Phase I/II trial of encorafenib, cetuximab, and nivolumab in patients with microsatellite stable (MSS), BRAFV600E metastatic colorectal cancer.
Authors: Morris Van K. , Parseghian Christine Megerdichian , Escano Michelle , Johnson Benny , Raghav Kanwal Pratap Singh , Dasari Arvind , Huey Ryan , Overman Michael J. , Willis Jason , Lee Michael Sangmin , Wolff Robert A. , Kee Bryan K. , Le Phat , Margain Cori , Gallup Dave , Tam Alda , Foo Wai Chin , Xiao Lianchun , Yun Kyuson , Kopetz Scott 
Published: June 2022

3598 Background: Treatment with encorafenib (E) and cetuximab (C) offers response and survival benefit for patients (pts) with MSS, BRAFV600E metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). BRAF + EGFR inhibition induced a transient MSI-H phenotype in preclinical models of MSS, BRAFV600E CRC and may prime these tumors for response to immunotherapy with anti-PD-1 antibodies like nivolumab (N). Methods: In this single-arm, single-institution, phase I/II clinical trial, pts with treatment-refractory MSS, BRAFV600E metastatic CRC were eligible. No prior BRAF, MEK, or ERK inhibitors, anti-EGFR antibody, or immunotherapy was permitted. Pts received E (300 mg PO daily), C (500 mg/m2 IV q14 days), and N (480 mg IV q28 days). The primary endpoints were best overall response (RECIST 1.1) and safety/tolerability (CTCAE v5). A Simon two-stage design (H0: p≤.22; Ha: p≥.45, where p = percentage of pts with radiographic response) was employed using a one-sided α =.05 and β =.20. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated via Kaplan-Meier. To measure ex vivo treatment responses with an E-slice assay (EMPIRI), 300 µm fresh tissue slices from core biopsies were generated and cultured in serum-free media with E, C, and N. Longitudinal changes in viability were measured at days 4, 8, and 12 and compared to baseline viability in each tissue. Ex vivo “response” was defined if < 1X baseline tumor cell viability. Results: With a data cutoff of 2/8/2022, all pts are enrolled: 26 evaluable for toxicity and 23 for response. Median age is 60 years (range, 32-85), and 16 (62%) are female. Grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events (AE) have occurred in 5/26 (19%) patients: colitis, maculopapular rash, leukocytosis, and myositis/myocarditis (all N = 1); asymptomatic elevated amylase/lipase (N = 2). Overall response rate is 48% (95% CI, 27-69), and disease control rate is 96% (95% CI, 78-100). Median PFS is 7.4 months (95% CI, 5.6-NA). For the 11 pts with responses, median duration of response is 7.7 months (95% CI, 4.5-NA). Median OS is 15.1 months (95% CI, 7.7-NA). E-slices showed concordance between pts with radiographic responses and reduction in cell viability, and between non-responders and increase in cell viability. Final results will be presented. Conclusions: E + C + N appears to be effective and well-tolerated for pts with MSS, BRAFV600E metastatic CRC. Ex vivo analysis of pretreatment tissue predicted eventual clinical response in matched patients. A follow-up randomized phase II trial (SWOG 2107) to evaluate encorafenib/cetuximab with or without nivolumab in pts with MSS, BRAFV600E metastatic CRC will activate in 2022. Clinical trial information: NCT04017650.