BXQ-350: Modulating ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate for antitumor activity in patients with advanced CRC

154 Background: Sphingolipids are a class of bioactive signaling molecules implicated in multiple cellular processes and molecular pathways. Many publications have demonstrated that ceramides are proapoptotic, synergize with cancer treatments, and mitigate chemoresistance. Findings also demonstrated that sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a key sphingolipid that promotes cancer cell proliferation, activates multiple oncogenic pathways, and stimulates immuno-suppressor cell populations promoting a pro-tumoral microenvironment. Several studies of colorectal cancer patients have shown high levels of ceramides being associated with improved survival, while high S1P levels are associated with a poor prognosis. Hence, modulation of sphingolipid metabolism continues to be a promising treatment approach. Methods: BXQ-350 is a nanovesicle of Saposin C, an allosteric activator of sphingolipid metabolism, that lowers systemic S1P and increases C18 ceramide. BXQ-350 was investigated in a Phase 1 dose-escalation safety study in an all-comer cancer patients with advanced solid malignancies ( NCT02859857 ) to determine its safety profile and potential clinical activity as monotherapy. Samples were collected to explore potential biomarkers. Results: 13 patients (~17.8% of evaluable patients) had a clinical benefit up to cycle 6 (PR, SD), with the majority experiencing a decrease in systemic S1P levels and an increase in C18 levels. 8 patients (~11% of evaluable patients) had PFS > 6 months, with 2 patients still on study six years after enrollment. Analysis of plasma samples also revealed an increase in anti-tumoral cytokines (IFNg, TNFa, IL-2) and a decrease in pro-tumoral ones (IL-6, 8, 10). Among patients with PFS > 6 months, there were 4 recurrent CRC patients (1PR, 3SD): 1 patient had a PFS of ~12 months, 2 of ~18 months, and 1 is still on study after 6 years. Conclusions: Results of this Phase 1 study in heavily pretreated patients show BXQ-350 was well tolerated and seem to generate a clinical benefit in CRC patients via modulation of S1P and ceramides. A phase 2 trial of BXQ-350 in combination with FOLFOX/Bevacizumab in newly diagnosed mCRC is on-going with plans to further investigate this novel mechanism of action. Clinical trial information: 02859857 .