Carboplatin/Nab-Paclitaxel and Pembrolizumab in NSCLC

A Phase I/II Study of Carboplatin/Nab-Paclitaxel and Pembrolizumab for Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

This is a phase I/II study for previously untreated subjects with advanced NSCLC. The study will take place in two phases. First, a cohort of twelve participants will be enrolled in phase I part and will be treated with carboplatin, nab-paclitaxel and pembrolizumab. A cohort of twelve subjects will be evaluated for safety and tolerability after 2 cycles of therapy. All subjects who receive either nab-paclitaxel or pembrolizumab will be evaluable. If 33% of subjects or less have unacceptable toxicity in the first cohort or any subsequent cohort (if necessary), the study will proceed to the Phase II part. If more than 33% have unacceptable toxicity, 12 additional subjects will be enrolled in a second cohort, if necessary. If unacceptable toxicity is seen in more than 33% in Cohort 2, the study will end due to unacceptable toxicity of this drug combination.

The phase II part of the study is a single arm study. All subjects will be treated with carboplatin, nab-paclitaxel, and pembrolizumab in 21-day cycles for up to 4 cycles.

Mandatory pre-treatment tumor biopsies will be obtained prior to initiating treatment for all subjects (only if adequate archived samples are unavailable). Mandatory tumor biopsies will be obtained in the Phase II part of the study after 4 cycles of study treatment or at the time of progression, whichever comes first.

For subjects without progression of disease after Cycle 4, pembrolizumab will continue every 3 weeks for up to 2 years or until unacceptable toxicity.

Study Overview

• Status: Terminated
• Conditions: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Carboplatin; Drug: Nab-paclitaxel; Drug: MK-3475 (Phase I); Drug: MK-3475 (Phase II)

Detailed Description

OUTLINE: This is a multi-center study.

INVESTIGATIONAL TREATMENT:

Phase I, Cohort 1 Induction Therapy:

• Carboplatin AUC 6 IV, Day 1
• Nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m^2 IV, Days 1, 8, 15
• pembrolizumab 2 mg/kg IV, Day 1
• Cycle length: 21 days; number of cycles: 4

Phase I, Cohort 1 Maintenance Therapy:

For subjects who have confirmed CR, PR, or SD (non-progression) after 4 cycles of induction therapy, maintenance therapy with pembrolizumab 2* mg/kg will continue on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle. Treatment will continue until progression of disease, unacceptable toxicity, or for a maximum of 2 years from Cycle 1, Day 1 (C1D1). Subjects who complete 24 months of treatment with pembrolizumab may be eligible for up to one year of additional study treatment if they progress after stopping study treatment provided they continue to meet inclusion criteria requirements.

If unacceptable toxicity is seen in Phase I, Cohort 1, 12 additional participants will be enrolled.

Phase I, Cohort 2 Induction Therapy (if necessary):

• Carboplatin AUC 6 IV, Day 1
• Nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m^2 IV, Days 1, 8, 15
• pembrolizumab 2 mg/kg IV, Day 1 (cycle 2-4 only)
• Cycle length: 21 days; Number of cycles: 4

Phase I, Cohort 2 Maintenance Therapy:

For subjects who have confirmed CR, PR, or SD (non-progression) after 4 cycles of induction therapy, maintenance therapy with pembrolizumab 2* mg/kg will continue on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle. Treatment will continue until progression of disease, unacceptable toxicity, or for a maximum of 2 years from Cycle 2, Day 1 (C2D1). Subjects who complete 24 months of treatment with pembrolizumab may be eligible for up to one year of additional study treatment if they progress after stopping study treatment provided they continue to meet inclusion criteria requirements.

Phase II Induction Therapy:

• Carboplatin AUC 6 IV, Day 1
• Nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m^2 IV, Days 1, 8, 15
• pembrolizumab 200mg IV, Day 1 of each cycle
• Cycle length: 21 days; number of cycles: 4

Phase II Maintenance Therapy:

For subjects who have confirmed CR, PR, or SD (non-progression) after 4 cycles of induction therapy, maintenance therapy with pembrolizumab 200 mg will continue on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle. Treatment will continue until progression of disease, unacceptable toxicity, or for a maximum of 2 years from Cycle 1, Day 1 (C1D1). Subjects who complete 24 months of treatment with pembrolizumab may be eligible for up to one year of additional study treatment if they progress after stopping study treatment provided they meet the requirements.

