Zanidatamab monotherapy or combined with chemotherapy in HER2-expressing gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma: a phase 1 trial

Nat Commun. 2025 May 8;16(1):4293. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-59279-z.

Abstract

There is a need for novel therapies for patients with previously treated HER2-positive gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA). This phase 1 (NCT02892123) dose-escalation and expansion trial evaluated zanidatamab (a dual HER2-targeted bispecific antibody) ± chemotherapy in previously treated patients with HER2-expressing, locally advanced/metastatic cancers. Here, we report the outcomes for GEA cohorts receiving zanidatamab monotherapy or with chemotherapy (paclitaxel or capecitabine). The primary endpoint was safety and tolerability. Secondary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate, progression-free survival, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity. Seventy patients were enrolled (n = 29 monotherapy; n = 41 combination therapy); most received prior HER2-targeted agents (monotherapy, 93%; combination therapy, 95%). With monotherapy, 69% of patients had any-grade treatment-related AEs (TRAEs); 17% had grade ≥ 3 TRAEs. The most common any-grade TRAEs were diarrhea (41%) and infusion-related reactions (24%). With combination therapy, 98% of patients had any-grade TRAEs; 51% had grade ≥ 3 TRAEs. The most common any-grade TRAEs were diarrhea (68%) and fatigue (44%). Confirmed ORR was 32.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 15.9-52.4) with monotherapy and 48.6% (95% CI 31.9-65.6) with combination therapy. In heavily pre-treated patients with HER2-expressing GEA, zanidatamab ± chemotherapy had a manageable safety profile and promising antitumor activity.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma* / drug therapy
  • Adenocarcinoma* / genetics
  • Adenocarcinoma* / metabolism
  • Adenocarcinoma* / pathology
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Bispecific* / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Bispecific* / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Bispecific* / pharmacokinetics
  • Antibodies, Bispecific* / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols* / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols* / therapeutic use
  • Capecitabine / administration & dosage
  • Capecitabine / therapeutic use
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Esophagogastric Junction / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage
  • Paclitaxel / therapeutic use
  • Progression-Free Survival
  • Receptor, ErbB-2* / genetics
  • Receptor, ErbB-2* / metabolism
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • Capecitabine
  • Paclitaxel
  • Antibodies, Bispecific
  • zanidatamab

Supplementary concepts

  • Adenocarcinoma Of Esophagus