Non-small Cell Lung Cancer In Phase Research Articles

Abstract CT247: Updated efficacy and safety of anti-TROP2 ADC SKB264 (MK-2870) for previously treated advanced NSCLC in Phase 2 study

Abstract Background: TROP2 (trophoblast cell surface antigen 2) is commonly over-expressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and associated with poor prognosis. SKB264 (MK-2870) is a TROP2 ADC developed with a novel linker to conjugate the payload, a belotecan-derivative topoisomerase I inhibitor. The linker is affected by both extracellular pH-sensitive cleavage and intracellular enzymatic cleavage within tumor cells, which leads to efficiently release payload inside tumor cells as well as within tumor microenvironment to exert its anti-tumor effects. Here, we present the updated data from a Phase 2 expansion cohort for patients (pts) with advanced NSCLC. Methods: Pts with previously treated advanced NSCLC were enrolled to receive SKB264 at 5 mg/kg Q2W until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity (KL264-01, NCT04152499). Tumor assessment was performed every 8 weeks per RECIST v1.1 assessed by investigator. Results: As of Nov 22, 2023, 43 NSCLC pts had been enrolled. Median follow-up was 17.2 months (mo). 21 pts with EGFR wild type had received median prior 3 regimens of therapy including anti-PD-1/L1 inhibitors. 22 pts with EGFR mutant had progressed on or after TKI therapy, 50% of whom also failed at least one line of chemotherapy. Updated efficacy results are shown in the Table. Overall, 30 pts (69.8%) experienced Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). The most common Grade ≥3 TRAEs were neutrophil count decreased (34.9%), anemia (30.2%), WBC count decreased (25.6%), stomatitis (9.3%), and rash (7.0%). No TRAEs leading to treatment discontinuation or deaths occurred. No drug-related ILD/pneumonitis was reported. Conclusions: The updated data continues to demonstrate that SKB264 monotherapy delivers promising clinical efficacy with manageable toxicity in pretreated advanced NSCLC pts. A Phase 3 global study of SKB264 in pts with 3L+ EGFR mutant NSCLC (NCT06074588) and a Phase 3 study of SKB264 in China in pts with 2L EGFR mutant NSCLC (NCT05870319) are ongoing. TABLE 1: NAND Table Clinical outcomes by EGFR mutation status Overall (N=43) EGFR mutant (N=22) EGFR wild type Total (N=21) Non-squamous (N=9) Squamous (N=12) ORR*, % 43.6% 60.0% 26.3% 22.2% 30.0% Median DoR, mo (95%CI) 9.3 (3.7, 10.3) 8.7 (3.7, 10.3) 9.6 (3.5, NE) / / Median PFS, mo (95% CI) 7.2 (5.4, 11.3) 11.5 (5.7, 12.9) 5.3 (3.5, 6.2) 5.8 (1.5, 12.1) 5.1 (1.9, 9.3) Median OS, mo (95% CI) 22.6 (13.1, NE) 22.7 (19.7, NE) 14.1 (10.7, NE) 16.2 (5.8, NE) 12.8 (3.5, NE) 12-mo OS rate, % (95% CI) 69.0% (52.7, 80.7) 81.0% (56.9, 92.4) 57.1% (33.8, 74.9) 66.7% (28.2, 87.8) 50.0% (20.8, 73.6) 18-mo OS rate, % (95% CI) 56.5% (40.1, 70.0) 76.2% (51.9, 89.3) 35.9% (16.0, 56.4) 44.4% (13.6, 71.9) 30.0% (7.7, 56.9) *Including confirmed or unconfirmed response. Based on response evaluable pts (≥1 on-study scans) with 4 pts (2 EGFR mutant pts with non-squamous histology and 2 EGFR wild type pts with squamous histology) excluded. Citation Format: Wenfeng Fang, Ying Cheng, Zhendong Chen, Wei Wang, Yongsheng Li, Yongmei Yin, Xingya Li, Huiting Xu, Guohua Yu, Yanjun Mi, Zev A. Wainberg, Jordi Rodon, Xiang Wang, Xian Wang, Xiaoqing Zhang, Xiaoping Jin, Lian Lu, Junyou Ge, Jin Li, Li Zhang. Updated efficacy and safety of anti-TROP2 ADC SKB264 (MK-2870) for previously treated advanced NSCLC in Phase 2 study [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 CT247.

