Clovis Oncology Presents New Data from Phase 2 Studies of Rucaparib in Advanced Ovarian Cancer at 2017 SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer

On March 12, 2017 Clovis Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ:CLVS) reported new data from parts 1 and 2 of the ongoing ARIEL2 Phase 2 study being presented today at the 2017 Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer in National Harbor, MD (Press release, Clovis Oncology, MAR 12, 2017, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2253261 [SID1234518079]).

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The data are being presented in two oral plenary sessions:

Title: Rucaparib in patients with relapsed, primary platinum-sensitive high-grade ovarian carcinoma with germline or somatic BRCA mutations: Integrated summary of efficacy and safety from the phase 2 study ARIEL2
Time: Sunday, March 12 at 8:22-8:37 a.m. EST
Presenter: Gottfried Konecny, MD, associate professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
SGO selected this abstract as the recipient of the 2017 SGO Presidential Award
Title: BRCA1 and RAD51C promoter hypermethylation confer sensitivity to the PARP inhibitor rucaparib in patients with relapsed, platinum sensitive ovarian carcinoma in ARIEL2 part 1
Time: Sunday, March 12 at 10:30-10:40 a.m. EST
Presented By: Elizabeth Swisher, MD, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA
New data from these presentations include analyses of patient subsets from the ARIEL2 trial, including an integrated summary of data in patients from ARIEL2 parts 1 and 2 with a germline or somatic BRCA1 or BRCA2 (BRCA) mutation. ARIEL2 enrolled 493 patients with relapsed ovarian cancer to identify those patients most likely to respond to treatment with rucaparib: part 1 enrolled 206 patients who received one or more prior therapies, had platinum as their last treatment, and were platinum-sensitive; part 2 enrolled 287 patients treated with three or four prior therapies who were either platinum-sensitive, -resistant or -refractory at time of enrollment.

"These results demonstrate the impressive activity of rucaparib, especially in earlier line, platinum-sensitive patients," said Dr. Konecny. "We also gain insight into important biomarker analyses that may help us predict which patients with far more advanced disease are most likely to benefit from rucaparib."

Dr. Konecny’s presentation analyzed objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) in the 134 ovarian cancer patients with a germline or somatic BRCA mutation enrolled in ARIEL2, as well as the effect of platinum sensitivity status and prior lines of therapy on these endpoints. These data demonstrate that the objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR) and median progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with a BRCA mutation were greatest in platinum-sensitive patients, followed in descending order by those who were platinum-resistant, and those who were platinum-refractory. All responses were assessed and confirmed according to RECIST. DCR in ARIEL2 was defined as the percentage of patients who had achieved either a complete response, partial response or stable disease that was maintained for greater than 12 weeks. Patients with disease progression occurring at least 6 months after last platinum were considered platinum-sensitive; patients with disease progression occurring less than 6 months after last platinum with best response other than progressive disease (PD) were considered platinum-resistant; and patients with best response of PD on last platinum which occurred during or up to 2 months after treatment were considered platinum-refractory. The data analysis cutoff date was January 4, 2017 and this analysis was limited to patients with BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer enrolled in the ARIEL2 study.

In 57 platinum-sensitive patients whose immediate prior therapy was platinum-based, the investigator-assessed ORR was 70% (95% CI: 57-72) for the overall population, with 83% (95% CI: 59-96), 86% (95% CI: 57-98) and 52% (95% CI: 31-72) ORR observed in patients treated with one, two, or three or more prior lines, respectively. The DCR in the same population was 81% (95% CI: 68-90) for the overall population, with 94% (95% CI: 73-100), 86% (95% CI: 57-98) and 68% (95% CI: 47-85) in patients treated with one, two, or three or more prior lines, respectively. The median PFS in the overall platinum-sensitive population whose immediate prior therapy was platinum-based was 12.7 months (95% CI: 9.0-14.7; 30% censoring).

