Safety and Efficacy Study of PDR001 in Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

A Phase II, Open-label, Randomized Controlled Study of PDR001 in Patients With Moderately Differentiated/Undifferentiated Locally Advanced Recurrent or Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Who Progressed on Standard Treatment

The purpose of this randomized controlled Phase II study is to assess the efficacy of PDR001 versus investigator's choice of chemotherapy in patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

By blocking the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2, PDR001 leads to the activation of a T-cell mediated antitumor immune response.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Spartalizumab; Drug: Investigator choice of chemotherapy

Detailed Description

This was an open-label, multi-center, randomized, and controlled Phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of spartalizumab versus investigator's choice of treatment in subjects with moderately differentiated/undifferentiated locally advanced recurrent or metastatic NPC who progressed on or after first-line treatment.

Participants who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to either investigational arm (spartalizumab) or control arm (commonly used chemotherapy as per investigator's choice). Participants treated with spartalizumab could continue treatment until confirmed progressive disease as per immune-related response criteria (irRC). Participants in the chemotherapy arm were allowed to crossover to spartalizumab if they had radiological progression as per Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST v1.1) documented by an independent central review and the Investigator believed this was the best treatment option for the patient.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 122
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• China
  • Guangzhou, China, 510060
    • Novartis Investigative Site
• France
  • Alpes Maritimes
    • Nice Cedex 2, Alpes Maritimes, France, 06189
      • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Villejuif
    • Villejuif Cedex, Villejuif, France, 94800
      • Novartis Investigative Site
• Hong Kong
  • Hong Kong, Hong Kong
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Kowloon, Hong Kong
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Tuen Mun, Hong Kong
    • Novartis Investigative Site
• Singapore
  • Singapore, Singapore, 169610
    • Novartis Investigative Site
• Taiwan
  • Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, 83301
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Taipei, Taiwan, 10002
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Taoyuan, Taiwan, 33305
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Taiwan ROC
    • Tainan, Taiwan ROC, Taiwan, 70403
      • Novartis Investigative Site
• Thailand
  • Bangkok, Thailand, 10330
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Chiang Mai, Thailand, 50200
    • Novartis Investigative Site
  • Hat Yai
    • Songkhla, Hat Yai, Thailand, 90110
      • Novartis Investigative Site
• United States
  • Georgia
    • Marietta, Georgia, United States, 30060
      • Northwest Georgia Oncology Center NWGA Onc - Carrollton
  • Michigan
    • Detroit, Michigan, United States, 48201
      • Karmanos Cancer Institute
  • New York
    • New York, New York, United States, 10016
      • NYU Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Ctr
  • Virginia
    • Fairfax, Virginia, United States, 22031
      • Virginia Cancer Specialists

