Turning Point Therapeutics Presents Early Clinical Data for Repotrectinib From Care Study in Pediatric and Young Adult Patients at SIOP 2021 Virtual Congress

Rhea-AI Summary

Turning Point Therapeutics (TPTX) has announced promising early clinical data for repotrectinib, a treatment targeting pediatric tumors with ALK, ROS1, or NTRK alterations. Presented at the virtual SIOP Congress, the Phase 1/2 CARE study demonstrated confirmed responses in 3 out of 4 TKI-naïve patients. The drug was well tolerated, with an ongoing Phase 1 dose-finding in patients under 12 and a Phase 2 study for those aged 12-25. The company also shared preclinical insights suggesting repotrectinib's potential in neuroblastoma, enhancing its therapeutic pipeline.

Positive

• Confirmed responses in 3 of 4 TKI-naïve patients treated with repotrectinib.
• Repotrectinib demonstrated a complete response in one patient with previously treated glioblastoma.
• Drug was well tolerated, with no treatment discontinuations due to adverse events.
• Ongoing Phase 1/2 studies continue to evaluate the drug's efficacy in pediatric patients.

Negative

• Out of 10 patients, only 3 TKI-naïve patients showed confirmed responses, indicating limited efficacy in a broader patient population.
• One patient with NTRK fusion sarcoma had only stable disease, suggesting the drug may not work for all subtypes.

• Early Clinical Activity and Safety Profile Support Continued Investigation of Repotrectinib in Pediatric Tumors Harboring ALK, ROS1 or NTRK Alterations

• Repotrectinib Demonstrated Confirmed Responses in 3 of 4 TKI-Naïve Patients
  

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 23, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: TPTX), a precision oncology company developing next-generation therapies that target genetic drivers of cancer, today announced the presentation of early clinical data from the ongoing Phase 1/2 CARE study in pediatric and young adult patients with advanced solid tumors harboring ALK, ROS1 or NTRK alterations. These data are being presented today at the virtual 53rd Congress of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) being held October 21-24.

“These early data for repotrectinib demonstrate encouraging clinical activity in this pediatric patient population,” said Mohammad Hirmand, M.D., chief medical officer. “Patient enrollment is continuing in the Phase 1/2 CARE study, and we look forward to further advancing the development of repotrectinib in this patient population.”

Early Data from Phase 1/2 CARE Study
The primary objective of the Phase 1 dose escalation portion of the study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability and determine the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of repotrectinib in pediatric patients less than 12 years old. The primary objective of the Phase 2 portion of the study is to determine the anti-tumor activity of repotrectinib in pediatric and young adult patients less than 25 years old. Repotrectinib is administrated in capsule or suspension formulation using weight-based dosing for patients less than 12 years old. Patients 12 to 25 years old can enroll directly into the Phase 2 portion of the study with a repotrectinib dose of 160 mg QD for the first 14 days and may increase to 160 mg BID thereafter.

The early Phase 1/2 CARE dataset utilizes an August 2, 2021 data cutoff date. Ten patients were treated across two dose levels. The safety analysis includes the ten treated patients, and the preliminary efficacy analysis includes eight evaluable patients. Patients included in the efficacy analysis had baseline measurable disease and at least one post-baseline evaluable scan. Response evaluation was by physician assessment and per RECIST v1.1 or RANO for CNS tumors. Responses were confirmed with a subsequent scan at least 28 days later.

The findings were reported in a pre-recorded presentation by Steven G. Dubois, M.D., associate professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School available on October 23 at 9:12 a.m. ET on the meeting website.

Preliminary Safety Analysis (n=10) and Pharmacokinetic Analysis

• Repotrectinib was generally well tolerated.
  
  
• The most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were anemia (n=5) and fatigue (n=5). Among patients with anemia, three had baseline history of anemia.
  
  
• Dizziness events (n=4) were grade 1 or 2 and none led to treatment discontinuation.
  
  
• No patients discontinued treatment due to reasons other than disease progression and no patients had TEAEs that led to dose reduction.
  
  
• No dose-limiting toxicities were reported.
  
  
• Preliminary pharmacokinetics data indicated that the exposure of repotrectinib in different age groups was comparable to the adult exposure at steady-state.

