bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro and in vivo characterization of MDNA11: A long-acting “beta-only” IL-2 superkine in syngeneic mice tumor models and nonhuman primates.
Authors: Rafei Moutih , To Minh , Merchant Fahar , Merchant Nina 
Published: May 2020

3036 Background: Use of IL-2 (Proleukin) remains limited due to its short half-life, toxicity, and its ability to preferentially activate Tregs resulting in unwanted immune suppression. Approaches to reduce binding to CD25 (IL2α), such as pegylation techniques, also results in reduced affinity to CD122 (IL2β). To bypass these limitations, we engineered MDNA11, an IL-2 Superkine containing core mutations to diminish binding to CD25 while increasing affinity to CD122. To increase half-life, MDNA11 was fused to an albumin scaffold, which is known to allow accumulation at the tumor site. Methods: MDNA11 was evaluated using in vitro and in vivo studies that included: IL-2 signaling in human PBMCs, Biacore binding analyses, PK studies in mice, and efficacy studies in syngeneic tumor models with or without immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). In addition, dose-range finding studies in cynomolgus monkeys (NHP) were performed to characterize the safety and PK/PD profiles of MDNA11. Results: MDNA11 displayed enhanced STAT5 signaling in human NK and naïve CD8 T-cells with diminished Treg activity. In mice, the terminal half-life of MDNA11 was 24-fold longer than IL-2. As a result, MDNA11 triggered effective tumor growth control, as monotherapy or in combination with ICI, in multiple tumor models in spite of q1wk dosing for two weeks. MDNA11 administration to mice with pre-established CT26 colon cancer resulted in tumor-free animals and induced strong memory response and protection against subsequent re-challenges. MDNA11 also inhibited the growth of B16F10 melanomas, which translated into a durable increase in tumor infiltrating CD8 T-cells. When tested in NHP, MDNA11 led to increased circulating CD8 T-cells lasting for almost 14 days with limited effects on Tregs and eosinophils (the latter being a source of IL-5 causing vascular leak syndrome). High doses resulted in mild side effects that were transient and reversible even following repeated dosing. Conclusions: The long-acting MDNA11 Superkine has superior potency over IL-2 at activating naïve CD8 T-cells and NK cells, while exhibiting diminished Treg activation. This molecule potently inhibited tumor growth and induced durable regression and long-term memory response. Studies in NHP showed prolonged proliferation of immune effector cells lasting almost two weeks post-MDNA11 administration. The sum of these data underscores the potency of MDNA11 to trigger the host’s immune response to control or eradicate established tumors.
Novel biomarker panel based on cellular and soluble checkpoint proteins for PD-1/PD-L1 blockade treatment efficacy.
Authors: Nagai Hiroki , Ganepola Ganepola A.P. , Lee Jin , Kirshner Eli , Wood Kevin C. , Rakowski Thomas J. , Suh Jason , Teplinsky Eleonora , Insinga Alysha , Rutledge John R , Chang David H 
Published: May 2020

3045 Background: Although anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy has become one of the standard treatments for advanced cancers, its low treatment efficacy (10-30%) has remained a major issue. We sought to perform a detailed immune profiling of cells and soluble proteins in order to characterize key regulators and signaling molecules and identify therapeutic targets and biomarkers that may improve treatment efficacy and diagnosis. Methods: This observational study enrolled 49 advanced cancer patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade monotherapy. Treatment response was assessed by RECIST 1.1. PBMC and plasma samples were collected at baseline and every 6 weeks following initial treatment. Immune profiling of PBMC was done by multi-parametric flow cytometer, and t-SNE analysis was used to identify key immune subtypes. Soluble proteins were evaluated by LUMINEX assays. Cut-off values were determined by ROC curve analysis. Results: Three unique subtypes of immune cells were identified. The population of CD11c+HLA-DRlowCD80+CD86− CD274+ cells (regDC) at baseline was significantly higher in patients with progressive disease (PD, n=28) than in patients showing clinical benefit (non-PD, n=21; p=0.030). The higher regDC population also correlated with higher levels of IL-8, IL-10, CXCL1, CXCL5, and CXCL11 in plasma. The population of CD4+CD25+CD62L+ T cells (Treg) was also higher in PD patients (p<0.001). A unique subtype of CD4+CD28− T cell, however, was higher in non-PD patients (p<0.001). For the soluble proteins, the levels of sLAG-3 and sGITR in plasma correlated with better clinical outcome in low regDC patients (p=0.004 and 0.044, respectively). The combined biomarker panel (cellular and protein markers) yields high sensitivity (90.5 %) and specificity (82.1 %) for predicting treatment efficacy. Disease control rate (DCR) and median progression free survival (PFS) are shown in the Table. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this pilot study is the first to detect three immune cell subtypes, regDC, Treg and CD4+CD28− cells, associated with clinical outcome in the treatment of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. Profiling of immune cell subtypes and soluble immune checkpoint proteins can serve to identify therapeutic targets and biomarkers for treatment efficacy. We will report the data with further enrollment. [Table: see text]
Clinical value of noninvasive biomarkers reflecting a collagen-rich stroma in metastatic melanoma patients treated with anti-PD1 therapy.