*As additional data from ongoing trials becomes available, the dose of pembrolizumab may be adjusted.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 46
• Phase: Phase 2; Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • California
    • Duarte, California, United States, 91010
      • City of Hope
  • Illinois
    • Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60611
      • Northwestern University, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • Indiana
    • Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 46202
      • Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center
    • Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 46219
      • IU Health Central Indiana Cancer Center
  • Virginia
    • Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, 22908
      • University of Virginia Cancer Center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects must be willing and able to provide written informed consent for the trial and HIPAA authorization for release of personal health information. NOTE: HIPAA authorization may be included in the informed consent or obtained separately.
• Subjects must be ≥ 18 years of age.
• Individuals with stage IIIB or IV, unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have not received prior chemotherapy for Stage IIIB or IV disease, and who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation therapy.
• ECOG performance status (PS) 0-1
• Measurable disease by RECIST v1.1 criteria
• Prior to registration, all subjects must have archival tissue available. For subjects who have no archival tissue, but have PD-L1 testing results using the Dako 22C3 antibody, subjects will be permitted to enroll without submitting tissue. If the patient has not had prior testing and no acceptable archival tissue is available, subjects must be willing to consent to providing a pre-treatment biopsy for PD-L1 testing. Regardless of PD-L1 testing status, archival tissue will be requested for research testing if available.
• Phase II subjects must be willing to consent to providing a mandatory post-treatment core biopsy for research if clinical feasible.
• Women are eligible to participate if they are of non-childbearing potential or have documentation of a negative pregnancy test (serum or urine β-hCG) within 3 days of registration. Sexually active pre-menopausal women of childbearing potential must agree to use adequate, highly effective contraceptive measures, starting with the first dose of study drug and for 120 days after the last dose of last study drug. Effective birth control includes (a) intrauterine device (IUD) plus one barrier method; (b) oral, implantable, or injectable contraceptives plus one barrier method; or (c) 2 barrier methods. Effective barrier methods are male or female condoms, diaphragms, and spermicides (creams or gels that contain a chemical to kill sperm). Women of childbearing potential are those who have not been surgically sterilized or have not been free from menses for ≥ 1 year.
• Male participants should agree to use an adequate method of contraception starting with the first dose of study drug through 120 days after the last dose of last study drug.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals with the presence of symptomatic CNS metastases requiring radiation treatment, surgery, or ongoing use of corticosteroids.
• Untreated or brain metastasis causing any symptoms, such as neurologic deficits or headache. Individuals with previously treated brain metastases may participate provided they are stable (without evidence of progression by imaging for at least four weeks prior to the first dose of study drug and any neurologic symptoms have returned to baseline and whole brain radiation or stereotactic radiosurgery completed over 4 weeks prior to registration), have no evidence of new or enlarging brain metastases, and are not using steroids for at least 7 days prior to study treatment.
• History of solid organ or stem cell transplant requiring immunosuppressive medications.
• Any prior adjuvant cytotoxic chemotherapy within 12 months of registration. Subjects who received chemotherapy for earlier stage disease more than 12 months prior to study registration are eligible for this trial.
• Has received prior therapy with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, anti-PD-L2, anti-CD137, or anti-Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) antibody (including ipilimumab or any other antibody or drug specifically targeting T-cell co-stimulation or checkpoint pathways).
• Any radiotherapy within 2 weeks prior to registration (4 weeks for brain radiotherapy as noted above).
• Is currently participating in or has participated in a study of an investigational agent or using an investigational device within 4 weeks of the first dose of treatment.
• History of other invasive malignancy that is currently active and/or has been treated within 12 months of registration. (Notable exceptions include: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, localized prostate cancer, in situ carcinomas of the cervix and breast, and superficial bladder cancers [non-muscle-invasive]).