Pyrotinib combined with thalidomide in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients harboring HER2 exon 20 insertions (PRIDE): protocol of an open-label, single-arm phase II trial

BackgroundStandard therapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is lacking. The clinical benefits with pan-HER inhibitors (afatinib, neratinib, and dacomitinib), anti-HER2 antibody drug conjugate (ADC) trastuzumab emtansine, and an emerging irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) poziotinib were modest. Another new ADC trastuzumab deruxtecan showed encouraging outcomes, but only phase I study was completed. Pyrotinib, another emerging irreversible epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/HER2 dual TKI, has been approved in HER2-positive breast cancer in 2018 in China. It has shown promising antitumor activity against HER2-mutant NSCLC in phase II trials, but pyrotinib-related diarrhea remains an issue. The antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory drug thalidomide is a cereblon-based molecular glue that can induce the degradation of the IKAROS family transcription factors IKZF1 and IKZF3. The use of thalidomide can also decrease gastrointestinal toxicity induced by anti-cancer therapy.MethodsThis is an open-label, single-arm phase II trial. A total of 39 advanced NSCLC patients with HER2 exon 20 insertions and ≤ 2 lines of prior chemotherapy will be recruited, including treatment-naïve patients who refuse chemotherapy. Patients are allowed to have prior therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors and/or antiangiogenic agents. Those who have prior HER2-targeting therapy or other gene alterations with available targeted drugs are excluded. Eligible patients will receive oral pyrotinib 400 mg once daily and oral thalidomide 200 mg once daily until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. The primary endpoint is objective response rate.DiscussionThe addition of thalidomide to pyrotinib is expected to increase the clinical benefit in advanced NSCLC patients with HER2 exon 20 insertions, and reduce the incidence of pyrotinib-related diarrhea. We believe thalidomide is the stone that can hit two birds.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04382300. Registered on May 11, 2020.

