Phase II Trial of Zanzalintinib (XL-092) in Combination With Durvalumab Plus Tremelimumab in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma (ZENOBIA)

This study will investigate if modulating the tumor microenvironment with biologic agents like XL-092 will have synergistic effect when combined with checkpoint based immunotherapeutic treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

More details:

Zanzalintinib (XL-092) is a next generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with the target inhibition profile identical to cabozantinib but with a superior pharmacokinetic profile. As cabozantinib targets multiple tyrosine kinases, including vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), MET proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase (MET), and AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL), and has been reported to show immunomodulatory properties that may counteract tumor-induced immunosuppression, XL-092 is expected to have similar immune modulatory activity, providing a rationale for combining it with PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors. This study asserts the belief that modulating the tumor microenvironment with biologic agents like XL-092 will have synergistic effect when combined with checkpoint based immunotherapeutics like durvalumab and tremelimumab in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There will be a Safety lead-in to define the Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D) that will enroll 9-12 patients.

Zanzalintinib (also known as XL092) is an investigational oral multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor that was discovered and developed by Exelixis. The drug targets multiple receptor tyrosine kinases including VEGFR2, MET, and the TAM family of kinases (TYRO3, AXL, and MER), with IC50 values in the low nanomolar range [1]. These targets are involved in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and immunosuppression within the tumor microenvironment. The drug has a relatively short half-life of approximately 16-22 hours, which supports once-daily dosing [2].

Clinical Development and Results

Early clinical results have been reported from the phase 1 STELLAR-001 trial in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). In a cohort of 32 heavily pretreated patients, zanzalintinib showed an objective response rate of 38% and disease control rate of 88%. Among patients previously treated with cabozantinib, the response rate was 24%. The median progression-free survival was 9 months. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 97% of patients, with grade 3 events in 44% and no grade 4 or 5 events. The most common side effects included diarrhea (69%), hypertension (41%), asthenia (31%), decreased appetite (31%), and proteinuria (31%) [3].

The drug is currently being evaluated in multiple phase 2 and 3 clinical trials, including STELLAR-303 (in colorectal cancer), STELLAR-304 (in non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma), and STELLAR-305 (in head and neck cancer). These trials are investigating zanzalintinib both as monotherapy and in combination with various immune checkpoint inhibitors such as atezolizumab, nivolumab, and pembrolizumab [4].

Sources:

[1] Preclinical Characterization Study - PMC Article [2] Annals of Oncology Trial Design Article [3] Cancer Therapy Advisor Clinical Trial Results [4] Exelixis Pipeline Information

Last updated: Dec 2024

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients must have unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

2. Patients must be treatment naïve for systemic therapy in the unresectable setting.

3. ≥ 18 years and ECOG performance status 0-1

4. Recovery to baseline or ≤ Grade 1 severity (CTCAE v5) from adverse events (AEs), unless AE(s) are clinically nonsignificant and/or stable on supportive therapy (e.g., physiological replacement of mineralocorticosteroid).

5. Adequate organ and marrow function, based upon meeting all of the following laboratory criteria within 14 days before first dose of study treatment.

6. Urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) ≤ 1 mg/mg (≤ 113.2 mg/mmol) creatinine. Tumor tissue fresh biopsies are REQUIRED for ALL study participants at screening/baseline unless an archival tumor tissue block is available and fulfills the criteria

• Note that PI approval can be obtained if institution is unable to release blocks.

7. Capable of understanding and complying with the protocol requirements and must have signed the informed consent document.

8. Sexually active fertile subjects and their partners must agree to use highly effective method of contraception prior to study entry, during the course of the study, and for the following durations after the last dose of treatment (whichever is later). An additional contraceptive method, such as a barrier method (e.g., condom), is required. In addition, men must agree not to donate sperm and women must agree not to donate eggs (ova, oocyte) for the purpose of reproduction during these same periods.

9. Female subjects of childbearing potential must not be pregnant at screening. Female subjects are considered to be of childbearing potential unless permanent sterilization or documented postmenopausal status criteria are met.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Prior treatment with XL092, or PD-1/PD-L1 or CTLA-4 inhibitors.

