| Literature DB >> 34885875 |
Giuliana Pavone1,2, Lucia Motta1,2, Federica Martorana1,3, Gianmarco Motta1,2, Paolo Vigneri1,2,3.
Abstract
Human trophoblast cell-surface antigen-2 (Trop-2) is a membrane glycoprotein involved in cell proliferation and motility, frequently overexpressed in epithelial tumors. Thus, it represents an attractive target for anticancer therapies. Sacituzumab govitecan (SG) is a third-generation antibody-drug conjugate, consisting of an anti-Trop-2 monoclonal antibody (hRS7), a hydrolyzable linker, and a cytotoxin (SN38), which inhibits topoisomerase 1. Specific pharmacological features, such as the high antibody to payload ratio, the ultra-toxic nature of SN38, and the capacity to kill surrounding tumor cells (the bystander effect), make SG a very promising drug for cancer treatment. Indeed, unprecedented results have been observed with SG in patients with heavily pretreated advanced triple-negative breast cancer and urothelial carcinomas, and the drug has already received approval for these indications. These results are coupled with a manageable toxicity profile, with neutropenia and diarrhea as the most frequent adverse events, mainly of grades 1-2. While several trials are exploring SG activity in different tumor types and settings, potential biomarkers of response are under investigation. Among these, Trop-2 overexpression and the presence of BRCA1/2 mutations seem to be the most promising. We review the available literature concerning SG, with a focus on its toxicity spectrum and possible biomarkers of its response.Entities:
Keywords: Sacituzumab govitecan; Trop-2; antibody-drug conjugates; breast cancer
Mesh:
Substances:
Year: 2021 PMID: 34885875 PMCID: PMC8659286 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26237294
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Molecules ISSN: 1420-3049 Impact factor: 4.411
Figure 1Trop-2 signal transduction. Trop-2 is a membrane receptor consisting of an extracellular domain, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular domain. Its cytoplasmatic domain contains a phosphatidyl-inositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) binding site. The interaction with PIP2 allows the phosphorylation of the receptor by protein kinase C (PKC). This determines the cleavage of PIP2 into inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG) by phospholipase C. IP3 remains in the cytoplasm and mediates the accumulation of intracellular calcium by opening the calcium channels located on the endoplasmic reticulum. Trop-2-induced calcium release leads the recruitment of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), which promote cell proliferation. Furthermore, Trop-2 undergoes the cleavage into two parts by the proteases γ-secretase and TNF-α converting enzyme (TACE). The intracellular domain moves to the nucleus and colocalizes with a β-catenin resulting in the up-regulation of Cyclin D1, which fosters the cell cycle progression. Finally, Trop-2 would seem to be involved in the loss of cell–substrate adhesion, i.e., separation from the extracellular membrane (ECM), and in the promotion of cell migration due the activation of the β1–integrin–RACK1–FAK–Src signaling axis.
Figure 2Mechanism of action of Sacituzumab govitecan. The humanized monoclonal antibody (hRS7) allows the internalization of the cytotoxic payload (SN38) into the tumor cell after binding with the surface receptor Trop-2. The hRS7 complex bound to Trop-2 is internalized through an endosomal vesicle that carries it to the lysosomes. Free SN-38, released after antibody catabolism and linker hydrolysis within the lysosome, induces DNA damage due to the inhibition of topoisomerase 1. Furthermore, the hydrolyzable linker enables SN-38 to be released into the tumor microenvironment. Given its membrane-permeable nature, free SN-38 can also exert its effect on neighboring cancer cells. Thus, tumor cells that express Trop-2 on the surface undergo the cytotoxic effect of SG by the intracellular uptake of SN38, whereas the adjacent ones experience this effect by its extracellular release (the so-called bystander effect).
