Long-term safety and efficacy of selumetinib in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 on a phase 1/2 trial for inoperable plexiform neurofibromas

Neuro Oncol. 2023 Oct 3;25(10):1883-1894. doi: 10.1093/neuonc/noad086.

Abstract

Background: Selumetinib shrank inoperable symptomatic plexiform neurofibromas (PN) in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and provided clinical benefit for many in our previously published phase 1/2 clinical trials (SPRINT, NCT01362803). At the data cutoff (DCO) of the prior publications, 65% of participants were still receiving treatment. This report presents up to 5 years of additional safety and efficacy data from these studies.

Methods: This manuscript includes data from the phase 1 and phase 2, stratum 1 study which included participants with clinically significant PN-related morbidity. Participants received continuous selumetinib dosing (1 cycle = 28 days). Safety and efficacy data through February 27, 2021 are included. PN response assessed by volumetric magnetic resonance imaging analysis: Confirmed partial response (cPR) ≥20% decrease from baseline on 2 consecutive evaluations. Phase 2 participants completed patient-reported outcome measures assessing tumor pain intensity (Numeric Rating Scale-11) and interference of pain in daily life (pain interference index).

Results: For the 74 children (median age 10.3 years; range 3-18.5) enrolled, overall cPR rate was 70% (52/74); median duration of treatment was 57.5 cycles (range 1-100). Responses were generally sustained with 59% (44) lasting ≥ 12 cycles. Tumor pain intensity (n = 19, P = .015) and pain interference (n = 18, P = .0059) showed durable improvement from baseline to 48 cycles. No new safety signals were identified; however, some developed known selumetinib-related adverse events (AEs) for the first time after several years of treatment.

Conclusions: With up to 5 years of additional selumetinib treatment, most children with NF1-related PN had durable tumor shrinkage and sustained improvement in pain beyond that previously reported at 1 year. No new safety signals were identified; however, ongoing monitoring for known selumetinib-related AEs is needed while treatment continues.

Keywords: MEK Inhibitors; Neurofibromatosis type 1; Plexiform Neurofibromas.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Benzimidazoles / adverse effects
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Neurofibroma, Plexiform* / drug therapy
  • Neurofibroma, Plexiform* / pathology
  • Neurofibromatosis 1* / complications
  • Neurofibromatosis 1* / drug therapy
  • Pain

Substances

  • AZD 6244
  • Benzimidazoles

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01362803