Study of Novel Radioenhancer NBTXR3 Plus Radiotherapy in Patients With Locally Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Summary

Purpose/Objective(s): NBTXR3, a novel radioenhancer activated by radiotherapy (RT) demonstrated superior efficacy, as preoperative treatment in patients with locally advanced soft tissue sarcoma (LA STS) compared to RT alone. Primary endpoint of pCR rate (16% vs 8%; P = 0.044) and main secondary endpoint of R0 margin rate (16% vs 8%; P = 0.042) were met while no modification of the early RT-associated safety profile was observed, leading to market authorization. Here we report on the long-term safety, limb function and quality of life.

Materials/Methods: This phase II/III randomized (1:1), international trial included adult patients with LA STS of the extremity or trunk wall, requiring preoperative RT. Patients received either a single intratumoral injection of NBTXR3 (equivalent to 10% of tumor volume, at 53.3g/L), plus EBRT (arm A) or EBRT alone (arm B) (50 Gy in 25 fractions), followed by surgery. Here we report on safety of NBTXR3+RT which was evaluated as secondary endpoint. Data were recorded on the “all treated population” during at least a two-year follow-up. Important parameters related to HR-QoL including functional outcome were studied using the EQ-5D, RNLI, TESS and MSTS questionnaires.

Results: Patients had at least two-year follow-up and the lost to follow-up rate was very low (1.9%). RT-related SAEs were observed in 11.2% (10/89) vs 13.3% (12/90) in A vs B. Post-treatment AEs, any grade, were observed in 51.7% (46/89) vs 57.8% (52/90) and serious post-treatment AEs in 13.5% (12/89) vs 24.4% (22/90) of patients in A vs B. Long-term safety continues to demonstrate that NBTXR3 plus RT has no impact on post-surgical wound complications (24.7% vs 36.7%, A vs B). Furthermore, the evaluation of radiation late toxicities in limbs such as fibrosis, arthrosis and edema that may alter limb function showed no difference between arms (4.5% vs 7.7%, 2.2% vs 0.0% and 6.7% vs 2.2% respectively in A vs B). In addition, sequelae or chronic tissue disturbances at the former tumor localization were similar in both treatment arms, confirming that the increase of energy dose deposit and the physical presence of NBTXR3 did not impact post-treatment limb functions. Accordingly, HR-QoL evaluation yielded no difference in functional outcome. Finally, second primary cancer was observed in 1 patient in arm A and 6 patients in arm B and the intratumoral injection of NBTXR3 did not induce cancer cell seeding at the former tumor site.

Conclusion: These results demonstrate that the use of NBTXR3 did not change the late onset toxicity profile of EBRT, nor modified its bystander effect. Taken together, the long-term safety data presented here, and the previously published efficacy data reinforce the favorable benefit-risk ratio of the use of NBTXR3 in patients with LA STS. NCT02379845