Rebecca Kristeleit

Lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab in previously treated advanced endometrial cancer: 5-year outcomes from the randomized, phase 3 Study 309/KEYNOTE-775

Background In Study 309/KEYNOTE-775 ( NCT03517449 ), lenvatinib+pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and objective response rate (ORR) in advanced endometrial cancer (EC). We report 5-year follow-up results. Methods Participants had advanced/recurrent/metastatic EC with progressive disease after one prior platinum-based chemotherapy regimen, measurable disease per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST v1.1), and no prior receipt of anti-programmed cell death protein 1 or anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 agents. Participants were randomized 1:1 to lenvatinib 20 mg orally once daily plus pembrolizumab 200 mg intravenously every 3 weeks or chemotherapy (doxorubicin or paclitaxel). Pembrolizumab was given for ≤35 cycles. Primary endpoints were OS and PFS per RECIST v1.1 by blinded independent central review (BICR). Secondary endpoints included ORR per RECIST v1.1 by BICR and safety. Efficacy endpoints were analyzed using Cox regression, Kaplan-Meier, and Miettinen and Nurminen methodology. Results 827 participants were randomized. At data cut-off (February 26, 2025), overall median follow-up was 68.8 months; 139 participants were alive (lenvatinib+pembrolizumab, n=86; chemotherapy, n=53), and all had ended their treatment in this study. Five-year OS rate was 16.7% with lenvatinib+pembrolizumab versus 7.3% with chemotherapy in mismatch repair-proficient EC, 36.5% versus 9.8% in mismatch repair-deficient EC, and 19.9% versus 7.7% in all-comers. Five-year PFS rates were 6.3% versus 2.1%, 26.4% versus 10.8%, and 9.8% versus 3.2%, respectively. In all-comers, treatment-related adverse events led to any treatment discontinuation in 32.3% versus 5.9%. Subsequent systemic anticancer therapy was used by 44.8% versus 51.2% (lenvatinib+pembrolizumab by 2.4% vs 10.1%). Conclusions Results were consistent with the primary analysis despite increased use of subsequent systemic anticancer therapy and crossover to lenvatinib+pembrolizumab in the chemotherapy group. The continued durable benefit, including OS, with lenvatinib+pembrolizumab and no new safety signals lend further support for this regimen as a standard of care therapy for EC.

Results of a randomised Phase II trial of olaparib, chemotherapy or olaparib and cediranib in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer

Abstract Background OCTOVA compared the efficacy of olaparib (O) versus weekly paclitaxel (wP) or olaparib + cediranib (O + C) in recurrent ovarian cancer (OC). Aims The main aim of the OCTOVA trial was to determine the progression-free survival (PFS) of olaparib (O) versus the oral combination of olaparib plus cediranib (O + C) and weekly paclitaxel (wP) in recurrent ovarian cancer (OC). Methods In total, 139 participants who had relapsed within 12 months of platinum therapy were randomised to O (300 mg twice daily), wP (80 mg/m2 d1,8,15, q28) or O + C (300 mg twice daily/20 mg daily, respectively). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) of olaparib (O) versus olaparib plus cediranib (O + C) or weekly paclitaxel (wP). The sample size was calculated to observe a PFS hazard ratio (HR) 0.64 in favour of O + C compared to O (20% one-sided type I error, 80% power). Results The majority had platinum-resistant disease (90%), 22% prior PARPi, 34% prior anti-angiogenic therapy, 30% germline BRCA1/2 mutations. The PFS was increased for O + C vs O (O + C 5.4 mo (2.3, 9.6): O 3.7 mo (1.8, 7.6) HR = 0.73; 60% CI: 0.59, 0.89; P = 0.1) and no different between wP and O (wP 3.9 m (1.9, 9.1); O 3.7 mo (1.8, 7.6) HR = 0.89, 60% CI: 0.72, 1.09; P = 0.69). The main treatment-related adverse events included manageable diarrhoea (4% Grade 3) and hypertension (4% Grade 3) in the O + C arm. Discussion OCTOVA demonstrated the activity of O + C in women with recurrent disease, offering a potential non-chemotherapy option. Trial registration ISRCTN14784018, registered on 19th January 2018 http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN14784018.

