Background

The exact impact of chemotherapy on the immune system of older patients with breast cancer is not well known. This longitudinal study was performed investigating the evolution of the blood immune profile during and after chemotherapy in this population.

Methods

The study included 39 patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (chemotherapy group, CTG, median age, 73 years) and 32 patients receiving only hormone therapy (control group, CG, median age, 76 years). A 10-gene panel associated with immunosenescence was measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) before (T1), at 3 months (T2) and at 12 months (T3) after initiation of adjuvant therapy. Nutrition status was assessed by using a mini nutritional assessment scale (≥12 normal; <12 abnormal). Longitudinal mixed model analyses were performed for trajectory evolution, with or without adjusting for age, tumor stage, breast cancer phenotype, and/or corresponding baseline gene levels.

Results

Six genes relating to T cell activation (CD28, CD27, CD86, LCK, GRAP, LRRN3 ), and two genes relating to oxidative stress (PRDX6, HMOX1) exhibited a significant group-by-time effect, even after adjusting covariates (p≤ 0.01). In CTG, the T cell activation genes substantially declined from T1 to T2 and bounced back to a level higher than baseline at T3 (p<0.03), which was not observed in CG (p>0.26). Patients with malnutrition detected at T1 experienced more pronounced perturbation regarding CD27, LCK, CD69, VAMP5, and LRRN3 (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Chemotherapy leads to transient perturbation of immune-related gene expression and potentially stimulates immunity in the long term. Well-nourished patients experience less impact of chemotherapy on immune-related gene expression profiles.

Clinical trial identification

This is a sub-study of NCT00849758.

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek – Vlaanderen.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Background

Eftilagimod alpha (EF) is a soluble LAG-3 protein (LAG-3Ig) that binds to a subset of MHC class II molecules and mediates activation of antigen-presenting cells followed by T-cells. AIPAC investigated EF + paclitaxel (PA). We hereby report exploratory biomarker and multivariate analyses.

Methods

This double-blinded, 1:1 randomized phase IIb trial enrolled pts with HR⁺ HER2^- MBC. Pts received PA (80 mg/m² IV on D1, D8, D15) + EF (30 mg) or placebo (PL) on D2, D16 per cycle (28 days) for 24 wks + EF/PL for 52 wks. Exploratory EPs were potential biomarkers and their correlation to efficacy. Multivariate analysis used backward selection p>0.15 (univariate cox model). Blood cell subsets (CD4; CD8, PBMCs, monocytes) & Th1 biomarker CXCL-10 were measured centrally. Comparison was done using 2-sided Wilcoxon test.

Results

226 pts [efti n=114; placebo n=112] were included. Pts were endocrine resistant (84%), pre-treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors (44.2%). Post-study treatment was similar. Safety/efficacy were reported at SABCS 2020 #132; SITC 2021 #948 In the multivariate predictive model 4 groups (high Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio [NLR]; no prior taxanes; low monocytes and <5 yrs since diagnosis) were significant for OS (Table) On treatment mean fold-changes of monocytes (5.81 vs. 2.29; p=0.025), PBMCs (2.00 vs. 1.41; p=0.041), T cells (2.28 vs. 1.48; p=0.086), & CXCL10 (2.78 vs. 1.56; p=0.06) were significantly higher (EF vs PL) and linked to higher OS. Post baseline CD4 (median 896/μl vs. 736 μl; p=0.038) & CD8 (median 377/μl vs. 223 μl; p=0.005) T cell count increased significantly in pts with higher OS EF vs. PL. Table: 171P

OS for subgroups significant p<0.15 in the multivariate model

Conclusions

EF + PA elicits significant effects on different immune cells which is significantly associated with higher OS. Multivariate analysis identified potential target populations for phase III.

Clinical trial identification

The AIPAC trial protocol has been published, please see Dirix, L. & Triebel, F. Future Oncol. 2019 Jun;15(17):1963-1973. The trial identifiers are IMP321-P011 (code for sponsor), 2015-002541-63 (EudraCT) and NCT02614833.321-P011 (code for sponsor), 2015-002541-63 (EudraCT) and NCT02614833.

Legal entity responsible for the study

Immutep S.A.

Funding

Immutep S.A.

Disclosure

F. Marmé: Financial Interests, Personal, Other: Roche,AstraZeneca,Pfizer, Tesaro, Novartis, Amgen, PharmaMar, GenomicHealth, CureVac, Eisai, Celegene, Clovis, Janssen-Cilag, Gilead/Immunomedics, GSK, MSD, Seagen, Myriad, Pierre Fabre. H. Wildiers: Financial Interests, Institutional, Research Grant: Roche & Novartis; Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Travel, Accomodations, Expenses: Roche, Pfizer; Other, Personal, Other, Consulting or Advisory Role: Roche, Lilly, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, AbbVie, Daiichi Sankyo, KCE, PSI Cro AG, MSD, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Ireland & Immutep Pty; Other, Personal, Speaker’s Bureau: EISAI, MSD & AstraZeneca. A. Armstrong: Other, Personal, Other, Stock Or Otherownership: spousal shares in AstraZeneca; Other, Institutional, Research Grant: AstraZeneca; Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Conference fees: MSD, Gilead; Other, Institutional, Other, Ad Board Partication: MSD, Gilead. E. De Cuypere: Other, Personal, Other, Travel, Accomodations, Expenses: PharmaMar, MSD. F. Dalenc: Other, Personal, Other, Travel, Accomodations, Expenses: Pfizer, Roche. P. Vuylsteke: Other, Personal, Other, Consulting or Advisory role: Roche, MSD, BMS, Lily, Novartis; Other, Personal, Invited Speaker, Travel,Accomodations, expenses: Roche, Pfizer, Lily, BMS; Other, Personal, Invited Speaker, Speakers Bureau: Roche, Novartis. E. Brain: Other, Personal, Other, Honoraria: Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Seagen; Other, Personal, Other, Consulting or Advisory Role: Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, G1 Therapeutics, Sandoz; Other, Personal, Other, Travel, Accomodations, Expenses: Pierre Fabre, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Roche, Sandoz. S. Kuemmel: Other, Personal, Other, Consulting Fees: Roche, Genomic Health, Novartis, Amgen, Celgene, Daiichi Sankyo, AstraZeneca, Somatex, MSD, Pfizer, PFM Medical, Lilly, Sonoscape, Seagen, Gilead; Other, Personal and Institutional, Other, Contracted Research: Somatex – Research Grant /Funding Institution; Other, Personal, Other, Ownership Interest (stock, stock options, or other ownership interest excluding diversified mutual funds): WSG – Westdeutsche Studiengruppe- Co-Director; Other, Personal, Other, Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Roche/ Daiichi Sankyo/Sonoscape. C. Mueller: Other, Personal, Other, Employment: Immutep; Financial Interests, Personal, Financial Interests, Stock and Other Ownership Interests: Immutep. C. Brignone: Other, Personal, Other: Immutep SAS; Other, Personal, Other, Stock and Other ownership: Immutep Ltd.; Other, Personal, Other, Patents, Royalties, Other Intellectual Property: Immutep. F. Triebel: Other, Personal, Other, Employment: Immutep SAS; Other, Personal, Other, Stock and Other Ownership Interests: Immutep Ltd.; Other, Personal, Other, Patents, Royalties, Other Intellectual Property: Being an inventor on patents on LAG-3 owned by Immutep SAS. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.