Etavopivat, an Allosteric Activator of Pyruvate Kinase-R, Improves Sickle RBC Functional Health and Survival and Reduces Systemic Markers of Inflammation and Hypercoagulability in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Analysis of Exploratory Studies in a Phase 1 Study

Abstract The hallmark of sickle cell disease (SCD) is polymerization of deoxygenated hemoglobin S (HbS), resulting in red blood cell (RBC) sickling, oxidative and membrane damage, hemolysis, vaso-occlusion, and end-organ damage. Exacerbating the pathogenesis of SCD, the sickle RBC (sRBC) has increased 2,3-DPG levels with decreased oxygen (O 2) affinity (increased P 50) and decreased ATP. Etavopivat, a small molecule activator of erythrocyte pyruvate kinase (PKR), increases PKR activity, resulting in decreased 2,3-DPG levels and increased ATP levels in RBCs. In a Phase 1 study in patients with SCD [NCT03815695], etavopivat significantly improved anemia and hemolysis after 2 weeks of treatment (Brown et al. Blood 2020). To evaluate the potential of etavopivat to reduce vaso-occlusive crises, exploratory studies were conducted to characterize the sRBC specific (intrinsic) and systemic effects of PKR activation. Patients with SCD received once daily etavopivat 300 or 600 mg for 2 weeks or 400 mg for up to 12 weeks. Peripheral blood was collected prior to treatment (ie, baseline), on treatment and 7-28 days post treatment. Studies to assess the sRBC intrinsic effects of PKR activation included evaluation of RBC parameters and reticulocyte counts (ADVIA ®), membrane deformability (Lorrca ®), enzyme function studies, and membrane markers by flow cytometry. Studies to assess the systemic effects of PKR activation included markers of coagulation, inflammation, and hypoxia in the 12-week cohort only. As of May 24, 2021, 15 patients who completed the 2-week dose cohorts and 7 patients treated in the 12-week dose cohort were evaluable for this analysis. The intrinsic effects of etavopivat on the sRBCs of patients receiving 2 weeks of treatment are summarized in Table 1. Etavopivat significantly increased Hb and reduced reticulocytes, including immature reticulocytes (CD71 +), suggesting that an etavopivat-mediated increase in sRBC lifespan is accompanied by a decrease in erythropoietic stress. In addition, etavopivat reduced 2,3-DPG levels thereby increasing HbS O 2 affinity (decreased P 50) resulting in a significant shift in the point of sickling (PoS) to a lower partial O 2 pressure. The deformability (EI max) of the sRBCs as measured by oxygenscan and osmoscan was significantly improved with etavopivat treatment, consistent with reduced membrane damage due to decreased HbS polymerization and improved membrane repair enabled by increased ATP production, collectively improving the health of the sRBC membrane. This improvement in membrane health was further supported by a significant reduction in the external expression of phosphatidylserine (PS) following etavopivat treatment. Finally, etavopivat significantly improved enzymatic activity not only of PKR but also superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase, enzymes involved in reducing oxidative stress in sRBCs. This suggests that etavopivat-treated sRBCs may have an improved ability to inhibit and repair damage caused by reactive O 2 species, thereby improving overall sRBC health and function. Initial results on the effect of etavopivat on systemic biomarkers that are commonly elevated in SCD are shown in Table 2. In patients receiving etavopivat 400 mg once daily for up to 12 weeks, tumor necrosis factor-a and prothrombin 1.2, as systemic markers of inflammation and hypercoagulability, respectively, showed a significant decrease compared with baseline. Furthermore, a trend towards reduced erythropoietin levels suggests that etavopivat treatment may reduce tissue hypoxia. Patients with SCD treated with etavopivat for at least 2 weeks demonstrated a significant increase in RBC membrane deformability and improved antioxidant capacity that resulted in increased sRBC survival and decreased anemia. The reduced reticulocyte count and lowered PS surface membrane expression suggest that etavopivat-treated sRBC may have reduced adhesive properties and may thus be less likely to promote vaso-occlusion. Initial studies evaluating the downstream effects of up to 12 weeks of etavopivat treatment once daily provided evidence for a reduction in markers of inflammation and hypercoagulability, with improved O 2 delivery capacity. These initial results suggest that the multimodal effects of decreased 2,3-DPG and increased ATP by PKR activation with etavopivat may have an impact on both the anemia and vaso-occlusive events that characterize SCD. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Kalfa: Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Other: Steering Committee, Research Funding; FORMA Therapeutics, Inc: Research Funding. Telen: GlycoMimetics, Inc.: Consultancy; Novartis, Inc.: Other: Data Safety Monitoring Board; Forma Therapeutics, Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding; CSL Behring, Inc.: Research Funding; Doris Duke Charitable Foundation: Research Funding; National Institutes of Health: Research Funding. Saraf: Global Blood Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding. Brown: Novo Nordisk: Consultancy; Imara: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Global Blood Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Forma Therapeutics: Research Funding. Larkin: Forma Therapeutics, Inc.: Research Funding. Ribadeneira: Forma Therapeutics, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Schroeder: Forma Therapeutics, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Wu: Forma Therapeutics, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Kelly: Forma Therapeutics, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Kuypers: Forma Therapeutics, Inc.: Research Funding.

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A Phase 1 Study of NKX019, a CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor Natural Killer (CAR NK) Cell Therapy, in Subjects with B-Cell Malignancies

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2021-146602 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 3868-3868

Author(s):

