Study Description
In the phase I part, to determine the recommended doses (RD) and dosing regimens of
[177Lu]Lu-NeoB in combination with capecitabine in adult patients with gastrin releasing
peptide receptor positive, estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor
receptor-2 negative metastatic breast cancer after progression on previous endocrine
therapy in combination with a CDK4/6 inhibitor. In the phase II part, to evaluate the
preliminary anti-tumor activity of two different doses/regimens of [177Lu]Lu-NeoB in
combination with capecitabine (dose optimization). Despite remarkable clinical results with the use of CDK4/6i, breast cancer patients will
experience progression of disease requiring alternative treatment options. The optimal
sequence of therapy after progression on CDK4/6i has not been established and it depends
on multiple factors, including previous regimens, mutational profile, comorbidities,
patient preference or disease burden (NCCN v4, 2023). Thus, new targeted treatment
modalities are needed for treatment of patients with endocrine-resistant mBC.The purpose
of this phase I/II study is to determine the recommended doses and regimens of
[177Lu]Lu-NeoB in combination with capecitabine (and a gonadotropin releasing hormone
agonist (GnRha) for pre/peri-menopausal women in the Phase II part only and men, if
applicable) in adult participants with ER+/HER2-, gastrin releasing peptide receptor
positive (GRPR+) mBC after progression on CDK4/6i-based therapy, and to evaluate
preliminary efficacy across two different dose levels and regimens. The study comprises
of two parts: the phase I, dose escalation part, followed by the phase II, dose
optimization part.
During screening, study participants will receive the radioligand imaging agent
[68Ga]Ga-NeoB for a positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) or
PET/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An additional [68Ga]Ga-NeoB for PET/CT or PET/MRI
will be administered after their last administration of [177Lu]Lu-NeoB for phase II
participants only.
During the treatment period participants will be required to attend a site visit
approximately every 3 weeks for the first 9 months and every 6 weeks thereafter, on the
first day of every cycle (defined as a period of 3 weeks) or every other cycle,
respectively, to undergo study treatment administration or dispensing, dosimetry and
safety assessments. Tumor assessments are performed every 9 weeks until month 18, every
12 weeks until month 46 and as clinically indicated thereafter, until disease
progression. After study treatment discontinuation, participants will be followed up for
safety for 8 weeks after their last study treatment administration. Beyond the initial 8
weeks of safety follow-up, all participants will be followed up as per the Section 1.3
SoA, for a total of 5 years from their last [177Lu]Lu-NeoB administration, or until
death, lost to follow-up, participant/guardian's or investigator's decision or withdrawal
of consent (WoC).
The end of study is defined as the date of the last visit, scheduled procedure or follow
up (or date of death, participant/guardian's or investigator's decision, WoC or lost to
follow up, whichever occurs first) of the last participant in the study globally, or at 5
years from the last [177Lu]Lu-NeoB administration to the last study participant,
whichever occurs last.
This study includes [177Lu]Lu-NeoB and capecitabine as study treatment and [68Ga]Ga-NeoB
as an imaging agent. Participants will receive [177Lu]Lu-NeoB in combination with
capecitabine (and a GnRHa, where applicable, as per local clinical practice for
pre-/peri-menopausal women in the phase II part only, and in men). [68Ga]Ga-NeoB is a PET
imaging agent investigated as a selection tool for [177Lu]Lu-NeoB treatment in patients
with tumors overexpressing GRPR, including mBC patients. [68Ga]Ga-NeoB has shown
favorable technical and diagnostic performance to identify GRPR-expressing malignancies,
both in preclinical and in clinical studies, with good image quality that allows proper
interpretation.