In addition, PFS and ORR were assessed by BRCA mutation type in platinum-sensitive patients whose immediate prior treatment was platinum. Patients with a germline or somatic BRCA mutation had ORRs of 75% (95% CI: 57-89) and 74% (95% CI: 49-91), and median PFS of 12.8 and 12.7 months, respectively (95% CI: 8.9-16.6; 31% censoring and 6.2-18.2; 21% censoring). Patients with a BRCA mutation had ORRs of 71% (95% CI: 53-85) and 70% (95% CI: 47-87), and median PFS of 12.8 and 11.2 months, respectively (95% CI: 8.1-18.2; 26% censoring and 7.3-16.6; 35% censoring).

All evaluable platinum-resistant and -refractory patients had been treated with three or more lines of therapy. In 49 platinum-resistant patients, the ORR was 25% (95% CI: 13-39), the DCR was 39% (95% CI: 25-54), and the median PFS was 7.3 months (95% CI: 5.5-7.7; 27% censoring). In 14 platinum-refractory patients, there were no responders, consistent with data previously presented at the 2016 ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. However, the DCR was 29% (95% CI: 8-58) and the median PFS was 5.0 months (95% CI: 1.9-5.7; 21% censoring).

Dr. Konecny’s presentation also discussed the potential role of secondary somatic mutations restoring BRCA function as a mechanism of platinum resistance in patients with platinum-resistant or -refractory disease. Published data have shown that secondary mutations in BRCA are more frequently observed in platinum-resistant patients than platinum-sensitive patients. Data presented show that the presence of secondary somatic BRCA mutations may be a better predictor of rucaparib efficacy than prior responsiveness to platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with platinum-resistant or -refractory disease. In 55 evaluable patients with platinum-resistant or -refractory disease, those without a secondary somatic BRCA mutation (n=47) achieved a median PFS of 7.3 months (95% CI: 5.4-9.0; 26% censoring); conversely, eight patients with a secondary somatic mutation demonstrated a median PFS of only 1.7 months (95% CI: 1.6-3.2; 0% censoring). These secondary mutations were identified by sequencing of screening tumor biopsy and/or circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis.

The most common treatment-emergent adverse events observed in ARIEL2 included nausea (78%), asthenia/fatigue (78%), and vomiting (49%). The most common treatment-emergent grade 3/4 adverse events observed in ARIEL2 included anemia/decreased hemoglobin (29%), ALT/AST increased (10%), and asthenia/fatigue (10%). Treatment-emergent adverse events led to dose reductions in 49% of patients, and treatment discontinuation in 13% of patients.

In the second presentation today, Dr. Swisher discussed an analysis of BRCA1 and RAD51C hypermethylation among archival and pretreatment biopsies from part 1 of the ARIEL2 study. The analysis demonstrated that, among ovarian cancer patients, methylation of BRCA1 and RAD51C is associated with high loss of heterozygosity (LOH), consistent with the HRD phenotype. Further, methylation of BRCA1 and RAD51C appear to confer sensitivity to rucaparib, as do mutations of CDK12. These data suggest that methylation is more reliably assessed in pretreatment than archival tumor samples. Dr. Swisher concludes that routine sequencing of high-grade ovarian cancer tumor tissue biopsies would identify at least 10-15% of women with a somatic mutation and 20% of women with a germline mutation whose tumors might be sensitive to rucaparib.

"We are pleased to present these additional data from the ARIEL2 trial and are encouraged that these findings continue to reinforce rucaparib’s activity and safety profile in the treatment of patients with advanced ovarian cancer," said Patrick J. Mahaffy, CEO and president of Clovis Oncology. "The data presented today demonstrate our continued commitment to investing in and conducting the rigorous scientific research that will help us and physicians better understand the patients who can benefit most significantly from treatment with rucaparib."

The presentations are available online at View Source as of the time of Dr. Swisher’s presentation at the Meeting.

About Rubraca (rucaparib) tablets

Rubraca is a PARP inhibitor indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of patients with deleterious BRCA mutation (germline and/or somatic) associated advanced ovarian cancer, who have been treated with two or more chemotherapies, and selected for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for Rubraca. The indication for Rubraca is approved under the FDA’s accelerated approval program based on objective response rate and duration of response, and is based on results from two multicenter, single-arm, open-label clinical trials. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. Please visit rubraca.com for more information.

About Rucaparib

Rucaparib is an oral, small molecule inhibitor of PARP1, PARP2 and PARP3 being developed in ovarian cancer as well as several additional solid tumor indications. The MAA submission in Europe for an ovarian cancer treatment indication was submitted and accepted during the fourth quarter of 2016. Additionally, rucaparib is being developed as maintenance therapy for ovarian cancer in the ARIEL3 trial for patients with tumors with BRCA mutations and other DNA repair deficiencies beyond BRCA, as well as biomarker negative patients. Data from ARIEL3 are expected in mid-2017, which, pending positive data, is expected to be followed by the submission of a supplemental NDA for a second line or later maintenance indication. Rucaparib is also being developed in patients with mutant BRCA tumors and other DNA repair deficiencies beyond BRCA – commonly referred to as homologous recombination deficiencies, or HRD. Studies open for enrollment or under consideration include prostate, breast, pancreatic, gastroesophageal, bladder and lung cancers. Clovis holds worldwide rights for rucaparib.

10-K – Annual report [Section 13 and 15(d), not S-K Item 405]

Jounce Therapeutics has filed a 10-K – Annual report [Section 13 and 15(d), not S-K Item 405] with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Filing, 10-K, Jounce Therapeutics, 2018, MAR 10, 2017, View Source [SID1234524940]).

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10-K – Annual report [Section 13 and 15(d), not S-K Item 405]

(Filing, 10-K, Athersys, MAR 10, 2017, View Source [SID1234518071])

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20-F – Annual and transition report of foreign private issuers [Sections 13 or 15(d)]

(Filing, Annual, Trillium Therapeutics, 2016, MAR 10, 2017, View Source [SID1234518069])

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Chi-Med Presented Sulfatinib Neuroendocrine Tumors Phase Ib/II Results at the 14th Annual Conference of the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society

On March 10, 2017 Hutchison China MediTech Limited ("Chi-Med") (AIM/Nasdaq: HCM) reported data from the ongoing Phase Ib/II clinical trial of sulfatinib in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors ("NET") at the 14th Annual Conference of the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society ("ENETS"), held in Barcelona, Spain from March 8 to 10, 2017 (Press release, Hutchison China MediTech, MAR 10, 2017, http://www.chi-med.com/sulfatinib-net-ph2-results-at-enets-2017/ [SID1234518078]).

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Sulfatinib is an oral, novel angio-immunokinase inhibitor that selectively targets vascular endothelial growth factor receptor ("VEGFR"), fibroblast growth factor receptor ("FGFR") and colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor ("CSF-1R"), three key tyrosine kinase receptors involved in tumor angiogenesis and immune evasion. Five other sulfatinib clinical trials are underway in China and the U.S., including two Phase III studies in NET patients (SANET-p and SANET-ep), one Phase II study in thyroid cancer patients and one Phase II study in biliary tract cancer patients.

The most recent results of the study were presented in detail as follows:

Presentation Type: Oral Presentation, Presidential Abstract – Plenary Meeting Room

Title: An Open-Label Phase Ib/II Study of Sulfatinib in Patients with Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumors (NCT02267967)

Presented by: Dr. JianMing Xu

Session: Session 2B: Medical Therapies and Goals

Date & Time: Thursday, March 9, 2017, 11:10 AM CET



Presentation summary

The current Phase Ib/II trial is an open-label, single-arm Phase II study to assess the efficacy and safety of sulfatinib monotherapy in patients with advanced grade 1 or 2 advanced NET. 81 patients (41 pancreatic NET and 40 extra-pancreatic NET) were enrolled between November 2014 and January 2016, in seven clinical centers across China. The majority of patients had grade 2 disease (79%) and had failed previous systemic treatments (65%). As of January 20, 2017, 13 patients had confirmed partial response ("PR") and 61 patients had stable disease ("SD") corresponding to an overall objective response rate ("ORR") of 16.0% (13/81), with 17.1% (7/41) in pancreatic NET and 15.0% (6/40) in extra-pancreatic NET, and an overall disease control rate ("DCR") of 91.4%. Median overall progression-free survival ("PFS") has not been reached, but is estimated to be 16.6 months (95% CI: 13.4, 19.4) with longer median PFS in pancreatic NET estimated at 19.4 months and shorter median PFS in extra-pancreatic NET estimated at 13.4 months. Importantly, there were 12 patients who had progressed after treatment with targeted therapies (e.g. Sutent and Afinitor) and all benefited from sulfatinib treatment (3 PRs and 9 SDs). Sulfatinib was well tolerated with Grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs), with >5% incidence, regardless of causality of hypertension (31%), proteinuria (14%), hyperuricemia (10%), hypertriglyceridemia (9%), diarrhea (7%) and ALT increase (6%). Additional details about this study may be found at clinicaltrials.gov, using identifier NCT02267967.

Based on the promising Phase I and Phase II efficacy data and tolerability in patients with advanced NETs, two randomized Phase III trials are ongoing.

The presentation is available at www.chi-med.com/news/. Further information about ENETS is available at enetsconference.org.





About NET
NET arises from neuroendocrine cells and develop predominantly in the digestive or respiratory tracts but can also occur in many areas of the body. Diagnosis of NET is difficult due to the small tumor size and diverse origination with patients showing varied or no symptoms. There were approximately 20,000 new cases of NET and a cumulative prevalence of approximately 148,000 cases in the U.S. in 2016[1].

NETs can be classified according to tumor origin, as pancreatic NET representing less than 10% of the total NET patients, and extra-pancreatic NET comprising all other non-pancreatic NETs including lung, lymph and gastrointestinal tract NETs. To date, treatment options for NET patients are limited; sunitinib and everolimus are the only two approved targeted-therapies for NET, sunitinib for pancreatic NET and everolimus for NET of pancreatic, gastrointestinal or lung origin, while there is no such a choice for broad spectrum NET patients.



About Sulfatinib
Sulfatinib is an oral, novel angio-immunokinase inhibitor that selectively inhibits the tyrosine kinase activity associated with VEGFR, FGFR and CSF-1R, three key tyrosine kinase receptors involved in tumor angiogenesis and immune evasion. Inhibition of the VEGFR signaling pathway can act to stop angiogenesis, the growth of the vasculature around the tumor, and thereby starve the tumor of the nutrients and oxygen it needs to grow rapidly. Aberrant activation of the FGFR signaling pathway, which can be increased by anti-VEGFR therapy treatment, is shown to be associated with cancer progression by promoting tumor growth, angiogenesis and formation of the myeloid derived suppressor cells. Inhibition of the CSF-1R signaling pathway blocks the activation of tumor-associated macrophages, which are involved in suppressing immune responses against tumors.

In addition to the current Phase Ib/II NET trial, five sulfatinib clinical trials are underway in China and the U.S., including two Phase III studies in NET patients (SANET-p and SANET-ep), one Phase II study in thyroid cancer patients and one Phase II study in biliary tract cancer patients.

The SANET-p trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center, Phase III pivotal registration trial to treat about 190 pathologically low or intermediate grade pancreatic NET patients in China whose disease has progressed, locally advanced or distant metastasized and for whom there is no effective therapy. The primary endpoint is PFS, with secondary endpoints including ORR, DCR, duration of response ("DoR"), time to response and overall survival ("OS"). Additional details of the SANET-p study may be found at clinicaltrials.gov, using identifier NCT02589821. The SANET-ep trial is similar to the SANET-p trial and is targeted at treating about 270 non-pancreatic NET patients in China. Additional details of the SANET-ep study may be found at clinicaltrials.gov, using identifier NCT02588170.

Chi-Med is conducting an open-label Phase II clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sulfatinib in about 50 patients with locally advanced or metastatic radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer or medullary thyroid cancer in China. The primary endpoint is ORR, with secondary endpoints including safety and tolerability, DCR, time to response and PFS. Additional details of this study may be found at clinicaltrials.gov, using identifier NCT02614495.

Chi-Med is also conducting an open-label Phase II clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sulfatinib in about 32 patients with advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer who failed one prior systemic therapy in China. The primary endpoint is PFS at 16 weeks, with secondary endpoints including the ORR, DCR, DoR, PFS, OS and safety. Additional details of this study may be found at clinicaltrials.gov, using identifier NCT02966821.