Michael Dickinson ◽

Nada Hamad ◽

Christian E Bryant ◽

Gautam Borthakur ◽

Chitra Hosing ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cell ◽

B Cell ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Publicly Traded ◽

Phase 1 Study ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Car T

Abstract Background: B-cell lineage cancers are a worldwide healthcare burden. Over 500,000 new cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and 50,000 new cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are diagnosed world-wide each year (seer.cancer.gov, Smith 2015, Solomon 2017). Despite progress in treatment, many patients diagnosed with this heterogeneous group of cancers still succumb to their disease. Recently approved autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells specific for CD19 have altered the treatment landscape for some patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) B-cell malignancies, though significant toxicities associated with T-cell expansion and the necessity for bespoke manufacturing have limited their use. Natural killer (NK) cells, part of the innate immune system, efficiently recognize transformed cells and are particularly suited to address limitations of the approved CAR T products (Marcus 2014, Morvan 2016). Lacking a T-cell receptor and the consequent clonal expansion, non-engineered NK cells have been safely administered after lymphodepletion without side effects typically associated with T-cell therapies, such as severe cytokine release syndrome or neurotoxicity (Bachier 2020). Allogeneic NK cell-based therapies allow off-the-shelf use, obviating the necessity to wait for manufacture of autologous T-cell therapies. CD19-directed CAR NK cells have been administered safely, with promising preliminary efficacy (Liu 2020). NKX019 is a cryopreserved product, composed of expanded NK cells engineered to express a humanized CAR against CD19, fused to co-stimulatory (OX40) and signaling (CD3ζ) domains to enhance their intrinsic antitumor activity. NKX019 also expresses a membrane-bound interleukin-15 (IL-15) to serve as an autocrine growth factor and thereby increase NKX019 persistence, with an in vivo half-life of over up to 28 days without systemic IL-2 support. Preclinical characterization has shown that NKX019 cells are 10 times more effective at killing CD19+ target cells than non-engineered NK cells, resulting in greater suppression of xenograft tumor models (Morisot 2020). Further, NKX019, unlike CD19 CAR T cells, retained cytotoxicity even when CD19 antigen density was reduced >50x on target cells. Hence, clinical evaluation of NKX019 is being undertaken in this Phase 1 study in subjects with R/R NHL or ALL. Methods: This is a multicenter, open-label, Phase 1 study of NKX019 (Figure). The study will be conducted in 2 parts: Part 1 (dose finding) to determine the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of NKX019 separately in adult patients with CAR T naïve R/R NHL or B-ALL, utilizing a "3+3" enrollment schema. Part 2 (dose expansion) will further evaluate safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), immunogenicity, pharmacodynamics (PDn), and antitumor activity of NKX019 using RP2D with separate expansion cohorts for patients with ALL as well as different subtypes of NHL, including a cohort of CAR T pretreated large B-cell lymphoma. NKX019 is being manufactured from NK cells obtained from healthy adult donors. The study evaluates two dose levels of NKX019: 3 × 10 8 and 1 × 10 9 viable CAR+ NK cells. NKX019 will be administered on Days 0, 7, and 14 of a 28-day cycle following standard fludarabine/cyclophosphamide lymphodepletion (Table). Up to 5 total cycles may be administered based on response and tolerability assessed at the end of each cycle. The primary endpoint is incidence of adverse events, dose-limiting toxicities, clinically significant laboratory abnormalities, and determination of the RP2D. Secondary endpoints include evaluation of standard cellular PK parameters, PDn, immunogenicity, and antitumor responses. Subjects will be assessed for efficacy using disease-specific criteria: Lugano classification with LYRIC refinement for pseudo-progression (NHL), 2018 International Workshop (IW) criteria (CLL), 6th IW criteria (Waldenström macroglobulinemia [WM]), and National Comprehensive Cancer Version 1.2020 (B-ALL) (Cheson 2006, Cheson 2014, Hallek 2018, Owen 2013, Brown 2020). Enrollment across multiple sites in the US and Australia is expected to start in the second half of 2021. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Dickinson: Celgene: Research Funding; Gilead Sciences: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; MSD: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: travel, accommodation, expenses, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Hamad: Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Bryant: Jansen, BMS/Celgene, Skyline Diagnostics: Consultancy; Amgen: Honoraria. Borthakur: Astex: Research Funding; University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center: Current Employment; Protagonist: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GSK: Consultancy; Ryvu: Research Funding; ArgenX: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Hosing: Nkarta Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Shook: Nkarta Therapeutics: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Tan: Nkarta Therapeutics: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Rajangam: Nkarta Therapeutics: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Liu: SITC: Honoraria; BMS; Karyopharm; Miltenyi: Research Funding; Agios; NGM Biopharmaceuticals; BeiGene: Consultancy. McSweeney: Kite-Gilead: Consultancy; Kite-Gilead, Autolus, Novartis: Research Funding; Kite-Gilead: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Hill: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Epizyme: Consultancy, Honoraria; AstraZenica: Consultancy, Honoraria; Beigene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Kite, a Gilead Company: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel Support, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte/Morphysis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Gentenech: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene (BMS): Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.

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A Phase 1, Open-Label, Multicenter Study of HMPL-306 in Advanced Hematological Malignancies with Isocitrate Dehydrogenase (IDH) Mutations

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2021-145636 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 4438-4438

Author(s):

Anu Doraiswamy ◽

Vijayvel Jayaprakash ◽

Marek Kania ◽

Marjo Hahka-Kemppinen ◽

Zhao Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Research Funding ◽

Hematological Malignancies ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Objective Response ◽

Publicly Traded ◽

Open Label ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Once Daily ◽

Idh Mutations ◽

Duration Of Response

Abstract Background: Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) is a rate-limiting tricarboxylic acid cycle enzyme with 3 isoforms. Mutations in IDH1 and IDH2 result in gain-of-function activity that can result in tumor formation and/or progression and have been associated with various different tumor types. Selective, single mutant IDH (mIDH) isotype inhibitors (for either mIDH1 or mIDH2) have demonstrated only a modest efficacy benefit and a potential for tumor resistance. HMPL-306 is an innovative, small-molecule, orally available, highly selective, and potent inhibitor of both mIDH1 and mIDH2, with the potential to provide durable clinical benefit for patients (pts) with hematological malignancies with IDH mutations. Study Design and Methods: This is a phase 1, open-label, dose escalation (Part 1) and dose expansion (Part 2) study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and preliminary efficacy of HMPL-306 in pts ≥18 years of age with advanced relapsed, refractory, or resistant hematological malignancies that harbor IDH mutations (or co-mutation) (NCT04764474). Major exclusion criteria include pts who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation within 60 days of first dose. HMPL-306 will be administered orally once daily in a 28-day continuous dosing treatment cycle. The HMPL-306 dose will be escalated according to the modified toxicity probability interval-2 design in 4 cohorts in approximately 12 to 15 pts: 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg (oral, once daily) in Part 1. The primary objectives are to evaluate the safety, dose limiting toxicities, tolerability, maximum tolerated dose, and the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of HMPL-306. Pts in Part 2 will be enrolled at the RP2D to further characterize the safety, tolerability, PK, PD, and preliminary anti-tumor activities of HMPL-306 in approximately 60 pts. Part 2 will include 4 dose expansion cohorts with approximately 15 pts each who have received at least 2 prior lines of therapy: acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasm, angio-immunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, and other mIDH-positive hematological malignancies. All pts who receive any study treatment will be included in the safety and efficacy analyses. Antitumor activity based on investigator-assessed overall response will be evaluated using descriptive analyses, and objective response rate will be calculated with 95% confidence interval using the Clopper-Pearson method. The Kaplan-Meier method will be used to summarize the time-to-event data, such as progression-free survival and duration of response. No statistical hypothesis testing is planned. Safety endpoints will include dose limiting toxicities, treatment emergent adverse event and serious adverse events. Efficacy endpoints will include objective response rate, time to response, and duration of response. Disclosures Jayaprakash: HUTCHMED, Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months; Astrazeneca: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Kania: HUTCHMED: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Hahka-Kemppinen: HUTCHMED: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Eli Lilly: Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company. Yang: HUTCHMED: Current Employment. Rudinski: HUTCHMED: Current Employment. Ravandi: Taiho: Honoraria, Research Funding; Prelude: Research Funding; Syros Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Xencor: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; AstraZeneca: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Astex: Honoraria, Research Funding; Jazz: Honoraria, Research Funding; Agios: Honoraria, Research Funding; AbbVie: Honoraria, Research Funding.

