Abstract CT054: Phase 2 study to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of the GDF-15 inhibitor ponsegromab in patients with cancer cachexia
Authors: Crawford Jeffrey , Lubaczewski Shannon , Tarachandani Anil , Harrington Magdalena A. , Weng Yan , Qiu Ruolun , Collins Susie M. , Rossulek Michelle I. , Revkin James H. 
Published: April 2023

Background: Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial metabolic syndrome of wasting characterized by anorexia, unintended weight loss, and decreased skeletal muscle mass, leading to progressive functional impairment, fatigue, diminished quality of life, poor response to anticancer therapy, and reduced survival. One of the biomarkers associated with cancer cachexia is cytokine growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), which is secreted by tumor cells. Preliminary phase 1 data suggest that suppression of GDF-15 may lead to improvement in cachexia-related symptom burden. Ponsegromab is a potent and selective humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits GDF-15-mediated signaling. The primary objective of this study (NCT05546476) is to assess the effect of ponsegromab on body weight in patients with cancer, cachexia, and elevated circulating GDF-15 concentrations. Secondary objectives include assessing physical activity, gait, anorexia/appetite, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and safety. Exploratory objectives include evaluating pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and immunogenicity.

Trial design: This phase 2 study will enroll approximately 168 adults with non-small cell lung, pancreatic, or colorectal cancers who have cachexia and elevated GDF-15 concentrations. The study will be conducted in 2 parts. The initial 12-week treatment period will be a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study wherein participants who meet eligibility criteria will be randomized 1:1:1:1 to one of 3 dose groups of ponsegromab (administered subcutaneously [SC] every 4 weeks [Q4W]) or placebo. The double-blind period will be followed by optional open-label treatment (OLT) with ponsegromab Q4W SC for up to 1 year. Upon completion of the optional OLT period, there will be a follow-up visit at Week 72. Participants who do not proceed with the optional OLT period will complete the Week 12 visit and a follow-up visit at Week 16. The primary endpoint is the mean change from baseline in body weight at Week 12. A mixed model for repeated measures followed by a Bayesian Emax model will be used for the primary analysis. Secondary endpoints include physical activity and gait measured by remote digital sensors; patient-reported appetite-related symptoms assessed by Functional Assessment of Anorexia-Cachexia Therapy scores; anorexia/appetite, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue evaluated according to questions from the Cancer-related Cachexia Symptom Diary; and incidence of adverse events, safety laboratory tests, vital signs, and electrocardiogram abnormalities.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05546476

Citation Format: Jeffrey Crawford, Shannon Lubaczewski, Anil Tarachandani, Magdalena A. Harrington, Yan Weng, Ruolun Qiu, Susie M. Collins, Michelle I. Rossulek, James H. Revkin. Phase 2 study to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of the GDF-15 inhibitor ponsegromab in patients with cancer cachexia [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 2 (Clinical Trials and Late-Breaking Research); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(8_Suppl):Abstract nr CT054.