Natera and Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology Announce Activation of Alliance A032103 (MODERN): A Randomized, Phase II/III Adjuvant Trial in Urothelial Cancer

Rhea-AI Summary

Natera, Inc. and the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology launch Alliance A032103 (MODERN), a groundbreaking trial using Signatera™ for personalized treatment in muscle-invasive urothelial cancer. Approximately 1,000 patients will be enrolled at over 300 sites in North America, aiming to guide treatment based on molecular status post-radical cystectomy.

Insights

Oncology Doctor

The initiation of the Alliance A032103 (MODERN) trial is a significant development in the field of oncology, particularly for muscle-invasive urothelial cancer (MIUC) treatment. The use of Natera's Signatera MRD test is a step towards personalized medicine, aiming to tailor post-surgery immunotherapy based on the molecular status of the patient. This approach could potentially improve outcomes by identifying those who are more likely to benefit from additional treatment and sparing others from unnecessary therapy.

From a clinical perspective, the trial's design, which includes both escalation and de-escalation arms, is innovative. The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as nivolumab and relatlimab, reflects the latest advancements in immunotherapy. The ability to adapt the treatment strategy based on MRD status may lead to a more efficient allocation of healthcare resources and could reduce the physical and financial burden on patients who might not benefit from aggressive therapy.

Medical Research Analyst

The Alliance A032103 (MODERN) trial's scale, with an estimated 1,000 patients across 300 sites, is indicative of the high prevalence of MIUC and the urgent need for improved management strategies. The trial's reliance on molecular residual disease (MRD) testing aligns with the broader trend in oncology towards biomarker-driven clinical trials.

Considering the historical data from the IMvigor010 trial, where a significant portion of MIUC patients did not benefit from adjuvant immunotherapy, this study could lead to a paradigm shift if it demonstrates that MRD status can be an effective biomarker for treatment stratification. The potential impact on Natera's business could be substantial if Signatera is validated as a tool for guiding treatment decisions in MIUC, as it would likely drive adoption of the test in clinical practice.

Market Research Analyst

The launch of this trial may have implications for the business landscape of oncology diagnostics and treatment. If successful, Natera's Signatera test could see increased demand, potentially influencing the company's market share and revenue. Moreover, the outcome of the trial could affect the competitive dynamics between pharmaceutical companies providing PD-1 and LAG-3 inhibitors.

Long-term, this trial could set a precedent for how biomarkers are used to guide treatment in oncology, potentially influencing regulatory policies and insurance coverage. As precision medicine gains traction, companies that are early adopters of biomarker-integrated approaches may gain a strategic advantage.

First of its kind study in muscle-invasive urothelial cancer, with both escalation and de-escalation arms

Approximately 1,000 patients will be enrolled at more than 300 sites

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRA), a global leader in cell-free DNA testing, and the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, which is part of the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of National Institutes of Health, today announced the launch of Alliance A032103 (MODERN), a randomized, phase II/III, biomarker-integrated trial. Alliance A032103 (MODERN) will utilize Signatera™, Natera’s personalized and tumor-informed molecular residual disease (MRD) test, to help guide personalized treatment based on molecular status in patients diagnosed with muscle-invasive urothelial cancer (MIUC) after radical cystectomy.

Urothelial cancer is the most common urinary cancer diagnosed in the United States, and approximately 35,000 patients per year are diagnosed with localized and locally advanced urothelial cancer.¹ Approximately 50% of patients treated with cystectomy will develop metastatic recurrence within 2-3 years.^2,3

In the Alliance A032103 (MODERN) trial, approximately 1,000 patients will be enrolled at more than 300 sites in North America. Patients will be divided into two cohorts based on an initial assessment of MRD status. Patients who are Signatera MRD-positive will have treatment randomized to either nivolumab, a PD-1 antibody, or escalation with nivolumab, a PD-1 antibody plus relatlimab, a LAG-3 antibody; LAG-3 and PD-1 are distinct inhibitory immune checkpoints. Patients who are Signatera MRD-negative will be randomized to either nivolumab, a standard of care therapy, or de-escalation to surveillance, with the surveilled patients receiving treatment only upon future conversion to MRD-positive status based on serial testing.

This trial was made possible by results of the pivotal CheckMate 274 trial,⁴ which established the safety and efficacy of adjuvant nivolumab in MIUC, and is now the only FDA-approved therapy in this disease setting.⁵ Additionally, data published in the journal Nature in 2021 from the IMvigor010 trial showed that 63% of patients with MIUC tested Signatera MRD-negative after surgery, and those patients received no significant benefit from adjuvant immunotherapy (atezolizumab) versus observation.⁶

“The MODERN trial represents a step towards precision medicine in bladder cancer treatment,” said Matthew Galsky, MD, professor of medicine (hematology and medical oncology), director of genitourinary medical oncology, co-director of the Center of Excellence for Bladder Cancer and associate director for translational research at the Tisch Cancer Institute. “By using Signatera to measure residual cancer after surgery, the Alliance A032103 (MODERN) trial may ultimately help to tailor the use of immunotherapy after surgery and optimize the care of individual patients.”

