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E.B. Garon

Moderator of

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    ORAL 02 - PD1 Axis Immunotherapy 2 (ID 87)

    • Event: WCLC 2015
    • Type: Oral Session
    • Track: Treatment of Advanced Diseases - NSCLC
    • Presentations: 8
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      ORAL02.01 - Phase 3, Randomized Trial (CheckMate 017) of Nivolumab (NIVO) vs Docetaxel in Advanced Squamous (SQ) Cell Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (ID 736)

      10:45 - 10:56  |  Author(s): K. Reckamp, D.R. Spigel, N.A. Rizvi, E. Poddubskaya, H. West, W.E.E. Eberhardt, P. Baas, S.J. Antonia, A. Pluzanski, E. Vokes, E. Holgado, D. Waterhouse, N. Ready, J.F. Gainor, O. Arén Frontera, L. Horn, L. Paz-Ares, A. Li, M. Lynch, J.R. Brahmer

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      Treatment options for patients with advanced SQ NSCLC who fail platinum-based doublet chemotherapy (PT-DC) are limited. NIVO, a fully human IgG4 programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor, demonstrates activity across NSCLC histologies and is approved in the US for treatment of metastatic SQ NSCLC with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. We report results from a randomized, open-label, global phase 3 study (CheckMate 017; NCT01642004) comparing NIVO vs docetaxel in patients with previously treated SQ NSCLC and disease progression during/after one prior PT-DC regimen.

      Methods:
      Patients (N=272) were randomized 1:1 to receive either NIVO 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks (Q2W; n=135) or docetaxel 75 mg/m[2] Q3W (n=137) until disease progression or discontinuation due to toxicity or other reasons. For NIVO patients, treatment after initial progression was permitted at the investigator’s discretion, per protocol criteria. The primary objective was overall survival (OS). Secondary objectives included investigator-assessed objective response rate (ORR; per RECIST v1.1), progression-free survival (PFS), efficacy by PD-L1 expression (PD-L1 testing not required for enrollment), patient-reported outcomes (PRO), and safety. PRO analyses are presented in a separate abstract.

      Results:
      Treatment with NIVO led to 41% reduction in risk of death (hazard ratio [HR]=0.59; 95% CI: 0.44, 0.79; P=0.00025) and improved ORR (20% vs 9%; P=0.0083) and PFS (HR=0.62; 95% CI: 0.47, 0.81; P=0.0004) vs docetaxel (Table). Twenty-eight patients were treated with NIVO beyond initial progression, nine of whom demonstrated a non-conventional pattern of benefit (ie, reduction in target lesions with simultaneous appearance of new lesions, initial progression followed by tumor reduction, or no further progression for ≥2 tumor assessments). Across pre-specified cut-points (1%, 5%, and 10%), PD-L1 expression was neither prognostic nor predictive of benefit. OS HRs favored NIVO across most predefined patient subgroups. Grade 3–4 drug-related adverse events (AEs) were reported in 7% (9/131) of NIVO and 55% (71/129) of docetaxel patients. Grade 3–4 drug-related select AEs are shown below (Table). No deaths were related to NIVO vs 3 docetaxel-related deaths. Figure 1



      Conclusion:
      CheckMate 017 achieved its primary objective, demonstrating clinically superior and statistically significant OS with NIVO vs docetaxel in patients with advanced, previously treated SQ NSCLC. Benefit was seen regardless of PD-L1 status. The safety profile of NIVO 3 mg/kg Q2W is favorable vs docetaxel and consistent with prior studies. AEs were manageable with established guidelines. NIVO represents a new standard of care in this patient population. Updated OS and safety data will be presented.

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      ORAL02.02 - Safety and Efficacy of Nivolumab in an Ongoing Trial of a PD-L1+/- Patient Population with Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (ID 851)

      10:56 - 11:07  |  Author(s): M. Hussein, M. McCleod, J. Chandler, G. Blumenschein, Jr., L. Schwartzberg, H. Burris, D. Waterhouse, R. Jotte, T. Bauer, D. Thompson, X. Li, C.H. Reynolds

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      Nivolumab (NIVO), a fully human IgG4 programmed death-1 (PD-1), immune checkpoint inhibitor antibody, has demonstrated durable responses and tolerability in heavily pretreated patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NIVO was recently approved for the treatment of patients with metastatic squamous (SQ) NSCLC with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Conducted mostly in community-based oncology centers, this ongoing trial explores the safety of NIVO in patients with previously-treated PD-L1[+/-] metastatic SQ or non-squamous (NSQ) NSCLC.

      Methods:
      Eligible patients are enrolled in 4 subgroups: 1) SQ, performance status (PS) 0–1, ≥2 prior therapies; 2) SQ, PS 0–1, 1 prior therapy; 3) NSQ, PS 0–1, ≥1 prior therapy; and 4) SQ or NSQ, PS 2, ≥1 prior therapy. Patients with both PD-L1[+] and PD-L1[-] tumors are eligible. Patients receive NIVO 3 mg/kg IV (60 minutes) Q2W either until progressive disease (PD)/unacceptable toxicity (Cohort A) or for 1 year with the possibility of retreatment upon disease progression (Cohort B). Primary objective is to estimate incidence of high-grade (CTCAE v4.0 Grade 3–4 and 5), select treatment-related adverse events (STRAEs); exploratory efficacy assessments include ORR, PFS, and OS.

      Results:
      From 4/16/14 to 12/31/14, 824 patients were treated and have demographic and safety data available; 483 patients remained on study as of 12/31/2014. 395 patients had evaluable radiographic tumor assessments at first assessment (Week 9). Demographics, safety, and tumor response by PD-L1 status are reported. Figure 1



      Conclusion:
      Safety and tolerability are consistent with prior NIVO experience and no new safety signals have been identified in this trial of SQ/NSQ NSCLC patients. Immune-related toxicities are manageable in a community practice setting using previously-developed safety algorithms. The frequency of STRAEs of interest was similar between patients with PS 0–1 and those with PS 2. Early data from this large, multicenter trial suggests that patients with pretreated advanced NSCLC benefit from NIVO therapy regardless of tumor PD-L1 status, histology type, and PS status.