[177Lu]Lu-NeoB has shown high affinity to the GRPR and its ability to target the GRPR
expressing tumor has been confirmed in in vivo imaging and biodistribution studies in
tumor models. [177Lu]Lu-NeoB is rapidly cleared from the blood, quickly eliminated
through the renal system, with no retention in kidneys. [177Lu]Lu-NeoB is currently being
evaluated as a single agent in an ongoing phase I/IIa, open-label, multi-center study
(EUDRACT no. 2018-004727-37 ) which evaluates the safety, tolerability, whole-body
distribution, radiation dosimetry and anti-tumor activity of [177Lu]Lu-NeoB administered
in patients with advanced solid tumors known to overexpress GRPR who have no therapeutic
available options. Data show that [177Lu]Lu-NeoB has shown a good tolerability and safety
profile and a favorable biodistribution with low uptake in organs considered to be at
risk due to GRPR-expression, such as the pancreas, or due to radioligand therapy (RLT),
such as the red marrow, and the route of excretion, such as the kidneys.
Capecitabine is an oral fluoropyrimidine carbamate that is converted to 5-fluorouracil
(5-FU) preferentially in tumor tissue through exploitation of high intratumoral
concentrations of thymidine phosphorylase. It is one of the most frequent chemotherapy
treatment choices for HR+/HER2- mBC patients post-CDK4/6i failure from 2nd line and
beyond as reflected in real word data. It is also considered to be a potent
radiosensitizer. The synergistic combination of chemotherapy and radionuclides has the
potential to enhance efficacy.
This study will enroll a total of between 36 and 58 participants, depending on the
applicable scenario. In the phase I part, about 18 participants will be either enrolled
or randomized (as applicable). In the phase II part, between 28 and 40 participants will
be randomized, depending on the applicable scenario.
- The screening period of 42 days is followed by the treatment period until disease
progression, discontinuation of study treatment due to any other reason such as
unacceptable toxicity, symptomatic deterioration, WoC, lost to follow up,
investigator decision or death, whichever occurs first. The post treatment follow up
period comprises the safety follow up for 8 weeks after treatment discontinuation
and the long term safety and survival follow up for up to 5 years from the date of
the participant's last dose of [177Lu]Lu-NeoB
- During screening, each participant will receive [68Ga]Ga-NeoB for PET/CT or PET/MRI
imaging to confirm eligibility. Additionally, within 4-8 weeks from the last
administration of [177Lu]Lu-NeoB, another administration of [68Ga]Ga-NeoB for PET/CT
or PET/MRI will be performed, in the phase II part only.
- In the phase I part, participants will receive [177Lu]Lu-NeoB at a starting dose of
150mCi +/- 10% (iv infusion) Q6W in combination with capecitabine (tablet, 1000
mg/m2 twice daily for 14 consecutive days followed by 7 days off treatment). If dose
escalation is supported, then two higher dose levels of [177Lu]Lu-NeoB in
combination with capecitabine are planned to be explored, in a randomized way:
200mCi Q6W and 100mCi Q3W. These correspond to the same total dose given in a 6
weeks timeframe but exploring a different dose fractionation.
- If dose escalation from the starting dose is not supported, then lower dose levels
will be explored (100mCi Q6W and if shown safe, 100mCi Q3W). If none of these are
shown safe then the study will be terminated
- In the phase II part, there are four potential scenarios that may apply, depending
on the outcome of the phase I part:
- Scenario 1 (if both higher dose levels in phase I were shown safe) participants will
be randomized to either [177Lu]Lu-NeoB 200mCi Q6W or 100mCi Q3W, in combination with
capecitabine
- Scenario 2 (if only one of the two higher dose levels in phase I were shown safe)
participants will be randomized to either [177Lu]Lu-NeoB 200mCi Q6W / 100mCi Q3W
(whichever was shown safe in phase I) or 150 mCi Q6W, in combination with
capecitabine
- Scenario 3 (if none of the higher doses in phase I are shown safe): participants
will be randomized to either [177Lu]Lu-NeoB 150mCi Q6W or 100mCi Q6W, in combination
with capecitabine
- Scenario 4 (if dose escalation from the starting dose was no supported in phase I
and lower investigational dose levels and regimens are shown safe in phase I part):
participants will be randomized to either [177Lu]Lu-NeoB 100 mCi Q6W or 100 mCi Q3W,
in combination with capecitabine.
