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Futibatinib, a fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) 1-4 inhibitor, is being investigated for FGFR-aberrant tumors. A 4-period, crossover, phase 1 thorough QT/QTc study compared effects on Fridericia heart rate-corrected QT (QTcF) interval of single doses of futibatinib 20 and 80 mg (therapeutic and supratherapeutic doses, respectively), placebo, and moxifloxacin (positive control) in healthy subjects. The study objective was to assess the time-matched difference in change from baseline in QTcF (ddQTcF) between futibatinib and placebo. In addition, changes from baseline in QTcF and other electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters, pharmacokinetics, ECG morphology, and safety were assessed. Forty-eight subjects were randomized. ddQTcF upper limits of 2-sided 90%CIs remained10 milliseconds (clinical threshold) for both futibatinib doses at all time points (range, 2.0-4.5 milliseconds). Assay sensitivity was demonstrated by lower limits of 2-sided 97.5%CIs of the dQTcF difference between moxifloxacin and placebo of5 milliseconds. Futibatinib exposure increased in a dose-dependent manner, and no significant relationship was detected between plasma futibatinib concentration and ddQTcF. There were no significant effects on heart rate, other ECG parameters, or ECG morphology. No serious adverse events occurred. Futibatinib did not prolong QTcF or affect other cardiac measures at therapeutic or supratherapeutic doses.

PTEN acts as a potent tumor suppressor within the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Germline mutations in the PTEN gene are a hallmark of PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome, which includes Cowden syndrome, where they appear to elevate lifetime risk of cancer. Targeted AKT directed therapy has been proposed as an effective approach in cancer patients having germline PTEN mutations. The mechanism of action, safety and dosing regimen for the novel allosteric AKT inhibitor TAS-117 have been explored in a phase I study in Japan in which activity was observed against certain tumor types. Here we describe the study protocol of an international, two-part phase II study evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and antitumor activity of TAS-117 in patients with advanced solid tumors harboring germline PTEN-inactivating mutations.

Background In the phase III TAGS trial, trifluridine/tipiracil showed survival benefit versus placebo in patients with metastatic gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer and ≥ 2 prior chemotherapies. This post hoc exploratory analysis assessed the impact of prior therapy type on outcomes. Methods Based on prior treatment, patients in TAGS (N = 507) were categorized into overlapping subgroups: ramucirumab ± other agents (n = 169), no ramucirumab (n = 338), paclitaxel but no ramucirumab (n = 136), ramucirumab + paclitaxel sequentially or in combination (n = 154), neither paclitaxel nor ramucirumab (n = 202), irinotecan (n = 281), and no irinotecan (n = 226). Overall and progression-free survival, time to Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) ≥ 2, and safety were assessed. Results Baseline characteristics and prior therapy patterns were generally well balanced between trifluridine/tipiracil and placebo arms across subgroups. Trifluridine/tipiracil was associated with survival benefits versus placebo regardless of prior treatment: across subgroups, median overall survival was 4.6–6.1 versus 3.0–3.8 months (hazard ratios, 0.47–0.88), median progression-free survival was 1.9–2.3 versus 1.7–1.8 months (hazard ratios, 0.49–0.67), and median time to ECOG PS ≥ 2 was 4.0–4.7 versus 1.9–2.5 months (hazard ratios, 0.56–0.88). Among trifluridine/tipiracil-randomized patients, median overall and progression-free survival trended longer in those who had not received ramucirumab, paclitaxel and ramucirumab, or irinotecan (6.0–6.1 and 2.1–2.3 months, respectively) than in those who previously received these agents (4.6–5.7 and 1.9 months). The trifluridine/tipiracil safety profile was consistent across subgroups, with similar overall incidences of grade ≥ 3 adverse events. Minor variations in hematologic toxicities were noted. Conclusions In TAGS, third- or later-line trifluridine/tipiracil treatment demonstrated overall and progression-free survival and functioning benefits versus placebo and a consistent safety profile in patients with metastatic gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer, regardless of prior treatment type. Clinical trials registration clinicaltrials.gov NCT02500043.

Background Body weight loss (BWL) is a negative prognostic factor in metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer (mGC/GEJC). In the phase III TAGS study, trifluridine/tipiracil improved survival versus placebo in third- or later-line mGC/GEJC. These retrospective analyses examined the association of early BWL with survival outcomes in TAGS. Methods Efficacy and safety were assessed in patients who experienced Results Body weight data were available for 451 of 507 (89%) patients in TAGS. In the trifluridine/tipiracil and placebo arms, respectively, 74% (224/304) and 65% (95/147) experienced P P = 0.0003) for OS. Similar results were obtained for progression-free survival. Any-cause grade ≥ 3 adverse events were reported in 77% and 82% of trifluridine/tipiracil-treated and 45% and 67% of placebo-treated patients with Conclusions In TAGS, early BWL was a strong negative prognostic factor for OS in patients with mGC/GEJC receiving third- or later-line treatment.

Supplementary Figure S2 shows two cases of patients treated at the RP2D. IHC at Clarient for p-ERK, p27 and Ki-67 were assessed for PD effect using monoclonal rabbit phospho-p44/42 MAPK (ERK1/2), 20G11 Clone; monoclonal mouse anti-Ki67, MIB-1 clone; and monoclonal mouse anti-p27, SX53G8 clone. In (A), the patient is a 56-year old female patient with rectal neuroendocrine cancer who is KRAS and BRAF wild-type. No differences in staining for the 3 biomarkers were observed when baseline and Day 28 samples were compared. In (B), the patient is a 26-year old male patient with hepatocellular carcinoma with unknown mutational status. No differences in staining for Ki-67 or p27 were observed when baseline and Day 28 samples were compared. The p-ERK staining is poor quality and not interpretable. Abbreviations: IHC, immunohistochemistry; PD, pharmacodynamics; RP2D, recommended phase 2 dose

Supplementary Appendix including all supplementary tables and figures

Futibatinib, a highly selective, irreversible FGFR1–4 inhibitor, was evaluated in a large multihistology phase I dose-expansion trial that enrolled 197 patients with advanced solid tumors. Futibatinib demonstrated an objective response rate (ORR) of 13.7%, with responses in a broad spectrum of tumors (cholangiocarcinoma and gastric, urothelial, central nervous system, head and neck, and breast cancer) bearing both known and previously uncharacterized FGFR1–3 aberrations. The greatest activity was observed in FGFR2 fusion/rearrangement–positive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ORR, 25.4%). Some patients with acquired resistance to a prior FGFR inhibitor also experienced responses with futibatinib. Futibatinib demonstrated a manageable safety profile. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were hyperphosphatemia (81.2%), diarrhea (33.5%), and nausea (30.4%). These results formed the basis for ongoing futibatinib phase II/III trials and demonstrate the potential of genomically selected early-phase trials to help identify molecular subsets likely to benefit from targeted therapy.Significance:This phase I dose-expansion trial demonstrated clinical activity and tolerability of the irreversible FGFR1–4 inhibitor futibatinib across a broad spectrum of FGFR-aberrant tumors. These results formed the rationale for ongoing phase II/III futibatinib trials in cholangiocarcinoma, breast cancer, gastroesophageal cancer, and a genomically selected disease-agnostic population.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 275

Supplementary Figure 1 from Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Resistance to Ingenol 3-Angelate, a Novel Protein Kinase C Modulator, in Colon Cancer Cells

Supplementary Figure 2 from Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Resistance to Ingenol 3-Angelate, a Novel Protein Kinase C Modulator, in Colon Cancer Cells

