Xiuning Le, MD, PhD, Discusses Key Efficacy Data With Tepotinib in Advanced NSCLC
Xiuning Le, MD, PhD, spoke about the use of ctDNA biomarkers and why research should continue for those with advanced non–small cell lung cancer with high MET-amplification being treated with tepotinib.
CancerNetwork® spoke with Xiuning Le, MD, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, Division of Internal Medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center, at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meetingabout key efficacy findings from the phase 2 VISION trial cohort B (NCT02864992) for patients who were treated with tepotinib (Tepmetko) for non–small cell lung cancer who have a high level of MET amplification which is detected by a liquid biopsy assay. She also highlighted the need for future analyses examining circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) biomarkers for patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer to push the needle forward in precision oncology.
Transcript:
ctDNA has been a great tool for not just diagnostic [purposes], but also for the understanding of the co-mutation landscape, as well as response and resistance. In cohort B of the VISION study, we not only used ctDNA as the enrollment criteria, but we also followed those patients longitudinally, checking their ctDNA clearance and checking [which co-mutations are occurring] at the time of resistance. [We also need to] understand which genomic markers will help us better define the patients who potentially will respond the best. ctDNA has a huge role going forward in precision oncology.
The efficacy in this arm in this trial was very encouraging. We enrolled 24 patients with high MET-amplification detected in the ctDNA, and the overall response rate was [about] 42%. Many patients benefited from this TKI [tyrosine kinase inhibitor] treatment. The [median] duration of response was also very durable at 14.3 months, although the [median] PFS [progression-free survival] was 4.2 months. The efficacy data from this cohort is very encouraging. Arguably, we should start thinking about bringing targeted therapy to MET-amplified patients.
Reference
Le X, Paz-Ares LG, Meerneeck JV, et al. Clinical response to tepotinib according to circulating tumor DNA biomarkers in patients with advanced NSCLC with high-level MET amplification detected by liquid biopsy. J Clin Oncol. 2022; 40(suppl 16):9121. doi:10.1200/JCO.2022.40.16_suppl.9121
These data support less restrictive clinical trial eligibility criteria for those with metastatic NSCLC. This is especially true regarding both targeted therapy and immunotherapy treatment regimens.
