Discovery Of Therapies Research Articles

Safety and anti-tumor activity of BAY 2927088 in patients with HER2-mutant NSCLC: Results from an expansion cohort of the SOHO-01 phase I/II study.

LBA8598 Background: HER2 ( ERBB2) mutations have been reported in approximately 2-4% of patients (pts) with NSCLC, with exon 20 insertions being the most common. BAY 2927088 is an oral, reversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor that potently inhibits mutant HER2 and mutant EGFR in preclinical models. Encouraging objective responses were observed in pts with NSCLC harboring a HER2-activating mutation and treated with BAY 2927088 in the dose-escalation/backfill part of the Phase I/II SOHO-01 trial (NCT05099172). More recently the FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for BAY 2927088 for previously treated pts with advanced NSCLC and activating HER2 mutations. Here we report the safety, anti-tumor activity, and longitudinal circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) data in a cohort of pts treated with BAY 2927088 from the expansion part of this trial. Methods: Pts with advanced NSCLC harboring a HER2-activating mutation and who experienced disease progression after at least 1 systemic therapy, but naïve to HER2-targeted therapy, were enrolled and received BAY 2927088 at 20 mg twice daily. Plasma samples were collected at baseline and several on-treatment time points for longitudinal ctDNA profiling using next-generation sequencing (NGS; Oncomine Precision Assay). Results: As of February 19, 2024, 34 pts were treated with BAY 2927088, with a median follow-up of 8 months. Median age was 62 years, 68% were female, 74% had never smoked, and 53% had received ≥2 lines of systemic anti-cancer therapy. Median duration of treatment with BAY 2927088 was 7.1 months (range 0.2-9.2). Treatment was ongoing in 17 pts (50%). Ten pts had a dose reduction, 8 had dose interruptions, and 3 discontinued study treatment due to a drug-related adverse event. The most common adverse events were diarrhea (85%; mainly grade 1-2) and rash (47%; grade 1-2). In 33 pts evaluable for efficacy, responses were observed in 23 (objective response rate 70%; 95% CI 51.3, 84.4) and 5 (15%) had stable disease for a disease control rate of 82% (95% CI 64.5, 93.0). Responses were rapid (median time to response 5.7 weeks) and durable (median duration of response not reached). Median progression-free survival was 8.1 months (95% CI 4.4, not evaluable). In a subset of 20 pts with successful paired (baseline, on-treatment) blood NGS and detectable HER2 ctDNA at baseline, 19/20 (95%) had a decrease in ctDNA and 1 pt with progressive disease had an increase in ctDNA; 15/20 (75%) had no detectable ctDNA after 6 weeks of treatment (including 3/4 pts with stable disease). Conclusions: BAY 2927088 led to rapid, substantial, and durable responses in pts with pretreated HER2-mutant NSCLC. The safety profile was consistent with previously reported data. These data support the further clinical development of BAY 2927088 in pts with HER2-mutant NSCLC. Clinical trial information: NCT05099172 .

REZILIENT2: Phase 2 study of zipalertinib in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with exon 20 insertions (ex20ins) and other uncommon epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations.

TPS8670 Background: Patients with NSCLC harboring uncommon EGFR mutations, including ex20ins, have limited treatment options. Zipalertinib (CLN-081/TAS6417) is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor of EGFR with broad activity against EGFRmutations (including ex20ins) and increased selectivity for ex20ins versus wild-type EGFR. Zipalertinib has shown preclinical activity against a wide spectrum of EGFR ex20ins mutations and other uncommon EGFR mutations. In a phase 1/2a study (REZILIENT1), encouraging antitumor activity and an acceptable safety profile were observed in heavily pretreated patients with EGFRex20ins–mutant NSCLC, leading to ‘Breakthrough Therapy’ designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The aim of REZILIENT2 is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of zipalertinib in patients with NSCLC harboring EGFRex20ins and other uncommon single or compound EGFR mutations, including patients with brain metastases and leptomeningeal disease (LMD). Methods: In this global, phase 2b, open-label, multicohort study (NCT05967689), adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC will be assigned to one of four cohorts depending on prior treatment and type of EGFR mutation: A) patients with EGFR ex20ins mutations who have progressed on or after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy and prior therapy targeting ex20ins (administered together or separately) for advanced disease; B) patients with EGFR ex20ins mutations who have not received prior treatment for advanced disease; C) patients with ex20ins or other uncommon single or compound EGFR mutations and active central nervous system metastases (including LMD) who may or may not have received prior treatment for advanced disease; and D) patients harboring other uncommon non-ex20ins single or compound EGFR mutations who have progressed on or after standard systemic therapy. Patients will receive zipalertinib at a starting dose of 100 mg orally twice daily, which will continue on a 21-day cycle until progression, unacceptable toxicity, or other discontinuation criteria are met. The primary endpoint is investigator-assessed objective response rate per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours, version 1.1. Secondary endpoints include disease control rate, duration of response, progression-free survival, overall survival, intracranial efficacy per Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Brain Metastases (cohort C), safety and tolerability, and pharmacokinetics. Estimated enrollment is 40 patients per cohort (total 160), with potential expansion to ~100 patients per cohort if predefined threshold criteria of efficacy are met. Enrollment began in July 2023. Clinical trial information: NCT05967689 .

