In advanced* gastric/GEJ cancer,

Testing for Claudin 18.2

may reveal candidates for targeted first-line treatment.1

*Locally advanced unresectable or metastatic.1

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Testing via IHC allows you to identify patients that may be appropriate for VYLOY + chemotherapy1

  • IHC is used to identify CLDN18.2 positivity1
  • Testing for CLDN18.2 positivity via IHC can be implemented into your laboratory workflow alongside HER2 and other biomarkers1-4

CLDN18.2=Claudin 18.2; GEJ=gastro-oesophageal junction; HER2=human epidermal growth factor receptor 2; IHC=immunohistochemistry.

 

CLDN18.2 is a highly prevalent, predictive biomarker for advanced* G/GEJ adenocarcinoma2,3,5-8

Based on two global Phase 3 clinical trials, it is estimated that:

38% OF PATIENTS with advanced* G/GEJ cancer are CLDN18.2+, which could make them candidates for VYLOY + chemotherapy1-3†‡

*Locally advanced unresectable or metastatic.1
 

CLDN18.2+ (Claudin18.2 positive) is defined as ≥75% of tumour cells demonstrating moderate-to-strong membranous CLDN18 staining by IHC.2,3
 

Data from 2 global randomised Phase 3 studies: SPOTLIGHT, which included 2,403 assessable patients, of which 922 were CLDN18.2 positive; and GLOW, which included 2,104 assessable patients, of which 808 were CLDN18.2 positive.2,3
 

CLDN18.2=Claudin 18.2; CPS=combined positive score; HER2=human epidermal growth factor receptor 2; IHC=immunohistochemistry; MSI=microsatellite instability; PD-L1=programmed death-ligand 1.

 

 

 

[Guidelines in oncology support testing for CLDN18.2 to help identify appropriate patients for VYLOY]

According to various national and global guidelines [NCCN/ESMO/etc]9-11
  • Biomarker testing has an important role in the diagnosis, classification, and molecular characterisation of G/GEJ cancer
  • The implementation of biomarker testing has had a significant impact on clinical practice and patient care
  • CLDN18.2 expression may be examined by IHC, if available

ESMO=European Society for Medical Oncology; NCCN=National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Testing for CLDN18.2

Testing for CLDN18.2 at diagnosis is an essential step in identifying patients who may be appropriate for targeted therapy with VYLOY + chemotherapy.1

  • A clinically validated CLDN18 assay should be used to determine CLDN18.2 status in G/GEJ cancer1
    – In phase 3 clinical trials, the investigational VENTANA CLDN18 (43-14A) RxDx Assay was used to identify patients with locally advanced unresectable or mG/GEJ adenocarcinoma whose tumours are CLDN18.2+ and may be candidates for
 VYLOY + chemotherapy2,3
    – Other CLDN18 antibodies are commercially available
  • CLDN18.2 is an isoform normally present in gastric epithelium and is often retained in malignant gastric tissue12
  • CLDN18.1 is an isoform primarily expressed in adenocarcinoma lung tissue; its expression is negligible in G/GEJ cancers12-14
  • When evaluating CLDN18 staining in G/GEJ tumour tissue, the staining observed is reflective of CLDN18.2 expression12
  • To learn more about testing for CLDN18.2, visit Claudin182.com
  • For information about the VENTANA CLDN18 (43-14A) RxDx Assay, visit Roche.com

CLDN18.2 scoring algorithm

  • CLDN18 staining is scored as the percentage of viable tumour cells showing moderate to strong membranous staining of the total number of viable tumour cells12

Evaluation of staining patterns and intensities

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  • Both staining intensity and percentage of tumour cells stained should be included when reporting CLDN18.2 expression12 
  • Cytoplasmic staining may also be present but is not scored12
  • For each case, the matched negative control slide is used to assess non-specific background staining and the degree of background staining known to occur due to specific tissue elements12
Testing locations

Testing for CLDN18.2+ tumours is available at various labs in Singapore.* The following locations are ready to help identify patients with CLDN18.2+ tumours who may be candidates for treatment with VYLOY + chemotherapy.

Locations

*This information is intended as informational and is not intended as a complete list of available testing options. Astellas is not responsible for any test provider and does not endorse any particular diagnostic test. The accuracy and results of diagnostic tests vary, and Astellas shall have no liability arising from such testing. Information provided herein should in no way be considered a guarantee of coverage, reimbursement, or patient assistance. Providers should contact third-party laboratories for information on their patient assistance programs. While diagnostic testing may assist providers in identifying appropriate treatment for patients, the decision and action should be decided by a provider in consultation with the patient. All products are trademarks of their respective holders, all rights reserved.

Find out how VYLOY fits with your patient’s chemotherapy schedule, whether combined with mFOLFOX6 or CAPOX.

References:

  1. VYLOY Singapore Package Insert.
  2. Shitara K, Lordick F, Bang YJ, et al. Zolbetuximab plus mFOLFOX6 in patients with CLDN18.2-positive, HER2-negative, untreated, locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (SPOTLIGHT): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, plase 3 trial. Lancet 2023;401(10389):1655-68. Errata in: Lancet 2023;402(10398):290; Lancet 2024;403(10421):30.
  3. Shah MA, Shitara K, Ajani JA, et al. Zolbetuximab plus CAPOX in CLDN18.2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: the randomized, phase 3 GLOW trial. Nat Med 2023;29:2133-41.
  4. Abrahao-Machado LF, Scapulatempo-Neto C. HER2 testing in gastric cancer: an update. World J Gastroenterol 2016;22(19):4619-25.
  5. Fuchs CS, Özgüroğlu M, Bang YJ, et al. Pembrolizumab versus paclitaxel for previously treated PD-L1-positive advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer: 2-year update of the randomized phase 3 KEYNOTE-061 trial. Gastric Cancer (Epub) 09-01-2021.
  6. Schoemig-Markiefka B, Eschbach J, Scheel AH, et al. Optimized PD-L1 scoring of gastric cancer. Gastric Cancer 2021;24(5):1115-22.
  7. Van Cutsem E, Bang YJ, Feng-Yi F, et al. HER2 screening data from ToGA: targeting HER2 in gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer. Gastric Cancer 2015;18(3):476-84.
  8. Fuchs CS, Doi T, Jang RW, et al. Safety and efficacy of pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with previously treated advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer: phase 2 clinical KEYNOTE-059 trial. JAMA Oncol 2018;4(5):e180013. Erratum in: JAMA Oncol 2019;5(4):579.
  9. Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Gastric Cancer V2.2023. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2022. All rights reserved. Accessed Sept 29, 2023. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org. NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way.
  10. Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Esophageal and Esophagogastric Junction Cancers V.3.2023. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2023. All rights reserved. Accessed September 1, 2023. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org. NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way.
  11. Lordick F, Carneiro F, Cascinu S, et al. Gastric cancer: ESMO clinical practice guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol 2022;33(10):1005-20; and ESMO Gastric Cancer Living Guideline, v1.2 October 2023.
  12. VENTANA CLDN18 (43-14A) RxDx Assay [package insert]. Tuscon, AZ: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
  13. Sahin U, Koslowski M, Dhaene K, et al. Claudin-18 splice variant 2 is a pan-cancer target suitable for therapeutic antibody development. Clin Cancer Res 2008;14(23):7624-34. Doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-08-1547.
  14. Niimi T, Nagashima K, Ward JM, et al. Claudin-18, a novel downstream target gene for the T/EBP/NKX2.1 homeodomain transcription factor, encodes lung- and stomach-spefific isoforms through alternative splicing. Mol Cell Biol 2001;21(21):7380-90. Doi: 10.1128/MCB.21.21.7380-7390.2001.