Association of LAG-3 expression in circulating T cells and response to combination temozolomide (TMZ) and nivolumab (NIVO) in advanced neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs): Results from an investigator-initiated phase 2 trial.

Authors

null

Vineeth Sukrithan

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH

Vineeth Sukrithan , Brooke Benner , Lai Wei , Ashima Goyal , Ye Zhou , Sheryl-Ann Suffren , Carly Pilcher , Gwen Christenson , Nancy Curtis , Emily Schwarz , Himanshu Savardekar , Ruthann Norman , Barbara Kleiber , Robert Wesolowski , Gregory Alan Otterson , Claire F. Verschraegen , William Edgar Carson III, Manisha H. Shah , Bhavana Konda , Dwight Hall Owen

Organizations

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, Center for Biostatistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, James Cancer Hospital, Columbus, OH, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Medical Oncology, Columbus, OH, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Columbus, OH, Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

Research Funding

Pharmaceutical/Biotech Company

Background: LAG-3 is an immune checkpoint present on NK cells, activated T cells and myeloid cells that inhibit T cell responses. Recent evidence demonstrating the safety and efficacy of LAG-3 inhibition has increased interest in this pathway for the treatment of multiple malignancies but the role in NEN is unclear. We present results from correlative peripheral blood mass cytometry (CyTOF) performed in a phase 2 trial (NCT03728361) of the combination of NIVO and TMZ in pts with advanced NEN. Methods: Patients (pts) with progressive NEN of any grade or primary location and any line of therapy were eligible. Small cell lung cancer was excluded. Clinical results from NCT03728361 will be presented in a separate abstract. Study treatment consisted of NIVO 480 mg IV every 4 weeks and TMZ 150 mg/m2 for 5 consecutive days out of a 28-day cycle. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were available from 16 out of 28 patients at screening (baseline) and cycle 1, day 15 (C1D15) and analyzed via CyTOF. Antibody labelling was performed using a 37 marker Maxpar Direct Immune Profiling Assay (Fluidigm). Immune cell populations were compared using two sample t-tests between pts with partial response (PR) and non-partial response (non-PR). Results: At screening, no differences were observed in PD-1, TIM3, or KLRG1 positive T-cell populations between pts with PR or non-PR. Patients with a PR had a significantly lower % of LAG-3 expressing T cells (p=0.029). There was a trend towards a lower % CD8+LAG-3+ T cells in pts with PR (p=0.086). At C1D15: The % of CD8+ LAG-3+ T cells were significantly higher in PRs vs. non-PR (p = 0.015). In matched samples comparing T cell populations at screening to C1D15, LAG-3+ CD8+ T cells increased significantly in PRs when compared to non-PRs (p=0.021). Conclusions: The % of LAG-3+ T cell population at baseline associates with non-response to TMZ/NIVO in NENs. Among responders, there was a significant increase in CD8+ LAG-3+ T cells by Day 15 compared to baseline indicating a potential mechanism of immune escape and eventual resistance. Clinical trial information: NCT03728361.

Percentage LAG3+ T cell population at screening and during treatment in NEN patients treated with TMZ/NIVO comparing responders (PR) and non-responders (Not PR).

Population
Total (n=16)
Not PR (n=11)
PR (n=5)
P-value
Mean (SD, min-max)

1. Screening: Total LAG-3+ (PR=5, not-PR=9)
0.6% (0.55, 0.01–1.98)
0.83% (0.55, 0.13–1.98)
0.18% (0.24, 0.01-0.6)
0.029
2. Screening: CD8+ LAG-3+ (PR=5, not-PR=9)
1.07% (1.04, 0.12-3.66)
1.42% (1.16, 0.12-3.66)
0.43%(0.18,0.14-0.61)
0.086
3. C1D15: CD8+ LAG-3+ (PR=3, not-PR=8)
0.99% (0.72, 0.19–2.57)
0.69% (0.48, 0.19- 1.42)
1.78 % (0.71, 1.2-2.57)
0.015
4.Change from screening to C1D15: CD8+ LAG-3+ (PR=3, not-PR=6)
0.46% (1, −0.7–2.13)
−0.03% (0.73, −0.7–1.3)
1.45 % (0.67, 0.8–2.13)
0.021

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2022 ASCO Annual Meeting

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Gastrointestinal Cancer—Gastroesophageal, Pancreatic, and Hepatobiliary

Track

Gastrointestinal Cancer—Gastroesophageal, Pancreatic, and Hepatobiliary

Sub Track

Neuroendocrine/Carcinoid

Clinical Trial Registration Number

NCT03728361

Citation

J Clin Oncol 40, 2022 (suppl 16; abstr 4123)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2022.40.16_suppl.4123

Abstract #

4123

Poster Bd #

109

Abstract Disclosures