Abstract 4505
Background
Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are a group of aggressive cancers with limited treatment options. Overall response rates (ORRs) with 2L chemotherapy in BTC are <10%, and no standard of care exists. M7824 is an innovative first-in-class bifunctional fusion protein composed of a human anti–PD-L1 IgG1 monoclonal antibody fused with 2 extracellular domains of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) receptor II (a TGF-β “trap”). We report on the safety and efficacy of M7824 in patients (pts) with pretreated BTC.
Methods
In this expansion cohort of the ongoing phase 1, open-label trial NCT02699515, Asian pts who progressed after platinum-based 1L treatment received M7824 1200 mg q2w until confirmed progressive disease, unacceptable toxicity or trial withdrawal. The primary objective is safety/tolerability; secondary objectives include assessment of best overall response per RECIST v1.1. Tumor cell PD-L1 expression was evaluated (antibody clone 73-10).
Results
As of March 20, 2018, 30 pts with pretreated BTC received M7824 for a median duration of 8.9 (range, 2-57.6) wk; 5 pts remained on treatment. The most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were pyrexia, maculopapular rash (both 13.3%) rash and lipase increase (both 10%); 10 pts (33.3%) experienced grade ≥3 TRAEs. 3 deaths due to AEs were reported; 1 death was due to septic shock (bacteremia, etiology unknown) after 14 doses, and 2 deaths due to interstitial lung disease (ILD), 1 on treatment after 3 doses and 1 with grade 3 ILD after 3 doses that recovered, initiated chemotherapy due to PD, and worsened with death 6 months after initial ILD diagnosis and last M7824 dose. 7 pts had an objective response (ORR, 23.3%, including one late PR pending confirmation), with 4 of 6 PRs ongoing (0.7+, 2.8, 3.9+, 5.5+, 5.6, and 6.9+ mo) and 1 CR ongoing for 5.6+ mo. 1 additional pt had ongoing PR for 7.6+ mo after initial pseudoprogression. Confirmed ORR by PD-L1 expression was 25% and 15.4% in pts with PD-L1 + (≥1%) and PD-L1− tumors, respectively.
Conclusions
M7824 monotherapy has promising efficacy in Asian pts with pretreated BTC, including long-lasting responses in 8 of 30 pts (27%).
Clinical trial identification
NCT02699515.
Legal entity responsible for the study
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.
Funding
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.
Editorial Acknowledgement
Medical writing support was provided by ClinicalThinking, and was funded by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.
Disclosure
C. Yoo: Research funding: CKD pharm, Shire; Honoraria: Bayer, Ipsen. D-Y. Oh: Research funding: AstraZeneca. M. Ueno: Research Funding: Taiho Pharmaceutical, Shire, Daiichi Sankyo, Eisai, AstraZeneca, Ono Pharmaceutical, MSD, Merck Serono, NanoCarrier, Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma, Incyte; Honoraria: Taiho Pharmaceutical, Yakult Honsha, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Lilly, Teijin Pharma, Shire, Ono Pharmaceutical. S. Kondo: Research Funding: MSD, Bayer, Aslan, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Lilly. M. Osada: Employee: Merck Serono, Tokyo, Japan. C. Helwig: Employee: Merck KGaA, Germany; Equity ownership: Merck KGaA, Germany. I. Dussault: Employee: EMD Serono. M. Ikeda: Research Funding: Bayer Yakuhin, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Yakult, Taiho Pharmaceutical, Eli Lilly Japan, Ono Pharmaceutical, Eisai, AstraZeneca, Zeria Pharmaceutical, Baxter, Chugai Pharmaceutical, Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck Serono, Kowa, Nano Carrier, ASLAN Pharmaceuticals; Honoraria: Novartis Pharma, Bayer Yakuhin, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Abbott Japan, Eisai, Eli Lilly Japan, Taiho Pharmaceutical, Chugai Pharmaceutical, Daiichi-Sankyo, Yakult, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Nobelpharma; Membership board of directors or advisory committees: Nano Carrier, Bayer Yakuhin, Eisai, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Novartis Pharma, Shire, MSD. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.