Positive results are announced from phase III CONTACT-02 pivotal trial evaluating cabozantinib + atezolizumab in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

CONTACT-02 is evaluating cabozantinib (Cabometyx) in combination with atezolizumab compared with a second novel hormonal therapy in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and measurable soft tissue disease who have been previously treated with one novel hormonal therapy. At a prespecified interim analysis for the primary endpoint of overall survival (OS) that occurred at the same time as the primary analysis of PFS, a trend toward improvement of OS was observed; however, the data were immature and did not meet the threshold for statistical significance. Therefore, the trial will continue to the next analysis of OS as planned.

The safety profile of the combination of cabozantinib and atezolizumab was consistent with the known safety profiles for each single medicine, and no new safety signals were identified with the combination.

“These positive findings from CONTACT-02 are highly encouraging given the need for additional, non-cytotoxic or non-chemotherapeutic treatment options for this patient population,” said Neeraj Agarwal, M.D., FASCO, Professor and Presidential Endowed Chair of Cancer Research at Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah and the global lead investigator of the trial. “Cabozantinib in combination with atezolizumab represents a potential new treatment modality for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, and we look forward to sharing the full data at a future medical meeting.”

“Patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer face a poor prognosis of less than two years, and many who progress on a novel hormonal therapy are seeking alternative treatment options to chemotherapy,” said Vicki L. Goodman, M.D., Executive Vice President, Product Development & Medical Affairs, and Chief Medical Officer, Exelixis. “We are pleased to report positive findings from the CONTACT-02 trial, in which cabozantinib in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor has demonstrated an efficacy benefit in another tumor type with significant unmet need. We look forward to discussing these findings with the FDA and to presenting further details at an upcoming medical meeting.”

“With prostate cancer confirmed as the second most commonly occurring cancer in men globally, the need for innovative new therapies is extensive, especially for those whose cancer has progressed to the metastatic castration-resistant form,” said Howard Mayer, Executive Vice President and Head of Research and Development at Ipsen. “These results represent the first positive phase III data of its kind for a tyrosine kinase inhibitor and immunotherapy combination in this indication. We will engage with regulatory authorities on these data and look forward to further exploring the potential treatment benefit for a patient population at such a challenging stage of disease.”

About CONTACT-02: CONTACT-02 is a global, multicenter, randomized, phase III, open-label study that enrolled 575 patients who were randomized 1:1 to the experimental arm of cabozantinib in combination with atezolizumab and the control arm of a second novel hormonal therapy (either abiraterone and prednisone or enzalutamide). The study included patients with mCRPC who have measurable visceral disease or measurable extra pelvic adenopathy who have been previously treated with one novel hormonal therapy. The two primary endpoints of the trial are PFS and OS. The secondary endpoint is objective response rate. The trial is sponsored by Exelixis and co-funded by Ipsen, Roche and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda). Takeda is conducting the trial in Japan. More information about CONTACT-02 is available at ClinicalTrials.gov.