Supplementary Figure Legends 1-2 from Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Resistance to Ingenol 3-Angelate, a Novel Protein Kinase C Modulator, in Colon Cancer Cells

Acquired resistance to protein kinase C (PKC) modulators may explain the failure of clinical trials in patients with cancer. Herein, we established a human colon cancer cell line resistant to PEP005, a drug that inhibits PKCα and activates PKCδ. Colo205-R cells, selected by stepwise exposure to PEP005, were >300-fold more resistant to PEP005 than parental Colo205-S cells and were cross-resistant to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, bryostatin, bistratene A, and staurosporine. No PKCα or PKCδ mutation was detected in Colo205-S and Colo205-R cells. Changes in Colo205-R cells were reminiscent of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype. Accordingly, Colo205-R cells were more invasive than Colo205-S in Matrigel assays and in mouse xenografts. We also found an increased mRNA expression of several EMT genes, such as those encoding for transforming growth factor-β and vimentin, along with a decreased mRNA expression of genes involved in epithelial differentiation, such as CDH1 (E-cadherin), CLDN4 (claudin 4), S100A4, and MUC1, in Colo205-R compared with Colo205-S cells in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, high expression of ET-1 was shown in Colo205-R cells and correlated with low sensitivity to PEP005 and staurosporine in a panel of 10 human cancer cell lines. Inhibition of the ET-1 receptor ETR-A with bosentan restored the antiproliferative effects of PEP005 in Colo205-R cells and decreased the invasive properties of this cell line. Exogenous exposure to ET-1 and silencing ET-1 expression using small interfering RNA modulated cell signaling in Colo205-S and Colo205-R. In summary, acquired resistance to PEP005 was associated with expression of EMT markers and activates the ET-1/ETR-A cell signaling. [Cancer Res 2009;69(10):4260–69]

Background: Alterations in fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) have emerged as promising drug targets for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer with a poor prognosis. Futibatinib, a next-generation, covalently binding FGFR1-4 inhibitor, has been shown to have both antitumor activity in patients with FGFR-altered tumors and strong preclinical activity against acquired resistance mutations associated with ATP-competitive FGFR inhibitors. Methods: In this multinational, open-label, single-group, phase 2 study, we enrolled patients with unresectable or metastatic FGFR2 fusion-positive or FGFR2 rearrangement-positive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and disease progression after one or more previous lines of systemic therapy (excluding FGFR inhibitors). The patients received oral futibatinib at a dose of 20 mg once daily in a continuous regimen. The primary end point was objective response (partial or complete response), as assessed by independent central review. Secondary end points included the response duration, progression-free and overall survival, safety, and patient-reported outcomes. Results: Between April 16, 2018, and November 29, 2019, a total of 103 patients were enrolled and received futibatinib. A total of 43 of 103 patients (42%; 95% confidence interval, 32 to 52) had a response, and the median duration of response was 9.7 months. Responses were consistent across patient subgroups, including patients with heavily pretreated disease, older adults, and patients who had co-occurring TP53 mutations. At a median follow-up of 17.1 months, the median progression-free survival was 9.0 months and overall survival was 21.7 months. Common treatment-related grade 3 adverse events were hyperphosphatemia (in 30% of the patients), an increased aspartate aminotransferase level (in 7%), stomatitis (in 6%), and fatigue (in 6%). Treatment-related adverse events led to permanent discontinuation of futibatinib in 2% of the patients. No treatment-related deaths occurred. Quality of life was maintained throughout treatment. Conclusions: In previously treated patients with FGFR2 fusion or rearrangement-positive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, the use of futibatinib, a covalent FGFR inhibitor, led to measurable clinical benefit.

Trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) is approved for advanced colorectal and gastric/gastroesophageal cancer; however, data in patients with renal impairment (RI) are limited. This phase I study evaluated FTD/TPI in patients with advanced solid tumors and varying degrees of RI to develop dosing guidance. Patients were enrolled into normal renal function (CrCl ≥ 90 mL/min), mild RI (CrCl 60–89 mL/min), or moderate RI (CrCl 30–59 mL/min) cohorts and administered the recommended FTD/TPI dose (35 mg/m2 twice daily, days 1–5 and 8–12; 28-day cycle). Based on interim pharmacokinetics/safety data, patients with severe RI (CrCl 15–29 mL/min) were enrolled and received FTD/TPI 20 mg/m2 twice daily. Forty-three patients (normal renal function [n = 12]; mild RI [n = 12]; moderate RI [n = 11]; severe RI [n = 8]) were enrolled and treated. At steady state, compared to values in patients with normal renal function, FTD area under the curve (AUC) was not significantly different in patients with RI, but TPI AUC was significantly higher and increased with RI severity. FTD/TPI safety profile was consistent with prior experience, but grade ≥ 3 adverse events (AEs) were more frequent in the RI cohorts (83.3% [mild], 90.9% [moderate], 75.0% [severe], and normal [50.0%]). Hematologic AEs (anemia and neutropenia) were more frequent with RI. Overall, seven patients discontinued because of unrelated, nonhematologic AEs. FTD/TPI is safe and tolerable at the recommended 35 mg/m2 dose in patients with mild/moderate RI and at the reduced 20 mg/m2 dose in patients with severe RI. NCT02301117, registration date: November 21, 2014.

SummaryTAS0728 is an oral covalent binding inhibitor of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). A first-in-human open-label, dose-escalation, phase I study (NCT03410927) was initiated to investigate the safety and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and/or recommended phase II dose of TAS0728 in adults with advanced solid tumors with HER2 or HER3 overexpression, amplification or mutation. In total, 19 patients received TAS0728 at escalating doses from 50 to 200 mg BID for 21-day cycles. Following escalation of the dose to 200 mg BID, a total of two DLTs were observed, both cases of Grade 3 diarrhea (lasting >48 h and not responsive to aggressive antidiarrheal treatment). Following de-escalation of the dose to 150 mg BID, another DLT of Grade 3 diarrhea was observed in one patient. Additionally, at 150 mg BID, one patient had a fatal cardiac arrest after receiving 1 cycle (21 days) of TAS0728. The etiology of the cardiac arrest event was not clear, however causal relationship to TAS0728 could not be excluded due to the temporal association observed. Partial responses were observed in 2 of 14 patients evaluable for TAS0728 treatment response. The study was stopped due to unacceptable toxicity during the dose-escalation as the overall risk-benefit ratio no longer favored the dose level being tested, therefore the MTD was not determined. ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03410927; registered on January 25, 2018.

Notch signaling plays an important role in development and tissue homeostasis. Deregulation of Notch signaling has been implicated in multiple malignancies. Crenigacestat (LY3039478), a potent Notch inhibitor, decreases Notch signaling and its downstream biologic effects. I6F-MC-JJCD was a multicenter, nonrandomized, open-label, Phase 1b study with 5 separate, parallel dose-escalations in patients with advanced or metastatic cancer from a variety of solid tumors, followed by a dose-confirmation phase in prespecified tumor types. This manuscript reports on 3 of 5 groups. The primary objective was to determine the recommended Phase 2 dose of crenigacestat in combination with other anticancer agents (taladegib, LY3023414 [dual inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase; mechanistic target of rapamycin], or abemaciclib). Secondary objectives included evaluation of safety, tolerability, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics. Patients (N = 63) received treatment between November 2016 and July 2019. Dose-limiting toxicities occurred in 12 patients, mostly gastrointestinal (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting). The maximum-tolerated dose of crenigacestat was 25 mg in Part B (LY3023414), 50 mg in Part C (abemaciclib), and not established in Part A (taladegib) due to toxicities. Patients had at least 1 adverse event (AE) and 75.0–82.6% were ≥ Grade 3 all-causality AEs. No patient had complete or partial response. Disease control rates were 18.8% (Part B) and 26.1% (Part C). The study was terminated before dose confirmation cohorts were triggered. This study demonstrated that crenigacestat combined with different anticancer agents (taladegib, LY3023414, or abemaciclib) was poorly tolerated, leading to lowered dosing and disappointing clinical activity in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors. NCT02784795 and date of registration: May 27, 2016.

