Debio 1143 is an antagonist of Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins (IAP) with the potential to enhance the antitumor activity of cisplatin and radiotherapy (RT) through a radiosensitizing effect that is mediated via caspase activation and TNFα-, IFNγ-, CD8+ T-cell dependent pathways.
This phase II, double-blind, randomized controlled study was conducted by the GORTEC group at 19 sites in France and Switzerland to compare efficacy and safety of Debio 1143 at 200 mg/day (A), oral once daily D1–14 q3w (3 cycles), with matching placebo (B) when added to standard high-dose cisplatin chemoradiation (CRT). Eligible patients had locally advanced, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and heavy smoking history. Data cut-off was after a minimum 2-year follow-up.
96 patients were randomized and 95 treated (A: 48, B: 47). Median age was 58, with 81% male, 56% ECOG 0, 84% were stage IV, 67% oropharynx primary (88% HPV p16-), 59% consuming alcohol; median smoking history was 40 pack-years, all balanced across arms. Median dose was 70 Gy for RT and 288mg/m2 for cisplatin in both arms. The primary endpoint, locoregional control (LRC) rate at 18 months after CRT end, was improved by 21%; (OR = 2.69, 95% CI: 1.13-6.42, p = 0.026). Overall and complete response rates 6 months after CRT (A vs B) were 67% vs 48% and 52 vs 38% respectively. Median PFS was 16.9 months in arm B and not yet reached in arm A (HR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.18-0.76, p = 0.007). Median OS was not yet reached (HR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.32-1.33, p = 0.243). AEs and severe AEs (grades 3/4) were comparable across arms except for grade 3 mucositis, dysphagia and anemia that occurred more often in arm A and two grade 5 AEs reported in arm B.
The primary endpoint was met. LRC rate and PFS significantly improved when Debio 1143 was added to standard CRT in high-risk SCCHN patients. A trend in OS improvement was observed and additional follow-up will provide more mature OS/PFS data. Debio 1143 addition was feasible, safe and did not compromise backbone therapy. These promising results need to be confirmed in a larger phase III study.
EudraCT: 2013-000044-25.
Marina Leroy and Berit Sund, from Weber Shandwick.
GORTEC group and Debiopharm International SA GORTEC and Debiopharm International SA.
Debiopharm International.
J. Bourhis: Advisory / Consultancy: Merck; Advisory / Consultancy: MSD; Advisory / Consultancy: AstraZeneca; Advisory / Consultancy: BMS. X. Sun: Honoraria (self): Novartis; Honoraria (self): Merck. Y. Pointreau: Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: BMS; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Merck; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: MSD; Advisory / Consultancy: EMD Serono. C. Le Tourneau: Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Merck; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy: BMS; Advisory / Consultancy: EMD Serono; Advisory / Consultancy: AstraZeneca; Advisory / Consultancy: Roche; Advisory / Consultancy: Amgen. A. Coutte: Honoraria (self): Merck; Honoraria (self): Takeda; Honoraria (self): BMS; Honoraria (self): Roche; Honoraria (self): Sanofi. M. Kaminsky-Forrett: Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Novartis; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Merck; Advisory / Consultancy: EMD Serono; Honoraria (self): AstraZeneca. M. Alfonsi: Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Merck; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy: BMS; Advisory / Consultancy: EMD Serono. P. Boisselier: Honoraria (self): Merck-Serono; Honoraria (self): BMS; Honoraria (self): Roche; Advisory / Consultancy: AstraZeneca; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: MSD. L. Martin: Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Novartis; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Merck; Advisory / Consultancy: BMS; Advisory / Consultancy: EMD Serono. J. Delord: Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Merck; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Novartis; Honoraria (self): Roche; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): BMS; Honoraria (self), Research grant / Funding (institution): MSD; Advisory / Consultancy: EMD Serono; Research grant / Funding (institution): AstraZeneca; Research grant / Funding (institution): Genentech. F. Clatot: Research grant / Funding (institution): AstraZeneca; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Bristol-Myers Squibb; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Merck; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Roche; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Elly Lilly. J. Miroir: Honoraria (self): Novartis; Honoraria (self): Merck. F. Rolland: Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Pfizer; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Novartis; Honoraria (self), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Ipsen; Honoraria (self): Merck; Advisory / Consultancy: BMS; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: MSD; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Astellas; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: AstraZeneca. P. Crompton: Full / Part-time employment, employee: Debiopharm; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: GSK. S. Brienza: Advisory / Consultancy, Full / Part-time employment, consultant: Debiopharm; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Merck; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy: BMS; Advisory / Consultancy: EMD Serono. S.A. Szyldergemajn: Full / Part-time employment, employee: Debiopharm. C. Even: Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: BMS; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Merck-Serono; Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: MSD; Advisory / Consultancy: Innate Pharma. Y. Tao: Research grant / Funding (institution): Debiopharm; Research grant / Funding (institution), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: MSD; Research grant / Funding (self), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Pfizer; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Merck Serono. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.