A phase 2 study (DisTinGuish) of DKN-01 in combination with tislelizumab + chemotherapy as first-line (1L) therapy in patients with advanced gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma (GEA).

Authors

Samuel Klempner

Samuel J Klempner

Mass General Cancer Center, Boston, MA

Samuel J Klempner , Bassam Bassam Sonbol , Zev A. Wainberg , Hope Elizabeth Uronis , Vi Kien Chiu , Aaron James Scott , Syma Iqbal , Mohamedtaki Abdulaziz Tejani , Melissa C Stilian , Mathis Thoma , Michael Kagey , Jason Baum , Cynthia A. Sirard , Rachel A Altura , Jaffer A. Ajani

Organizations

Mass General Cancer Center, Boston, MA, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, University of California, Los Angeles, Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, The Angeles Clinic & Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ, University of Southern California, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA, AdventHealth Cancer Institute, Orlando, FL, Leap Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, Leap Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Research Funding

Pharmaceutical/Biotech Company
Leap Therapeutics

Background: DKN-01 is an anti-DKK1 mAb which has demonstrated anti-tumor activity in patients with advanced GEA with low tumor PD-L1 expression, a subset with very limited therapeutic options. DKN-01 has immunomodulatory activity, stimulates a pro-inflammatory tumor microenvironment, and upregulates PD-L1 levels. Here we present 2-year survival data for 1L advanced GEA patients who received combination treatment with DKN-01, the Fc-optimized anti-PD-1 tislelizumab, and CAPOX chemotherapy. The ORR was previously reported (68% in ITT and 79% in PD-L1-low populations). Methods: This Phase 2, multi-center, single arm Part A of the DisTinGuish (NCT04363801) study investigated DKN-01 + tislelizumab + CAPOX as 1L therapy in advanced HER2(-) GEA, regardless of DKK1 and PD-L1 expression levels. Tumor DKK1 and PD-L1 were assessed by central laboratories. The primary endpoint was ORR in a modified intent to treat population (>1 dose DKN-01); secondary endpoints included PFS and OS in the ITT population. Results: Twenty-five patients were enrolled from September 2020 to April 2021. As of 23 January 2023: Median age was 61 years (22, 80); 17 patients had GEJ adenocarcinoma; 8 had gastric cancer. Twenty-one patients had tumors with evaluable DKK1 expression. Twenty-two patients had tumors with evaluable PD-L1 expression; the majority (73%) were low expressors (vCPS <5%). Median (m) duration on treatment is 11.3 months (mo). Seven patients remain on study, with 4 on-treatment beyond 2 years. The mPFS is 11.3 mo in the overall ITT population and 10.7 mo in patients with low tumor PD-L1 expression. The mOS is 19.5 mo in the overall ITT population and 18.7 mo in the patients with low tumor PD-L1 expression. Treatment related adverse events (TRAEs) were mild with most G1/2. The most common AEs related to the study drug regimen were nausea (72%), diarrhea (64%) and fatigue (60%). Five patients experienced G3 DKN-01-TRAEs including decreased neutrophil count (1), diarrhea (1), vomiting (1), hypophosphatemia (2), and pulmonary embolism (1). Conclusions: At 2-years of follow-up, 1L treatment of advanced GEA patients with DKN-01 in combination with tislelizumab and CAPOX resulted in a prolongation of PFS and OS compared with the modern SOC regimen of nivolumab plus chemotherapy, both in the overall population (mPFS 11.3 vs 7.7 mo; mOS 19.5 vs 13.8 mo) and in the PD-L1 low subgroup (mPFS 10.7 vs 7.5 mo; mOS 18.7 vs 12.4 mo), alongside a manageable safety profile. The prolonged PFS and OS observed in the current study are notable, especially in our trial population dominated by patients with tumors of low PD-L1 expression, where the known benefit of anti-PD-1 therapy is limited. The ongoing Part C of this study is evaluating mFOLFOX6/CAPOX plus tislelizumab with or without DKN-01 in the same 1L GEA patient population. Further evaluation of biomarkers is also ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT04363801.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2023 ASCO Annual Meeting

Session Type

Poster Discussion Session

Session Title

Gastrointestinal Cancer—Gastroesophageal, Pancreatic, and Hepatobiliary

Track

Gastrointestinal Cancer—Gastroesophageal, Pancreatic, and Hepatobiliary

Sub Track

Esophageal or Gastric Cancer - Advanced/Metastatic Disease

Clinical Trial Registration Number

NCT04363801

Citation

J Clin Oncol 41, 2023 (suppl 16; abstr 4027)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.4027

Abstract #

4027

Poster Bd #

335

Abstract Disclosures