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Histologically documented non-keratinizing locally advanced recurrent or metastatic NPC.
• Must be resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy (defined as progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy given in the recurrent/metastatic setting).
• May have received at least 1 prior therapy for recurrent or metastatic disease, up to 2 prior systemic therapies.
• An archival tumor specimen or newly obtained tumor sample may be submitted at screening/baseline (a fresh tumor sample is preferred), unless agreed differently between Novartis and the Investigator.
• At least 1 measurable lesion (as per RECIST v1.1) progressing or new since last anti-tumor therapy.
• Prior treated brain or meningeal metastases must be without MRI evidence of progression for at least 8 weeks and off systemic steroids for at least 2 weeks prior to screening/baseline.
• Patient must be willing to undergo testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) if not tested within the past 6 months. If HIV+ positive, patient will be eligible if: his/ her CD4+ count ≥ 300/μL; his/her viral load is undetectable; he/she is currently receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of severe hypersensitivity reactions to other mAbs
• Active autoimmune disease or a documented history of autoimmune disease, except vitiligo or resolved asthma/atopy that is treated with broncho-dilators.
• Active HBV or HCV infections requiring therapy.
• Prior PD-1- or PD-L1-directed therapy or any therapeutic cancer vaccine.
• Patients receiving systemic treatment with any immunosuppressive medication.
• Use of any vaccines against infectious diseases (e.g. varicella, pneumococcus) within 4 weeks of initiation of study treatment.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Spartalizumab 400 mg Q4W; anti-PD1 humanized monoclonal antibody. Participants treated with spartalizumab who remained on spartalizumab	Drug: Spartalizumab; Spartalizumab was administered via intravenous infusion at a dose of 400 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W). Spartalizumab is a humanized anti-PD-1 IgG4 antibody which blocks the binding of PD1 to its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2.; Other Names: PDR001
Active Comparator: Chemotherapy; commonly used chemotherapy as per investigator's choice	Drug: Investigator choice of chemotherapy; Commonly used chemotherapy as per investigator's choice. The dose and route of administration was the one described in each drug's label.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Progression-free Survival (PFS) as Per RECIST v 1.1 Using Central Assessment - Number of Participants With Progression or Death	PFS is the time from the date of randomization to the date of event defined as the first documented confirmed progression or death due to any cause. If a patient has not had an event, progression-free survival is censored at the date of last adequate tumor assessment. Tumor response was based on central review of tumor scan and the assessment criteria was Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST v1.1). Progressive disease is at least a 20% increase in the sum of diameter of all measured target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum of diameter of all target lesions recorded at or after baseline. Number of participants in each category (progression, death, censored) is reported in this record.	From randomization up to maximum 3.3 years
Progression-free Survival (PFS) as Per RECIST v 1.1 Using Central Assessment - Median PFS	PFS is the time from the date of randomization to the date of event defined as the first documented confirmed progression or death due to any cause. If a patient has not had an event, progression-free survival is censored at the date of last adequate tumor assessment. Tumor response was based on central review of tumor scan and the assessment criteria was Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST v1.1). Progressive disease is at least a 20% increase in the sum of diameter of all measured target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum of diameter of all target lesions recorded at or after baseline.	From randomization up to maximum 3.3 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Overall Survival (OS)	Overall survival (OS) is defined as the time from date of randomization to date of death due to any cause. If a patient is not known to have died, survival is censored at the date of last known date the patient was alive.	From randomization up to maximum 4.8 years.
Overall Response Rate (ORR) as Per RECIST v 1.1	ORR is defined as the percentage of participants with a best overall response of Complete Response (CR) or Partial Response (PR). Tumor response was based on central review of overall lesion response according to RECIST 1.1. For RECIST v1.1, CR=Disappearance of all non-nodal target lesions. In addition, any pathological lymph nodes assigned as target lesions must have a reduction in short axis to < 10 mm; PR= At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameter of all target lesions, taking as reference the baseline sum of diameters.	From randomization up to maximum 3.3 years
Duration of Response (DOR) as Per RECIST v 1.1	DOR only applies to subjects for whom best overall response is complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) based on central review of overall lesion response according to RECIST 1.1. DOR is defined as the time between the date of first documented response (confirmed CR or confirmed PR) and the date of first documented disease progression or death due to underlying cancer. If a patient not had an event, duration was censored at the date of last adequate tumor assessment.	From randomization up to maximum 3.3 years
Time to Progression (TTP) as Per RECIST v 1.1	TTP is defined as time from date of randomization to the date of event defined as the first documented progression or death due to underlying cancer. If a subject did not had an event, TTP was censored at the date of last adequate tumor assessment. Tumor response was based on central review of tumor scan and the assessment criteria was RECIST v1.1. Progressive disease is at least a 20% increase in the sum of diameter of all measured target lesions, taking as reference the smallest sum of diameter of all target lesions recorded at or after baseline.	From randomization up to maximum 3.3 years
Immune-related Progression-free Survival (irPFS) as Per irRC	irPFS is the time from the date of randomization to the date of event defined as the first documented progression or death due to any cause. If a patient has not had an event, progression-free survival is censored at the date of last adequate tumor assessment. Tumor response was based on central review of tumor scan and the assessment criteria was immune-related Response Criteria (irRC). Immune-related progressive disease is at least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of all measured target lesions including new measurable lesions.	From randomization up to maximum 3.3 years
Maximum Observed Serum Concentration (Cmax) of Spartalizumab	Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated based on spartalizumab serum concentrations by using non-compartmental methods. Cmax is defined as the maximum (peak) observed serum concentration following a dose.	pre-dose, 1, 24, 168, 336 and 672 hours post spartalizumab dose on Cycle 1 and Cycle 3. The duration of one cycle was 28 days.