• Has known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (HIV 1/2 antibodies).
• Active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in past 2 years (i.e. with use of disease modifying agents, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs). Replacement therapy (e.g., thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, etc.) is not considered a form of systemic treatment.
• Pulmonary conditions such as sarcoidosis, silicosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
• Has a history of pneumonitis that required steroids or current pneumonitis.
• Pre-existing peripheral neuropathy that is ≥ Grade 2 by CTCAE v 4.0 criteria.
• Known significant liver disease including viral, alcoholic, active hepatitis B or C, and/or cirrhosis.
• Abnormal liver or renal function as defined as: bilirubin ≥ 1.5 mg/dL; AST or ALT ≥ 2.5 x the ULN; alkaline phosphatase > 2.5 x the ULN, there is no upper limit if bone metastasis is present in the absence of liver metastasis; creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL
• Abnormal baseline hematologic or coagulation parameters as defined as: absolute neutrophil count (ANC) <1.5 x 10^9/L; hemoglobin < 9.0 g/dL; platelets < 100 x 10^9/L; International Normalized Ratio (INR) of prothrombin time (PT) ≥ 1.5 x ULN unless subject is receiving anticoagulant therapy as long as PT or PTT is within therapeutic range of intended use of anticoagulants; Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) ≥ 1.5 x ULN unless subject is receiving anticoagulant therapy as long as PT or PTT is within therapeutic range of intended use of anticoagulants
• Has received a live vaccine within 30 days prior to the first dose of study drug.
• Known activating EGFR mutation or ALK translocation
• Is pregnant or breastfeeding, or expecting to conceive or father children within the projected duration of the trial, starting with the pre-screening or screening visit through 120 days after the last dose of pembrolizumab.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Non-Randomized
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Arm A: Phase I Dose Finding Cohort; Twelve subjects will be enrolled and treated with carboplatin AUC 6 IV on Day 1, nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m^2 IV on Day 1, Day 8, and Day 15, pembrolizumab 2* mg/kg IV on Day 1 for 4 cycles. pembrolizumab (Phase I) treatment for Cohort 1 will continue for a maximum duration of 4 21-day cycles Phase I, Cohort 1 Maintenance Therapy: Participants who have confirmed CR, PR, or SD (non-progression) after 4 cycles, maintenance therapy with MK-3475 2* mg/kg will continue on D1 of each 21-day cycle. Treatment will continue until progression of disease, unacceptable toxicity, or a maximum of 2 years from C1D1. If unacceptable toxicity is seen in Phase I Cohort 1, 12 additional participants will be enrolled in Cohort 2 and treated with carboplatin AUC 6 IV on D1, nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 IV on D1, D8, and D15, MK-3475 2*mg/kg IV on D1 starting C2. MK-3475 (Phase 1) treatment for Cohort 2 will continue for a maximum duration of 3 21-day cycles (C2-4 only).	Drug: Carboplatin; Carboplatin AUC 6 IV, D1 for 4 cycles (cycle = 21 days); Other Names: Paraplatin; Drug: Nab-paclitaxel; Nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 IV, D1, D8, D15 for 4 cycles (cycle = 21 days); Other Names: Abraxane; Drug: MK-3475 (Phase I); MK-3475 2 mg/kg IV, D1 for 4 cycles (Cohort 1) or 3 cycles (Cohort 2) (cycle = 21 days) Maintenance MK-3475 2 mg/kg IV continues every 21 days after Cycle 4 for up to 2 years.; Other Names: Pembrolizumab
Experimental: Arm B: Phase II Investigational Treatment; Subjects will be treated with carboplatin AUC 6 given IV on Day 1, nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m^2 given IV on Day 1, Day 8, and Day 15, and pembrolizumab 200mg IV on Day 1 of each cycle. Pembrolizumab Phase II treatment will continue for a maximum duration of 4 cycles (cycle = 21 days). Maintenance Therapy For participants who have confirmed CR, PR, or SD (non-progression) after 4 cycles of induction therapy, maintenance therapy with MK-3475 2* mg/kg will continue on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle. Treatment will continue until progression of disease, unacceptable toxicity, or for a maximum of 2 years from C1D1. *As additional data from ongoing trials becomes available, the dose of MK-3475 may be adjusted.	Drug: Carboplatin; Carboplatin AUC 6 IV, D1 for 4 cycles (cycle = 21 days); Other Names: Paraplatin; Drug: Nab-paclitaxel; Nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 IV, D1, D8, D15 for 4 cycles (cycle = 21 days); Other Names: Abraxane; Drug: MK-3475 (Phase II); MK-3475 200 mg IV Day 1 of each cycle (cycle = 21 days) Maintenance MK-3475 2 mg/kg IV continues every 21 days after Cycle 4 for up to 2 years.; Other Names: Pembrolizumab