- Treatment duration with [177Lu]Lu-NeoB is 6 administrations for Q6W regimens and 12
administrations for Q3W regimens. Additional [177Lu]Lu-NeoB administrations may be
considered based on an individual benefit-risk assessment performed by the
Investigator, participant and Sponsor
Interventions
Capecitabine
[177Lu]Lu-NeoB
[68Ga]Ga-NeoB
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Signed informed consent must be obtained prior to participation in the study.
2. Participant is female or male adult ≥ 18 years old at the time of informed
consent(s).
3. Participant has a histologically and/or cytologically documented diagnosis of ER+
breast cancer (ER expression >10% of tumor cell nuclei stain (regardless of PgR
expression) (based on the most recently analyzed tissue sample tested by a local
laboratory).
4. Participant has HER2-negative (as per ASCO-CAP guidelines Wolff et al 2018) breast
cancer defined as a negative in situ hybridization test (ISH) or an IHC status of 0,
1+ or 2+. If IHC is 2+, a negative ISH (e.g., FISH, CISH, or SISH) (based on the
most recently analyzed tissue sample tested by a local laboratory) is required.
5. Participant received no more than three prior endocrine therapy/ies (single agent or
in combination with targeted therapy) regimen/s in the metastatic setting of which
at least one included endocrine therapy in combination with a CDK4/6i. In addition:
- in case of confirmed presence of deleterious or suspected deleterious germline
BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, the participant may also have received a PARP
inhibitor-based therapy.
- In case of HER2-low breast cancer (as per ASCO-CAP guidelines Wolff et al
2018), the participant may also have received Enhertu®.
Note: disease progression while on adjuvant ET (with or without CDK4/6i) or within
12 months of completing adjuvant endocrine therapy (with or without CDK4/6i), will
be considered a line of therapy.
6. Participant has metastatic breast cancer with radiologically confirmed progression
of disease after the most recent therapy
7. Participant must have measurable disease, i.e., at least one measurable lesion as
per RECIST 1.1. (a lesion at a previously irradiated site may only be counted as a
target lesion if there is a clear sign of progression since the irradiation) as per
local assessment.
Note: If only lytic bone lesions are present, they must have at least one lesion
with a soft tissue component that can be evaluated by CT or MRI and meets the
definition of measurability as per RECIST 1.1 criteria (participants with only one
predominantly lytic bone lesion that has been previously irradiated are eligible if
there is documented evidence of disease progression of the bone lesion after
irradiation).
8. Participant has at least one target lesion [as per RECIST 1.1 and based on the
baseline contrast-enhanced CT (or MRI)] with [68Ga]Ga-NeoB uptake above the liver at
PET/CT or PET/MRI, as per local reading. In addition:
- Participant with liver or lung disease involvement must show [68Ga]Ga-NeoB
uptake above the liver as follows:
- If there is liver disease involvement (in the absence of lung involvement), in
≥ 50% of all CT measurable liver lesions (RECIST 1.1)
- If there is lung disease involvement (in the absence of liver involvement), in
≥ 50% of all CT measurable lung lesions (RECIST 1.1)
- Participants with both liver and lung disease involvement must show
[68Ga]Ga-NeoB uptake above the liver in ≥ 50% of all CT measurable lesions
either in liver or lung (RECIST 1.1) and in at least one measurable lesion in
the remaining organ (lung or liver)
9. Participants with central nervous system (CNS) involvement are eligible providing
they meet ALL the following criteria:
- At least 2 weeks from prior therapy completion (including radiation and/or
surgery) to initiation of the study treatment
- Clinically stable CNS tumor at the time of screening
- Participant is not receiving steroids and/or anti-epileptic medications for
brain metastases at the time of initiation of the radioligand study treatment
10. Participant has an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0
or 1.
