Abstract 1658: CFT1946, a potent, selective BRAF V600X mutant-specific degrader demonstrates superior activity as a single agent to clinically approved BRAF inhibitors and standard of care combinations in preclinical models of BRAF V600X melanoma, CRC, NSCLC, and brain metastasis
Authors: Bridget Kreger, Jacob R. Stephenson, Mathew E. Sowa, Samantha A. Perino, Laura L. Poling, Eunju Hurh, Michael J. Thomenius, Yanke Liang, Stewart L. Fisher, Roy M. Pollock
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Activating mutations in BRAF at residue V600 (typically V600E) lead to dysregulation of the MAPK pathway and occur in approximately 8% of all human cancers including 60% of melanoma, up to 12% of colorectal cancer (CRC), and 4% of NSCLC. Currently approved BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) are selective for BRAF V600X mutant proteins and are typically used in combination with MEK inhibitors (MEKi) in melanoma and NSCLC, or anti-EGFR antibodies such as cetuximab in CRC. However, their activity is limited by primary or acquired resistance often mediated by RAF dimer-inducing mechanisms. Furthermore, progression of BRAF V600X melanoma after BRAFi/MEKi treatment frequently involves brain metastasis, and currently approved BRAFi have relatively poor brain penetration. CFT1946 is a potent, orally bioavailable, cereblon-based BiDACTM degrader that selectively degrades BRAF V600X mutant protein and is currently under investigation in a Phase I clinical trial. CFT1946 has the potential to overcome limitations of clinically approved BRAFi, as degradation of BRAF V600X should abrogate RAF dimer-driven resistance and paradoxical activation. Indeed, we have previously demonstrated that CFT1946 is efficacious in an A375 BRAF V600E/NRAS Q61K xenograft model of BRAFi resistant melanoma. Here we substantially expand our preclinical characterization of CFT1946 across multiple models of BRAF V600X-driven cancers including BRAF V600X-driven CRC and NSCLC, additional BRAFi-resistant melanoma models, and a brain metastatic melanoma model. Single agent CFT1946 outperformed the SOC encorafenib + cetuximab combination in a panel of BRAF-V600X CRC xenograft models. Pathway analysis in BRAF V600X CRC models revealed that CFT1946 suppresses EGFR-mediated MAPK pathway reactivation, a mechanism known to diminish the impact of approved BRAF inhibitors in this indication. CFT1946 also demonstrated regression in a BRAF-V600X NSCLC PDX model where the SOC dabrafenib + trametinib showed only modest tumor growth inhibition. Consistent with our previous results in the A375 melanoma model, single agent CFT1946 showed superior activity versus the SOC dabrafenib + trametinib combination in all additional melanoma models tested, with complete regression achieved using a CFT1946 + trametinib combination in a PDX model bearing a BRAF-V600E kinase duplication that showed minimal response to dabrafenib + trametinib. Finally, using an A375 intracranial model, treatment with CFT1946 gave robust, dose dependent efficacy and survival advantage over encorafenib. The promising activity of CFT1946 in a broad range of BRAF V600X preclinical models supports its ongoing clinical investigation in BRAF V600 mutant solid tumors (NCT05668585). Citation Format: Bridget Kreger, Jacob R. Stephenson, Mathew E. Sowa, Samantha A. Perino, Laura L. Poling, Eunju Hurh, Michael J. Thomenius, Yanke Liang, Stewart L. Fisher, Roy M. Pollock. CFT1946, a potent, selective BRAF V600X mutant-specific degrader demonstrates superior activity as a single agent to clinically approved BRAF inhibitors and standard of care combinations in preclinical models of BRAF V600X melanoma, CRC, NSCLC, and brain metastasis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1658.