Astellas’ SPOTLIGHT trial meets primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS)
Full data to be presented at future scientific congress

TOKYO, November 17, 2022 – Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., “Astellas”) today announced positive topline results from the Phase 3 SPOTLIGHT clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of zolbetuximab in combination with mFOLFOX6 (a combination regimen that includes oxaliplatin, leucovorin and fluorouracil). Zolbetuximab is an investigational first-in-class monoclonal antibody targeting Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2), for the first-line treatment of patients with CLDN18.2-positive, HER2-negative, locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.

The SPOTLIGHT trial enrolled 566 patients with CLDN18.2-positive, HER2-negative, locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma. The study met its primary endpoint showing statistical significance in progression-free survival (PFS) for patients treated with zolbetuximab plus mFOLFOX6 compared to placebo plus mFOLFOX6. In addition, the study met a secondary endpoint, overall survival (OS), showing statistical significance for patients treated with zolbetuximab plus mFOLFOX6 compared to placebo plus mFOLFOX6. The most frequent treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) in patients treated with zolbetuximab plus mFOLFOX6 were nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite. Detailed results will be presented at a future scientific congress and submitted for publication.

“I am excited by the potential for a new treatment option to help patients with advanced-stage gastric cancer or GEJ cancer,” said Kohei Shitara, MD, Primary Investigator for the SPOTLIGHT trial and Chief, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, the National Cancer Center Hospital East in Kashiwa, Japan. “Gastric and GEJ cancers still have very limited treatment options available for patients with an advanced diagnosis.”

“We're delighted and excited about the positive topline results from the SPOTLIGHT trial of zolbetuximab in combination with mFOLFOX6, and we have increased confidence in advancing development of zolbetuximab for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer,” said Ahsan Arozullah, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Vice President and Head of Development Therapeutic Areas, Astellas. “These topline results further support the role of CLDN18.2 as an emerging biomarker in gastric and GEJ cancer. We look forward to presenting the full results at a scientific congress in the near future.”

Zolbetuximab acts by binding to CLDN18.2 on the cancer cell surface of gastric epithelial cells. In pre-clinical studies, this binding interaction then induces cancer cell death by activating two distinct immune system pathways — antibody-dependent cellular toxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity.1 CLDN18.2 is a type of transmembrane protein found in normal gastric cells and is a major component of epithelial and endothelial tight junctions controlling the flow of molecules between cells.2 Pre-clinical studies have shown that CLDN18.2, which can also be present in gastric tumors, may become more exposed and accessible to targeted therapies with antibodies as gastric tumors develop.3,4,5 Based on this study, approximately 38% of screened patients have CLDN18.2-positive tumors, defined as CLDN18.2 expression in ≥75% of tumor cells with strong-to-moderate staining intensity based on a validated immunohistochemistry assay.6

The Phase 3 SPOTLIGHT trial is a global, multi-center, double-blind, randomized study assessing the efficacy and safety of zolbetuximab plus mFOLFOX6 compared to placebo plus mFOLFOX6. Specifically, this study and the Phase 3 GLOW trial, which is evaluating the efficacy and safety of zolbetuximab plus capecitabine and oxaliplatin (CAPOX) compared to placebo plus CAPOX, are being conducted to provide foundational data for regulatory submissions in the U.S., Europe, Asia and other countries globally.

Gastric cancer is often diagnosed in the advanced or metastatic stage, or once it has spread from the tumor’s origin to other body tissues or organs.7 The five-year relative survival rate for patients at the metastatic stage is approximately six percent.8

 

Click below for a copy of the full press release

 

Contact the Media Relations team
Communications & Investor Relations
Main phone line for Media: +81-3244-3201 
Business hours (JST)
From Monday to Thursday: 8:45 am to 5:45 pm, Friday: 8:45 am to 4:00 pm
(closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays and company holidays)