Pembro and Vorinostat for Patients With Stage IV Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

A Phase I/II Study of Pembrolizumab and Vorinostat in Patients With Immune Therapy Naïve and Immune Therapy Pretreated Stage IV NSCLC

The main purpose of this study is to see whether the combination of two drugs called pembrolizumab and vorinostat can help people with advanced lung cancer. Researchers also want to find out if the combination of pembrolizumab and vorinostat is safe and tolerable. This study will compare the effects of the combination of two drugs called pembrolizumab and vorinostat with the effects of pembrolizumab alone. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved pembrolizumab for use to treat a deadly skin cancer called melanoma and lung cancer and vorinostat to treat some forms of blood and lymph node cancers.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Lung Cancer; Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Vorinostat; Drug: Pembrolizumab

Detailed Description

A Phase I/Randomized Phase II clinical trial of pembrolizumab and vorinostat in Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 0-1 patients with immune therapy naïve and immune therapy pretreated locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who have progressed through one prior line of therapy.

The begins with a phase I dose escalation utilizing the modified continuous reassessment method (O'Quigley, Pepe, & Fisher, 1990). This would be followed by a phase I expansion at the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) in 18 NSCLC patients who have been previously treated with anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 therapy. In parallel, a separate phase II arm will randomize 70 patients to a pembrolizumab alone group and a pembrolizumab plus vorinostat group.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 124
• Phase: Phase 2; Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Florida
    • Tampa, Florida, United States, 33612
      • H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Willing and able to provide written informed consent/assent for the trial.
• Be ≥ 18 years of age on day of signing informed consent.
• Have measurable disease based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1.
• Have archival tissue where available. Those participants enrolled on the phase 1 escalation trial where archival tissue is not available will undergo a fresh biopsy where clinically feasible after discussion with the sponsor.
• In addition, participants enrolled on the phase 1 dose escalation, phase 1 expansion or Phase II trial must be willing and able to provide tissue from a newly obtained core or excisional biopsy of a tumor lesion.
• Randomized Phase II: Tumor proportional score of PD-L1 ≥1%.
• Have a performance status of 0 or 1 on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Scale.
• Demonstrate adequate organ function.
• Have a histologic or cytologic diagnosis of Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
• Phase I/IB (Pre-treated): Have progression from at least one prior line of therapy. Maintenance therapy following platinum doublet-based chemotherapy is not considered as a separate regimen of therapy. Participants who received platinum-containing adjuvant, neoadjuvant or definitive chemoradiation therapy given for locally advanced disease, and developed recurrent (local or metastatic) disease within 6 months of completing therapy are eligible for these arms. Participants with recurrent disease ≥ 6 months after completing a platinum-containing adjuvant, neoadjuvant or definitive chemoradiation therapy given for locally advanced disease, who also subsequently progressed during or after a systemic regimen given to treat the recurrence, must have received another treatment in the first-line metastatic setting.
• Randomized Phase II: Be treatment naïve in the stage IV setting, with the exception of participants whose tumors harbor an activation mutation (including but not limited to EGFR, ALK, ROS1) and were previously treated with targeted therapy. Participants who received platinum-containing adjuvant, neoadjuvant or definitive chemoradiation therapy given for locally advanced disease, and developed recurrent (local or metastatic) disease < 6 months of completing therapy are ineligible for this arm. Subjects with recurrent disease ≥ 6 months after completing a platinum-containing adjuvant, neoadjuvant or definitive chemoradiation therapy given for locally advanced disease, who also subsequently progressed during or after a systemic regimen given to treat the recurrence, are eligible for this arm.
• Females of childbearing potential should be willing to use 2 methods of birth control or be surgically sterile, or abstain from heterosexual activity for the course of the study through 120 days after the last dose of study medication.
• Males should agree to use an adequate method of barrier contraception starting with the first dose of study therapy through 120 days after the last dose of study therapy.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Is currently participating in and receiving study therapy or has participated in a study of an investigational agent and received study therapy or used an investigational device within 4 weeks of the first dose of treatment.
• Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving systemic steroid therapy at doses ≥ 10 mg prednisone or any other form of systemic immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to the first dose of trial treatment. Participants are permitted to use topical, ocular, intra-articular, intranasal, and inhalational corticosteroids (with minimal systemic absorption). Physiologic replacement doses of systemic corticosteroids are permitted, even if >= 10 mg/day prednisone equivalents. A brief course (≤28 days) of corticosteroids for prophylaxis (e.g., contrast dye allergy) or for treatment of non-autoimmune conditions (e.g., delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction caused by contact allergen) is permitted.
• Has a known history of tuberculosis (TB) Disease (Mycobacterium tuberculosis).
• Hypersensitivity to pembrolizumab, vorinostat or any of its excipients.
• Participants enrolled on the phase II randomized trial, who have had prior treatment with a PD1 or PDL1 inhibitor, anti-CTLA 4 antibody or any other antibody or drug that specifically targets immune checkpoint pathway (i.e. not "immune therapy naïve"). -Note: For those enrolled in the phase I dose escalation, prior use of a PD1 or PDL1, anti-CTLA4 antibody or any other antibody or drug that specifically targets immune checkpoint pathway is allowed. For those enrolled in the phase IB, prior use of a PD1 or PDL1, anti-CTLA4 antibody or any other antibody or drug that specifically targets immune checkpoint pathway is required. For all participants in all phases, prior use of a vaccine for treatment of cancer is allowed.
• Participants enrolled in the phase Ib expansion who have never previously been treated with a PD1 or PDL1 inhibitor, anti-CTLA 4 antibody or any other antibody or drug that specifically targets immune checkpoint pathway in the past (i.e. not "pre-treated").
• Participants who have received thoracic radiation >30Gy within 6 months of the first dose of pembrolizumab.
• Patients taking any HDACi other than vorinostat.
• Has had a prior anti-cancer monoclonal antibody (mAb) within 4 weeks prior to study Day 1 or who has not recovered (i.e., ≤ Grade 1 or at baseline) from adverse events due to agents administered more than 4 weeks earlier.
• Has had prior chemotherapy with 3 weeks, or targeted small molecule therapy or radiation therapy within 2 weeks prior to study Day 1 or who has not recovered (i.e., ≤ Grade 1 or at baseline) from adverse events due to a previously administered agent. Note: Patients with ≤ Grade 2 neuropathy are an exception to this criterion and may qualify for the study. Note: Patients with any grade alopecia are an exception to this criterion and may qualify for the study.
• If participant received major surgery, they must have recovered adequately from the toxicity and/or complications from the intervention prior to starting therapy.
• Has a known additional malignancy that is progressing or requires active treatment. Exceptions include basal cell carcinoma of the skin or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin that has undergone potentially curative therapy, or in situ cervical cancer.
• Has known active central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis. Previously treated brain metastases may be an exception if stable and specific other criteria are met.
• Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years. Replacement therapy is not considered a form of systemic treatment. Patients are permitted to enroll if they have vitiligo, type I diabetes mellitus, residual hypothyroidism due to autoimmune condition only requiring hormone replacement, psoriasis not requiring systemic treatment, or conditions not expected to recur in the absence of an external trigger.
• Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy.
• 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 trial treatment.
• Has a known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (HIV 1/2 antibodies).
• Has known active Hepatitis B (e.g., HBsAg reactive) or Hepatitis C (e.g., HCV RNA [qualitative] is detected).
• Has received a live vaccine within 30 days of planned start of study therapy. Note: Seasonal influenza vaccines for injection are generally inactivated flu vaccines and are allowed; however intranasal influenza vaccines (e.g., Flu-Mist®) are live attenuated vaccines, and are not allowed.
• Has a history of, or any evidence of active non-infectious pneumonitis that required or requires steroids.
• Has evidence of interstitial lung disease
• Has a history of symptomatic (NYHA class II-IV) heart failure

