Dataset Information

Gut microbiota correlates with antitumor activity in patients with mCRC and NSCLC treated with cetuximab plus avelumab.

ABSTRACT: Gut microbiota is involved in immune modulation and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) efficacy. Single-arm phase II CAVE-mCRC and CAVE-LUNG clinical trials investigated cetuximab + avelumab combination in RAS wild-type (WT) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and chemo-refractory nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, respectively. A comprehensive gut microbiota genetic analysis was done in basal fecal samples of 14 patients from CAVE-mCRC trial with circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) RAS/BRAF WT and microsatellite stable (MSS) disease. Results were validated in a cohort of 10 patients from CAVE-Lung trial. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed 23 027 bacteria species in basal fecal samples of 14 patients from CAVE-mCRC trial. In five long-term responding patients (progression-free survival [PFS], 9-24 months) significant increases in two butyrate-producing bacteria, Agathobacter M104/1 (P = .018) and Blautia SR1/5 (P = .023) were found compared to nine patients with shorter PFS (2-6 months). A significantly better PFS was also observed according to the presence or absence of these species in basal fecal samples. For Agathobacter M104/1, median PFS (mPFS) was 13.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.5-20.5 months) vs 4.6 months (95% CI, 1.8-7.4 months); P = .006. For Blautia SR1/5, mPFS was 5.9 months (95% CI, 2.2-9.7 months) vs 3.6 months (95% CI, 3.3-4.0 months); P = .021. Similarly, in CAVE-Lung validation cohort, Agathobacter M104/1 and Blautia SR1/5 expression were associated with PFS according to their presence or absence in basal fecal samples. Agathobacter and Blautia species could be potential biomarkers of outcome in mCRC, and NSCLC patients treated with cetuximab + avelumab. These findings deserve further investigation.

SUBMITTER: Martini G

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9321613 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Gut microbiota correlates with antitumor activity in patients with mCRC and NSCLC treated with cetuximab plus avelumab.

Martini Giulia G Ciardiello Davide D Dallio Marcello M Famiglietti Vincenzo V Esposito Lucia L Corte Carminia Maria Della CMD Napolitano Stefania S Fasano Morena M Gravina Antonietta Gerarda AG Romano Marco M Loguercio Carmelina C Federico Alessandro A Maiello Evaristo E Tuccillo Concetta C Morgillo Floriana F Troiani Teresa T Di Maio Massimo M Martinelli Erika E Ciardiello Fortunato F

International journal of cancer 20220429 3

Gut microbiota is involved in immune modulation and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) efficacy. Single-arm phase II CAVE-mCRC and CAVE-LUNG clinical trials investigated cetuximab + avelumab combination in RAS wild-type (WT) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and chemo-refractory nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, respectively. A comprehensive gut microbiota genetic analysis was done in basal fecal samples of 14 patients from CAVE-mCRC trial with circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) RAS/BRAF ...[more]

PMID: 35429341

Similar Datasets

Project description:IntroductionImmunotherapy has limited efficacy in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Understanding mechanisms mediating immune resistance in microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal tumors remains an ongoing challenge. Novel combination immunotherapy-based approaches have been developed under the rationale of overcoming immune resistance and developing effective immune response against colorectal tumor cells. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that cetuximab may modulate immune response to cancer cells. In this scenario, the inhibition of PD-L1 with IgG1 MAb avelumab in combination with anti-EGFR IgG1 monoclonal antibody cetuximab could be a strategy for potentiating antitumor activity. The CAVE phase II single-arm clinical trial provided the first evidence of clinical activity of combining cetuximab plus avelumab in 77 patients with RAS wild-type (WT) mCRC. This combination had a good toxicity profile, with a low rate of common grade 3 adverse events.Patients and methodsBased on results obtained with the CAVE clinical trial, here we describe the design and rationale for the phase II, randomized CAVE 2 clinical study of the combination of avelumab plus cetuximab as a rechallenge strategy in pre-treated RAS, BRAF WT mCRC patients treated in first line with chemotherapy in combination with cetuximab and who have had a clinical benefit (complete or partial response) from treatment. A total of 173 patients will be randomized (2:1) to cetuximab + avelumab (115) or cetuximab as a single agent (58). The primary endpoint is overall survival. Key secondary endpoints include overall response rate, progression-free survival, and safety. For each patient, before treatment, a blood sample will be obtained and analyzed for circulating free tumor DNA according to NGS (Foundation/Roche), to identify RAS/BRAF WT patients to be enrolled. The same procedure will be performed at the progression of the disease. Additional blood/plasma, tumor, and fecal samples will be collected and centrally stored for additional translational studies.DiscussionThis study will provide the rationale to test immunotherapy-based combinations in the clinical setting, offering new opportunities for RAS WT mCRC patients.Clinical trial registration[https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05291156], identifier [NCT05291156].

