Phase II Clinical Trial of Alisertib, an Aurora a Kinase Inhibitor, in Combination with Induction Chemotherapy in High-Risk, Untreated Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Abstract

Background: Aurora kinases play essential roles in regulating cell division, and increased expression has been noted in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We previously conducted a phase I study of alisertib combined with "7+3" induction chemotherapy in untreated patients with AML, and found the combination to have an adverse event profile similar to 7+3 alone, with promising efficacy, particularly for patients with high-risk disease, such as those who were older, with high-risk molecular features, or with secondary AML. These patients collectively have a historically grim prognosis, with an approximate rate of remission, in trials, of 45%. CPX-351, a liposomal daunorubicin-cytarabine product, was recently approved for use in secondary AML after it was demonstrated to be superior to 7+3 induction, with a median survival of 9.6 months versus 5.9 months among older patients, in a phase 3 trial. We recently completed accrual to a phase II study of alisertib plus induction chemotherapy in patients with untreated, high-risk AML. Methods: Patients were eligible if they had AML defined by WHO 2016 and either an adverse-risk karyotype (European Leukemia Net Guidelines), secondary (post-MDS/MPN) AML, therapy-related AML, or age ≥ 65 vears. We used a Simon two-stage design, assuming a null composite remission rate (complete remission [CR] and CR with incomplete count recovery [CRi]) of 45%. Patients could be enrolled prior to cytogenetic classification, but those without adverse-risk karyotype who lacked other eligibility criteria were removed before day 8 and replaced. All patients received continuous infusion cytarabine 100mg/m2 on days 1-7 [D1-7] and idarubicin 12mg/m2 [or daunorubicin 60mg/m2] D1-3 (7+3). On D8 through D15, alisertib at 30mg BID orally (PO) was administered. All underwent a mid-induction marrow biopsy to assess for residual disease, which if present, was treated with 5+2 re-induction without alisertib. Following remission, patients could receive up to 4 consolidation cycles with cytarabine (3g/m2 BID D1,3,5 for age <60 and 2g/m2 daily D1-5 for age ≥60) with alisertib PO at 30mg BID, D6-12, and alisertib maintenance at 30mg BID PO (D1-7 of 3 week cycles) thereafter for 12 months. Patients who pursued stem cell transplant (SCT) were followed for EFS and OS. Results: 39 eligible patients were enrolled. The median age was 67 (range 33-83); 25 (64%) were male, and 33 (85%) were Caucasian. 22 patients (56%) had secondary AML (16 with antecedent MDS, 2 with antecedent CMML, 1 with antecedent MPN, and 3 with therapy-related AML). 13 (33%) exhibited adverse risk karyotype. FLT3 mutations were seen in 7 (18%), NPM1 in 7 (18%), IDH1 in 5 (13%), IDH2 in 5 (13%), CEBPA in 3 (8%), and TP53 mutations in 4 (10%) patients. 33 patients (85%) demonstrated an ablated marrow at mid-treatment, and six (15%) received re-induction at mid-treatment. 8 patients (21%) were refractory to induction, and five (13%) died prior to response assessment due to infection or bleeding. The 30-day and 60-day mortality rates were 8% and 13%, respectively. Patients experienced expected grade 4 toxicities of leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and febrile neutropenia; no new attributable safety signals were detected. The CR+CRi rate was 64% (2-stage 95% CI 48-79%) with 20 patients (51%) achieving CR and 5 (13%) achieving Cri. The CR+CRi rate was 59% (13 of 22) in those with secondary AML, 67% (18 of 27) in those aged ≥ 65, 77% (10 of 13) in those with adverse risk karyotype, and 75% (3 of 4 patients) in patients with TP53 mutations. One (3%) patient achieved a partial remission. Based on the composite remission rate of 64%, the combination was deemed effective per study design. 5 patients have relapsed to date. 10 have received at least 1 cycle of consolidation, 16 patients (41%) have gone on to SCT. With a median follow-up of 14 months (Figure), the 12-month overall survival (OS) is 51% (37-65%). Although the data continues to mature, median OS is 12.2 months (90% CI 8.8-NA). In the subset of patients achieving a CR+CRi, the 12-month relapse-free survival was 52% (90% CI 34-67%). Conclusions: Alisertib, a novel aurora A kinase inhibitor, combined with conventional induction, is efficacious and demonstrates a promising rate of remission and survival among patients with previously untreated high-risk AML. Larger randomized studies are under consideration to better assess the promise of this novel combination. Figure. Figure. Disclosures Brunner: Takeda: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding. DeAngelo:Glycomimetics: Research Funding; ARIAD: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Consultancy, Honoraria; Shire: Honoraria; BMS: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Pfizer Inc: Consultancy, Honoraria; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria; Glycomimetics: Research Funding; ARIAD: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy; Takeda: Honoraria; Blueprint Medicines: Honoraria, Research Funding. Amrein:Takeda: Research Funding. Steensma:Acceleron: Consultancy; Amphivena: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Research Funding; H3 Biosciences: Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kura: Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Onconova: Consultancy; Otsuka: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Syros: Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy. Garcia:Celgene: Consultancy. Rosenblatt:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Merck: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Chen:Magenta Therapeutics: Consultancy; REGiMMUNE: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Fathi:Astellas: Honoraria; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Boston Biomedical: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Agios: Honoraria, Research Funding; Jazz: Honoraria.

Rebelled epigenome: histone H3S10 phosphorylation and H3S10 kinases in cancer biology and therapy

“…Preliminary results of clinical studies indicate that at least some of these inhibitors bring clinical benefits, such as synergy with conventional chemotherapy, improved time to disease progression, prolonged progressionfree survival and the duration of disease stabilization [79,88,89]. In particular, these beneficial effects were observed in highly aggressive tumors with high mitotic index, such as high-risk acute myeloid leukemia [90]. Importantly, although Aurora kinases exhibit pleiotropic activity and utilize a broad range of substrates, at least a part of clinical activity of their inhibitors can be ascribed to alterations in H3S10ph abundance.…”

Novel therapy in Acute myeloid leukemia (AML): moving toward targeted approaches

“…66 In the phase II trial evaluating that alisertib dose plus ‘3 + 7’ in high-risk AML results included aCR+CRi rate of 64% with a 30-day and 60-day mortality rates of 8% and 13%, respectively, and a median OS of 12.2 months. 67 A phase III trial is under discussion.…”

Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in the Era of Genomics—Achievements and Persisting Challenges

“…Ultimately, 45% (n = 10) received at least one cycle of consolidation, and 18% (n = 4) received maintenance with alisertib. A Phase II trial utilizing the same treatment regimen was conducted in newly diagnosed high-risk AML patients (defined as poorrisk cytogenetics, secondary/treatment-related, or age 65+) and achieved a CRc rate of 64% (25/39), meeting its primary endpoint (Brunner et al, 2018). With a median follow-up of 14 months, the median OS was 12.2 months (90% CI: 8.8-NA), although data continue to mature.…”