mFOLFOX6 does not improve OS in pts with untreated HER2-negative gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma. Clinical trial information: NCT02545504.

A phase II, open-label, randomized study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of andecaliximab combined with nivolumab versus nivolumab alone in subjects with unresectable or recurrent gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.

75 Background: Andecaliximab (ADX) is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9). Preclinical studies suggest that MMP9 inhibition relieves immune suppression and promotes T-cell infiltration to potentiate checkpoint blockade. Methods: Phase 2, open-label, randomized study of the efficacy and safety of ADX + nivolumab (NIVO) vs. NIVO alone in patients with pre-treated metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. Patients were randomized to either ADX 800 mg IV + NIVO 3 mg/kg IV, or NIVO 3 mg/kg IV alone, and stratified by tumor PD-L1 status. Treatment was administered every 2 weeks. Re-staging CT scans were performed every 8 weeks to evaluate response. Primary endpoint: objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints: progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs). Results: Of the 144 patients randomized, 141 were treated, 109 (76%) completed tumor assessment. 81% of patients were white, with 69% male and a mean (SD) age of 59 (12) years. ORR (95% CI) was 11.1% (4.9–20.7%) in patients receiving ADX + NIVO, and 6.9% (2.3–15.5%) in those receiving NIVO alone, p = 0.6. Kaplan-Meier estimated median (95% CI) PFS was 1.8 (1.8–2.0) months in patients receiving ADX + NIVO, and 1.9 (1.7–1.9) months in those receiving NIVO alone, p = 0.2. Kaplan-Meier estimated median (95% CI) OS was 7.2 (5.2–9.1) months in patients receiving ADX + NIVO, and 5.9 (3.5–8.6) months in those receiving NIVO alone, p = 0.4. AEs leading to treatment discontinuation occurred in 1 patient in the ADX + NIVO group, and in 1 patient in NIVO-only group. PD-L1 and mismatch repair deficient subgroup analyses will be presented. Exploratory biomarker analyses will be submitted separately. Conclusions: Addition of ADX to NIVO did not improve ORR, PFS, or OS compared with NIVO alone in patients with pre-treated metastatic gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma. Combination of ADX with NIVO had a favorable safety and tolerability profile. Clinical trial information: NCT02864381.

Phase Ib study of andecaliximab (GS-5745, ADX) in combination with S-1+platinum chemotherapy in Japanese subjects with advanced gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma.

53 Background: Andecaliximab (ADX) is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), an extracellular enzyme involved in matrix remodeling, tumor growth, and metastasis. In preclinical models, anti-MMP9 inhibited tumor growth, reduced metastases, and increased survival. In this study, safety, tolerability, PK, exploratory biomarkers, and preliminary efficacy of ADX in combination with anti-cancer agents were assessed. Methods: The safety and efficacy of ADX in combination with S-1+cisplatin (SP) or S-1+oxaliplatin (SOX) were evaluated in subjects with systemic chemotherapy naïve advanced gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma. For SP cohort, six Japanese subjects received ADX 800 mg via IV infusion Q2W. For SOX cohort, 10 subjects received ADX 1200 mg IV Q3W. All subjects continued until PD or unacceptable toxicity. Results: As of August 2018, a total of 16 subjects received S-1+platinum with six subjects enrolled into the SP combination cohort and 10 subjects enrolled into the SOX combination cohort. ≥ Grade 3 AEs were mainly neutropenia (31%), amylase increased, CPK increased, hepatic function abnormal, anorexia, hyperglycaemia, hyponatraemia, anaemia, stomatitis, and peripheral sensory neuropathy (each 6%). The ORR in subjects with measurable target lesions was 73% (8/11) based on investigator evaluation. Median PFS and OS have not been reached. Exploratory biomarker analyses are ongoing. Conclusions: Preliminary safety data demonstrate a manageable safety profile for ADX in combination with S-1+platinum, and the combination appears to show promising response rates. Clinical trial information: NCT02862535.

Exploratory evaluation of baseline tumor biomarkers and their association with response and survival in patients with previously treated advanced gastric cancer treated with andecaliximab combined with nivolumab versus nivolumab.

