On May 19, 2021 ImmunoGen Inc. (Nasdaq: IMGN), a leader in the expanding field of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for the treatment of cancer, reported mature data from the FORWARD II study evaluating mirvetuximab soravtansine in combination with Avastin (bevacizumab) in patients with medium and high folate receptor alpha (FRα)-expressing recurrent ovarian cancer for whom a non-platinum based combination regimen is appropriate (Press release, ImmunoGen, MAY 19, 2021, View Source [SID1234580303]). These findings will be highlighted in an oral presentation at the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Virtual Annual Meeting, which is being held June 4-8, 2021. Two posters highlighting mirvetuximab combination regimens will also be presented by ImmunoGen’s collaborators during the meeting.

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"Due to the introduction of effective maintenance therapies, patients with recurrent ovarian cancer are living longer and comprise an increasing population in need of effective, well-tolerated non-platinum based regimens," said Anna Berkenblit, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of ImmunoGen. "With a 64% ORR, 11.8 month mDOR, and 10.6 month mPFS, the combination of mirvetuximab plus bevacizumab shows compelling activity in patients with high FRα recurrent ovarian cancer. We are extremely pleased to present these data during an oral presentation at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper), as they build on previous findings and provide us with further evidence of mirvetuximab’s potential to become the combination agent of choice for ovarian cancer patients."

MATURE DATA FROM FORWARD II DOUBLET COHORT WITH BEVACIZUMAB

The cohort enrolled 60 patients with a median age of 60 and a median number of 2 prior lines of therapy (range 1-4). 53% had platinum-resistant disease with a platinum-free interval (PFI) of less than or equal to 6 months; 33% had partially platinum-sensitive disease with a PFI greater than 6 months and less than or equal to 12 months; and 13% had a PFI greater than 12 months. 40% of patients in the cohort were previously treated with bevacizumab and 35% of patients in the cohort were previously treated with a PARP inhibitor. The combination of mirvetuximab with bevacizumab in this cohort demonstrates promising anti-tumor activity with a favorable tolerability profile, particularly among patients with high levels of FRα expression, and is encouraging relative to outcomes with available therapies reported in similar populations. In the oral presentation, key updated data include:

In the overall patient population, objective responses were seen in 30 patients and the confirmed overall response rate (ORR) was 50% (95% CI, 34, 60), with a median duration of response (mDOR) of 9.7 months (95% CI 6.7, 12.9) and median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 8.3 months (95% CI 5.6, 10.1).
In patients with high FRα expression (n=33), the confirmed ORR was 64% (95% CI, 45, 80), mDOR was 11.8 months (95% CI 6.7, 13.7), and mPFS was 10.6 months (95% CI 8.3, 13.3).
In high FRα platinum-sensitive patients, who represent a growing population, the combination of mirvetuximab plus bevacizumab achieved a 69% ORR, 12.7 month mDOR, and a 13.3 month mPFS.
In high FRα platinum-resistant patients, the combination of mirvetuximab plus bevacizumab achieved a 59% ORR, 9.4 month mDOR, and a 9.7 month mPFS.
The adverse events (AEs) observed with the doublet were manageable and consistent with the side effect profiles of each agent. Treatment-related AEs were generally low grade, with diarrhea (62%), blurred vision (60%), fatigue (60%), and nausea (57%) being the most common. The most common grade 3+ events were hypertension (17%) and neutropenia (13%).
"Despite advances in the maintenance setting of ovarian cancer, a high unmet need for novel, well-tolerated, targeted treatments exists in those patients with recurrent high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer," said David O’Malley, MD, Professor, Director of Gynecologic Oncology and Co-Director, Gynecologic Oncology Phase 1 Program at The Ohio State University and the James Cancer Center, and FORWARD II Principal Investigator. "The data we continue to see when mirvetuximab is combined with bevacizumab in recurrent disease are extremely encouraging, particularly in light of outcomes reported with available therapies in even less heavily pre-treated populations. The strength of these mature data warrant further development of this novel, targeted combination and I look forward to evaluating this regimen in earlier lines of therapy."

ORAL PRESENTATION SESSION

Title: "Mirvetuximab Soravtansine, a Folate Receptor Alpha-Targeting Antibody-Drug Conjugate, in Combination with Bevacizumab in Patients with Platinum-Agnostic Ovarian Cancer – Final Analysis"
Day/Time: Monday, June 7 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ET
Lead Author: David M. O’Malley, MD, The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Abstract: 5504
POSTER SESSIONS

The following posters will be available on Friday, June 4 at 9:00 a.m. ET in the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Meeting Library:

Title: "A Phase I Study of Mirvetuximab Soravtansine and Gemcitabine in Patients with FRα-Positive Solid Tumors: Results from the Ovarian Cancer Cohort"
Lead Author: Mihaela C. Cristea, MD, City of Hope National Medical Center
Abstract: 5542
Title: "A Phase 2, Two-Stage Study of Mirvetuximab Soravtansine in Combination with Pembrolizumab in Patients with Microsatellite Stable Endometrial Cancer"
Lead Author: Rebecca L. Porter, MD, PhD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Abstract: TPS5611
Additional information can be found at www.asco.org.

ABOUT MIRVETUXIMAB SORAVTANSINE

Mirvetuximab soravtansine (IMGN853) is a first-in-class ADC comprising a folate receptor alpha (FRα)-binding antibody, cleavable linker, and the maytansinoid payload DM4, a potent tubulin-targeting agent, to kill the targeted cancer cells.

ABOUT FORWARD II

FORWARD II is a Phase 1b/2 study of mirvetuximab soravtansine in combination with Avastin (bevacizumab), carboplatin, or Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in patients with FRα-positive recurrent epithelial ovarian, primary peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancers, as well as a triplet combination of mirvetuximab plus carboplatin and bevacizumab in patients with FRα-positive platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer.