Exploratory composite endpoint demonstrates benefit of trilaciclib across multiple clinically meaningful components of myeloprotection in patients with small cell lung cancer

Chemotherapy‐induced myelosuppression is an acute, dose‐limiting toxicity of chemotherapy regimens used in the treatment of extensive‐stage small cell lung cancer (ES‐SCLC). Trilaciclib protects haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from chemotherapy‐induced damage (myeloprotection). To assess the totality of the myeloprotective benefits of trilaciclib, including analysis of several clinically relevant but low‐frequency events, an exploratory composite endpoint comprising five major adverse haematological events (MAHE) was prospectively defined: all‐cause hospitalisations, all‐cause chemotherapy dose reductions, febrile neutropenia (FN), prolonged severe neutropenia (SN) and red blood cell (RBC) transfusions on/after Week 5. MAHE and its individual components were assessed in three randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled Phase 2 trials in patients receiving a platinum/etoposide or topotecan‐containing chemotherapy regimen for ES‐SCLC and in data pooled from the three trials. A total of 242 patients were randomised across the three trials (trilaciclib, n = 123; placebo, n = 119). In the individual trials and the pooled analysis, administering trilaciclib prior to chemotherapy resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the cumulative incidence of MAHE compared to placebo. In the pooled analysis, the cumulative incidences of all‐cause chemotherapy dose reductions, FN, prolonged SN and RBC transfusions on/after Week 5 were significantly reduced with trilaciclib vs placebo; however, no significant difference was observed in rates of all‐cause hospitalisations. Additionally, compared to placebo, trilaciclib significantly extended the amount of time patients remained free of MAHE. These data support the myeloprotective benefits of trilaciclib and its ability to improve the overall safety profile of myelosuppressive chemotherapy regimens used to treat patients with ES‐SCLC.