Abstract LB-216: NCI 9455: Phase II study of trametinib followed by trametinib plus AKT inhibitor,GSK2141795 in patients with advanced triple negative breast cancer
Authors: Ramaswamy Bhuvaneswari , Mrozek Ewa , Lustberg Maryam , Wesolowski Robert , Layman Rachel , Abdel-Rasoul Mahmoud , Timmers Cynthia , Patrick Robyn , Sexton Jennifer , Macrae Erin , Shapiro Charles , Budd Thomas , Harris Lyndsay , Isaacs Claudine , Ismail-Khan Roohi , Dees Claire , Poklepovic Andrew , Grever Micheal , Chen Helen , Villalona Miguel , Carson William 
Published: July 2016

Background: Preclinical data demonstrates that activation of RAS/MEK/ERK pathway in basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) leads to resistance to chemotherapy. Inhibiting MEK pathway was highly effective in BLBC models with intact PTEN. Conversely activated PI3K/AKT pathway (loss of PTEN which occurs in ∼ 30% of TNBC) led to resistance to MEK inhibition. We proposed to test the hypothesis that single agent trametinib (T) will demonstrate efficacy in a subset of TNBC and that addition of AKTi, GSK2141795 (G) will overcome resistance to T.

Methods: This is a single arm, multicenter study through the ETCTN. Eligible patients (pts) with advanced TNBC, measurable disease with 1-3 prior chemotherapies received mandatory research biopsy and entered Part I of the study with T alone (2 mg Q day-28 days). At the point of progression pts received a mandatory second biopsy and moved to PART II of study with 1.5 mg of T + 50 mg of G. Optional research biopsy was performed at the point of progression on the combination. Restaging scans were done every 2 cycles. Blood samples were collected at baseline, cycle 2 and at progression.

Results: 33 pts with median age 55 (35-71) from six cancer centers were enrolled to Part I (T alone) and 17 pts entered part II (T +G). Most common toxicities for pts on T alone included Gr1: diarrhea, rash, transaminitis, Gr 2: fatigue; Gr 3: thromboembolism. Of 31 evaluable pts on T alone, two pts (1 still on study after 8 cycles) had a partial response (PR) and one pt has stable disease after 8 cycles and remains on study. Of the sixteen evaluable patients on part II (T+G) one patient has an unconfirmed PR (34% reduction on RECIST). Common toxicities for the combination include: Gr1: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, myelosuppression, rash, hypertension, transaminitis, Gr2: Rash, fatigue, mucositis, diarrhea, Gr 3: diarrhea. Eleven patients died on study (10-progression, 1-adverse event). Blood and tissue samples are being analyzed for whole genome sequencing, IHC for PTEN, Quantitative targeted absolute proteomics (QTAP) for kinome assay and RPPA for PTEN, PI3KCA, AKT, ERK and MEK. This study is currently closed to accrual for interim analysis for efficacy on part II.

Conclusion: Trametinib alone and in combination with AKTi, GSK2141795 has limited efficacy in TNBC. Proposed correlatives in serial biopsies may identify biomarkers in the few responders and help identify other novel targets.

Citation Format: Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy, Ewa Mrozek, Maryam Lustberg, Robert Wesolowski, Rachel Layman, Mahmoud Abdel-Rasoul, Cynthia Timmers, Robyn Patrick, Jennifer Sexton, Erin Macrae, Charles Shapiro, Thomas Budd, Lyndsay Harris, Claudine Isaacs, Roohi Ismail-Khan, Claire Dees, Andrew Poklepovic, Micheal Grever, Helen Chen, Miguel Villalona, William Carson. NCI 9455: Phase II study of trametinib followed by trametinib plus AKT inhibitor,GSK2141795 in patients with advanced triple negative breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-216.