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      ORAL02.03 - Longer-Term Follow-Up of a Phase 2 Study (CheckMate 063) of Nivolumab in Patients with Advanced, Refractory Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (ID 828)

      11:07 - 11:18  |  Author(s): L. Horn, N.A. Rizvi, J. Mazières, D. Planchard, T.E. Stinchcombe, G.K. Dy, S.J. Antonia, H. Léna, E. Minenza, B. Mennecier, G.A. Otterson, L.T. Campos, D.R. Gandara, B.P. Levy, S.G. Nair, G. Zalcman, J. Wolf, P. Paik, A. Li, D. Xu, J. Neely, Z. Qi, C. Harbison, M. Lynch, S.S. Ramalingam

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      Patients with advanced, refractory squamous (SQ) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have historically poor outcomes and limited treatment options. Nivolumab (NIVO), a fully human IgG4 programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor antibody, has activity across NSCLC histologies and is FDA-approved for treatment of metastatic SQ NSCLC with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. We report efficacy, safety, and biomarker analyses from a phase 2, single-arm study of NIVO in patients with SQ NSCLC who progressed during/after prior platinum-based doublet chemotherapy and ≥1 additional systemic regimen.

      Methods:
      Patients (N=117) received NIVO 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks until progressive disease (PD)/unacceptable toxicity; treatment beyond PD was permitted per protocol. The primary endpoint was independent radiology review committee (IRC)-assessed objective response rate (ORR), per RECIST v1.1. Additional objectives included investigator-assessed ORR, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), safety, ORR by patient subgroups, efficacy by tumor PD-L1 expression (PD-L1[+]: ≥5% tumor cells expressing PD-L1), and blood-based biomarker analyses (measurement of circulating microRNA and cytokines).

      Results:
      IRC-assessed ORR was 15% (95% CI: 9, 22), with a minimum of 11 months follow-up. Median duration of response was not reached (range, 2+–12+ months); 76% (13/17) of patients had ongoing responses. Objective responses were observed across patient subgroups and regardless of PD-L1 expression (Table). Four of 22 patients treated beyond PD demonstrated a non-conventional pattern of benefit (ie, persistent reduction in target lesions in the presence of new lesions, regression following initial progression, or no further progression for ≥2 tumor assessments); OS for these patients was 6.6, 11.6+, 12.9+, and 13.5+ months. The 1-year OS rate was 41% (95% CI: 32, 50) and median OS was 8.2 months (95% CI: 6.1, 10.9). The 1-year PFS rate was 20% (95% CI: 13, 29); median PFS was 1.9 months (95% CI: 1.8, 3.2). Peripheral increases in serum IFN-γ-stimulated cytokines, including CXCL9 and CXCL10, were observed, and preliminary microRNA analyses identified altered gene expression following NIVO treatment. Grade 3–4 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 17% of patients, including fatigue (4%), diarrhea (3%), and pneumonitis (3%). Pneumonitis was manageable with corticosteroids; median time to resolution was 3.4 weeks (range, 0.7–13.4). Two treatment-related deaths (1 hypoxic pneumonia, 1 ischemic stroke) occurred in patients with multiple comorbidities and concurrent PD. Figure 1



      Conclusion:
      NIVO demonstrated clinically meaningful efficacy and an acceptable safety profile in patients with advanced, refractory SQ NSCLC. Updated 18-month OS, safety, and biomarker analyses will be presented.

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      ORAL02.04 - Discussant for ORAL02.01, ORAL02.02, ORAL02.03 (ID 3291)

      11:18 - 11:28  |  Author(s): S. Peters

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Abstract not provided

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      ORAL02.05 - Safety and Efficacy of First-Line Nivolumab (NIVO; Anti-Programmed Death-1 [PD-1]) and Ipilimumab in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (ID 786)

      11:28 - 11:39  |  Author(s): N.A. Rizvi, S.N. Gettinger, J.W. Goldman, M.D. Hellmann, L.Q. Chow, R. Juergens, H. Borghaei, J.R. Brahmer, Y. Shen, C. Harbison, F. Nathan, N. Ready, S.J. Antonia

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      Combined blockade of the PD‐1 and cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte‐associated antigen‐4 (CTLA‐4) immune checkpoint pathways has shown improved responses, encouraging survival rates, and a manageable safety profile in advanced melanoma. NIVO, a fully human IgG4 PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor antibody, has activity across NSCLC histologies and is approved in the US for treatment of metastatic squamous (SQ) NSCLC with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. This phase 1 study evaluated the safety and efficacy of first‐line therapy with NIVO plus ipilimumab (IPI), an IgG1 CTLA‐4 checkpoint receptor blocking antibody, in chemotherapy‐naïve patients with advanced NSCLC.

      Methods:
      Patients (N=49) received NIVO plus IPI at the 1+3 mg/kg or 3+1 mg/kg combination dose, respectively (one SQ and one non‐SQ cohort per dose level), every 3 weeks for 4 cycles, followed by NIVO 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Objective response rate (ORR; RECIST v1.1) was evaluated overall and by baseline tumor PD‐1 ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression (PD‐L1[+]: ≥5% tumor cells expressing PD‐L1). Response was assessed at weeks 10, 17, and 23, and every 3 months thereafter until progression.

      Results:
      Median follow‐up for all patients was 50 weeks. Across histologies, confirmed ORR was 13% (3/24) for NIVO1+IPI3 and 20% (5/25) for NIVO3+IPI1. Two of 3 and 4/5 responders in the NIVO1+IPI3 and NIVO3+IPI1 arms, respectively, achieved a response by first scan. Median duration of response was not reached (NR) in either group, and responses were ongoing in 67% (2/3) and 60% (3/5) of patients treated with NIVO1+IPI3 and NIVO3+IPI1, respectively. Two patients in the NIVO3+IPI1 group exhibited an unconventional “immune-related” response with 56% and 64% maximum reductions in target lesions and simultaneous appearance of new lesions. The 24-week progression-free survival (PFS) rates and median PFS were 44% and 16.1 weeks, respectively, for NIVO1+IPI3 and 33% and 14.4 weeks, respectively, for NIVO3+IPI1. One-year overall survival (OS) rates and median OS were 65% and NR, respectively, for NIVO1+IPI3 and 44% and 47.9 weeks, respectively, for NIVO3+IPI1. Thirty-eight of 49 treated patients were evaluable for PD-L1 expression; objective responses were observed in PD‐L1[+] (19%, 3/16) and PD‐L1[-] (14%; 3/22) patients. Across arms, grade 3–4 treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were reported in 25 patients (51%); grade 3 pneumonitis was reported in 3 (6%) patients. Treatment‐related AEs led to discontinuation in 18 patients (37%); 15 (31%) patients discontinued treatment during induction. Treatment‐related deaths (n=3) were due to respiratory failure, bronchopulmonary hemorrhage, and toxic epidermal necrosis.

      Conclusion:
      Treatment with NIVO plus IPI was associated with durable responses and encouraging survival regardless of tumor PD-L1 expression. The safety profile was managed using established safety guidelines. Updated OS and results from additional doses and schedules will be presented.

