Glioblastoma Treatment With Irradiation and Olaptesed Pegol (NOX-A12) in MGMT Unmethylated Patients

Single-arm, Dose-escalation Phase 1/2 Study of Olaptesed Pegol (NOX-A12) in Combination With Irradiation in Inoperable or Partially Resected First-line Glioblastoma Patients With Unmethylated MGMT Promoter With a Multiple-arm Expansion Group

The purpose of this study is to obtain first, exploratory information on the safety and efficacy of (i) olaptesed pegol in combination with radiation therapy in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma of unmethylated MGMT promoter status either not amenable to resection (biopsy only) or after incomplete tumor resection, and (ii) olaptesed pegol in combination with radiation therapy and bevacizumab in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma of unmethylated MGMT promoter status either not amenable to resection (biopsy only) or after incomplete or complete tumor resection.

Further arms are included (i) to establish safety for the combination of olaptesed pegol at three different doses in addition to radiotherapy and bevacizumab, (ii) to explore the benefit of combining olaptesed pegol at different dose levels with bevacizumab in order to define the doses to move forward into a subsequent randomized dose-finding study, (iii) to explore the contribution of the therapy components olaptesed pegol and bevacizumab to patient benefit and (iv) to put the clinical outcome of these treatment regimens into perspective with the standard of care treatment with temozolomide and radiotherapy.

Inclusion Criteria Dose Escalation Cohorts:

1. Written informed consent

2. Age ≥18 years

3. Patient agreement to diagnostic and scientific work-up of glioblastoma tissue obtained during the preceding surgery or biopsy

4. Patient agrees to subcutaneous port implantation

5. Newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed, supratentorial WHO grade IV glioblastoma

6. Status post biopsy or incomplete resection

7. Unmethylated MGMT promoter status

8. Maximum Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score 2

9. Estimated minimum life expectancy 3 months

10. Stable or decreasing dose of corticosteroids during the week prior to inclusion

11. The following laboratory parameters should be within the ranges specified:

    • Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x upper limit normal (ULN)
    • Creatinine ≤ 1.5 x ULN or glomerular filtration rate ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73m²
    • ALT (alanine transaminase) ≤ 3 x ULN
    • AST (aspartate transaminase) ≤ 3 x ULN

12. Female patients of child-bearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 21 days prior to enrollment and agree to use a highly effective method of birth control (failure rate less than 1% per year when used consistently and correctly such as contraceptive implants, vaginal rings, sterilization, or sexual abstinence)" during and for 3 months following last dose of drug (more frequent pregnancy tests may be conducted if required per local regulations)

13. Male patients must use an effective barrier method of contraception during study and for 3 months following the last dose if sexually active with a FCBP

Inclusion Criteria Expansion Group Arms A, B and C:

1. Written informed consent

2. Age ≥ 18 years

3. Patient agreement to diagnostic and scientific work-up of glioblastoma tissue obtained during the preceding surgery or biopsy (e.g., MGMT promoter analysis, cytogenetic markers such as IDH-1 mutations, etc.)

4. Patient agrees to subcutaneous port implantation

5. Newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed, supratentorial WHO grade IV glioblastoma

6. a) Status post biopsy or incomplete (detectable residual tumor as per postoperative T1-weighted, contrast-enhanced MRI scan) or complete resection (Arm A) OR b) Status post complete resection (Arm B) OR c) Status post complete or incomplete resection (circumscribed enhancing tumor ≤ 5.0 cm in largest diameter as per postoperative T1-weighted, contrast-enhanced MRI scan) (Arm C)

7. Unmethylated MGMT promoter status

8. Maximum Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score 2

9. Estimated minimum life expectancy 3 months

10. Stable or decreasing dose of corticosteroids during the week prior to inclusion

11. The following laboratory parameters should be within the ranges specified:

    • Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x upper limit normal (ULN)
    • Creatinine ≤ 1.5 x ULN or glomerular filtration rate ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73m²
    • ALT (alanine transaminase) ≤ 3 x ULN
    • AST (aspartate transaminase) ≤ 3 x ULN