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A Phase 1 Study of LY3410738, a First-in-Class Covalent Inhibitor of Mutant IDH in Advanced Myeloid Malignancies (Trial in Progress)

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2020-134307 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 26-26

Author(s):

Eytan M. Stein ◽

Marina Konopleva ◽

Raymond Gilmour ◽

Anna M Szpurka ◽

Elizabeth Hill ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Board Of Directors ◽

Standard Therapy ◽

Research Funding ◽

Hematologic Malignancy ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Publicly Traded ◽

Phase 1 Study ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Myeloid Malignancies ◽

Covalent Inhibitor

Background: Mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/2 (mIDH) are collectively found in up to 20% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Reversible inhibitors of IDH1 (ivosidenib) and IDH2 (enasidenib) are currently approved and achieve response rates of ~40%, with median duration of response of <1 year in the approved relapsed AML setting. Among patients who relapse, restoration of the 2-HG oncometabolite may be mediated by IDH second site mutations or isoform switching. LY3410738 is a potent, selective, and covalent inhibitor of IDH1-R132. LY3410738 is differentiated from prior IDH inhibitors by 1) its unique covalent binding mode, 2) its increased potency against IDH1-R132, and 3) its unique binding site outside of the dimer interface, which enables continued potency in the setting of known common second site IDH mutations. This trial will investigate the activity of LY3410738 in patients with hematologic malignancies harboring mIDH. Study Design and Methods: This is an open-label, multicenter, global Phase 1 study of oral LY3410738 in relapsed or refractory (R/R) mIDH myeloid malignancies. Enrollment will begin in patients with IDH1-R132 mutations. Key eligibility criteria (in addition to the IDH-R132 mutation) include at least 18 years of age, diagnosis of AML or high risk MDS or other R/R hematologic malignancy, ECOG PS ≤2, and adequate organ function. Key exclusion criteria include a history of hematopoietic stem cell transplant or CAR-T therapy within 60 days of first LY3410738 dose. Primary objectives of the study are to determine the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) and to assess the preliminary anti-tumor activity of LY3410738 based on overall response rate using modified 2017 ELN recommendations (for AML) or modified IWG Response Criteria (for MDS). Secondary objectives include evaluating safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics (expressed by changes in 2-HG levels in plasma). Dose escalation will follow a 3+3 design, allowing for patient backfill to dose levels cleared that are predicted to achieve therapeutic exposures. Each cycle will be 28 days (4 weeks). Once the RP2D is determined, patients will be enrolled into one of 4 dose expansion cohorts based on IDH mutation, myeloid malignancy, and prior therapy, including reversible IDH inhibitors. Cohort 1 will enroll patients with R/R AML harboring an IDH1-R132 mutation who have received standard therapy, including a prior IDH inhibitor. Cohort 2 will enroll patients with R/R AML harboring an IDH1-R132 mutation who have received standard therapy, excluding a prior IDH inhibitor. Cohort 3 will enroll patients with R/R MDS, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) or other advanced hematologic malignancy harboring an IDH1-R132 mutation who have received standard therapy. Based on preliminary preclinical activity of LY3410738 in mutant IDH2 assays, Cohort 4 will enroll patients with R/R AML, MDS, CMML, or other advanced hematologic malignancy harboring IDH2 mutations who have received standard therapy. Approximately 80 patients (20 patients per cohort) will be enrolled in the 4 exp cohorts. The study is planned to enroll patients in late 2020. Disclosures Stein: Genentech: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Bayer: Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Celgene Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Agios Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Syndax: Consultancy, Research Funding; Syros: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Biotheryx: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; PTC Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Daiichi-Sankyo: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Astellas Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Konopleva:Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Ascentage: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Research Funding; Reata Pharmaceutical Inc.;: Patents & Royalties: patents and royalties with patent US 7,795,305 B2 on CDDO-compounds and combination therapies, licensed to Reata Pharmaceutical; F. Hoffmann La-Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Forty-Seven: Consultancy, Research Funding; Ablynx: Research Funding; Kisoji: Consultancy; Eli Lilly: Research Funding; Cellectis: Research Funding; Rafael Pharmaceutical: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy; Calithera: Research Funding; Agios: Research Funding; Stemline Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding. Gilmour:Eli Lilly and Company/Loxo Oncology at Lilly: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Szpurka:Eli Lilly and Company/Loxo Oncology at Lilly: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Hill:Eli Lilly and Company/Loxo Oncology at Lilly: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Medical University of South Carolina: Ended employment in the past 24 months, Other: grants to institution and honoraria for various activities from NIH, ASCO, AACR. No longer receiving funding or honoraria, Research Funding. Ward:Eli Lilly and Company/Loxo Oncology at Lilly: Consultancy, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; CTI Biopharma: Consultancy; InClin Inc.: Consultancy; Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Oasis Clinical Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in private company. Kantarjian:BMS: Research Funding; Abbvie: Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; Actinium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; BioAscend: Honoraria; Adaptive biotechnologies: Honoraria; Aptitute Health: Honoraria; Jazz: Research Funding; Immunogen: Research Funding; Daiichi-Sankyo: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Oxford Biomedical: Honoraria; Ascentage: Research Funding; Delta Fly: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding. Dinardo:AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; ImmuneOnc: Honoraria; Agios: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Calithera: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Research Funding; Notable Labs: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Honoraria.