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      ORAL02.06 - Evaluation of PD-L1 Expression in Metachronous Tumor Samples and FDG-PET as a Predictive Biomarker in Ph2 Study (FIR) of Atezolizumab (MPDL3280A) (ID 2207)

      11:39 - 11:50  |  Author(s): J.E. Chaft, B. Chao, W.L. Akerley, M. Gordon, S.J. Antonia, J. Callahan, A. Sandler, R. Funke, Z. Li, J. Fredrickson, M. Kowanetz, S.N. Gettinger

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      PD-L1 expression on tumor-infiltrating immune cells (IC) and/or tumor cells (TC) can inhibit antitumor immunity. Atezolizumab (MPDL3280A) is an anti-PDL1 antibody that has shown efficacy across multiple tumor types. The efficacy and safety of atezolizumab in the Phase 2 FIR study has been reported previously (Spigel et al, ASCO 2015). Efficacy appeared to correlate with PD-L1 expression on IC and/or TC, with higher ORRs observed in patients with the highest expression of PD-L1, indicating that PD-L1 may be a predictive biomarker for response to atezolizumab. FIR was also designed to address questions of potential heterogeneity and changes in tumor PD-L1 expression in metachronous tissue samples, as well as the utility of using FDG-PET as a biomarker for response to atezolizumab in PD-L1–selected patients with NSCLC.

      Methods:
      FIR is a 3-cohort, single-arm, Phase 2 study of atezolizumab in PD-L1–selected patients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC. Cohort 1 included chemo-naive patients, Cohort 2 included ≥ 2L patients without a history of brain metastases, and Cohort 3 included ≥ 2L patients with asymptomatic treated brain metastases. PD-L1 expression was centrally assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using the SP142 antibody assay in archival and/or fresh tumor biopsies or resections and scored as IC0, 1, 2 or 3 and TC0, 1, 2 or 3. Patients with PD-L1 IC2/3 or TC2/3 tumors were enrolled and received 1200 mg atezolizumab IV every 3 weeks (last patient entered Jun 27, 2014). Responses were measured by RECIST v1.1, modified RECIST and FDG-PET using EORTC criteria. Exploratory objectives included the evaluation of potential predictive biomarkers, including the comparison of PD-L1 expression in matched archival and fresh tumor specimens, as well as the utility of FDG-PET in assessing response to immune checkpoint blockade.

      Results:
      From 1009 screened patients, 95 paired archival and fresh tumor samples were obtained. In these samples, the agreement of PD-L1 expression between fresh and archival tissue at the TC3 or IC3 cutoff was 88% when the same type of tissue procurement method was used (resection or biopsy), compared with 65% when different methods of procurement were used. To date, FDG-PET response has been centrally assessed in 71 of the 138 patients enrolled in FIR. Patients with metabolic response by EORTC criteria on 6-week scans had a higher ORR per RECIST v1.1 (72% [13/18]) than metabolic non-responders (ORR 4% [2/53]).

      Conclusion:
      There was a high agreement in TC3 or IC3 PD-L1 expression between archival and fresh tumor specimens. This work demonstrates that intra-patient heterogeneity in PD-L1 expression is low in metachronous tissues, indicating various types of tumor samples, including fresh or archival, can be reliably used to assess PD-L1 expression. In addition, FDG-PET has potential as an early on-treatment measure of response to atezolizumab. Further analyses will be presented. (NCT01846416)

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      ORAL02.07 - Atezolizumab (MPDL3280A) Combined with Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): A Phase Ib Safety and Efficacy Update (ID 2208)

      11:50 - 12:01  |  Author(s): R. Camidge, S.V. Liu, J. Powderly, N. Ready, S. Hodi, S.N. Gettinger, G. Giaccone, B. Liu, J. Wallin, R. Funke, D. Waterkamp, R. Heist

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      Despite advances in treatment for NSCLC, the standard first-line treatment for metastatic disease remains platinum-based doublet chemotherapy with historical overall response rates (ORRs) of ≈30%. Preclinical data suggest that chemotherapy treatment can result in antigen release in the tumor microenvironment, potentially enhancing effects of cancer immunotherapy. Atezolizumab (MPDL3280A) is a human monoclonal antibody that targets the PD-L1/PD-1 immune checkpoint, while leaving the PD-L2/B7.1 interaction intact (which may reduce the risk of autoimmune lung toxicity). As atezolizumab has shown promising activity in advanced NSCLC, we investigated atezolizumab in combination with chemotherapy.

      Methods:
      A Phase Ib study was conducted to evaluate atezolizumab with chemotherapy in locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC patients who had not received chemotherapy for advanced disease. Pts received atezolizumab 15 mg/kg IV q3w with standard chemotherapy (carboplatin plus either paclitaxel [Arm C], pemetrexed [Arm D; nonsquamous] or weekly nab-paclitaxel [Arm E]) for 4-6 cycles followed by atezolizumab maintenance until progression. RECIST v1.1 was used to assess ORRs (unconfirmed) in pts dosed by Jun 29, 2014 (data cutoff: Sep 29, 2014). PD-L1 expression was centrally evaluated using the SP142 IHC antibody assay.

      Results:
      37 NSCLC pts were safety evaluable (8 in Arm C; 14 in Arm D; 15 in Arm E). Across these arms, 54% of pts were male, with a median age of 65 y (range, 40-82 y). 81% had non-squamous NSCLC, and 19% had squamous NSCLC. Median safety follow-up was 22.0 wks (range, 0.1-49.4 wks). Across arms, all-Grade AEs regardless of attribution included those commonly associated with chemotherapy, such as nausea (Arms C & D, 50%; Arm E, 73%), fatigue (Arm C, 38%; Arm D, 36%; Arm E, 73%) and constipation (Arm C, 25%; Arm D, 71%; Arm E, 27%). The most common Grade 3-4 atezolizumab-related AEs included anemia (Arms D & E, 7%), neutropenia (Arm C, 13%; Arm D, 7%) and thrombocytopenia (Arms D & E, 7%), with no pneumonitis or autoimmune renal toxicity observed. One potentially atezolizumab-related Grade 5 AE was observed in Arm D (candidemia after prolonged neutropenia). 30 pts were efficacy evaluable, and responses were observed in all arms regardless of PD-L1 expression (Table). Updated clinical data will be presented.

      Table. RECIST v1.1 Responses in Patients with NSCLC
      Arm C: carboplatin + paclitaxel (n = 5) Arm D: carboplatin + pemetrexed (n = 12) Arm E: carboplatin + nab-paclitaxel (n = 13) All Indicated Arms (n = 30)
      ORR, % 60% 75% 62% 67%
      95% CI, % 19%-92% 45%-93% 33%-83% 48%-82%
      CR, n 0 0 2 2
      PR, n 3 9 6 18


      Conclusion:
      Atezolizumab plus standard first-line chemotherapy was well tolerated in advanced NSCLC pts, with no unexpected toxicities. Clinical activity was promising and supportive of a potential synergy of atezolizumab with chemotherapy. Based on these results, several Phase III studies have been initiated.

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      ORAL02.08 - Discussant for ORAL02.05, ORAL02.06, ORAL02.07 (ID 3322)

      12:01 - 12:11  |  Author(s): G. Goss

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Abstract not provided

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Author of

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    MINI 02 - Immunotherapy (ID 92)

    • Event: WCLC 2015
    • Type: Mini Oral
    • Track: Biology, Pathology, and Molecular Testing
    • Presentations: 1
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      MINI02.09 - ERK Activation Mediates Increased PD-L1 Expression in KRAS Mutated Premalignant Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells (ID 1620)

      11:30 - 11:35  |  Author(s): E.B. Garon

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      Immune checkpoint pathways including the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway are involved in tumor evasion from the immune system. Elevated PD-L1 expression in tumor cells inhibits tumor-infiltrating T cell function and may be associated with poor prognosis in lung cancer patients. There is increasing interest in developing immunotherapies that block the immunosuppressive effects of checkpoint pathways such as PD-L1, and identifying patients who may benefit from PD-L1 blockade. Activating KRAS mutations are common driver mutations in non-small cell lung carcinoma. Patients with mutated KRAS demonstrate less benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy and resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The effect of cancer cell driver mutations on immune checkpoint immune regulation is poorly understood. While recent clinical trials have suggested better response to PD-1 blockade in KRAS mutation subjects, it is unclear if this clinical finding is directly driven by KRAS regulating the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway with resultant improved efficacy to anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy or if the presence of a KRAS mutation is merely a surrogate marker of the overall mutational load and tumor immunogenicity. KRAS mutations are known to activate the RAF-MEK-ERK pathway. We hypothesize that KRAS mutation directly regulates the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway through ERK activation.

      Methods:
      Immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC-vector control), KRAS–mutated (KRAS[v12]) HBEC cells (HBEC-KRAS), p53 knockdown HBEC cells (HBEC-p53), and p53 knockdown/KRAS mutated cells (HBEC-p53/KRAS) were used to assess mRNA and/or surface protein expression levels of immune checkpoints including Lag-3, Tim-3, PD-L1 and PD-L2 by real time-qPCR (RT-qPCR) and flow cytometry, respectively. HBEC-vector and HBEC-KRAS cells were treated with MEK (ERK kinase) inhibitor (PD0325901) at 1µM for 24hrs and evaluated for mRNA and surface protein expression of PD-L1. The premalignant HBEC cell lines were used instead of human lung cancer cell lines in order to assess the role of KRAS mutation in isolation without other mutations.

      Results:
      PD-L1 and PD-L2 mRNA levels increased 2.4 fold (p<0.001) and 3.6 (p<0.001) fold in comparing HBEC-KRAS to HBEC-vector (wild-type) cells, while Lag-3 and Tim-3 mRNA expression levels were unchanged. Based on mean fluorescence intensity on flow cytometry, cell surface PD-L1 protein expression level was 2.2 and 1.6 fold higher in HBEC-KRAS and HBEC-p53/KRAS, respectively, compared to HBEC-vector cells. There was no increase in surface PD-L1 expression in HBEC-p53 cells compared to HBEC-vector control, suggesting that p53 mutation did not alter PD-L1 expression in HBEC-p53/KRAS cells. With MEK inhibition, PD-L1 mRNA levels decreased 10 and 11 fold in HBEC-vector and HBEC-KRAS cells, respectively. Analogously, PD-L1 surface protein levels were reduced 2.7 fold in HBEC-vector and HBEC-KRAS cells, respectively. These findings suggest that ERK activation mediates intrinsic expression and KRAS mutation mediates over-expression of PD-L1 mRNA and protein.

      Conclusion:
      Here, we demonstrate that PD-L1 expression is elevated in premalignant KRAS mutated human bronchial epithelial cells, and ERK activation mediates constitutive and KRAS mutation driven up-regulation of PD-L1 in these cells. Our findings suggest that KRAS mutation may directly regulate the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint pathway. Further understanding of KRAS driven molecular pathways that modulate immune checkpoints may elucidate therapeutic targets for potential combinational drugs to PD-L1 inhibition.

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    MINI 03 - PD1 Axis Inhibition and EGFR (ID 101)

    • Event: WCLC 2015
    • Type: Mini Oral
    • Track: Treatment of Advanced Diseases - NSCLC
    • Presentations: 3
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      MINI03.01 - Prior TKI Therapy in NSCLC EGFR Mutant Patients Associates with Lack of Response to Anti-PD-1 Treatment (ID 2172)

      16:45 - 16:50  |  Author(s): E.B. Garon

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors have shown significant potential to induce durable responses in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although responses have been seen in patients (pts) whose tumors harbor epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations (EGFRm), data to date with inhibitors of PD-1, or its ligand PD-L1, suggest that responses are less frequent in EGFRm NSCLC. Studies in which EGFRm pts receive EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and PD-1 inhibitors in sequence or concurrently are being conducted. However, based on the high response rate with EGFR TKIs in EGFRm pts, PD-1 inhibition does not precede the EGFR TKIs in these study designs.

      Methods:
      We evaluated data from our experience at UCLA as part of the KEYNOTE-001 clinical trial, in which pts received pembrolizumab 2 mg/kg every 3 weeks or 10 mg/kg every 2 or 3 weeks. Early in the trial, an amendment excluded EGFRm, EGFR TKI naïve pts, however a subsequent amendment allowed such pts if their mutation was non-sensitizing to approved EGFR TKIs. Although the trial employed central radiographic assessment by RECIST v1.1 (available to the sponsor but not the sites), clinical decisions and the assessment we describe were based on investigator-assessed immune-related response criteria. Groups were compared using Fisher’s exact test. Western blot was performed using standard techniques, exposing human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines HCC-827, H1975, Calu3 and H460 to erlotinib or afatinib at 1µM or control using the antibody PD-L1 mAb #1368 (Cell Signaling) and α-tubulin antibody #2144 (Cell Signaling).

