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Pralsetinib in Patients with Advanced/Metastatic Rearranged During Transfection (RET)-Altered Thyroid Cancer: Updated
Vivek Subbiah1, Mimi I Hu2, Aaron S Mansfield3
1Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
Abstract:
Rearranged during transfection (RET) alterations are targetable oncogenic drivers in thyroid cancer. Primary data from the open-label, phase 1/2 ARROW study demonstrated clinical activity and manageable safety with pralsetinib, a selective RET inhibitor, in patients with advanced/metastatic RET-altered thyroid cancer. We present an updated analysis with more patients and longer follow-up. Adult patients with advanced/metastatic RET-mutant medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who initiated oral pralsetinib at 400 mg once daily were included. Primary endpoints were overall response rate (ORR) by blinded independent central review (per RECIST v1.1) and safety. Secondary endpoints included duration of response (DoR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival. Responses were assessed in three cohorts of patients with baseline measurable disease: patients with RET-mutant MTC who had received prior cabozantinib and/or vandetanib (C/V), treatment-naïve patients with RET-mutant MTC, and patients with previously treated RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were an exploratory endpoint. As of October 18, 2021, the measurable disease population comprised of 61 patients with RET-mutant MTC and prior C/V, 62 treatment-naïve patients with RET-mutant MTC, and 22 patients with RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who had received prior systemic therapy, including radioactive iodine. The ORR was 55.7% [confidence interval; 95% CI: 42.4-68.5] in patients with RET-mutant MTC and prior C/V, 77.4% [95% CI: 65.0-87.1] in treatment-naïve patients with RET-mutant MTC, and 90.9% [95% CI: 70.8-98.9] in patients with previously treated RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer. Median DoR and median PFS were both 25.8 months in patients with RET-mutant MTC and prior C/V, not reached in treatment-naïve patients with RET-mutant MTC, and 23.6 and 25.4 months, respectively, in patients with previously treated RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer. In the RET-altered thyroid cancer safety population (N = 175), 97.1% of patients reported a treatment-related adverse event (TRAE); these led to discontinuation in 5.7% and dose reduction in 52.6% of patients. There was one death (0.6%) due to a TRAE. PROs improved or remained stable after pralsetinib treatment. In this updated analysis of the ARROW study, pralsetinib continued to show deep and durable clinical activity and a manageable safety profile in patients with advanced/metastatic RET-altered thyroid cancer. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03037385.
Insights
Pralsetinib shows significant clinical activity in advanced RET-altered thyroid cancer. This selective RET inhibitor demonstrated durable responses and a manageable safety profile in patients with medullary thyroid cancer and RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Rearranged during transfection (RET) alterations are key drivers in thyroid cancer.
- Pralsetinib is a selective RET inhibitor investigated for advanced/metastatic RET-altered thyroid cancer.
- The ARROW study (phase 1/2) previously showed pralsetinib's clinical activity and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present an updated analysis of the ARROW study with extended patient numbers and follow-up.
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pralsetinib in advanced/metastatic RET-altered thyroid cancer.
Main Methods:
- Adult patients with advanced/metastatic RET-mutant medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer received pralsetinib (400 mg once daily).
- Primary endpoints included overall response rate (ORR) and safety.
- Secondary endpoints included duration of response (DoR) and progression-free survival (PFS).
Main Results:
- ORR was 55.7% in previously treated RET-mutant MTC, 77.4% in treatment-naïve RET-mutant MTC, and 90.9% in previously treated RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer.
- Median DoR and PFS were substantial across cohorts, with PFS not reached in treatment-naïve RET-mutant MTC.
- Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 97.1% of patients, with dose reductions in 52.6%; one death (0.6%) was TRAE-related. Patient-reported outcomes remained stable or improved.
Conclusions:
- Pralsetinib demonstrates sustained deep and durable clinical activity in advanced/metastatic RET-altered thyroid cancer.
- The drug exhibits a manageable safety profile, supporting its use in this patient population.
- Updated ARROW study data reinforce pralsetinib's efficacy for RET-driven thyroid cancers.
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