Safety/efficacy of a phase I/II study of SNS-301 added to pembrolizumab in patients with ASPH+ locally advanced unresectable or metastatic/recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

Authors

null

William Smith

NOCCR/VRG–An AMR Company, Knoxville, TN

William Smith , John Celebi , Robert Pierce , Alice Drumheller , Ildiko Csiki , Alain Patrick Algazi

Organizations

NOCCR/VRG–An AMR Company, Knoxville, TN, Sensei Biotherapeutics, Gaithersburg, MD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, Sensei Biotherapeutics, Gaitherburg, MD, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

Research Funding

No funding received
None

Background: SNS-301 is a first-in-class immune activating agent targeting human aspartyl (asparaginyl) β-hydroxylase (ASPH). ASPH is overexpressed in +20 tumor types. SNS-301 is an inactivated λ-bacteriophage, engineered to express a highly immunogenic fragment of ASPH fused to the phage gpD coat protein, previously shown to safely and effectively generate CD4, CD8 and B cell responses in a Phase I study (NCT04034225). Anti-PD-1 antibodies such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab can induce durable clinical responses in 13-16% SCCHN patients. While ASPH is frequently expressed in SCCHN, effective de novo responses to this tumor-specific antigen may be limited due to immune tolerance. Our hypothesis is that SNS-301 will break tolerance and trigger a significant anti-ASPH T-cell immune response, which in combination with anti-PD-1 blockade, will result in improved anti-tumor responses in this difficult-to-treat patient population. Methods: This is a Phase I/II study of SNS-301 delivered intradermally in combination with pembrolizumab. The population consists of 30 patients with ASPH+ locally advanced unresectable or metastatic/recurrent SCCHN who are actively receiving pembrolizumab or nivolumab for ≥12 weeks and have a best response of stable disease (SD) or first evidence of progressive disease (PD). A safety run-in will be performed for safety and any dose limiting toxicities (DLT) using a modified rolling six design prior to proceeding to full enrollment. Patients will provide a pre-SNS-301 tumor sample, an on-treatment tumor biopsy and an optional biopsy at PD to characterize the tumor microenvironment and correlate with clinical outcomes. SNS-301 in combination with pembrolizumab is given until confirmed PD or unacceptable toxicity. Study Objectives: Safety, tolerability and anti-tumor activity such as objective response rate, duration of response, progression-free and overall survival, immune responses, tumor/immune biomarkers and their associated treatment outcome. Results: Three patients have been enrolled. There have been no DLTs. Emerging safety data includes G1 adverse events with one G1 injection site pain. Patient status includes 1 PD and 2 patients with SD of at least six weeks duration. Immunological analyses will be presented. Conclusions: Early safety/efficacy warrant further evaluation of this combination therapy. Trial will be proceeding to full enrollment after the safety run-in is completed. Clinical trial information: NCT04034225

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2020 ASCO Virtual Scientific Program

Session Type

Publication Only

Session Title

Publication Only: Head and Neck Cancer

Track

Head and Neck Cancer

Sub Track

Advanced/Metastatic Disease

Clinical Trial Registration Number

NCT04034225

Citation

J Clin Oncol 38: 2020 (suppl; abstr e18510)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2020.38.15_suppl.e18510

Abstract #

e18510

Abstract Disclosures