Selected published and ongoing trials testing Sacituzumab govitecan in breast cancer.
| Trial Name | Phase | Study Treatment | Study Population | Study Design | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT01631552 | I/II | SG | Solid Tumors | Open label, single group | Published [ |
| NCT04039230 | I/II | SG + Talazoparib | mBC | Open label, single group | Ongoing |
| NCT03424005 | Ib/II | SG + Atezolizumab | mTNBC | Open label, randomized multi-cohort | Ongoing |
| NCT03992131 | Ib/II | SG + Rucaparib | Advanced solid tumors | Open label, non-randomized | Ongoing |
| NCT04927884 | Ib/II | SG | mTNBC | Open label, single group | Ongoing |
| NCT04647916 | II | SG | HER2-BC and brain metastases | Open label, single group | Ongoing |
| NCT04468061 | 2 | SG + Pembrolizumab | mTNBC | Open label, randomized | Ongoing |
| NCT04448886 | 2 | SG + Pembrolizumab | HR+/HER2-mBC | Open label, randomized | Ongoing |
| NCT04230109 (NeoSTAR) | 2 | SG + Pembrolizumab | Localized TNBC | Open label, randomized | Ongoing |
| NCT02574455 (ASCENT) | 3 | SG | mTNBC | Open label, randomized | Published [ |
| NCT03901339 (TROPiCS-02) | 3 | SG | HR + HER2-mBC | Open label, randomized | Ongoing |
| NCT04595565 (SASCIA) | 3 | SG | HER2-/BC wo pCR after NACT | Open label, randomized | Ongoing |
Legend: BC: breast cancer; HER2-: HER2 negative; HR+: hormone receptor positive; m: metastatic; NACT: Neoadjuvant therapy; pCR: pathologic complete response; SG: Sacituzumab govitecan; TNBC: triple-negative breast cancer; wo: without.
Selected published and ongoing trials testing Sacituzumab govitecan in solid tumors other than breast cancer.
| Table | Phase | Study Treatment | Study Population | Study Design | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT04617522 | 1 | SG | Advanced solid tumors and moderate liver impairment | Open label, non-randomized | Ongoing |
| NCT04724018 | 1 | SG + Enfortumab vedotin | mUC after platinum and anti-PD1/L1 | Open label, single group | Ongoing |
| NCT03995706 | 1 | SG | Breast cancer with brain metastases and glioblastoma | Open label, single group | Ongoing |
| NCT01631552 | 1/2 | SG | Epithelial cancers | Open label, non-randomized | Published [ |
| NCT04826341 | 1/2 | SG + Berzosertib | Advanced solid tumors > 1 L | Open label, non-randomized | Ongoing |
| NCT04863885 | 1/2 | SG + IPI/NIVO | 1L cisplatin-ineligible mUC | Open label, non-randomized | Ongoing |
| NCT03869190 | 1/2 | SG + Atezolizumab | mUC | Open label, randomized, multi-cohort | Ongoing |
| NCT03992131 | 1b/2 | SG + Rucaparib | Advanced or metastatic solid tumors | Open label, non-randomized | Ongoing |
| NCT03337698 | 1b/2 | SG + Atezolizumab | mNSCLC | Open label, randomized | Ongoing |
| NCT03547973 | 2 | SG | mUC after platinum or anti-PD1/L1 (113) | Open label, non-randomized | Published [ |
| NCT04251416 | 2 | SG | Persistent/recurrent EC | Open label, single group assignment | Ongoing |
| NCT03964727 | 2 | SG | Metastatic solid tumors | Open label, single group assignment | Ongoing |
| NCT04559230 | 2 | SG | Recurrent glioblastoma | Open label, single group assignment | Ongoing |
| NCT03725761 | 2 | SG | Castration-resistant prostate cancer after second-generation ADT | Open label, single group assignment | Ongoing |
| NCT04527991 | 3 | SG | Metastatic or locally advanced unresectable UC | Open label, randomized | Ongoing |
Legend: 1/2L: first or second line; ADT: androgen deprivation therapy; HRD: homologous repair deficiency; IPI/NIVO: ipilimumab + nivolumab; m: metastatic; EC: endometrial cancer; NSCLC: non-small cell lung cancer; PARPi: poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-inhibitors; SCLC: small cell lung cancer; SG: Sacituzumab govitecan; TAX: paclitaxel; TXT: docetaxel; UC: urothelial carcinoma.