Datopotamab deruxtecan-based combinations show promising clinical activity in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Late-breaking oral presentation at WCLC features first results from TROPION-Lung02 trial of AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s TROP2-directed antibody drug conjugate.

Initial results from the TROPION-Lung02 Phase Ib trial showed that datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) in combination with pembrolizumab with or without platinum chemotherapy demonstrated promising clinical activity and a tolerable safety profile in patients with previously untreated or pretreated, advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without actionable genomic alterations. Results were presented during a late-breaking presentation (#MA13.07) today at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer 2022 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC).

Datopotamab deruxtecan is a specifically designed TROP2-directed DXd antibody drug conjugate (ADC) being jointly developed by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.

NSCLC is diagnosed at an advanced stage in nearly 50% of patients and often has a poor prognosis with worsening outcomes after each line of subsequent therapy.^1-3 While 1st-line treatment consisting of immunotherapy with or without chemotherapy has improved outcomes for patients with NSCLC without actionable genomic alterations, disease progression still occurs in majority of patients and additional treatment strategies in this setting are needed.^4,5

Benjamin Philip Levy, MD, Clinical Director of Medical Oncology, Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Sibley Memorial Hospital, Associate Professor of Oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and investigator in the TROPION-Lung02 trial, said: “Many patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer still experience disease progression following initial treatment, underscoring the need for new therapeutic approaches. The initial results from the TROPION-Lung02 trial show encouraging efficacy and safety results when combining datopotamab deruxtecan and pembrolizumab with or without platinum chemotherapy and warrant further study in the 1st-line metastatic setting.”

Cristian Massacesi, Chief Medical Officer and Oncology Chief Development Officer, AstraZeneca, said: “Building on preliminary findings of datopotamab deruxtecan combination therapy in triple-negative breast cancer shared earlier this year, these initial results from TROPION-Lung02 reflect the broader promise of combining existing treatments with antibody drug conjugates. We look forward to continuing this important research with the goal of providing a new, effective treatment option for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.”

Gilles Gallant, Senior Vice President, Global Head, Oncology Development, Oncology R&D, Daiichi Sankyo, said: “These early findings from TROPION-Lung02 are promising and represent the first lung cancer trial to report results combining a TROP2-directed ADC with an immune checkpoint inhibitor with or without platinum chemotherapy in patients with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. These data support the initiation of the TROPION-Lung08 Phase III trial to further evaluate datopotamab deruxtecan in combination with pembrolizumab as a 1st-line combination treatment in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer without actionable genomic alterations.”

An interim analysis of the ongoing TROPION-Lung02 trial in patients with previously untreated or pretreated, advanced or metastatic NSCLC without actionable genomic alterations demonstrated a promising overall response rate (ORR) in the overall population of 37% (median follow-up of 6.5 months) in patients treated with datopotamab deruxtecan and pembrolizumab (doublet therapy) and an ORR of 41% (median follow-up of 4.4 months) in patients receiving datopotamab deruxtecan, pembrolizumab and platinum chemotherapy (triplet therapy). A disease control rate (DCR) of 84% was seen with both the doublet and triplet combination therapy in the overall population that comprised both 1st-line and 2nd-line settings.

In previously untreated patients, ORRs of 62% (eight of the 13 patients receiving doublet therapy) and 50% (10 of 20 patients receiving triplet therapy) were observed. Eight partial responses (PRs) were seen in patients receiving doublet therapy and 10 PRs (three pending confirmation) were seen in patients receiving triplet therapy. A DCR of 100% was observed with doublet therapy and a DCR of 90% was observed with triplet therapy.

Combinations with datopotamab deruxtecan demonstrated a tolerable safety profile, which supports further evaluation in ongoing studies. Grade 3 or greater treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in 40% and 60% of patients in the doublet and triplet cohorts, respectively. The most frequent TEAEs of any Grade in the doublet and triplet cohorts respectively were stomatitis (56% and 29%), nausea (41% and 48%), decreased appetite (28% and 38%), fatigue (25% and 36%) and anaemia (16% and 36%). There were four interstitial lung disease (ILD) events determined as drug-related by an independent adjudication committee across both cohorts; two were adjudicated as Grade 1/2 events and two were adjudicated as Grade 3 events. No Grade 4 or Grade 5 ILD events were adjudicated as drug-related. At the time of the data cut-off, there were three potential ILD events pending adjudication. Three deaths occurred (two within the doublet cohort, one in the triplet cohort), none of which were determined as drug-related. Treatment discontinuations due to adverse events occurred in less than 22% of patients and datopotamab deruxtecan dose discontinuation occurred in 13% of patients.