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A Phase 1 Study of Milademetan in Combination with Quizartinib in Patients with Newly Diagnosed (ND) or Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) FLT3-ITD Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-122585 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 1389-1389 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Naval G. Daver ◽

Weiguo Zhang ◽

Richard Graydon ◽

Vikas K Dawra ◽

Jingdong Xie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Wild Type ◽

Phase 1 Study ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Once Daily ◽

Flt3 Inhibitor ◽

Equity Ownership ◽

Mdm2 Inhibitor

Background: FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) mutations occur in ≈ 25% of patients with AML and are associated with poor prognosis. Quizartinib is a once-daily, oral, highly potent and selective FLT3 inhibitor. In the phase 3 QuANTUM-R trial (NCT02039726; Cortes et al. Lancet Oncol 2019), quizartinib prolonged overall survival compared with salvage chemotherapy in patients with R/R FLT3-ITD AML. Murine double minute 2 (MDM2), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, negatively regulates the p53 tumor suppressor and has been shown to be upregulated in patients with AML; TP53 mutations in AML are infrequent except within complex karyotypes. Milademetan, a novel and specific MDM2 inhibitor, showed activity in an ongoing phase 1 trial in patients with AML or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) [DiNardo et al. ASH 2016, abstract 593]. Preclinical studies have shown that quizartinib plus milademetan may act synergistically to target FLT3-ITD and restore p53 activity in FLT3-ITD/TP53 wild-type AML [Andreeff et al. ASH 2018, abstract 2720]. Targeting MDM2 may restore p53 activity in cell signaling pathways altered by FLT3-ITD in patients with wild-type TP53 AML. Methods: This open-label, 2-part, phase 1 study (NCT03552029) evaluates quizartinib in combination with milademetan in patients with FLT3-ITD AML. Key inclusion criteria comprise a diagnosis of FLT3-ITD AML (de novo or secondary to MDS) and adequate renal, hepatic, and clotting functions. Key exclusion criteria include acute promyelocytic leukemia, prior treatment with a MDM2 inhibitor, QTcF interval > 450 ms, significant cardiovascular disease, and unresolved toxicities from prior therapies. Dose-escalation (part 1) comprises patients with R/R AML. In part 1, quizartinib will be administered once daily in 28-day cycles, at 3 proposed levels (30, 40, and 60 mg) with appropriate dose modifications based on QTcF monitoring and concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors. Milademetan will be administered on days 1-14 of each 28-day cycle, at 3 proposed levels (90, 120, and 160 mg). Dose escalation will be guided by modified continual reassessment with overdose control. The primary objectives of part 1 are to evaluate the safety and tolerability, optimum dosing schedule, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), and recommended dosing for the expansion (RDE) cohort. Dose expansion (part 2) comprises a cohort of patients with R/R FLT3-ITD AML who have not received > 1 salvage therapy and not received > 1 prior FLT3 inhibitor, and a second cohort including ND patients with FLT3-ITD AML who are unfit for intensive chemotherapy. Patients in part 2 will be treated with quizartinib plus milademetan at the RDE doses identified in part 1. The objectives of part 2 are to confirm the safety and tolerability of quizartinib plus milademetan at RDE and identify the recommended phase 2 dose. Pharmacokinetics and preliminary assessment of efficacy are also being evaluated as secondary outcomes. Pharmacodynamic and biomarker assessments such as leukemic stem cell numbers, STAT5 downstream signaling, minimal residual disease measured by flow cytometry, and gene mutations will be evaluated as exploratory endpoints. Approximately 24 to 36 dose-limiting toxicity-evaluable patients are needed in part 1 to determine the MTDs and the RDE; approximately 40 patients per cohort will be treated at the RDE in part 2. This study is currently recruiting at multiple sites in the United States for part 1; recruitment for part 2 may be expanded to additional sites worldwide as necessary. Disclosures Daver: Jazz: Consultancy; Glycomimetics: Research Funding; Immunogen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Forty-Seven: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Servier: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Agios: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Research Funding; Otsuka: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Hanmi Pharm Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astellas: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sunesis: Consultancy, Research Funding; NOHLA: Research Funding. Graydon:Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.: Employment. Dawra:Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.: Employment; Pfizer Inc: Employment. Xie:Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.: Employment. Kumar:Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Andreeff:Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.: Consultancy, Patents & Royalties: Patents licensed, royalty bearing, Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; AstaZeneca: Consultancy; 6 Dimensions Capital: Consultancy; Reata: Equity Ownership; Aptose: Equity Ownership; Eutropics: Equity Ownership; Senti Bio: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Oncoceutics: Equity Ownership; Oncolyze: Equity Ownership; Breast Cancer Research Foundation: Research Funding; CPRIT: Research Funding; NIH/NCI: Research Funding; Center for Drug Research & Development: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Cancer UK: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NCI-CTEP: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; German Research Council: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Leukemia Lymphoma Society: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NCI-RDCRN (Rare Disease Cliln Network): Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; CLL Foundation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BiolineRx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

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Pharmacokinetic / Pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) Simulations Guide Selection of the Dose for Administration of Efgartigimod Subcutaneously in a Phase 3 Clinical Trial in Patients with Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2021-153261 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 3165-3165

Author(s):

Waleed Ghanima ◽

Vickie McDonald ◽

Shivi Jain ◽

Monica Carpenedo ◽

Esther N. Oliva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Immune Thrombocytopenia ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Advisory Board ◽

