Imlunestrant, an oral selective estrogen receptor degrader, as monotherapy and combined with abemaciclib, in recurrent/advanced ER-positive endometrioid endometrial cancer: Results from the phase 1a/1b EMBER study

Gynecol Oncol. 2024 Dec:191:172-181. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2024.10.006. Epub 2024 Oct 22.

Abstract

Objective: Imlunestrant is a next-generation oral selective estrogen receptor degrader designed to deliver continuous estrogen receptor (ER) target inhibition. EMBER is a phase 1a/b trial of imlunestrant, as monotherapy and combined with targeted therapy, in patients with ER+ advanced breast cancer or endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC). This report focuses on patients with ER+ EEC.

Methods: EMBER used an i3 + 3 dose-escalation design to determine the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) followed by dose-expansion cohorts (1:1 randomization): imlunestrant monotherapy and imlunestrant plus abemaciclib (150 mg twice daily). Eligible patients had measurable disease and progression or recurrence after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Prior fulvestrant or aromatase inhibitor was not allowed. Secondary endpoints included safety, pharmacokinetics and antitumor activity.

Results: In total, 72 patients with a median of 2 prior anticancer therapies were treated. Among the 39 patients who received imlunestrant (400 mg [RP2D], n = 33; 800 mg, n = 6), the most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were grade 1-2 nausea (35.9 %), diarrhea (25.6 %), urinary tract infection (25.6 %), and abdominal pain (20.5 %). Overall response rate (ORR) was 10.3 %, clinical benefit rate (CBR) was 33.3 %, and median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 3.8 months (95 % CI, 1.8-6.7). Among the 33 patients who received imlunestrant (400 mg [RP2D], n = 29; 800 mg, n = 4) plus abemaciclib, the most common TEAEs were diarrhea (87.9 %), nausea (66.7 %), fatigue (48.5 %), and anemia (45.5 %). ORR was 18.2 %, CBR was 42.4 %, and mPFS was 6.8 months (95 % CI, 2.1-12).

Conclusion: Imlunestrant, as monotherapy and combined with abemaciclib, has a manageable safety profile with preliminary evidence of antitumor activity in patients with ER+ EEC.

Keywords: CDK4/6 inhibitors; SERD; Uterine cancer.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aminopyridines* / administration & dosage
  • Aminopyridines* / adverse effects
  • Aminopyridines* / pharmacokinetics
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols* / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols* / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols* / therapeutic use
  • Benzimidazoles* / administration & dosage
  • Benzimidazoles* / adverse effects
  • Benzimidazoles* / pharmacokinetics
  • Carcinoma, Endometrioid / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Endometrioid / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Endometrioid / pathology
  • Endometrial Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Endometrial Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Endometrial Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / drug therapy
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism

Substances

  • Aminopyridines
  • Benzimidazoles
  • abemaciclib
  • Receptors, Estrogen