Efficacy and safety of rucaparib treatment in patients with BRCA-mutated, relapsed ovarian cancer: final results from Study 10

Study 10, a four-part Phase 1/2 study, evaluated oral rucaparib monotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumours. Here we report the final efficacy and safety results in heavily pretreated patients with ovarian cancer who received rucaparib in Study 10 Parts 2A and 2B. Parts 2A and 2B (Phase 2 portions) enrolled patients with relapsed, high-grade, platinum-sensitive or platinum-resistant, BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer who had received 2-4 (Part 2A) or 3-4 (Part 2B) prior chemotherapies. Patients received oral rucaparib 600 mg twice daily (starting dose). The primary endpoint was the investigator-assessed objective response rate (ORR) by RECIST v1.1. Fifty-four patients were enrolled: 42 in Part 2A (all had platinum-sensitive disease) and 12 in Part 2B (4 with platinum-sensitive disease; 8 with platinum-resistant disease). ORR was 59.3% (95% CI 45.0-72.4%). The median time to onset of the most common nonhaematological treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was typically early (<56 days) and was later for haematological TEAEs (53-84 days). The median duration of grade ≥3 TEAEs was ≤13 days. In patients with relapsed, platinum-sensitive or platinum-resistant germline BRCA-mutant high-grade ovarian cancer who had received ≥2 prior chemotherapies, rucaparib had robust antitumour activity with a safety profile consistent with prior reports. NCT01482715.

The Tumor Microenvironment of Clear-Cell Ovarian Cancer

Abstract Some patients with advanced clear-cell ovarian cancer (CCOC) respond to immunotherapy; however, little is known about the tumor microenvironment (TME) of this relatively rare disease. Here, we describe a comprehensive quantitative and topographical analysis of biopsies from 45 patients, 9 with Federation Internationale des Gynaecologistes et Obstetristes (FIGO) stage I/II (early CCOC) and 36 with FIGO stage III/IV (advanced CCOC). We investigated 14 immune cell phenotype markers, PD-1 and ligands, and collagen structure and texture. We interrogated a microarray data set from a second cohort of 29 patients and compared the TMEs of ARID1A-wildtype (ARID1Awt) versus ARID1A-mutant (ARID1Amut) disease. We found significant variations in immune cell frequency and phenotype, checkpoint expression, and collagen matrix between the malignant cell area (MCA), leading edge (LE), and stroma. The MCA had the largest population of CD138+ plasma cells, the LE had more CD20+ B cells and T cells, whereas the stroma had more mast cells and αSMA+ fibroblasts. PD-L2 was expressed predominantly on malignant cells and was the dominant PD-1 ligand. Compared with early CCOC, advanced-stage disease had significantly more fibroblasts and a more complex collagen matrix, with microarray analysis indicating “TGFβ remodeling of the extracellular matrix” as the most significantly enriched pathway. Data showed significant differences in immune cell populations, collagen matrix, and cytokine expression between ARID1Awt and ARID1Amut CCOC, which may reflect different paths of tumorigenesis and the relationship to endometriosis. Increased infiltration of CD8+ T cells within the MCA and CD4+ T cells at the LE and stroma significantly associated with decreased overall survival.

Homologous recombination deficiency in newly diagnosed FIGO stage III/IV high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer: a multi-national observational study

Olaparib plus bevacizumab maintenance therapy improves survival outcomes in women with newly diagnosed, advanced, high-grade ovarian cancer with a deficiency in homologous recombination. We report data from the first year of routine homologous recombination deficiency testing in the National Health Service (NHS) in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland between April 2021 and April 2022. The Myriad myChoice companion diagnostic was used to test DNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue in women with newly diagnosed International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage III/IV high-grade epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. Tumors with homologous recombination deficiency were those with a The myChoice assay was performed on 2829 tumors. Of these, 2474 (87%) and 2178 (77%) successfully underwent This is the largest real-world evaluation of homologous recombination deficiency testing in newly diagnosed FIGO stage III/IV high-grade epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. It is important to select tumor tissue with adequate tumor content and quality to reduce the risk of assay failure. The rapid uptake of testing across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland demonstrates the power of centralized NHS funding, center specialization, and the NHS Genomic Laboratory Hub network.

Rucaparib maintenance for newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer: interim overall survival, progression-free survival, and safety at 5 years of follow-up from the phase III ATHENA-MONO/GOG-3020/ENGOT-ov45 study

We report the long-term efficacy and safety from the multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III ATHENA-MONO/GOG-3020/ENGOT-ov45 (NCT03522246) study of first-line rucaparib maintenance for advanced ovarian cancer. Patients were randomized 4 : 1 to oral rucaparib + intravenous (i.v.) placebo or oral + i.v. placebo. Stratification factors were homologous recombination deficiency (HRD; BRCA mutation and loss of heterozygosity status) classification, residual disease post-chemotherapy, and surgical timing. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (invPFS) in HRD and intent-to-treat (ITT) populations. Overall survival (OS) and safety were secondary endpoints. Second event of progression (PFS2) and time to first subsequent treatment (TFST) were exploratory. Interim OS and final safety analyses data cut-off was 9 March 2023. Updated invPFS, PFS2, and TFST analyses data cut-off was 5 May 2025. Median invPFS follow-up was ∼59 months for both rucaparib (HRD, n = 185; ITT, n = 427) and placebo (HRD, n = 49; ITT, n = 111). invPFS was significantly longer with rucaparib versus placebo in the HRD [31.4 versus 12.0 months; hazard ratio (HR) 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.35-0.76] and ITT (20.2 versus 9.2 months; HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.42-0.69) populations. Interim OS was immature (OS maturity: ITT 35%) with the median (95% CI) OS not reached with rucaparib and 46.2 (34.6-not reached) months with placebo for the ITT population (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.58-1.17). ITT TFST (median 23.6 versus 12.1 months) and PFS2 (35.1 versus 26.9 months) were longer with rucaparib versus placebo. Overall, 34.6% of patients receiving rucaparib completed the 24-month treatment cap versus 17.3% receiving placebo. As of 5 May 2025, 40.0% of patients on rucaparib were still on study and in long-term follow-up. Safety remained consistent with the primary analysis. Rucaparib monotherapy provides significant and durable long-term benefit as first-line maintenance for patients with advanced ovarian cancer with and without HRD.

A phase 1b, multicentre, dose escalation, safety and pharmacokinetics study of tilvestamab (BGB149) in relapsed, platinum-resistant, high-grade serous ovarian cancer (PROC) patients

Abstract Background Tilvestamab is a highly selective humanised immunoglobulin G1 anti-AXL monoclonal antibody. This phase 1 study evaluated its optimal dose, safety, tolerability, immunogenicity and pharmacokinetics (PK) in relapsed platinum-resistant HGSOC patients. Methods Patients received tilvestamab in three dose levels (1 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg) via IV infusion every 2 weeks. Primary objectives included safety, tolerability and PK. Exploratory objectives included overall response, progression-free survival (PFS) and quality-of-life measures. Pharmacodynamic included AXL expression, gene and protein changes by transcriptomic and proteomic analysis. Results Between 25 February 2021 and 4 February 2022, 16 patients were enroled across 8 sites in Singapore, Korea, United Kingdom, and Norway. Median treatment duration was 6.1 weeks. Grade 3 or higher treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 62.5% patients, but none were tilvestamab-related. Common events included fatigue (38%), anorexia (38%) infections (31%), anaemia (25%) and dyspnoea (25%). No objective responses were observed, but 7 (44%) had stable disease at 6 weeks. PK showed dose-proportional exposure and steady-state by the second dose. Pharmacodynamic analyses revealed reduced fibrosis-related gene signatures and AXL protein expression. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition reversal was seen in 2 patients. Conclusion Tilvestamab was well-tolerated and further studies to examine the efficacy of AXL inhibition in other indications are required. Clinical trial registration This trial is registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov. Registration number: NCT04893551. EudraCT Number: 2020-001382-36

Hyperinflammatory repolarisation of ovarian cancer patient macrophages by anti-tumour IgE antibody, MOv18, restricts an immunosuppressive macrophage:Treg cell interaction

Abstract Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer and treatment options remain limited. In a recent first-in-class Phase I trial, the monoclonal IgE antibody MOv18, specific for the tumour-associated antigen Folate Receptor-α, was well-tolerated and preliminary anti-tumoural activity observed. Pre-clinical studies identified macrophages as mediators of tumour restriction and pro-inflammatory activation by IgE. However, the mechanisms of IgE-mediated modulation of macrophages and downstream tumour immunity in human cancer remain unclear. Here we study macrophages from patients with epithelial ovarian cancers naive to IgE therapy. High-dimensional flow cytometry and RNA-seq demonstrate immunosuppressive, FcεR-expressing macrophage phenotypes. Ex vivo co-cultures and RNA-seq interaction analyses reveal immunosuppressive associations between patient-derived macrophages and regulatory T (Treg) cells. MOv18 IgE-engaged patient-derived macrophages undergo pro-inflammatory repolarisation ex vivo and display induction of a hyperinflammatory, T cell-stimulatory subset. IgE reverses macrophage-promoted Treg cell induction to increase CD8+ T cell expansion, a signature associated with improved patient prognosis. On-treatment tumours from the MOv18 IgE Phase I trial show evidence of this IgE-driven immune signature, with increased CD68+ and CD3+ cell infiltration. We demonstrate that IgE induces hyperinflammatory repolarised states of patient-derived macrophages to inhibit Treg cell immunosuppression. These processes may collectively promote immune activation in ovarian cancer patients receiving IgE therapy.

PARP inhibition with rucaparib alone followed by combination with atezolizumab: Phase Ib COUPLET clinical study in advanced gynaecological and triple-negative breast cancers

Abstract Background Combining PARP inhibitors (PARPis) with immune checkpoint inhibitors may improve clinical outcomes in selected cancers. We evaluated rucaparib and atezolizumab in advanced gynaecological or triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Methods After identifying the recommended dose, patients with PARPi-naive BRCA-mutated or homologous recombination-deficient/loss-of-heterozygosity-high platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer or TNBC received rucaparib plus atezolizumab. Tumour biopsies were collected pre-treatment, during single-agent rucaparib run-in, and after starting combination therapy. Results The most common adverse events with rucaparib 600 mg twice daily and atezolizumab 1200 mg on Day 1 every 3 weeks were gastrointestinal effects, fatigue, liver enzyme elevations, and anaemia. Responding patients typically had BRCA-mutated tumours and higher pre-treatment tumour levels of PD-L1 and CD8 + T cells. Markers of DNA damage repair decreased during rucaparib run-in and combination treatment in responders, but typically increased in non-responders. Apoptosis signature expression showed the reverse. CD8 + T-cell activity and STING pathway activation increased during rucaparib run-in, increasing further with atezolizumab. Conclusions In this small study, rucaparib plus atezolizumab demonstrated acceptable safety and activity in BRCA-mutated tumours. Increasing anti-tumour immunity and inflammation might be a key mechanism of action for clinical benefit from the combination, potentially guiding more targeted development of such regimens. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03101280).

A Study of Tilvestamab (BGB149) in Relapsed, Platinum-resistant, High-grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (HGSOC) Participants

The primary purpose is to assess the safety and tolerability of tilvestamab following IV administration of multiple doses to participants with HGSOC who have been treated with at least 1 complete course of platinum-based chemotherapy and whose disease has relapsed with platinum resistance (\[PRR\]-HGSOC) and to determine the plasma pharmacokinetics (PK) exposure by comprehensive profiling (at single dose and steady-state) of multiple ascending doses of tilvestamab.

A Study of Oral Rucaparib in Patients With a Solid Tumor (Phase I) or With gBRCA Mutation Ovarian Cancer (Phase II)

Part 1 (Completed Enrollment) - The purpose of the first part of the study was to evaluate the safety of different doses and dosing regimens of oral rucaparib administered daily to patients with solid tumors. Part 2A (Completed Enrollment) and Part 2B (Completed Enrollment) - The purpose of the second part of the study is to determine the safety and clinical activity of the RP2D of oral rucaparib administered daily to patients with a known deleterious BRCA mutation (germline or somatic). Part 3 (Completed Enrollment) - The purpose of the third part of the study is to further evaluate PK of higher dose strength tablets at the RP2D in patients with any advanced solid tumor, inclusive of lymphoma, with evidence of a BRCA mutation (germline or somatic).