Lenvatinib (LEN) is a multikinase VEGFR inhibitor approved for use in combination with everolimus to treat advanced RCC after prior VEGF-targeted therapy. Pembrolizumab (PEMBRO) is an anti-PD-1 antibody. Here, we report results of an interim analysis of the RCC cohort of a phase II trial of LEN + PEMBRO, specifically in patients (pts) who progressed with prior immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy.
This is a per-protocol interim analysis of a multicenter, open-label study for pts with mccRCC, ≥1 prior therapy, RECIST disease progression on or following an ICI regimen (confirmed ≥ 4 weeks later), measurable disease, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤ 1. Pts received LEN 20 mg/d PO plus PEMBRO 200 mg intravenously Q3W until disease progression or toxicity occurred. Tumor assessments were performed every 6 weeks (until week 24), then every 9 weeks.
At data cutoff (March 29, 2019), the first 33 pts enrolled were followed for ≥12 weeks for response evaluation, and 24 (73%) pts were still on study treatment. The objective response rate was 52%, the disease control rate was 94%, and most pts had tumor shrinkage. Median follow-up time for progression-free survival was 4.2 months. Pt characteristics and efficacy outcomes are summarized in the table. The most common treatment-related adverse events were fatigue (49%), dysphonia (36%), diarrhea (33%), stomatitis (30%), hypertension (24%), dry mouth, nausea, proteinuria, and hand-foot syndrome (21% each). Three (9%) pts discontinued treatment due to adverse events. 1187PD Summary of patient characteristics and efficacy outcomes 30.3% were negative and 33.3% were not available Response duration is based on Kaplan-Meier estimation with 95% CI based on the Greenwood formula using log-log transformation DOR, duration of response; ECOG, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group; ICI, immune checkpoint inhibitor; irRECIST, immune-related Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors; NR, not reached; ORR, objective response rate; PD-L1, programmed death-ligand-1; PFS, progression-free survival; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.Patient Characteristics, n (%) LEN + PEMBRO (n = 33) ECOG performance status 0 18 (54.5) 1 15 (45.5) Prior anticancer regimens 1 prior regimen 14 (42%) >1 prior regimen 19 (58%) Prior VEGF-targeted therapy 26 (78.8%) Prior ICI therapy 33 (100%) PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy 14 (42.4%) with VEGF agents 9 (27.7%) nivolumab + ipilimumab 7 (21.2%) with other agents 2 (6.1%) PD-L1 positive 12 (36.4)* Investigator assessment of efficacy outcomes by irRECIST LEN + PEMBRO (n = 33) ORR, n (%) 95% CI 17 (51.5) 33.5–69.2 Median PFS (95% CI), months PFS rate, % (95% CI) at: 3 months 6 months 9 months NR (5.6–NR) 93.4 (76.1–98.3) 73.8 (45.7–88.9) 64.6 (34.5–83.5) Median DOR, (95% CI) months NR (4.2–NR) Median follow-up time for DOR, months 6.0 (1.4–7.0) Response duration > = 6 months, n (%)** 80.8 (42.3–94.9)
For the subset of mccRCC pts with disease progression during or following ICI therapy, LEN + PEMBRO demonstrated promising antitumor activity. No new safety signals were detected. The study will continue to full cohort expansion.
NCT02501096; Release date: July 17, 2015.
Tarah M. Connolly, PhD of Oxford PharmaGenesis, Newtown, PA, funded by Eisai Inc.
Eisai Inc.
Eisai Inc. and Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.
C. Lee: Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Bristol-Myers Squibb; Research grant / Funding (institution): Calithera; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Eisai; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Exelixis; Research grant / Funding (institution): Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy: Amgen. A.Y. Shah: Honoraria (self), Non-remunerated activity/ies, research: Eisai Inc.; Honoraria (self): Oncology Information Group; Non-remunerated activity/ies, research: EMD Serono; Non-remunerated activity/ies, research: Bristol-Myers Squibb. V. Makker: Non-remunerated activity/ies: AstraZeneca; Honoraria (self), Non-remunerated activity/ies: Eisai; Honoraria (self), Non-remunerated activity/ies: Merck; Non-remunerated activity/ies: Lilly; Honoraria (self), Non-remunerated activity/ies: Karyopharm; Non-remunerated activity/ies: Takeda; Non-remunerated activity/ies: Genentech. M.H. Taylor: Research grant / Funding (institution): BioAlta; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Bristol-Myers Squibb; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Eisai; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Array Biopharma; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Bayer; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: LOXO; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Blueprint; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Arquele; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Novartis. J.J. Hsieh: Honoraria (self): Eisai Inc. A. Pinto Marin: Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (self): Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Ipsen; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: EUSA Pharma; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (self), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Bristol-Myers Squibb; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: MSD; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Roche; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Pierre Fabre; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Janssen; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Astellas; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Sanofi; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Bayer; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Clovis; Honoraria (self): Aveo. D.W. Rasco: Research grant / Funding (self): Eisai Inc.; Research grant / Funding (self): Merck. D.E. Stepan: Full / Part-time employment: Formerly of Eisai Inc. C.E. Dutcus: Leadership role, Full / Part-time employment: Eisai Inc. J. Wu: Full / Part-time employment: Eisai Inc. E.V. Schmidt: Full / Part-time employment: Merck & Co Inc. R.F. Perini: Full / Part-time employment: Merck & Co Inc. R.J. Motzer: Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self): Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self): Eisai; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self): Exelixis; Research grant / Funding (self): Genentech/Roche; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self): Novartis; Research grant / Funding (self): Bristol-Myers Squibb; Advisory / Consultancy: Merck; Advisory / Consultancy: Incyte. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.