Economic evaluation of the novel PD-1 inhibitor toripalimab in recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Cost-efficiency and expanded access modeling versus pembrolizumab.

e18015 Background: Toripalimab, a novel anti-PD-1 antibody recently approved in the US as a breakthrough therapy in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin (GemCis) for first-line treatment of adults with metastatic or recurrent locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (R/M NPC), is a category 1, NCCN-recommended preferred regimen. Although not FDA-approved for this indication, other PD-1 inhibitors, including pembrolizumab, are NCCN-recommended in combination with GemCis (category 2A but without direct evidence). The wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) of toripalimab at market entry is 80% that of pembrolizumab. This simulation modeling evaluates the cost-efficiency of toripalimab+GemCis versus pembrolizumab+GemCis in R/M NPC and the budget-neutral expanded access to the toripalimab regimen enabled by savings. Methods: Utilizing WAC drug costs and treatment administration costs, we modeled the cost-efficiency over a treatment duration equivalent to the toripalimab JUPITER-02 trial median PFS of 21.4 months (m). Without trial evidence for pembrolizumab+GemCis in R/M NPC, we assumed that such a regimen would be comparable to toripalimab+GemCis in median PFS. We also assumed that 31 cycles of PD-1 inhibitor (with GemCis in cycles 1-6) are administered over a median PFS of 21.4m. Using the cost-efficiency savings, we simulated the potential for budget-neutral expanded access to toripalimab treatment. A second model utilizing an ex ante toripalimab average sales price (ASP) of 80% of pembrolizumab ASP was estimated. Results: The WAC model estimated the toripalimab regimen to cost $292,316 (all agents over 21.4m or 31 cycles) while the pembrolizumab regimen costs $361,229, for savings of $68,913 per patient. These savings enable 7.7 additional toripalimab maintenance cycles to be purchased on a budget-neutral basis for every patient treated. For every 4.24 patients treated with toripalimab+GemCis instead of pembrolizumab+GemCis, one additional patient can be treated with the full toripalimab regimen (all agents) for 21.4m. Extrapolated to the 2024 US incident R/M NPC population of 1207 patients, if 50% of patients are treated with toripalimab+GemCis instead of pembrolizumab+GemCis savings of $41,589,183 provide access to 4,513 additional toripalimab maintenance cycles or 142 full toripalimab regimens (all agents for 21.4m) budget-neutrally. Similar results were demonstrated in the ASP model. Conclusions: With a market entry WAC that is 20% lower than pembrolizumab, toripalimab can generate approximate savings of $69,000 per patient over the median PFS treatment duration of 21.4m. If 50% of R/M NPC incident patients are treated with toripalimab, savings provide access to the full toripalimab+GemCis regimen to an additional 142 patients—effectively raising the treatment rate to 62% at no additional cost.

FURTHER: A global study to evaluate furmonertinib in patients with EGFR mutant NSCLC including uncommon EGFR mutations (FURMO-002).