12. Female patients of child-bearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 21 days prior to enrollment and agree to use a highly effective method of birth control (failure rate less than 1% per year when used consistently and correctly such as contraceptive implants, vaginal rings, sterilization, or sexual abstinence) during and for 3 months (6 months Arm A, 4 months Arm C) following last dose of drug (more frequent pregnancy tests may be conducted if required per local regulations)

13. Male patients must use an effective barrier method of contraception during study and for 3 months (6 months Arm A, 4 months Arm C) following the last dose if sexually active with a FCBP

Inclusion Criteria Expansion Group Arms D, E, F, G, and H:

1. Written informed consent

2. Age ≥ 18 years

3. Patient agreement to diagnostic and scientific work-up of glioblastoma tissue obtained during the preceding surgery (e.g., MGMT promoter analysis, cytogenetic markers such as IDH-1 mutations, etc.)

4. Patient agrees to subcutaneous port implantation

5. Newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed, supratentorial WHO grade 4 glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype according to the 2021 World Health Organization Criteria for CNS tumors

6. Status post incomplete resection (detectable residual tumor as per postoperative T1-weighted, contrast-enhanced MRI scan)

7. Unmethylated MGMT promoter status

8. Maximum Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score 2

9. Estimated minimum life expectancy 3 months

10. Stable or decreasing dose of corticosteroids during the week prior to inclusion

11. The following laboratory parameters should be within the ranges specified:

    • Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x upper limit normal (ULN)
    • Body surface area (BSA) adjusted glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ≥ 60 mL/min (BSA-adjusted eGFR CKD-EPI (mL/min) = [eGFR CKD-EPI (mL/min/1.73 m²) x BSA (m²)]/ 1.73; BSA calculated by Du Bois formula)
    • Alanine transaminase (ALT) ≤ 3 x ULN
    • Aspartate transaminase (AST) ≤ 3 x ULN
    • Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1.5 x 10^9/L and platelet count ≥ 100 x 10^9/L

12. Female patients of child-bearing potential (FCBP) must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 21 days prior to enrollment and agree to use a highly effective method of birth control (failure rate less than 1% per year when used consistently and correctly such as contraceptive implants, vaginal rings, sterilization, or sexual abstinence) during and for 6 months following last dose of drug (more frequent pregnancy tests may be conducted if required per local regulations)

13. Male patients must use an effective barrier method of contraception during study and for 6 months following the last dose if sexually active with a FCBP

Exclusion Criteria Dose Escalation Cohorts:

1. Inability to understand and collaborate throughout the study or inability or unwillingness to comply with study requirements
2. Participation in any clinical research study with administration of an investigational drug or therapy within 30 days from screening visit or observation period of competing studies
3. Contra-indication or known hypersensitivity to MRI contrast agents, olaptesed pegol or polyethylene glycol
4. Cytostatic therapy (chemotherapy) within the past 5 years
5. History of other cancers (except for adequately treated basal or squamous cell skin cancer, in situ cervical cancer, or other cancer from which the patient was disease-free for ≥ 5 years)
6. Clinically significant or uncontrolled cardiovascular disease
7. Prior radiotherapy to the head
8. Any other previous or concomitant experimental glioblastoma treatments
9. Placement of Gliadel® wafer, seeds, or ferromagnetic nanoparticles
10. Pregnancy or lactation
11. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness; patients must be free of any clinically relevant disease (other than glioma) that would, in the treating investigator's opinion, interfere with the conduct of the study or study evaluations
12. Treatment not initiated within 6 weeks after first biopsy or surgery of glioblastoma
13. Prior enrolment into this study

Exclusion Criteria Expansion Group Arms A and B:

1. Inability to understand and collaborate throughout the study or inability or unwillingness to comply with study requirements

2. Participation in any clinical research study with administration of an investigational drug or therapy within 30 days from screening visit or observation period of competing studies