Project description:ImportanceRechallenge therapy with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) drugs has been suggested in patients with chemo-refractory RAS wild-type (WT) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) after initial response to anti-EGFR-based first-line treatment. The association of treatment with cetuximab plus avelumab with overall survival (OS) may be worthy of investigation in this setting.ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy and safety of cetuximab rechallenge therapy plus avelumab.Design, setting, and participantsThis single-arm, multicenter phase 2 trial enrolled patients from August 2018 to February 2020. Eligible patients with RAS WT mCRC had a complete or partial response to first-line chemotherapy plus anti-EGFR drugs, developed acquired resistance, and failed second-line therapy. Baseline circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) for KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, and EGFR-S492R mutation analysis was done.InterventionsPatients received avelumab (10 mg/kg every 2 weeks) and cetuximab (400 mg/m2 and, subsequently, 250 mg/m2 weekly) until disease progression or unacceptable toxic effects.Main outcomes and measuresThe primary end point was OS. Secondary end points were progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR), and safety.ResultsSeventy-seven patients were enrolled (42 men, 35 women; median age, 63 years); 71 had microsatellite stable tumors (MSS), 3 microsatellite instability-high tumors (MSI-H), 3 unknown. The study met the primary end point, with median OS (mOS) of 11.6 months (95% CI, 8.4-14.8 months). Median PFS (mPFS) was 3.6 months (95% CI, 3.2-4.1 months). Common grade-3 adverse events were cutaneous eruption, 11 (14%), and diarrhea, 3 (4%). For 67 of 77 (87%) patients, baseline analysis of plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) for KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, and EGFR-S492R variations was feasible. Forty-eight patients had WT disease, whereas 19 had mutations. Patients with RAS/BRAF WT ctDNA had mOS of 17.3 months (95% CI, 12.5-22.0 months) compared with 10.4 months (95% CI, 7.2-13.6 months) in patients with mutated ctDNA (hazard ratio [HR], 0.49; 95% CI, 0.27-0.90; P = .02). The mPFS was 4.1 months (95% CI, 2.9-5.2 months) in RAS/BRAF WT patients compared with 3.0 months (95% CI, 2.6-3.5 months) in patients with mutated ctDNA (HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.23-0.75; P = .004).Conclusions and relevanceThe findings of this single-arm phase 2 trial suggest that cetuximab plus avelumab is an active, well tolerated rechallenge therapy in RAS WT mCRC. Plasma ctDNA analysis before treatment may allow selection of patients who could benefit.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04561336.

Project description:BackgroundWe recently conducted Cetuximab-AVElumab-Lung (CAVE-Lung), a proof-of-concept, translational and clinical trial, to evaluate the combination of two IgG1 monoclonal antibodies (mAb): avelumab, an anti-PD-L1 drug, and cetuximab, an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) drug, as second- or third-line treatment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. We have reported clinically relevant anti-tumor activity in 6/16 patients. Clinical benefit was accompanied by Natural Killer (NK) cell-mediated antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC). Among the 6 responding patients, 3 had progressed after initial response to a previous treatment with single agent anti-PD-1, nivolumab or pembrolizumab.MethodsWe report long-term clinical follow-up and additional findings on the anti-tumor activity and on the immune effects of cetuximab plus avelumab treatment for these 3 patients.ResultsAs of November 30, 2021, 2/3 patients were alive. One patient was still on treatment from 34 months, while the other two patients had progression free survival (PFS) of 15 and 19 months, respectively. Analysis of serially collected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) revealed long-term activation of NK cell-mediated ADCC. Comprehensive genomic profile analysis found somatic mutations and germline rare variants in DNA damage response (DDR) genes. Furthermore, by transcriptomic analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset we found that DDR mutant NSCLC displayed high STING pathway gene expression. In NSCLC patient-derived three-dimensional in vitro spheroid cultures, cetuximab plus avelumab treatment induced additive cancer cell growth inhibition as compared to single agent treatment. This effect was partially blocked by treatment with an anti-CD16 mAb, suggesting a direct involvement of NK cell activation. Furthermore, cetuximab plus avelumab treatment induced 10-, 20-, and 20-fold increase, respectively, in the gene expression of CCL5 and CXCL10, two STING downstream effector cytokines, and of interferon β, as compared to untreated control samples.ConclusionsDDR mutations may contribute to DDR-induced STING pathway with sustained innate immunity activation following cetuximab plus avelumab combination in previously treated, PD-1 inhibitor responsive NSCLC patients.

Dataset Information

Gut microbiota correlates with antitumor activity in patients with mCRC and NSCLC treated with cetuximab plus avelumab.

Publications

Gut microbiota correlates with antitumor activity in patients with mCRC and NSCLC treated with cetuximab plus avelumab.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets