Phase I/II trial of encorafenib, cetuximab, and nivolumab in patients with microsatellite stable, BRAFV600E metastatic colorectal cancer.

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Background: Encorafenib (E) and cetuximab (C) offers short-lived response and survival benefit for patients (pts) with MSS, BRAF^V600E metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). BRAF + EGFR inhibition induced a transient MSI-H phenotype in preclinical models of MSS, BRAF^V600E CRC and may prime these tumors for response to immunotherapy with anti-PD-1 antibodies like nivolumab (N). Methods: In this single-arm, single-institution, phase I/II clinical trial, pts with treatment-refractory MSS, BRAF^V600E metastatic CRC were eligible. No prior BRAF inhibitors, anti-EGFR antibody, or immunotherapy was permitted. Pts received E (300 mg PO daily), C (500 mg/m² IV q14 days), and N (480 mg IV q28 days). The primary endpoints were best overall response (RECIST 1.1) and safety/tolerability (CTCAE v5). A Simon two-stage design (H₀: p≤.22; H_a: p≥.45, where p= percentage of pts with radiographic response) was employed using a one-sided α=.05 and β=.20. In the first stage, ≥ 4/15 responses were needed in order for the trial to enroll 11 additional pts. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated via Kaplan-Meier. Results: All 26 pts have been enrolled - 23 patients treated, and 21 evaluable for response so far. Median age is 59 years (range, 32-85), and 14 (54%) are female. No dose-limiting toxicities occurred. Grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events (AE) occurred in 4/22 (18%) patients. Grade 3 AEs included colitis, maculopapular rash, leukocytosis, and elevated amylase/lipase (all N=1). Grade 4 AEs in a single patient were myositis/myocarditis. Overall response rate is 45% (95% CI, 23-68), and disease control rate is 95% (95% CI, 75-100). Median PFS is 7.3 months (95% CI, 5.5-NA). Median OS is 11.4 months (95% CI, 7.6-NA). For the 9 pts thus far with responses, median duration of response is 8.1 months (95% CI, 7.3-NA). Updated results will be presented. Conclusions: E + C + N is effective and well-tolerated for pts with MSS, BRAF^V600E metastatic CRC. The E+C+N regimen met its predefined efficacy endpoint and suggests a role for immunotherapy as a novel combination approach for this specific subpopulation of MSS metastatic CRC. A follow-up randomized phase II trial (SWOG 2107) to evaluate encorafenib/cetuximab with or without nivolumab in pts with MSS, BRAF^V600E metastatic CRC will activate in early 2022. Clinical trial information: NCT04017650.