      Results:
      We enrolled 29 EGFRm pts. 2 of 3 EGFR TKI naïve pts experienced a partial response (PR) compared to 1 of 26 enrolled after a prior EGFR TKI (p<0.001). 18 of these 29 pts had a 9 week scan. Of these, PR was seen in both EGFR TKI naïve pts (one L858R mutation and one exon 20 insertion) compared to 1 of 16 enrolled after a prior EGFR TKI (p<0.001). Of note, a similar trend of increased responses in EGFR TKI naïve pts was not seen in EGFR wild type pts. In vitro experiments using erlotinib and afatinib showed unchanged PD-L1 levels in cell lines not inhibited by the EGFR TKI used, but reduced PD-L1 in EGFRm cell lines inhibited by the TKI. Of note, the only responder among the EGFR TKI-treated EGFRm pts was one of only 4 of the 16 scanned post-TKI pts who had a non-sensitizing mutation. So, 0 of 22 EGFRm pts with a sensitizing mutation responded after an EGFR TKI.

      Conclusion:
      A retrospective analysis in EGFRm NSCLC showed a strong correlation between response and lack of prior EGFR TKI treatment. PD-L1 levels decrease in response to an EGFR TKI in cell lines sensitive to the TKI. Immunohistochemistry evaluating the presence and location of relevant proteins and immune effector cells are ongoing as is whole exome sequencing. These results have implications for the design of clinical trials of PD-1 inhibitors in EGFRm pts. Supported by: 1K23CA149079, One Ball Matt Memorial Golf Tournament, Kasdan Family

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      MINI03.03 - Pembrolizumab 2 mg/kg Q3W for Previously Treated, PD-L1-Positive Advanced NSCLC (ID 3024)

      16:55 - 17:00  |  Author(s): E.B. Garon

      • Abstract
      • Presentation

      Background:
      In patients with previously treated NSCLC enrolled in KEYNOTE-001 (NCT01295827), the anti–PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab (MK-3475) has demonstrated promising efficacy and manageable safety when given at dosages of 10 mg/kg once every 2 weeks (Q2W) or once every 3 weeks (Q3W). In a prospectively defined validation set from KEYNOTE-001, the greatest efficacy was observed in patients whose tumors expressed PD-L1 in ≥50% of tumor cells. Here, we present data for patients with previously treated, PD-L1–positive advanced NSCLC enrolled in a KEYNOTE-001 expansion cohort added to evaluate pembrolizumab 2 mg/kg Q3W.

      Methods:
      Patients had measurable disease, ECOG performance status of 0 or 1, and adequate organ function. Prior therapy with ≥1 platinum-doublet chemotherapy regimen was required; an appropriate tyrosine kinase inhibitor was required for patients with sensitizing EGFR mutations or ALK translocations. All patients had PD-L1–positive tumors, defined as staining in ≥1% of tumor cells as determined by a prototype IHC assay using the 22C3 antibody. The percentage of PD-L1–stained tumor cells was also determined by a clinical trial IHC assay using the same antibody. Patients received pembrolizumab 2 mg/kg Q3W until investigator-determined progression according to immune-related response criteria, intolerable toxicity, patient withdrawal, or investigator decision. Response was assessed centrally every 9 weeks by RECIST v1.1.

      Results:
      Of the 55 patients enrolled, 41 (74.5%) received ≥2 prior therapies. Three (5.5%) patients experienced grade 3-5 drug-related AEs (grade 3 colitis and pneumonitis and grade 5 cardiorespiratory arrest). After a minimum of 27 weeks of follow-up by central radiology review of tumor imaging (median, 7.7 months; range, 6.4-9.7 months), confirmed overall response rate (ORR) in the 52 patients with centrally evaluable disease at baseline was 15.4% (95% CI, 6.9%-28.1%) and the disease control rate (DCR, complete response + partial response + stable disease) was 50.0% (95% CI, 35.8%-64.2%). At the time of analysis, all responses were ongoing, and the median response duration was not reached (range, 2.1+ to 6.2+ months). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3.3 months (95% CI, 2.0-6.0 months), with a 6-month PFS rate of 37.7%. Median overall survival (OS) was not reached, and the 6-month OS rate was 75.8%. In the 25 (45.5%) patients who had PD-L1 expression in ≥50% of tumor cells, confirmed ORR was 30.4% (95% CI, 13.2%-52.9%), DCR was 56.5% (34.5%-76.8%), median PFS was 4.2 months (95% CI, 1.9 months-NR), and 6-month PFS and OS rates were 49.0% and 81.8%, respectively.

      Conclusion:
      In this previously treated cohort of patients with PD-L1–positive advanced NSCLC, pembrolizumab 2 mg/kg Q3W demonstrated robust and durable antitumor activity, with improved efficacy in patients with PD-L1 staining in ≥50% of tumor cells.

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      MINI03.05 - Efficacy of Pembrolizumab in Key Subgroups of Patients with Advanced NSCLC (ID 3057)

      17:10 - 17:15  |  Author(s): E.B. Garon

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      The humanized anti–PD-1 monoclonal antibody pembrolizumab (MK-3475) has demonstrated robust antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile in patients with advanced cancers, including NSCLC. In the first 495 patients with advanced NSCLC enrolled in multiple expansion cohorts of the phase 1b KEYNOTE-001 study (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01295827), pembrolizumab provided an overall response rate (ORR) of 19.4%. In a prospectively defined validation set, a relationship between tumor PD-L1 expression and pembrolizumab efficacy was demonstrated, such that patients with PD-L1 expression in ≥50% of cells had a 45.2% ORR compared with 16.5% and 10.7% in patients with PD-L1 expression in 1%-49% and <1% of cells, respectively. Using the total population of 550 patients with NSCLC treated with pembrolizumab in KEYNOTE-001, we assessed the relationship between antitumor activity and the level of PD-L1 expression in key patient subgroups.

      Methods:
      Patients with advanced NSCLC enrolled in the NSCLC-specific expansion cohorts of KEYNOTE-001 received pembrolizumab 2 or 10 mg/kg every 3 weeks (Q3W) or 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks (Q2W) until confirmed progression, intolerable toxicity, or investigator decision. Tumor PD-L1 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry using a clinical-trial assay and scored as the proportion score (PS) (ie, percentage of tumor cells with membranous PD-L1 expression). Response was assessed every 9 weeks per RECIST v1.1 by central review. Patients evaluable for PD-L1 were those whose slides were prepared within 6 months of staining and for which a proportion score could be assigned.

      Results:
      ORR in the 550 patients who received ≥1 pembrolizumab dose was 18.9%. ORR was generally similar across subgroups (Table), although there may be a difference between ever and never smokers. Among the 409 patients evaluable for PD-L1 expression, ORR was highest in those with PS ≥50% as compared with PS 1%-49% or <1% (36.8%, 11.9%, and 10.0%, respectively). Within all subgroups, ORR was highest in patients with PS ≥50% (Table). Figure 1



      Conclusion:
      Pembrolizumab provides antitumor activity in a broad selection of subgroups of patients with advanced NSCLC. Improved response in patients whose tumors express PD-L1 in ≥50% of cells was observed for all subgroups. Ongoing analyses are investigating the interdependency between PD-L1 status, mutational status, and smoking.

