A phase 2 prospective trial of cabozantinib as first-line treatment for metastatic collecting ducts renal cell carcinoma: The BONSAI trial (Meeturo 2) clinical trial information—NCT03354884.
Authors: Procopio Giuseppe , Sepe Pierangela , Buti Sebastiano , Claps Melanie , Colecchia Maurizio , De Cecco Loris , Andrea Devecchi , Dugo Matteo , Gargiuli Chiara , Giannatempo Patrizia , Guadalupi Valentina , Mariani Luigi , Ottini Arianna , Sensi Marialuisa , De Braud Filippo G. , Verzoni Elena 
Published: June 2021

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Background: Metastatic collecting ducts carcinoma (mCDC) is a rare disease with bad prognosis and no standard treatments. Due to its rarity, mCDC is biologically poorly characterized and under-represented in prospective randomized trials. We recently identified two different molecular subtypes of mCDC based on relative expression levels of angiogenesis, metabolic and immune-related genes. Methods: : This prospective, monocentric, phase II trial evaluated cabozantinib (cabo) 60 mg orally once daily until progression or unacceptable toxicity in untreated mCDC patients (pts). Primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) as the proportion of pts with best overall response of confirmed complete (CR) or partial responses (PR) per RECIST 1.1. Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival and safety profile. Exploratory objectives were: to identify somatic mutations by targeted NGS-based sequencing; to define molecular subtypes, signatures and transcript fusions genes by RNA sequencing; to monitor circulating immune cells and study the immunological context of tumor cells. A central pathological review was mandatory. The study was based on a Simon’s two stage optimal design: at least 2 responses in 9 pts in the first stage were needed to proceed to the second stage where at least 6 responses in 14 additional pts were needed to prove activity of cabo. Results: From January 2018 to November 2020, 25 pts were enrolled, of whom 23 started treatment. Median age was 66 years, 19 pts were male. 19 (83%) pts received a previous nephrectomy. 9 pts presented with only one metastatic site, 8 pts with two, while the remaining part with multiple sites. The most common metastatic sites were lymphnodes and bone (15 and 13 pts respectively), followed by lung and liver (10 and 4 pts respectively). Median follow up was 8 months. As best overall response, 6 pts presented a stable disease (26%),1 pt achieved a confimed CR and 7 a PR for an ORR of 35%. Median PFS was 6 months. Treatment was feasible and well tolerated. All pts reported at least one grade (G) 1-2 adverse event (AE): the most common were fatigue (43%), hypotiroidism (28%), stomatitis (28%), anorexia (26%), Hand-Foot Syndrome (13%), hypertension (17%), and diarrhea (13%). 5 pts reported G3 AEs (2 thromboembolic events, 2 arterial hypertension, 1 fatigue), while no G4-5 AEs were reported. 17% of pts required dose reduction. DNA sequencing on CDC showed to be feasible, finding 256 mutations in 119 genes (missens mutations the majority). Altered genes, molecular subtypes and signatures will be associated to different outcomes and responses to cabo. Conclusions: The study met its primary endpoint showing promising efficacy and acceptable tolerability of cabo in mCDC pts. Mature results according to mutational profiles and gene signatures will be presented. Clinical trial information: NCT03354884.