Background Trifluridine and tipiracil (FTD/TPI) demonstrated survival benefit vs placebo and manageable safety in previously treated patients with metastatic gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer (mGC/GEJC) in the randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 TAGS study. This subgroup analysis of TAGS examined efficacy/safety outcomes by age. Methods In TAGS, patients with mGC/GEJC and ≥ 2 prior therapies were randomized (2:1) to receive FTD/TPI 35 mg/m2 or placebo, plus best supportive care. A preplanned subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate efficacy and safety outcomes in patients aged Results Among 507 randomized patients (n = 337 FTD/TPI; n = 170 placebo), 55%, 45%, and 14% were aged Conclusions The results of this subgroup analysis show the efficacy and tolerability of FTD/TPI treatment regardless of age in patients with mGC/GEJC who had received 2 or more prior treatments.

Background Crenigacestat is a potent Notch inhibitor that decreases Notch signaling and its downstream biological effects. Here, we report the results from Part F of study 16F-MC-JJCA designed to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and antitumor activity of crenigacestat with prednisone in advanced or metastatic cancer. The combination was planned to mitigate gastrointestinal toxicities. Methods Eligible patients (Study Part F) received crenigacestat loading dose (75 mg, escalating to 150 mg) administered thrice weekly (TIW) (F1) or twice weekly (BIW) (F2) for 2 weeks during Cycle 1, followed by 50 mg TIW from week 3 onwards. Prednisone was co-administered for 2 weeks in Cycle 1. Results Twenty-eight patients were enrolled; 11 in F1 (median age, 63 years), 17 in F2 (median age, 50 years). Dose-limiting toxicities were Grade 3 increased serum amylase and Grade 2 fatigue in F1, and Grade 4 hypophosphatemia and Grade 3 rash maculo-papular in F2. The maximum tolerated dose was 75 mg in F1 and 100 mg in F2. Best overall response was stable disease (F1, 6 [54.5%] patients; F2, 11 [64.7%] patients). Pharmacokinetic was dose proportional. Prednisone did not modify PK of crenigacestat, and both F1 and F2 achieved pharmacodynamics effects on evaluable tumor tissue samples. Conclusions This study demonstrated the potential use of prednisone to reduce gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities of a Notch inhibitor without affecting its PK. The safety profile observed was consistent with Notch pathway inhibitors, and the maximum tolerated dose was 75 mg TIW and 100 mg BIW in F1 and F2, respectively. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01695005.

SummaryBackground This phase 1, single-center, nonrandomized, single-arm, open-label, dose-escalation study, evaluated the tolerability of crenigacestat, a γ-secretase inhibitor as an oral Notch inhibitor in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors. Methods The study consisted of 2 dose levels of crenigacestat (25 mg and 50 mg), administered orally 3 times per week (TIW) over a 28-day cycle until disease progression, development of unacceptable toxicity, or any other discontinuation criteria were met. The primary objective was to evaluate the tolerability and determine the recommended dose of crenigacestat for Japanese patients. Secondary objectives were to characterize the safety and toxicity, the pharmacokinetic parameters, and to document any antitumor activity of crenigacestat. Results Eleven Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors were enrolled; 4 patients (median age of 64 years) received 25 mg of crenigacestat, and 7 patients (median age of 72 years) received 50 mg of crenigacestat. Median treatment duration was 8 weeks in the 25-mg treatment arm and 4 weeks in the 50-mg treatment arm. There were no dose-limiting toxicities or dose-limiting equivalent toxicities observed. None of the patients had a complete or partial response to the treatment. One patient (14.3%) with a desmoid tumor in the 50-mg treatment arm showed tumor size shrinkage of 22.4% and had stable disease for 22.5 months. Frequent (>14%) treatment-related-adverse events in both treatment arms included diarrhea, malaise, and vomiting. Conclusions Crenigacestat was tolerated in Japanese patients but with limited clinical activity. The recommended crenigacestat dose in Japanese patients is 50 mg TIW.Trial registration: NCT02836600 (ClinicalTrials.gov) registered on July 19, 2016.

Key Points A novel PCM1-FGFR1 gene rearrangement was identified in a patient with a myeloid neoplasm with eosinophilia. Futibatinib, an oral selective small molecule inhibitor of FGFR1-4, resulted in a durable complete hematologic and cytogenetic remission.

Background: FGFR1 gene amplifications occur in ~15% of invasive breast cancers (BCs) andhave been shown to be associated with endocrine therapy resistance, whereas FGFR2 amplifications occur in ~2% of invasive BCs (4% of triple-negative BCs [TNBCs]). Futibatinib is an oral, highly selective, irreversible FGFR1-4 inhibitor that has been shown to inhibit both mutant and wild-type FGFR isoforms. In a phase 1 study, futibatinib showed promising clinical activity and tolerability across tumor types, including BC. This phase 2 trial (FOENIX-MBC2) is designed to evaluate futibatinib alone or in combination with fulvestrant (a selective estrogen receptor down-regulator administered intramuscularly) in patients with metastatic BC. Trial design: FOENIX-MBC2 is a multicenter, phase 2, open-label, non-randomized study planned to be conducted in patients with locally advanced/metastatic BC harboring FGFR1/2 amplifications who have experienced disease progression after prior therapy for advanced/metastatic disease. Eligibility criteria include an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1 and no prior FGFR inhibitor treatment. Approximately 168 patients are planned to be enrolled in one of four cohorts based on a recurrent BC diagnosis and FGFR amplification status (table) as determined by local testing. Patients will receive single-agent futibatinib (cohorts 1-3) or futibatinib plus fulvestrant (cohort 4) until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or other discontinuation criteria are met. Primary and secondary endpoints are detailed in the table. Sample sizes for cohorts 1, 2, and 3 are based on a Simon’s optimal 2-stage design; that for cohort 4 is based on a proof-of-concept phase 2 design. The anticipated start date is August 30, 2019. Patients, treatment, and endpoints in cohorts 1-4 of FOENIX-MBC2 CohortApprox. target enrollment (n)TreatmentKey patient inclusion criteriaEndpointsa1≤55FutibatinibHR+ HER2– BC, measurable disease per RECIST v1.1, FGFR2 amplification, and 1–3 prior endocrine therapies and ≤2 prior chemotherapy regimens for advanced/metastatic diseasePrimary: ORR Secondary: CBR, DOR, OS, PFS, 6-month PFS rate, safety2≤55FutibatinibTNBC, measurable disease per RECIST v1.1, FGFR2 amplification, and ≥1 prior chemotherapy or chemotherapy/immunotherapy regimen for advanced/metastatic diseasePrimary: ORR Secondary: CBR, DOR, OS, PFS, 6-month PFS rate, safety3≤24FutibatinibHR+ HER2– BC or TNBC; non-measurable, evaluable disease; FGFR2 amplification; and prior therapy as per cohort 1 (HR+ HER2– BC) or cohort 2 (TNBC)Primary: CBR Secondary: CR rate, DOR, OS, PFS, 6-month PFS rate, safety4≤34Futibatinib + fulvestrantHR+ HER2– BC, measurable disease per RECIST v1.1, high levels of FGFR1 amplification (FGFR1:CEN8 ratio ≥5.0 or FGFR1 copy number ≥10), and 1–2 prior endocrine-containing regimens and ≤1 prior chemotherapy regimen for advanced/metastatic disease, but no prior fulvestrantPrimary: 6-month PFS rate Secondary: ORR, CBR, DOR, OS, PFS, safetyCBR, clinical benefit rate; CR, complete response; DOR, duration of response; HER2-, human epidermal growth factor-negative; HR+, hormone-receptor-positive; ORR, objective response rate; OS, overall survival; PFS, progression-free survival; RECIST v1.1, Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1aORR is defined as the proportion of all treated patients with a best overall response of CR or PR; CBR is defined as the proportion of all treated patients with a best overall response of CR, PR, or SD ≥24 weeks. ORR and CBR will be summarized descriptively. The 6-month PFS rate is the percentage of patients who remain alive and progression-free at 6 months estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. This study is funded by Taiho Oncology, Inc. and Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Citation Format: Nick C. Turner, Ian E. Krop, Aditya Bardia, Senthil Damodaran, Miguel Martin, Karim A. Benhadji, Yaohua He, Mieke Ptaszynski, Carlos L. Arteaga. A phase 2 study of futibatinib (TAS-120) in metastatic breast cancers harboring fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) amplifications (FOENIX-MBC2) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT2-07-01.

