Virtual Library

Start Your Search

A. Favaretto



Author of

  • +

    Best of Posters - IASLC Selection - Part 2 (ID 263)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Exhibit Showcase Session
    • Track:
    • Presentations: 1
    • +

      P2.11-024 - Efficacy Analysis for Molecular Subgroups in MARQUEE: a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Phase 3 Trial of Tivantinib (ARQ 197) Plus Erlotinib versus Placebo plus Erlotinib in Previously Treated Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic, Non-squamous, Non- small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (ID 2909)

      09:55 - 10:25  |  Author(s): A. Favaretto

      • Abstract
      • Slides

      Background
      MARQUEE, a Phase 3 study which investigated the role of tivantinib, a c-MET inhibitor, in previously treated non-squamous NSCLC, collected EGFR and KRAS genotype on >90% of randomized patients, and MET expression was determined for 42%. In the ITT population, addition of tivantinib to erlotinib significantly improved PFS and ORR but did not show benefit in OS. Additional efficacy analyses in the pre-defined molecular subgroups are presented.

      Methods
      Patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous, EGFR inhibitor naive NSCLC previously treated with 1 or 2 lines of systemic therapy, including a platinum-doublet, were stratified by number of prior therapies, sex, smoking history, and EGFR and KRAS mutation status, then randomized to oral tivantinib (360 mg twice daily) + erlotinib (150 mg once daily) or placebo + erlotinib until disease progression. Primary endpoint was OS with one interim analysis for futility/superiority. MET was assessed centrally by IHC using CONFIRM (SP44) antibody. Based upon a stability study, tumor tissue must have been sectioned within 90 days prior to MET immunostaining to be considered reliable. MET High was pre-specified as ≥50% of tumor cells staining with 2+ or 3+ intensity.

      Results
      From 1/2011 to 7/2012, 1048 patients were randomized to tivantinib + erlotinib (TE, n=526) or placebo + erlotinib (PE, n=522). Baseline characteristics were median age = 62 years (range, 24-89), prior therapies = 1 (66%) or 2 (34%), ECOG performance status = 0 (32%) or 1 (68%), EGFR mutant (10.4%), and KRAS mutant (27.1%). In 9/2012, the data monitoring committee recommended trial discontinuation because the pre-planned interim analysis of OS crossed the futility boundary. At the 12/2012 data cutoff, median OS was 8.5 months and 7.8 months for TE and PE, respectively (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.98; 95% CI, 0.84-1.15; p = 0.81). Median PFS was 3.6 months and 1.9 months, respectively (HR = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.62-0.89; p < 0.0001). Overall response rate (ORR) improved to 10.3% for TE compared with 6.5% for PE (p < 0.05). MET expression was obtained for 445 patients. In the pre-specified, MET High subgroup (n = 211), median OS improved to 9.3 months for TE vs 5.9 months for PE (HR = 0.70; 95% CI, 0.49-1.01; p = 0.03). In the MET Low subgroup (n = 234), median OS was 8.5 months for TE and 7.7 months for PE (HR=.90, 95% CI, 0.64-1.26, p=.53). OS did not differ between treatments in KRAS wildtype (n=702), KRAS mutant (n=284), and EGFR wildtype (n=937) subgroups; OS was immature for the EGFR mutant (n=109) subgroup at the cut-off time. Consistent with ITT, PFS was increased with TE vs PE across all molecular subgroups. Common adverse events (TE vs PE, respectively) included rash (33.1% vs 37.3%), diarrhea (34.6% vs 41.0%), and asthenia/fatigue (43.5% vs 38.1%), which occurred at similar rates between treatments; neutropenia (Grade 3/4: 10.0% vs 1.0%) was more common with TE.

      Conclusion
      Tivantinib significantly improved PFS and OS in the prospectively defined MET High subgroup. Further investigation of tivantinib in MET High selected, non-squamous NSCLC is warranted.

      Only Active Members that have purchased this event or have registered via an access code will be able to view this content. To view this presentation, please login or select "Add to Cart" and proceed to checkout.

  • +

    MO06 - NSCLC - Chemotherapy I (ID 108)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Mini Oral Abstract Session
    • Track: Medical Oncology
    • Presentations: 1
    • +

      MO06.06 - Oral vinorelbine (NVBo) and cisplatin (P) or pemetrexed (Pem) and P as first-line chemotherapy for non squamous (NS) metastatic or locally advanced non small cell lung cancer (M or LA NSCLC): Final results of a prospective randomised phase II trial (NAVoTrial 1) (ID 276)

      16:15 - 17:45  |  Author(s): A. Favaretto

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background
      NVBo and P are an established regimen in advanced NSCLC. The approval of Pem and P in NS NSCLC recognises histology as treatment driver even if the higher chemosensitivity of NS NSCLC is recognised and reported with other chemotherapies (Ardizzoni. JNCI 2007). NVBo + P also showed better survival in NS NSCLC than in Squamous NSCLC (Tan. Ann.Oncol. 2009). The current randomised (2:1) phase II trial assessed disease control (DCR) (SD + PR + CR) of NVBo/CDDP or PEM/CDDP in NS NSCLC.

      Methods
      Stage IIIB/IV untreated/relapsed NS NSCLC pts were randomised to receive q3w NVBo 80 mg/m² D1D8 (60 at Cycle 1) + P 80 mg/m² D1 (Arm A) or Pem 500 mg/m² + P 75 mg/m² D1 (Arm B). After 4 cycles of combination, non PD pts received single agent NVBo (Arm A) or PEM (Arm B) as maintenance until progression or toxicity. Pts were randomised on a 2/1 basis and stratified according to Stage (IIIB - IV - relapse), non SCC confirmed by histology or cytology, gender, smoking status and centre.

      Results
      From 11/09 to 02/11, 153 patients were enrolled in 31 centers and randomised to Arm A (102 pts) or Arm B (51 pts). DCR after combination and maintenance was 75.0% (95% CI, 65.3 to 83.1) in Arm A and 76.5% (95% CI, 62.5 to 87.2) in Arm B. Median PFS was 4.2 (95% CI, 3.6 to 4.7) and 4.3 months (95% CI, 3.8 to 5.6) in Arm A and Arm B, respectively. Median OS was 10.2 months (95% CI, 7.8 to 11.9) and 10.8 months (95% CI, 7.0 to16.4) in Arm A and Arm B, respectively. During the combination period Grade 3/4 neutropenia was 44.0% in Arm A and 18.3% in Arm B but febrile neutropenia was 2% in both arms; grade 3/4 thrombopenia was 0% and 6% in Arm A and Arm B, respectively.

      Conclusion
      Both doublets reported good efficacy and acceptable tolerability. The maintenance allowed continuation of effective treatment with either oral vinorelbine or pemetrexed as single agent, with an acceptable safety with both agents. These results are sufficiently compelling to consider whether a phase III randomised non inferiority study with oral vinorelbine maintenance after induction vinorelbine/cddp could be as effective as pemetrexed maintenance. An oral maintenance may be a definite advantage over intravenous maintenance.

      Only Members that have purchased this event or have registered via an access code will be able to view this content. To view this presentation, please login, select "Add to Cart" and proceed to checkout. If you would like to become a member of IASLC, please click here.

      Only Active Members that have purchased this event or have registered via an access code will be able to view this content. To view this presentation, please login or select "Add to Cart" and proceed to checkout.

  • +

    P2.05 - Poster Session 2 - Preclinical Models of Therapeutics/Imaging (ID 158)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Biology
    • Presentations: 1
    • +

      P2.05-001 - Recombinant human Apo2L/TRAIL (Dulanermin) in combination with carboplatin/pemetrexed in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM): anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo. (ID 136)

      09:30 - 16:30  |  Author(s): A. Favaretto

      • Abstract

      Background
      Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive tumour linked to chronic inhalation of asbestos fibers, with poor prognosis and increasing incidence in industrialized countries. Currently available chemotherapeutic regimens achieve a median progression free and overall survival of 6 and 12 months respectively. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a member of the TNF family, which induces cancer cell death through extrinsic apoptotic pathway, while sparing normal cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the antitumor activity of recombinant human Apo2L/TRAIL (Dulanermin, Amgen;Genentech) in combination with antifolate-based chemotherapy in MPM cell lines and in vivo preclinical mouse model.