TPS8666 Background: Furmonertinib (AST2818) is an oral, highly brain-penetrant, and broadly active mutation-selective epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR) inhibitor engineered for broad activity and selectivity across EGFRmutations (mts) (1). Furmonertinib is approved in China for first-line advanced NSCLC with EGFR Ex19del or L858R mts based on the progression-free survival benefit observed in the Phase 3 study versus gefitinib (FURLONG). Furmonertinib has also demonstrated promising interim efficacy and safety in patients (pts) with NSCLC harboring EGFR exon 20 insertion (ex20ins) mts with a confirmed overall response rate (ORR) of 78.6% (n=28) by blinded independent central review (BICR) and a preliminary median duration of response (DoR) of 15.2 months in the front-line setting (FAVOUR study; see Han et al., WCLC 2023). Furmonertinib recently obtained FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of pts with advanced NSCLC with EGFR ex20ins mts. P-loop and αC-helix Compressing (PACC) mts represent another subset of uncommon EGFR mts (2) that are similar to ex20ins mts in narrowing the drug-binding pocket; including G719X, S768I, E709X, L747X, V774M. Preclinical data indicating that furmonertinib is potent in models harboring EGFR PACC mts Developing efficacious, well-tolerated, and CNS-penetrant medicines for NSCLC pts with EGFR ex20ins mts and PACC mts remains an unmet need. Methods: FURTHER (FURMO-002) is the first global trial evaluating furmonertinib in NSCLC pts with EGFR and HER2 mts in North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. FURTHER is a phase 1b, open-label, multicenter study in which pts will be treated orally with furmonertinib daily. For Stage 1 dose-escalation, the primary endpoint is incidence and severity of adverse events, including dose limiting toxicities and has been completed. For Stage 2 dose expansion, approximately 120 pts will be enrolled across 4 expansion cohorts. Stage 2 Cohorts 1-3 dose expansion cohorts will enroll pts with previously treated, locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC pts with either EGFR ex20ins mts, HER2 ex20ins mts, or EGFR activating mts, respectively. Cohorts 1-3 allow enrollment of pts with prior EGFR or HER2-directed therapy. Stage 2 Cohort 4 will enroll EGFR TKI-naïve NSCLC pts with EGFR PACC mts. Key inclusion criteria include documented EGFR or HER2 mts by local testing and measurable disease per RECIST v1.1. Stage 2 primary endpoint is ORR using RECIST v1.1. Key secondary endpoints include progression-free survival and overall survival. Stage 2 enrollment is ongoing. 1. Musib et al., NACLC 2022. 2. Robichaux et al., 2021. Clinical trial information: NCT05364073 .

FURVENT: Phase 3 trial of furmonertinib vs chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations (FURMO-004).

TPS8668 Background: EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations (ex20ins) occur in approximately 2% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and overall account for approximately 9% of all the EGFR mutations in NSCLC (Robichaux et al., 2021). Current first-line standard of care for NSCLC patients with these mutations is platinum-based chemotherapy (NCCN NSCLC, 2023). Furmonertinib is an oral, highly brain penetrant, broadly active mutant-selective EGFR inhibitor that targets EGFR exon 20 insertions and other EGFR mutations (1). Furmonertinib recently obtained FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the first line treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC with EGFR ex20ins based on the data from the FAVOUR study. In FAVOUR, treatment naïve patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR ex20ins mutations showed preliminary clinical activity with a confirmed overall response rate (ORR) of 78.6% (n=28) by blinded independent central review (BICR) with a preliminary median DOR of 15.2 months when treated with 240 mg daily [QD] of furmonertinib (2). In previously treated patients both the 240 mg and 160 mg QD dose levels were active with confirmed ORR of 46.2% (n=26) and 38.5% (n=26) respectively and included patients harboring near and far loop mutations. Furmonertinib showed a generally well-tolerated safety profile with expected EGFR-TKI class toxicities. Methods: The FURVENT (FURMO-004) study is a registrational global, phase 3, randomized, multicenter, open-label study. Eligible patients have treatment-naïve, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations. Key inclusion criteria include documented EGFR ex20ins mutation and measurable disease per RECIST 1.1. Key exclusion criteria include prior systemic anticancer therapy in the locally advanced or metastatic setting or any prior EGFR TKI therapy. Approximately 375 patients will be randomized 1:1:1 to receive furmonertinib 160 mg QD, furmonertinib 240 mg QD, or platinum-based chemotherapy (cisplatin or carboplatin plus pemetrexed for 4 cycles followed by pemetrexed maintenance therapy). Stratification factors include the history or presence of central nervous system metastases at baseline, geographic region, and sex at birth. Patients from the platinum-based chemotherapy arm with documented disease progression can crossover to furmonertinib cohort. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival comparing between the treatment arms (furmonertinib 160 mg or 240 mg vs chemotherapy) based on BICR assessment. The key secondary endpoint is overall survival. Study enrollment is ongoing. 1. Musib et al., NACLC 2022. 2. Han et al., WCLC 2023. Clinical trial information: NCT05607550 .

EPCORE FL-2: Phase 3 trial of epcoritamab with rituximab and lenalidomide (R2) vs chemoimmunotherapy or R2 in previously untreated follicular lymphoma.

