First-in-human dose-escalation trial of BI 764532, a delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3)/CD3 IgG-like T-cell engager in patients (pts) with DLL3-positive (DLL3+) small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC).

person Martin Wermke Technical University Dresden, NCT/UCC Early Clinical Trial Unit, Dresden, Germany info_outline Martin Wermke, Enriqueta Felip, Yasutoshi Kuboki, Daniel Morgensztern, Cyrus Sayehli, Miguel F. Sanmamed, Edurne Arriola, Zohra Oum'Hamed, Eric Song, Matus Studeny, Valentina Gambardella

Authors person Martin Wermke Technical University Dresden, NCT/UCC Early Clinical Trial Unit, Dresden, Germany info_outline Martin Wermke, Enriqueta Felip, Yasutoshi Kuboki, Daniel Morgensztern, Cyrus Sayehli, Miguel F. Sanmamed, Edurne Arriola, Zohra Oum'Hamed, Eric Song, Matus Studeny, Valentina Gambardella Organizations Technical University Dresden, NCT/UCC Early Clinical Trial Unit, Dresden, Germany, Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital & Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, Interdisciplinary Study Center with ECTU, Medical Clinic and Polyclinic II of the University Hospital, Wuerzburg, Germany, Department of Immunology and Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain, Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital del Mar-CIBERONC (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Oncología), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Cancer Research Program, IMIM (Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques), 08003 Barcelona, Spain, Boehringer Ingelheim France S.A.S., Reims, France, Boehringer Ingelheim (China) Investment Co., Shanghai, China, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Ingelheim, Germany, Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico Universitario, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain Abstract Disclosures Research Funding Pharmaceutical/Biotech Company Boehringer Ingelheim Background: The inhibitory Notch ligand, DLL3, is highly expressed on the cell surface of SCLC and NEC tumors and is a promising drug target. BI 764532 is a DLL3/CD3 T cell engaging bispecific antibody that has shown potent preclinical anti-tumor activity in DLL3+ cells and xenograft models. NCT04429087 is an ongoing phase I first-in-human, open-label, dose-escalation trial of BI 764532 in adults with locally advanced/metastatic DLL3+ (confirmed centrally) SCLC, NEC or small cell carcinoma of any other origin (grouped as NEC), or large cell NEC (LCNEC). Methods: BI 764532 was administered intravenously using three different regimens: Regimen (R) A (fixed iv dose q3w); RB1 (fixed iv dose qw); RB2 (step-in doses followed by a fixed dose). Treatment (Tx) continued until progressive disease (PD), unacceptable toxicity, other withdrawal criteria, or maximum Tx duration (36 mos). The main objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and/or recommended dose for expansion of BI 764532, based on dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) during the MTD evaluation period. Further objectives were safety, tolerability, PK/PD and preliminary efficacy based on investigator review (RECIST v1.1). Results: As of 28th Dec 2022, 90 pts received ≥1 dose of BI 764532 (RA: n = 24, 8 dose levels; RB1: n = 10, 3 dose levels; RB2: n = 56, 6 dose levels; starting dose: 0.03 µg/kg). Median age: 60 years (32–78); ECOG PS 0/1: 24/74%; prior PD1/PD-L1 Tx: 40%; ≥2 prior lines of Tx: 69%. SCLC/NEC/LCNEC: 52/41/4%. Median Tx duration: 43 days (range 1–443); 25 pts are ongoing. DLTs were seen in 1 pt on RA (Grade 3 confusion) and 4 pts on RB2 (Grade 4 cytokine release syndrome [CRS]; Grade 3 CRS, Grade 3 nervous system disorder, Grade 2 infusion-related reaction). MTD has not been reached and dose escalation is ongoing. Overall, the most common treatment-related AEs were (any/Grade 3+): CRS (58/2%); pyrexia (19/0%); decreased lymphocytes (18/14%); asthenia (17/1%); dysgeusia (14/0%). CRS was managed with supportive care, corticosteroids, and/or anti-IL-6R antibodies. With RB2, most CRS and neurological events occurred early, and were reversable. Tumor response data were available for 70 pts (RA/RB1/RB2: n = 19/8/43). In pts with SCLC (n = 24) or NEC (n = 23) who received ≥ target dose of BI 764532, ORR was 33% and 22% across all regimens, respectively. One pt with LCNEC was also evaluable for response and achieved PR. Conclusions: BI 764532 showed clinically manageable tolerability and MTD has not been reached at the doses administered to date. Promising efficacy has been observed, not only in SCLC but also in difficult to treat entities such as NEC and LCNEC. The study is ongoing; updated data will be presented. Clinical trial information: NCT04429087.