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Purpose:Prospective human data are lacking regarding safety, efficacy, and immunologic impacts of different radiation doses administered with combined PD-L1/CTLA-4 blockade.Patients and Methods:We performed a multicenter phase II study randomly assigning patients with metastatic microsatellite stable colorectal cancer to repeated low-dose fractionated radiation (LDFRT) or hypofractionated radiation (HFRT) with PD-L1/CTLA-4 inhibition. The primary endpoint was response outside the radiation field. Correlative samples were analyzed using multiplex immunofluorescence (IF), IHC, RNA/T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing, cytometry by time-of-flight (CyTOF), and Olink.Results:Eighteen patients were evaluable for response. Median lines of prior therapy were four (range, 1–7). Sixteen patients demonstrated toxicity potentially related to treatment (84%), and 8 patients had grade 3–4 toxicity (42%). Best response was stable disease in 1 patient with out-of-field tumor shrinkage. Median overall survival was 3.8 months (90% confidence interval, 2.3–5.7 months). Correlative IF and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed increased infiltration of CD8+ and CD8+/PD-1+/Ki-67+ T cells in the radiation field after HFRT. LDFRT increased foci of micronuclei/primary nuclear rupture in two subjects. CyTOF and RNA-seq demonstrated significant declines in multiple circulating immune populations, particularly in patients receiving HFRT. TCR sequencing revealed treatment-associated changes in T-cell repertoire in the tumor and peripheral blood.Conclusions:We demonstrate the feasibility and safety of adding LDFRT and HFRT to PD-L1/CTLA-4 blockade. Although the best response of stable disease does not support the use of concurrent PD-L1/CTLA-4 inhibition with HFRT or LDFRT in this population, biomarkers provide support that both LDFRT and HFRT impact the local immune microenvironment and systemic immunogenicity that can help guide future studies.

Supplementary Data and Methods

Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) has dual roles in both the DNA damage response and in the innate immune response to genotoxic stress. The combination of CHK1 inhibition and immune checkpoint blockade has the potential to enhance anti-tumoral T-cell activation. This was an open-label phase 1 study evaluating the CHK1 inhibitor prexasertib and the anti-PD-L1 antibody LY3300054. After a lead-in of LY3300054 (Arm A), prexasertib (Arm B) or the combination (Arm C), both agents were administered intravenously at their respective recommended phase 2 doses (RP2Ds) on days 1 and 15 of a 28-day cycle. Flow cytometry of peripheral blood was performed before and during treatment to analyze effects on immune cell populations, with a focus on T cell subsets and activation. Plasma cytokines and chemokines were analyzed using the Luminex platform. Among seventeen patients enrolled, the combination was tolerable at the monotherapy RP2Ds, 105 mg/m2 prexasertib and 700 mg LY3300054. Dose-limiting toxicities included one episode each of febrile neutropenia (Arm C) and grade 4 neutropenia lasting > 5 days (Arm B). One patient had immune-related AST/ALT elevation after 12 cycles. Three patients with CCNE1-amplified, high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) achieved partial response (PR), 2 lasting > 12 months; a fourth such patient maintained stable disease > 12 months. Analysis of peripheral blood demonstrated evidence of CD8 + T-cell activation in response to treatment. Prexasertib in combination with PD-L1 blockade was tolerable and demonstrated preliminary activity in CCNE1-amplified HGSOC with evidence of cytotoxic T-cell activation in patient blood samples. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03495323. Registered April 12, 2018.

