Primary results and characterization of patients with exceptional outcomes in a phase 1b study combining PARP and MEK inhibition, with or without anti-PD-L1, for BRCA wild-type, platinum-sensitive, recurrent ovarian cancer

Cancer. 2024 Jun 1;130(11):1940-1951. doi: 10.1002/cncr.35222. Epub 2024 Jan 30.

Abstract

Background: This phase 1b study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03695380) evaluated regimens combining PARP and MEK inhibition, with or without PD-L1 inhibition, for BRCA wild-type, platinum-sensitive, recurrent ovarian cancer (PSROC).

Methods: Patients with PSROC who had received one or two prior treatment lines were treated with 28-day cycles of cobimetinib 60 mg daily (days 1-21) plus niraparib 200 mg daily (days 1-28) with or without atezolizumab 840 mg (days 1 and 15). Stage 1 assessed safety before expansion to stage 2, which randomized patients who had BRCA wild-type PSROC to receive either doublet or triplet therapy, stratified by genome-wide loss of heterozygosity status (<16% vs. ≥16%; FoundationOne CDx assay) and platinum-free interval (≥6 to <12 vs. ≥12 months). Coprimary end points were safety and the investigator-determined objective response rate (ORR) according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Potential associations between genetic parameters and efficacy were explored, and biomarker profiles of super-responders (complete response or those with progression-free survival [PFS] >15 months) and progressors (disease progression as the best response) were characterized.

Results: The ORR in patients who had BRCA wild-type PSROC was 35% (95% confidence interval, 20%-53%) with the doublet regimen (n = 37) and 27% (95% confidence interval, 14%-44%) with the triplet regimen (n = 37), and the median PFS was 6.0 and 7.4 months, respectively. Post-hoc analyses indicated more favorable ORR and PFS in the homologous recombination-deficiency-signature (HRDsig)-positive subgroup than in the HRDsig-negative subgroup. Tolerability was consistent with the known profiles of individual agents. NF1 and MKNK1 mutations were associated with sustained benefit from the doublet and triplet regimens, respectively.

Conclusions: Chemotherapy-free doublet and triplet therapy demonstrated encouraging activity, including among patients who had BRCA wild-type, HRDsig-positive or HRDsig-negative PSROC harboring NF1 or MKNK1 mutations.

Keywords: MEK inhibitor; MKNK1; NF1; PARP inhibitor; immune checkpoint blockade; ovarian cancer.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized* / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized* / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols* / therapeutic use
  • Azetidines
  • B7-H1 Antigen* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • B7-H1 Antigen* / genetics
  • BRCA1 Protein / genetics
  • BRCA2 Protein / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Indazoles / administration & dosage
  • Indazoles / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local* / drug therapy
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local* / genetics
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / mortality
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Phthalazines* / administration & dosage
  • Phthalazines* / therapeutic use
  • Piperidines* / administration & dosage
  • Piperidines* / therapeutic use
  • Platinum / administration & dosage
  • Platinum / therapeutic use
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors* / administration & dosage
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors* / therapeutic use
  • Progression-Free Survival
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use

Substances

  • niraparib
  • CD274 protein, human
  • cobimetinib
  • atezolizumab
  • BRCA1 protein, human
  • BRCA2 protein, human

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03695380

Grants and funding