1. Biomarker analysis and updated clinical follow-up of preoperative ipilimumab (ipi) plus nivolumab (nivo) in stage III urothelial cancer (NABUCCO)
- Author
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Karina Silina, Nick van Dijk, Laura A. Smit, Alberto Gil Jimenez, Christian U. Blank, Michiel S. van der Heijden, Maurits L. van Montfoort, Bas W.G. van Rhijn, Lodewyk F. A. Wessels, Maries van den Broek, Ton N. Schumacher, Jeantine M de Feijter, Yoni Lubeck, Thierry N. Boellaard, Pia Kvistborg, Karolina Sikorska, Annegien Broeks, Daniel J. Vis, Kees Hendricksen, and Erik Hooijberg
- Subjects
Oncology ,Cancer Research ,medicine.medical_specialty ,business.industry ,Ipilimumab ,Pembrolizumab ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Atezolizumab ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Internal medicine ,Urothelial cancer ,Medicine ,Biomarker Analysis ,Nivolumab ,Stage (cooking) ,business ,Complete response ,030215 immunology ,medicine.drug - Abstract
5020 Background: Encouraging pathological complete response (pCR) rates were observed in trials testing neoadjuvant pembrolizumab or atezolizumab in urothelial cancer (UC). In cT3-4N0 tumors, pCR to atezolizumab was only 17% and restricted to tumors showing characteristics of preexisting T cell immunity. In NABUCCO, we aimed to increase response to pre-operative checkpoint blockade, particularly in high risk patients (pts), by combining ipi plus nivo in stage III UC. We previously reported pCR in 46% and downstaging to no remaining invasive disease in 58% (ESMO2019). Here, we present biomarker analyses and updated clinical follow-up (FU) data. Methods: Twenty four stage III (cT3-4aN0 or cT2-4aN1-3) UC pts who were unfit to receive cisplatin-based chemotherapy or refused, were treated with ipi 3 mg/kg (day 1), ipi 3 mg/kg + nivo 1 mg/kg (day 22), and nivo 3 mg/kg (day 43), followed by resection. The primary endpoint was feasibility (resection < 12 weeks). Efficacy (pCR), safety and biomarker analysis were secondary endpoints. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was done on baseline tumor samples and local lymph node (LN) metastases showing no response. RNA-seq and multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) for immune cell markers were done pre- and post-therapy. Results: After a median FU of 15.6 months, 2 pts relapsed (both non-pCR); 1 of these 2 pts died of metastatic disease. Tumors showing complete response (CR, for biomarker analysis defined as pCR, CIS or pTa) had a significantly higher tumor mutational burden than non-CR tumors. CR to ipi+nivo was independent of baseline CD8 T-cell presence. There was no difference between CR and non-CR tumors in baseline immune gene signatures, such as interferon gamma and T-effector signatures. Surprisingly, exploratory gene expression analysis revealed that non-CR was associated with a baseline B cell immune signature, particularly immunoglobulins and genes involved in B cell receptor signaling. CD20 positive cells (by mIF) and presence of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) at baseline were also associated with non-CR. Upon treatment with ipi+nivo, early and mature TLS increased significantly in responding tumors. A subset of pts showed CR in the bladder, but non-CR in a local LN tumor focus. WES revealed that these LN metastases were genetically different from the primary tumor bulk. Conclusions: At 15.6 months follow-up, recurrence after pre-operative ipi+nivo was low. Pathological complete response was not restricted to tumors exhibiting preexisting T cell immunity. Clinical trial information: NCT03387761 .
- Published
- 2020