Phase 2 ◽

Publicly Traded ◽

Phase 1 Study ◽

Phase 3 ◽

Advisory Committees

Abstract Introduction Efgartigimod (ARGX-113) is a human IgG1-derived Fc fragment that binds with high affinity to FcRn in a pH dependent way, resulting in a blockade of FcRn-mediated recycling of IgGs. This leads to rapid degradation of all IgGs, including disease associated autoantibodies. The efficacy, safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) profile of intravenously (IV) administered efgartigimod have been assessed during a Phase 1 study in healthy subjects (Ulrichts P. JCI. 2018;128), Phase 2 studies in patients with Myasthenia gravis (MG) (Howard JF. Neurol. 2019;92) and Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) (Newland AC. Am J Hematol. 2020;95:178-187), and a Phase 3 study in MG (Howard JF. Lancet Neurol. 2021;20). These studies have demonstrated that a dose of 10 mg/kg efgartigimod, administered in four weekly (qw) IV infusions, achieves close to maximal immunoglobulin G (IgG) reduction and a significant reduction of pathogenic autoantibodies in patients with ITP and MG. Furthermore, this dose was well-tolerated in all populations. Based on the results of the Phase 2 study in Primary ITP, a Phase 3 study was designed for IV administration in patients with persistent or chronic primary ITP (ADVANCE NCT04188379). To allow for a convenient SC administration of efgartigimod at a dose that achieves a similar PD effect comparable to IV 10 mg/kg, a co-formulation with rHuPH20 SC was developed (recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20, an enzyme used to increase the dispersion and absorption of co-administered substances when administered subcutaneously). Here we describe the dose selection process for the SC dose to be used in a Phase 3 study of patients with persistent or chronic ITP. Methods PK and PD data from a Phase 1 study, including 32 healthy adult male subjects receiving 750 mg, 1250 mg, 1750 mg, or 10 mg/kg single SC injections of efgartigimod co-mixed with rHuPH20 (8 subjects/dose group), were used for a PK/PD analysis to predict the efgartigimod PH20 SC dose that would result in a similar PD effect compared to the benchmark dose from previous studies of 10 mg/kg IV (1 hour infusion and body weight of 70 kg). Results Weekly SC administration of 1000 mg efgartigimod co-mixed with 2000 U/mL rHuPH20 was predicted to result in comparable maximum total IgG reduction after the 4 th SC injection (days 22-29) as after the 4 th IV infusion of 10 mg/kg administered qw (Figure 1). Additionally, the area under the curve for total IgG concentration after the 4th dose (days 22-29) and trough IgG reduction (measured prior to dose on day 29) were predicted to be comparable between weekly 1000 mg SC and the weekly 10 mg/kg IV benchmark dose. No statistically significant effect of body weight on the PK and PD of efgartigimod PH20 SC was found. Discussion These results informed the weekly SC dose administration schedule in ADVANCE SC, a Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial (NCT04687072) for evaluation of efficacy and safety of efgartigimod PH20 SC in adults with persistent or chronic primary ITP. Efgartigimod PH20 SC or placebo PH20 SC will be given weekly on visits 1-4 and then either weekly or every other week from visits 5 to 16, as determined by platelet counts. The frequency of administration will remain unchanged for the last 7 weeks (visits 17 to 24) to evaluate the sustainable platelet count improvement as the primary objective. Secondary objectives include extent of disease control (overall platelet count response, use of rescue treatment, and changes in concurrent ITP therapy), bleeding events, and quality of life assessments. ADVANCE SC recruitment is currently ongoing across approximately 70 sites in Asia-Pacific, Europe, Japan, Latin America, Middle East, Africa, and USA. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Ghanima: Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Principia: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding. McDonald: Bayer, Sobi, Novartis, Amgen, argenx: Honoraria; Grifols: Research Funding. Jain: GBT: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Argenx: Other: advisory board; Sanofi: Other: advisory board; DOVA: Other: advisory board. Oliva: Novartis, Celgene, Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Daiichi: Consultancy; Alexion, argenx, Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Hultberg: argenx: Current Employment, Patents & Royalties. Gandini: argenx: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Divested equity in a private or publicly-traded company in the past 24 months. Hofman: argenx: Current Employment. Van Bragt: Curare Consulting BV: Other: Partner; argenx: Consultancy. Parys: argenx: Current Employment. van Hoorick: argenx: Current Employment. Miyakawa: Sanofi: Consultancy; Zenyaku Kogyo: Consultancy; Sanofi: Research Funding; argenx: Consultancy, Research Funding. Broome: Alexion, argenx, Apellis, Sanofi: Honoraria.

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Phase 1 Study of Tabalumab, a Human Anti-BAFF Antibody and Bortezomib in Patients with Previously-Treated Multiple Myeloma

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v120.21.447.447 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 120 (21) ◽

pp. 447-447 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Noopur Raje ◽

Edward Anthony Faber ◽

Paul G. Richardson ◽

Gary J. Schiller ◽

Raymond J. Hohl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Median Number ◽

Phase 1 Study ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Baseline Serum ◽

Lower Baseline ◽

Previously Treated

Abstract Abstract 447 Background: Tabalumab, a human mAb that neutralizes membrane-bound and soluble B cell activating factor (BAFF), has demonstrated both anti-myeloma activity and osteoclastogenesis inhibition in xenograft models of multiple myeloma (MM). We initially conducted a Phase 1 study with the combination of tabalumab and bortezomib in previously-treated MM patients who were not refractory to bortezomib. The results from the dose escalation (Part A) have been previously reported, where a tabalumab dose of 100 mg was selected based on several factors, most notably the stabilization of the peak to trough concentration ratio. The cohort expansion (Part B) has since completed enrollment, and we now report the preliminary results for the entire study. Methods: The primary objective was to identify a safe and potentially efficacious dose of tabalumab to be combined with bortezomib. Bortezomib was given in a standard biweekly fashion, 1.3 mg/m2 IV on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 of a 21 day cycle, and tabalumab at 1, 10, 30, 100, or 300 mg (Part A) or 100 mg (Part B) IV (30 min) on day 1 in Cycles 1 – 3, 5, and 7. The study was later amended to include dexamethasone to assess safety, and 12 patients received dexamethasone in combination with bortezomib and tabalumab. Response was assessed per IMWG criteria and adverse events per CTCAE v3.0. Pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) samples were obtained throughout the study, including BAFF, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, VEGF, and TNF-alpha. Results: Forty-eight patients were enrolled to the study; 20 to dose escalation (Part A) and 28 to cohort expansion (Part B). The median age was 65.7 years and 56% were women. The median number of prior therapies was 3 (range 1–10). All patients received either bortezomib or an IMiD; 75% received prior bortezomib and 88% received prior IMiD therapy. The median number of cycles was 5.5 (range 1–28). Grade 3/4 toxicities occurring in two or more patients included peripheral sensory neuropathy, pneumonia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, diarrhea, musculoskeletal pain, renal failure acute, fatigue, anemia, neuralgia, and gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Most patients discontinued treatment due to progressive disease or adverse events (neuropathy, neuralgia, fatigue, and thrombocytopenia). Two patients died during study participation - one during treatment from acute respiratory distress syndrome and another during follow-up from multiple myeloma. Confirmed responses included 2 complete responses, 4 very good partial responses, and 16 partial responses. Response associated with lower baseline serum BAFF or IL-6 levels, independent of the tabalumab dose. Also, response in patients treated with tabalumab 100 mg appeared to associate with lower baseline serum levels of IL-10 and undetectable TNF-alpha. With 14 patients censored, the TTP was 4.9 months (95% CI: 4 – 8). With 6 patients censored, the median response duration was 7.3 months (95% CI: 3.5 – 13.9). Conclusions: A 100 mg dose of tabalumab in combination with bortezomib was well tolerated; 22 patients achieved a PR or better despite prior bortezomib and/or IMiD therapy. Response correlated with lower baseline serum BAFF levels, supporting the hypothesis that a higher dose of tabalumab should be evaluated. A three-arm study randomizing patients to the combination(s) of bortezomib, dexamethasone, and tabalumab 100 mg vs. tabalumab 300mg vs. placebo is currently enrolling. Disclosures: Raje: Onyx: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Millennium: Consultancy; Acetylon: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Eli-Lilly: Research Funding. Richardson:Johnson & Johnson: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millennium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Schiller:Eli Lilly & Company: Research Funding. Cohen:Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Onyx: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Carpenter:Eli Lilly & Company: Employment. Cronier:Eli Lilly and Company: Employment. Kaiser:Eli Lilly and Company: Employment. Wooldridge:Eli Lilly and Company: Employment. Anderson:Acetylon, Oncopep: Scientific Founder, Scientific Founder Other; Celgene, Millennium, BMS, Onyx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

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Preliminary Results from a Phase 1 Study of APVO436, a Novel Anti-CD123 x Anti-CD3 Bispecific Molecule, in Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2020-141619 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 11-12