TPS7084 Background: Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Most patients with advanced-stage FL in need of systemic therapy are treated with an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (eg, rituximab [R] or obinutuzumab [G]) with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone [CHOP] or bendamustine [benda]). Recent studies have shown R plus lenalidomide (R2) is a potent FL treatment in the 1L and relapsed or refractory (R/R) settings and is a promising backbone for combination therapies. Epcoritamab, a subcutaneous CD3xCD20 bispecific antibody, received breakthrough therapy designation by the FDA for R/R FL after ≥2 lines of systemic therapy. In the phase 1/2 trial (NCT04663347), epcoritamab plus R2 demonstrated high complete response (CR) rates in the 1L and R/R settings. The objective of this trial is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 1L epcoritamab plus R2 vs CIT in patients with FL. Methods: EPCORE FL-2 (NCT06191744) is a global, randomized, open-label phase 3 trial. Eligible adult patients must have CD20+ histologically confirmed classic FL (previously grade 1–3A), stage III or IV disease (or bulky stage II), and in need of systemic treatment by meeting GELF criteria. Approximately 1080 patients will be randomized to 3 treatment arms (Table). Patients achieving CR or PR upon 6 cycles will move to epcoritamab on day 1 of cycles 7–12 (28-day cycles) and 13–21 (56-day cycles). After 120 weeks of treatment, patients will be followed for progression and survival. Dual primary endpoints will be CR rate at 30 months and progression-free survival in arm A vs arm B. Key secondary efficacy endpoints include overall survival, minimal residual disease negativity, and changes in patient-reported outcomes on the physical functioning scale of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life-C30 Questionnaire from baseline to week 25. Safety endpoints include incidence and severity of adverse events (AEs), including AEs of special interest (cytokine release syndrome, immune effector cell–associated neurotoxicity syndrome, and clinical tumor lysis syndrome). The study is open for enrollment. Clinical trial information: NCT06191744 . [Table: see text]

Curing Stubborn Depression: Emerging and Breakthrough Therapies for Treatment-Resistant Depression

Curing Stubborn Depression: Emerging and Breakthrough Therapies for Treatment-Resistant Depression

Research Progress in the Use of Small Molecule Smac Mimetics in Combination Therapy of Cancer.

Inhibitors of Apoptosis Proteins (IAP) are inhibitors that can block programmed cell death, are expressed at high levels in various cancers, and are recognized as a therapeutic target for cancer therapy. In the past few years, several small molecule IAP protein inhibitors have been designed to mimic the endogenous IAP antagonist, but no IAP inhibitors have been approved for marketing worldwide. Previously, xevinapant has been awarded a breakthrough therapy designation by the FDA. In addition, a combination of Smac-mimetics and chemotherapeutic compounds has been reported to improve anticancer efficacy. According to the phase II clinical data, xevinapant has the potential to significantly enhance the standard therapy for patients with head and neck cancer, which is expected to be approved as an innovative therapy for cancer patients. Therefore, this paper briefly describes the mechanism of IAPs (AT-406, APG-1387, GDC- 0152, TL32711, and LCL161) as single or in combination for cancer treatment, their application status as well as the synthetic pathway, and explores the research prospects and challenges of IAPs antagonists in the tumor combination therapy, with the hope of providing strong insights into the further development of Smac mimics in tumor therapy.

At the Forefront: Social Workers' Role in Psilocybin Treatment for Depression and Substance Misuse.

This article underscores the critical role of social workers in harnessing the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin for treating major depressive disorder (MDD) and substance use disorder (SUD). Contemporary treatments for MDD often have side effects, and the success rate for SUD treatments remains low. The pervasiveness of MDD, combined with the challenges in treating SUD, highlights a need for innovative treatments. This article provides an overview of the resurgence of literature over the past two decades that illuminates the therapeutic promise of psilocybin for mental health treatment; clinical trials elucidate the efficacy of psilocybin-assisted therapy in mitigating MDD and demonstrate great promise in reducing SUD symptoms. The long-lasting posttreatment effect emphasizes its potential as a novel treatment modality. Furthermore, psilocybin's recognition as a "breakthrough therapy" by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the accelerating pace of psychedelic reform bills indicate growing acceptance and interest in its therapeutic capacities. Psilocybin-assisted therapy emerges as a potent treatment option, showcasing remarkable effectiveness even after a single dose. Recommendations and pathways for social workers to be involved in psilocybin-assisted therapy investigation, advocacy, and implementation are provided.

Breakthrough Therapy Cancer Drugs and Indications With FDA Approval: Development Time, Innovation, Trials, Clinical Benefit, Epidemiology, and Price.

