Local tumor destruction with cryoablation (cryo) induces inflammation and releases antigens that can activate tumor-specific immune responses. Pre-clinically, cryo with checkpoint inhibition augmented tumor-specific immune responses and prevented recurrence. Clinically, we established that peri-operative (peri-op) cryo with ipilimumab (ipi) +/- nivolumab (nivo) was not only safe in patients (pts) with operable, early stage breast cancer (ESBC) but also generated robust intra-tumoral and systemic immune responses. In this randomized phase 2 study, we evaluate the disease specific impact of peri-op ipi/nivo/cryo versus standard care in women with residual triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), a subset at high risk of early relapse (NCT03546686).
Eligible pts are ≥18y, with ER < 10%, PR < 10%, HER2 negative (per ASCO/CAP definition), ≥ 1.0 cm, residual operable disease after taxane-based NAC. Approximately 160 pts will be randomized to one of two arms: definitive breast surgery (control arm) or ipi/nivo/cryo followed by breast surgery and adjuvant nivo (intervention arm). Pts in the intervention arm will undergo percutaneous, image-guided cryo with concurrent research core biopsy 7-10 days prior to surgery and will receive ipi (1mg/kg IV) with nivo (240mg IV) 1 to 5 days prior to cryo. After surgery, pts in the intervention arm will receive 3 additional doses of nivo at 240mg IV Q2 weeks. Adjuvant capecitabine is recommended for all study patients per local standard-of-care. Patients will be stratified by NAC platinum administration, NAC anthracycline administration, and clinical nodal status at study entry (positive versus negative). The primary endpoint is 3-year event free survival (EFS). Secondary endpoints include invasive disease-free survival (iDFS), distant disease-free survival (DDFS), overall survival (OS) and safety. Exploratory correlative studies will be performed on tumor and serum to characterize the immunologic impact of the intervention and to explore potential predictors of efficacy and toxicity.
NCT03546686.
The authors.
Susan G. Komen, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, BTG International Ltd., Breast Cancer Research Foundation, ASCO Advanced Clinical Research Award.
H.L. McArthur: Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Merck; Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Spectrum Pharmaceuticals; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Lilly; Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Amgen; Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Immunomedics; Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Genentech; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Bristol-Myers Squibb; Advisory / Consultancy: Genomic Health; Research grant / Funding (institution): ZIOPHARM Oncology; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Puma Biotechnology. E.A. Comen: Advisory / Consultancy: Bristol-Myers Squibb; Advisory / Consultancy: Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy: Genentech; Advisory / Consultancy: Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy: Henron Therapeutics. S.B. Solomon: Advisory / Consultancy: BTG; Advisory / Consultancy: Johnson & Johnson; Advisory / Consultancy: Adgero; Advisory / Consultancy: Aperture Medical; Advisory / Consultancy: Xact Robotics; Advisory / Consultancy: Innoblative Designs; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Immunomedics; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Aspire Bariatrics; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Aperture Medical; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Johnson & Johnson; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Motus GI; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Progenics; Research grant / Funding (institution): Johnson & Johnson; Research grant / Funding (institution): Elesta; Research grant / Funding (institution): AngioDynamics; Research grant / Funding (institution): GE Healthcare. J.H.S. Leal: Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Roche/Genentech; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: AstraZeneca. D.B. Page: Honoraria (self): Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self): Merck Sharpe & Dohme; Advisory / Consultancy: Syndax; Advisory / Consultancy: Nektar; Advisory / Consultancy: Nanostring Technologies; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Bristol-Myers Squibb; Advisory / Consultancy: Puma Biotechnology; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Genentech/Roche; Research grant / Funding (institution), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: MedImmune; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Philips Healthcare. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.