Patients in TROPION-Lung02 receiving doublet therapy were previously treated with one median line of therapy, including platinum chemotherapy (60%) and immunotherapy (30%). In the triplet cohort, patients previously received platinum chemotherapy (35%) and immunotherapy (38%). Datopotamab deruxtecan-based combination as a 1st-line of therapy accounted for 33% and 63% of patients in doublet and triplet cohorts, respectively. As of the 2 May 2022 data cut-off, 53% and 77% of patients remained on the doublet and triplet therapy, respectively.

Summary of TROPION-Lung02 results

DCR, disease control rate; ORR, overall response rate; PR, partial response; CR, complete response; SD, stable disease
¹ORR is CR + PR
²DCR is CR + PR + SD

Notes

TROPION-Lung02 

TROPION-Lung02 is an ongoing global, open-label, Phase Ib trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of datopotamab deruxtecan at two dose levels (4mg/kg and 6mg/kg) in combination with pembrolizumab (200mg) with or without platinum chemotherapy (carboplatin or cisplatin), in both previously untreated and pretreated patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC without actionable genomic alterations (e.g., EGFR, ALK, ROS1, NTRK, BRAF, RET, MET or other known actionable alterations).

The primary endpoints of TROPION-Lung02 are dose-limiting toxicities and treatment-emergent adverse events. Secondary endpoints include ORR, duration of response, progression-free survival, overall survival, pharmacokinetics and anti-drug antibodies for datopotamab deruxtecan and pembrolizumab.

NSCLC 

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.⁶ NSCLC is diagnosed at an advanced stage in nearly 50% of patients and often has a poor prognosis with worsening outcomes after each line of subsequent therapy.^1-3 While the introduction of targeted therapies and checkpoint inhibitors in recent years have improved outcomes for patients with advanced NSCLC, the majority of tumours do not have known actionable genomic alterations.^7-10 Current standard of care in the first-line treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC without actionable genomic alterations is immunotherapy with or without platinum-based chemotherapy, based upon PD-L1 expression. While these therapies may improve survival, at least 40 to 60% of tumours do not respond to initial treatment and disease progression occurs, underscoring the need for new therapeutic approaches and options.^11-14

TROP2 in NSCLC

TROP2 (trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is widely expressed in several types of solid tumours, including NSCLC.^15-18 While TROP2 is expressed across all lung cancer subtypes, the highest expression is seen in adenocarcinoma (64%) and squamous cell carcinoma (75%) cases (the most common forms of NSCLC).^17,19 No TROP2-directed therapies are currently approved for the treatment of patients with NSCLC.^14,20,21

Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd)

Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) is an investigational TROP2-directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary DXd ADC technology, datopotamab deruxtecan is one of the most advanced programmes in AstraZeneca’s ADC scientific platform, and one of the three leading ADCs in the oncology pipeline of Daiichi Sankyo. Datopotamab deruxtecan is comprised of a humanised anti-TROP2 IgG1 monoclonal antibody, developed in collaboration with Sapporo Medical University, attached to a number of topoisomerase I inhibitor payloads, an exatecan derivative, via tetrapeptide-based cleavable linkers.

A comprehensive development programme called TROPION is underway globally with trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of datopotamab deruxtecan across multiple solid tumours, including triple negative breast cancer, HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer, NSCLC, small cell lung cancer, urothelial, gastric and oesophageal cancer. Trials in combination with other anticancer treatments, such as immunotherapy, also are underway.

Daiichi Sankyo collaboration

Daiichi Sankyo Limited (TSE: 4568) [referred to as Daiichi Sankyo] and AstraZeneca entered into a global collaboration to jointly develop and commercialise datopotamab deruxtecan in July 2020, except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo maintains exclusive rights. Daiichi Sankyo is responsible for the manufacturing and supply of datopotamab deruxtecan.

AstraZeneca in lung cancer

AstraZeneca is working to bring patients with lung cancer closer to cure through the detection and treatment of early-stage disease, while also pushing the boundaries of science to improve outcomes in the resistant and advanced settings. By defining new therapeutic targets and investigating innovative approaches, the Company aims to match medicines to the patients who can benefit most.