Futibatinib, a highly selective, irreversible FGFR1–4 inhibitor, was evaluated in a large multihistology phase I dose-expansion trial that enrolled 197 patients with advanced solid tumors. Futibatinib demonstrated an objective response rate (ORR) of 13.7%, with responses in a broad spectrum of tumors (cholangiocarcinoma and gastric, urothelial, central nervous system, head and neck, and breast cancer) bearing both known and previously uncharacterized FGFR1–3 aberrations. The greatest activity was observed in FGFR2 fusion/rearrangement–positive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ORR, 25.4%). Some patients with acquired resistance to a prior FGFR inhibitor also experienced responses with futibatinib. Futibatinib demonstrated a manageable safety profile. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were hyperphosphatemia (81.2%), diarrhea (33.5%), and nausea (30.4%). These results formed the basis for ongoing futibatinib phase II/III trials and demonstrate the potential of genomically selected early-phase trials to help identify molecular subsets likely to benefit from targeted therapy. Significance: This phase I dose-expansion trial demonstrated clinical activity and tolerability of the irreversible FGFR1–4 inhibitor futibatinib across a broad spectrum of FGFR-aberrant tumors. These results formed the rationale for ongoing phase II/III futibatinib trials in cholangiocarcinoma, breast cancer, gastroesophageal cancer, and a genomically selected disease-agnostic population. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 275

4 Background: Trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) plus bevacizumab (Bev) demonstrated promising efficacy in a randomized phase 2 trial of heavily pretreated patients (pts) with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). SUNLIGHT was conducted to confirm these findings. Methods: The global phase 3 SUNLIGHT study enrolled pts aged ≥18 years with histologically confirmed mCRC, ECOG PS 0/1, and treated with 1-2 prior chemotherapy regimens in an advanced setting, including fluoropyrimidines, irinotecan, oxaliplatin, an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody (if medically considered) and/or anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody for RAS wild-type tumors. Pts were randomised (1:1) to receive FTD/TPI (35 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1–5 and 8–12 of each 28-day cycle) alone or combined with Bev (5 mg/kg on days 1 and 15). Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Results: Between Nov 2020 and Feb 2022, 492 pts were randomised to receive FTD/TPI + Bev (n = 246) or FTD/TPI (n = 246). Baseline characteristics were balanced between arms. FTD/TPI + Bev significantly extended OS over FTD/TPI, median OS was 10.8 months vs 7.5 months, respectively (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.49, 0.77; P< 0.001). OS rates at 12 months were 43% in the FTD/TPI + Bev arm and 30% in the FTD/TPI arm. Median progression-free survival was 5.6 months in the FTD/TPI + Bev arm and 2.4 months in the FTD/TPI arm (HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.36,0.54; P< 0.001). Grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) were not significantly increased in the FTD/TPI + Bev arm vs the FDT/TPI arm (72.4% vs 69.5%). No new safety signals were noted. Conclusions: FTD/TPI + Bev provided a statistically significant and a clinically meaningful 3.3-month improvement in OS, extending mOS up to 10.8 months, with a 39% reduction in the HR of death in pts with refractory mCRC and with a predictable and acceptable safety profile. Clinical trial information: NCT04737187 .

Futibatinib, a highly selective, irreversible FGFR1-4 inhibitor, was evaluated in a large multihistology phase I dose-expansion trial that enrolled 197 patients with advanced solid tumors. Futibatinib demonstrated an objective response rate (ORR) of 13.7%, with responses in a broad spectrum of tumors (cholangiocarcinoma and gastric, urothelial, central nervous system, head and neck, and breast cancer) bearing both known and previously uncharacterized

4009 Background: Survival outcomes are historically poor in patients (pts) with advanced/metastatic iCCA, with median overall survival (mOS) times of approximately 1 year with first-line gemcitabine plus cisplatin and approximately 6 months with second-line chemotherapy. Futibatinib, a highly selective, irreversible FGFR1–4 inhibitor, demonstrated efficacy with durable responses in pts with iCCA harboring FGFR2 fusion/rearrangements in the pivotal FOENIX-CCA2 phase 2 study (NCT02052778). At the primary analysis of this trial (data cutoff: October 1, 2020), an objective response rate (ORR) of 41.7% was observed, with a median duration of response (mDOR) of 9.7 mo. Here, we report updated efficacy (including mature OS data) and safety data from the final analysis with an additional 8 mo of follow-up. Methods: FOENIX-CCA2 was a single-arm phase 2 study that enrolled pts with advanced/metastatic iCCA with FGFR2 fusion/rearrangement and progressive disease (PD) after ≥1 prior treatment (tx; including gemcitabine plus platinum-based chemotherapy). Pts received futibatinib 20 mg once daily until PD/intolerability. The primary endpoint was ORR per RECIST v1.1 by independent central review. Secondary endpoints were DOR, disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), OS, safety, and patient-reported outcomes. Results: At the time of the final data cutoff (May 29, 2021), median follow-up was 25.0 mo, and 96/103 pts (93%) had discontinued tx. The median number of tx cycles was 13.0 for a median tx duration of 9.1 mo. The confirmed ORR was 41.7% (43/103) and thereby the same as of the primary analysis, as was the DCR (at 82.5%). The ORR was consistent across pt subgroups. The mDOR was 9.5 mo, and 74% of responses lasted ≥6 mo. mPFS was 8.9 mo, with a 12-mo PFS rate of 35.4%. Mature mOS was 20.0 mo, with a 12-mo OS rate of 73.1% . No new safety signals were identified. Common tx-related adverse events (TRAEs) included hyperphosphatemia (85%), alopecia (33%), dry mouth (30%), diarrhea (28%), dry skin (27%), and fatigue (25%). TRAEs resulted in tx discontinuation in 4 pts (4%). No tx-related deaths occurred. Quality of life was maintained from baseline to tx cycle 13. Conclusions: Findings from the final analysis of FOENIX-CCA2 confirm the results of the primary analysis and reinforce the durable efficacy and continued tolerability of futibatinib in previously treated pts with advanced/metastatic iCCA harboring FGFR2 fusion/rearrangements. Mature OS data were consistent with data from the primary analysis and far exceed historical data in this patient population. Clinical trial information: NCT02052778.