The breakthrough therapy designation (BTD) facilitates the development of drugs with a large preliminary benefit in treating serious or life-threatening diseases. This study analyzes the FDA approval, trials, benefits, unmet needs, and pricing of breakthrough and nonbreakthrough therapy cancer drugs and indications. We analyzed 355 cancer indications with FDA approval (2012-2022). Breakthrough and nonbreakthrough indications were compared regarding their FDA approval, innovativeness, clinical trials, epidemiology, and price. Data were extracted from FDA labels, the Global Burden of Disease study, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Hazard ratios (HRs) for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and relative risk (RR) of tumor response were meta-analyzed across randomized controlled trials. Objective response rates (ORRs) were meta-analyzed for single-arm trials. We identified 137 breakthrough and 218 nonbreakthrough cancer indications. The median clinical development time was 3.2 years shorter for breakthrough drugs than for nonbreakthrough drugs (5.6 vs 8.8 years; P=.002). The BTD was more frequently granted to biomarker-directed indications (46% vs 34%; P=.025) supported by smaller trials (median, 149 vs 326 patients; P<.001) of single-arm (53% vs 27%; P<.001) and phase I or II design (61% vs 31%; P<.001). Breakthrough indications offered a greater OS (HR, 0.69 vs 0.74; P=.031) and tumor response (RR, 1.48 vs 1.32; P=.006; ORR, 52% vs 40%; P=.004), but not a PFS benefit (HR, 0.53 vs 0.58; P=.212). Median improvements in OS (4.8 vs 3.2 months; P=.002) and PFS (5.4 vs 3.3 months; P=.005) but not duration of response (8.7 vs 4.7 months; P=.245) were higher for breakthrough than for nonbreakthrough indications. The BTD was more frequently granted to first-in-class drugs (42% vs 28%; P=.001) and first-in-indication treatments (43% vs 29%; P<.001). There were no differences in treatment and epidemiologic characteristics between breakthrough and nonbreakthrough drugs. Breakthrough drugs were more expensive than nonbreakthrough drugs (mean monthly price, $38,971 vs $22,591; P=.0592). The BTD expedites patient access to effective and innovative, but also expensive, new cancer drugs and indications.

Replacement of sulfonamide by sulfoximine within a helicase-primase inhibitor with restricted flexibility

Helicase-primase is an interesting target for the therapy of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections. Since amenamevir is already approved for varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and HSV in Japan and pritelivir has received breakthrough therapy status for the treatment of acyclovir-resistant HSV infections in immunocompromised patients, the target has sparked interest in me-too approaches. Here, we describe the attempt to improve nervous tissue penetration in Phaeno Therapeutics drug candidate HN0037 to target the latent reservoir of HSV by installing less polar moieties, mainly a difluorophenyl instead of a pyridyl group, and replacing the primary sulfonamide with a methyl sulfoximine moiety. However, all obtained stereoisomers exhibited a weaker inhibitory activity on HSV-1 and HSV-2.

Abstract CT152: FURTHER: A global study to evaluate furmonertinib in patients with EGFR mutant NSCLC including uncommon EGFR mutations

Abstract Background: Furmonertinib (AST2818) is an oral, highly brain-penetrant, and broadly active mutation-selective epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor engineered for broad activity and selectivity across EGFR mutations (mts) (Musib et al., NACLC 2022). Furmonertinib is approved in China for first-line advanced NSCLC with EGFR Ex19del or L858R mts based on the positive Phase 3 study (FURLONG) versus gefitinib. Furmonertinib has also demonstrated promising interim efficacy and safety in patients (pts) with NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 insertion (ex20ins) mts with a confirmed overall response rate (ORR) of 78.6% (n=28) by blinded independent central review (BICR) with a preliminary median duration of response (DoR) of 15.2 months in the front-line setting (FAVOUR study; see Han et al., WCLC 2023). Furmonertinib recently obtained FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of pts with advanced NSCLC with EGFR ex20ins mts. P-loop and αC-helix Compressing (PACC) mts represent another subset of uncommon EGFR mts (Robichaux et al., 2021) that are similar to ex20ins mts in narrowing the drug-binding pocket; including G719X, S768I, E709X, L747X, V774M. Preclinical data indicating that furmonertinib is potent in models harboring EGFR PACC mts will be presented at this meeting (Nilsson et al., Abstract #4174). Developing efficacious, well-tolerated, and CNS-penetrant medicines for NSCLC pts with EGFR ex20ins mts and PACC mts remains an unmet need. Methods: FURTHER (FURMO-002) is the first global trial evaluating furmonertinib in NSCLC pts with EGFR and HER2 mts in North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. FURTHER is a phase 1b, open-label, multicenter study in which pts will be treated orally with furmonertinib daily. For Stage 1 dose-escalation, the primary endpoint is incidence and severity of adverse events, including dose limiting toxicities and has been completed. For Stage 2 dose expansion, approximately 120 pts will be enrolled across 4 expansion cohorts. Stage 2 Cohorts 1-3 dose expansion cohorts will enroll pts with previously treated, locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC pts with either EGFR ex20ins mts, HER2 ex20ins mts, or EGFR activating mts, respectively. Cohorts 1-3 allow enrollment of pts with prior EGFR or HER2-directed therapy. Stage 2 Cohort 4 will enroll EGFR TKI-naïve NSCLC pts with EGFR PACC mts. Key inclusion criteria include documented EGFR or HER2 mts by local testing and measurable disease per RECIST v1.1. Stage 2 primary endpoint is ORR using RECIST v1.1. Key secondary endpoints include progression-free survival and overall survival. Stage 2 enrollment is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT05364073. Citation Format: Xiuning Le, Alexander Spira, Shirish Gadgeel, Yan Yu, Yanqiu Zhao, Ying Cheng, Jonathan Riess, Oscar Juan-Vidal, Bo Gao, Kiyotaka Yoh, Martin Forster, Satoru Kitazono, Hidetoshi Hayashi, David Planchard, Yong Jiang, Jack Huang, Nichole Baio, Marcin Kowanetz, Shirley Wang, William Leung, Jerry Y. Hsu, Jie Wang. FURTHER: A global study to evaluate furmonertinib in patients with EGFR mutant NSCLC including uncommon EGFR mutations [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(7_Suppl):Abstract nr CT152.