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    MINI 09 - Drug Resistance (ID 107)

    • Event: WCLC 2015
    • Type: Mini Oral
    • Track: Biology, Pathology, and Molecular Testing
    • Presentations: 2
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      MINI09.06 - Oncogenic Drivers including RET and ROS1 plus PTEN Loss and MET by IHC in Patients with Lung Adenocarcinomas: Lung Cancer Mutation Consortium 2.0 (ID 2114)

      17:15 - 17:20  |  Author(s): E.B. Garon

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      The Lung Cancer Mutation Consortium (LCMC) 1.0 demonstrated multiplexed genomic platforms can assay 10 oncogenic drivers in tumor specimens from patients with lung adenocarcinomas. 28% of the patients with oncogenic drivers could be effectively targeted. The survival of these 275 patients treated with targeted agents was longer than the patients who were not treated with a targeted agent (Kris and Johnson JAMA 2014). The efficiency of Next-Generation Sequencing enables more comprehensive testing of additional aberrations with less tumor tissue. LCMC 2.0 was initiated to test tumor specimens for 12 oncogenic drivers and to provide the results to clinicians for treatment decisions and research purposes.

      Methods:
      The 16 site LCMC 2.0 is testing tumors from 1000 patients with lung adenocarcinomas in CLIA laboratories for mutations in KRAS, EGFR, HER2, BRAF, PIK3CA, AKT1, and NRAS, MET DNA amplification, and rearrangements in ALK as done in LCMC 1.0. The new genes that were added because of emerging information about potential therapeutic targets include MAP2K1 mutations, RET and ROS1 rearrangements, PTEN (MAb 138G4) loss and MET (MAb SP44) overexpression by immunohistochemistry (IHC). All patients were diagnosed with stage IIIB/IV lung adenocarcinoma after May 2012, had a performance status 0-2, and available tumor tissue.

      Results:
      Of 1073 patients registered, data is now reported for 759. The median age of the patients is 65 (23-90). The population includes 369 (55%) women; 164 (24%) never smokers, 399 (59%) former smokers, and 73 (11%) current smokers; 26 (4%) Asians, 58 (9%) African American, 548 (81%) Caucasian, and 43 (6%) of other races. As of April 2015 information on genomic and immunohistochemical changes for 675 eligible patients were recorded in our database. Alterations in oncogenic drivers were found in 45% of samples as follows: 159 KRAS (24%), 88 EGFR (13%), 25 ALK (4%), 19 BRAF (3%), 17 PIK3CA (3%), 9 HER2 (1%), 4 NRAS (1%) 0 AKT1, 28 had ≥ 2 findings (4%) and 25 MET DNA amplification (4%). The new genes studied in LCMC 2.0 revealed 1 MAP2K1 mutation (<1%), 19 RET (3%) and 9 ROS (1%) rearrangements, 94 had PTEN loss (14%), and 362 with MET overexpression (54%). As expected, PIK3CA mutations and PTEN loss by IHC were mutually exclusive in 109 of 111 (98%) patients’ tumors. Seventeen of the 23 (74%) with MET DNA amplification studied thus far with IHC had MET overexpression. Next-Generation platforms were used at 13 of 16 LCMC 2.0 sites.

      Conclusion:
      Next-Generation Sequencing is rapidly becoming routine practice at LCMC 2.0 centers with use going from 0 to 81% of sites since 2012. LCMC 2.0 identified additional targets (RET and ROS1 rearrangements and PTEN loss). PIK3CA and PTEN were largely mutually exclusive and an actionable oncogenic driver has been identified in the 45% of initial lung adenocarcinoma specimens. Supported by Free to Breathe

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      MINI09.09 - Discussant for MINI09.06, MINI09.07, MINI09.08 (ID 3314)

      17:30 - 17:40  |  Author(s): E.B. Garon

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Abstract not provided

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    ORAL 13 - Immunotherapy Biomarkers (ID 104)

    • Event: WCLC 2015
    • Type: Oral Session
    • Track: Biology, Pathology, and Molecular Testing
    • Presentations: 1
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      ORAL13.02 - Characterization of PD-L1 Expression Related to Unique Genes in NSCLC Tissue Samples (ID 2173)

      16:56 - 17:07  |  Author(s): E.B. Garon

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) receptors are members of the B7:CD28 family that interact with PD-1 ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2 to regulate cytotoxic T cell (CTL) tolerance (Freeman, J Exp Med. 2000; Latchman, Nat Immunol. 2001). Successful evasion of transformed cells from host defense is a feature of cancer (Hanahan, Cell 2011). Immune evasion can occur via the engagement of PD-1 with PD-L1 or PD-L2 (Dong, Nature Med 2002). In metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), PD-L1 expression has been associated with increased response to inhibitors of PD-1 (Garon, NEJM 2015). Current adjuvant cytotoxic approaches are associated with a real but small survival increases and significant toxicity. Characterization of PD-L1 expression in resected tumors could guide development of immune checkpoint based adjuvant trials.

      Methods:
      Microarray analyses were performed to assess gene expression for 320 NSCLC and 15 normal lung resection specimens profiled on the Agilent Whole Human Genome 4x44K 2-color platform. The reference sample used in the experiments was an equal mixture of 258 of the 320 NSCLC samples included in the study. Microarray data was imported into Rosetta Resolver for analysis. The Rosetta Similarity Tool (ROAST) was utilized to find genes correlated to PD-L1 expression. Both PD-L1 and the target gene had to be differentially expressed for sample to be included in computation of correlation. Cosine correlation was used as the similarity metric. Functional genomic analysis on the list of PD-L1 correlated genes was performed using tools available with the DAVID Bioinformatics resources (david.abcc.ncifcrf.gov) Survival analyses based on PD-L1 expression were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Samples with PD-L1 log(ratio) > 0 and p-value < 0.01 were classified as upregulated, samples with p-value>0.01 were classified as unchanged, and sample with log(ratio) < 0 and p-value <0.01 were classified as downregulated.

      Results:
      The reference level of PD-L1 expression among the subset of normal lung and NSCLC tissue samples was higher compared to levels seen in 503 breast cancer and 149 endometrial cancer tissue samples. Within the 320 NSCLC tissue samples, 174 unique genes are highly correlated with PD-L1 expression (r range= 0.692-0.904). 80 tissue samples (25%) had a PD-L1 log ratio > 0, and 63 tissue samples had large sets of highly correlated genes, a similar prevalence to membranous staining in half the cells in metastatic NSCLC (Garon, NEJM 2015). Functional analyses revealed that the genes significantly correlated with PD-L1 expression were involved in immune and inflammatory response. No significant difference in overall survival was noted (p=.661), but increased PD-L1 expression was clearly not associated with better outcomes.

