585 Ofranergene obadenovec (VB-111) in combination with nivolumab in patients with microsatellite stable colorectal liver metastases: a single-center, single-arm phase II trial

Background

Microsatellite stable colorectal liver metastases (MSS CLM) maintain an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Historically, immune-based approaches have been ineffective. VB-111 is a genetically-modified adenoviral vector targeting the TME; its unique dual mechanism induces immune response and disrupts neovascularization.^1–4 Checkpoint inhibition may synergize the immune response induced by viral-mediated anti-angiogenic gene therapy. We aimed to examine the safety and anti-tumor activity of VB-111 and nivolumab in patients with refractory MSS CLM and to characterize immunological treatment-response.

Methods

This is a phase II study of adult patients with histologically confirmed MSS CLM who progressed on prior therapy. A priming dose of VB-111 1x10¹³ viral particles was given intravenously two weeks prior to starting biweekly nivolumab 240mg and continued every 6 weeks. The combination was continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Primary endpoints were ORR and safety/tolerability. Secondary endpoints included mPFS and mOS. Correlative studies were performed on paired tumor biopsies and blood.

Results

Between August 2020 and December 2021, fourteen patients were enrolled with median age 50.5y (40–75), and 14% were female. Of the ten evaluable patients, the combination of VB-111 and nivolumab failed to demonstrate radiographic responses; at best, two patients had stable disease. After median follow-up of 5.5 months (m), mOS was 5.5m (95%CI: 2.3–10.8m), and mPFS was 1.8m (95%CI: 1.4–1.9 m) (figure 1). The most common grade 3–4 treatment-related adverse events were fever/chills, flu-like symptoms, and lymphopenia. No treatment-related deaths were reported. Qualitative analysis of immunohistochemical staining of paired tumor biopsies did not demonstrate significant immune infiltration after treatment, except for one patient who had exceptional survival (25.7m). Immune analysis of PBMCs showed an increase of PD1^highKi67^highCD8⁺ T-cells and HLA-DR^high T-cells after VB-111 priming dose (figure 2). Plasma cytokines IL-10 and TNFα increased after treatment with both drugs.

Conclusions

In patients with MSS CLM, VB-111 and nivolumab did not improve objective response rate or survival but was tolerated with minimal toxicities. While challenging to distinguish between anti-viral or anti-tumor, correlative studies demonstrated an antigen-specific immune response with activation and proliferation of CD8⁺ T-cells systemically; however, this was poorly sustained and immune infiltration was sparsely seen within on-treatment tumor biopsies[5]. With its transient immunogenicity and limited clinical efficacy, a single priming dose may not be the optimal strategy for viral-mediated therapies; rather, multiple sequential doses of viral vector and earlier administration of checkpoint inhibition may be required to elicit a stronger immune response to result in tumor killing.