Abstract LB-118: Resistance to TRK inhibition mediated by convergent MAP kinase pathway activation
Authors: Cocco Emiliano , Kulick Amanda , Misale Sandra , Yaeger Rona , Razavi Pedram , Won Helen H. , Ptashkin Ryan , Hechtman Jaclyn F. , Toska Eneda , Cownie James , Somwar Romel , Shifman Sophie , Mattar Marissa , Selçuklu S Duygu , Samoila Aliaksandra , Guzman Sean , Tuch Brian B. , Ebata Kevin , Stanchina Elisa de , Nagy Rebecca J. , Lanman Richard B. , Berger Michael F. , Ladanyi Marc , Hyman David M. , Drilon Alexander , Scaltriti Maurizio , Schram Alison M. 
Published: August 2019

Background: TRK inhibition is now standard of care for advanced pediatric and adult patients (pts) with TRK fusion solid tumors, regardless of origin. To date, TRK kinase domain mutations are the only known resistance mechanism, and next-generation TRK inhibitors active against these mutations such as LOXO-195 are being developed. We reasoned some pts will develop TRK-independent resistance and hypothesized that these pts will require unique therapeutic approaches.

Methods: Paired tumor biopsies and serial cell-free DNA (cfDNA) prospectively collected from pts with TRK fusion-positive cancers treated with first- and next-generation TRK inhibitors before treatment and at progression were sequenced. In parallel, pt-derived and engineered models were analyzed.

Results: Alterations involving upstream non-TRK receptor kinases and downstream MAPK pathway members were initially identified in tumors from 3 TRK fusion-positive gastrointestinal (GI) cancer pts who developed resistance to TRK inhibitors. Pt 1 with CTRC-NTRK1 pancreatic cancer developed temporally distinct emergent BRAF V600E and KRAS G12D mutations. Pt 2 with LMNA-NTRK1 colorectal cancer developed temporally distinct KRAS G12A and G12D mutations. Pt 3 with PLEKHA6-NTRK1 cholangiocarcinoma developed focal MET amplification. Phenocopying these clinical observations, pt-derived xenografts and primary cell lines developed BRAF and KRAS mutations following chronic TRK inhibition. Consistently, ectopic expression of these alterations conferred resistance to TRK inhibitors. Given that all 3 index pts had GI cancers, we expanded serial cfDNA sequencing to 5 additional TRK fusion-positive GI disease, identifying 3 with emergent MAPK alterations at progression, bringing the overall frequency of acquired MAPK alterations in GI cancers analyzed to 75% (6/8). To further evaluate whether these emergent alterations induced functional dependence on ERK signaling, pts 1-3 were treated with agents targeting these emergent alterations (dabrafenib + trametinib, LOXO-195 + trametinib, and LOXO-195 + crizotinib, respectively). Pt 1 achieved transient tumor regression, followed by outgrowth of KRAS-mutant disease. Pt 3 achieved a 4.5 months tumor regression. Sequencing at progression in pt 3 identified multiple acquired MET point mutations known to interfere with crizotinib binding.

Conclusions: These data suggest that a subset of TRK fusion-positive cancers will develop off-target mechanisms of resistance to TRK inhibition. Relative to other TRK fusion-positive tumors, GI cancers may have a higher propensity for developing these bypass alterations that demonstrate remarkable convergence on ERK signaling. A portion of these mechanisms may be managed with simultaneous targeting of the TRK and MAPK pathways, although additional modeling is required to determine if upfront treatment would confer more durable responses.

Citation Format: Emiliano Cocco, Amanda Kulick, Sandra Misale, Rona Yaeger, Pedram Razavi, Helen H. Won, Ryan Ptashkin, Jaclyn F. Hechtman, Eneda Toska, James Cownie, Romel Somwar, Sophie Shifman, Marissa Mattar, S Duygu Selçuklu, Aliaksandra Samoila, Sean Guzman, Brian B. Tuch, Kevin Ebata, Elisa de Stanchina, Rebecca J. Nagy, Richard B. Lanman, Michael F. Berger, Marc Ladanyi, David M. Hyman, Alexander Drilon, Maurizio Scaltriti, Alison M. Schram. Resistance to TRK inhibition mediated by convergent MAP kinase pathway activation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-118.