Purpose: ABBV-838 is an antibody-drug conjugate targeting a unique epitope of CD2 subset 1, a cell-surface glycoprotein expressed on multiple myeloma cells. This phase I/Ib first-in-human, dose-escalation study (trial registration ID: NCT02462525) evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary activity of ABBV-838 in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM).
Patients and methods: Eligible patients (≥18 years) received ABBV-838 (3+3 design) intravenously starting from 0.6 mg/kg up to 6.0 mg/kg for 3-week dosing intervals (Q3W). Patients could continue ABBV-838 for up to 24 months. Assessment of alternate dosing intervals (Q1W and Q2W) was conducted in parallel.
Results: As of March 2017, 75 patients received at least one dose of ABBV-838. The most common any-grade treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE) were neutropenia and anemia (28.0% each), fatigue (26.7%), and nausea (25.3%). Grade 3/4/5 TEAEs were reported in 73.3% of patients across all treatment groups; most common were neutropenia (20.0%), anemia (18.7%), and leukopenia (13.3%). Grade 3/4/5 ABBV-838-related TEAEs were reported by 40.0% of patients across all treatment groups. Overall, 4.0% of patients experienced TEAEs leading to death, none ABBV-838 related. The MTD was not reached; the selected recommended dose for the expansion cohort was 5.0 mg/kg Q3W. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that exposure was approximately dose proportional. The overall response rate was 10.7%; very good partial responses and partial responses were achieved by 2 (2.7%) and 6 (8.0%) patients, respectively.
Conclusions: These results demonstrate that ABBV-838 is safe and well-tolerated in patients with RRMM with a very limited efficacy.
©2020 American Association for Cancer Research.