      Conclusion:
      Within the NSCLC cohort, there is a group of patients with high expression for PD-L1 and related genes. This group does not have a better prognosis in comparison to those with typical or decreased PD-L1 expression. Due to the relationship between PD-L1 expression and response to anti-PD-1 therapy in metastatic NSCLC, this data and its correlation with other clinical characteristics of the patients can guide the design of adjuvant approaches based on immune checkpoint inhibitors.

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    ORAL 31 - PD1 Axis Inhibition (ID 143)

    • Event: WCLC 2015
    • Type: Oral Session
    • Track: Treatment of Advanced Diseases - NSCLC
    • Presentations: 2
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      ORAL31.02 - Pembrolizumab for NSCLC: Immune-Mediated Adverse Events and Corticosteroid Use (ID 3032)

      16:56 - 17:07  |  Author(s): E.B. Garon

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      Pembrolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody against PD-1 that has demonstrated robust antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile in patients with advanced malignancies, including NSCLC. Similar to other immune checkpoint inhibitors, immune-mediated toxicities have been observed with pembrolizumab. We characterized the incidence of potentially immune-mediated adverse events (AEs) and the use of systemic corticosteroids for their management in patients with NSCLC treated with pembrolizumab in the phase 1 KEYNOTE-001 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01295827).

      Methods:
      550 patients with advanced NSCLC received pembrolizumab 2 or 10 mg/kg every 3 weeks (Q3W) or 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks (Q2W). Potentially immune-mediated AEs were derived from a prespecified list and considered regardless of attribution to study treatment by the investigator. High-dose corticosteroid use was defined as an initial dose of ≥40 mg/day prednisone or equivalent. Low-dose corticosteroid use was defined as an initial dose of <40 mg/day prednisone or equivalent.

      Results:
      71 (12.9%) patients experienced ≥1 immune-mediated AE, including 17 (3.1%) who experienced grade 3-4 events, 1 (0.2) who died because of an immune-mediated AE (pneumonitis), and 14 (2.5%) who discontinued pembrolizumab because of immune-mediated AEs. The median time to onset of the first immune-mediated AE was 104 days (range, 2-393 days). Immune-related AE incidence was similar in patients treated with pembrolizumab 10 mg/kg Q2W and Q3W. The most common immune-mediated AEs were hypothyroidism, pneumonitis, and infusion-related reactions (Table). Pneumonitis was the most common grade 3-4 toxicity. Excluding hypothyroidism, 74.2% of immune-mediated AEs had resolved at the time of data cutoff. Of the 71 patients who experienced immune-mediated AEs, 30 (42.2%) received corticosteroids: 20 received high dose, 10 low dose. The highest incidence of corticosteroid use was for pneumonitis (84.2%) and colitis (80.0%) (Table). The duration of initial steroid use ranged from 1 to 129 days. Analyses related to the impact of steroid use on pembrolizumab efficacy are ongoing and will be available for presentation. Figure 1



      Conclusion:
      Potentially immune-mediated AEs, particularly those of grade 3-5 severity, are relatively infrequent in patients with advanced NSCLC treated with pembrolizumab. As evidenced by the low rate of pembrolizumab discontinuation, most immune-mediated events were managed by temporary pembrolizumab interruption and corticosteroid use.

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      ORAL31.05 - High Intratumoral T Cell Infiltration Correlated with Mutational Load and Response to Pembrolizumab in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (ID 2728)

      17:28 - 17:39  |  Author(s): E.B. Garon

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      Responses to PD-1 blockade have been induced in approximately 20% of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with progressive disease after standard therapy [Garon, NEJM 2015]. One challenge is to understand how the immune response was initiated in responding patients. Tumor mutational burden has been associated with response to PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors in NSCLC [Rizvi, Science, 2015]. In addition, studies in melanoma patient-derived tumor specimens revealed that responses to PD-1/L1 blockade rely on pre-therapy tumor infiltration of activated T effector cells [Tumeh, Nature, 2014]. We hypothesize that clonal T cell infiltration is correlated with tumor mutational load and clinical response with PD-1 blockade.

      Methods:
      We studied tumor specimens in NSCLC patients treated with pembrolizumab at UCLA on the KEYNOTE -001 clinical trial. All patients signed informed consent for the trial as well as separate specimen acquisition protocols. Responses were classified by the investigators according to irRC. DNA was extracted and whole exome sequencing was performed at the UCLA Immunogenetics Core. DNA from the same patient’s PBMC or other non-cancerous tissue was sequenced for baseline comparison. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was done for CD8 (Clone C8/144B, Dako), CD4 (Clone SP35, Cell Marque) and PD-L1 (Clone SP142, Spring Bioscience).

      Results:
      We report results from 27 patients (14 responders, and 13 nonresponders). Significantly higher density of pre-dosing CD8+ cells (percentage of CD8+ nucleated cells) in the tumors of the responding patients was observed (mean of 17.7% in responders vs 5.6% in non-responders, p=0.02 by unpaired t test) suggestive of a pre-existing immune response. Mutational load in 5 patients (3 responders and 2 nonresponders) showed a trend towards correlation with response (mean of 19 nonsynonymous somatic mutations per MB in responders vs 6 in nonresponders, p=0.33). Interestingly, a strikingly significant correlation between mutational load and CD8 expression was observed (R[2]=0.96, p=0.003). In addition, pre-dosing tumor PD-L1 expression demonstrated a trend towards correlation with response (mean of 72.1% in responders vs 51.5% in nonresponders, p=0.07) but not with CD8 tumor infiltration (R[2]=0.05, p=0.28). No significant association of CD4+ T cell tumor infiltration with response (mean of 37.4% CD4 + cells in responders vs 27.0% in nonresponders, p=0.32) was observed.

      Conclusion:
      We observed strong correlation of pre-dosing intratumoral T cell infiltration with response and mutational load in NSCLC patients treated with pembrolizumab. Our results have direct implications for the design and interpretation of ongoing and planned immunotherapy studies for NSCLC and evaluation of potential predictive biomarkers to select patients most likely to benefit.

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    P2.01 - Poster Session/ Treatment of Advanced Diseases – NSCLC (ID 207)

    • Event: WCLC 2015
    • Type: Poster
    • Track: Treatment of Advanced Diseases - NSCLC
    • Presentations: 2
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      P2.01-091 - Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind Study of Erlotinib plus Ramucirumab or Placebo in Patients with EGFR Mutation-Positive Metastatic NSCLC (ID 1560)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): E.B. Garon

      • Abstract
      • Slides

      Background:
      Ramucirumab, a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody, binds to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Receptor 2, preventing binding of VEGF-A, C and D. Ramucirumab in combination with docetaxel has demonstrated improvement in overall survival, progression free survival (PFS), objective response rate and disease control rate in 2nd line treatment of NSCLC patients in the phase III REVEL study, which included non-squamous and squamous cell carcinoma patients. Although erlotinib is recognized as one of the standard of care options in the frontline treatment of patients whose tumors harbor an Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutation, it is hypothesized that the duration of disease control would be greater when an antiangiogenic agent such as ramucirumab is added to erlotinib. This global phase Ib/III trial will assess safety, tolerability and efficacy (phase III) of the combination of ramucirumab with erlotinib in previously untreated stage IV NSCLC patients harboring activating EGFR mutations. The trial is planned to be conducted in ~120 sites in the Americas, Europe, and Asia and is currently open for enrollment. (RELAY, NCT02411448)

      Methods:
      In part A (phase Ib) approximately 12 patients (6 Japan + 6 US/EU) will receive ramucirumab (10mg/kg on day 1) every two weeks + erlotinib (150 mg/day). DLT assessment will be performed after patients complete four weeks of treatment. In part B (phase III), approximately 450 patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive ramucirumab or placebo every two weeks with erlotinib until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or other withdrawal criteria are met. The primary endpoint is PFS. There are 3 planned interim analyses that will evaluate safety, futility and efficacy, respectively. Other secondary endpoints include overall survival, objective response rate, disease control rate, duration of response, safety and quality of life.

      Results:
      Not applicable

      Conclusion:
      Not applicable

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      P2.01-092 - A Phase IB Dose-Escalation Study of Pemetrexed and AUY922 in Previously Treated Metastatic Non-Squamous, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (ID 2164)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): E.B. Garon

      • Abstract
      • Slides

      Background:
      Despite advances in targeted therapy, treatment options for metastatic NSCLC progressing after initial therapy remains limited. HSP90 is an ATP-dependent molecular chaperone that plays a vital role in protein stabilization. Some HSP90 client proteins are key regulators in cell proliferation and survival. Many mutant oncoproteins are more dependent on HSP90 for proper folding and stability compared to their wildtype counterparts. AUY922 potently inhibits HSP90, showing preclinical activity in a wide range of cancer cell lines, including NSCLC (1). Phase I clinical trials established 70 mg/m[2] as the dose for further development (2). A single agent phase II trial demonstrated clinical activity of AUY922 in NSCLC, particularly molecular subsets with driver mutations in the known HSP90 client proteins, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) (3). Pemetrexed is a folate antimetabolite chemotherapeutic approved for use in advanced non-squamous, NSCLC. In pre-clinical models, mRNA for dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), a target of pemetrexed, reliably decreased in response to AUY922 exposure (1). These findings suggest that the combination of AUY922 and premetrexed in NSCLC is worthy of investigation.

      Methods:
      Adult patients with previously treated stage IV non-squamous, NSCLC, measureable disease per RECIST 1.1, ECOG performance status < 2, and life expectancy > 3 months are eligible for this open label phase Ib clinical trial (NCT01784640). A standard 3 x 3 design will evaluate 3 cohorts, all with pemetrexed at the standard 500 mg/m[2] dose, plus: AUY922 40 mg/m[2], 55 mg/m[2], and 70 mg/m[2] qwk. Enrollment of the 70 mg/m[2] qwk cohort has been open since November 2014 and is currently ongoing. After the optimal dose for further evaluation is determined, an additional 20 patients will be enrolled at that dose. This expansion phase will focus on patients with EGFR mutations and ALK gene rearrangements. The primary endpoint is safety and tolerability of AUY922 combined with pemetrexed in patients with previously treated non-squamous NSCLC. [Funding by Novartis, K23CA149079, Wolfen Family, One Ball Matt Memorial Golf Tournament]. References 1) Garon EB et. al. Mol Cancer Ther. 2013 2) Sessa C et. al. Clin Cancer Res. 2013 3) Garon EB et. al. ASCO 2012

      Results:
      Not applicable

      Conclusion:
      Not applicable

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    P3.01 - Poster Session/ Treatment of Advanced Diseases – NSCLC (ID 208)

    • Event: WCLC 2015
    • Type: Poster
    • Track: Treatment of Advanced Diseases - NSCLC
    • Presentations: 1
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      P3.01-087 - A Phase I Study of Exemestane with Carboplatin and Pemetrexed in Postmenopausal Women with Metastatic, Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (ID 2171)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): E.B. Garon

      • Abstract
      • Slides

      Background:
      Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the US, with adenocarcinoma being the most common histologic subtype. Aromatase, a critical rate-limiting enzyme in estrogen biosynthesis, is notably expressed in NSCLC cells. Retrospective studies show that high NSCLC aromatase levels are associated with worse clinical outcome, particularly in postmenopausal women (Weinberg et al., Cancer Res, 2005; Mah et al., Cancer Res, 2007; Garon et al., J Thoracic Oncol, 2013). Estrogens are known survival factors in lung and promote expression of nucleotide excision repair enzyme ERCC1 that is implicated in resistance to platinum-therapy. In NSCLC cells, ERCC1 transcript expression is blocked by exemestane, an aromatase inhibitor (AI), enhancing cisplatin-induced apoptosis. In preclinical NSCLC xenograft models, exemestane exerts synergistic antitumor activity combined with cisplatin and results in prolonged tumor suppression (Marquez-Garban et al., Ann NY Acad Sci, 2009). These data provide a rationale to assess an AI in the clinic.

      Methods:
      Based on our preclinical studies, we are conducting a phase IB, open-label, single-center study in postmenopausal, treatment-naïve (except prior single-agent tyrosine kinase inhibitor use) women with metastatic, non-squamous NSCLC (NCT 01664754). We plan to enroll 12-15 participants divided into two dose-escalation cohorts of exemestane. All participants receive standard chemotherapy with pemetrexed (500 mg/m[2]) and carboplatin (AUC 6), both given intravenously every 3 weeks. Cohort 1, which added exemestane 25 mg orally daily, has completed enrollment without any dose-limiting toxicities. Cohort 2, for which enrollment started in December of 2013, evaluates exemestane at 50 mg orally daily. Our primary aim is to evaluate safety and tolerability of the indicated regimen. Secondary objectives are tumor response rate, quality of life, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, and correlative studies of biomarkers (such as blood estrogens, tumor ERs, aromatase, and apoptosis) with tumor response.

      Results:
      Not applicable

      Conclusion:
      Not applicable

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