Rarity of acquired mutations (MTs) after first-line therapy with anti-EGFR therapy (EGFRi).
Authors: Parseghian Christine Megerdichian , Sun Ryan , Napolitano Stefania , Morris Van K. , Henry Jason , Willis Jason , Vilar Sanchez Eduardo , Raghav Kanwal Pratap Singh , Ang Agnes , Kopetz Scott 
Published: June 2021

3514 Background: Colorectal cancers (CRC) lacking RAS MTs treated with EGFRi are thought to evolve by a repetitive process of genetic diversification and clonal evolution. Acquired MTs in KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, MAP2K1, and EGFR are known mechanisms of acquired resistance in the EGFRi refractory population. However, the prevalence of MTs in the first line (1L) setting is not well established as most experience with EGFRi has been beyond the 1L setting. Methods: We analyzed paired plasma samples from RAS/BRAF/EGFRWT mCRC patients (pts) enrolled in 3 large randomized phase 3 trials who had been treated with EGFRi and in whom paired baseline (BL) and time of progression (PRO) plasma samples had been collected for sequencing of ctDNA on a platform optimized for very low allele frequencies (Plasma Select-R™ and Resolution Bio™). Prevalence of MTs at BL and PRO from a 1L study (‘203; FOLFOX ± panitumumab) were compared with 2 studies in the third line setting (3L; ‘007; panitumumab + best supportive care [BSC] vs BSC; and 3L; ‘763; panitumumab vs. cetuximab), to assess the frequency of acquired resistance mutations via ctDNA analysis. Results: For pts with available paired plasma samples (n = 112 for ‘203; n = 89 for ‘007; n = 274 for ‘763), acquisition of at least one KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, MAP2K1, or EGFR MT was significantly less common in post-progression samples in the EGFR containing arms of the 1L ‘203 study compared to the 3L ‘763 and ‘007 studies (6.8% vs 50.4% vs 39.6%, respectively; p < 0.001). In the non EGFR containing arms of the ‘203 and ‘007 study, the rate of acquired MTs was 7.5% and 0%, respectively (p = 1). While this difference in the rate of acquired MTs between the EGFR and non EGFR containing arms was statistically significant for the 3L study (p < 0.001) it was not significant for the 1L study. Further, pts on both 3L studies treated with EGFRi who experienced CR, PR or SD acquired more MTs than those who had PD as best response (53.6% vs 33.3%, respectively; p < 0.001). This relationship was not significant in the 1L setting (7.7% vs 0%; p = 1). Subclonal MTs (rMAF < 25%) in KRAS, NRAS, EGFR, BRAF and MAP2K1 were present at BL in 129 pts (27%). Based on the hypothesis that EGFRi is selecting for rare existing mutated cells in the tumor, we would expect expansion of any preexisting subclones in the BL samples. However, in contrast to expectations, these subclones rarely expanded to become clonal at the time of progression (12.4%). Conclusions: In contrast to expectations, acquired KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, EGFR, or MAP2K1 MTs rarely develop after 1L therapy. While selective pressure appears to increase the frequency of acquired MTs in the 3L setting, preexisting subclonal MTs do not appear to be the dominant source of acquired MTs at progression, implying that there may also be a transient mutational process driving resistance rather than expansion of preexisting clones. These findings have significant implications for ongoing and planned EGFRi rechallenge studies.