NEW YORK – Mirati Therapeutics and Verastem Oncology said on Monday that they have teamed up to evaluate Mirati's KRAS G12C inhibitor adagrasib combined with Verastem's RAF/MEK inhibitor VS-6766 for KRAS G12C-mutated non-small cell lung cancer.
Specifically, the firms have entered a nonexclusive clinical collaboration agreement, through which they will conduct a single-arm Phase I/II clinical trial evaluating the maximum tolerated dose and recommended Phase II dose of the combination for KRAS G12C-mutated NSCLC patients. The trial is also designed to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of the combination for patients who have progressed on prior treatment with a KRAS G12C inhibitor.
The trial rationale is rooted in preclinical studies showing that using both agents to block the ERK pathway signaling to a deeper extent can improve anti-tumor efficacy relative to either agent on its own. According to Brian Stuglik, Verastem's CEO, the combination may help overcome downstream resistance mechanisms in the RAS pathway.
"We continue to see evidence of the differentiated potential of the dual RAF and MEK properties and favorable safety profile of VS-6766 as an ideal combination therapy in treating RAS pathway-driven cancers," Stuglik said in a statement.
Recently, Verastem also announced a partnership with Amgen to evaluate VS-6766 combined with Amgen's KRAS G12C inhibitor sotorasib (Lumakras) in KRAS G12C-mutant non-small cell lung cancer.