Multicenter phase 1b-2 study of GFH018 plus toripalimab for recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma

GFH018 is a novel TGF-β type I receptor inhibitor, which has been shown to potentiate the antitumor effect of anti-PD-(L)1 blockade. A phase 1b-2 study in China and Taiwan evaluated the combination of GFH018 and toripalimab (anti-PD-1) for recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (R/M NPC). The objective response rate was 26.1% and the disease control rate was 43.5% with a median duration of response of 7.5 months. Outcomes were better among patients without prior immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. The toxicity profile was manageable. The authors conclude that the combination of GFH018 and toripalimab had antitumor activity among patients with R/M NPC.