Author(s):

Justin M. Watts ◽

Tara Lin ◽

Eunice S. Wang ◽

Alice S. Mims ◽

Elizabeth H. Cull ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽

High Risk ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Research Funding ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Cytokine Release ◽

Publicly Traded ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Acute Myeloid

Introduction Immunotherapy offers the promise of a new paradigm for patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). CD123, the IL-3 receptor alpha-chain, represents an attractive target for antibody therapies because of its high expression on AML/MDS blasts and leukemic stem cells compared to normal hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. APVO436, a novel bispecific anti-CD123 x anti-CD3 ADAPTIR™ molecule, depleted CD123+ cells in AML patient samples ex vivo (Godwin et al. ASH 2017), reduced leukemia engraftment in a systemic AML xenograft model (Comeau et al. AACR 2018), and transiently reduced peripheral CD123+ cells in non-human primates with minimal cytokine release and in a dose-dependent fashion (Comeau et al. AACR 2019). These data provide a basis for the clinical application of APVO436 as a treatment in AML and MDS. Here, we report preliminary data from a first-in-human dose-escalation study of APVO436 in patients with R/R AML and high-risk MDS. Study Design/Methods This ongoing Phase 1/1b study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03647800) was initiated to determine the safety, immunogenicity, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and clinical activity of APVO436 as a single agent. Major inclusion criteria were: R/R AML with no other standard treatment option available, R/R MDS with > 5% marrow blasts or any peripheral blasts and failure of a hypomethylating agent, ECOG performance status ≤ 2, life expectancy > 2 months, white blood cells ≤ 25,000 cells/mm3, creatinine ≤ 2 x upper limit of normal (ULN), INR and PTT < 1.5 x ULN and alanine aminotransferase < 3 x ULN. Patients were not restricted from treatment due to cytogenetic or mutational status. Intravenous doses of APVO436 were administered weekly for up to six 28-day cycles (24 doses) with the option to continue dosing for up to 36 total cycles (144 doses). Flat and step dosing regimens were escalated using a safety-driven modified 3 + 3 design. Pre-medication with diphenhydramine, acetaminophen, and dexamethasone was administered starting with dose 1 to mitigate infusion related reactions (IRR) and cytokine release syndrome (CRS). First doses and increasing step doses of APVO436 were infused over 20-24 hours followed by an observation period of 24 hours or more. Bone marrow biopsies were performed every other cycle with responses assessed by European Leukemia Net 2017 criteria for AML or International Working Group (IWG) 2006 criteria for MDS. Results The data cut-off for this interim analysis was July 9, 2020. Twenty-eight patients with primary R/R AML (n=19), therapy-related R/R AML (n=3), or high-risk MDS (n=6) have been enrolled and received a cumulative total of 186 doses. The number of doses received per patient ranged from 1 to 43 (mean of 6.4 doses). Most patients discontinued treatment due to progressive disease; however, blast reduction was achieved in 2 patients, with one patient with MDS maintaining a durable response for 11 cycles before progressing. APVO436 was tolerated across all dose regimens in all cohorts tested. The most common adverse events (AEs), regardless of causality, were edema (32%), diarrhea (29%), febrile neutropenia (29%), fever (25%), hypokalemia (25%), IRR (21%), CRS (18%), chills (18%), and fatigue (18%). AEs ≥ Grade 3 occurring in more than one patient were: febrile neutropenia (25%), anemia (18%), hyperglycemia (14%), decreased platelet count (11%), CRS (11%), IRR (7%), and hypertension (7%). After observing a single dose limiting toxicity (DLT) at a flat dose of 9 µg, step dosing was implemented and no DLTs have been observed thereafter. No treatment-related anti-drug antibodies (ADA) were observed. Transient serum cytokine elevations occurred after several reported IRR and CRS events, with IL-6 most consistently elevated. Conclusions Preliminary results indicate that APVO436 is tolerated in patients with R/R AML and MDS at the doses and schedules tested to date, with a manageable safety profile. Dose escalation continues and the results will be updated for this ongoing study. Disclosures Watts: BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Aptevo Therapeutics: Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Rafael Pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jazz: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Genentech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Lin:Ono Pharmaceutical: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Bio-Path Holdings: Research Funding; Astellas Pharma: Research Funding; Aptevo: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Genetech-Roche: Research Funding; Celyad: Research Funding; Prescient Therapeutics: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Mateon Therapeutics: Research Funding; Jazz: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Gilead Sciences: Research Funding; Trovagene: Research Funding; Tolero Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Wang:Abbvie: Consultancy; Macrogenics: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Bristol Meyers Squibb (Celgene): Consultancy; PTC Therapeutics: Consultancy; Stemline: Speakers Bureau; Genentech: Consultancy; Pfizer: Speakers Bureau. Mims:Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: Other: Senior Medical Director for Beat AML Study; Syndax Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Kura Oncology: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Agios: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Other: Data Safety Monitoring Board; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Cull:Aptevo Therapeutics: Research Funding. Patel:Agios: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; DAVA Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; France Foundation: Honoraria. Shami:Aptevo Therapeutics: Research Funding. Walter:Aptevo Therapeutics: Research Funding. Cogle:Aptevo Therapeutics: Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Chenault:Aptevo Therapeutics: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Macpherson:Aptevo Therapeutics: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Chunyk:Aptevo Therapeutics: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. McMahan:Aptevo Therapeutics: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Gross:Aptevo Therapeutics: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Stromatt:Aptevo Therapeutics: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company.

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Cedar Trial in Progress: A First in Human, Phase 1/2 Study of the Correction of a Single Nucleotide Mutation in Autologous HSCs (GPH101) to Convert HbS to HbA for Treating Severe SCD

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2021-152892 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 1864-1864

Author(s):

Julie Kanter ◽

John F. DiPersio ◽

Patrick Leavey ◽

David C. Shyr ◽

Alexis A Thompson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Gene Correction ◽

