Efficacy Results of Selective AXL Inhibitor Bemcentinib with Pembrolizumab Following Chemo in Patients with NSCLC

Background The RTK AXL is implicated in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, negative regulation of anti-tumor immunity and resistance to multiple therapies including CPIs. Bemcentinib is a first-in-class, oral, highly selective and potent AXL inhibitor which has been demonstrated to enhance anti-PD1 therapy in the pre-clinical setting. Methods This PhII trial enrolled 48 advanced lung adenocarcinoma pts with progression on or after 1 prior line of PLT-based chemotherapy. Primary endpoint was ORR according to RECIST 1.1. Additional endpoints included efficacy according to biomarker expression, DCR, PFS, OS and safety. Tumor biopsies were analyzed for AXL by IHC, and PD-L1 expression (22C3 pharmDx). Additional biomarker analysis was also performed. Results In May 2019, Cohort A was fully recruited: median age 65 (range 39-82) yrs, 61% male, 76% smokers or ex-smokers. Pts had completed a median of 3 treatment cycles. 15 pts were ongoing. Out of 32 pts with available PD-L1, 17 (53%) had TPS 50%. Out of 33 patients with available AXL IHC, 19 (58%) expressed AXL on their tumors. Among pts who had at least 1 evaluable post-baseline scan: ORR was 10/38 (26%) overall, 6/16 (38%) in AXL positive pts (compared to 2/13 (15%) in AXL negative pts), and 7/30 (23%) in pts with TPS 0-49%. 12-mo OS was 54% overall (2 pts lost to follow up). mOS overall was 12.2 mos (95% CI 6.2 – NR). In pts with AXL positive tumors, mOS was 12.2 mos (2.0 – NR) and in AXL negative 12.7 mos (5.6 – NR). In PD-L1 negative pts, mOS was 12.4 mos (5.6-NR). Most common TRAEs (occurring in > 10% of pts) were transaminase increases (35%), asthenia/fatigue (30%), diarrhea (26%), nausea (13%), anemia (11%), and decreased appetite (11%). All cases of transaminase increase were reversible and resolved. 13 pts (28%) had TRAEs grade > 3, all of which were resolved or resolving at the time of writing. No treatment-related deaths were reported. Conclusions The combination of bemcentinib and pembro was well tolerated and showed promising efficacy in previously treated IO-naive NSCLC pts, particularly in those with AXL positive disease, including PD-L1 negative pts. mOS of > 12 mos is favorable compared with historical references in the NSCLC second-line setting. Clinical trial identification NCT03184571. Legal entity responsible for the study BerGenBio ASA. Funding BerGenBio ASA. Disclosure J.M. Trigo Perez: Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Roche; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: AstraZeneca; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Boehringer; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: BMS; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: MSD. E. Felip: Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: AbbVie; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: AstraZeneca; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Blueprint Medicines; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Boehringer Ingelheim; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Bristol-Myers Squibb; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Celgene; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Eli Lilly; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Guardant Health; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Janssen; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Medscape; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Merck KGaA; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Merck Sharp & Dohme; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Roche; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Takeda; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Touchtime. A. Helland: Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): AstraZeneca; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): Roche; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: MSD; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: BMS; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: PierreFabre; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Pfizer. E. Arriola: Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: BMS; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Roche; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: MSD; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (institution): Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Lilly; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: AstraZeneca; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Boehringer Ingelheim. R. Garcia Campelo: Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Roche/Genentech; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: MSD Oncology; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: AstraZeneca; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Bristol-Myers Squibb; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Takeda; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Boehringer Ingelheim. J. Spicer: Honoraria (institution), Research grant / Funding (institution): AstraZeneca; Honoraria (institution), Research grant / Funding (institution): Bayer; Honoraria (institution), Research grant / Funding (institution): BerGenBio ASA; Honoraria (institution), Research grant / Funding (institution): Boehringer Ingelheim; Honoraria (institution), Research grant / Funding (institution): BMS; Honoraria (institution), Research grant / Funding (institution): Curis; Honoraria (institution), Research grant / Funding (institution): Genmab; Honoraria (institution), Research grant / Funding (institution): Roche; Honoraria (institution), Research grant / Funding (institution): Starpharma; Honoraria (institution), Research grant / Funding (institution): Taiho; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: IGEM Therapeutics. R.J. Holt: Full / Part-time employment: BerGenBio ASA. J.B. Lorens: Leadership role, Research grant / Funding (institution), Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: BerGenBio ASA. M. Shoaib: Advisory / Consultancy, Full / Part-time employment: BerGenBio ASA. A. Siddiqui: Advisory / Consultancy, Full / Part-time employment: BerGenBio ASA. E.V. Schmidt: Full / Part-time employment: Merck Sharp & Dome. M.J. Chisamore: Full / Part-time employment: Merck Sharp & Dome. M.G. Krebs: Honoraria (institution), Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Roche; Advisory / Consultancy: Achilles Therapeutics; Advisory / Consultancy: Octimet; Advisory / Consultancy: Janssen; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: AstraZeneca; Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: BerGenBio ASA. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.