Purpose: Prospective human data are lacking regarding safety, efficacy, and immunologic impacts of different radiation doses administered with combined PD-L1/CTLA-4 blockade. Patients and Methods: We performed a multicenter phase II study randomly assigning patients with metastatic microsatellite stable colorectal cancer to repeated low-dose fractionated radiation (LDFRT) or hypofractionated radiation (HFRT) with PD-L1/CTLA-4 inhibition. The primary endpoint was response outside the radiation field. Correlative samples were analyzed using multiplex immunofluorescence (IF), IHC, RNA/T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing, cytometry by time-of-flight (CyTOF), and Olink. Results: Eighteen patients were evaluable for response. Median lines of prior therapy were four (range, 1–7). Sixteen patients demonstrated toxicity potentially related to treatment (84%), and 8 patients had grade 3–4 toxicity (42%). Best response was stable disease in 1 patient with out-of-field tumor shrinkage. Median overall survival was 3.8 months (90% confidence interval, 2.3–5.7 months). Correlative IF and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed increased infiltration of CD8+ and CD8+/PD-1+/Ki-67+ T cells in the radiation field after HFRT. LDFRT increased foci of micronuclei/primary nuclear rupture in two subjects. CyTOF and RNA-seq demonstrated significant declines in multiple circulating immune populations, particularly in patients receiving HFRT. TCR sequencing revealed treatment-associated changes in T-cell repertoire in the tumor and peripheral blood. Conclusions: We demonstrate the feasibility and safety of adding LDFRT and HFRT to PD-L1/CTLA-4 blockade. Although the best response of stable disease does not support the use of concurrent PD-L1/CTLA-4 inhibition with HFRT or LDFRT in this population, biomarkers provide support that both LDFRT and HFRT impact the local immune microenvironment and systemic immunogenicity that can help guide future studies.

Purpose We evaluated the safety and efficacy of pembrolizumab (pembro) ± radiation therapy (RT) in a phase 2 study among patients with progressive, metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). Methods and Materials Eligible patients had metastatic ACC with progression within the last year and ≥1 measurable lesion. Patients were randomized to pembro alone or with RT to 30 Gy in 5 fractions (pembroRT). The primary endpoint was objective response rate outside the RT field. Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and local RT responses. Results We randomized 20 patients (10 per arm) from 2017 to 2018. We did not observe objective response outside of the radiation treatment field; stable disease (SD) was the best response in 12 (60%) patients and was not different per arm (7 pembro, 5 pembroRT, P = .65). A tumor growth rate decrease (TGR) of >25% was noted among 7 of 12 patients and >75% in 4 patients. There were local responses in the irradiated field among all evaluable pembroRT patients. Median PFS and OS were 4.5/not reached for pembroRT and 6.6 / 27.2 months for pembro patients. One patient developed grade 3 liver enzyme elevation after 27 cycles of therapy. Correlative analyses confirm low levels of programmed death-ligand 1 expression (PD-L1), and CD8 infiltrating T-cells. We identified associations between local response and both MYB/NFIB translocation and PD-L1 expression and between changes in systemic immune populations and RT. Conclusions Pembrolizumab and pembroRT were well tolerated. We observed no objective responses, but 60% of patients with PD before the study achieved SD, the majority with decreased TGR and half (n = 10) with clinical benefit (SD >6 months). We observed favorable local responses within the RT field. Additional strategies are needed to further delay progression and effect response.

T regulatory cells (Tregs) are a cell subset that can suppress immune responses to maintain homeostasis and self-tolerance. In some scenarios, the immunosuppressive nature could be associated to other pathological developments such as autoimmune diseases and cancers. Due to the importance of Tregs in disease pathogenesis, we developed and validated an 11-color flow cytometry panel for phenotypic and functional detection of Treg markers using healthy human donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Our panel contains 4 Treg surface proteins and 2 functional cytokines as well as T-lymphocyte lineage markers CD3, CD4, and CD8. Our data shows an increase in expression of markers CD25, FoxP3, CTLA4, GITR and intracellular cytokines IL4 and TGFβ when comparing unstimulated samples to CD3/CD28 bead stimulated samples. This 11-color panel can be used to functionally evaluate immunosuppressive Tregs in human PBMC samples.

