DKN-01 and tislelizumab ± chemotherapy as a first-line (1L) and second-line (2L) investigational therapy in advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA): DisTinGuish Trial.
Klempner, SJ; Chao, J; Uronis, HE; Sirard, CA; Kagey, M; Baum, J; Song, J; Wang, J; Kim, I-H; Lee, KW; Oh, D-Y; Sonbol, BB; Wainberg, ZA; Ajani, JA
Published in: Journal of Clinical Oncology
292 Background: Despite recent approval of anti-PD-1 antibodies as 1L therapy in HER2(-) advanced GEA, benefit remains modest and limited largely to PD-L1(+) patients (pts), primarily those with combined positive scores (CPS) ≥5. Thus novel therapeutic approaches are needed for this pt population. DKN-01 is a targeted anti-DKK1 mAb which has demonstrated improved clinical outcomes in pts with elevated tumoral DKK1 expression, a subset of pts with more aggressive disease and shorter overall survival. Methods: DisTinGuish (NCT04363801) is a Phase 2a single arm 2-part trial; Part A investigated DKN-01 (D) + tislelizumab (TS) + CAPOX as 1L therapy for pts with advanced HER2(-) GEA regardless of DKK1 status; Part B investigated two dosing cohorts of D (300 mg and 600 mg) + TS as 2L therapy for DKK1-high advanced GEA pts. Primary objective was to examine safety and tolerability and secondary objectives evaluated multiple efficacy endpoints including overall response rate (ORR) in a modified intent to treat (mITT) population (>1 dose D). Results: Forty-nine pts enrolled between 01 Sept 2020 and 15 Sept 2021; 25 pts in Part A and 24 pts in Part B (D-300 mg). Key clinicopathologic features and efficacy outcomes are shown in Table. The most common D-related AEs were low grade (G1/2) fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea. Nine pts had D-related ≥G3 toxicities, elevated AST/ALT, elevated alkaline phosphatase, hypophosphatemia, hyponatremia, lymphopenia, neutropenia, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue all occurring in 1 pt and pulmonary embolism in 2 pts (one G5 event). No new safety signals were observed in Part A or B1. Duration of response (DoR), median PFS and median OS have not been reached for Part A. Last pt enrolled in Part B1 on 15 Sept 2021. Conclusions: The combination of D/TS + CAPOX represents a well-tolerated, active 1L combination, particularly for DKK1-high patients consistent with the proposed mechanism of action. Activity appears to be independent of PD-L1 status. Part B1 is aligned with biomarker enrichment and efficacy and biomarker data will be presented along with updated Part A efficacy data. Clinical trial information: NCT04363801. [Table: see text]
