Summary

Purpose/Objective(s): Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have led to improved treatment outcomes in a variety of cancers; however, the majority of patients exhibit resistance to ICIs. Overcoming this resistance is a major challenge in immune-oncology. Radiation therapy (RT) has emerged as a promising combination with ICIs since it may act synergistically with ICIs by producing an immunomodulatory effect. NBTXR3, composed of functionalized hafnium oxide nanoparticles, is injected intratumorally and activated by RT. NBTXR3 increases RT energy deposit inside tumor cells and subsequent tumor cell death, without adding toxicity to healthy tissues. Preclinical data demonstrate NBTXR3/RT can trigger a local and systemic anti-tumor immune response and overcome anti-PD-1 resistance. NBTXR3/RT combined with anti-PD-1 may prime the immune system to increase the proportion of ICI responders or convert ICI non-responders to responders.

Materials/Methods: This multicenter, open-label, phase I trial [NCT03589339] is evaluating NBTXR3/RT/anti-PD-1 in 3 cohorts: (1) Locoregional recurrent or recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) amenable to HN re-irradiation and (2) lung or (3) liver metastases from any primary cancer eligible for anti-PD-1. Stereotactic body RT (SBRT) is delivered at tumor-site selective doses per standard practice. The primary objective is to determine the NBTXR3/RT/anti-PD-1 recommended phase 2 dose in each cohort. Secondary objectives are anti-tumor response (objective response rate), safety, and feasibility of NBTXR3 injection.

Results: Nine patients have been treated: 3 HNSCC, 4 lung, 2 liver. Overall tumor regression was observed in 8/9 patients of which 7 were anti-PD-1 non-responders. A complete response lasting over 1 year was observed in the injected lymph node in 1 anti-PD-1 naïve patient. 2 SAEs related to anti-PD-1 and possibly related to NBTXR3 (G5 pneumonitis, G4 hyperglycemia) were observed in 1 anti-PD-1 naïve HNSCC patient and considered DLTs. This patient also experienced 2 other G4 SAEs related to anti-PD-1 (diabetic ketoacidosis, acute kidney injury). SBRT-related safety profile was as expected. Updated safety and efficacy results with additional patients and longer follow-up will be presented.

Conclusion: Safety data from this first-in-human phase I trial evaluating NBTXR3/RT/anti-PD-1 in patients with advanced cancers, show NBTXR3 intratumoral injection is feasible and well-tolerated in HNSCC, lung, and liver. NBTXR3/RT/anti-PD-1 demonstrated promising signs of efficacy and led to tumor regression in patients having progressed on prior anti-PD-1. These data support further development of NBTXR3 in combination with anti-PD-1 as well as other ICIs.

Summary

Purpose/Objective(s): Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have led to improved treatment outcomes in a variety of cancers; however, the majority of patients exhibit resistance to ICIs. Overcoming this resistance is a major challenge in immune-oncology. Radiation therapy (RT) has emerged as a promising combination with ICIs since it may act synergistically with ICIs by producing an immunomodulatory effect. NBTXR3, composed of functionalized hafnium oxide nanoparticles, is injected intratumorally and activated by RT. NBTXR3 increases RT energy deposit inside tumor cells and subsequent tumor cell death, without adding toxicity to healthy tissues. Preclinical data demonstrate NBTXR3/RT can trigger a local and systemic anti-tumor immune response and overcome anti-PD-1 resistance. NBTXR3/RT combined with anti-PD-1 may prime the immune system to increase the proportion of ICI responders or convert ICI non-responders to responders.

Materials/Methods: This multicenter, open-label, phase I trial [NCT03589339] is evaluating NBTXR3/RT/anti-PD-1 in 3 cohorts: (1) Locoregional recurrent or recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) amenable to HN re-irradiation and (2) lung or (3) liver metastases from any primary cancer eligible for anti-PD-1. Stereotactic body RT (SBRT) is delivered at tumor-site selective doses per standard practice. The primary objective is to determine the NBTXR3/RT/anti-PD-1 recommended phase 2 dose in each cohort. Secondary objectives are anti-tumor response (objective response rate), safety, and feasibility of NBTXR3 injection.

Results: Nine patients have been treated: 3 HNSCC, 4 lung, 2 liver. Overall tumor regression was observed in 8/9 patients of which 7 were anti-PD-1 non-responders. A complete response lasting over 1 year was observed in the injected lymph node in 1 anti-PD-1 naïve patient. 2 SAEs related to anti-PD-1 and possibly related to NBTXR3 (G5 pneumonitis, G4 hyperglycemia) were observed in 1 anti-PD-1 naïve HNSCC patient and considered DLTs. This patient also experienced 2 other G4 SAEs related to anti-PD-1 (diabetic ketoacidosis, acute kidney injury). SBRT-related safety profile was as expected. Updated safety and efficacy results with additional patients and longer follow-up will be presented.

Conclusion: Safety data from this first-in-human phase I trial evaluating NBTXR3/RT/anti-PD-1 in patients with advanced cancers, show NBTXR3 intratumoral injection is feasible and well-tolerated in HNSCC, lung, and liver. NBTXR3/RT/anti-PD-1 demonstrated promising signs of efficacy and led to tumor regression in patients having progressed on prior anti-PD-1. These data support further development of NBTXR3 in combination with anti-PD-1 as well as other ICIs.

Summary

Background: Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver metastasis (mets) is challenging due to presence of underlying disease, e.g. cirrhosis. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a well-tolerated alternative for inoperable patients (pts), yet maximal dose to the tumor is limited by potential toxicity to surrounding healthy tissues. Otherwise inert, NBTXR3 (hafnium oxide nanoparticles) when activated by ionizing radiation (RT) augments dose deposit within tumor cells, increasing tumor cell death compared to RT alone. A phase I/II clinical trial is underway to evaluate NBTXR3 activated by SBRT in pts with HCC or liver mets [NCT02721056].

Methods: A 3 þ 3 dose escalation was utilized in the phase I. Pts received a single intralesional injection (ILI) of NBTXR3 followed by SBRT (45 Gy/3 fractions/5-7 days), with tested NBTXR3 dose levels of 10, 15, 22 and 33% of baseline tumor volume. Primary endpoints included recommended phase II dose(s) identification and DLT.
Secondary endpoints included global safety profile assessment, liver function by ChildPugh score (CPS), AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI), and response rate (mRECIST/RECIST v1.1).

Results: Four dose escalation levels are finalized (n ¼ 17): 6 pts at 10% (2 SBRT doses tested due to organ constraints), 4 pts at 15 and 22% (due to fiducial displacement and ILI site shift) and 3 pts at 33%. No NBTXR3 related DLTs were observed. Related AEs observed: one malaise (G2, 10%); 2 abdominal pain, (G3, 15%); one bilateral pleural effusion (G1, 22%), one bile duct stenosis (G3, 22%) with associated disease recurrence and SBRT; one fatigue (G1, 33%). There were no clinically meaningful changes to CPS or APRI and CT-scan demonstrated absence of NBTXR3 in surrounding healthy tissues. In 7 evaluable HCC pts, best mRECIST target lesion responses were: 3 CR, 4 PR. In 5 evaluable mets pts, best target lesion responses were: 2 PR, 1 SD, 2 PD.

Conclusions: NBTXR3 was well tolerated and showed preliminary anti-tumor activity, supporting a protocol amendment to evaluate an additional NBTXR3 dose level (42%). This innovative approach has the potential to address an unmet medical need in pts with unresectable primary or metastatic liver lesions.

Clinical trial identification: NCT02721056.

Summary

Background: Hafnium oxide nanoparticles, NBXTR3, were developed to increase the tumor-localized high energy deposit once activated by ionizing radiation such as stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and thus to increase tumor cell death compared to the same dose of radiation. NBTXR3 is characterized by a single intratumor/intralesional (IL) administration and fits into standard RT schedule with no change in patient’s flow, treatment protocol or equipment. Herein the preliminary results of a phase I/II clinical trial evaluating this combination in patients (pts) with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or liver metastasis (mets).

