Phase II study of lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab for disease progression after PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor in metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mccRCC): Results of an interim analysis

Abstract

Background: Lenvatinib (LEN) is a multikinase VEGFR inhibitor approved for use in combination with everolimus to treat advanced RCC after prior VEGF-targeted therapy. Pembrolizumab (PEMBRO) is an anti-PD-1 antibody. Here, we report results of an interim analysis of the RCC cohort of a phase II trial of LEN + PEMBRO, specifically in patients (pts) who progressed with prior immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Methods: This is a per-protocol interim analysis of a multicenter, open-label study for pts with mccRCC, ≥1 prior therapy, RECIST disease progression on or following an ICI regimen (confirmed ≥ 4 weeks later), measurable disease, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤ 1. Pts received LEN 20 mg/d PO plus PEMBRO 200 mg intravenously Q3W until disease progression or toxicity occurred. Tumor assessments were performed every 6 weeks (until week 24), then every 9 weeks. Results: At data cutoff (March 29, 2019), the first 33 pts enrolled were followed for ≥12 weeks for response evaluation, and 24 (73%) pts were still on study treatment. The objective response rate was 52%, the disease control rate was 94%, and most pts had tumor shrinkage. Median follow-up time for progression-free survival was 4.2 months. Pt characteristics and efficacy outcomes are summarized in the table. The most common treatment-related adverse events were fatigue (49%), dysphonia (36%), diarrhea (33%), stomatitis (30%), hypertension (24%), dry mouth, nausea, proteinuria, and hand-foot syndrome (21% each). Three (9%) pts discontinued treatment due to adverse events. Conclusions: For the subset of mccRCC pts with disease progression during or following ICI therapy, LEN + PEMBRO demonstrated promising antitumor activity. No new safety signals were detected. The study will continue to full cohort expansion. [Table presented] Clinical trial identification: NCT02501096; Release date: July 17, 2015. Editorial acknowledgement: Tarah M. Connolly, PhD of Oxford PharmaGenesis, Newtown, PA, funded by Eisai Inc. Legal entity responsible for the study: Eisai Inc. Funding: Eisai Inc. and Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA. Disclosure: C. Lee: Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Bristol-Myers Squibb; Research grant / Funding (institution): Calithera; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Eisai; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (institution): Exelixis; Research grant / Funding (institution): Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy: Amgen. A.Y. Shah: Honoraria (self), Non-remunerated activity/ies, research: Eisai Inc.; Honoraria (self): Oncology Information Group; Non-remunerated activity/ies, research: EMD Serono; Non-remunerated activity/ies, research: Bristol-Myers Squibb. V. Makker: Non-remunerated activity/ies: AstraZeneca; Honoraria (self), Non-remunerated activity/ies: Eisai; Honoraria (self), Non-remunerated activity/ies: Merck; Non-remunerated activity/ies: Lilly; Honoraria (self), Non-remunerated activity/ies: Karyopharm; Non-remunerated activity/ies: Takeda; Non-remunerated activity/ies: Genentech. M.H. Taylor: Research grant / Funding (institution): BioAlta; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Bristol-Myers Squibb; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Eisai; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Array Biopharma; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Bayer; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: LOXO; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Blueprint; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Arquele; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy: Novartis. J.J. Hsieh: Honoraria (self): Eisai Inc. A. Pinto Marin: Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (self): Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Ipsen; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: EUSA Pharma; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Research grant / Funding (self), Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Bristol-Myers Squibb; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: MSD; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Roche; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Pierre Fabre; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony, Travel / Accommodation / Expenses: Janssen; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Astellas; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Sanofi; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Bayer; Honoraria (self), Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Clovis; Honoraria (self): Aveo. D.W. Rasco: Research grant / Funding (self): Eisai Inc.; Research grant / Funding (self): Merck. D.E. Stepan: Full / Part-time employment: Formerly of Eisai Inc. C.E. Dutcus: Leadership role, Full / Part-time employment: Eisai Inc. J. Wu: Full / Part-time employment: Eisai Inc. E.V. Schmidt: Full / Part-time employment: Merck & Co Inc. R.F. Perini: Full / Part-time employment: Merck & Co Inc. R.J. Motzer: Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self): Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self): Eisai; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self): Exelixis; Research grant / Funding (self): Genentech/Roche; Advisory / Consultancy, Research grant / Funding (self): Novartis; Research grant / Funding (self): Bristol-Myers Squibb; Advisory / Consultancy: Merck; Advisory / Consultancy: Incyte. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.