Exploratory circulating biomarker analyses: lenvatinib + pembrolizumab (L + P) in a phase 1b trial in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC).
Authors: Zhu Andrew X. , Llovet Josep M , Kobayashi Masahiro , Ikeda Masafumi , Pracht Marc , Sung Max W. , Baron Ari David , Kudo Masatoshi , Meyer Tim , Okusaka Takuji , Kumada Hiromitsu , Kaneko Shuichi , Hoshi Taisuke , Saito Kenichi , Li Shuyu D , Funahashi Yasuhiro , Minoshima Yukinori , Dubrovsky Leonid , Finn Richard S. 
Published: June 2021

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Background: In a phase 1b trial (NCT03006926), L + P had promising antitumor activity as first-line (1L) therapy in uHCC. We present exploratory biomarker analyses of circulating angiogenic factors and cytokines/chemokines related to the mechanism of action of L + P (ie, pharmacodynamic [PD] biomarkers), as well as biomarker correlations with clinical outcomes in patients (pts) with uHCC, from this trial. Methods: Pts received lenvatinib 12 mg/d (bodyweight [BW] >60 kg) or 8 mg/d (BW < 60 kg) PO + pembrolizumab 200 mg IV Q3W. Tumors were assessed using mRECIST or RECIST v1.1 per independent imaging review. Peripheral blood samples were collected before administration of study drug at baseline, cycle (C) 2, day (D) 1, C3D1, C4D1, and off-treatment. 43 Biomarkers were assayed in serum from 100 1L uHCC pts (excluding 4 pts from the dose-limiting toxicity part of the trial with prior sorafenib). Of these 43, 31 biomarkers (for which ≤20% of samples had measurements above/below the quantification limit of the assay) were included in the analyses. Changes in biomarker levels from baseline were evaluated via 1-sample Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Associations were explored between changes in biomarker levels and maximum tumor shrinkage (MTS) via the Spearman’s rank correlation test, objective response (OR; complete response + partial response) via the Wilcoxon rank sum test, and PFS via Cox regression analysis and log rank test. Data cutoff date for clinical endpoints was 7 August 2020. Results: Levels of PD biomarkers related to angiogenic signaling (VEGF increase/ANG2 decrease), FGF signaling (increase in FGF23/FGF19), and IFNγ signaling (increase in IFNγ, CXCL9/10/11) were changed significantly (adjusted P< 0.05) with L + P (C2D1–C4D1; except for FGF19 at C3D1). Significant decreases of TIMP1 and increases of MCP1 were observed at C4D1 during treatment; these were associated with greater MTS. Greater decreases in TIMP1 and greater increases in MCP1 were observed in pts with OR vs others. Changes in levels of the PD biomarkers ANG2, IL10, and VEGFR2 were found to be associated with PFS by dichotomized analysis. With tertile 2 cutoff, median PFS for pts in the group with greater decreases of ANG2 was 13.9 months vs 9.6 months for pts in the group with lesser decreases of ANG2 (unadjusted P= 0.002; HR 2.65, 95% CI 1.39–5.08). Conclusions: These are the first exploratory biomarker analyses for the single-arm study of L + P in pts with uHCC. Changes in serum biomarkers associated with angiogenic-, FGF-, and IFNγ-signaling pathways indicated target engagement of L + P. Decreases in TIMP1 and increases in MCP1 were associated with MTS and OR. Associations were found between longer PFS and a greater decrease in levels of ANG2. Angiogenesis inhibition and modulation of cancer immune response were observed with L + P. Further validation from independent studies is warranted. Clinical trial information: NCT03006926.