Publicly Traded ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

The Past ◽

Adult Hemoglobin

Abstract Background Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a recessive monogenic disease caused by a single point mutation in which glutamic acid replaces valine in Codon 6 of the human beta-globin gene (HBB) leading to the production of abnormal globin chains (HbS) that polymerize and cause erythrocytes to sickle. This results in hemolytic anemia, vaso-occlusion and organ damage, which leads to lifelong complications and early mortality. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) is the only known cure for SCD, however, its use is limited by the lack of well-matched donors, need for immunosuppression, risk of graft versus host disease and graft rejection. GPH101 is an investigational, autologous, hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) drug product (DP) designed to correct the SCD mutation in the HBB gene ex vivo using a high fidelity Cas9 (CRISPR associated protein 9) paired with an AAV6 (adeno-associated virus type 6) delivery template, efficiently harnessing the natural homology directed repair (HDR) cellular pathway. This approach has the potential to restore normal adult hemoglobin (HbA) production while simultaneously reducing HbS levels. In preclinical studies, HBB gene correction in SCD donor HSCs resulted in ≥60% of gene-corrected alleles in vitro with minimal off-target effects. Gene corrected cells were successfully differentiated toward the erythroid lineage and produced ≥70% HbA in vitro. Long-term engraftment of gene-corrected HSCs was demonstrated in vivo, following transplant into immunodeficient mice, with multi-lineage allelic gene correction frequencies well above the predicted curative threshold of 20%, with potential of this approach to be equivalent or superior to allo-HSCT. In addition, HSC-based correction in an SCD mouse model led to stable adult hemoglobin production, increased erythrocyte lifespan and reduction in sickling morphology, demonstrating the therapeutic potential of this gene correction platform as a curative approach in SCD. Study Design and Methods CEDAR (NCT04819841) is a first-in-human, open-label, single-dose, multi-site Phase 1/2 clinical trial in participants with severe SCD designed to evaluate safety, efficacy and pharmacodynamics (PD) of GPH101. Approximately 15 adult (18-40 years) and adolescent (12-17 years) participants will be enrolled across 5 sites, with adolescent enrollment proceeding after a favorable assessment of adult safety data by a Safety Monitoring Committee. Participants must have a diagnosis of severe SCD (βS/βS), defined as ≥ 4 severe vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) in the 2 years prior and/or ≥ 2 episodes of acute chest syndrome (ACS), in 2 years prior with at least 1 episode in the past year. Participants on chronic transfusion therapy may be eligible if required VOC and ACS criteria are met in the 2 years prior to the initiation of transfusions. Key exclusion criteria include availability of a 10/10 human leukocyte antigen-matched sibling donor, or prior receipt of HSCT or gene therapy. After eligibility confirmation including screening for pre-treatment cytogenetic abnormalities, participants will undergo plerixafor mobilization and apheresis, followed by CD34+ cell enrichment and cryopreservation, undertaken locally at each trial site before shipment to a centralized manufacturer for GPH101 production. After GPH101 release, participants will undergo eligibility reconfirmation prior to busulfan conditioning and DP infusion. Safety, efficacy and PD measurements will occur for 2 years post-infusion; a long-term follow up study will be offered to participants for an additional 13 years of monitoring. The primary endpoint for this study is safety, measured by the kinetics of HSC engraftment, transplant related mortality, overall survival and frequency and severity of adverse events. Secondary endpoints will explore efficacy and PD, including levels of globin expression as compared to baseline, gene correction rates, clinical manifestations of SCD (including VOC and ACS), laboratory parameters, complications and organ function. In addition, cerebral hemodynamics and oxygen delivery will be assessed by magnetic resonance techniques. Key exploratory endpoints include evaluation of patient-reported outcomes, erythrocyte function, on-target and off-target editing rates, and change from baseline in select SCD characteristics. Disclosures Kanter: Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Forma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Beam: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Graphite Bio: Consultancy; GuidePoint Global: Honoraria; Fulcrum Tx: Consultancy. Thompson: Agios Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Graphite Bio: Research Funding; Vertex: Research Funding; Beam Therapeutics: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Biomarin: Research Funding; Baxalta: Research Funding; CRISPR Therapeutics: Research Funding; Global Blood Therapeutics: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; bluebird bio: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Porteus: Versant Ventures: Consultancy; CRISPR Therapeutics: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Allogene Therapeutics: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Ziopharm: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Graphite Bio: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Intondi: Graphite Bio: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Global Blood Therapeutics: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months. Lahiri: Graphite Bio: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Dever: Graphite Bio: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Petrusich: bluebird bio: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months; Graphite Bio: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Lehrer-Graiwer: Global Blood Therapeutics: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months; Graphite Bio: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company.

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Trial in Progress: A Phase I Trial of BTX-A51 in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory AML or High-Risk MDS

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2020-142557 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 18-19

Author(s):

Brian J. Ball ◽

Anthony S. Stein ◽

Gautam Borthakur ◽

Crystal Murray ◽

Karin Kook ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Overall Survival ◽

High Risk ◽

Complete Remission ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Cancer Center ◽

Phase 1 Study ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Expansion Phase

Background: For patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), low response rates and poor overall survival remain unmet clinical needs. AML cells evade apoptosis through overexpression of antiapoptotic genes and inactivation of p53. The antiapoptotic gene Mcl1 is overexpressed in AML cell lines resistant to venetoclax. Similarly, the sensitivity of AML patients' samples to venetoclax inversely correlates with the presence of a TP53 mutation or low expression of p53. In AML, p53 inactivation more commonly results from overexpression of its negative regulators, Mdmx and Mdm2. BTX-A51 is a novel, oral, direct inhibitor of Casein kinase 1α (CK1α), cyclin dependent kinase 7 (CDK7), and CDK9. CK1α phosphorylates Mdmx and Mdm2 leading to enhanced binding and degradation of p53. CDK7 and CDK9 phosphorylate RNA polymerase II (Pol II) to enable transcriptional initiation and elongation, particularly at large clusters of transcriptional enhancers termed super-enhancers (SE). Preclinical studies have demonstrated that BTX-A51 robustly increased p53 protein levels via CK1a inhibition and Mdm2 downregulation while preferentially decreasing SE transcription of key oncogenes such as Myc andMcl1, enabling selective apoptosis of leukemia cells. The combination of CK1α, CDK7, and CDK9 inhibition was synergistic and prolonged survival in multiple genetic and patient-derived xenograft AML models. Study Design and Methods: This is an open-label, multi-center, first-in-human Phase 1 study evaluating the safety of BTX-A51 in patients with R/R AML or high-risk MDS. The trial will be performed in two phases, a dose escalation (phase 1a) and dose expansion (phase 1b). Phase 1a utilizes a hybrid accelerated titration with single patient cohorts and a Bayesian optimal interval (BOIN) design to assess 8 potential dosing cohorts. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) will be the dose for which the isotonic estimate of the toxicity rate is closest to the target toxicity rate of 0.3. Up to a maximum of 35 patients will be enrolled in the dose escalation phase of the study at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and City of Hope Cancer Center. Following determination of the MTD, 15 patients will be enrolled in the dose expansion phase for further evaluation of dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) and for preliminary evidence of efficacy. BTX-A51 will be dosed 3 weeks on drug, followed by 1 week off drug over a 28-day cycle. For the first cycle, patients will receive tumor lysis syndrome prophylaxis with allopurinol and intravenous fluids and be closely monitored. Key inclusion criteria are age ³ 18 years, R/R AML or R/R high-risk MDS, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) £ 2 and life expectancy of ³ 6 weeks, and adequate kidney and liver function. Key exclusion criteria are receipt of cancer chemotherapy (other than hydroxyurea) within 2 weeks prior to the start of study drug, transplantation within 3 months prior to screening, active graft-versus-host disease requiring systemic immunosuppressive medications, and a white blood cell count > 20 × 109/L. The primary objective for the Phase 1 study is to determine the MTD and recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of BTX-A51. Secondary objectives include evaluating overall response (complete remission, complete remission with incomplete blood count recovery, and partial remission) according to the European LeukemiaNet (ELN) 2017 criteria (Döhner et al. Blood. 2017), survival (overall survival and event-free survival) and pharmacokinetics. Correlative objectives include determining the changes in SEs and SE-driven expression of antiapoptotic genes by chromatin immunoprecipitation and RNA-sequencing. Recruitment is ongoing and this trial is registered on clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04243785 Disclosures Stein: Amgen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Stemline: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Borthakur:BioLine Rx: Consultancy; Argenx: Consultancy; PTC Therapeutics: Consultancy; FTC Therapeutics: Consultancy; BioTherix: Consultancy; Curio Science LLC: Consultancy; Xbiotech USA: Research Funding; Oncoceutics: Research Funding; Polaris: Research Funding; PTC Therapeutics: Research Funding; Cyclacel: Research Funding; GSK: Research Funding; Jannsen: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; BioLine Rx: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Research Funding; Nkarta Therapeutics: Consultancy; Treadwell Therapeutics: Consultancy. Murray:Salamandra: Current Employment. Kook:Salamandra: Current Employment. Chan:BioTheryx: Current Employment. Stein:Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Syros: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Syndax: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Research Funding; Biotheryx: Consultancy; Agios Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Consultancy; PTC Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Celgene Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Astellas Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Daiichi-Sankyo: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.

