Abstract 4148
Background
Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) is a modulator of the Wnt and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways and contributes to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment by activating MDSCs and Tregs. DKN-01 (D), an mAb against DKK1, acts on innate immune cells, and in preclinical studies demonstrates upregulation of both PD-L1 and IFNγ-related chemokines, suggesting a role for immune checkpoint combination. Anti-PD-1 plus DKN-01 shows additive antitumor effects in the B16 syngeneic mouse model; clinical studies are underway. GE cancers commonly overexpress DKK1 and harbor Wnt pathway alterations.
Methods
Phase 1b study to evaluate dose, safety and efficacy of D (150 mg or 300 mg on Days 1 & 15) plus P (200 mg on Day 1) of each 21-day cycle in pts with advanced GE cancer. Safety, efficacy, and correlative analyses (cytokines, PBMC immunophenotyping, tumor genomics and intra-tumoral DKK1/PD-L1) are ongoing.
Results
Pts enrolled in 2 cohorts: D (150 mg [n = 2] or 300 mg [n = 11]) + P. All 13 pts had adenocarcinomas (4 pts: EC, 6 pts: GEJ, 3 pts: GC). Three pts (23%) were refractory to prior checkpoint inhibitor, and only 1 pt was known to be PD-L1+ at study entry. No DLTs or treatment related SAEs were observed. Most TEAE were Grade 1/2 and commonly gastrointestinal disorders. ≥Grade 3 TEAE included hyponatremia & anorexia (each 2 pts), lymphopenia, transfusion reaction, GI bleed, abdominal pain, dehydration, weight loss, thrombotic event & weakness (each 1 pt); only lymphopenia felt related to D. Among 9 evaluable patients there was one confirmed PR, SD in 5 pts (including one IO-refractory pt with minor response) and PD in 3 pts. The 6-week disease control rate was 75%; 6 pts remain on therapy. Most PR/SD pts have had downward trend of peripheral MDSC; more evident in pt with PR. Complete cohort details and correlative work will be presented.
Conclusions
Preliminary results demonstrate that D + P is well tolerated with no new safety signals and shows encouraging early efficacy signals in advanced GE cancer. A subset of pts with features typically associated with lower response to single agent anti-PD-1 therapy (KRAS amp, PD-L1 neg, and MSS) exhibited prolonged clinical benefit and warrant further study. Expansion to confirm efficacy is ongoing.
Clinical trial identification
NCT02013154.
Legal entity responsible for the study
Leap Therapeutics, Inc.
Funding
Leap Therapeutics, Inc.
Editorial Acknowledgement
Disclosure
S.J. Klempner: Consultant/advisory: Lilly, Astellas; Research funding (institutional): Leap, Merck, Incyte. J. Bendell: Gilead, Genentech, BMS, Five Prime, Lilly, Merck, MedImmune, Celgene, EMD Serono, Taiho, Macrogenics, GSK, Novartis, OncoMed, Leap, TG Therapeutics, AstraZeneca, BI, Daiichi Sankyo, Bayer, Incyte, Apexigen, Roche, Koltan, SynDevRx, Forty Seven, Abbvie, StemCentrix, Array, Onyx, Sanofi, Takeda, Abbott, Eisai, Celldex, Agios, ARMO, CytoMx, Nektar, ARMO, Boston Biomedical, Ipsen, Merrimack, Novartis, Tarveda, Tyrogenex, Oncogenex, Marshall Edwards, Pieris, Mersana, Calithera, Blueprint, Gritstone, Evelo, FORMA, Forty Seven, EMD Serono, Merus. V. Meucci Villaflor: Advisory board: Takeda, Genentech. S. Stein: Advisory board: Genentech/Roche, Merck. C.A. Sirard, W. Newman, M. Kagey: Employee: Leap Therapeutics, Inc. including compensation, stock options and travel award. K. Schlienger: Employee: Merck & Co, USA with compensation, stock option and travel award. J. Strickler: Research support: Leap Therapeutics. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.