3. Contra-indication or known hypersensitivity to MRI contrast agents, bevacizumab (Arm A only) olaptesed pegol or polyethylene glycol

4. Planned hypofractionated radiotherapy

5. Cytostatic therapy (chemotherapy) within the past 5 years

6. History of other cancers (except for adequately treated basal or squamous cell skin cancer, in situ cervical cancer, or other cancer from which the patient was disease-free for ≥ 5 years)

7. Secondary malignancy which is currently active

8. Clinically significant or uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, including

   • Myocardial infarction in the previous 12 months
   • Uncontrolled angina
   • Congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association functional classification of ≥2)
   • Diagnosed or suspected congenital long QT syndrome
   • QTc prolongation on an electrocardiogram prior to entry (QTc(Bazett) >470 ms)
   • Uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure ≥ 160/95 mmHg)
   • Heart rate <50/min on the baseline electrocardiogram
   • History of ventricular arrhythmias of any clinically significant type (such as ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation or torsades de pointes)
   • Cerebrovascular accident

9. Prior radiotherapy to the head

10. Any other previous or concomitant experimental glioblastoma treatments

11. Placement of Gliadel® wafer, seeds, or ferromagnetic nanoparticles

12. Patients with a history of arterial or venous thrombosis (or any other disease) requiring permanent intake of anticoagulants (Arm A only)

13. Pregnancy or lactation

14. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to ongoing or active infection, chronic liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis, hepatitis), diabetes mellitus, or subjects with either of the following: fasting blood glucose (FBG defined as fasting for at least 8 hours) ≥ 200 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L), or HbA1c ≥ 8%, chronic renal disease, pancreatitis, chronic pulmonary disease, auto-immune diseases, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements. Patients must be free of any clinically relevant disease (other than glioma) that would, in the treating investigator's opinion, interfere with the conduct of the study or study evaluations

15. Prolongation of coagulation factors ≥ 2.5 x ULN (Arm A only)

16. Treatment not initiated within 6 weeks after first biopsy or surgery of glioblastoma

17. Prior enrolment into this study

Exclusion Criteria Expansion Group Arms C:

1. Inability to understand and collaborate throughout the study or inability or unwillingness to comply with study requirements

2. Participation in any clinical research study with administration of an investigational drug or therapy within 30 days from screening visit or observation period of competing studies

3. Contra-indication or known hypersensitivity to MRI contrast agents olaptesed pegol or polyethylene glycol or pembrolizumab (≥ Grade 3)

4. Biopsy-only of GBM with less than 20% of tumor removed

5. Presence of extracranial metastatic or leptomeningeal disease

6. Severe hypersensitivity (≥ Grade 3) to other monoclonal antibodies

7. Receiving immunosuppressive therapy

8. Previous or current treatment with an anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti-PDL2 agent

9. Planned hypofractionated radiotherapy

10. Cytostatic therapy (chemotherapy) within the past 5 years

11. History of other cancers or secondary malignancy which is currently active (except for adequately treated basal or squamous cell skin cancer, in situ cervical cancer, or other cancer from which the patient was disease-free for ≥ 5 years)

12. Clinically significant or uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, including

    • Myocardial infarction in the previous 12 months
    • Uncontrolled angina
    • Congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association functional classification of ≥2)
    • Diagnosed or suspected congenital long QT syndrome
    • QTc prolongation on an electrocardiogram prior to entry (QTc(Bazett) >470 ms)
    • Uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure ≥ 160/95 mmHg)
    • Heart rate <50/min on the baseline electrocardiogram
    • History of ventricular arrhythmias of any clinically significant type (such as ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation or torsades de pointes)
    • Cerebrovascular accident

13. Prior radiotherapy to the head

14. Evidence of acute intracranial / intra-tumoral hemorrhage

15. Any other previous or concomitant experimental glioblastoma treatments

16. Placement of Gliadel® wafer, seeds, or ferromagnetic nanoparticles

17. Pregnancy or lactation

18. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to ongoing or active infection, chronic liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis, hepatitis), diabetes mellitus, or subjects with either of the following: fasting blood glucose (FBG defined as fasting for at least 8 hours) ≥ 200 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L), or HbA1c ≥ 8%, chronic renal disease, pancreatitis, chronic pulmonary disease, auto-immune diseases or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements. Patients must be free of any clinically relevant disease (other than glioma) that would, in the treating investigator's opinion, interfere with the conduct of the study or study evaluations.

