Neoadjuvant nivolumab in resectable non-small cell lung cancer: Extended follow-up and molecular markers of response.

Authors

Joshua Reuss

Joshua E. Reuss

Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD

Joshua E. Reuss , Kellie Nicole Smith , Valsamo Anagnostou , Jiajia Zhang , Marianna Zahurak , Justina Caushi , Hok Yee Chan , Haidan Guo , Matthew David Hellmann , Drew M. Pardoll , Julie R. Brahmer , Jamie E. Chaft , Patrick M. Forde

Organizations

Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Baltimore, MD, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University - Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, Thoracic Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD

Research Funding

Other Foundation
Other Foundation, Other Government Agency, U.S. National Institutes of Health

Background: Improved therapy is needed for patients (pts) with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as the majority relapse after curative resection. Our group reported the first trial of neoadjuvant PD-1 blockade in resectable NSCLC, finding therapy to be safe and feasible. Here we report extended clinical follow-up and long-term molecular response data from this trial. Methods: IV nivolumab 3 mg/kg was given every 2 weeks for 2 doses prior to surgery in 20 pts with resectable NSCLC at Johns Hopkins and MSKCC. Blood for correlative studies was taken prior to each dose of nivolumab, prior to surgery, 2-4 weeks post-surgery, and during long-term follow up. In a subgroup of pts, longitudinal molecular data was assessed in peripheral blood for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and dynamics of tumor-infiltrating T-cell clonotypes. Results: At median follow up of 30 months (m), 15 of 20 pts are disease-free and alive. Two pts have died (one from relapsed disease). Median recurrence free survival (RFS) has not been reached. The 24m RFS rate is 69% (95% CI: 51-93). Thus far, presence of ctDNA at diagnosis and major pathologic response (MPR - ≤10% viable tumor in resected specimen) do not associate with RFS. One long-term immune-related adverse event has occurred (skin, G3). All pts who on pathologic review had ≥30% reduction in viable tumor in response to nivolumab demonstrated clearance of detectable ctDNA from blood prior to surgery. Pts with MPR experienced expansion of neoantigen-specific T-cells in peripheral blood. In one patient with ongoing disease free status, expansion of tumor-associated T-cells has persisted in peripheral blood beyond 15m from surgery. By contrast, in a patient who had detectable peri-operative ctDNA and 75% residual disease at surgery, minimal T-cell expansion was observed in peripheral blood, with a decreasing frequency of expanded T-cell clones over time that correlated with eventual cancer relapse. Conclusions: Long-term follow up reinforces the safety of neoadjuvant nivolumab in resectable NSCLC. Analysis of ctDNA and peripheral T-cell expansion in responders compared with non-responders suggests potential biomarkers for response and surveillance. While RFS data is encouraging, phase 3 trials are ongoing to evaluate efficacy of PD-(L)1 blockade in early-stage NSCLC. Clinical trial information: NCT02259621

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2019 ASCO Annual Meeting

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Lung Cancer—Non-Small Cell Local-Regional/Small Cell/Other Thoracic Cancers

Track

Lung Cancer

Sub Track

Local-Regional Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Clinical Trial Registration Number

NCT02259621

Citation

J Clin Oncol 37, 2019 (suppl; abstr 8524)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2019.37.15_suppl.8524

Abstract #

8524

Poster Bd #

280

Abstract Disclosures