MM-151 overcomes acquired resistance to cetuximab and panitumumab in colorectal cancers harboring EGFR extracellular domain mutations
Sabrina Arena, Giulia Siravegna, Benedetta Mussolin, Jeffrey D Kearns, Beni B Wolf, Sandra Misale, Luca Lazzari, Andrea Bertotti, Livio Trusolino, Alex A Adjei, Clara Montagut, Federica Di Nicolantonio, Rachel Nering, Alberto Bardelli, Sabrina Arena, Giulia Siravegna, Benedetta Mussolin, Jeffrey D Kearns, Beni B Wolf, Sandra Misale, Luca Lazzari, Andrea Bertotti, Livio Trusolino, Alex A Adjei, Clara Montagut, Federica Di Nicolantonio, Rachel Nering, Alberto Bardelli
Abstract
The anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies cetuximab and panitumumab are used to treat RAS wild-type colorectal cancers (CRCs), but their efficacy is limited by the emergence of acquired drug resistance. After EGFR blockade, about 20% of CRCs develop mutations in the EGFR extracellular domain (ECD) that impair antibody binding and are associated with clinical relapse. We hypothesized that EGFR ECD-resistant variants could be targeted by the recently developed oligoclonal antibody MM-151 that binds multiple regions of the EGFR ECD. MM-151 inhibits EGFR signaling and cell growth in preclinical models, including patient-derived cells carrying mutant EGFR. Upon MM-151 treatment, EGFR ECD mutations decline in circulating cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA) of CRC patients who previously developed resistance to EGFR blockade. These data provide molecular rationale for the clinical use of MM-151 in patients who become resistant to cetuximab or panitumumab as a result of EGFR ECD mutations.
Copyright © 2016, American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Source: PubMed