The Company’s comprehensive portfolio includes leading lung cancer medicines and the next wave of innovations, including Tagrisso (osimertinib) and Iressa (gefitinib); Imfinzi (durvalumab) and tremelimumab; Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) and datopotamab deruxtecan in collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo; Orpathys (savolitinib) in collaboration with HUTCHMED; as well as a pipeline of potential new medicines and combinations across diverse mechanisms of action.

AstraZeneca is a founding member of the Lung Ambition Alliance, a global coalition working to accelerate innovation and deliver meaningful improvements for people with lung cancer, including and beyond treatment.

AstraZeneca in oncology

AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.

The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.

AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.

AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.

Contacts
For details on how to contact the Investor Relations Team, please click here. For Media contacts, click here.

References

1. Siegel R, et al. Cancer Statistics 2021. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021;71:7-33.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Cancer Institute. U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. U.S. Cancer Statistics Data Visualizations Tool, based on 2021 submission data (1999-2019); www.cdc.gov/cancer/dataviz, released in June 2022.
3. Hardstock F, et al. Real-world treatment and survival of patients with advanced non-small cell lung Cancer: a German retrospective data analysis. BMC Cancer. 2020;20(1):260.
4. Shields MD, et al. Immunotherapy for Advanced Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Decade of Progress. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book. 2021;41:1-23.
5. Walsh RJ, et al. Resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer: biomarkers and therapeutic strategies. Ther Adv Med Oncol. 2020;12:1758835920937902.
6. World Health Organization. International Agency for Research on Cancer. Lung Fact Sheet. Accessed August 2022.
7. Chen R, et al. Emerging Therapeutic Agents for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. J Hematol Oncol. 2020;13(1):58.
8. Majeed U, et al. Targeted therapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: current advances and future trends. J Hematol Oncol. 2021; 14(1): 108.
9. Adib E, et al. Variation in Targetable Genomic Alterations in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer by Genetic Ancestry, Sex, Smoking History, And Histology. Genome Med. 2022; 14(1): 39.
10. Bubendorf L, et al. Nonsmall cell lung carcinoma: diagnostic difficulties in small biopsies and cytological specimens: Number 2 in the Series “Pathology for the clinician” Edited by Peter Dorfmüller and Alberto Cavazza. Eur Respir Rev. 2017; 26(144): 170007.
11. Paz-Ares L, et al. A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Pembrolizumab Plus Chemotherapy in Patients With Metastatic Squamous NSCLC: Protocol-Specified Final Analysis of KEYNOTE-407J. Thorac Oncol. 2020 Oct;15(10):1657-1669.
12. Mok TSK, et al. Pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy for previously untreated, PD-L1-expressing, locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (KEYNOTE-042): a randomised, open-label, controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2019 May 4;393(10183):1819-1830.
13. Brahmer J.R. et al. KEYNOTE-024 5-year OS update. ESMO 2021 Virtual Congress. 2021 Sept 16 – 20; Abstract LBA51.
14. Rodríguez-Abreu D et al. Pemetrexed plus platinum with or without pembrolizumab in patients with previously untreated metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC: protocol-specified final analysis from KEYNOTE-189. Ann Onc. 2021 Jul;32(7):881-895.
15. McDougall ARA, et al. Trop2: From Development to Disease. Devel Dynamics. 2015; 244: 99-109.
16. Shvartsur A, et al. Trop2 and its overexpression in cancers: regulation and clinical/therapeutic implications. Genes Cancer. 2015; 6 (3-4): 84-105.
17. Inamura K, et al. Oncotarget. 2017; 8(17):28725-28735. Inamura K, et al. Association of tumor TROP2 expression with prognosis varies among lung cancer subtypes. Oncotarget. 2017; 8(17): 28725-28735.
18. Goldenberg DM, et al. The emergence of trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 (TROP-2) as a novel cancer target. Oncotarget. 2018; 9(48): 28989-29006.
19. Mito R, et al. Clinical impact of TROP2 in non-small lung cancers and its correlation with abnormal p53 nuclear accumulation. Pathol Int. 2020; 70(5): 287-294.
20. Zaman S, et al. Targeting Trop-2 in solid tumours: future prospects. Onco Targets Ther. 2019; 12: 1781-1790.
21. American Cancer Society. Targeted Drug Therapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer/treating-non-small-cell/targeted-therapies.html. Accessed July 2022.