2. Receipt of any type of small molecule kinase inhibitor such as cabozantinib or other MET or Dual MET/HGF monoclonal antibodies or MET/HGF tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), or any other VEGFR TKIs (including investigational kinase inhibitor) within 2 weeks before first dose of study treatment.

3. Receipt of any type of cytotoxic, biologic or other systemic anticancer therapy (including investigational) within 4 weeks before first dose of study treatment.

4. Radiation therapy for bone metastasis within 2 weeks, any other radiation therapy within 4 weeks before first dose of study treatment. Systemic treatment with radionuclides within 6 weeks before first dose of study treatment. Subjects with clinically relevant ongoing complications from prior radiation therapy are not eligible.

5. Known brain metastases or cranial epidural disease unless adequately treated with radiotherapy and/or surgery (including radiosurgery) and stable for at least 4 weeks before first dose of study treatment.

Note: Subjects with an incidental finding of an isolated brain lesion \< 1 cm in diameter may be eligible after Principal Investigator approval if the lesion is radiographically stable for 4 weeks before first dose and does not require treatment per Investigator judgement.

Note: Eligible subjects must be neurologically asymptomatic and without corticosteroid treatment at the time of first dose of study treatment.

6. Concomitant anticoagulation with oral anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin and direct thrombin inhibitors) and platelet inhibitors (e.g., clopidogrel).

Note: Allowed anticoagulants are low-dose aspirin for cardioprotection (per local applicable guidelines) and low molecular weight heparins (LMWH). Therapeutic doses of LMWH are not permitted in subjects with known brain metastases. Subjects treated with therapeutic LMWH must have a screening platelet count \> 100,000/μL. Note: Subjects must have discontinued oral anticoagulants within 3 days or 5 half-lives prior to first dose of study treatment, whichever is longer.

7. Any complementary medications (e.g., herbal supplements or traditional Chinese medicines) to treat the disease under study within 2 weeks before first dose of study treatment.

8. The subject has uncontrolled, significant intercurrent or recent illness including, but not limited to, the following conditions:

a. Cardiovascular disorders: i. Congestive heart failure New York Heart Association Class 3 or 4, unstable angina pectoris, serious cardiac arrhythmias (e.g., ventricular flutter, ventricular fibrillation, Torsades de pointes). ii. Uncontrolled hypertension defined as sustained blood pressure (BP) \> 140 mm Hg systolic or \> 90 mm Hg diastolic despite optimal antihypertensive treatment. iii. Stroke (including transient ischemic attack \[TIA\]), myocardial infarction, or other clinically significant ischemic event within 12 months before first dose of study treatment. iv. Pulmonary embolism (PE) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or prior clinically significant venous or non-CVA/TIA arterial thromboembolic events within 6 months before to first dose of study treatment. Note: Subjects with a diagnosis of DVT within 6 months are allowed if asymptomatic and stable at screening and treated with anticoagulation per standard of care before first dose of study treatment. Note: Subjects who don't require prior anticoagulation therapy may be eligible but must be discussed and approved by the Principal Investigator. v. Prior history of myocarditis. b. Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders including those associated with a high risk of perforation or fistula formation: i. Tumors invading the GI-tract from external viscera

ii. Active peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, cholecystitis, symptomatic cholangitis or appendicitis, or acute pancreatitis iii. Acute obstruction of the bowel, gastric outlet, or pancreatic or biliary duct within 6 months unless cause of obstruction is definitively managed and subject is asymptomatic iv. Abdominal fistula, gastrointestinal perforation, bowel obstruction, or intra- abdominal abscess within 6 months before first dose. Note: Complete healing of an intra-abdominal abscess must be confirmed before first dose of study treatment. v. Known gastric or esophageal varices

9. Clinically significant hematuria, hematemesis, or hemoptysis of \> 0.5 teaspoon (2.5 ml) of red blood, or other history of significant bleeding (e.g., pulmonary hemorrhage) within 12 weeks before first dose of study treatment.

10. Cavitating pulmonary lesion(s) or known endotracheal or endobronchial disease manifestation.

11. Lesions invading major blood vessel including, but not limited to, inferior vena cava, pulmonary artery, or aorta. Subjects with lesions invading the hepatic portal vasculature are eligible. Note: Subjects with intravascular tumor extension (e.g., tumor thrombus in renal vein or inferior V.

cava) may be eligible following Principal Investigator approval.