Authors: Jensen Christina , Hurkmans Daan , Koolen Stijn L.W. , Karsdal Morten A. , Mathijssen Ron H.J. , Willumsen Nicholas 
Published: May 2020

3049 Background: Poor response to anti-PD1/PD-L1 remains a clinical challenge in a subgroup of patients with metastatic melanoma. Recent evidence strongly suggests that these poor responses are associated with TGF-β signaling and CD8+ T-cell excluded tumors characterized by a collagen-rich peritumoral stroma that blocks the interaction between T cells and tumor cells. In the pursuit of identifying non-invasive biomarkers associated with a T-cell excluded phenotype and predict resistance/response to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, we evaluated the association between blood-based biomarkers measuring type III collagen formation and cross-linking and survival outcomes in metastatic melanoma patients treated with anti-PD1 therapy. Methods: 107 patients with metastatic melanoma who started anti-PD1 monotherapy between May 2016 – March 2019 entered in a prospective real-life study (nivolumab n = 62, pembrolizumab n = 45). Type III collagen formation (PRO-C3) and type III collagen formation and cross-linking (PC3X) were measured with ELISAs in pre-treatment serum. Biomarker levels were associated to Disease Control Rate (according to RECIST v.1.1) by Mann-Whitney test and correlated to survival outcomes by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. Results: PRO-C3 was significantly elevated in patients with progressive disease compared to the combined group of patients with complete response, partial response and stable disease (p = 0.046). High PRO-C3 and PC3X ( > 75th percentile) prior to treatment were significantly associated with poor overall survival (PRO-C3: HR = 2.4, p = 0.008; PC3X: HR = 2.2, p = 0.019) and progression free survival (PRO-C3: HR = 1.91, p = 0.016; PC3X: HR = 1.94, p = 0.013). The median overall survival was 417 and 511 days in biomarker high patients compared to 1269 and 1269 days in biomarker low patients, for PRO-C3 and PC3X, respectively. Conclusions: Biomarkers quantified in a pre-treatment liquid biopsy reflecting excessive collagen formation and cross-linking were associated with poor response and survival outcomes in metastatic melanoma patients treated with anti-PD1 therapy. This supports an association between collagen formation and resistance to anti-PD1 therapy. Furthermore, if validated, these non-invasive collagen biomarkers may have potential for guiding patient stratification for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy and combination therapies. Clinical trial information: NTR7015 .
Rechallenging with immune checkpoint inhibition after a treatment-limiting immune-related adverse event.
Authors: O'Neal Richard Lee , Roberts Kandice , Hao Zhonglin , Arnold Susanne M. 
