A phase 1 trial of the bifunctional EGFR/TGFβ fusion protein BCA101 alone and in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Authors

Philippe Bedard

Philippe L. Bedard

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada

Philippe L. Bedard , Alberto Hernando-Calvo , Richard D. Carvajal , Van K. Morris II, Paul K. Paik , Dan Paul Zandberg , John M. Kaczmar , Liviu Niculescu , David Bohr , Ralf Reiners , Elham Gharakhani , Rachel Salazar , Sanela Bilic , Glenn J. Hanna

Organizations

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada, Vall d´Hebron Institute of Oncology, Toronto, ON, Canada, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, Bicara Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, Vanadro, LLC, Urbandale, IA, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA

Research Funding

Pharmaceutical/Biotech Company

Background: BCA101 is a first-in-class bifunctional fusion protein consisting of an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody (mAb) and TGFβ receptor 2 extracellular domain (TGFβRII-ECD). Herein, we report the safety, pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD), and preliminary efficacy data of BCA101 as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab among patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors refractory to standard therapies. Methods: Pts received BCA101 as a single agent (SA) or in combination with pembrolizumab at escalating doses in a parallel 3+3 design starting at 64 mg intravenously (IV) weekly (qw); and at 240 mg IV qw with pembrolizumab 200 mg IV q3w. Primary endpoint: safety and tolerability (CTCAE v5.0); dose limiting toxicity (DLT) period: 21 days. Secondary endpoints: overall response rate (ORR), PK/PD profile, progression-free survival (PFS), and changes in plasma and intra-tumoral TGFβ signaling assessed by SMAD2 phosphorylation. Results: As of 08-Feb-2022, 60 pts have received BCA101 (part A). Forty-five pts (colorectal, n=14; pancreatic, n=7; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma [HNSCC], n=6) received SA BCA101 at doses up to 1500 mg IV weekly. Fifteen subjects (SCC of the anal canal [SCAC], n=8; HNSCC, n=7) received BCA101 doses ranging from 240 to 1500 mg IV qw in combination with pembrolizumab. Maximum tolerated dose has not been reached. Common adverse events (AEs) attributed to BCA101 include rash (70%), fatigue (23%), pruritis and epistaxis (17% each); all grade (G)2 or less. One DLT was observed at the 1250 mg SA dose (G3 anemia, hematuria). No drug-related G4 AEs or deaths were observed. At data cutoff, best response in the SA arm was stable disease (SD) in 15/39 (39%) evaluable pts. In combination, partial response (PR) was observed in 3/11 (27%) evaluable pts (2 in SCAC, 1 in HNSCC) and a disease control rate (DCR) of 9/11 (82%). Two of 3 responders have been on study >4 months; including 1 confirmed PR in a HNSCC pt refractory to anti-PD-1 therapy and cetuximab. Saturation of the EGFR target was observed at BCA101 doses ≥750 mg. Dose proportional increase in Cmax and AUC were observed with doses of BCA101 750-1500 mg. Prolonged neutralization of plasma TGFβ1 was achieved at all doses ≥500 mg. Among paired tumor biopsies (n=23), pSMAD2 reduction up to 62% was observed at doses ≥500 mg. Conclusions: BCA101 is well tolerated and clinically active as a SA and in combination with PD-1 blockade with a predictable PK/PD profile. A recommended dose of 1500 mg both as SA and in combination has advanced to the part B expansion phase for pts with HNSCC, SCAC, and cutaneous SCC. Clinical trial information: NCT04429542.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2022 ASCO Annual Meeting

Session Type

Poster Discussion Session

Session Title

Developmental Therapeutics—Immunotherapy

Track

Developmental Therapeutics—Immunotherapy

Sub Track

Antibodies

Clinical Trial Registration Number

NCT04429542

Citation

J Clin Oncol 40, 2022 (suppl 16; abstr 2513)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2022.40.16_suppl.2513

Abstract #

2513

Poster Bd #

169

Abstract Disclosures