Management of Cytokine Release Syndrome in AML Patients Treated with Flotetuzumab, a CD123 x CD3 Bispecific Dart® Molecule for T-Cell Redirected Therapy
Authors: Jacobs Kenneth , Viero Cedric , Godwin John , Baughman Jan , Sun Jichao , Ying Kang , Muth John , Hong Shengyan , Vey Norbert , Sweet Kendra L. , Uy Geoffrey L. , Ravandi Farhad , Foster Matthew C , Rizzieri David A. , Arellano Martha L. , Rettig Michael P. , Topp Max S. , Huls Gerwin , Lelièvre Helene , Paolini Stefania , Ciceri Fabio , Carrabba Matteo Giovanni , Lowenberg Bob , DiPersio John F. , Wigginton Jon , Davidson-Moncada Jan K 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Background: Flotetuzumab (FLZ; MGD006/S80880) is a novel CD123 x CD3 bispecific DART® protein being tested in a Phase 1/2 study (NCT02152956) in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). As with all T-cell redirecting therapies, cytokine secretion, inherent in T-cell activation, with ensuing potential for cytokine release syndrome (CRS), remains an important side effect. We have previously reported that multi-step dosing mitigates CRS severity (1). CRS diagnosis and treatment is guided by the occurrence of non-specific clinical signs, such as fever, chills, hypotension and tachycardia. Therefore, identification of predictors of CRS will be useful for optimal pt. management. Here we report on potential biomarkers of CRS severity that may help guide CRS management.
Methods: Data from pts treated with FLZ at RP2D (lead-in dose of 30ng/kg/d for 3d, 100ng/kg/d for 4d for week 1 followed by 500ng/kg/d CIV week 2-4 of cycle 1, and a 4d-on/3d-off schedule for Cycle 2 and beyond in 28-day cycles) was collected and analyzed. Incidence and severity of CRS were analyzed for correlation with cytokine levels and changes in BM blasts. Relation between immune cells (T-cell subsets, monocytes) with tumor burden, percent CD123+ AML blasts, and CD123 expression, were interrogated as potential determinants of CRS. Administration, dose and frequency of tocilizumab (TCZ), an IL-6 receptor antagonist, were evaluated for their relationship with CRS severity, frequency, CRP and cytokine levels.
Results: 30 pts were dosed at RP2D. Most pts experienced mild to moderate CRS (G1 26.7%, G2 60%) of short duration (median 1 day(d), range 1-26 d) and were conservatively managed to full resolution. Grade ≥ 3 events occurred in 4/30 pts (13%), with vasopressors use in 2 pts, and a median duration of 2.5 d (range 2-13 d). CRS frequency decreased with time on treatment: 42% occurred within the first week (LID), 39.6% occurring in week 2 (step up to 500ng/kg/day) and 18% occurring during week 3 and 4. IL-6 levels showed the best relationship with CRS severity, as previously shown (1). IL-6 levels, however, did not correlate with response. Twenty pts (67%) received at least one dose of TCZ (median 2 doses/pt; range 1-12 doses). As anticipated, mean IL-6 levels increased after administration of TCZ. CRS severity showed a relationship with the baseline frequency of circulating CD4+ cells (median 47% in G1 vs 73% in G ≥2, p = 0.0082), while CD8+ cell frequency did not correlate with CRS. Disease burden (absolute AML blasts, % CD123 AML blasts), CD123 expression on AML blasts, monocytes levels or effector-to-target ratio in the peripheral blood did not show a relationship with CRS severity. Importantly, CRS severity was not correlated with FLZ anti-leukemic activity.
Conclusion: The frequency of CD4+ cells at baseline may be a potential biomarker for identifying pts at risk of more severe CRS. Early use of TCZ can effectively modify the activity of IL-6, a significant contributor to CRS, and blunt CRS severity. Since severity of CRS and IL-6 levels did not correlate with FLZ anti-leukemic activity, blunting its severity should be aggressively pursued. Early identification of pts at greater CRS risk together with multistep dosing (1) and early use of TCZ can effectively manage CRS with no impact on FLZ anti-leukemic activity.Jacobs et al. ASH 2017, abstract #3856

Disclosures
Jacobs: MacroGenics: Employment. Viero:Servier: Employment. Baughman:MacroGenics: Employment. Sun:MacroGenics: Employment. Ying:Macrogenics: Employment. Muth:MacroGenics: Employment. Hong:MacroGenics: Employment. Sweet:BMS: Honoraria; Agios: Consultancy; Phizer: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy; Jazz: Speakers Bureau; Jazz: Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Agios: Consultancy; Phizer: Consultancy; Celgene: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Astellas: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Uy:Curis: Consultancy; GlycoMimetics: Consultancy. Ravandi:Xencor: Research Funding; Macrogenix: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Astellas Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria; Abbvie: Research Funding; Jazz: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Orsenix: Honoraria; Abbvie: Research Funding; Orsenix: Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Sunesis: Honoraria; Sunesis: Honoraria; Xencor: Research Funding; Astellas Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Macrogenix: Honoraria, Research Funding; Jazz: Honoraria. Foster:Celgene: Research Funding; Macrogenics: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Shire: Honoraria. Rizzieri:Incyte: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy; Arog: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Teva: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Jazz: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Arellano:Cephalon: Research Funding. Rettig:Amphivena Therapeutics: Research Funding; Novimmune: Research Funding. Topp:F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Honoraria, Research Funding; Boehringer Ingelheim: Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel, Research Funding. Lelièvre:Servier: Employment. Lowenberg:Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts, The Netherlands: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; international Scientific Advisory Board, Institute Gustave Roussy, Paris: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; "Up-to-Date", section editor leukemia: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astex: Consultancy; Supervisory Board, National Comprehensive Cancer Center (IKNL), Netherlands: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Editorial Board "European Oncology & Haematology": Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Elected member, Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts, The Netherlands: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Chairman, Leukemia Cooperative Trial Group HOVON (Netherlands): Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Editorial Board "International Journal of Hematology": Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Clear Creek Bio Ltd: Consultancy, Honoraria; Editorial Board "The Netherlands Journal of Medicine": Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Chairman Scientific Committee and Member Executive Committee, European School of Hematology (ESH, Paris, France): Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Wigginton:MacroGenics: Employment. Davidson-Moncada:MacroGenics: Employment.