Background Preclinical data suggest that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β signaling interact to stimulate angiogenesis and suppress antitumor immune responses. Thus, combined inhibition of both pathways may offer greater antitumor activity compared with VEGF‐targeted antiangiogenic monotherapy against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods This is a multicenter, open‐label, phase 1b study of galunisertib, an inhibitor of TGF‐β receptor 1, and ramucirumab, an anti‐VEGF receptor 2 antibody, in patients with advanced HCC aiming to define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Secondary objectives included safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), antitumor efficacy, and plasma alpha‐fetoprotein and TGF‐β kinetics. Dose escalation employed a 3 + 3 design. Patients received galunisertib at 80 mg (cohort 1) or 150 mg (cohort 2) orally twice a day on days 1–14 of a 28‐day cycle combined with ramucirumab 8 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks. Results Eight patients were enrolled: three in cohort 1 and five in cohort 2 (two patients were unevaluable due to rapid disease progression and replaced). No dose‐limiting toxicities were observed. Treatment‐related adverse events (AEs) of any grade in ≥2 patients included nausea (25%) and vomiting (25%). There was one Grade 3 treatment‐related AE, a cerebrovascular accident possibly related to ramucirumab. Galunisertib exposure was dose‐proportional and not affected by ramucirumab. The RECIST version 1.1 objective response rate and disease control rate were 0% and 12.5%, respectively. Conclusion Combination therapy was safe and tolerable and displayed favorable PK. The MTD was established at galunisertib at 150 mg orally twice a day and ramucirumab 8 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks. The results do not support the preclinical hypothesis that blocking TGFβ signaling enhances efficacy of VEGF‐targeted therapy; thus further clinical development was halted for the combination of galunisertib and ramucirumab., The combination of galunisertib (up to 150 mg twice as day) and ramucirumab 8 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks (standard dose) was safe and tolerable and displayed favorable pharmacokinetics in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. The results do not support the preclinical hypothesis that blocking transforming growth factor‐beta signaling enhances efficacy of VEGF‐targeted therapy; thus further clinical development was halted for the combination of galunisertib and ramucirumab.

BackgroundWe assessed the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) receptor inhibitor galunisertib co-administered with the anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody durvalumab in recurrent/refractory metastatic pancreatic cancer previously treated with ≤2 systemic regimens.MethodsThis was a two-part, single-arm, multinational, phase Ib study. In a dose-finding phase, escalating oral doses of galunisertib were co-administered on days 1–14 with fixed-dose intravenous durvalumab 1500 mg on day 1 every 4 weeks (Q4W), followed by an expansion cohort phase.ResultsThe galunisertib recommended phase II dose (RP2D) when co-administered with durvalumab 1500 mg Q4W was 150 mg two times per day. No dose-limiting toxicities were recorded. Among 32 patients treated with galunisertib RP2D, 1 patient had partial response, 7 had stable disease, 15 had objective progressive disease, and 9 were not evaluable. Disease control rate was 25.0%. Median overall survival and progression-free survival were 5.72 months (95% CI: 4.01 to 8.38) and 1.87 months (95% CI: 1.58 to 3.09), respectively. Pharmacokinetic profiles for combination therapy were comparable to those published for each drug. There was no association between potential biomarkers and treatment outcomes.ConclusionGalunisertib 150 mg two times per day co-administered with durvalumab 1500 mg Q4W was tolerable. Clinical activity was limited. Studying this combination in patients in an earlier line of treatment or selected for predictive biomarkers of TGFβ inhibition might be a more suitable approach.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02734160.

Trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) is approved for advanced colorectal and gastric/gastroesophageal cancer; however, data in patients with renal impairment (RI) are limited. This phase I study evaluated FTD/TPI in patients with advanced solid tumors and varying degrees of RI to develop dosing guidance.Patients were enrolled into normal renal function (CrCl ≥ 90 mL/min), mild RI (CrCl 60-89 mL/min), or moderate RI (CrCl 30-59 mL/min) cohorts and administered the recommended FTD/TPI dose (35 mg/mForty-three patients (normal renal function [n = 12]; mild RI [n = 12]; moderate RI [n = 11]; severe RI [n = 8]) were enrolled and treated. At steady state, compared to values in patients with normal renal function, FTD area under the curve (AUC) was not significantly different in patients with RI, but TPI AUC was significantly higher and increased with RI severity. FTD/TPI safety profile was consistent with prior experience, but grade ≥ 3 adverse events (AEs) were more frequent in the RI cohorts (83.3% [mild], 90.9% [moderate], 75.0% [severe], and normal [50.0%]). Hematologic AEs (anemia and neutropenia) were more frequent with RI. Overall, seven patients discontinued because of unrelated, nonhematologic AEs.FTD/TPI is safe and tolerable at the recommended 35 mg/mNCT02301117, registration date: November 21, 2014.

LY3381916 is an orally available, highly selective, potent inhibitor of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1. This study explored the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and antitumor activity of LY3381916 monotherapy and in combination with a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor (LY3300054) in patients with advanced solid tumors. During dose escalation, patients received escalating doses of LY3381916 at 60-600 mg once daily (qd) and 240 mg twice daily in monotherapy (n=21) and in combination with PD-L1 inhibitor at 700 mg every 2 weeks (n=21). A modified toxicity probability interval method was used to guide dose escalation. Dose-limiting toxicities occurred in 3 patients; 1 at LY3381916 240 mg twice daily (alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase increase and systemic inflammatory response syndrome) and 2 at LY3381916 240 mg qd in combination with PD-L1 inhibitor (fatigue and immune-related hepatitis). LY3381916, at the recommended phase II dose, 240 mg qd, in combination with PD-L1 inhibitor, produced maximal inhibition of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 activity in plasma and tumor tissue, and led to an increase of CD8 T cells in tumor tissue. In the combination dose expansion cohorts, 14 triple-negative breast cancer and 4 non-small cell lung cancer patients were enrolled. Treatment-related liver toxicity (grade >= 2 alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase increase or immune-related hepatitis) was the most prominent adverse event in triple-negative breast cancer patients (n=5, 35.7%). Best response was stable disease. These preliminary data suggest an alternative dose level of LY3381916 is needed for the combination with PD-L1 inhibitor. The combination clinical activity was limited in this study.

