Phase Ii Study Of Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy Plus Avelumab In Patients With Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: The Avana Study

Preoperative (preop) chemoradiotherapy (CTRT) is considered the standard of care in the management of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). RT can induce antigen release from a low neoantigen-burden tumor (such as a mismatch repair proficient colorectal cancer) and activate dendritic cells leading to a CD8+ T lymphocyte-mediated anticancer immune response. In LARC patients (pts), neoadjuvant CTRT increases PD-L1 expression in tumor cells, strongly suggesting a neoadjuvant combinatory strategy with RT and PD-1/PD-L1 pathway blockade. Based on such considerations, we have designed the AVANA study to investigate the role of avelumab (Ave) in combination with preop CTRT in LARC. This is an Italian multi-center, phase II study. Pts with resectable LARC, defined by the presence of at least one of the following features: cN+, cT4, high risk cT3, received standard preop CTRT (capecitabine 825 mg/sqm/bid 5 days/week+ 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions over 5.5 weeks) plus 6 cycles of Ave 10 mg/Kg every 2 weeks. Surgery with total mesorectal excision was performed at 8-10 weeks after the end of CTRT. The primary end-point was the pCR rate, defined as complete histological regression with no available tumor cells. Secondary end-points were R0 resection rate, tumor downstaging, local recurrence, sphincter preservation rate, progression-free survival, overall survival, safety profile, and the evaluation of exploratory predictive and/or prognostic biomarkers. Assuming as null hypothesis p0 a pCR rate of 15%, a significance level of 5% (one-side), and a power of 80%, a sample size of 101 pts was needed to detect an absolute increment of 10% in pCR rate (from 15% to 25%). The experimental regimen is considered for further studies if, in at least 22 pts, we observe a pCR. From April 2019 to November 2020, a total of 101 resectable LARC pts were enrolled in 10 Italian Centers. The median age was 63 years (23-82), 62 (61.4%) pts were male, 93 (92%) had ECOG PS 0. At baseline, 94 (93%) and 16 (16%) pts had cN+ and cT4 LARC, respectively. All pts completed the induction phase. Out of 96 pts evaluable for pathological response, 22 (23%) pts achieved a pCR and 59 (61.5%) pts a major pathological response (a central review is ongoing). At this time, microsatellite status is available only in 39 pts, of which only one was instable. The rate of grade 3-4 non-immune and immune-related adverse events was 8% and 4%, respectively. Avelumab was early interrupted in 9 pts out 101, mainly due to toxicity. The combination of preop CTRT plus Ave showed promising activity and a feasible safety profile. According to our statistical considerations, the experimental regimen will be considered for further studies. Updated results will be presented during the Congress.