A phase 2, two-stage study of avelumab and axitinib in patients with mismatch repair–proficient (MMR-P) recurrent or persistent endometrial cancer (EC).
Authors: Lee Elizabeth Katherine , Xiong Niya , Cheng SuChun , Polak Madeline , Krasner Carolyn N. , Campos Susana M. , Wright Alexi A. , Liu Joyce F. , Shea Meghan , Yeku Oladapo O. , Castro Cesar Martin , Porter Rebecca L , Stover Elizabeth , Bouberhan Sara , Moroney John William , Penson Richard T. , Fleming Gini F. , Matulonis Ursula A. , Konstantinopoulos Panagiotis A. 
Published: June 2023

TPS5628

Background: Despite significant strides in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of EC, there remain few effective therapies for recurrent disease. Deeper insight into the roles of disordered tumor vasculature and HIF1α- and VEGF-mediated immunosuppressive effects on myeloid-derived suppressor cells, T-cells, and PD-L1 expression contributed to the development of new targeted regimens. By inhibiting VEGF receptor (VEGFR) and PD-L1 signaling, immunologically “cold” tumors may become inflamed. The combination of the anti-PD-L1 antibody avelumab with axitinib, an inhibitor of VEGFR 1-3 and PDGFR with more potent IC50 inhibitory activity than lenvatinib, has also shown synergistic activity and is FDA approved as first line treatment for patients with renal cell cancer. We therefore hypothesized that this combination would be well tolerated and efficacious in recurrent MMR-P EC. Objectives:This is a non-randomized two-stage phase 2 study in patients with MMR-P EC evaluating the activity of combined avelumab and axitinib, as assessed by the co-primary endpoints of (1) frequency of patients surviving progression-free for at least 6 months (PFS6), and (2) the objective response rate (ORR) as measured by RECIST 1.1. Methods: Patients must have MMR-P EC and have received at least one chemotherapeutic regimen, with no upper limit on the number of prior lines received. Prior use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) is excluded. Eligible patients received avelumab 800 mg IV every 2 weeks and axitinib 5 mg orally twice daily until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. In the first stage of the study, 16 patients were enrolled; if there were ≥2 objective responses or ≥2 PFS6 responses, accrual continued to the second stage with enrollment of an additional 19 patients. The combination of avelumab/axitinib would be considered worthy of further study if overall there were ≥4 objective responses or ≥8 PFS6 responses. Results: As of the data-cutoff in September 2022, a total of 28 patients had received study treatment; one patient withdrew from the study due to toxicity, prior to her first radiographic assessment. The median number of prior lines was 1 (range 1-4). Median follow-up was 12.7 months. Of the 28 patients receiving study treatment, eleven patients (39.3%, 95% CI 21.5%-59.4%) achieved a PR [11/28; 8 confirmed PR (28.6%) and 3 unconfirmed PR (10.7%)]. An additional 39.3% (11/28) had stable disease as best response. Median PFS was 7.3 months (95% CI 3.9-9.0). PFS6 was 59.3% (95% CI 35.7%-76.7%) and at 6 months, 10 patients were still alive and progression-free. Updated efficacy data and safety data will be reported at the time of the meeting. Conclusions: With 8 confirmed PRs and 10 PFS6 responses, the co-primary endpoints were met and the combination of avelumab/axitinib is considered worthy of further study in this population of MMR-P EC. Clinical trial information: NCT02912572 .