Notch signaling plays an important role in development and tissue homeostasis. Deregulation of Notch signaling has been implicated in multiple malignancies. Crenigacestat (LY3039478), a potent Notch inhibitor, decreases Notch signaling and its downstream biologic effects. I6F-MC-JJCD was a multicenter, nonrandomized, open-label, Phase 1b study with 5 separate, parallel dose-escalations in patients with advanced or metastatic cancer from a variety of solid tumors, followed by a dose-confirmation phase in prespecified tumor types. This manuscript reports on 3 of 5 groups. The primary objective was to determine the recommended Phase 2 dose of crenigacestat in combination with other anticancer agents (taladegib, LY3023414 [dual inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase; mechanistic target of rapamycin], or abemaciclib). Secondary objectives included evaluation of safety, tolerability, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics. Patients (N = 63) received treatment between November 2016 and July 2019. Dose-limiting toxicities occurred in 12 patients, mostly gastrointestinal (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting). The maximum-tolerated dose of crenigacestat was 25 mg in Part B (LY3023414), 50 mg in Part C (abemaciclib), and not established in Part A (taladegib) due to toxicities. Patients had at least 1 adverse event (AE) and 75.0-82.6% were ≥ Grade 3 all-causality AEs. No patient had complete or partial response. Disease control rates were 18.8% (Part B) and 26.1% (Part C). The study was terminated before dose confirmation cohorts were triggered. This study demonstrated that crenigacestat combined with different anticancer agents (taladegib, LY3023414, or abemaciclib) was poorly tolerated, leading to lowered dosing and disappointing clinical activity in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors. NCT02784795 and date of registration: May 27, 2016.

Background Deregulated Notch signaling is implicated in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL)/T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL). Crenigacestat (LY3039478) prevents cleavage of Notch proteins and may benefit patients with relapsed/refractory T-ALL/T-LBL. Methods JJCB was a multicenter, nonrandomized, open-label, dose-escalation, phase 1 study in adult patients with relapsed/refractory T-ALL/T-LBL. Eligible patients received Crenigacestat orally 3 times per week plus dexamethasone at 24 mg twice daily on days 1 to 5 every other week in a 28-day cycle. The starting level of Crenigacestat was 50 mg, and dose escalation was performed with a modified 3+3 scheme for the estimation of dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) at the recommended dose level. Results In total, 36 patients with T-ALL (n = 31 [86.1%]) or T-LBL (n = 5 [13.9%]) were treated with Crenigacestat and dexamethasone. Six patients (16.7%) experienced DLTs: 2 of 12 (16.7%) in the 75-mg cohort (grade 4 gastrointestinal hemorrhage and grade 3 nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea), 1 of 15 (6.7%) in the 100-mg cohort (grade 3 diarrhea), and 3 of 3 (100%) in the 125-mg cohort (grade 3 diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting). The maximum tolerated dosewas 75 mg plus 24 mg of dexamethasone daily on days 1 to 5. Twenty-eight patients (77.8%) experienced 1 or more treatment-emergent adverse events related to the study treatment. The best overall response was a confirmed response, with 1 patient (2.8%) having a duration of response of 10.51 months. Six patients (16.7%) achieved stable disease, and 12 patients (33.3%) experienced progressive disease. The remaining 17 patients (47.2%) were not evaluable. The median event-free survival was 1.18 months (95% confidence interval, 0.76-2.14 months) among all groups. A pharmacodynamic analysis showed decreased plasma amyloid β levels. Conclusions Crenigacestat demonstrated limited clinical activity at the recommended dose in adult patients with relapsed/refractory T-ALL/T-LBL.

Summary Background Deregulated Notch signaling is implicated in multiple cancers. The phase I trial (I6F-MC-JJCA) investigated the safety and anti-tumor activity of crenigacestat (LY3039478), a selective oral Notch inhibitor, in an expansion cohort of patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) who received the dose-escalation-recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D), established previously (Massard C, et al., Annals Oncol 2018, 29:1911–17). Methods Patients with advanced or metastatic cancer, measurable disease, ECOG-PS ≤1, and baseline tumor tissue were enrolled. Primary objectives were to identify a safe RP2D, confirm this dose in expansion cohorts, and document anti-tumor activity. Secondary objectives included safety and progression-free survival (PFS). The ACC expansion cohort received the RP2D regimen of 50 mg crenigacestat thrice per week in a 28-day cycle until disease progression or other discontinuation criteria were met. Results Twenty-two patients with ACC were enrolled in the expansion cohort (median age of 60 years). Median treatment duration was 3 cycles with 6 patients remaining on treatment. There were no objective responses; 1 (5%) patient had an unconfirmed partial response. Disease control rate was 73% and 4 patients had stable disease ≥6 months. Median PFS was 5.3 months (95%CI: 2.4-NE)) for the 22 patients; and 7.7 months (95%CI: 4.0-NR) and 2.4 months (95%CI: 1.1-NE) in the subgroup of patients in second-line (n = 7) or ≥ third-line (n = 9), respectively. Frequent treatment-related-adverse events (all grades) included diarrhea, fatigue, vomiting, decreased appetite, dry mouth, and dry skin. There were no new safety signals. Conclusion The crenigacestat RP2D regimen induced manageable toxicity and limited clinical activity, without confirmed responses, in heavily pretreated patients with ACC.

Background Futibatinib is an oral, irreversible, highly selective fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)1–4 inhibitor with potent preclinical activity against tumors harboring FGFR aberrations. This first-in-human, phase I dose-escalation trial (NCT02052778) evaluates the safety and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of futibatinib in advanced solid tumors. Patients and methods Following a standard 3+3 dose-escalation design, eligible patients with advanced solid tumors refractory to standard therapies received 8–200 mg futibatinib three times a week (t.i.w.) or 4–24 mg once daily (q.d.). Results A total of 86 patients were enrolled in the nine t.i.w. (n = 42) and five q.d. cohorts (n = 44); 71 patients (83%) had tumors harboring FGF/FGFR aberrations. Three of nine patients in the 24-mg q.d. cohort experienced dose-limiting toxicities, including grade 3 increases in alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and blood bilirubin (n = 1 each). The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was determined to be 20 mg q.d.; no MTD was defined for the t.i.w. schedule. Across cohorts (n = 86), the most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were hyperphosphatemia (59%), diarrhea (37%), and constipation (34%); 48% experienced grade 3 TEAEs. TEAEs led to dose interruptions, dose reductions, and treatment discontinuations in 55%, 14%, and 3% of patients, respectively. Pharmacokinetics were dose proportional across all q.d. doses but not all t.i.w. doses evaluated, with saturation observed between 80 and 200 mg t.i.w. Serum phosphorus increased dose dependently with futibatinib on both schedules, but a stronger exposure–response relationship was observed with q.d. dosing, supporting 20 mg q.d. as the recommended phase II dose (RP2D). Overall, partial responses were observed in five patients [FGFR2 fusion-positive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (n = 3) and FGFR1-mutant primary brain tumor (n = 2)], and stable disease in 41 (48%). Conclusions Futibatinib treatment resulted in manageable safety, pharmacodynamic activity, and preliminary responses in patients with advanced solid tumors. The results of this phase I dose-escalation trial support 20 mg q.d. futibatinib as the RP2D. Clinical trial registration FOENIX-101 (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02052778).

Background Deregulated Notch signaling due to mutation or overexpression of ligands and/or receptors is implicated in various human malignancies. γ-Secretase inhibitors inhibit Notch signaling by preventing cleavage of transmembrane domain of Notch protein. LY3039478 is a novel, potent Notch inhibitor decreases Notch signaling and its downstream biologic effects. In this first-in-human study, we report the safety, pharmacokinetic (PK) profile, pharmacodynamic effects, and antitumor activity of LY3039478 in patients with advanced or metastatic cancer. Methods This phase I, open-label, multicenter, nonrandomized, and dose-escalation phase study determined and confirmed the recommended phase II dose of LY3039478 (oral dose: 2.5–100 mg, thrice weekly (TIW) on a 28-day cycle). The primary objectives are to determine (part A) and confirm (part B) a recommended phase II dose that may be safely administered to patients with advanced or metastatic cancer, and secondary objectives include evaluation of safety, tolerability, PK parameters, and preliminary antitumor activity of LY3039478. Results A total of 110 patients were treated with LY3039478 monotherapy between 31 October 2012 and 15 July 2016. Dose-limiting toxicities were thrombocytopenia, colitis, and nausea. Most adverse events were gastrointestinal. The recommended phase II dose was 50 mg TIW, because of its better tolerability compared with 75 mg. The PKs of LY3039478 appeared dose proportional. Pharmacodynamic data indicate an ∼80% inhibition of plasma Aβ, and >50% inhibition of Notch-regulated genes hairy and enhancer of split-1, cyclin D1, and Notch-regulated ankyrin repeat at 45–100-mg dose. Clinical activity (tumor necrosis, metabolic response, or tumor shrinkage) was observed in patients with breast cancer, leiomyosarcoma, and adenoid cystic carcinoma. Conclusion Potent inhibition of Notch signaling by LY3039478 was well tolerated at doses associated with target engagement, and demonstrated evidence of clinical activity in heavily pretreated patients. Further investigation with LY3039478 as monotherapy and in combination with targeted agent or chemotherapy is ongoing. Clinicaltrials.gov ID NCT01695005.

Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) is an important driver of tumor growth via intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms, and is therefore an attractive target for developing cancer therapeutics. Using preclinical models, we characterized the anti-tumor activity of a small molecule inhibitor of TGFβ receptor I (TGFβRI), galunisertib (LY2157299 monohydrate). Galunisertib demonstrated potent and selective inhibition of TGFβRI with corresponding inhibition of downstream signaling via inhibition of SMAD phosphorylation (pSMAD). Galunisertib also inhibited TGFβ-induced pSMAD in vivo, which enabled a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile in Calu6 and EMT6-LM2 tumors. Galunisertib demonstrated anti-tumor activity including inhibition of tumor cell migration and mesenchymal phenotype, reversal of TGFβ-mediated immune-suppression, and tumor growth delay. A concentration-effect relationship was established with a dosing schedule to achieve the optimal level of target modulation. Finally, a rat model demonstrated a correlation between galunisertib-dependent inhibition of pSMAD in tumor tissues and in PBMCs, supporting the use of PBMCs for assessing pharmacodynamic effects. Galunisertib has been tested in several clinical studies with evidence of anti-tumor activity observed in subsets of patients. Here, we demonstrate that galunisertib inhibits a number of TGFβ-dependent functions leading to anti-tumor activity. The enhanced understanding of galunisertib provides rationale for further informed clinical development of TGFβ pathway inhibitors.

Background Futibatinib is an oral selective irreversible FGFR inhibitor with clinical activity in cholangiocarcinoma and other FGFR-deregulated tumors. A phase 1 thorough QT study was conducted to evaluate the effect of futibatinib on the heart rate (HR)-corrected QT (QTc) interval. Methods Healthy nonsmoking adults 18-55 years of age were randomized to receive single doses of each of the following treatments in different sequences: futibatinib (20 or 80 mg [therapeutic and supratherapeutic doses, respectively]), placebo, or moxifloxacin (positive QTc-prolongation control; 400 mg). At least 7 days were allowed between administration of each of the 4 treatments. Administration of futibatinib and placebo was double-blind; that of moxifloxacin was open-label. The primary endpoint was the difference in change from baseline in QTcF (QT interval corrected using Fridericia's formula) between futibatinib and placebo (ddQTcF) at the time points tested. Upper limits of the 2-sided 90% confidence intervals (CIs) of these differences of Citation Format: Ikuo Yamamiya, John Laabs, Daryl Sonnichsen, Mark Mina, Yaohua He, Karim Benhadji. Effect of futibatinib on QT/QTc interval: a randomized, controlled, double-blind study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr CT128.

Background Futibatinib is an oral, irreversible FGFR1-4 inhibitor with clinical activity in cholangiocarcinoma and other FGFR-aberrant tumors. The recommended futibatinib dosage is 20 mg once daily (QD). In vitro studies have shown that futibatinib is predominantly metabolized by and inhibits cytochrome p450 3A (CYP3A); futibatinib is also a P-glycoprotein substrate. Two phase 1 studies were performed in healthy volunteers to evaluate potential DDIs between futibatinib and CYP3A substrates (midazolam; study 1) or CYP3A inhibitors/inducers (itraconazole/rifampin; study 2). As the solubility of futibatinib is pH dependent, study 3 assessed the effect of PPI (lansoprazole) coadministration on futibatinib pharmacokinetics (PK). Methods All 3 studies, conducted in adult nonsmokers, were open-label, fixed-sequence, 2-period cross-over studies with a 1- or 2-d washout between each period. In study 1, midazolam 2 mg was given on d1 of period 1 (-futibatinib) and on d7 of period 2 (+futibatinib 20 mg QD d1-7). In study 2, futibatinib 20 mg was given on d1 of period 1 (alone) and on d5 (+itraconazole 200 mg QD d1-6) or d8 (+rifampin 600 mg QD d1-9) of period 2. In study 3, futibatinib 20 mg was given on d1 of period 1 (-lansoprazole) and d5 of period 2 (+lansoprazole 60 mg QD d1-5). Plasma samples for PK assessment were collected predose through 24 h post-midazolam dosing (study 1) and predose through 48 h post-futibatinib dosing (studies 2 and 3). Results In study 1 (N=24), coadministration of futibatinib did not result in clinically significant changes in midazolam PK, based on the area under the concentration curve extrapolated to the last measurable time (AUC0-t; -9%) or infinity (AUC0-inf; -9%) or maximum plasma concentration (Cmax; -5%), compared with midazolam alone. In study 2 (N=40), relative to futibatinib administered alone, coadministration with itraconazole increased futibatinib Cmax (+51%) and plasma exposure (AUC0-t and AUC0-inf +41% each), whereas coadministration with rifampin decreased futibatinib Cmax (-53%) and plasma exposure (AUC0-t and AUC0-inf -64% each). In study 3 (N=20), coadministration of lansoprazole did not result in clinically significant changes in futibatinib PK parameters vs futibatinib alone (AUC0-t +5%; AUC0-inf +5%; Cmax +8%). Agents were well tolerated, and all 3 studies were completed with no clinically relevant safety signals. Conclusions Futibatinib is not expected to affect the exposure of concomitant medications metabolized via CYP3A, the most common drug metabolism pathway. Caution should be exercised when coadministering strong CYP3A inducers or inhibitors with futibatinib, as significant DDIs were observed with itraconazole and rifampin. Futibatinib can be concomitantly administered with PPIs with no clinically relevant impact on futibatinib exposure. Citation Format: Ikuo Yamamiya, John Laabs, Allen Hunt, Toru Takenaka, Daryl Sonnichsen, Mark Mina, Yaohua He, Karim Benhadji. Evaluation of potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) between futibatinib and CYP3A inhibitors/inducers, CYP3A substrates, or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr CT125.