P1.01-61 A Phase II Umbrella Study of Camrelizumab in Different PD-L1 Expression Cohorts in Pre-Treated Advanced/Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The role of PD-L1 expression in 2nd line and beyond non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. Camrelizumab (SHR-1210) is a potent anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody and has shown promising activity in NSCLC in Phase I studies. We report results from the SHR-1210-201 study (NCT03085069), a phase II umbrella study of camrelizumab monotherapy in different PD-L1 expression cohorts in Chinese patients with previously treated advanced or metastatic NSCLC. Patients who progressed during or following platinum-based doublet chemotherapy were enrolled and assigned to one of 4 cohorts based on PD-L1 expression. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic alterations were eligible provided they had disease progression with at least one approved tyrosine kinase inhibitor and with ≥50% PD-L1 expression in tumor. All enrolled patients received camrelizumab at 200 mg IV Q2W until loss of clinical benefit. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR), other endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). As of Aug 1st 2018, of all the 259 patients who underwent screen, 229 cases could be pathologically evaluated. PD-L1 expression were 47.6% (109/229) in PD-L1 < 1%, 27.1% (62/229) in PD-L1 ≥1-<25%, 8.7% (20/229) in ≥25-<50% and 16.6% (38/229) in ≥50%. A total of 63.8% (146/229) patients were enrolled. 89.0% of patients had stage IV NSCLC and 54.8% had non-squamous tumor histology. ORR was 18.5% (95%CI: 12.6%–25.8%) in ITT population. Subgroup analysis showed increased PD-L1 expression was associated with better response rate (Table 1). No response was observed in patients with EGFR mutation. The responders had durable response (median: 15.1 months; 95%CI: 5.5–not reached). Median PFS was 3.2 months (95%CI: 2.0–3.4) and median OS was 19.4 months (95%CI: 11.6–not reached) (Table 1). Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) occurred in 87.7% of patients (all Grade); 20.5% had ≥G3 related AE; and 15.8% had related SAE. 21.2% of AEs led to dose interruption and 7.5% led to treatment discontinuation.Table 1Efficacy data in subgroupsPopulationNo of ptsORR, % (95%CI)PFS (month), median (95%CI)1YOS, % (95%CI)OS (month), median (95%CI)PD-L1<1%7412.2% (5.7%, 21.8%)2.1 (1.9, 3.2)47.1% (33.8%, 59.2%)11.6 (7.8, NR)PD-L1 ≥1% and < 25%3119.4% (7.5%, 37.5%)3.1 (1.8, 4.9)76.7% (57.2%, 88.2%)NR (NR, NR)PD-L1 ≥25% and < 50%1145.5% (16.7%, 76.6%)6.0 (1.9, NR)81.8% (44.7%, 95.1%)NR (2.9, NR)PD-L1 ≥50% (without EGFR mutation)2528.0% (12.1%, 49.4%)7.6 (3.3, 11.4)55.2% (32.3%, 73.2%)NR (8.6, NR)PD-L1 ≥50% (with EGFR mutation)501.7 (1.2, NR)40.0% (5.2%, 75.3%)10.3 (1.2, NR)ITT14618.5% (12.6%, 25.8%)3.2 (2.0, 3.4)56.6% (47.3%, 64.9%)19.4 (11.6, NR)Abbreviation: NR, Not Reached. Open table in a new tab Abbreviation: NR, Not Reached. In Chinese patients with previously treated advanced/metastatic NSCLC, camrelizumab demonstrated improved ORR, PFS, and OS compared with historical data of the 2nd line chemotherapy. The efficacy in patients with PD-L1 <1% is similar as the 2nd line mono-chemotherapy, while patients with higher PD-L1 expression derived greater benefit from camrelizumab, the ORR, PFS and OS in patients with PD-L1 ≥25% was comparable to the 1st line doublet chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC. Camrelizumab was well tolerated. This phase 2 data warrant further clinical studies of camrelizumab in NSCLC.

Crizotinib as first line therapy for advanced ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancers.

The field of targeted therapeutic development has been propelled forward by remarkable advances in the understanding of driver mutations, particularly in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Our initial understanding of the importance of driver mutations developed from the discovery of somatic oncogenic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, which sensitize tumors to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as gefitinib (1), erlotinib (2), and afatinib (3). Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements act as a distinct oncogenic driver in about 4% of NSCLC tumors (4). Testing of metastatic NSCLC adenocarcinomas to determine if they are “ALK-positive” has become the standard of care, because these tumors respond well to ALK inhibitors such as crizotinib, an orally available TKI. Crizotinib induced remarkable responses in patients with ALK positive NSCLCs in phase I and II trials (5), and appeared to improve survival of these patients in a retrospective analysis (6). A second line phase III study subsequently showed that crizotinib was superior to both pemetrexed and docetaxel as standard chemotherapy (7).

Elderly Patients with Advanced NSCLC in Phase III Clinical Trials: Are the Elderly Excluded from Practice-Changing Trials in Advanced NSCLC?