11. Participant has adequate bone marrow and organ function as defined by the following
laboratory values (as assessed by local laboratory):
- Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1.5 × 109/L
- Platelets ≥ 100 × 109/L
- Hemoglobin ≥ 9.0 g/dL
- International Normalized Ratio (INR) ≤1.5
- Creatinine Clearance ≥60 mL/min using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology
Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation
- Total bilirubin (TBIL) < 1.5 × ULN (any elevated bilirubin should be
asymptomatic at enrollment) except for participants with Gilbert's syndrome who
may only be included if the total bilirubin is ≤ 3.0 × ULN or direct bilirubin
≤ 1.5 × ULN
- In absence of liver metastases, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate
aminotransferase (AST) < 2.5 × ULN. If the participant has liver metastases,
the participant will be eligible for the study if ALT and AST < 5 X ULN.
- Serum lipase ≤ 1.5 × ULN Note: no platelet transfusion, packed red blood cell
transfusion, or G-CSF will be allowed during the screening phase after ICF
signature
- Participant must have the following laboratory values within normal limits or
corrected to within normal limits with supplements before the first dose of
study medication:
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Total Calcium (corrected for serum albumin)
12. Participant must be able to swallow capecitabine tablets.
13. Participant must be able to communicate with the investigator and comply with the
requirements of the study procedures.
14. For Phase I part only Female participant must be in postmenopausal status at the
time of starting study treatment.
Postmenopausal status is defined either by:
- Prior surgical bilateral oophorectomy (with or without hysterectomy)
- Age ≥60 years
- Age <60 years and ≥ 12 months of natural (spontaneous) amenorrhea in the
absence of chemotherapy, tamoxifen, toremifene, or ovarian suppression with
serum Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and estradiol in the postmenopausal
range per local normal range.
- Aged < 60 years: therapy-induced amenorrhea for > 12 months with serial
measurements of FSH and estradiol in post-menopausal ranges (NCCN V4 2023).
- Aged < 60 years: on tamoxifen with serial measurements of FSH and estradiol in
post-menopausal ranges Note: Ovarian radiation or treatment with a gonadotropin
releasing hormone agonist (GnRHas e.g. goserelin acetate) is not permitted for
induction of ovarian suppression in the Phase I part.
15. For Phase II part only
- Female participant is post-menopausal as per criteria above at the time of
starting study treatment.
- Female participant is pre/peri-menopausal at the time of starting study
treatment
Pre-menopausal status is defined as either:
- Patient had last menstrual period within the last 12 months OR
- If on tamoxifen or toremifene within the past 14 days, FSH and estradiol in
pre-menopausal ranges on serial measurements OR
- In case of therapy induced amenorrhea, FSH and estradiol in pre-menopausal ranges on
serial measurements Note: Peri-menopausal status is defined as neither
pre-menopausal nor post-menopausal (see definition above)
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Participant with symptomatic visceral disease or any disease burden that are at risk
of life-threatening complications as per the investigator's judgment.
2. Participant has received prior treatment with chemotherapy in the metastatic setting
(allowed in neoadjuvant/ adjuvant setting, unless progression or recurrence occurred
during or within 12 months after completion of adjuvant chemotherapy).
3. Participant has received prior treatment with capecitabine
4. History of hypersensitivity or contraindication to any of the study treatments or
their excipients or to drugs of similar chemical classes.
5. Participant has inflammatory breast cancer at screening.
6. Participant has had major surgery within 14 days prior to starting study treatment
or has not recovered from major side effects.
7. Participant has received any prior treatment with a therapeutic radiopharmaceutical
8. Prior External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) to more than 25% of the bone marrow.
9. Participant has a concurrent malignancy or malignancy within 3 years of start of
study treatment, with the exception of adequately treated, basal or squamous cell
carcinoma, non-melanomatous skin cancer, or curatively resected cervical cancer.
10. Participant has impairment of gastrointestinal (GI) function or GI disease that may
significantly alter the absorption of the study drugs (e.g., uncontrolled ulcerative
diseases, uncontrolled nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, malabsorption syndrome, or small
bowel resection) based on investigator's discretion.
