Initial results from the phase (ph) 1 portion of a ph 1/2 study of THE-630 in patients (pts) with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).
Authors: George Suzanne , Tap William D. , von Mehren Margaret , Gordon Michael S. , Trent Jonathan C. , Attia Steven , Zhang Sen , Narasimhan Narayana , Rivera Victor M. , Kerstein David , Heinrich Michael C. 
Published: June 2023

e23508 Background: Activating mutations in KIT are found in most pts with GIST. First-line imatinib provides initial clinical benefit in advanced disease, but prognosis is poor for pts whose tumors progress, despite 3 other approved tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Resistance is typically driven by secondary KIT mutations in the ATP-binding pocket (exons 13/14) or activation loop (exons 17/18). No approved drug has potent activity against both classes of resistance mutations, and many pts have polyclonal resistance after multiple lines of therapy. THE-630 is an investigational pan-variant KIT inhibitor. Based on preclinical models, an average plasma concentration (Cav) of 100 nM is predicted to have potent activity against all major classes of KIT-activating and resistance mutations. Here, we report initial data from a first-in-human study in pts with advanced GIST (NCT05160168). Methods: This ph 1/2 study is assessing the safety (including dose-limiting toxicities [DLTs] and recommended ph 2 dose [RP2D]), pharmacokinetics (PK), and antitumor activity of THE-630. Pts enrolled in the ph 1 portion were ≥18 y, had unresectable or metastatic GIST previously treated with imatinib and ≥1 additional TKI, and had ECOG performance status ≤2. Pts received THE-630 (QD; 28-day cycles) in a 3+3 dose-escalation design. PK was assessed on days 1 and 15 in cycle 1, antitumor activity was assessed by modified RECIST 1.1, and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) was assessed using Guardant360. Results: As of 13 Jan 2023, 19 pts had been treated in the ph 1 portion at THE-630 daily doses of 3 mg (n = 3), 4 mg (n = 7), 6 mg (n = 3), 9 mg (n = 3), and 12 mg (n = 3). Median age was 57 y (range 39–72); 13 pts had ≥4 prior TKIs. Median treatment duration was 55 days (range 1–252). PK analysis shows approximately dose-proportional increase in systemic exposure across doses tested. Mean steady-state Cav at 12 mg was 47 nM. There was 1 DLT at 4 mg (grade 5 myocardial infarction in a pt with 8 prior TKIs and hyperlipidemia where relationship to THE-630 could not be incontrovertibly ruled out). No other DLTs or related serious adverse events have occurred; 13 pts had treatment-related AEs (TRAEs), 91% of which were grade 1–2. The most common TRAEs were fatigue (n = 4), dry mouth (n = 3), anemia, ALT increase, AST increase, diarrhea, dyspepsia, dyspnea, and hypertension (n = 2 each). Reductions in select KIT-mutant allele fractions in ctDNA were observed, consistent with THE-630 levels achieved thus far. Stable disease (SD) was the best response in 1/7 pts at 4 mg, 1/3 pts at 6 mg, and 3/3 pts at 9 mg. Post data cut, SD was seen in 3/3 pts at 12 mg. Dose escalation continues to determine the RP2D. Conclusions: THE-630 had an acceptable initial safety profile, and escalation continues, as target exposure for pan-variant KIT activity is not yet reached. Reduction in KIT-mutant allele fractions in ctDNA and initial evidence of disease control were observed. Clinical trial information: NCT05160168 .