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Phase I: Number of Participants With Adverse Events as a Measure of Safety and Tolerability of Recommended Phase II Dose	To determine the recommended Phase II dose (RP2D) of MK-3475 and evaluate the safety and tolerability of the combination of MK-3475 with carboplatin/nab-paclitaxel for the first line treatment of phase I participants with advanced NSCLC per CTCAE v4.0 criteria by summarizing the number of adverse events experienced by subjects.	Begin C1D1 and every 2 chemotherapy cycles (6 weeks) thereafter, for up to 2 years or until unacceptable toxicity.
Phase II: Disease Assessment for Progression-Free Survival (PFS)	To evaluate progression-free survival (PFS) for phase II participants receiving MK-3475 and carboplatin/nab-paclitaxel for the first line treatment of advanced NSCLC per RECIST 1.1 criteria. PFS is defined as the duration of time from date of registration to time of progression or death, whichever occurs first. Progression is defined using Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (RECIST v1.0), as a 20% increase in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions, or a measurable increase in a non-target lesion, or the appearance of new lesions	From date of registration to time of first documented progression or death, whichever occurs first (estimate 9 months)
Phase II: Objective Response Rate	To evaluate objective response rate for phase II participants receiving MK-3475 and carboplatin/nab-paclitaxel for the first line treatment of advanced NSCLC per RECIST 1.1 criteria. Per Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (RECIST v1.0) for target lesions and assessed by MRI: Complete Response (CR), Disappearance of all target lesions; Partial Response (PR), >=30% decrease in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions; Overall Response (OR) = CR + PR.	From the start of treatment until progression or death up to 24 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Phase I: Disease Assessment for Progression-Free Survival (PFS)	To evaluate progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response for phase I participants receiving MK-3475 and carboplatin/nab-paclitaxel for the first line treatment of advanced NSCLC per RECIST 1.1 criteria. Progression is defined using Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (RECIST v1.0), as a 20% increase in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions, or a measurable increase in a non-target lesion, or the appearance of new lesions	From date of registration to time of first documented progression or death, whichever occurs first (estimate 9 months)
Phase I : Objective Response Rate	To evaluate objective response rate for phase II participants receiving MK-3475 and carboplatin/nab-paclitaxel for the first line treatment of advanced NSCLC per RECIST 1.1 criteria. Objective response rate (ORR), is defined as the proportion of patients with a complete response or partial response to treatment according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST).	From the start of treatment until progression or death up to 11 months.
Phase I: Disease Assessment for Anti-Tumor Activity	To evaluate anti-tumor activity for phase I participants will be reported as a percentage change in the sum of the dimensions of all measurable lesions as defined by RECIST 1.1 criteria.	From date of registration to time of first documented progression. (Measurable disease will be assessed after every 2 chemotherapy cycles [every 6 weeks thereafter for up to 2 years or until unacceptable toxicity]).
Phase I: Overall Survival (OS)	To evaluate overall survival rates for phase I participants receiving MK-3475 and carboplatin/nab-paclitaxel for the first line treatment of advanced NSCLC.	From date of registration to date of death from any cause up to 49 months.
Phase II: Overall Survival (OS)	To evaluate overall survival rates for phase II participants receiving MK-3475 and carboplatin/nab-paclitaxel for the first line treatment of advanced NSCLC.	From date of registration to date of death from any cause up to 42 months.
Phase II: Disease Assessment for Anti-Tumor Activity	To evaluate anti-tumor activity for phase I participants will be reported as a percentage change in the sum of the dimensions of all measurable lesions as defined by RECIST 1.1 criteria.	From date of registration to time of first documented progression. (Measurable disease will be assessed after every 2 chemotherapy cycles [every 6 weeks thereafter for up to 2 years or until unacceptable toxicity]).
Phase II: Number of Participants With Adverse Events as a Measure of Safety and Tolerability	To evaluate the safety and tolerability of the combination of MK-3475 with carboplatin/nab-paclitaxel for the first line treatment of phase II participants with advanced NSCLC per CTCAE v4.0. Safety and tolerability is defined as rates of Grade 1-5 toxicity according to CTCAE v4.	Begin C1D1 and every 2 cycles (6 weeks) thereafter, for up to 2 years or until unacceptable toxicity.
All Phases: Assessment of Association of PD-L1 Expression on PFS	To evaluate the association of PD-L1 expression on PFS for all participants receiving MK-3475. PD-L1 will be categorized as positive (≥50% expression) or negative (<50% expression) from pre-treatment and post-treatment biopsies. PFS will be summarized by PD-L1 expression.	From date of registration to time of first documented progression. (Measurable disease will be assessed after every 2 chemotherapy cycles [every 6 weeks thereafter for up to 2 years or until unacceptable toxicity]).

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Nisha Mohindra, MD
• Collaborators: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC; Hoosier Cancer Research Network; Celgene Corporation
• Investigators: Study Chair: Nisha Mohindra, M.D., Hoosier Cancer Research Network

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• Hoosier Cancer Research Network Website

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 4, 2015
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 14, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): April 14, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 24, 2015
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 2, 2015
• First Posted (Estimate): March 6, 2015

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 23, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 19, 2023
• Last Verified: September 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Pembrolizumab; Carboplatin; MK-3475; Nab-paclitaxel
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases; Neoplasms; Lung Diseases; Neoplasms by Site; Respiratory Tract Neoplasms; Thoracic Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic; Bronchial Neoplasms; Lung Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Antineoplastic Agents; Tubulin Modulators; Antimitotic Agents; Mitosis Modulators; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Carboplatin; Paclitaxel; Pembrolizumab
• Other Study ID Numbers: HCRN LUN13-175

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO