3300 - First-line ceritinib versus chemotherapy in patients (pts) with advanced ALK rearranged (ALK+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): ASCEND-4 Asian subgroup analysis

Background

In global phase III ASCEND-4 study (NCT01283516), ceritinib 750 mg/day (fasted), demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS by BIRC (median, 16.6 mos [95% CI: 12.6, 27.2] vs 8.1 mos [95% CI: 5.8, 11.1]; HR = 0.55; p < 0.001) compared to chemotherapy (pemetrexed 500 mg/m² + cisplatin 75 mg/m² or carboplatin AUC 5-6, followed by pemetrexed maintenance) in untreated pts with advanced ALK+ NSCLC. Here, we report the efficacy and safety of ceritinib in Asian pts from ASCEND-4 study.

Methods

Pts with stage IIIB/IV, ALK + (centrally tested IHC), nonsquamous NSCLC, ≥1 measurable lesion per RECIST v1.1, and WHO PS 0–2 were eligible. Efficacy and safety were evaluated in Asian pts who had not received prior systemic anticancer therapy except neo-/adjuvant therapy. Data cutoff: June 24, 2016.

Results

Among 376 pts randomized (1:1) in the study, 158 pts were Asian, with 76 in ceritinib arm and 82 in chemotherapy arm. Of these, 25 pts (32.9%) in ceritinib arm and 21 (25.6%) in chemotherapy arm had brain metastases at baseline. Median duration of treatment exposure: 64.5 wks (ceritinib, N = 76) and 35.0 wks (chemotherapy, N = 75). Median duration from randomization to data cutoff: 18.3 mos. Ceritinib demonstrated superior PFS by BIRC (median, 26.3 mos; 95% CI: 8.6, NE; HR = 0.66) compared to chemotherapy (Table). Most common (≥50%; all grades; all-causality) AEs in ceritinib arm: diarrhea (85.5%), ALT increased (73.7%), vomiting (73.7%), AST increased (69.7%), and nausea (69.7%). Incidence of grade 3/4 AEs was <6%, except ALT increased (38.2%), GGT increased (22.4%), AST increased (21.1%), fatigue (7.9%), amylase increased (6.6%), and hyperglycemia (6.6%). Only 7 pts (9.2%) discontinued ceritinib due to AEs.Table:

1473P

Total number of patients included in the full analysis set.

Total number of patients with confirmed complete response or partial response. n: Total number of events included in the analysis. N: Total number of patients included in the analysis.

Conclusions

In Asian pts with ALK+ NSCLC, ceritinib demonstrated durable and clinically meaningful efficacy and a safety profile consistent with overall ASCEND-4 study results.

Clinical trial identification

NCT01828099.

Editorial acknowledgement

Shilpa Garg, Novartis Healthcare Pvt Ltd.

Legal entity responsible for the study

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

Funding

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

Disclosure

D.S. Tan: Honoraria (self): Merck, Pfizer, Novartis, Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, Takeda; Advisory / Consultancy: Novartis, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, AstraZeneca, Eli-lily, Loxo; Research grant / Funding (self): Novartis, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Bayer, Pfizer; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Merck, Pfizer, Novartis, Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche,Takeda. S. Geater: Advisory / Consultancy: Boehringer Ingelheim; Honoraria (institution): AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim; Research grant / Funding (institution): AstraZeneca, Roche, Novartis, Boehringer Ingelheim; Full / Part-time employment: Prince of Songkla Univerisity. C.J. Yu: Honoraria (self): Roche, AstraZeneca, Ono pharma, Boehringer Ingelheim; Advisory / Consultancy: Roche, AstraZeneca, Ono pharma, Boehringer Ingelheim. T.C. Hsia: Advisory / Consultancy: Norvatis, Lilly, AZ, Roche local speaker. M.C. Lin: Advisory / Consultancy: AZ, Novartis, BI, Roche. V. Sriuranpong: Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: AstraZeneca, Novartis, Roche, Pfizer, Eisai, Boehringer, Taiho, MSD, BMS, Amgen; Research grant / Funding (institution): AstraZeneca, Novartis, Roche, Pfizer, Boehringer, Eisai, Taiho, Lilly, MSD. P. Sen: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: Novartis. F. Branle: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: Novartis. M. Shi: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Novartis stock; Full / Part-time employment: Novartis. Y.L. Wu: Honoraria (self): AZ, Roche, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, MSD, BMS, BI; Advisory / Consultancy: AZ, Roche, BI; Research grant / Funding (institution): AZ, Roche. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.