Abstract CT280: FURVENT, Phase 3 trial testing furmonertinib vs chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 insertions (FURMO-004)

Abstract Introduction: EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations occur in approximately 2% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and overall account for approximately 9% of all the EGFR mutations in NSCLC (Robichaux et al., 2021). Current first-line standard of care for NSCLC patients with these mutations is platinum-based chemotherapy (NCCN NSCLC, 2023). Furmonertinib is an oral, highly brain penetrant, broadly active mutant-selective EGFR inhibitor that targets EGFR exon 20 insertions and other EGFR mutations (Musib et al., NACLC 2022). Furmonertinib recently obtained FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the first line treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC with EGFR ex20ins based on the data from the FAVOUR study. Promising preliminary clinical activity was observed in the FAVOUR study testing furmonertinib (240 mg daily [QD]) in patients with treatment naïve locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC, with EGFR exon 20 insertion (ex20ins) mutations showing confirmed overall response rate (ORR) of 78.6% (n=28) by blinded independent central review (BICR) with a preliminary median DOR of 15.2 months (Han et al., WCLC 2023). In previously treated patients both the 240 mg and 160 mg QD dose levels were active with confirmed ORR of 46.2% (n=26) and 38.5% (n=26) respectively, and included patients harboring near and far loop mutations.Furmonertinib showed a generally well-tolerated safety profile with expected EGFR-TKI class toxicities. Additional furmonertinib preclinical data in uncommon EGFR mutations, including P-loop and αC-helix Compressing (PACC) and ex20ins mutations will be presented at the AACR 2024 Annual Meeting (Nilsson et al., AACR 2024 Abstract #4174). Methods: The FURVENT (FURMO-004) study is a registrational global, phase 3, randomized, multicenter, open-label study. Eligible patients havetreatment-naïve, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations. Key inclusion criteria include documented EGFR exon 20 insertion mutation and measurable disease per RECIST 1.1. Key exclusion criteria include prior systemic anticancer therapy in the locally advanced or metastases setting or any prior EGFR TKI therapy. Approximately 375 patients will be randomized 1:1:1 to receive furmonertinib 160 mg QD, furmonertinib 240 mg QD, or platinum-based chemotherapy (cisplatin or carboplatin plus pemetrexed for 4 cycles followed by pemetrexed maintenance therapy). Stratification factors include the history or presence of central nervous system metastases at baseline, geographic region, and sex at birth. Patients from the platinum-based chemotherapy arm with documented disease progression are eligible to participate in the crossover phase of this trial to furmonertinib therapy. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival comparing between the treatment arms (furmonertinib 160 mg or 240 mg vs chemotherapy) based on BICR assessment. The key secondary endpoint is overall survival. Study enrollment is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT05607550. Citation Format: Alexander Spira, Byoung Chul Cho, Enriqueta Felip, Edward Garon, Koichi Goto, Melissa Lynne Johnson, Natasha B. Leighl, Antonio Passaro, David Planchard, Sanjay Popat, James Yang, Xiaoqian Lu, Yong Jiang, Jack Huang, Morgan Lam, Marcin Kowanetz, Shirley Wang, John Le, Jerry Hsu, Caicun Zhou. FURVENT, Phase 3 trial testing furmonertinib vs chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 insertions (FURMO-004) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(7_Suppl):Abstract nr CT280.

