Umbrella Protocol for Phase I/IIa Trials of Molecularly Matched Targeted Therapies Plus Radiotherapy in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Without MGMT Promoter Methylation: NCT Neuro Master Match - N²M² (NOA-20)

Advances in the understanding of glioblastoma at a molecular level along with technological progress have led to the identification of key genetic alterations, not only in scientific projects but also in every-day clinical practice. These alterations increasingly refine the sub-classification of glioblastoma and the introduction of molecular markers in this classification, which ultimately may allow defining subset specific treatments.

The present umbrella concept for multiple biomarker-driven subtrials anchors at the Heidelberg-based INFORM registry trial in recurrent pediatric malignancies, where in analogy to NCT Neuro Master Match (N²M²) whole-exome, low-coverage whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing is used to identify targeted agents, single or in combinations according to a dedicated algorithm. It also shares conceptual similarities with international projects currently developed for lung and breast cancer. Finally, approaches to use molecular information in glioblastoma for the definition of a therapy at progression are also planned by the "Defeat Glioma" Consortium in the US and a group of excellence centers also in the US.

The N²M² concept excels the aforementioned initiatives in the strict focus on newly diagnosed patients, the option to cross-validate molecular biomarkers in an already analyzed contemporary cohort of glioblastoma patients analyzed in the German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK) and the use of a parallel group treated with standard-of-care (SOC). Further restriction is made by the inclusion of patients only with a low likelihood to benefit from the SOC, temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy on the basis of O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation, allowing to replace TMZ with a molecularly targeted agent in combination with radiotherapy (RT) in each of the experimental subtrials. Replacing TMZ by an experimental agent in the primary chemo-radiotherapy has been done in at least four completed trials, albeit without pre-selection of a targeted therapy but the more opportunistic use of an available drug with no known MGMT interaction. Focusing on newly diagnosed patients not only harbors the greater likelihood of impact on the disease, but also allows addressing questions on acquired resistance in the more likely obtained tumor tissue at recurrence.

N²M² is formally divided into a DISCOVERY and a TREATMENT aspect. DISCOVERY starts with an (epigenomewide) Illumina methylation array and a panel sequencing followed by an appropriate and accepted standard method (Sanger Sequencing or Immunohistochemistry) within the scope of these methods for target validation prior to any suggestion for patient allocation into one of the subtrials. Suggestions for patients' allocation to one of the subtrials will be based on results of accepted standard methods. These data will be generated from formaline-fixed paraffine embedded (FFPE) tissue within in 2-3 weeks after surgery. The Heidelberg site has already established the next generation gene panel sequencing (used for target discovery in case of N²M²) and genome wide DNA methylation analyses for aiding daily routine. To meet the criteria for a safe use of these data for decision-making the orthogonal, standard methods performed in the Institute of Pathology are supplemented.

DISCOVERY also includes the use of whole exome, low-coverage whole-genome, and transcriptome sequencing, the methylome analysis, and gene expression arrays to find new, unexpected targets and get a more comprehensive view on affected pathways. Discovery is also the driving force behind the work on resistant tumors. The latter may result in individual treatment decisions at recurrence, knowing there are no relevantly active treatments in this setting.