AbbVie Showcases Advancement of Solid Tumor Pipeline at ESMO 2024, with New Data in Tumor Types with High Unmet Needs

AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced that new data from its innovative antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) platform will be showcased at the upcoming European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2024 (September 13-17, 2024). Presentations include data on mirvetuximab soravtansine (ELAHERE®) and c-Met targeting ADCs, telisotuzumab vedotin (Teliso-V) and telisotuzumab adizutecan (ABBV-400). AbbVie’s ADCs are designed to target protein biomarkers such as folate receptor-alpha (FRα) and c-Met (MET protein) which are over expressed across various tumor types and are associated with poor prognoses.1-9 The ADCs are designed to deliver potent cancer cell-death inducing agents called ‘payloads’ specifically to the tumor, by utilizing these biomarkers as targets.

Data from the primary analysis of the Phase 2 PICCOLO trial evaluating investigational mirvetuximab soravtansine monotherapy in heavily pre-treated patients with FRα positive, platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer (PSOC) showed that the trial met its primary endpoint with an objective response rate (ORR) of 51.9% (95% CI 40.4, 63.3), including 6 complete and 35 partial responses. Among the 79 enrolled patients, 81% had prior poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) treatment; 74.7% of whom progressed while on PARPi. The median duration of response (DOR), a key secondary endpoint, was 8.3 months (95% CI 5.5, 10.8) and median progression-free survival (PFS), an additional secondary endpoint, was 6.9 months (95% CI 5.9, 9.6). The safety profile of mirvetuximab soravtansine was consistent with findings from previous studies, and no new safety concerns were identified. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) (grade ≥ 3) were blurred vision (10%), dry eye (3%), nausea (1%), keratopathy (4%), and diarrhea (3%). Additional data will be presented at the meeting.

“There is an urgent patient-driven unmet need to identify novel, effective and tolerable therapies for patients with platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer, including the PARPi pre-treated setting where diminished response to subsequent platinum-based chemotherapy has been reported,” said Angeles Alvarez Secord, M.D., M.H.Sc., from the Duke Cancer Institute. “The response rate seen with mirvetuximab soravtansine in PICCOLO highlights the potential of mirvetuximab soravtansine for platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer patients.”

Mirvetuximab soravtansine is also being studied in PSOC in the Phase 3 GLORIOSA trial (NCT05445778), in combination with bevacizumab versus bevacizumab alone, in maintenance after second-line platinum-doublet therapy. Additionally, a Phase 2 study IMGN853-0420 (NCT05456685), is investigating the combination of mirvetuximab soravtansine with carboplatin as second-line treatment of PSOC with a wider range of FRα expression.

Patient reported outcome (PRO) data from the Phase 2 LUMINOSITY trial of Teliso-V, in c-Met protein overexpressing, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) wild type, advanced/metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, will be presented at the meeting. Trends in PROs observed in LUMINOSITY will be further evaluated in the ongoing Phase 3 TeliMET NSCLC-01 trial (NCT04928846).

“The data at ESMO showcase the depth of our ADC pipeline and highlights the significant progress we are making across key programs in various stages of development, as we strive to deliver new and innovative medicines for patients in need,” said Daejin Abidoye, M.D., vice president, head of solid tumors, oncology development, AbbVie. “A testament to these efforts is our plan to submit Teliso-V for accelerated approval as a monotherapy in patients with previously treated c-Met overexpressing, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) wild-type non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer in Q3 2024.”

The accelerated approval submission for Teliso-V will be reviewed under FDA’s real-time oncology review program with an approval decision anticipated in 2025. AbbVie announced FDA breakthrough therapy designation for Teliso-V in 2022.

New safety and efficacy data from a Phase 1 study (NCT05029882) of ABBV-400, a next-generation, potential best-in-class c-Met directed ADC, highlights the potential of ABBV-400 in previously-treated NSCLC and gastroesophageal cancer (GEA) patients, and are supportive of further exploration of this novel ADC in these tumor types and other solid tumors:

Preliminary data show that among 48 previously treated EGFR wild type non-squamous NSCLC patients, antitumor activity was observed with ABBV-400 when dosed at 2.4 and 3.0 mg/kg administered once every 3 weeks (n=39 and 9, respectively), with a confirmed ORR of 43.8% and clinical benefit rate of 85.4%. The most common (≥10%) TEAEs (grade ≥ 3) were anemia (25%) and neutropenia (15%). Additional endpoints (such as progression free survival), association between c-Met protein expression and treatment response, and detailed safety data will be presented at the meeting.

In GEA patients, the preliminary data show that among 42 patients, antitumor activity was observed at a dose of ABBV-400 of 3.0 mg/kg administered once every 3 weeks, with confirmed ORR of 28.6%. The clinical benefit rate was 71.4%. The most common (≥20%) TEAEs (any grade) were gastrointestinal (76.2%), anemia (66.7%), nausea (47.6%), thrombocytopenia and constipation (26.2% each) and neutropenia (23.8%). Additional safety and efficacy data will be presented at the meeting.

ABBV-400 is also being evaluated in a Phase 1b basket study (NCT06084481) in advanced solid tumors as a monotherapy and a Phase 2 study (NCT06107413) in second line metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) in combination with fluorouracil, folinic acid, and bevacizumab.

Teliso-V and ABBV-400 both target c-Met with the same parental antibody but have different designs and mechanisms of action.10,11 Teliso-V, AbbVie’s most advanced c-Met targeted ADC in development, utilizes a microtubule polymerization inhibitor (MMAE) payload.10 ABBV-400, a next-generation c-Met targeted ADC utilizes a novel, proprietary topoisomerase 1 inhibitor (Top1i) payload.11

AbbVie will also present real-world data on the prevalence, stability, and prognostic value of c-Met protein overexpression in NSCLC from the METPRO and METEXPRESS studies at the meeting.