Preclinical and early clinical data of ZN-1041, a best-in-class BBB penetrable HER2 inhibitor to treat breast cancer with CNS metastases.
Authors: Ma Fei , Li Yiqun , Yao Herui , Wang Jingfen , Ouyang Quchang , Cheng Jing , Li Xiaoyan , Dinglin Xiao-Xiao , Jin Gongsheng , Zhou Huan , Wang Xinshuai , Teng Yuee , Wang Yongsheng , Dang Qi , Yang Jin , Xiong Hui Hua , Zhao Weihong , Cai Li , Fu Tingting , Zhu Di 
Published: June 2023

1040 Background: HER2+ breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM) is an aggressive malignancy with high prevalence and limited treatment options. ZN-1041 is a best-in-class HER2 inhibitor designed to be delivered across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) with high selectivity and broader safety margin to treat HER2+ BCBM. Methods: Brain penetration of ZN-1041 and other approved HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) were evaluated. Anti-tumor activity of ZN-1041 alone or in combination were evaluated in xenograft models. ZN-A-1041-101 (NCT04487236) is an on-going phase 1, multicenter, open-label study. The study comprises first-in-human dose escalation of ZN-1041 monotherapy (phase 1a) in HER2+ solid tumor patients (pts) with or without BM, dose escalation (phase 1b) and expansion (phase 1c) of ZN-1041 in combination with capecitabine and trastuzumab in pts with HER2+ BCBM (including active BM). The primary objective was safety and tolerability. The secondary objective includes pharmacokinetics and anti-tumor response including ORR per RECIST 1.1 and intracranial ORR (iORR) per RANO-BM. Results: Unlike currently approved HER2 TKIs which are strong human efflux transporter P-gp and BCRP substrates, ZN-1041 is not a substrate of either and has high BBB permeability, therefore predicted to have good BBB penetration. ZN-1041 alone demonstrated dose-dependent and significant anti-tumor activity when compared to tucatinib in BM model. ZN-1041 could synergize with capecitabine and trastuzumab to demonstrate significantly improved intracranial efficacy in BM models, while maintaining good tolerability. In total, 21 HER2+ mBC pts were enrolled to complete phase 1a and 1b. No dose-limiting toxicities or treatment-related SAE were observed across all dose levels. PK exposure was increased with dose escalation and Kpuu,CSF of ZN-1041 was 4.9. In ZN-1041 monotherapy, the overall ORR and iORR were 50% in TKI naïve, unequivocal HER2+ pts. The longest treatment duration was 15 months. As of data cutoff (Dec 02, 2022), totally 35 TKI naïve, HER2+ BCBM pts with median 2L treatments were enrolled for phase 1c and all pts were well tolerated to date. Adverse reactions of grade 3 or higher (≥5%) were hepatic function impairment (8.7%), headache (8.7%), hyperbilirubinemia (5.7%), ALT increased (5.7%), AST increased (5.7%), GGT increased (5.7%) and WBC decreased (5.7%). Among 19 BCBM pts with at least twice tumor assessment, the overall ORR was 78.9% (95% CI: 54.4–93.9) and iORR was 73.7% (95% CI: 48.8–90.9), DCR was 100%. In addition, 6 pts completed first tumor assessment and 5 achieved PR and 1 had SD per RECISIT 1.1. Conclusions: Encouraging efficacy and tolerability was observed for ZN-1041 monotherapy or combined with capecitabine and trastuzumab in TKI naïve, HER2+ BCBM patients. A Phase 2 pivotal trial for HER2+ BCBM with ZN-1041, capecitabine and trastuzumab combination therapy is planned. Clinical trial information: NCT04487236 .