Neoadjuvant and adjuvant nivolumab (nivo) with anti-LAG3 antibody relatlimab (rela) for patients (pts) with resectable clinical stage III melanoma.
Authors: Amaria Rodabe Navroze , Postow Michael A. , Tetzlaff Michael T. , Ross Merrick I. , Glitza Isabella Claudia , McQuade Jennifer Leigh , Wong Michael K.K. , Gershenwald Jeffrey E. , Goepfert Ryan , Keung Emily Zhi-Yun , Fisher Sarah B. , Milton Denai R. , Patel Sapna Pradyuman , Diab Adi , Simpson Lauren , Davies Michael A. , Wargo Jennifer Ann , Burton Elizabeth M. , Ariyan Charlotte Eielson , Tawbi Hussein Abdul-Hassan 
Published: June 2021

9502 Background: Neoadjuvant therapy (NT) for pts with clinical stage III melanoma remains an active area of research interest. Recent NT trial data demonstrates that achieving a pathologic complete response (pCR) correlates with improved relapse-free (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) NT with either high or low dose ipilimumab and nivolumab regimens produces a high pCR rate of 30-45% but with grade 3-4 toxicity rate of 20-90%. In metastatic melanoma (MM), the combination of nivo with rela (anti Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3 antibody) has demonstrated a favorable toxicity profile and responses in both CPI-naïve and refractory MM. We hypothesized that NT with nivo + rela will safely achieve high pCR rates and provide insights into mechanisms of response and resistance to this regimen. Methods: We conducted a multi-institutional, investigator-initiated single arm study (NCT02519322) enrolling pts with clinical stage III or oligometastatic stage IV melanoma with RECIST 1.1 measurable, surgically-resectable disease. Pts were enrolled at 2 sites and received nivo 480mg IV with rela 160mg IV on wks 1 and 5. Radiographic response (RECIST 1.1) was assessed after completion of NT; surgery was conducted at wk 9 and specimens were assessed for pathologic response per established criteria. Pts received up to 10 additional doses of nivo and rela after surgery, with scans every 3 mo to assess for recurrence. The primary study objective was determination of pCR rate. Secondary objectives included safety, radiographic response by RECIST 1.1, event-free survival (EFS), RFS, and OS analyses. Blood and tissue were collected at baseline, at day 15, day 28, and at surgery for correlative analyses. Results: A total of 30 pts (19 males, median age 60) were enrolled with clinical stage IIIB/IIIC/IIID/IV (M1a) in 18/8/2/2 pts, respectively. 29 pts underwent surgery; 1 pt developed distant metastatic disease while on NT. pCR rate was 59% and near pCR ( < 10% viable tumor) was 7% for a major pathologic response (MPR, pCR + near pCR) of 66%. 7% of pts achieved a pPR (10-50% viable tumor) and 27% pNR (≥50% viable tumor). RECIST ORR was 57%. With a median follow up of 16.2 mos, the 1 -year EFS was 90%, RFS was 93%, and OS was 95%. 1-year RFS for MPR was 100% compared to 80% for non-MPR pts (p = 0.016). There were no treatment related gr 3/4 AEs that arose during NT; 26% of pts had a gr 3/4 AE that began during adjuvant treatment. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment with nivo and rela achieved high pCR and MPR rates with a favorable toxicity profile in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. Pts with MPR had improved outcomes compared to non-MPR pts. Translational studies to discern mechanisms of response and resistance to this combination are underway. Clinical trial information: NCT02519322.