Time to Reach Maximum Serum Concentration (Tmax) of Spartalizumab	Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated based on spartalizumab serum concentrations by using non-compartmental methods. Tmax is defined as the time to reach maximum (peak) serum concentration following a dose. Actual recorded sampling times were considered for the calculations.	pre-dose, 1, 24, 168, 336 and 672 hours post spartalizumab dose on Cycle 1 and Cycle 3. The duration of one cycle was 28 days.
Area Under the Serum Concentration-time Curve From Time Zero to the End of the Dosing Interval Tau (AUCtau) of Spartalizumab	Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated based on spartalizumab serum concentrations by using non-compartmental methods. The linear trapezoidal method was used for AUC calculation. The duration of the dosing interval (tau) was 28 days.	pre-dose, 1, 24, 168, 336 and 672 hours post spartalizumab dose on Cycle 1 and Cycle 3. The duration of one cycle was 28 days.
Area Under the Serum Concentration-time Curve From Time Zero to Infinity (AUCinf) of Spartalizumab	Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated based on spartalizumab serum concentrations by using non-compartmental methods. The linear trapezoidal method was used for AUC calculation. The extrapolation of AUC to infinity could be calculated if the percentage of area extrapolated was less than 20% and the regression analysis of the terminal serum elimination phase met a pre-defined criteria of goodness of fit.	pre-dose, 1, 24, 168, 336 and 672 hours post spartalizumab dose on Cycle 1 and Cycle 3. The duration of one cycle was 28 days.
Accumulation Ratio (Racc) of Spartalizumab	Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated based on spartalizumab serum concentrations by using non-compartmental methods. Racc was calculated as the ratio between AUCtau Cycle 3 and AUCtau Cycle 1.	pre-dose, 1, 24, 168, 336 and 672 hours post spartalizumab dose on Cycle 1 and Cycle 3. The duration of one cycle was 28 days.
Terminal Elimination Half-life (T1/2) of Spartalizumab	Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated based on spartalizumab serum concentrations by using non-compartmental methods. Elimination half-life (T1/2) values were calculated as 0.693/terminal elimination rate constant.	pre-dose, 1, 24, 168, 336 and 672 hours post spartalizumab dose on Cycle 1 and Cycle 3. The duration of one cycle was 28 days.
Number of Participants With Anti-spartalizumab Antibodies	Validated immunoassays were used for screening and confirmation of the presence of anti-spartalizumab antibodies (ADA, anti-drug antibodies) in serum. Number of participants with each ADA status is reported in this record.	Baseline (pre-dose on Cycle 1 Day 1) and post-baseline (assessed throughout the treatment up to maximum 655 days).
PD-L1 Percent Positive Tumor	The expression of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) was measured in tumor samples by immunohistochemical methods. This record summarizes the PD-L1 positivity percentage in tumor samples.	Baseline (screening), Cycle 3 Day 1. The duration of one cycle was 28 days.
Percent Marker Area for CD8 Expression in Tumor Samples	The expression of CD8 was measured in tumor samples by immunohistochemical methods. This record summarizes the percent marker area for CD8 expression in tumor samples.	Baseline (screening), Cycle 3 Day 1. The duration of one cycle was 28 days.
TIL Count in Tumor Samples	The count of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) was measured in baseline (screening) and post-baseline paired tumor samples by immunohistochemical methods. This record summarizes the TIL count in tumor samples.	Baseline (screening), Cycle 3 Day 1. The duration of one cycle was 28 days.
Fold Change From Baseline in IFN-gamma Levels in Plasma	The levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were measured in plasma samples by immunoassay methods. This record summarizes the fold change from baseline in IFN-gamma levels in plasma.	Baseline (pre-dose on Cycle 1 Day 1), Cycle 1 Day 15, Cycle 2 Day 15 and end of treatment (assessed up to maximum 4 years). The duration of one cycle was 28 days.
Fold Change From Baseline in IL-6 Levels in Plasma	The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured in plasma samples by immunoassay methods. This record summarizes the fold change from baseline in IL-6 levels in plasma.	Baseline (pre-dose on Cycle 1 Day 1), Cycle 1 Day 15, Cycle 2 Day 15 and end of treatment (assessed up to maximum 4 years). The duration of one cycle was 28 days.
Fold Change From Baseline in TNF-alfa Levels in Plasma	The levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alfa) were measured in plasma samples by immunoassay methods. This record summarizes the fold change from baseline in TNF-alfa levels in plasma.	Baseline (pre-dose on Cycle 1 Day 1), Cycle 1 Day 15, Cycle 2 Day 15 and end of treatment (assessed up to maximum 4 years). The duration of one cycle was 28 days.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Even C, Wang HM, Li SH, Ngan RK, Dechaphunkul A, Zhang L, Yen CJ, Chan PC, Chakrabandhu S, Ma BBY, Tanasanvimon S, Lee VHF, Lou PJ, Li Z, Spira AI, Sukari A, Guigay J, McCune S, Gonzalez-Maffe J, Szpakowski S, Yao Y, Liang H, Mataraza J, Sechaud R, Manenti L, Lim DW. Phase II, Randomized Study of Spartalizumab (PDR001), an Anti-PD-1 Antibody, versus Chemotherapy in Patients with Recurrent/Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Cancer. Clin Cancer Res. 2021 Dec 1;27(23):6413-6423. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-21-0822. Epub 2021 Aug 25.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 20, 2016
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 5, 2019
• Study Completion (Actual): February 19, 2021

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 15, 2015
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 16, 2015
• First Posted (Estimate): November 17, 2015

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 10, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 17, 2022
• Last Verified: January 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: PDR001; locally advanced; nasopharyngeal cancer; moderately differentiated/undifferentiated; recurrent or metastatic NPC; after first- line platinum-based therapy
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial; Pharyngeal Neoplasms; Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Nasopharyngeal Diseases; Pharyngeal Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; Carcinoma; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Antineoplastic Agents; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Spartalizumab
• Other Study ID Numbers: CPDR001X2201; 2015-000454-38 (EudraCT Number)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES

IPD Plan Description

Novartis is committed to sharing with qualified external researchers, access to patient-level data and supporting clinical documents from eligible studies. These requests are reviewed and approved by an independent review panel on the basis of scientific merit. All data provided is anonymized to respect the privacy of patients who have participated in the trial in line with applicable laws and regulations.

This trial data availability is according to the criteria and process described on www.clinicalstudydatarequest.com

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No