Background FGFR2 fusions occur in ~15% of patients (pts) with iCCA, a rare cancer with a poor prognosis. Futibatinib, a highly selective, irreversible FGFR1-4 inhibitor, has shown activity across tumor types, including iCCA, in a phase 1 study. The pivotal phase 2 FOENIX-CCA2 trial (NCT02052778) is evaluating futibatinib in iCCA harboring FGFR2 fusions/rearrangements. Here, we report the first efficacy, safety, and quality of life (QoL) data for the complete FOENIX-CCA2 population. Methods Eligible pts had unresectable/metastatic iCCA with an FGFR2 fusion/rearrangement and progressive disease (PD) after ≥1 prior treatment (tx; excluding FGFR inhibitors). Pts received futibatinib 20 mg QD until PD/intolerability. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) per RECIST v1.1 by independent central review (target ORR: 20%). Secondary endpoints included duration of response (DOR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), safety, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Subgroup analyses were performed by pt characteristic and molecular alteration. Results Among 103 pts (56% female), 53% had received ≥2 prior tx. FGFR2 fusions were present in 78% (23% had FGFR2-BICC1 fusions) and FGFR2 rearrangements in 22%. At data cutoff (Oct 1, 2020), 72 pts (70%) had discontinued tx. The study met its primary objective with a confirmed ORR of 41.7% (43/103). Responses were durable, with a median (m) DOR of 9.7 mo and 72% of responses ≥6 mo. DCR was 82.5%. mPFS was 9.0 mo; mOS was 21.7 mo, with a 12-mo OS rate of 72%. ORR was consistent across pt demographic subgroups (≥65 y: 65.2%; 2 prior tx: 38.7%). Common tx-related AEs (TRAEs) were hyperphosphatemia (85%), alopecia (33%), and dry mouth (30%). The most frequent grade 3 TRAE, hyperphosphatemia (30%), resolved with adequate management (median 7 d). Retinal disorders (all grade 1-2) were reported in 8% of pts. TRAEs were managed with dosing interruptions (50%)/reductions (54%); 2 pts discontinued tx due to TRAEs. No tx-related deaths occurred. ORRs were consistent in pts with dosing interruptions (40.2%) or reductions (46.8%). PROs were stable through 11.0 mo of tx. In exploratory biomarker analyses, ORR was consistent in pts with FGFR2 fusions (43.8%) and other FGFR2 rearrangements (34.8%) and in pts with BICC1 (41.7%) and non-BICC1 (44.6%) fusion partners. Notably, no obvious differences in ORR were observed in pts with co-occurring genetic alterations, including TP53 comutations (ORR, 38.5% [5/13]). Additional biomarker data will be presented. Conclusions Futibatinib resulted in frequent, durable objective responses in pts with iCCA harboring FGFR2 fusion/rearrangements, regardless of pt baseline characteristic, molecular alteration, or comutation. AEs were manageable with dosing modifications that did not impact response. QoL was maintained. Citation Format: Lipika Goyal, Funda Meric-Bernstam, Antoine Hollebecque, Chigusa Morizane, Juan W. Valle, Thomas B. Karasic, Thomas A. Abrams, Robin Kate Kelley, Philippe Cassier, Junji Furuse, Heinz-Josef Klümpen, Heung-Moon Chang, Li-Tzong Chen, Yoshito Komatsu, Kunihiro Masuda, Daniel Ahn, Yaohua He, Nital Soni, Karim A. Benhadji, John A. Bridgewater. Primary results of phase 2 FOENIX-CCA2: The irreversible FGFR1-4 inhibitor futibatinib in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) with FGFR2 fusions/rearrangements [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr CT010.

Mutations in ERK signaling drive a significant percentage of malignancies. LY3009120, a pan-RAF and dimer inhibitor, has preclinical activity in RAS- and BRAF-mutated cell lines including BRAF-mutant melanoma resistant to BRAF inhibitors. This multicenter, open-label, phase I clinical trial (NCT02014116) consisted of part A (dose escalation) and part B (dose confirmation) in patients with advanced/metastatic cancer. In part A, oral LY3009120 was dose escalated from 50 to 700 mg twice a day on a 28-day cycle. In part B, 300 mg LY3009120 was given twice a day. The primary objective was to identify a recommended phase II dose (RP2D). Secondary objectives were to evaluate safety, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy. Identification of pharmacodynamic biomarkers was exploratory. In parts A and B, 35 and 16 patients were treated, respectively (N = 51). In part A, 6 patients experienced eight dose-limiting toxicities. The RP2D was 300 mg twice a day. Common (>10%) any-grade drug-related treatment-emergent adverse events were fatigue (n = 15), nausea (n = 12), dermatitis acneiform (n = 10), decreased appetite (n = 7), and maculopapular rash (n = 7). The median duration of treatment was 4 weeks; 84% of patients completed one or two cycles of treatment. Exposures observed at 300 mg twice a day were above the preclinical concentration associated with tumor regression. Eight patients had a best overall response of stable disease; there were no complete or partial clinical responses. Despite adequate plasma exposure levels, predicted pharmacodynamic effects were not observed.

To evaluate the exposure–overall survival (OS) relationship in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer treated with galunisertib plus gemcitabine (GG) or gemcitabine plus placebo (GP). Galunisertib 300 mg/day was given orally as intermittent dosing and gemcitabine as per label. Galunisertib exposure metrics for each patient in the GG arm (n = 99) of a phase 2 study of pancreatic cancer were calculated. Parametric survival models were used to identify influential baseline and response covariates on OS. The population pharmacokinetics dataset included data from 297 patients/healthy subjects (age: 22–84 years, weight: 39–126 kg) across multiple studies, including this pancreatic cancer study. Galunisertib was rapidly absorbed with peak concentrations attained within 0.5–2 h and had an elimination half-life of 8 h. Between-subject variance on apparent clearance was estimated to be 47%. Age was the only characteristic to have a statistically significant effect on apparent clearance. A parametric Weibull survival model with treatment effect (dose) estimated a hazard ratio of 0.796, after adjusting for patient baseline factors that were significantly associated with OS. There was also a flat daily exposure–OS relationship within the observed exposure range, once all significant baseline covariates were included. Response covariates, such as reduction in CA19-9, time on treatment, and cumulative exposure over treatment cycles were also identified as significant factors for OS for patients with pancreatic cancer. This analysis suggests that 300 mg/day galunisertib administered as 150 mg twice daily for 14 days on/14 days off treatment is an appropriate dosing regimen for patients with pancreatic cancer.

Galunisertib, the first small molecule transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) receptor inhibitor, plus gemcitabine resulted in the improvement of survival in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer, but markers to identify patients likely to respond are lacking. In the Phase 1b/2 JBAJ study, 156 patients were randomized 2:1 to galunisertib + gemcitabine (N = 104) or placebo + gemcitabine (N = 52). Clinical outcome data were integrated with baseline markers and pharmacodynamic markers while patients were on treatment, including circulating proteins using a multi-analyte panel, T cell subset evaluation, and miRNA profiling. Baseline biomarkers associated with overall prognosis regardless of treatment included CA19-9 and TGF-β1. In addition, IP-10, FSH, MIP-1α, and PAI-1 were potential predictive proteins. Baseline proteins that were changed during treatment included amphiregulin, CA15-3, cathepsin D, P-selectin, RAGE, sortilin, COMP, eotaxin-2, N-BNP, osteopontin, and thrombospondin-4. Plasma miRNA with potential prognostic value included miR-21-5p, miR-301a-3p, miR-210-3p, and miR-141-3p, while those with potential predictive value included miR-424-5p, miR-483-3p, and miR-10b-5p. Galunisertib + gemcitabine resulted in improvement of overall survival, and 4 proteins (IP-10, FSH, MIP-1α, PAI-1) were potentially predictive for this combination treatment. Future studies should also include baseline evaluation of miR-424-5p, miR-483-3p, and miR-10b-5p. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01373164.