Exploratory novel biomarker and resistance mechanism of milademetan, an MDM2 inhibitor, in amplified MDM2 intimal sarcoma from an open-label phase 1b/2 trial (NCCH1806/MK004).
Authors: Koyama Takafumi , Shimizu Toshio , Kojima Yuki , Sudo Kazuki , Okuma Hitomi Sumiyoshi , Shimoi Tatsunori , Ichikawa Hitoshi , Kohsaka Shinji , Yoshida Akihiko , Matsui Naoko , Nakamura Kenichi , Yamamoto Noboru , Yonemori Kan 
Published: June 2023

11544

Background: Amplified Murine double minute 2 ( MDM2) is found in > 70% of intimal sarcoma, known as one of the ultra-rare sarcomas. Milademetan (DS3032, RAIN-32) is a novel, specific, small-molecule MDM2 inhibitor that disrupts MDM2 and the tumor suppressor protein p53 interactions in tumor cells. We conducted a phase 1b/2 trial (Trial registration No: JMA-IIA00402) in patients with amplified MDM2 wild-type TP53 intimal sarcoma as a sub-study under the nationwide large registry for rare cancers in Japan (MASTERKEY Project). Eleven patients were enrolled, and ten were included in the efficacy analysis. Two (20%) patients had durable responses for > 15 months. Milademetan provided clinical benefits in patients with amplified MDM2 intimal sarcoma. Predictive biomarkers other than amplified MDM2 and acquired resistance mechanisms for milademetan are unknown. Methods: Whole-exome and RNA sequencing analyses of pre-treatment tissue samples were conducted to identify determinants of response. Genomic alterations were analyzed for 10 patients, and gene expression was analyzed for 9 patients using their pre-treatment tissue samples. Targeted sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) samples (liquid biopsy) was also conducted sequentially at three points [before treatment with milademetan (baseline), at Cycle 2 Day1, and at the time of disease progression] to identify determinants of response and resistance. Results: From whole-exome and RNA sequencing analyses of pre-treatment tissue samples, we could not find any molecular pathways associated with the anti-tumor activity of milademetan. Focusing on 8 genes ( CDK4, CDKN2A, CDKN2B, EGFR, ERBB3, MDM2, PDGFRA, TP53) known to be frequently affected in intimal sarcoma and 10 genes ( AKT1, ATM, BBC3, CDKN1A, CDKN1C, CHEK2, MDM4, PMAIP1, PPM1D, TWIST1) reported to be associated with MDM2 inhibitor responses; we found that anti-tumor activity correlated with amplified TWIST1 ( p-value = 0.028) and negatively with CDKN2A loss ( p-value = 0.071). Eight of the 10 patients had their cfDNA collected sequentially at baseline, at Cycle 2 Day1 and disease progression; however, one did not consent to the exploratory analysis study using cfDNA, and one had cfDNA collected at baseline but not at disease progression due to ongoing treatment. Of the eight patients, TP53 mutations in cfDNA were detected in one and five patients at baseline and disease progression, respectively. The cfDNA allele frequency of TP53 mutations increased with disease progression. Conclusions: CDKN2A loss and amplified TWIST1 could be associated with the anti-tumor activity of milademetan in patients with amplified MDM2 intimal sarcoma. Acquired TP53 mutations were detected in sequential liquid biopsies as loss-of-function mutations, and these TP53 mutations might compromise the anti-tumor activity. Clinical trial information: JMA-IIA00402 .