148 Background: Andecaliximab (ADX) is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9). Preclinical studies suggest that MMP9 inhibition relieves immune suppression and promotes T cell infiltration to potentiate checkpoint blockade. In the phase 2 study combining ADX with nivolumab (N) versus N monotherapy (NCT02864381), addition of ADX to N did not improve objective response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), or overall survival (OS). Methods: Archival tumor samples were collected from all patients (n = 141). CD8 and PD-L1 (28-8 DAKO) were assessed by immunohistochemistry. CD8+ cell density was measured in the tumor area. PD-L1 was prospectively scored by a pathologist for tumor cell (TC) and associated immune cell (IC) positivity. IFNg, Teffector (Teff), and activated CD8+ T cell (ActT) gene signatures were assessed by RNA sequencing. Due to a small number of responders, treatment arms were combined to evaluate response. Cox proportional hazards models were used for survival analyses. Nominal p-values are reported. Results: Baseline biomarkers of T cell infiltration and activation did not differentiate responders from non-responders (IFNg, Teff, ActT, CD8+; p > .10). None of the evaluated biomarkers were associated with PFS or OS for all treated patients or per treatment arm (IFNg, Teff, ActT; p > .10), with the exception of CD8+ (PFS HR = .43, p = .02). The majority of baseline samples were positive for IC PD-L1 (< 1%, n = 36; 1-10%, n = 50; > 10-25%, n = 32; > 25%, n = 20) and negative for TC PD-L1 (H = 0, n = 88; H < 1, n = 27; H > 1; n = 27). Comparing ADX/N to N, there was a trend toward longer OS for the PD-L1+ (TC + IC ≥ 1%) population (n = 102, HR = .621, p = .098), the TC H < 1 group (HR = .464, p = .08) and the IC > 10-25% (HR = .466, p = .08). Conclusions: Neither CD8+ cell density nor IFNg, Teff or ActT gene signatures were associated with response or survival to checkpoint blockade. While TC was low, IC intermediate and TC + IC ≥ 1% PD-L1+ groups trended toward better survival for the ADX+N arm, consistent with the hypothesis that ADX potentiates N activity; this did not translate into better outcome. Clinical trial information: NCT02864381.

Evaluation of intratumoral T cells in biopsies from advanced gastric cancer patients treated with andecaliximab and nivolumab.

118 Background: Preclinical studies suggest that MMP9 inhibition relieves immune suppression and promotes T cell infiltration to potentiate checkpoint blockade. To test this hypothesis, patient tumor samples obtained in a phase 2, open-label, randomized study (NCT02864381) of previously treated advanced gastric cancer comparing the MMP9-specific inhibitor andecaliximab (ADX) plus nivolumab (N) vs N alone were evaluated for T cell biomarkers. Methods: CD8 and PD-L1 (28-8 DAKO) were assessed by immunohistochemistry. IFNg, Teffector (Teff), and activated CD8+ T cell (ActT) gene signatures (GS) were assessed by RNASeq in archival baseline (BL) and biopsies obtained between weeks 5 and 9 (on-treatment; OT). Results: For both N and ADX/N, intratumoral CD8+ cells were significantly increased in OT biopsies relative to BL. The CD8+ OT increase was significantly greater for the ADX/N treatment relative to N in the PD-L1+ subgroup. In the ADX/N group only, IFNg, Teff, and ActT GS were significantly higher in OT biopsies relative to BL. OT change from BL of ≥ 300% vs <300% in CD8+ cells was associated with longer PFS (HR = 0.50, p = 0.032). The percentage of patients with increased CD8+ cells in OT biopsies was higher in the ADX/N arm. Conclusions: In the PD-L1+ ADX/N group, there was a significantly greater magnitude of CD8+ cell density increase, which was associated with gene signatures of T cell activation. More ADX/N-treated patients had an increase in tumor-associated CD8+ cells. Longer PFS was observed for patients in which CD8+ cells increased by ≥ 300%. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that ADX potentiates checkpoint inhibition by favorably altering the tumor immune microenvironment. Clinical trial information: NCT02864381. [Table: see text]