Adding a Novel Antibody to Anti–PD-1 Immunotherapy for Metastatic NSCLC

By: Julia Fiederlein Cipriano
Posted: Friday, January 6, 2023

According to Melissa Lynne Johnson, MD, of the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center, Nashville, and colleagues, the addition of the Fc-silent anti–T-cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domains (TIGIT) monoclonal antibody domvanalimab to anti–PD-1 immunotherapy with zimberelimab resulted in improvements in progression-free survival and overall response rate in treatment-naive patients with metastatic, PD-L1–high non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This interim analysis of the phase II ARC-7 trial, which was presented in the December 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Plenary Series (Abstract 397600), suggested the evaluated combination regimens were also well tolerated.

“We are particularly encouraged by the number of patients benefiting at 6 months, as evidenced by tumors being stable or shrinking,” commented Dr. Johnson in an ASCO press release. “The data will continue to mature with longer follow-up.”

Patients with stage IV disease were randomly assigned to receive zimberelimab alone (n = 50) or in combination with either domvanalimab (n = 49) or domvanalimab plus the dual adenosine receptor antagonist etrumadenant (n = 50); of this study population, 133 were evaluable for efficacy. The overall response rate was lower with zimberelimab monotherapy (27%) than with zimberelimab plus domvanalimab (41%) and zimberelimab plus domvanalimab and etrumadenant (40%); the median durations of progression-free survival were 5.4, 12.0, and 10.9 months, respectively. The 6-month progression-free survival rate was 43% with zimberelimab monotherapy, 65% with zimberelimab plus domvanalimab, and 63% with zimberelimab plus domvanalimab and etrumadenant.

Treatment-emergent adverse events of grade 3 or higher were reported in 58% of those given zimberelimab monotherapy, 47% of patients who received zimberelimab plus domvanalimab, and 52% of those given zimberelimab plus domvanalimab and etrumadenant. All cases of rash were grade 1 or 2, manageable with topical corticosteroids, and most commonly reported with zimberelimab plus domvanalimab and etrumadenant.

Disclosures: For full disclosures of the study authors, visit coi.asco.org.

ASCO Plenary Series

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