STARLITE 1: Phase 1b/2 study of combination 177Lu girentuximab plus cabozantinib and nivolumab in treatment naïve patients with advanced clear cell RCC
Authors: Hasanov Elshad , Flynt Lesley , Slack Tidwell Rebecca , Hwang Hyunsoo , Brooks Roserika , King Lauren , Solley Travis , Syed Mashaal , Yamamura Yuko , Hayward Colin , Venkatesan Aradhana M , Jonasch Eric 
Published: August 2023

Background

Complete response (CR) is still a rare event in patients with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). The combination of nivolumab plus cabozantinib was recently approved for the first-line treatment of ccRCC based on the CheckMate 9ER phase 3 study demonstrating improved progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR) in comparison to sunitinib. However, the CR rate was only 9%. Since the anti-tumor effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors are dependent on the presence of activated tumor-infiltrating T cells, drugs that could synergize with T cells’ anti-tumor activity can allow us to improve CR rates. Activation of the cGAS-STING pathway, the master regulator of anti-tumor immunity which is induced by radiation-induced DNA damage, is one promising mechanism that has been investigated. Many studies have shown that radiation treatment augments immune checkpoint inhibition. However, it is not always possible to radiate all metastatic lesions. Therefore, targeted peptide receptor radionuclide therapies (PRRT), have been developed by conjugating radioisotopes to receptor binding analogs targeting specific cancer cell surface proteins, thereby delivering targeted radiation to cancer cells in the body with minimal damage to surrounding healthy cells. 177Lu girentuximab is the first antibody-radioisotope designed for ccRCC, targeting carbonic anhydrase IX-expressing cells, which includes &gt;90% of ccRCC. It has been tested in metastatic ccRCC as a single agent and shown to be safe and effective in stabilizing disease in 57% of pts. In this study, we hypothesize that 177Lu girentuximab-induced DNA damage will potentiate the STING pathway, and this activation will synergize with nivolumab and cabozantinib to promote trafficking and infiltration of activated T cells to tumors and achieve higher CR rates.

Methods

Up to 100 patients with treatment naïve, biopsy-proven ccRCC with adequate organ/marrow function with ≥1 evaluable lesion by RECIST 1.1 will be enrolled. A 5-patient safety lead-in will evaluate myelosuppression. Ongoing safety, and futility monitoring will employ a Bayesian approach. The sample size was chosen for reasonable operating characteristics to distinguish a CR rate (primary endpoint) of 18% as better than 9% using a beta(0.09, 0.91) prior. Secondary endpoints are objective response, PFS by RECIST 1.1, and overall survival. 177Lu-girentuximab 1480 MBq/m2 (61% of single agent MTD) will be administered every 12 weeks for up to 3 treatment cycles. Starting with the second cycle, nivolumab and cabozantinib will be added at standard dose. To explore the effects of the combination therapy on inducing activated T cell infiltration, patients will undergo pre/post-treatment PET scan with [18F]F-AraG radiotracer as well as biopsies for single cell, spatial transcriptomics and proteomics studies. This is an investigator initiated trial. Telix Pharmaceuticals provided drug and funding support. Also supported by DOD grant W81XWH-22-1-0456

CDMRP DOD Funding: yes