Dr. Thomas on Potential Biomarkers of Response to Berzosertib/Topotecan in SCLC

Anish Thomas, MD, medical oncologist, Lasker clinical research scholar, developmental therapeutics branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Mercy Clinic, discusses potential biomarkers of response to the combination of berzosertib plus topotecan in patients with relapsed, platinum-resistant small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

The phase 2 DDRiver SCLC 250 trial (NCT04768296), which assessed the efficacy of berzosertib plus topotecan in this patient population, also examined biomarkers of response to the combination, according to Thomas. However, because the rapid progression of the disease makes it challenging to collect the necessary tumor tissues, biomarkers can often be difficult to assess, Thomas adds.

In the trial, biopsies were done on 20 patients and showed that those with high neuroendocrine differentiation may be more likely to respond to the combination vs those with low differentiation, Thomas explains. Ongoing research with the combination will further evaluate, and hopefully be informed by, biomarkers of response, Thomas concludes.