Published: May 2020

3053 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4), programmed death 1 (PD-1), or programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) blockade can be associated with the development of immune related adverse events (irAE), many of which can be treatment-limiting. Due to an absence of randomized controlled trials, the current approach in regards to ICI discontinuation versus rechallenging remains controversial. Methods: We assessed all patients who had received ICI at a single academic institution from 5/2015 to 1/2019, identifying those who had delays in their treatment. Retrospective chart review was performed to determine type of ICI, type and grade of irAE, treatment of irAE, and recurrence and grades of irAE if ICI was resumed, as well as to assess overall survival (OS). Results: 562 patients received ICI (lung cancer [232, 41%], melanoma [66, 12%], kidney cancer [43, 8%], bladder cancer [27, 5%], and other cancers [194, 34.5%]) from 5/2015 – 1/2019. Of these, 121 (22%) had a treatment-limiting irAE (most commonly dermatitis [24%], colitis [17%], pneumonitis [14%], and hepatitis [12%]). Of the patients who had ICI held, 80/121 (66%) were eventually rechallenged, while 41/121 (34%) discontinued permanently. When rechallenged with ICI, 47/80 (59%) had no further treatment-limiting irAEs, 16/80 (20%) had a recurrence of the same irAE, and 17/80 (21%) developed a different irAE. Of those who were rechallenged, only 17/80 (21%) ultimately had to discontinue because of a second irAE. At a median follow up time of 12.1 months, median OS was not reached in those patients who experienced a treatment limiting irAE and was 8.1 months in those who did not (hazard ratio [HR] for death, 0.33; 95% CI 0.23 – 0.48; p < 0.001). At 12 months from initiation of ICI, 77.0% of patients who had a treatment-limiting irAE were alive, compared to 39.6% of those who did not have an event. Restarting ICI after a treatment-limiting irAE was not associated with a change in OS (HR 0.66 [95% CI 0.27 – 1.66], p = 0.38). Conclusions: Patients who discontinued ICI secondary to irAEs had relatively low rates of recurrent toxicity when rechallenged with treatment. These patients were just as likely to develop a new toxicity as a recurrence of the original irAE, and relatively few had to discontinue permanently. Development of a treatment-limiting irAE was associated with improved OS compared to those who did not. This study suggests that rechallenging with ICI may be safe in selected patients, though this did not have an impact on OS.
Characteristics and outcomes of real-world (RW) patients (pts) with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) solid tumors treated with pembrolizumab monotherapy (P) after FDA approval.
Authors: Snow Tamara , Swaminathan Akshay , Snider Jeremy , Schrock Alexa Betzig , Li Gerald , Alexander Brian Michael , Singal Gaurav , Castellanos Emily , McCusker Margaret Elizabeth 
Published: May 2020

3060 Background: The first tumor-agnostic, biomarker-based FDA approval in oncology was P in May 2017 for pts with MSI-H or mismatch repair (MMR) deficient tumors. 1 yr overall survival (OS) was >70% for colorectal cancer (CRC) and >60% for non-CRC in P-treated MSI-H clinical trial pts (Le 2019; Marabelle 2019). As tumor-agnostic therapies are a new paradigm, it is important to assess their use and effectiveness in routine clinical practice. We examined characteristics and outcomes of RW pts with MSI-H solid tumors who received P after May 2017. Methods: Pts with MSI-H solid tumors who received P after May 2017 were selected from the Flatiron Health-Foundation Medicine (FH-FMI) clinico-genomic database, a nationwide de-identified EHR-derived database linked to comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) data. Pts with 2+ visits in the FH network from 01/2011-09/2019 with CGP prior to P use were included. Clinical characteristics were assessed at first P use. Time to treatment discontinuation (TTD) and OS from first P use were estimated with Kaplan-Meier analyses of all pts and the largest tumor types. Results: 33,395 pts had a solid tumor tested for MSI by CGP, of which 557 (1.7%) were MSI-H (median age 68 yrs; 34% male). 129 MSI-H pts across 33 tumor types received first P after May 2017. CRC (N=36) and Endometrial cancer (N=39) were most common. 52 pts (40%) had a concurrent MMR alteration (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 or PMS2); median TMB was 32.2 mut/mb (IQR 20.9-47.5). Median number of therapies prior to P was 1; median time from CGP to first P use was 3 mos. Table shows OS and TTD. Conclusions: In this RW study, P use was observed across 33 MSI-H tumor types. Median OS exceeded 1 yr across all pts and in CRC, Endometrial, and Other cohorts. 1 yr OS rate was consistent with P trial outcomes. Further study should evaluate whether effectiveness differs across diseases, MSI testing method, or other genomic attributes to improve treatment selection. [Table: see text]
Assessing the effect of immunosuppressive agents for immune-related adverse event management on tumor response.
Authors: Reid Pankti , Olson Daniel , Gajewski Thomas 
Published: May 2020

3066 Background: High grade immune-related adverse events (irAEs) to cancer immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) require considerable immunosuppression (IS) with high-dose steroids and steroid-sparing IS (SSIS) for steroid-dependent cases. T lymphocyte-specific IS has generally been avoided or used with significant caution due to the fear that these agents may negatively impact ICI efficacy. We sought to determine whether T cell-specific IS agents, such as calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), have an adverse effect on tumor control when compared to other immunomodulatory drugs (IMDs). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical annotations of adult patients treated with ICIs for malignancy from 1/1/2000-12/31/2019, highlighting patients who were managed with SSIS, specifically those most commonly used for autoimmune disease therapy. Topical IS use was excluded. Patients were categorized as tumor responders or non-responders, and irAEs were graded according to National Cancer Institute’s Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE). Progression-free survival (PFS) was assessed via Kaplan-Meier curve. Results: 1331 unique individuals were prescribed ≥1 ICIs, with 526 prescribed systemic steroids (39.5%) and 90 (6.8%) patients prescribed SSIS agents, 25 patients with >1 SSIS: mycophenolate (39), methotrexate (26), leflunomide (5), azathioprine (3), rituximab (24), tocilizumab (3), infliximab (8), etanercept (1), adalimumab (1), golimumab (1) and CNIs (18): cyclosporine, tacrolimus. IMDs hydroxychloroquine (6) and sulfasalazine (5) were also prescribed. The objective response rate was 50.0% in the CNI group compared to 45.5% in the IMD cohort and 45.4% in the irAE group (CTCAE grade matched) with steroids alone without any SSIS. Median PFS were compared between CNI cohort (5.4 months, range 1.3-34 months) to IMD (1.1 months, range 0.4-6.4, p=0.02) and steroid alone (2.4 months, range 0.69-17.7, p=0.48). Multiple regression analysis identified irAE presence as an independent correlates to tumor response (p=0.02). Conclusions: T cell-specific IS should not be excluded from irAE treatment algorithm as we observed that PFS was comparable to immunomodulators and similar efficacy was observed compared to steroids alone. Rapid identification and management of irAEs can help mitigate morbidity but there are virtually no reliable clinical trials to guide irAE management with SSIS. These findings support the need for larger, prospective evaluation of immunosuppression use for high grade irAE therapy.
Checkpoint inhibitor treatment-related cutaneous adverse events in skin of color patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Authors: Geisler Amaris , Barrios M.S Dulce M. , Noor Sarah J. , Lacouture Mario E. 
Published: May 2020

3076 Background: The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) for the management of advanced malignancies has led to unintended consequences of nonspecific immune activation. Cutaneous immune related adverse events (irCAEs) are the most common and first to manifest, on average within 3.6 weeks of treatment initiation. irCAEs may require CPI treatment dose reduction or discontinuation and negatively impact patient quality of life. There is substantial variability in the reporting of these toxicities and inadequate reporting in skin of color patients (SOC), who are often underrepresented in oncology clinical trials. The purpose of this study is to characterize irCAEs in SOC cancer patients. Methods: A single center retrospective analysis of electronic medical records from 2009-2020 was conducted. SOC was defined as African American, Hispanic, Native American/Pacific Islander, or Asian. irCAEs were graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0. Results: Of 1459 SOC patients that presented to our institution and received CPIs during the study period, 175 (12%) presented to dermatology for irCAEs [African American (56, 32%); Asian (98, 56%); Hispanic (20,11%); Native American (1, 0.5%)]. Patients’ toxicities were stratified by CPI mechanism: anti-PD-1/L1 (139, 79%), combination of anti-PD-1/L1 plus anti-CTLA-4 (29, 17%), and anti-CTLA-4 therapy (7, 4%). Of 376 irCAEs, pruritus (62, 16%), xerosis (42, 11%), maculopapular rash (40, 11%), and cutaneous hyperpigmentation (36, 10%) were most frequently diagnosed. There were 86 (23%) grade 1, 93 (25%) grade 2, and 18 (5%) grade 3 events. Average time from CPI-treatment initiation to irCAE onset was 6.5 months (SD 7.9). Fifteen (9%) patients required CPI dose reduction or discontinuation due to skin toxicity. Topical corticosteroids (133, 76%) were the most frequently used treatment for all irCAEs. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that irCAEs occur frequently in SOC cancer patients. Furthermore, a 6.5-month delay in time to diagnosis highlights a need for increased surveillance of these cutaneous toxicities in darkly pigmented skin. Generally, SOC patients present unique diagnostic and management challenges due to differences in skin biology and propensity toward hyperpigmentation; however, in SOC cancer patients, the mechanisms of oncologic immunotherapy must be considered in developing successful treatment strategies and management of dermatologic health in this population.
