Abstract 3042: Anti-cancer efficacy of an anti-ErbB3 antibody, ISU104, against the cancers with NRG1-overexpression, NRG1-fusion, or oncogenic ErbB3 mutations

Abstract

ErbB3, a heterodimeric partner of EGFR or ErbB2, plays important roles in the survival and growth of cancer cells through activation of PI3K/AKT pathway. ErbB3 can be activated by NRG1 expressed either by cancer cells or adjacent mesenchymal cells, or NRG1-fusion proteins produced by genetic alterations in cancer cells. Oncogenic driver mutations in ErbB3 also induce its activation. Previously, we have demonstrated preclinical anti-cancer efficacy of a monoclonal anti-ErbB3 antibody, ISU104 as a monotherapy or in combination with anti-EGFR antibody in various preclinical models. Biomarker analysis of the models demonstrated that there is a significant positive correlation between tumor growth inhibition by ISU104 and NRG1 mRNA/pERBB3 protein expression levels. Based on this analysis, anti-cancer efficacy of ISU104 was further explored in cancer cells and cell line- or patient-derived xenograft cancer models with high NRG1 expression, NRG1-fusion or oncogenic ErbB3 mutations. ISU104 potently inhibited phosphorylation of ERBB3 and AKT, cell proliferation and tumor growth of such models. Potential impacts of other genetic alterations on the anti-cancer efficacy of ISU104 were also investigated. Overall, the presented data suggest that ISU104, an anti-ErbB3 agent in the early stage of clinical development, can be applied for the treatment of the solid tumors expressing high level of NRG1 or harboring genetic alterations such as NRG1-fusion or oncogenic ErbB3 mutations. Citation Format: Seung-Beom Hong, Mirim Hong, Tae-Eun Kim, Ju Yeon Kim, Jung Won Kim, Jeongin Cho, Bongseok Shin, Donggoo Bae. Anti-cancer efficacy of an anti-ErbB3 antibody, ISU104, against the cancers with NRG1-overexpression, NRG1-fusion, or oncogenic ErbB3 mutations [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 3042.

HER3 in cancer: from the bench to the bedside

“…ISU104 has also showed anti-tumor effects in acquired cetuximab-resistant xenografts either alone or in combination with cetuximab [119]. Recently, Hong et al have reported anti-tumor efficacy of ISU104 in models with high NRG1 expression or harboring genetic alterations such as NRG1-fusion or oncogenic ERBB3 mutations [120].…”