Breakthrough Clinical Results
Johnson & Johnson announced new analyses from the Phase 3 MARIPOSA study demonstrating that the combination of RYBREVANT® (amivantamab-vmjw) and LAZCLUZE® (lazertinib) significantly reduces the development of EGFR- and MET-driven resistance compared to osimertinib in patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This builds on the combination's previously reported overall survival benefit, projected to exceed four years. The reduced resistance translates to a longer, stronger initial response and keeps future treatment options open for patients. The safety profile remained consistent with previous findings, with most adverse events occurring early in treatment. RYBREVANT® plus LAZCLUZE® is approved in the US, Europe, and other markets for first-line treatment of EGFR-mutated NSCLC.
Key Highlights
- RYBREVANT® plus LAZCLUZE® significantly reduces EGFR- and MET-driven resistance compared to osimertinib.
- The combination extends overall survival, projected to exceed four years.
- The safety profile of RYBREVANT® plus LAZCLUZE® remained consistent with prior analyses.
- The combination is approved in the US, Europe, and other markets for first-line EGFR-mutated NSCLC.
Incidence and Prevalence
Global Incidence and Prevalence of EGFR-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Recent studies indicate that the incidence of EGFR mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) varies significantly according to ethnic and geographical backgrounds. EGFR mutations represent the most common type of oncogenic drivers in NSCLC patients globally.
Regional Variation
Asian populations consistently demonstrate a high prevalence of EGFR mutations. A 2023 study reported that among Asian NSCLC patients, 43.3% (103 out of 238 cases) harbored EGFR mutations. Similarly, in Yunnan province, China, the overall EGFR mutation rate was 34.9%, with variation depending on sample type (42.3% in tissue samples, 29.7% in plasma samples).
In Algeria, a 2021 study found EGFR mutations in 39.6% of NSCLC patients, noting this rate was more similar to Asian than Caucasian populations.
New Zealand data (2010-2017) showed that among 3,815 non-squamous NSCLC patients, 45% were tested for EGFR mutations, with 22.5% testing positive. The age-standardized rate (ASR) of EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC was 5.05 per 100,000 person-years, while EGFR mutation-negative NSCLC had an ASR of 17.39 per 100,000 person-years.
In Turkey, EGFR mutations accounted for 69.9% of all detected mutations, with an overall mutation positivity rate of 18.9% among NSCLC patients. This rate was comparable to East European, African-American, and Caucasian patients, but lower than in East Asia.
Iraqi NSCLC patients showed an EGFR mutation rate of 27.53%, positioned between the higher rates in Asian populations and lower rates in Western countries.
Demographic Factors
Several demographic factors influence EGFR mutation prevalence:
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Gender: EGFR mutations are significantly more common in females than males (57.4% vs 31.5% in one study; standardized incidence ratio [SIR] 1.50 in New Zealand)
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Smoking status: Non-smokers have substantially higher rates than smokers (56.8% vs 25.9%), with never-smoking identified as an independent favorable factor for EGFR mutations
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Histology: Adenocarcinoma shows markedly higher mutation rates compared to other histological types (48.3% vs 3.7%; 51.8% vs 21.4% in the Algerian study)
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Ethnicity: In New Zealand, EGFR mutations were more prevalent in Pacific Islanders (SIR 3.47), Asians (SIR 3.35), and Māori (SIR 2.02) compared to New Zealand Europeans
Mutation Patterns
The most common EGFR mutation sites are exons 19 and 21, with frequencies of 20.6% and 19.3% respectively in one Asian study. In Algeria, 91.3% of mutations were exon-21 L585R single mutations, while 8.7% had dual mutations. In Iraq, exon 19 deletions (65.8%) and L858R in exon 21 (26.3%) were most common.
Interestingly, Xuanwei region in China showed a distinctly different EGFR mutation spectrum, with higher G719X and G719X+S768I mutations but lower exon 19 deletion and L858R mutations.
Patients with EGFR mutation-positive advanced NSCLC demonstrate better progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to those with wild-type EGFR.
