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A. Chiang



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    MINI 27 - Biology and Other Issues in SCLC (ID 152)

    • Event: WCLC 2015
    • Type: Mini Oral
    • Track: Small Cell Lung Cancer
    • Presentations: 1
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      MINI27.08 - NOTCH3 Protein Expression and Outcome in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) and Therapeutic Targeting with Tarextumab (Anti-Notch 2/3) (ID 2999)

      16:45 - 18:15  |  Author(s): A. Chiang

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      NOTCH expression is associated with cancer cell survival via effects on cancer stem/progenitor cells. Targeting NOTCH2 and 3 decreases growth and survival of SCLC patient-derived human tumor xenografts (PDX). Phase1b/2 trials testing Tarextumab (TRXT) anti-NOTCH2/3 therapy are underway (NCT01647828 and NCT01859741) and show promising anti-tumor activity. Here, we studied NOTCH3 protein expression using immunohistochemistry (IHC) in SCLC human tissues and correlated with survival. Also, we studied NOTCH3 gene expression in phase 1b patients (pts) treated with TRXT.

      Methods:
      For NOTCH IHC staining, murine monoclonal antibodies were generated by immunizing mice with a NOTCH3 extracellular domain (ECD) protein, then creating hybridomas. Clones were screened by FACS and western blots for specificity to NOTCH3.ECD. A lead clone was selected for NOTCH3 protein measurement in 47 SCLC samples represented in a tissue microarray from Yale Pathology Tissue Services (YPTS). NOTCH3 signal was determined in tumors using H-scores generated by Leica Aperio Scanscope IHC membrane image analysis. For survival analysis, NOTCH3 signal was binarized with cutoffs defined by X-tile software. For the phase 1b clinical trial, a standard 3+3 dose escalation design was employed with cohorts of 3 to 6 pts treated at each dose level. TRXT was given IV on Day 1 of each 21 day cycle with etoposide 100 mg/m[2] (Days 1-3) and cisplatin 80 mg/m[2 ]or carboplatin at AUC 5 (Day 1) for 6 cycles, followed by TRXT alone every 21 days until progression of disease or unacceptable toxicities. Then, the MTD TRXT plus etoposide and carboplatin was confirmed in a cohort of 6 subjects. All pts are required to submit tissues for Notch 3 gene expression and IHC staining.

      Results:
      A single hybridoma clone demonstrating specific reproducible membranous staining with a dynamic range for NOTCH3.ECD in control and PDX tissues was chosen for IHC analysis in SCLC human FFPE tissues (n=47). Forty cases (85.1%) demonstrated NOTCH3 signal, with eighteen (38.3%) having none to very low signal. Of the 31 cases with adequate follow-up, there was a strong trend with worse outcome and high NOTCH3 expression in the extensive stage (p=0.063), but not in limited stage (p=0.857). The level of significance was a function of the experimental cut-point and can only be considered exploratory. Finally, 27 pts were treated with TRXT in the phase 1b trial, with an overall response rate of 84%. The median duration of treatment was 128 days (6 cycles) with mPFS and mOS of 124 and 228 days, respectively. The median follow-up for PFS and OS was 86 and 107 days, respectively. Twenty-five pts have tissues evaluable for NOTCH3 gene expression and the analysis is underway.

      Conclusion:
      NOTCH3 IHC staining showed expression in most SCLC cases, with high NOTCH3 trending towards worse survival in extensive stage. This supports the rationale of targeting NOTCH3 by TXRT in SCLC pts. Further evaluation of the prognostic and predictive value of TRXT for anti-Notch therapies in SCLC is underway in an ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial.

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    ORAL 31 - PD1 Axis Inhibition (ID 143)

    • Event: WCLC 2015
    • Type: Oral Session
    • Track: Treatment of Advanced Diseases - NSCLC
    • Presentations: 1
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      ORAL31.07 - A Phase II Trial of Pembrolizumab for Untreated Brain Metastases from Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (ID 824)

      16:45 - 18:15  |  Author(s): A. Chiang

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      Patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) often develop brain metastases (BrMs), and standard therapy such as surgery or radiation can cause toxicity and delay systemic treatment. Pembrolizumab is a PD-1 inhibitor with promising clinical activity and a favorable toxicity profile in patients with advanced NSCLC, however the efficacy of pembrolizumab in the central nervous system (CNS) is unknown. This trial aims to determine the safety and activity of pembrolizumab in patients with advanced NSCLC and untreated brain metastases.

      Methods:
      Eligibility for patients with NSCLC in this Phase II trial includes the presence of at least 1 BrM between 5 and 20 mm that is asymptomatic, untreated or progressing after prior local therapy, and not requiring urgent local therapy. PD-L1 expression in tumor obtained since the most recent systemic therapy is required. Patients are treated with pembrolizumab 10mg/kg every 2 weeks. Systemic response is determined by RECIST 1.1, and BrM response is determined by modified RECIST (mRECIST) in which brain lesions ≥ 5mm are considered measurable and up to 5 target lesions are allowed. The primary endpoint of this trial is BrM response rate.

      Results:
      Fifteen patients with NSCLC and untreated BrMs were treated with pembrolizumab, none of whom had a drug-related Grade ≥ 3 adverse event (AE) or any grade AE attributed to BrMs. Of the 10 patients evaluable for response, 5 (50% with 95% CI: 0.24-0.76) had a BrM response (4 partial and 1 complete) and 5 had a systemic response. Only one patient who responded in the body had progressive disease in the brain; all other patients who had a systemic response also had a CNS response. The duration of response in the brain was at least 12 weeks for 4 of the 5 responders, and all responses are ongoing at the time of data analysis.

      Conclusion:
      To our knowledge this is the first study to demonstrate that the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab has activity in the CNS in patients with NSCLC and untreated brain metastases. To date there have been no drug-related neurologic or significant toxicity identified. Patient enrollment and biomarker analysis are ongoing.

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