Background: Patients (pts) with MDS or AML who relapse after allogeneic transplantation (allo-HCT) have a very poor prognosis. Hypomethylating agents (HMA) and checkpoint blockade with the anti-CTLA4 blocking antibody ipilimumab (IPI) have each induced responses with acceptable toxicity in AML pts who relapse after allo-HCT. We hypothesized that adding decitabine (DAC) would improve response compared with IPI alone by activating and promoting T cell-mediated anti-leukemic immune reactivity. We are conducting a multicenter phase I study (CTEP 10026) of DAC plus IPI in pts with R/R MDS/AML in both post allo-HCT and transplant-naïve settings to assess safety and estimate efficacy. Methods: The primary objective is to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) or RP2D of combination DAC + IPI in pts with R/R MDS/AML who are post allo-HCT (Arm A) or transplant-naïve (Arm B). Cohorts of 3-6 are sequentially enrolled in 3 dose levels (DL) of IPI using a 3+3 design with expansion in each arm; DLs 0-2 are 3, 5 and 10 mg/kg, respectively. Eligibility for both arms: relapsed AML (extramedullary or ≥ 5% blasts) or R/R MDS (≥ 5% blasts) or unfit elderly AML; Arm A only: ≥ 2 wks off systemic immunosuppressive (IS) therapy, T cell chimerism ≥ 20%, and no prior acute GVHD ≥ gr III. DLT is defined as ≥ gr 3 non-heme, ≥ gr 3 acute GVHD or ≥ gr 3 steroid-refractory immune-related adverse events (AEs) occurring within 8 weeks from first IPI dose. Epigenetic priming with DAC lead-in cycle 0 was followed by combination cycles of DAC + IPI. DAC is given at 20 mg/m2 days 1-5 q 28 days. IPI is given on day 1 of cycles 1-4 and every other cycle in cycles 5-12. Pts who discontinued study either in cycle 0 or DLT period without IPI-toxicity were replaced. Arm A opened after safety was confirmed at DL0 in Arm B. Results: As of June 9, 2019, 26 pts (15M, 11 F) have enrolled in this on-going trial. Of the 12 pts (11 AML and 1 MDS) enrolled in Arm A (post allo-HCT), median age was 66.5 (range 29-74) and 9 had previously received HMA. 7 of 8 pts in DL0 (1 progressed in cycle 0) and 3 of 4 pts in DL1 (1 died from pneumonia in cycle 0) received DAC + IPI. DL0 was expanded to 6 to confirm safety without DLT. Median treatment duration after first IPI dose was 5 cycles (range 1-7); 4 pts continue on trial. Common AEs were gr 1-2 dyspnea (n=4), gr 1-3 fatigue (n=4), and gr 1-2 fever (n=4). Gr 3 AEs were febrile neutropenia (n=2), pneumonia (n=1), and candidemia (n=1). Gr 1 immune-related dermatitis (n=1) reversed with steroids. Acute GVHD was not observed. Moderate-severe chronic GVHD was noted in 2 pts mainly involving skin, which was responsive to photopheresis and oral IS. Though 1 CR and 1 marrow CR have been observed at DL0, dose-escalation up to DL2 is on-going to determine MTD. Of the 14 pts (11 AML and 3 MDS) enrolled in Arm B (transplant naïve), median age was 75.5 (range 34-82) and 9 had previously received HMA. 4 of 6 pts in DL0 (1 progressed and 1 withdrew in cycle 0), 3 of 5 pts in DL1 (2 withdrew in cycle 0) and 3 of 3 pts in DL2 received DAC + IPI. Median treatment duration after first IPI dose was 4 cycles (range 1-8); 3 pts remain on study. Common AEs were gr 1-3 fatigue (n=9), gr 1-2 anorexia (n=5), and gr 3 febrile neutropenia (n=8). Immune-related gr 2 colitis (n=1) and gr 2/3 (n=4) dermatitis were all steroid-responsive. Of the 10 pts who received at least one IPI dose, 5 (50%) achieved an objective response including 3 CR, 1 CRi and 1 PR. All responses were observed in AML pts, including 1 with only skin involved. Expansion to confirm MTD is underway. No treatment-related deaths or DLTs were observed in either Arm. Reasons for discontinuation after IPI: progression (n=9), proceeding to allo-HCT or DLI (n=2), withdrawal (n=1), stroke due to underlying atrial fibrillation (n=1) and disseminated nocardiosis (n=1). In both Arms, multiplex immunofluorescence (MIF) staining of BM biopsies revealed a higher density of CD3+CD4+ cells after 4 cycles of DAC + IPI in 4 