ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: MB02 (bevacizumab biosimilar) showed similar structural, functional, and pharmacokinetic properties to reference bevacizumab (Avastin®; EU-bevacizumab). OBJECTIVES: To confirm clinical similarity between MB02 and EU-bevacizumab, a comparability study was undertaken in the first-line treatment of stage IIIB/IV non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This multinational, double-blind, randomized, phase III study (STELLA) compared MB02 or EU-bevacizumab (15 mg/kg) administered with chemotherapy (paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 and carboplatin AUC6) on Day 1 of every 3-week cycle for 6 cycles (Week 18), followed by MB02/EU-bevacizumab in blinded monotherapy until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, death, withdrawal of consent or end of study (Week 52). The primary efficacy endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) evaluated by an independent radiological review committee (IRC) at Week 18 (intent-to-treat population). Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), safety and immunogenicity. RESULTS: A total of 627 subjects were randomized 1:1 to MB02 (n = 315) or EU-bevacizumab (n = 312). ORR, assessed by the IRC at Week 18, was comparable in MB02 (40.3%) and EU-bevacizumab (44.6%) groups. ORR risk ratio of 0.910 (90% CI 0.780 to 1.060; 95% CI 0.758 to 1.092) and ORR risk difference of -4.02 (90% CI -10.51 to 2.47; 95% CI -11.76 to 3.71) were within the similarity predefined margins. There were no significant differences between MB02 and EU-bevacizumab groups in median PFS (36.0 vs 37.3 weeks, respectively; HR 1.187; 95% CI 0.98 to 1.44) and median OS (not achieved; HR 1.108; 95% CI: 0.83 to 1.49) at the end of study. The safety profile of MB02 and EU-bevacizumab regarding nature, frequency and severity of the adverse events (AE) was comparable. The most frequent grade ≥3 investigational-product-related AEs were hypertension and anemia, with a difference between treatment groups of <5%. Anti-drug antibodies (ADA) and neutralizing ADA (NAb) incidence were similar in both treatment groups. CONCLUSION: MB02 demonstrated similar efficacy to EU-bevacizumab, in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel, in subjects with advanced non-squamous NSCLC, with comparable safety and immunogenicity profiles. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT No. 2017-001769-26; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03296163.
Subject(s)
Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung , Lung Neoplasms , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects , Bevacizumab/adverse effects , Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals/adverse effects , Carboplatin , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy , Paclitaxel , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study intended to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the recommended phase II dose (RD) of trabectedin combined with carboplatin in patients with advanced solid tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Carboplatin-pretreated patients received carboplatin AUC 4 (Group 1), whereas carboplatin-naïve patients received carboplatin AUC 5 (Group 2) as a 1-h i.v. infusion followed by trabectedin at dose range from 0.5-1.2 mg/m(2) in the schedule of 3-h/every-3-weeks. Pharmacokinetic (PK) sampling was performed in the first 2 cycles. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were treated and evaluable for safety and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs). In Group 1, at trabectedin 1.0 mg/m(2), cumulative hematological toxicity was found in all patients and 1/10 patients had DLTs. The RD was considered trabectedin 0.8 mg/m(2) combined with carboplatin AUC 4. Although no DLT occurred at this dose level, frequent dose delays (28.6%) and the 4-week cycle re-scheduling (66.7%) were required. In Group 2, DLTs occurred at trabectedin 0.8 mg/m(2) (3/8 patients), 1.0 mg/m(2) (3/10 patients) and 1.2 mg/m(2) (2/2 patients) with cumulative hematological toxicity associated with an important number of transfusions. In this group, neither the MTD nor the RD were established. Promising antitumor activity was found for this carboplatin/trabectedin combination; especially in patients with advanced ovarian cancer and soft tissue sarcoma. No significant PK drug-drug interaction occurred. CONCLUSIONS: This study established a trabectedin dose of 0.8 mg/m(2) combined with carboplatin AUC 4 and given every 4 weeks as the most feasible schedule in carboplatin-pretreated patients. Dose and cycle recommendations for carboplatin-naïve patients warrant further evaluation.
