A phase 1 first-in-human study of the anti-LAG-3 antibody MK4280 (favezelimab) plus pembrolizumab in previously treated, advanced microsatellite stable colorectal cancer.

Authors

Elena Garralda

Elena Garralda

Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Medical Oncology, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), Barcelona, Spain

Elena Garralda , Ammar Sukari , Nehal J. Lakhani , Amita Patnaik , Yanyan Lou , Seock-Ah Im , Talia Golan , Ravit Geva , Martin Wermke , Maria De Miguel , John Palcza , Sujata Jha , Marya F. Chaney , Jane Anne Healy , Gerald Steven Falchook

Organizations

Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Medical Oncology, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), Barcelona, Spain, Karmanos Cancer Center, Detroit, MI, START Midwest, Grand Rapids, MI, START, San Antonio, TX, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea, Sheba Medical Center and Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel, Universitaetsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University, Dresden, Germany, START-HM Sanchinarro, Madrid, Spain, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, Sarah Cannon Research Institute at HealthONE, Denver, CO

Research Funding

Pharmaceutical/Biotech Company
Merck & Co., Inc

Background: Patients (pts) with microsatellite stable (MSS) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) that progressed on ≥2 prior therapies have limited treatment options, with median OS ranging from 6-9 months (mo). In the dose-escalation phase of this first-in-human multicohort study (NCT02720068), the anti-lymphocyte activation gene (LAG)-3 antibody favezelimab (fave) was well tolerated alone and with pembrolizumab (pembro) across all dose levels (Lakhani, SITC, 2018, abstract O26). Here, we evaluate the safety and efficacy of fave alone or in combination with pembro in pts with advanced MSS CRC from the dose confirmation phase. Methods: Eligible pts with MSS PD-1/PD-L1-treatment-naïve mCRC that progressed on prior standard-of-care (3L+) were enrolled (cohort A) to receive the RP2D of 800 mg fave alone (Arm 1), 800 mg fave + 200 mg pembro (Arm 2C), or 800 mg fave + 200 mg pembro (MK-4280A) co-formulation (Arm 5), all Q3W. Treatment continued for 35 cycles or until progression, unacceptable toxicity, or investigator/pt decision. Pts with confirmed progression per irRECIST v1.1 on fave alone could crossover to 800 mg fave + pembro. Safety was assessed in all treated pts; efficacy in the full analysis set (FAS) of all treated pts with baseline scan. Objectives included safety (primary), ORR (RECIST v1.1 by investigator [secondary]), and DOR, PFS, and OS (exploratory). Interim analysis data cut-off was: Oct. 23, 2020. Results: A total of 20 pts received fave (Arm 1); 89 pts (including 9 crossover) received fave + pembro (Arms 2C+5); 12 pts (Arm 1) and 36 pts (Arms 2C+5), had PD-L1 CPS ≥1 tumors. At data cut-off, median follow-up was 5.8 months (mo) in Arm 1 and 6.2 mo in Arms 2C+5. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were 65% with fave (Arm 1) and 65.2% with fave + pembro (Arms 2C+5). Grade ≥3 TRAEs were 15% (Arm 1), and 20% [Arms 2C+5]). No grade 5 TRAEs were reported. Common TRAEs (≥15%) included fatigue (20.0%), nausea (15%) with fave, and fatigue (16.9%) with fave + pembro. Confirmed ORR was 6.3% (4PR, 1CR) with fave + pembro (Arms 2C+5). No pt receiving fave alone responded. In Arms 2C+5, median DOR was 10.6 mo (range, 5.6-12.7). ORR, OS and PFS by PD-L1 status are reported in the Table. Conclusions: Favezelimab alone or in combination with pembrolizumab had a manageable safety profile, with no treatment-related deaths. Promising antitumor activity was observed with combination therapy, including with MK-4280A, compared with monotherapy most notably in pts with PD-L1 CPS ≥1 tumors. Clinical trial information: NCT02720068

Fave + pembroa,bTotal N = 80cCPS ≥1N = 36CPS < 1N = 35
ORR, n (%)5 (6.3)4 (11.1)1 (2.9)
OS, median, mo (95% CI)8.3 (5.5-12.9)12.7 (4.5-NR)6.7 (3.8-11.0)
12-mo OS rate, %40.850.629.5
PFS, median, mo (95% CI)2.1 (1.9-2.2)2.2 (1.8-4.2)2.0 (1.9-2.1)
6-mo PFS rate, %16.225.49.1

aIncludes MK-4280A; bMissing PD-L1 status (n = 9); cFAS; NR, not reached.

Disclaimer

This material on this page is ©2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology, all rights reserved. Licensing available upon request. For more information, please contact licensing@asco.org

Abstract Details

Meeting

2021 ASCO Annual Meeting

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Gastrointestinal Cancer—Colorectal and Anal

Track

Gastrointestinal Cancer—Colorectal and Anal

Sub Track

Colorectal Cancer–Advanced Disease

Clinical Trial Registration Number

NCT02720068

Citation

J Clin Oncol 39, 2021 (suppl 15; abstr 3584)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2021.39.15_suppl.3584

Abstract #

3584

Poster Bd #

Online Only

Abstract Disclosures

Similar Abstracts

First Author: Gerald Steven Falchook

Abstract

2023 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium

Phase 1 trial of the anti-LAG3 antibody favezelimab plus pembrolizumab in advanced gastric cancer.

First Author: Sun Young Rha

Abstract

2024 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium

Noninvasive assessment of programmed-death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in esophagogastric (EG) cancer using 18F-BMS-986229 PET.

First Author: Samuel Louis Cytryn