11. Participant has any other concurrent severe and/or uncontrolled medical condition
that would, in the investigator's judgment, cause unacceptable safety risks,
contraindicate participant participation in the clinical study or compromise
compliance with the protocol (e.g., chronic pancreatitis, chronic active hepatitis,
active untreated or uncontrolled fungal, bacterial or viral infections, interstitial
lung disease (ILD)/ pneumonitis etc.).
12. Participant has a history of or ongoing acute pancreatitis within 1 year of
screening.
13. History or current diagnosis of impaired cardiac function, clinically significant
cardiac disease or ECG abnormalities indicating significant risk of safety for
participants in the study such as:
- Documented myocardial infarction (MI), angina pectoris, cardiomyopathy,
symptomatic pericarditis, or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) within 6
months prior to study entry
- Clinically significant cardiac arrhythmias (e.g., ventricular tachycardia),
complete left bundle branch block, high-grade atrioventricular (AV) block
(e.g., bifascicular block, Mobitz type II and third-degree AV block)
- Long QT syndrome or family history of idiopathic sudden death or congenital
long QT syndrome, or any of the following:
- Risk factors for TdP including uncorrected hypocalcemia, hypokalemia or
hypomagnesemia, history of cardiac failure, or history of clinically
significant/symptomatic bradycardia
- Inability to determine the Fridericia QT correction formula (QTcF) interval
- Resting QTcF ≥450 msec (male) or ≥460 msec (female) at screening as per
standard 12-lead ECG values defined as the mean of the triplicate ECGs and
assessed locally
- Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) < 50% as determined by echocardiogram
(ECHO) or MUGA.
- Uncontrolled hypertension defined by a Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) ≥ 160 mmHg
and/or Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) ≥ 100 mm Hg, with or without
anti-hypertensive medication.
14. Participant is currently receiving brivudine which cannot be discontinued at least
4-week prior to start of capecitabine therapy.
15. Participant is currently receiving NEP inhibitors (i.e., Entresto®) and images for
dosimetry assessments cannot be acquired for this participant as per Section 8.7.3.
16. Participant with known deficiency or family history of deficiency of
dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase.
17. Use of other investigational drugs within 5 half-lives of the investigational drug
or within 30 days prior to start of study treatment, whichever is longer; or as
required by local regulations.
18. Sexually active male participants unwilling to:
- remain abstinent (refrain from sexual intercourse) or
- use a condom, while taking study treatment and for at least 4 months after the
last administration of [177Lu]Lu-NeoB, or 3 months after the last dose of
capecitabine (or as per locally prescribing information) whichever is longer,
in addition to the highly effective method used by the partner who is a female
of child-bearing potential.
Note: A condom is required for all sexually active male participants to prevent them
from fathering a child and to prevent delivery of study treatment via seminal fluid
to their partner. In addition, male participants must not donate sperm for the time
period specified above.
19. Participants with legal incapacity to give informed consent, where required by local
regulation (e.g. in EU).
20. For Phase II part only
- Pregnant or breast-feeding women
- Women of childbearing potential, defined as all women physiologically capable
of becoming pregnant, are not allowed to participate in this study UNLESS they
are using highly effective methods of contraception throughout the study and
for up to 7 months after the last administration of [177Lu]Lu-NeoB or 6 months
after the last dose of capecitabine (or as per locally prescribing information)
whichever is longer. Highly effective contraception methods include:
- Total abstinence (when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle
of the subject). Periodic abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal,
post-ovulation methods) and withdrawal are not acceptable methods of
contraception.
- Female bilateral tubal ligation, female sterilization (have had surgical
bilateral oophorectomy with or without hysterectomy) or total hysterectomy at
least six weeks before taking study treatment. In case of oophorectomy alone,
only when the reproductive status of the woman has been confirmed by follow up
hormone level assessment.
- Male partner sterilization (at least 6 months prior to screening). For female
participants on the study, the vasectomized male partner should be the sole
partner for that participant.
- Placement of an intrauterine device (IUD) and concurrent use of barrier methods
of contraception: condom or occlusive cap (diaphragm or cervical/vault caps)
with spermicidal foam/gel/film/cream/vaginal suppository.
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