Drug used in other indications
Expanded Indications for RYBREVANT® and LAZCLUZE® Beyond EGFR Exon 20 NSCLC
Based on the available information, RYBREVANT® (amivantamab-vmjw) is being explored for expanded use within EGFR-mutated NSCLC beyond its current approved indication for EGFR Exon 20 insertion mutations. The clinical evidence shows:
RYBREVANT® (amivantamab-vmjw) Expanded Indications
- Classical EGFR mutations: A real-world multi-center analysis demonstrated 36.4% clinical response rate and 48.5% disease control rate in 39 patients
- Atypical EGFR mutations: Showed promising results with 85.7% clinical response rate and 100% disease control rate in 7 patients
- Combination therapy: The combination of osimertinib with amivantamab has been studied and reported as safe and feasible
- Concurrent treatment: Radiation therapy appears safe when administered sequentially or concurrently with amivantamab
LAZCLUZE® (lazertinib) Expanded Indications
Lazertinib, a third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is being investigated for:
- T790M-mutated NSCLC: In patients previously treated with an EGFR-TKI, showing 62.1% objective response rate and 94.2% disease control rate
- Brain metastases: Demonstrated efficacy with 93.5% intracranial disease control rate and 57.6% intracranial objective response rate
- First-line therapy: Being studied as initial treatment for EGFR-mutated NSCLC compared to gefitinib, showing significant PFS benefit
While both medications remain focused on EGFR-mutated NSCLC, they are being investigated for expanded use within this disease category, targeting different mutation subtypes and treatment settings beyond their original approved indications.
The specific intervention models for these trials are not detailed in the available information beyond the described treatment approaches and combinations mentioned above.
Emerging Mechanism of Action
Key Mechanisms of Action Emerging for EGFR-Mutated NSCLC
EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs)
Recent advances in treating EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have focused on overcoming resistance to existing therapies. While 1st generation reversible TKIs (erlotinib, gefitinib) and 2nd generation irreversible TKIs (afatinib) have shown response rates of 56-74%, resistance commonly develops through the T790M mutation.
3rd Generation TKIs and Beyond
Osimertinib (Tagrisso™), a 3rd generation irreversible EGFR TKI, has become a highly efficacious treatment for patients with T790M mutations who progress on earlier-generation TKIs. Novel approaches include NEP010, a modified version of afatinib with improved inhibitory effects and increased lung tissue exposure.
Innovative Delivery Systems
Hypoxia-activatable prodrugs like KP2334 represent a significant advancement, releasing EGFR inhibitors (KP2187) specifically in hypoxic tumor areas. KP2187 has demonstrated significant inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and EGFR pathway activation, proving highly synergistic with VEGFR inhibitors such as sunitinib.
Combination Therapies
Several promising combination approaches have emerged: - CDK4/6 inhibitors like abemaciclib show synergistic effects with osimertinib in EGFR-mutated cell lines through inhibition of AKT phosphorylation - Amivantamab, an EGFR-MET bispecific antibody, targets both activating and resistance EGFR mutations as well as MET mutations - The CHRYSALIS study demonstrated that amivantamab combined with lazertinib (a brain-penetrant third-generation EGFR TKI) shows antitumor activity in both treatment-naive and osimertinib-relapsed settings
KRAS G12C Inhibitors
For NSCLC with KRAS G12C mutations (11-16% of NSCLC cases): - Sotorasib (AMG510) has shown a 37.1% overall response rate - Adagrasib (MRTX849) has demonstrated a 45% overall response rate - Divarasib has also shown efficacy against KRAS G12C mutations - Potential combinatorial approaches include SHP2, SOS1, MEK, EGFR, mTOR, and CDK inhibitors
Novel Resistance Mechanisms
Recent research has identified SLC12A8 as a mediator of TKI resistance in EGFR-mutant lung cancer via the PDK1/AKT signaling axis. Silencing SLC12A8 expression inhibits oncogenic PDK1/AKT signaling, potentially restoring TKI sensitivity in resistant lung cancer cells.
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
While ICIs generally have poorer efficacy in EGFR-mutated NSCLC, patients with L858R EGFR mutations showed better response to ICIs after EGFR-TKI treatment compared to those with exon 19 deletion, with significantly longer survival (HR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.13-0.93).
Liquid Biopsy Monitoring
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis has emerged as a crucial tool for noninvasive assessment of tumor genotype and monitoring of treatment response and resistance, allowing for more timely therapeutic adjustments.
The MARIPOSA phase 3 trial is currently comparing amivantamab and lazertinib combination therapy versus single-agent osimertinib as first-line treatment for EGFR-mutant NSCLC, potentially establishing new standards of care for these patients.