Abstract CT244: Phase 1/2 study of PRO1184, a novel folate receptor alpha-directed antibody-drug conjugate, in patients with locally advanced and/or metastatic solid tumors
Authors: Call Justin , Orr Douglas , Anderson Ian , Richardson Debra L. , Chen Zhu , Ma Sharon , Hunder Naomi N. , Hamilton Erika 
Published: April 2023

Background: PRO1184 is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) directed to folate receptor alpha (FRα), a cell surface antigen overexpressed in multiple cancers including ovarian, endometrial, lung, mesothelioma, and breast cancer. PRO1184 consists of a human monoclonal antibody that selectively binds FRα, a novel cleavable hydrophilic linker, and a topoisomerase 1 inhibitor payload, exatecan. Previous studies demonstrated that the hydrophilic linker confers excellent physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles across a range of payload mechanisms and is superior to conventional linkers on these critical parameters for ADCs. In addition, exatecan is broadly active in many tumor types, is membrane permeable, and is not a substrate of multidrug resistance efflux pumps. It may thus lend a robust bystander effect and induce deeper or more durable responses in refractory tumors. Preclinical studies further established that PRO1184 exerts potent antitumor activity in mouse xenograft models with high, moderate, and low FRα expression, consistent with the inherent potency and expected bystander activity of the exatecan payload. PRO1184 is stable in plasma and retains the excellent PK properties and bioactivity of the unconjugated parent antibody. The preliminary safety profile of PRO1184 was more favorable than a benchmarking deruxtecan-based ADC in cynomolgus monkeys. PRO1184 is thus a promising development candidate with a potentially large therapeutic index to benefit a broad population of patients with FRα-expressing solid tumors.

Methods: PRO1184-001 is an ongoing, phase 1/2, open-label dose escalation and expansion study. Eligible patients are adults with metastatic or unresectable solid tumors, including ovarian, endometrial, non-small cell lung, breast cancer, or mesothelioma. Patients must have measurable disease per the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1, or mRECIST 1.1 for pleural mesothelioma. Patients must also have previously received therapies known to confer clinical benefit unless considered ineligible, refused by the patient, or not available in the region. PRO1184 is given by intravenous infusion on Day 1 of a 21-day cycle and treatment may continue until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or other reason for discontinuation. The primary objectives are to evaluate the safety and tolerability of PRO1184 and to identify the maximum tolerated dose, if reached, and recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). Part A of the study consists of a dose escalation phase and Part B consists of 4 FRα-expressing tumor-specific expansion cohorts treated at the RP2D. PK, immunogenicity, and antitumor activity will also be evaluated. The study is currently enrolling at sites in the US, with future enrollment in China planned (NCT05579366).

Citation Format: Justin Call, Douglas Orr, Ian Anderson, Debra L. Richardson, Zhu Chen, Sharon Ma, Naomi N. Hunder, Erika Hamilton. Phase 1/2 study of PRO1184, a novel folate receptor alpha-directed antibody-drug conjugate, in patients with locally advanced and/or metastatic solid tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 2 (Clinical Trials and Late-Breaking Research); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(8_Suppl):Abstract nr CT244.