Preliminary Efficacy Analysis (n=8)

• Eight patients were evaluable for efficacy, including four TKI-naïve and four TKI-pretreated patients. TKI-naive patients included those with NTRK amplified anaplastic ependymoma (n=1), NTRK fusion glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)/high grade glioma (n=1), NTRK fusion sarcoma (n=1), and ROS1 fusion inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) (n=1). TKI-pretreated patients included those with NTRK fusion GBM/high grade glioma (n=2), NTRK fusion mesoblastic nephroma (n=1), and NTRK fusion sarcoma (n=1).
  
  
• Three TKI-naïve patients (2 NTRK fusion solid tumors; 1 ROS1 fusion IMT) achieved confirmed responses. One of the three responding patients had a NTRK fusion GBM/high grade glioma, was previously treated with tumor resection, whole brain radiotherapy, and multi-agent chemotherapy, and achieved a complete response (CR) and remained in a response for 3.8+ months as of the data cutoff date. The other two confirmed responders remained in response with duration of response of 7.3+ and 12.1+ months, respectively.
  
  
• Of the four TKI-pretreated patients, one patient with NTRK fusion sarcoma had a best response of stable disease.

The Phase 1 dose finding portion of the study is ongoing in pediatric patients less than 12 years old to confirm the pediatric RP2D. The Phase 2 portion of the study is ongoing for patients 12 to 25 years old.

Turning Point also announced the publication of preclinical data of repotrectinib in neuroblastoma, the most common pediatric extracranial solid tumor, in the American Association of Cancer Research’s peer reviewed journal, Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. Preclinical studies described in the publication titled “Translational Strategies for Repotrectinib in Neuroblastoma” show that repotrectinib inhibits tumor growth and prolongs survival in patient-derived neuroblastoma xenograft models. In addition, the studies indicated that combining repotrectinib with chemotherapy may be a promising treatment paradigm for neuroblastoma patients.

About Turning Point Therapeutics Inc.
Turning Point Therapeutics is a clinical-stage precision oncology company with a pipeline of internally discovered investigational drugs designed to address key limitations of existing cancer therapies. The company’s lead drug candidate, repotrectinib, is a next-generation kinase inhibitor targeting the ROS1 and TRK oncogenic drivers of non-small cell lung cancer and advanced solid tumors. Repotrectinib, which is being studied in a registrational Phase 2 study in adults and a Phase 1/2 study in pediatric patients, has shown antitumor activity and durable responses among kinase inhibitor treatment-naïve and pre-treated patients. The company’s pipeline of drug candidates also includes elzovantinib, targeting MET, CSF1R and SRC, which is being studied in a Phase 1 trial of patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors harboring genetic alterations in MET; TPX-0046, targeting RET, which is being studied in a Phase 1/2 trial of patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors harboring genetic alterations in RET; and TPX-0131, a next-generation ALK inhibitor, which is being studied in a Phase 1/2 trial of previously treated patients with ALK-positive advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. The company is driven to develop therapies that mark a turning point for patients in their cancer treatment. For more information, visit www.tptherapeutics.com.

Forward Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as “plans”, “will”, “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “goal,” “potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding, among other things, the efficacy, safety and therapeutic potential of repotrectinib, and the results, conduct, progress and timing of Turning Point Therapeutics’ Phase 1/2 CARE clinical study. These forward-looking statements are based upon Turning Point Therapeutics’ current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with Turning Point Therapeutics’ business in general, risks and uncertainties related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to Turning Point Therapeutics’ business and the other risks described in Turning Point Therapeutics’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the  SEC on August 9, 2021. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Turning Point Therapeutics undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Scott Lipman
ir@tptherapeutics.com
858-876-3985

FAQ

What are the early results from the Phase 1/2 CARE study of repotrectinib for TPTX?

Early results show confirmed responses in 3 out of 4 TKI-naïve patients, indicating potential efficacy in pediatric tumors.

What is the significance of the data presented for repotrectinib at the SIOP Congress?

The data suggest encouraging clinical activity of repotrectinib in treating pediatric tumors with specific genetic alterations.

What are the next steps for TPTX regarding repotrectinib's clinical trials?

TPTX will continue patient enrollment in the ongoing Phase 1/2 CARE study and assess further data on the drug's safety and efficacy.

How does repotrectinib perform in pediatric patients compared to adults?

Preliminary pharmacokinetics indicate comparable exposure of repotrectinib in pediatric patients versus adults, suggesting similar efficacy.

What are the potential implications of the preclinical data on repotrectinib in neuroblastoma?

The preclinical data highlight repotrectinib's promise in inhibiting tumor growth and improving survival in neuroblastoma, potentially expanding its therapeutic application.