Elderly patients constitute the majority of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The median age of newly diagnosed patients with lung cancer in the United States is approximately 70 years. Despite this, the elderly are significantly underrepresented in clinical trials. This has led to increasing uncertainty as to their optimal treatment. Here, we seek to determine the proportion of elderly patients in key phase III clinical trials in advanced NSCLC. A literature search for all phase III trials of systemic therapy for advanced NSCLC between 1980 and 2010 was performed using PubMed. The 100 most highly cited trials were then determined using the "Web of Science" application. The inclusion criteria and results of each of these studies were examined for the exclusion of elderly patients, median patient age, and age range. A total of 248 trials were reviewed. Among the 100 most cited trials, 33% specifically excluded elderly patients in their trial design (age exclusion ranged from >65 to >75 years of age). The average-reported patient median age in these trials was 60.9 years. The average age for trials that did not exclude elderly patients was not significantly different at 61.0 (p = 0.97). The average median age of patients was 61 years (95% confidence interval (CI): 60.4-61.6) in all trials. Elderly patients are significantly underrepresented in these recent key practice-defining trials. Greater representation of elderly patients in phase III trials is required to better define evidence-based treatment paradigms in the increasingly elderly NSCLC population.

Beyond the Standard of Care: A Review of Novel Immunotherapy Trials for the Treatment of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death in the United States, yet traditional chemotherapy fails to provide long-term benefit for many patients. New approaches are needed to improve overall survival beyond the current standard of care. This review discusses recent clinical trials using immunotherapy techniques to treat both non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and highlights ongoing immunotherapy research efforts at our center. For NSCLC, phase II clinical trials have examined allogeneic vaccines that target either mucin 1 (MUC1), epidermal growth factor or melanoma-associated antigen 3. These vaccines are now undergoing larger phase III trials. An autologous cellular therapy directed against transforming growth factor beta-2 and a recombinant protein with antitumor properties have also shown promise in prolonging survival in NSCLC in phase II trials. The monoclonal antibodies ipilimumab, BMS-936558 (anti-PD-1), and BMS936559 (anti-PD-L1) lead to enhanced T-cell-mediated antitumor effects and have produced objective responses in early-phase clinical trials. Studies for SCLC also exist, such as a novel vaccine therapy targeting p53. Recent clinical trials in lung cancer demonstrate the potential of immunotherapeutics to increase overall survival in patients with lung cancer compared with the current standard of care.

Recent improvement in the survival of patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer enrolled in phase III trials of first‐line, systemic chemotherapy

Few studies have assessed formally whether treatment outcomes have improved substantially over the years for patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) enrolled in Phase III trials. The objective of the current investigation was to determine the time trends in outcomes for the patients in those trials. The literature was searched to identify trials that addressed the role of chemotherapy regimens in the first-line setting for the treatment of advanced NSCLC. Trends were tested by using multiple regression analysis. In total, 121 Phase III trials were identified that involved 42,768 patients with 263 chemotherapy arms and 11 best supportive care (BSC) arms, all of which were initiated between 1982 and 2002. Although the number of randomized patients and the proportion of patients with metastatic disease had increased over the years, the number of patients with a poor performance status who were accrued into the trials had decreased. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy was been investigated most frequently during the period. The multiple regression analysis revealed a significant improvement in median survival and in the median time to disease progression over the years, with annual prolongations of 0.1203 months (3.609 days) and 0.0617 months (1.851 days), respectively (P< .0001 and P < .0130, respectively). In addition, the use of cisplatin and carboplatin was associated significantly with survival prolongation. The median survival for patients who received BSC also increased progressively over the years (P = .0487). The survival of patients with NSCLC in Phase III trials improved slowly but steadily over time, although the main factors responsible for this improvement remain unknown. Nonetheless, the current results also suggested that novel targets and new agents will be required in the future fight against advanced NSCLC.