      Methods
      In vitro apoptosis assay was performed using Annexin-V-Fluos staining kit (Roche) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Epithelioid (ZL55) and sarcomatoid (ZL34) cell lines were treated with carboplatin plus pemetrexed (CP), dulanermin (D) or CPD and then Annexin V positive cells were detected by flow cytometry using a FACSCalibur apparatus and CellQuest software (BD Biosciences). p53 protein expression level was detected by western blot analysis using a specific antibody. TRAIL death receptors (DR4 and DR5) and decoy receptors (DcR1 and DcR2) expression levels were assessed by flow cytometric analysis. In vivo experiments were performed in 30 SCID male mice, implanted subcutaneously in the right flank with 2x10[6 ]ZL55 cells suspended in 0.1 ml volume of RPMI, aged 6 weeks. When tumor volume reached 50-150 mm[3], the mice were randomized in 4 treatment groups: 1) not treated (NT); 2) C (75 mg/Kg day 1) plus P(100 mg/Kg day 1); 3) D (60 mg/Kg days 1 to 3); 4) CPD. Tumor volumes were recorded every second day, and mice suppressed at the 21[th] day or when tumor volume reached 500 mm[3].

      Results
      We observed a significant increase of specific cell death in epithelioid and sarcomatoid cell lines treated with CPD compared to those receiving CP or D as single agent (p<0.001). We then observed p53 activation in both cell lines after chemotherapy, and a subsequent significant increase of DR4/5 expression levels (p<0.005) without upregulation of decoy receptors. We finally assessed antitumor activity of CP and/or D in a ZL55 mouse model. We observed a statistically significant reduction of tumor volume at every time point in the three treatment groups compared to not treated; moreover, tumor volume was significantly reduced in mice treated with CPD (mean volume 58 mm[3]) compared to CP (mean volume 175 mm[3]) or D (mean volume 109 mm[3]) as single agent at the 21th day (p= 0.005). Finally, no difference in tumor growth was observed between mice treated with D compared to CP.

      Conclusion
      CP sensitizes MPM cell lines to TRAIL-dependent apoptosis in vitro, probably through p53 activation and subsequent upregulation of death receptors. CPD significantly reduces tumor volume in epithelioid mesothelioma mouse model compared to chemotherapy alone or dulanermin as a single agent; furthermore antitumor activity of dulanermin was comparable to that reported with chemotherapy. In vivo experiments in a sarcomatoid mouse model are currently ongoing.

  • +

    P2.10 - Poster Session 2 - Chemotherapy (ID 207)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Medical Oncology
    • Presentations: 1
    • +

      P2.10-004 - Addition of bevacuzimab (BEV) to pemetrexed (PEM) plus cisplatin (CIS) induction and PEM maintenance therapy in 1st line setting for treatment of advanced nonsquamous non small cell lung cancer (NS-NSCLC) - final results and safety update from a phase 2 study (ID 234)

      09:30 - 16:30  |  Author(s): A. Favaretto

      • Abstract

      Background
      1st line PEM+CIS induction chemotherapy (CT) followed by PEM maintenance and 1st line BEV-based CT followed by BEV maintenance offer clinical benefit (progression-free and overall survival; PFS and OS) in NS-NSCLC. This study explored efficacy and safety of 1st line induction PEM+CIS+BEV followed by maintenance PEM+BEV.

      Methods
      Patients with advanced NS-NSCLC and ECOG performance status (PS) 0-1 were planned to receive 4 cycles PEM 500 mg/m[2], CIS 75 mg/m[2], BEV 7.5 mg/kg, given every 3 weeks. In the absence of progressive disease (PD) and in the case of ECOG PS 0-1, patients could continue on PEM+BEV until PD or unacceptable toxicity. All patients received vitamin supplementation as per PEM label. Primary endpoint was PFS; secondary endpoints included OS, response rate and toxicity. PFS without Grade (G)4 toxicity was additionally assessed.

      Results
      109 patients were enrolled in 5 countries. Characteristics: median age 61 years, males/females 59/41%, ECOG PS 0/1 54/46%, stage IIIB/IV 9/91%, adenocarcinoma 91%. 72 patients (66%) received maintenance CT. Overall median (maximum) number of cycles were 8(34) for PEM+BEV and 4(4) for CIS. Median PFS was 6.9 months (90% CI 5.7, 8.3). Table 1 summarizes efficacy data; Table 2 presents G1-4 adverse event (AE) data, including AEs of special interest regarding BEV. 2 patients died from study-drug related toxicity (GI hemorrhage, pneumonia aspiration; during induction CT). Figure 1 Figure 2

      Conclusion
      In this study of PEM+CIS+BEV induction CT followed by PEM+BEV maintenance, median PFS was 6.9 months. The addition of BEV to PEM-CIS induction and PEM maintenance was associated with acceptable and expected toxicities. Main G3/4 toxicities included neutropenia and fatigue, hypertension was less common.