Abstract PD11-01: PD11-01 Evaluation of the PD-1 Inhibitor Cemiplimab in early-stage, high-risk HER2-negative breast cancer: Results from the neoadjuvant I-SPY 2 TRIAL
Authors: Stringer-Reasor Erica , Shatsky Rebecca A. , Chien Jo , Wallace Anne , Boughey Judy C. , Albain Kathy S. , Han Hyo S. , Nanda Rita , Isaacs Claudine , Kalinsky Kevin , Mitri Zahi , Clark Amy S. , Vaklavas Christos , Thomas Alexandra , Trivedi Meghna S. , Lu Janice , Asare Smita , Lu Ruixiao , Pitsouni Maria , Wilson Amy , Perlmutter Jane , Rugo Hope , Schwab Richard , Symmans W. Fraser , Hylton Nola M. , Van ’t Veer Laura , Yee Douglas , DeMichele Angela , Berry Donald , Esserman Laura J. , Investigators I-SPY 
Published: March 2023

Background: I-SPY2 is a multicenter, phase 2 trial using response-adaptive randomization within biomarker subtypes defined by hormone-receptor (HR), HER2, and MammaPrint (MP) status to evaluate novel agents as neoadjuvant therapy for high-risk breast cancer. The primary endpoint is pathologic complete response (pCR). Cemiplimab (Cemi) is a PD-1 inhibitor approved for the treatment of NSCLC, cutaneous basal, and squamous cell cancer. Here, we report current efficacy rates of Cemi in combination with paclitaxel followed by AC.

Methods: Women with tumors ≥ 2.5cm were eligible for screening. Only HER2 negative (HER2-) patients were eligible for this treatment; HR positive (HR+) patients had to be MP high risk. Treatment included paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 IV weekly x 12 and Cemi 350 mg IV given q3weeks x 4, followed by doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (AC) every 2 weeks x 4. The control arm was weekly paclitaxel x 12 followed by AC every 2-3 weeks x 4. All patients undergo serial MRI imaging; and imaging response (at 3 weeks, 12 weeks and prior to surgery) were used along with accumulating pCR data to continuously update and estimate pCR rates for trial arms. Analysis was modified intent to treat. Patients who switched to non-protocol therapy count as non-pCR. The goal is to identify (graduate) regimens with ≥85% Bayesian predictive probability of success (i.e. demonstrating superiority to control) in a future 300-patient phase 3 neoadjuvant trial with a pCR endpoint within responsive signatures. Cemi was eligible to graduate in 3 pre-defined signatures: HER2-, HR-HER2-, and HR+HER2-. To adapt to changing standard of care, we constructed “dynamic controls” comprising ‘best’ alternative therapies using I-SPY 2 and external data and estimated the probability of Cemi being superior to the dynamic control.

Results: 60 HER2- patients (28 HR+ and 32 HR-) received Cemi arm treatment. The control group included 357 patients with HER2- tumors (201 HR+ and 156 HR-) enrolled since March 2010. Cemi graduated in HR-/HER2- signature. Estimated pCR rates (as of June 2022) are summarized in the table.

Immune-related endocrine disorders include: hypothyroid (14.5%), adrenal insufficiency (10%), hyperthyroid (4.8%),) and thyroiditis (3.2%). Only one grade 3 adrenal insufficiency was observed. All immune related AE’s were manageable. Additional biomarker analyses are ongoing and will be presented at the meeting. Response predictive subtypes (Immune+ vs Immune-) and additional predictive biomarkers were assessed. Associations with pCR will be presented at SABCS.

Conclusion: The I-SPY 2 study aims to assess the probability that investigational regimens will be successful in a phase 3 neoadjuvant trial. Anti-PD-1 therapy with Cemi resulted in a higher predicted pCR rate in HR-/HER2- 55 rate% disease compared to control at 29%. Immune-mediated AE’s were observed. This data is consistent with previously published data using check point inhibitors in early-stage HR-/HER2- breast cancer.

Estimated pCR rates

Citation Format: Erica Stringer-Reasor, Rebecca A. Shatsky, Jo Chien, Anne Wallace, Judy C. Boughey, Kathy S. Albain, Hyo S. Han, Rita Nanda, Claudine Isaacs, Kevin Kalinsky, Zahi Mitri, Amy S. Clark, Christos Vaklavas, Alexandra Thomas, Meghna S. Trivedi, Janice Lu, Smita Asare, Ruixiao Lu, Maria Pitsouni, Amy Wilson, Jane Perlmutter, Hope Rugo, Richard Schwab, W. Fraser Symmans, Nola M. Hylton, Laura Van ’t Veer, Douglas Yee, Angela DeMichele, Donald Berry, Laura J. Esserman, I-SPY Investigators. PD11-01 Evaluation of the PD-1 Inhibitor Cemiplimab in early-stage, high-risk HER2-negative breast cancer: Results from the neoadjuvant I-SPY 2 TRIAL [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr PD11-01.