Recent improvement in the survival of patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer enrolled in phase III trials of first-line, systemic chemotherapy

BACKGROUND. Few studies have assessed formally whether treatment outcomes have improved substantially over the years for patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) enrolled in Phase III trials. The objective of the current investigation was to determine the time trends in outcomes for the patients in those trials. METHODS. The literature was searched to identify trials that addressed the role of chemotherapy regimens in the first-line setting for the treatment of advanced NSCLC. Trends were tested by using multiple regression analysis. RESULTS. In total, 121 Phase III trials were identified that involved 42,768 patients with 263 chemotherapy arms and 11 best supportive care (BSC) arms, all of which were initiated between 1982 and 2002. Although the number of randomized patients and the proportion of patients with metastatic disease had increased over the years, the number of patients with a poor performance status who were accrued into the trials had decreased. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy was been investigated most frequently during the period. The multiple regression analysis revealed a significant improvement in median survival and in the median time to disease progression over the years, with annual prolongations of 0.1203 months (3.609 days) and 0.0617 months (1.851 days), respectively (P< .0001 and P < .0130, respectively). In addition, the use of cisplatin and carboplatin was associated significantly with survival prolongation. The median survival for patients who received BSC also increased progressively over the years (P = .0487). CONCLUSIONS. The survival of patients with NSCLC in Phase III trials improved slowly but steadily over time, although the main factors responsible for this improvement remain unknown. Nonetheless, the current results also suggested that novel targets and new agents will be required in the future fight against advanced NSCLC. Cancer 2007 © 2007 American Cancer Society.

Phase II Study of 3-Week Scheduling of Irinotecan in Combination With Cisplatin in Patients With Advanced Nonsmall-Cell Lung Cancer

The combination of irinotecan and cisplatin given every 4 weeks is one of the standard treatments for advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Japan. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety and dose-intensity as a measure of the feasibility of 3-week scheduling of irinotecan and cisplatin in patients with advanced NSCLC in phase II study. Previously untreated patients with stage IIIB and IV NSCLC were treated intravenously with irinotecan (60 mg/m2) on days 1 and 8 and cisplatin (60 mg/m2) on day 1 of a 3-week cycle. Of the 28 patients enrolled, 27 were evaluable for response and toxicity. The response rate was 30% (95% confidence interval, 14-50%). The median duration of response was 16 weeks (range, 10-26 weeks). The median survival time for all patients was 52 weeks and the 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 48% and 29%, respectively. The dose-intensity of irinotecan was 34 mg/m2/wk (range, 19-40). The major toxicities observed were neutropenia (grade 3, 30%; 4, 30%), leukopenia (grade 3, 30%), and diarrhea (grade 3, 22%). Other toxicities were generally mild. Three-week scheduling of irinotecan and cisplatin is effective and feasible in advanced NSCLC.

Gefitinib in Combination With Gemcitabine and Cisplatin in Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Phase III Trial—INTACT 1

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the addition of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib (Iressa, ZD1839; AstraZeneca, Wilmington, DE) to standard first-line gemcitabine and cisplatin provides clinical benefit over gemcitabine and cisplatin alone in patients with advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Gefitinib has demonstrated encouraging efficacy in advanced NSCLC in phase II trials in pretreated patients, and a phase I trial of gefitinib in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin showed favorable tolerability. This was a phase III randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial in chemotherapy-naive patients with unresectable stage III or IV NSCLC. All patients received up to six cycles of chemotherapy (cisplatin 80 mg/m(2) on day 1 and gemcitabine 1,250 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 of the 3-week cycle) plus either gefitinib 500 mg/d, gefitinib 250 mg/d, or placebo. Daily gefitinib or placebo was continued until disease progression. End points included overall survival (primary), time to progression, response rates, and safety evaluation. A total of 1,093 patients were enrolled. There was no difference in efficacy end points between the treatment groups: for the gefitinib 500 mg/d, gefitinib 250 mg/d, and placebo groups, respectively, median survival times were 9.9, 9.9, and 10.9 months (global ordered log-rank [GOLrank] P =.4560), median times to progression were 5.5, 5.8, and 6.0 months (GOLrank; P =.7633), and response rates were 49.7%, 50.3%, and 44.8%. No significant unexpected adverse events were seen. Gefitinib in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin in chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced NSCLC did not have improved efficacy over gemcitabine and cisplatin alone. The reasons for this remain obscure and require further preclinical testing.