FDA gives breakthrough designation for psychedelic treatment

A clinical‐stage biopharmaceutical company that officials said is committed to revolutionizing mental health care by developing new and innovative next‐generation psychedelic‐based treatment options, announced last week that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) for an adjunctive psychedelic‐based therapy for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), according to the press release news outlet, Businesswire.

Abstract 2116: Telisotuzumab vedotin (Teliso-V)-mediated c-Met internalization, endolysosomal trafficking, and potent cytotoxic activity are unaffected by MET exon-14 skipping mutation

Abstract Background: Telisotuzumab vedotin (Teliso-V) is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of a c-Met (MET protein) antibody coupled to the microtubule inhibitor monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE). Teliso-V was granted FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for advanced/metastatic EGFR WT, NSQ NSCLC with high c-MET overexpression. For MMAE drug delivery, Teliso-V must first undergo receptor internalization and endolysosomal (EL) trafficking. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-dependent MET EL trafficking and degradation depend on the E3 ubiquitin ligase Casitas B-lineage lymphoma (CBL). METex14 skipping and CBL-binding site mutations, which delete the binding site for CBL, occur in ~ 3% of NSCLC. The role of CBL in Teliso-V-MMAE delivery and activity was assessed in this work. Methods: WT-human c-Met, c-Met-Y1003F/N (CBL binding site mutations in MET), and c-Met-ex14∆ (47 aa deletion to mimic ex14 skipping) or CBL-L620f, G807*, and W802* (CBL inactivating mutants) were expressed in NIH3T3, Ba/F3 cells, or A549 tumor cells using retroviral transduction. Genetically modified cells were then used to define the role of CBL in c-Met surface expression, intracellular signaling, EL trafficking (using pHrodo Red-labeled Teliso-V), and Teliso-V sensitivity in 2D/3D cell cultures. Results: c-Met expression was required for Teliso-V cytotoxicity and intracellular payload delivery in all cell lines. While minimal changes in cell surface c-Met levels were observed, CBL binding mutants had increased phosphorylated c-Met in the absence of HGF, and ex14∆-MET and CBL binding site mutants showed increased sensitivity to small molecule c-Met inhibitors. Compared to WT c-Met, ex14∆ and CBL-binding mutants showed similar EL trafficking and no change in sensitivity to Teliso-V. Co-treatment with a pan-CBL inhibitor also failed to alter Teliso-V EL trafficking and anti-tumor activity. Like most ADCs, EL trafficking was dependent on a dynamin-mediated process with reduced EL trafficking by co-treatment with Dyngo4a. To further understand the role of CBL in Teliso-V sensitivity, we expressed CBL inactivating mutations in A549 tumor cells. While the L602F and W802* mutants increased spheroid size, as well as activated p-MET, there was no change in sensitivity to Teliso-V. Conclusions: Loss of CBL-binding sites on c-Met via ex14 deletion or Y1003F/N leads to increased MET-targeted TKI sensitivity and increased phospho-c-Met levels but does not impact Teliso-V sensitivity or EL trafficking. Our results indicate that Teliso-V traffics to the EL via a dynamin-mediated process. Therefore, Teliso-V delivers MMAE through a robust ADC-mediated EL-dependent mechanism that is independent of CBL, suggesting that high c-Met expression in Ex14skipping or CBL binding site mutant NSCLC patients should be further investigated for response to Teliso-V. Citation Format: Izhar Batth, Ronald Pandoy, Shamim Khaja, Dolonchampa Maji, Tamar Uziel, Athan Vasilopoulos, Peter Ansell, PK Epling-Burnette. Telisotuzumab vedotin (Teliso-V)-mediated c-Met internalization, endolysosomal trafficking, and potent cytotoxic activity are unaffected by MET exon-14 skipping mutation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 2116.

Regulatory Incentives for Innovation: The FDA's Breakthrough Therapy Designation

Abstract Regulators of new products confront a tradeoff between speeding a product to market and collecting additional product quality information. The FDA's Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) provides an opportunity to understand if regulators can use new policy to innovate around this tradeoff. We find that the BTD program shortened clinical development times by 23 percent and did not impact the ex post safety profile of drugs with the designation. The BTD program had the greatest impact on less experienced firms and reduced clinical trial design complexity. The results suggest that targeted regulatory innovation can shorten R&amp;D periods without compromising product quality.

Assessment of the implementation of accelerated drug marketing registration procedures for antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents in China: based on 2016-2022 review data.