Methods: HCC and liver mets patients were treated with an IL injection of NBTXR3 followed by SBRT (15 Gy*3 fractions). The phase I part of the trial follows a 3+3 dose escalation design at dose levels of NBTXR3 corresponding to 10%, 15%, 22%, 33% of the baseline tumor volume. This study aims primarily to identify the Recommended Dose and the incidence of early Dose Limiting Toxicities (DLTs) of NBTXR3 activated by SBRT. Secondary endpoints include assessment of global safety profile, liver function evaluated by Child-Pugh score (CPS), AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI), and response rate (mRECIST/RECIST 1.1). Results: Enrollment is at the last dose level, 33%, and completed at 10% (6 pts), 15% (4 pts) and 22% (4 pts). So far, no early DLTs nor severe adverse events related to NBTXR3 were observed. Both CPS and APRI did not reveal important variations in accordance to NBTXR3 low toxicity. The best observed target lesions responses, among 7 evaluable HCC pts for response (mRECIST), were: 3 complete responses, 3 partial responses (PR) and 1 stable disease (SD) and among 5 evaluable liver mets pts: 1 PR, 3 SD and 1 progressive disease (RECIST 1.1).

Conclusions: NBTXR3 is well tolerated at the 22% dose level with an overall positive safety profile. This innovative approach might constitute a valuable solution for pts with liver tumors beyond standard treatment lines. NBTXR3 was successful in a phase II/III in soft tissue sarcoma [NCT02379845] and is currently evaluated in head and neck [NCT01946867; NCT02901483], prostate [NCT02805894] and rectum cancers [NCT02465593].

Summary

The enclosed abstract was presented at the 13th Journées cancéropole Grand Sud-Ouest at Poitiers. The abstract Hafnium oxide nanoparticles as an emergent promising treatment for solid tumors describes how hafnium oxide nanoparticles were designed at the nanoscale in the form of crystalline 50nm-particles to efficiently absorb ionizing radiation and increase the radiation dose deposited – “hot spots” of energy deposit – from within the tumor cells for efficient cell killing.

Hafnium oxide nanoparticles (NBTXR3), administered as a single intratumoral injection and activated by radiotherapy, is currently evaluated in a phase II/III clinical trial in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) [NCT02379845], and in phase I/II clinical trials for head and neck [NCT01946867], prostate [NCT02805894], liver [NCT02721056; NCT02721056] and rectum cancers [NCT02465593]. So far, patients treated with NBTXR3 received radiotherapy as planned and showed a very good local safety profile.

Summary

NBTXR3 administered as a single intratumoral injection and activated by radiotherapy, is currently evaluated in a phase I clinical trial for head and neck cancer [NCT01946867]. At the 2018 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancers Symposium in Scottsdale Arizona, preliminary results were presented by prof. C. Le Tourneau.

So far, patients treated in phase I showed good local and systemic tolerance to the product up to the highest dose level and received radiotherapy as planned, confirming a very good local safety profile. Regarding the patients, the durability of response so far is superior to 13 months, with some patients at 16 and 22 months follow-up without recurrence.

NBTXR3 nanoparticles constitute a rising hope for head and neck cancer patients as it could lead to a decrease in the long-term adverse effects of RT and an improvement in quality of life, associated with strong locoregional control.

Summary

The physical mode of action of NBTXR3 may represent a breakthrough approach for the local treatment of liver cancers, as it does not engage liver and renal functions, i.e. nanoparticles are not metabolized and not excreted by kidney. A phase I/II trial has been implemented for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and liver metastasis [NCT02721056].

At the 2018 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium (also known as ASCO-GI) at San Francisco (CA, USA), Dr. Chajon presented preliminary results on this study.

Overall, the injection of NBTXR3 was safe and well tolerated at these levels. Patients received the planned RT. No DLT occurred. Enrollment is now opened at the 22% level. NBTXR3 shows promising results in terms of safety and antitumor activity and is also currently evaluated in other six clinical studies.

Summary

The enclosed abstract was presented at the 35th Annual Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium, New York. The abstract Hafnium oxide nanoparticles: an emergent promising treatment for solid tumors describes the story of hafnium oxide nanoparticles, NBTXR3, from the preclinical to the clinical development up to date.

Preclinical studies have demonstrated increase of cancer cells death in vitro and marked antitumor efficacy in vivo in presence of these nanoparticles (HfO2-NP) exposed to RT, when compared to RT alone. Hafnium oxide nanoparticles efficacy was assessed in cancer epithelial and mesenchymal tumor models and on patient-derived tumor xenografts in nude mice, showing superior anti-tumor effects, over radiation therapy alone in terms of complete response and overall survival. Additionally, in vivo cancer epithelial models in immunocompetent mouse have showed that HfO2-NP + RT triggers immunogenic conversion of the tumor microenvironment and generate an abscopal effect while this effect is not observed with RT alone.

