APO010 sensitivity in relapsed multiple myeloma patients

Background

Multiple myeloma is the next most common hematological malignancy and represents a continuous medical challenge since all patients eventually progress despite of many new drugs approved lately. The incidence of MM is about 6 to 8 out of 100.000 in Western Countries. APO010 (a hexameric FAS-ligand) is an immune-oncology drug, which mimics cytotoxic T-lymphocyte signaling to induce apoptosis and could therefore be a new effective drug for MM as these cells express CD95 (FAS-receptor).

Methods

Using a previously validated method by Medical Prognosis Institute A/S (MPI), we have developed an APO010 response predictor (APO010-DRP^TM), which is based on gene expression cluster obtained by comparing associations between gene expression profiles and growth inhibition by APO010 in a panel of cell lines. A second step has included filtering the identified gene expression profile against mRNA expression from a collection of 3200 human tumors, thereby making a predictive profile for APO010 responsiveness. We have initiated to screen relapse/refractory MM patients by isolating CD138 positive myeloma cells from the bone marrow and perform APO010-DRP^TM in order to select the patients with the highest likelihood of benefit from APO010 treatment.

Results

Using the APO010-DRP^TM analysis demonstrated multiple myeloma to be sensitive to APO010 compared to most solid tumors except breast cancer, which also appeared to be sensitive. First results from multiple myeloma patient screening will be presented at ESMO 2016.

Conclusions

Conclusion: Combining APO010 with DRP^TM analysis will add a precision medicine element to immune-oncology treatment of multiple myeloma. This will enable us to identify patients with high likelihood of response and thereby facilitate focused future trial design and patient recruitment to achieve clinical success.

Clinical trial identification

Danish Ethical Committee, Journal nr.: H15018326, Approved on 01/03/2016

Legal entity responsible for the study

Oncology Venture

Funding

Oncology Venture

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.