Abstract CT006: Phase 2 study of pembrolizumab (pembro) for locally advanced (LA) or recurrent/metastatic (R/M) cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC): KEYNOTE-629
Authors: Hughes Brett G.M. , Munoz-Couselo Eva , Mortier Laurent , Bratland Åse , Gutzmer Ralf , Roshdy Osama , Mendoza Rene González , Schachter Jacob , Arance Ana , Grange Florent , Meyer Nicolas , Joshi Abhishek , Billan Salem , Zhang Pingye , Gumuscu Burak , Swaby Ramona F. , Grob Jean-Jacques 
Published: July 2021

Background: In the multicenter, open-label, nonrandomized, phase 2 KEYNOTE-629 trial, pembro has demonstrated clinically meaningful and durable antitumor activity with a manageable safety profile for R/M cSCC based on the first interim analysis (IA). Here, we present the second IA of KEYNOTE-629, which reports the initial efficacy and safety data for the LA cohort and updated data for the R/M cohort in cSCC.Methods: Eligible patients (pts) were ≥18 years old, had histologically confirmed cSCC (LA or R/M) with measurable disease per RECIST 1.1 by blinded independent central review (BICR), an ECOG PS score of 0 or 1, and adequate organ function. Pts received intravenous pembro 200 mg every 3 weeks for up to 35 infusions (~ 2 years) or until protocol-specified treatment discontinuation criteria were met. The primary endpoint was ORR per RECIST 1.1 by BICR. Secondary endpoints were DOR, DCR, and PFS, all per RECIST 1.1 by BICR; OS; and safety and tolerability. Results: A total of 159 pts were enrolled and treated with pembro (LA, n=54; R/M, n=105). The median time from the first dose to data cutoff (July 29, 2020) was 14.9 (range, 10.1-19.4) mo for the LA cohort and 27.2 (range, 24.6-32.0) mo for the R/M cohort. In the LA cohort, 22.2% of pts were treated with prior systemic therapy with curative intent. In the R/M cohort, 86.7% of pts received ≥1 prior systemic therapy. Updated efficacy outcomes are summarized in the table. Across cohorts, grade 3-5 treatment-related AEs occurred in 11.9% of pts. Grade 3-5 immune-related AEs occurred in 8.2% of pts. Conclusions: Pembro confirmed robust and durable antitumor activity, with promising survival in LA and R/M cSCC. AEs with pembro in this study were generally consistent with its established safety profile. These data support the use of pembro for cSCC.

LA cSCC(N=54)R/M cSCC(N=105)Total(N=159)ORR, % (95% CI)50.0 (36.1-63.9)35.2 (26.2-45.2)40.3 (32.6-48.3)DCR (SD ≥12 wks + ORR), % (95% CI)64.8 (50.6-77.3)52.4 (42.4-62.2)56.6 (48.5-64.4)Best overall response, n (%)CR9 (16.7)11 (10.5)20 (12.6)PR18 (33.3)26 (24.8)44 (27.7)SD13 (24.1)30 (28.6)43 (27.0)SD≥12 wks8 (14.8)18 (17.1)26 (16.4)PD9 (16.7)28 (26.7)37 (23.3)NE1 (1.9)2 (1.9)3 (1.9)No assessment4 (7.4)8 (7.6)12 (7.5)DOR, median (range), moNR (1.0+-17.2+)NR (2.7-30.4+)NR (1.0+-30.4+)Patients with extended responses≥12 months, n (%)10 (84.1)25 (77.8)35 (80.3)PFS, median (95% CI), moNR (5.5-NR)5.7 (3.1-8.5)7.8 (5.3-12.3)12-mo PFS rate, % (95% CI)54.4 (39.6-67.0)36.4 (27.0- 45.9)42.4 (34.3-50.2)OS, median (95% CI), moNR (NR-NR)23.8 (13.4-29.8)26.4 (19.5-NR)12-mo OS rate, % (95% CI)73.6 (59.5-83.4)61.0 (50.9-69.5)65.1 (57.1-72.0)

Citation Format: Brett G.M. Hughes, Eva Munoz-Couselo, Laurent Mortier, Åse Bratland, Ralf Gutzmer, Osama Roshdy, Rene González Mendoza, Jacob Schachter, Ana Arance, Florent Grange, Nicolas Meyer, Abhishek Joshi, Salem Billan, Pingye Zhang, Burak Gumuscu, Ramona F. Swaby, Jean-Jacques Grob. Phase 2 study of pembrolizumab (pembro) for locally advanced (LA) or recurrent/metastatic (R/M) cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC): KEYNOTE-629 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr CT006.