19. Received a live vaccine within 30 days prior to the first dose of study drug.

20. Known active central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis. Previously treated brain metastases may participate provided these remain stable

21. Known history of HIV infection, hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection

22. Active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in past 2 years (i.e. with use of disease modifying agents, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs)

23. History of (non-infectious) pneumonitis / interstitial lung disease that required steroids or current pneumonitis / interstitial lung disease

24. Immunodeficiency diagnosis or receiving chronic systemic steroid therapy (exceeding 10 mg daily of prednisone) or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy

25. High dose of corticosteroids (≥ 4mg/day of dexamethasone or equivalent for at least 3 consecutive days) within two weeks prior to the first dose of study drug

26. Treatment not initiated within 6 weeks after first biopsy or surgery of glioblastoma

27. Prior enrolment into this study

Exclusion Criteria Expansion Group Arms D, E, F, G and H:

1. Patients with tumors harboring IDH mutations

2. Inability to understand and collaborate throughout the study or inability or unwillingness to comply with study requirements

3. Participation in any clinical research study with administration of an investigational drug or therapy within 30 days prior to screening visit or observation period of competing studies

4. Contra-indication or known hypersensitivity to MRI contrast agents, bevacizumab, olaptesed pegol or polyethylene glycol

5. Planned hypofractionated radiotherapy

6. Chemotherapy (cytotoxic/cytostatic) within the past 5 years

7. History of other cancers (except for adequately treated basal or squamous cell skin cancer, in situ cervical cancer, or other cancer from which the patient was disease-free for ≥ 5 years)

8. Secondary malignancy which is currently active

9. Clinically significant or uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, including

   • Myocardial infarction in the previous 12 months
   • Uncontrolled angina
   • Congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association functional classification of ≥2)
   • Diagnosed or suspected congenital long QT syndrome
   • QTc prolongation on the electrocardiogram prior to inclusion (QTc(Bazett) >470 ms)
   • Uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure ≥ 160/95 mmHg)
   • Heart rate <50/min on the electrocardiogram prior to inclusion
   • History of ventricular arrhythmias of any clinically significant type (such as ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation or torsades de pointes)
   • Cerebrovascular accident

10. Prior radiotherapy to the head

11. Any other previous or concomitant experimental glioblastoma treatments

12. Placement of Gliadel® wafer, seeds, or ferromagnetic nanoparticles

13. Patients with a history of arterial or venous thrombosis (or any other disease) requiring permanent intake of anticoagulants

14. Pregnancy or lactation

15. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to ongoing or active infection, chronic liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis, hepatitis), diabetes mellitus, or patients with either of the following: fasting blood glucose (FBG defined as fasting for at least 8 hours) ≥ 200 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L), or HbA1c ≥ 8%, chronic renal disease, pancreatitis, chronic pulmonary disease, auto-immune diseases or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements. Patients must be free of any clinically relevant disease (other than glioma) that would, in the treating investigator's opinion, interfere with the conduct of the study or study evaluations.

16. Prolongation of coagulation factors ≥ 2.5 x ULN

17. Treatment not initiated within 6 weeks after surgery of glioblastoma

18. Prior enrolment into this study

19. History of hypersensitivity to dacarbazine (DTIC)

20. History of hypersensitivity reaction (such as urticaria, allergic reaction including anaphylaxis, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome) to temozolomide or any of its components

21. Severe myelosuppression (ANC <1.5 x 10^9/L and platelet count <100 x 10^9/L)

22. Major surgery within 28 days prior to treatment start

23. Non-healing wounds