Background: CKS is a mesenchymal neoplasm associated with HHV8 infection. Though recombinant INFa is approved for treatment of AIDS-related KS, data is limited regarding the role of immune modulation in CKS therapy. Based on favorable responses in viral-induced cancers, we hypothesized that CTLA-4 and PD-1 blockade can induce tumor regression in CKS. We present pre-planned interim analysis of a phase II study of Nivo/Ipi in previously treated progressive CKS.

Methods: CKS pts with progressive disease after > 1 line of systemic therapy and measurable disease received nivolumab 240mg d1,15,28 and ipilimumab 1mg/kg d1 q42 days until progression or toxicity. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR) evaluated clinically, radiologically (RECIST) and metabolically (FDG-PET). Secondary endpoints include 6-months progression free survival rate (PFS) and safety. Exploratory endpoints included PD-L1/MMR by IHC, DNAseq (596 genes)/RNAseq (whole transcriptome) of tumor and matched blood specimens to explore CKS genomic traits and IO correlates: TMB and MSI status, MMR and PD-L1 protein expression, and immune gene transcript expression (PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4, and others) (Tempus Labs, Chicago, IL, USA).

Results: Fifteen patients were enrolled and evaluable (Apr18-Jan20). Median age 72.5 (61-81), all male. At a median FU of 15.7 mo ORR as per RECIST was 66% (9 pts PR, 1 pt CR, 2 pts SD, 3 pts NE). Clinical ORR was 87% and metabolic ORR was 60%. Median PFS was not reached, 6mo PFS rate was 85% and 1y PFS rate was 75%. The safety profile was as expected with all pts experiencing G1 toxicity, 3 pts with G2 toxicity (1 hepatic, 2 asymptomatic lipase increase) and 2 pts with G3 toxicity (1 colitis, 1 asymptomatic lipase increase). One SAE was reported (TIA considered not related to therapy) and treatment was discontinued in 3 pts. Correlative results are available for 8 pts showing a trend for copy number loss in genes with tumor-suppressive activity (FOXA1, ELF3), no PDL1 expression, low TMB, microsatellite stability, but marked overexpression of CTLA-4, PD-1, PDL-1, CD40, OX40 and LAG3 RNA immune transcripts.

Conclusions: The interim analysis of this prospective phase II study of nivolumab and low-dose ipilimumab demonstrates promising activity in progressive CKS, with 66% ORR and a 6mo PFS rate of 85%. Toxicity profile is as expected in this class of drugs. Correlative studies are preliminary, but warrant further investigation into genomic traits and immune gene expression profiles. Clinical trial information: NCT03219671. Clinical trial information: NCT03219671.

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