Since 2016, China has successively implemented Accelerated Drug Marketing Registration Procedures (ADMRPs) for drugs, including Breakthrough Therapy Drug (BTD), Conditional Approval (CA), and Priority Review and Approval (PRA), which have played an important role in promoting the development and review of clinically urgently needed drugs. In this study, we focused on the antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents approved for marketing through ADMRPs, to provide a reference for promoting the formation of a stable and mature regulatory system for the review and approval of antineoplastic drugs and immunomodulating agents in China. Reviewed the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) drug review reports for the years 2016-2022 and screened the antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents approved through ADMRPs. Then, with the help of the NMPA website and the Yaozhi Database, two researchers independently queried and entered the detailed information of the selected drugs, and checked with each other. The attribute classification and main characteristics of the drugs were then analyzed with descriptive statistics to obtain the trend of drug types, drug review and approval status, and timeliness. A total of 206 antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents were approved for marketing through five accelerated marketing registration procedures (or procedure combinations), with the average review time shortened by about 81 days. Among them, imported drugs accounted for a larger proportion, the most drugs for treating non-small cell lung cancer and lymphoma, and the largest number of PD-1/PDL-1 inhibitors, but pediatric drugs and rare disease drugs accounted for a smaller proportion. ADMRPs can promote the accessibility of antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents in China and safeguard the life and health rights of more patients. Nevertheless, it is necessary to pay attention to the expansion of the types of indications for medicines and to increase the development of drugs that are urgently needed by a small number of patients.

Need for a Cardiogenic Shock Team Collaborative-Promoting a Team-Based Model of Care to Improve Outcomes and Identify Best Practices.

Cardiogenic shock continues to carry a high mortality rate despite contemporary care, with no breakthrough therapies shown to improve survival over the past few decades. It is a time-sensitive condition that commonly results in cardiovascular complications and multisystem organ failure, necessitating multidisciplinary expertise. Managing patients with cardiogenic shock remains challenging even in well-resourced settings, and an important subgroup of patients may require cardiac replacement therapy. As a result, the idea of leveraging the collective cognitive and procedural proficiencies of multiple providers in a collaborative, team-based approach to care (the "shock team") has been advocated by professional societies and implemented at select high-volume clinical centers. A slowly maturing evidence base has suggested that cardiogenic shock teams may improve patient outcomes. Although several registries exist that are beginning to inform care, particularly around therapeutic strategies of pharmacologic and mechanical circulatory support, none of these are currently focused on the shock team approach, multispecialty partnership, education, or process improvement. We propose the creation of a Cardiogenic Shock Team Collaborative-akin to the successful Pulmonary Embolism Response Team Consortium-with a goal to promote sharing of care protocols, education of stakeholders, and discovery of how process and performance may influence patient outcomes, quality, resource consumption, and costs of care.

Furmonertinib for EGFR-mutant advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a glittering diamond in the rough of EGFR-TKI.

The third-generation EGFR-TKIs, such as osimertinib, aumolertinib, and furmonertinib, have been recommended as the preferred treatment for EGFR-mutant advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Among them, furmonertinib shows several advantages in terms of clinical efficacy. Firstly, compared to osimertinib and aumolertinib, furmonertinib was the first EGFR-TKI with median progression-free survival (mPFS) of over 20.0m (20.8m) for advanced NSCLC with classical EGFR-mutations. Furthermore, furmonertinib achieved a mPFS of 18.1m in advanced NSCLC with unfavorable prognostic factors, such as the 21 L858R mutation and central nervous system (CNS) metastasis, which is unrivalled by osimertinib. Secondly, furmonertinib is the only FDA-approved EGFR-TKI for breakthrough therapy in newly-diagnosed advanced NSCLC with EGFR ex20ins mutation. Thirdly, the relatively longer mPFS of 20.8m was observed in furmonertinib compared to osimertinib and aumolertinib (15.2m and 15.3m) in EGFR-mutant advanced NSCLC with CNS metastases. More importantly, the efficacy of furmonertinib increases within the dose range of 80-240mg per day. Finally, furmonertinib can be an optional treatment for advanced NSCLC patients who develop resistance to osimertinib or aumolertinib. In conclusion, furmonertinib may be a glittering star in the field of EGFR-TKI, which requires further exploration and expansion.

Regulating ethical experimentation: Impacts of the breakthrough therapy designation on drug R&D

This article investigates patterns of pharmaceutical development activity around the 2012 creation of the FDA’s Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD). The BTD introduced regulatory flexibility and support to avoid ethical challenges created by experimental therapies of exceptional performance in early stage clinical trials. We argue that the program’s design indirectly created substantial incentives for the industry to pursue the designation. Consistent with this hypothesis, our evidence links the creation of the program with a substantial increase in the number of new drug indications entering the clinical trial process. This surge in introductions has resulted in a discernible increase in approvals, which has manifested with a lag and may strengthen in the future. Countering theoretical predictions, BTD incentives have not led to increased risk taking in project selection.