HfO2-NP (NBTXR3), administered as a single intratumoral injection and activated by radiotherapy, is currently evaluated in clinical trials including soft tissue sarcoma (STS) [NCT02379845], head and neck [NCT01946867], prostate [NCT02805894], liver [NCT02721056; NCT02721056] and rectum cancers [NCT02465593]. Patients treated in phases I have had a good tolerance to the product and received radiotherapy as planned, confirming a very good local safety profile.

Besides, consistently with non-clinical studies, preliminary results of the phase II/III in patients with STS, beyond the expected cytotoxic effect induced by NBTXR3 + RT, suggest a release of tumor neoantigens during cancer cell death and stimulation of local immunological effects. This immunogenic cell death might convert “cold” tumor into “hot” tumor. Further analyses are ongoing to reinforce these findings.

Summary

Background: Hafnium oxide, an electron-dense material, was designed at the nanoscale to increase the radiation dose deposited from within the cancer cells: “Hot spot” of energy deposit where the nanoparticles are when exposed to radiation therapy (RT). Preclinical studies have demonstrated increase of cancer cells killing in vitro and marked antitumor efficacy in vivo with presence of these nanoparticles (HfO2-NP) exposed to RT, when compared to RT alone. […]

Material and Methods: CT26 (murine colorectal cancer cells) were subcutaneously injected in the flank of BALB/c mice. Once the mean tumors volume reached 115±30 mm3, tumors were intratumor injected with HfO2-NP and irradiated with 2Gyx3 or 4Gyx3, or irradiated only. Tumors were collected 5 days after the last RT fraction and analyzed for immune cell infiltrates by immunohistochemistry (2Gyx3 and 4Gyx3) and cytokines content by flow cytometry (2Gyx3). […]

Results: In mice bearing CT26 tumors, a marked increase of cytokines content and immune cell infiltrates was observed with HfO2-NP + 2Gyx3 when compared to RT alone. The tumor immune cell infiltrates were
further enhanced with HfO2-NP + 4Gyx3. In mice inoculated with 4T1 cells treated with HfO2-NP + 40Gy, a marked increase of immune cell infiltrate (CD8+) was observed in tumors when compared to tumors in mice inoculated with 4T1 cells treated with 40Gy and control.

Conclusions: These in vivo data generated from CT26 and 4T1 tumor models suggest that HfO2-NP + RT triggers immunogenic conversion of the tumor microenvironement when compared to RT alone. HfO2-NP treatment may represent a therapeutical approach for broad applications since it does not rely on any molecular characteristics of the tumor.

Summary

Background: Radiation therapy (RT) has demonstrated ability to augment antitumor immunity, promoting immunogenic cell death (ICD) and stimulating immune adjuvant effects. On the other hand, RT has also been reported to induce immunosuppressive responses. A new class of material with high electron density, hafnium oxide, was designed at the nanoscale (HfO2-NP) to efficiently absorb ionizing radiation and augment the radiation dose
deposited from within the tumor cells. […]

Methods: The potential ability of HfO2-NP exposed to RT to transform tumors into immunologically active lesions was tested in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the level of ICD markers was evaluated in a panel of human cancer cell lines, following cells treated or not with HfO2-NP and irradiated. In vivo, a vaccination assay was performed to evaluate the host immune responses in immunocompetent mice inoculated with murine CT26 cancer cells treated or not with HfO2-NP and irradiated with 6 Gy. […]

Results: Higher DAMPs levels (cell surface expression of calreticulin, extracellular adenosine triphosphate level and extracellular high-mobility group box 1 level) were observed in the tested cancer cells treated with HfO2-NP + RT when compared to cancer cells exposed to RT. […]

Conclusions: These results suggest an efficient cell killing (ability to generate ICD) with superior potential of HfO2-NP + RT to transform the tumor into an effective in situ vaccine when compared to RT. Moreover, HfO2-NP treatment generates a marked increase of immune cells infiltration in the tumors suggesting that it may convert immunologically “cold” tumor into “hot” tumor and could be combined with immunotherapeutic agents across oncology.