Anish Thomas, MBBS, MD, medical oncologist, Lasker Clinical Research Scholar, Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, discusses the rationale for the phase 2 DDRiver SCLC 250 trial (NCT04768296) in relapsed, platinum-resistant small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

This trial evaluated the combination of berzosertib and topotecan in patients with relapsed, platinum-resistant SCLC. Early phase studies of the combination demonstrated a higher-than-expected efficacy with the doublet compared with topotecan alone, Thomas explains. Moreover, following the phase 2 study, another larger study will be conducted to confirm the results generated, Thomas adds.

The DDRiver SCLC 250 trial is enrolling patients with platinum-resistant SCLC, who represent a population of unmet need in terms of drug development, Thomas continues. Overall, the early signal of efficacy generated by early data with the combination is promising and establish precedence for future studies, Thomas concludes.

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Anish Thomas, MBBS, MD, medical oncologist, Lasker Clinical Research Scholar, Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, discusses the rationale for the phase 2 DDRiver SCLC 250 trial in relapsed, platinum-resistant small cell lung cancer. 

Dr. Thomas on the Rationale for the Phase 2 DDRiver SCLC 250 Trial in SCLC 

Anish Thomas, MD, medical oncologist, Lasker clinical research scholar, developmental therapeutics branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Mercy Clinic, discusses potential biomarkers of response to the combination of berzosertib plus topotecan in patients with relapsed, platinum-resistant small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

The phase 2 DDRiver SCLC 250 trial (NCT04768296), which assessed the efficacy of berzosertib plus topotecan in this patient population, also examined biomarkers of response to the combination, according to Thomas. However, because the rapid progression of the disease makes it challenging to collect the necessary tumor tissues, biomarkers can often be difficult to assess, Thomas adds.

In the trial, biopsies were done on 20 patients and showed that those with high neuroendocrine differentiation may be more likely to respond to the combination vs those with low differentiation, Thomas explains. Ongoing research with the combination will further evaluate, and hopefully be informed by, biomarkers of response, Thomas concludes.

Anish Thomas, MD, discusses potential biomarkers of response to the combination of berzosertib plus topotecan in patients with relapsed, platinum-resistant small cell lung cancer.

Anish Thomas, MD

Articles

Dr. Thomas on the Rationale for the Phase 2 DDRiver SCLC 250 Trial in SCLC

Dr. Thomas on Potential Biomarkers of Response to Berzosertib/Topotecan in SCLC