BMC Cancer (Jun 2022)

Outcomes from a mechanistic biomarker multi-arm and randomised study of liposomal MTP-PE (Mifamurtide) in metastatic and/or recurrent osteosarcoma (EuroSarc-Memos trial)

  • David J. Barnes,
  • Peter Dutton,
  • Øyvind Bruland,
  • Hans Gelderblom,
  • Ade Faleti,
  • Claudia Bühnemann,
  • Annemiek van Maldegem,
  • Hannah Johnson,
  • Lisa Poulton,
  • Sharon Love,
  • Gesa Tiemeier,
  • Els van Beelen,
  • Karin Herbschleb,
  • Caroline Haddon,
  • Lucinda Billingham,
  • Kevin Bradley,
  • Stefano Ferrari,
  • Emanuela Palmerini,
  • Piero Picci,
  • Uta Dirksen,
  • Sandra J. Strauss,
  • Pancras C. W. Hogendoorn,
  • Emmeline Buddingh,
  • Jean-Yves Blay,
  • Anne Marie Cleton-Jansen,
  • Andrew Bassim Hassan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-022-09697-9
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 1
pp. 1 – 14

Abstract

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Abstract The phase III clinical study of adjuvant liposomal muramyl tripeptide (MTP-PE) in resected high-grade osteosarcoma (OS) documented positive results that have been translated into regulatory approval, supporting initial promise for innate immune therapies in OS. There remains, however, no new approved treatment such as MTP-PE for either metastatic or recurrent OS. Whilst the addition of different agents, including liposomal MTP-PE, to surgery for metastatic or recurrent high-grade osteosarcoma has tried to improve response rates, a mechanistic hiatus exists in terms of a detailed understanding the therapeutic strategies required in advanced disease. Here we report a Bayesian designed multi-arm, multi-centre, open-label phase II study with randomisation in patients with metastatic and/or recurrent OS, designed to investigate how patients with OS might respond to liposomal MTP-PE, either given alone or in combination with ifosfamide. Despite the trial closing because of poor recruitment within the allocated funding period, with no objective responses in eight patients, we report the design and feasibility outcomes for patients registered into the trial. We demonstrate the feasibility of the Bayesian design, European collaboration, tissue collection with genomic analysis and serum cytokine characterisation. Further mechanistic investigation of liposomal MTP-PE alone and in combination with other agents remains warranted in metastatic OS.

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