Final results of a phase I/II dose-escalation study of fractionated dose <sup>177</sup>Lu-PSMA-617 for progressive metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
Authors: Scott T. Tagawa, Charlene Thomas, Jones T. Nauseef, A. Oliver Sartor, Michael Philip Sun, Sandra Huicochea Castellanos, Andres Ricaurte Fajardo, Himisha Beltran, Francesca Demichelis, Michael Sigouros, Francesco Orlando, Ana M. Molina, Zachary Davidson, Amie Patel, Brian E. Lewis, David M. Nanus, Shankar Vallabhajosula, Neil Harrison Bander, Joseph Osborne
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2024)

5074 Background: PC commonly expresses PSMA and has dose-responsive radiosensitivity. 177 Lu-based radioligands usually use an empiric dosing regimen. This 1st dose-escalation study of 177 Lu-PSMA-617 employed a dose-dense fractionation schedule intended to allow delivery of higher total doses to overcome radioresistance due to repopulation. Here, we report mature results of the study. Methods: Progressive mCRPC following &gt; 1 potent ARPI (e.g., abi/enza) and chemo (or unfit/refuse taxane) without limit of # prior therapies provided adequate organ function and ECOG PS 0-2. Treatment: single cycle of fractionated dose 177 Lu-PSMA-617 on D1 and D15. In Ph I dose-escalation, patients (pts) received one cycle of 7.4 - 22 GBq followed by Simon 2-stage Ph II at 22.2 GBq. PSMA expression was not required for treatment, but pre- and post-treatment 68 Ga-PSMA11 PET/CT and/or 177 Lu-PSMA-617 SPECT done. Primary efficacy by PSA changes with 2ndary outcomes with CT/bone scans, PSMA PET, circulating tumor cell (CTC; CellSearch) counts, plasma DNA (PCF_SELECT), and survival. Results: Between 1/2017 – 2/2021, 50 pts treated with median PSA 164.3, 35 (70%) CALGB (Halabi) poor risk. 47 (94%) bone, 38 (76%) nodal, 12 (24%) lung, 5 (10%) liver mets (4 additional pts with PSMA PET+ liver mets not apparent on CT). 29 (58%) with prior &gt;2 ARPI, 29 (58%) with &gt;1 chemo, 14 (28%) with Ra-223, 2 (4%) with 177 Lu-J591. 27 (54%) treated at 22 GBq. No dose-limiting toxicity during Ph I. 38 (76%) with any PSA decline, 27 (54%) with &gt;50% PSA. Median rPFS 8.3 mo [5.6-16.7], and OS 15.7 mo [10.9-20.6]. Of 17 RECIST measurable, 6 (35.3%) responded, 7 (41.2%) stable, 4 (23.5%) progressed. Of 31 with paired CTC counts, 16 (52%) decreased, 5 (16%) were stable; 10 (32.3%) converted to favorable/undetectable. Plasma DNA with high allele-specific ploidy and ARcopy number gain associated with OS (univariate). Treatment emergent adverse events (TEAE): 32 (64%) dry mouth, 22 (44%) pain flare, 22 (44%) fatigue, 19 (38%) nausea, 15 (30%) anemia, 15 (28%) thrombocytopenia (plts), 9 (18%) neutropenia (ANC). All TEAEs restricted to grade (Gr) 1-2 except 6 (12%) with Gr 3 anemia, 2 (4%) Gr 3/4 plts, 1 (2%) Gr 3 ANC. TEAE incidence and Gr were not related to dose. On multivariable analysis, 177 Lu dose administered (p=0.09), CALGB risk (p=0.04), prior chemo (p=0.009), associated with OS; dose (p=0.1), CALGB risk (p=0.2), and AR copy number (p=0.2) associated with PSA50 decline. Baseline PSMA imaging (by imaging score or SUVmax) was not associated with OS or response. Conclusions: A single-cycle of fractionated-dose 177Lu-PSMA-617 is safe. Despite no pre-selection for PSMA expression, most had PSA decline with favorable PFS and OS compared to historical controls and similar to PSMA-selected targeted radionuclide studies administering multiple cycles in a less dose-intense approach. Clinical trial information: NCT03042468 .