Abstract PO1-18-06: Phase 1/2a Open-label Clinical Trial of BI-1607, an Fc Engineered Monoclonal Antibody to CD32b (FcγRIIB), in Combination with Trastuzumab in Subjects with HER2-positive Advanced Solid Tumors – CONTRAST
Authors: Cortés Javier , Priego Araceli , Cabanas Elena Garralda , Lamito Katerin Rojas , Lord Simon , Goetze Thorsten , Küemmel Sherko , Crabb Simon , Borggren Marie , Karlsson Ingrid , Mårtensson Linda , Ropenga Anna , Teige Ingrid , Wallin Johan , Frendeus Björn , McAllister Andres 
Published: May 2024

Background

The introduction of trastuzumab has dramatically changed outcomes in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive (HER2+) cancer. However, primary or acquired resistance to trastuzumab has been increasingly recognized as a major obstacle in the clinical management of this disease. Combination of anti-HER2 antibodies with other immunotherapies is likely to improve the quantity and quality of responses.

BI-1607 is a human monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting FcRIIB (CD32b) with antagonistic function capable of blocking the inhibitory function of FcRIIB on immune effector cells. BI-1607 has been engineered to lack a glycan in position N297Q in the constant domain (Fc), and thus cannot interact with FcγRs through its Fc. Given its high specificity and affinity for FcγRIIB, BI-1607 blocks other antibodies’ binding to FcγRIIB. As a result, BI-1607 is expected to shift tumor cells coated antibodies (here anti-HER2) to selectively engage activating FcγRs, thus augmenting FcγR-dependent therapeutic activity (ADDC, ADCP).

Tumor-associated macrophages express high levels of FcγRIIB and are a major target of BI-1607 in the tumor microenvironment. This concept was demonstrated in preclinical in vivo models showing increased efficacy of the combination therapy with the murine surrogate of BI-1607 and an anti-HER2, an anti–cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), and an anti-CD20 (rituximab) as compared to monotherapy.

It important to note that BI-1607 will have no single-agent activity. Instead, its clinical use will be in combination with other immunotherapies and tumor-targeting antibodies such as trastuzumab.

The choice of trastuzumab as the combination agent in this trial was based on promising preclinical studies, a recognized need for additional options for those patients who fail to respond or stop responding to trastuzumab, and promising results from the newly approved Fc-engineered anti-HER2 mAb margetuximab. Ultimately, if shown to be safe and effective in combination with trastuzumab, BI-1607 can also be used in combination with other cytotoxic or immunomodulatory antibodies for cancer treatment.

Methods

This is a Phase 1/2a, first-in-human, open-label, multicenter, dose-escalation, consecutive-cohort study of BI-1607 in combination with trastuzumab in subjects with HER2+ advanced solid tumors. Phase 1 aims to assess safety and tolerability and to determine the RP2D of BI-1607 in combination with trastuzumab. Phase 2a will explore efficacy at RP2D of BI-1607 in combination with trastuzumab in two separate expansion cohorts, a) in subjects with locally advanced or metastatic HER2+ breast cancer and b) in subjects with HER2+ metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.

Eligible patents must have a HER2+ locally advanced unresectable or metastatic solid tumors and have received standard of care or be intolerant to standard of care antineoplastic therapy, with progressive disease after the last line of treatment.

Accrual/Planned Accrual

As of June 222d, 2023 10 patients have been treated into trial and dosed with BI-1607 and trastuzumab at doses from 75-900 mg every 3 weeks (Q3W) in Phase 1. Phase 2a will enroll 15 subjects each in two cohorts of HER2+ advanced/metastatic breast cancer or HER2+ gastric/GEJ adenocarcinoma respectively.

For information regarding the study, please contact: anna.ropenga@bioinvent.com

Citation Format: Javier Cortés, Araceli Priego, Elena Garralda Cabanas, Katerin Rojas Lamito, Simon Lord, Thorsten Goetze, Sherko Küemmel, Simon Crabb, Marie Borggren, Ingrid Karlsson, Linda Mårtensson, Anna Ropenga, Ingrid Teige, Johan Wallin, Björn Frendeus, Andres McAllister. Phase 1/2a Open-label Clinical Trial of BI-1607, an Fc Engineered Monoclonal Antibody to CD32b (FcγRIIB), in Combination with Trastuzumab in Subjects with HER2-positive Advanced Solid Tumors – CONTRAST [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO1-18-06.