responders (R) compared to 4 non-responders (NR) (p=0.0433). Longitudinal MIF IHC in an Arm B responder identified the increasing presence of a tumor immune infiltrate composed of CD3+CD8+GZMB+ T cells prior to achieving CR (Fig 1). Conclusions: Combination DAC + IPI is tolerable and has encouraging clinical activity in post allo-HCT and transplant naïve pts with R/R MDS/AML. Ongoing studies focus on comparing the immunologic and genetic characteristics of the tumor immune infiltrate in each cohort to understand the contribution of alloimmunity to treatment response. Disclosures Garcia: Abbvie: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding. Keng:agios: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Brunner:Jazz Pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Forty Seven Inc: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Research Funding; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Research Funding. Khaled:Omeros: Consultancy; Alexion: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Daiichi Sankyo: Other: Travel support. Steensma:H3 Biosciences: Other: Research funding to institution, not investigator.; Arrowhead: Equity Ownership; Onconova: Consultancy; Stemline: Consultancy; Aprea: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy; Summer Road: Consultancy; Astex: Consultancy. Winer:Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer: Consultancy. Cutler:Omeros: Consultancy; Kadmon: Consultancy; BiolineRx: Other: DSMB; Cellect: Other: DSMB; Kalytera: Other: DSMB; ElsaLys: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; Fate Therapeutics: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy; Jazz: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy. Ho:Omeros Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Neuberg:Madrigal Pharmaceuticals: Equity Ownership; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Lindsley:Takeda Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Medlmmune: Research Funding. Galinsky:ABIM: Other: Member of specialty oncology board; Merus Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Ritz:TScan Therapeutics: Consultancy; LifeVault Bio: Consultancy; Kite Pharma: Research Funding; Talaris Therapeutics: Consultancy; Draper Labs: Consultancy; Avrobio: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Merck: Research Funding; Equillium: Research Funding; Aleta Biotherapeutics: Consultancy. Davids:AbbVie, Acerta Pharma, Adaptive, Biotechnologies, Astra-Zeneca, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, Janssen, Pharmacyclics, TG therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie, Astra-Zeneca, Genentech, Janssen, MEI, Pharmacyclics, Syros Pharmaceuticals, Verastem: Consultancy; Acerta Pharma, Ascentage Pharma, Genentech, MEI pharma, Pharmacyclics, Surface Oncology, TG Therapeutics, Verastem: Research Funding; Research to Practice: Honoraria. Wu:Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Neon Therapeutics: Other: Member, Advisory Board. Stone:AbbVie, Actinium, Agios, Argenx, Arog, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Biolinerx, Celgene, Cornerstone Biopharma, Fujifilm, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Amgen, Ono, Orsenix, Otsuka, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Sumitomo, Trovagene: Consultancy; Argenx, Celgene, Takeda Oncology: Other: Data and Safety Monitoring Board/Committee: ; Novartis, Agios, Arog: Research Funding. DeAngelo:Blueprint: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Glycomimetics: Research Funding; Amgen, Autolus, Celgene, Forty-seven, Incyte, Jazzs, Pfizer, Shire, Takeda: Consultancy. Soiffer:Jazz: Consultancy; Gilead, Mana therapeutic, Cugene, Jazz: Consultancy; Juno, kiadis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: DSMB; Kiadis: Other: supervisory board; Mana therapeutic: Consultancy; Cugene: Consultancy. OffLabel Disclosure: Combination of ipilimumab and decitabine for MDS/AML treatment for patients who are post-transplant or transplant naive