A phase I study of mRNA-2752, a lipid nanoparticle encapsulating mRNAs encoding human OX40L, IL-23, and IL-36γ, for intratumoral (iTu) injection alone and in combination with durvalumab.
Authors: Patel Manish R. , Bauer Todd Michael , Jimeno Antonio , Wang Ding , LoRusso Patricia , Do Khanh Tu , Stemmer Salomon M. , Maurice-Dror Corinne , Geva Ravit , Zacharek Sima , Laino Andressa S , Sun Jing , Frederick Joshua , Zhou Honghong , Randolph William , Cohen Pamela Sarah , Meehan Robert S. , Sullivan Ryan J. 
Published: May 2020

3092 Background: mRNA-2752 is a novel mRNA-based therapeutic agent encoding OX40L T cell co-stimulator, IL-23 and IL-36γ pro-inflammatory cytokines. Here we present findings from a first-in-human study of iTu mRNA-2752 in solid tumor patients as monotherapy or in combination with durvalumab (durva). At the time of presentation, data will encompass the monotherapy escalation MTD/RDE along with the supporting translational work, and the available data in combination. Methods: iTu mRNA-2752 was administered every 2 weeks for up to 7 doses as monotherapy or in combination with durva in patients with advanced solid malignancy or lymphoma. Biomarker analyses include measurement of IL-23, IL-36γ and pro-inflammatory cytokine proteins in pre- and post-treatment tumor biopsies and plasma. PD-L1 immunohistochemistry was used to further characterize baseline status and changes to the TME with treatment. Results: As of 20 December 2019, 23 solid tumor patients have been treated either with mRNA-2752 alone (n = 14) or in combination (n = 9) and has been well tolerated with no dose limiting toxicities or related grade 3/4 toxicities. Of the 17 patients evaluated per RECIST and iRECIST, 1 had a PR (iRECIST), 6 had SD, and 10 had PD. The patient with a PR (52% tumor reduction) received 0.5 mg mRNA-2752 with durva, and had aPD-1/L1 naïve squamous-cell bladder carcinoma. Tumor shrinkage was observed in an additional 5 patients in injected and/or uninjected lesions in both monotherapy and combination. Preliminary biomarker data showed increased IL-23 and IL-36γ protein expression after 6-24 hours, and increased levels of downstream cytokines IL-22 and IL-6, respectively. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IFN-γ, TNF-α) were also significantly increased at 1 day and 1-week post-treatment. Significant increases in PD-L1 expression predominantly in tumor-associated immune cells were observed after first dose and persisted up to 29 days after treatment. Conclusions: iTu mRNA-2752 given as monotherapy and in combination with durva is tolerable at all dose levels studied, and administration can be associated with tumor shrinkage. Analyses of tumor and plasma biomarkers suggest a sustained immunomodulatory effect of treatment that includes elevated IFN-γ, TNF-α, and PD-L1 levels. These data support the ongoing testing of the mRNA-2752/durva combination in the dose escalation part of the study. Clinical trial information: NCT03739931 .