12. Other clinically significant disorders that would preclude safe study participation.

1. Active infection requiring systemic treatment. Note: Prophylactic antibiotic treatment is allowed.

2. Known infection with acute or chronic hepatitis B or C, known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related illness.

3. Known positive test for or suspected infection with SARS-CoV-2 within one month before enrollment. Note: demonstration that the subject has fully recovered from the infection is required to be eligible for enrollment

4. Serious non-healing wound/ulcer/bone fracture. Note: non-healing wounds or ulcers are permitted if due to tumor-associated skin lesions.

5. Malabsorption syndrome.

6. Pharmacologically uncompensated, symptomatic hypothyroidism.

7. Moderate to severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B or C).

8. Requirement for hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.

9. History of solid organ or allogeneic stem cell transplant.

13. Major surgery within 8 weeks prior to first dose of study treatment. Prior laparoscopic nephrectomy within 4 weeks prior to first dose of study treatment. Minor surgery within 10 days before the first dose of study treatment. Complete wound healing from major or minor surgery must have occurred at least prior to first dose of study treatment.

Note: Fresh tumor biopsies should be performed at least 7 days before the first dose of study treatment. Subjects with clinically relevant ongoing complications from prior surgical procedures, including biopsies, are not eligible.

14. Corrected QT interval calculated by the Fridericia formula (QTcF) \> 450 ms for males or \> 470 for females within 14 days per electrocardiogram (ECG) before first dose of study treatment.

Note: Triplicate ECG evaluations will be performed and the average of these 3 consecutive results for QTcF will be used to determine eligibility.

15. History of psychiatric illness likely to interfere with ability to comply with protocol requirements or give informed consent.

16. Pregnant or lactating females.

17. Inability to swallow tablets.

18. Previously identified allergy or hypersensitivity to components of the study treatment formulations.

19. Any other active malignancy or diagnosis of another malignancy within 2 years before first dose of study treatment, except for superficial skin cancers, or localized, low grade tumors deemed cured and not treated with systemic therapy. Incidentally diagnosed prostate cancer is allowed if assessed as stage ≤ T2N0M0 and Gleason score ≤ 6.

20. Other conditions, which in the opinion of the Investigator, would compromise the safety of the patient or the patient's ability to complete the study.

21. Any active, known or suspected autoimmune disease requiring long term treatment with immunosuppressive medications. Note: Subjects with type I diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism only requiring hormone replacement, skin disorders (such as vitiligo, psoriasis, or alopecia) not requiring systemic treatment, or conditions not expected to recur in the absence of an external trigger are permitted to enroll.

22. Known positive test for tuberculosis infection if supported by clinical or radiographic evidence of disease.

23. History of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, organizing pneumonia (e.g., bronchiolitis obliterans), drug-induced pneumonitis, idiopathic pneumonitis, or evidence of active pneumonitis on screening chest computerized tomography (CT) scan. History of radiation pneumonitis in the radiation field (fibrosis) is permitted.

24. Free thyroxine (FT4) outside the laboratory normal reference range. Asymptomatic subjects with FT4 abnormalities can be eligible after Principal Investigator approval.

25. Diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving systemic steroid therapy (\> 10 mg daily prednisone equivalent) or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 2 weeks prior to first dose of study treatment. Inhaled, intranasal, intraarticular, and topical corticosteroids and mineralocorticoids are allowed. Note: Adrenal replacement steroid doses \> 10 mg daily prednisone equivalent are permitted in the absence of active autoimmune disease. Transient short-term use of higher doses of systemic corticosteroids for allergic conditions (e.g., contrast allergy) is also allowed.

26. Administration of a live, attenuated vaccine within 30 days before first dose of study treatment.

27. Documented hepatic encephalopathy (HE) within 6 months before first dose of study treatment.

28. Clinically meaningful ascites (i.e., ascites requiring paracentesis or escalation in diuretics) within 6 months before first dose of study treatment.

29. Subjects who have received any local anticancer therapy including surgery, regional ablative therapies including thermal ablation, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), Microwave Ablation (MWA) transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), or transarterial radioembolization (TARE) within 28 days prior to first dose of study treatment.

30. Child Pugh score \> 7.