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Elotuzumab In Combination with Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone In Patients with Relapsed Multiple Myeloma: Interim Results of a Phase 2 Study

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v116.21.986.986 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 116 (21) ◽

pp. 986-986 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Paul G. Richardson ◽

Philippe Moreau ◽

Andrzej J Jakubowiak ◽

Thierry Facon ◽

Sundar Jagannath ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Research Funding ◽

Response Rate ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Phase 2 ◽

Phase 1 Study ◽

Advisory Committees ◽

Phase 2 Study ◽

Infusion Reactions

Abstract Abstract 986 Introduction: Elotuzumab is a humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody directed against CS1, an antigen highly and uniformly expressed on multiple myeloma (MM) cells but with restricted expression on normal cells. Elotuzumab exhibits significant antimyeloma activity in vitro and against MM xenografts, and its antitumor activity is enhanced independently by both lenalidomide and dexamethasone. In a dose-escalation phase 1 study that evaluated the combination of elotuzumab (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg), lenalidomide, and dexamethasone, the maximum tolerated dose was not reached, and the combination showed encouraging clinical activity (82% response rate) in patients with advanced MM. The most frequent infusion-related adverse events (AEs) were headache (21%), nausea (21%), and dizziness (11%), with 7% (2/28) of patients experiencing 3 serious infusion-related AEs during cycle 1 (1 with a grade 4 hypersensitivity reaction and 1 with 2 grade 3 stridor events). Key objectives of this dose randomized, open-label, multicenter, phase 2 study in patients with relapsed MM were to select the optimum dose of elotuzumab and to evaluate an enhanced premedication regimen to minimize the occurrence of infusion reactions. Methods: Patients with confirmed relapsed and/or refractory MM who had received 1–3 prior therapies were enrolled; prior lenalidomide therapy was excluded. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive elotuzumab either 10 or 20 mg/kg (IV infusion on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of a 28-day cycle in the first 2 cycles and then days 1 and 15 of subsequent cycles), along with lenalidomide 25 mg PO daily on days 1 to 21 and dexamethasone 40 mg PO weekly. Patients were treated until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, if earlier. To control potential infusion reactions, patients received methylprednisolone (50 mg IV), diphenhydramine (25–50 mg PO or IV) or equivalent, ranitidine (50 mg IV) or equivalent, and acetaminophen (650–1000 mg PO) 30 to 60 minutes prior to each elotuzumab infusion. Objective responses (OR) were assessed according to the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria. Results: As of July 8, 2010, a total of 59 patients were randomized (intent to treat population); 47 patients received at least 1 dose of study medication (safety population); and 26 patients completed or progressed prior to completing 2 cycles of treatment (efficacy population). Median age was 64 years; 36 (61%) had received ≥2 prior therapies; 28 (48%) and 31 (53%) had received bortezomib or thalidomide, respectively, and 40 (68%) had undergone transplantation. Among efficacy evaluable patients, 22/26 (85%) had a confirmed or an unconfirmed response (≥ PR) including 31% VGPR/CR. The remaining 4/26 (15%) had stable disease (Table). Treatment-emergent AEs were reported in 36/47 patients (77%); the most common events were fatigue (26%) and nausea (21%). Serious treatment-emergent AEs were reported in 22% of patients; 2 events, nausea and febrile neutropenia with thrombocytopenia, were considered to be related to elotuzumab and lenalidomide. The most common infusion-related AEs within 24 hours of elotuzumab infusion were dizziness (15%), nausea (15%), and headache (9%). These decreased in frequency after the first treatment cycle. There were no severe AEs associated with infusion reactions. Conclusion: The combination of elotuzumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone resulted in a high response rate in patients with advanced MM and was generally well tolerated. These results are consistent with the results previously reported from the phase 1 study. The revised premedication regimen appeared to be more effective in controlling infusion reactions, which were generally mild to moderate with no severe infusion reactions reported to date. Updated response and safety data on all patients by dose level will be presented at the meeting. Disclosures: Richardson: Millennium, Celgene, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Off Label Use: Lenalidomide. Moreau:Celgene, Facet, Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria. Jakubowiak:Millennium, Celgene, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson Ortho-Centocor: Honoraria; Millennium, Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millennium, Celgene, Centocor-Ortho Biotech: Speakers Bureau. Facon:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Jagannath:Millennium, Takeda Pharm, Janssen: Honoraria. Vij:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Celgene: Research Funding; Celgene, Bristol-Myers Squibb: Speakers Bureau. Reece:Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding. Rossi:Sanofi-Aventis, Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria. Tsao:Facet Biotech: Employment. Fry:Facet Biotech: Employment. Berman:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Employment. Singhal:Facet Biotech: Employment. Lonial:Millennium, Celgene, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, Onyx: Advisory Board, Consultancy; Millennium, Celgene, Novartis, Onyx, Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding.

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