“MODERN, like the CIRCULATE clinical trials in colorectal cancer, is a pivotal study that examines how Signatera-guided escalation and de-escalation pathways can potentially improve patient outcomes,” said Minetta Liu, MD, chief medical officer of oncology at Natera. “We are grateful to collaborate with the Alliance on this important study.”

About Signatera

Signatera is a personalized, tumor-informed, molecular residual disease test for patients previously diagnosed with cancer. Custom-built for each individual, Signatera uses circulating tumor DNA to detect and quantify cancer left in the body, identify recurrence earlier than standard of care tools, and help optimize treatment decisions. The test is available for clinical and research use and is covered by Medicare for patients with colorectal cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and muscle invasive bladder cancer, as well as for immunotherapy monitoring of any solid tumor. Signatera has been clinically validated across multiple cancer types and indications, with published evidence in more than 50 peer-reviewed papers.

About Natera

Natera™ is a global leader in cell-free DNA testing, dedicated to oncology, women’s health, and organ health. We aim to make personalized genetic testing and diagnostics part of the standard of care to protect health, and inform earlier, more targeted interventions that help lead to longer, healthier lives. Natera’s tests are validated by more than 180 peer-reviewed publications that demonstrate high accuracy. Natera operates ISO 13485-certified and CAP-accredited laboratories certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) in Austin, Texas and San Carlos, California. For more information, visit www.natera.com.

About Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology

The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology develops and conducts clinical trials with promising new cancer therapies, and utilizes the best science to develop optimal treatment and prevention strategies for cancer, as well as research methods to alleviate side effects of cancer and cancer treatments. The Alliance is part of the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and serves as a research base for the NCI Community Research Oncology Program (NCORP). The Alliance comprises nearly 10,000 cancer specialists at hospitals, medical centers, and community clinics across the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.AllianceforClinicalTrialsinOncology.org.

Forward-Looking Statements (Natera)

All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking statements and are not a representation that Natera’s plans, estimates, or expectations will be achieved. These forward-looking statements represent Natera’s expectations as of the date of this press release, and Natera disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including with respect to whether the results of clinical or other studies will support the use of our product offerings, the impact of results of such studies, our expectations of the reliability, accuracy and performance of our tests, or of the benefits of our tests and product offerings to patients, providers and payers. Additional risks and uncertainties are discussed in greater detail in "Risk Factors" in Natera’s recent filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q and in other filings Natera makes with the SEC from time to time. These documents are available at www.natera.com/investors and www.sec.gov.

References

1. Source: Kantar Health (Cerner Enviza) estimate.
2. Stein JP, Lieskovsky G, Cote R, et al. Radical cystectomy in the treatment of invasive bladder cancer: long-term results in 1,054 patients. J Clin Oncol. 2001;19(3):666-75.
3. Tian J, Sun J, Fu G, et al. Population-based outcome of muscle-invasive bladder cancer following radical cystectomy: who can benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy? Transl Androl Urol. 2021;10(1):356-373.
4. Bajorin D, Witjes JA, Gschwend JE, et al. Adjuvant atezolizumab versus observation in muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (IMvigor010): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(22):2102-2114.
5. Nivolumab Package Insert. https://packageinserts.bms.com/pi/pi_opdivo.pdf
6. Powles T, Assaf ZJ, Davarpanah N, et al. ctDNA guiding adjuvant immunotherapy in urothelial carcinoma. Nature. 2021;595(7867):432-437.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240401420903/en/

Investor Relations: Mike Brophy, CFO, Natera, Inc., 510-826-2350, investor@natera.com

Media: Lesley Bogdanow, VP of Corporate Communications, Natera, Inc., pr@natera.com

Source: Natera, Inc.

FAQ

What is the name of the trial launched by Natera, Inc. and the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology for muscle-invasive urothelial cancer?

The trial launched is called Alliance A032103 (MODERN).

How many patients are expected to be enrolled in the Alliance A032103 (MODERN) trial?

Approximately 1,000 patients will be enrolled at more than 300 sites in North America.

What is the purpose of utilizing Signatera™ in the Alliance A032103 (MODERN) trial?

Signatera™ will be used to guide personalized treatment based on molecular status in patients diagnosed with muscle-invasive urothelial cancer post-radical cystectomy.

What are the treatment options for patients who are Signatera MRD-positive in the Alliance A032103 (MODERN) trial?

Patients who are Signatera MRD-positive will have treatment randomized to either nivolumab or escalation with nivolumab plus relatlimab.

What are the treatment options for patients who are Signatera MRD-negative in the Alliance A032103 (MODERN) trial?

Patients who are Signatera MRD-negative will be randomized to either nivolumab or de-escalation to surveillance.