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

4

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Phase I Dose Escalation; Level 1: Vorinostat 200mg by mouth (PO) Daily; Pembrolizumab 200 mg intravenously (IV) every (Q) 3 weeks. Level 2: Vorinostat 400 mg PO Daily; Pembrolizumab 200 mg IV Q3 weeks	Drug: Vorinostat; Administered per treatment arm guidelines.; Other Names: Zolinza; Drug: Pembrolizumab; Administered per treatment arm guidelines.; Other Names: KEYTRUDA
Experimental: Phase Ib Expansion; Pembrolizumab plus Vorinostat. Level 1: Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD)	Drug: Vorinostat; Administered per treatment arm guidelines.; Other Names: Zolinza; Drug: Pembrolizumab; Administered per treatment arm guidelines.; Other Names: KEYTRUDA
Active Comparator: Arm A: Pembrolizumab; Pembrolizumab treatment only. Level 1: Pembrolizumab 200 mg Q3 wks	Drug: Pembrolizumab; Administered per treatment arm guidelines.; Other Names: KEYTRUDA
Active Comparator: Arm B: Pembrolizumab plus Vorinostat; Pembrolizumab plus Vorinostat treatment. Level 1: MTD	Drug: Vorinostat; Administered per treatment arm guidelines.; Other Names: Zolinza; Drug: Pembrolizumab; Administered per treatment arm guidelines.; Other Names: KEYTRUDA

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Phase I: Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD)	The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) corresponding to a risk of dose limiting toxicity (DLT) occurring in 30% of patients. DLTs will be graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI CTCAE v4.03). A DLT will be defined as any Grade 3 or higher toxicity that occurs during the DLT evaluation period. Toxicity that is clearly and directly related to the primary disease or to another etiology is excluded from this definition.	Up to 12 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Phase II: Progression Free Survival (PFS) per Treatment Arm	PFS will be measured from the start of treatment with pembrolizumab and vorinostat until the documentation of disease progression or death due to any cause, whichever occurs first. Progression: One or more of the following must occur: 20% increase in the sum of appropriate diameters of target measurable lesions over smallest sum observed (over baseline if no decrease during therapy) using the same techniques as baseline, as well as an absolute increase of at least 0.5 cm. Unequivocal progression of non-measurable disease in the opinion of the treating physician (an explanation must be provided). Appearance of any new lesion/site. Death due to disease without prior documentation of progression and without symptomatic deterioration.	Up to 2 years

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Phase II: Objective Response Rate (ORR) per Treatment Arm	Complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) based on modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) guidelines version 1.1. The ORR will be estimated by calculating the proportion of participants who achieve OR; the 80% confidence interval (CI) and 95% CI for the OR rate will be estimated using the exact binomial distribution. CR: Complete disappearance of all target and non-target lesions (exception: lymph nodes mentioned below). No new lesions. No disease related symptoms. Any lymph nodes (target or non-target) must have reduction in short axis to < 1.0 cm. All disease must be assessed using the same technique as baseline. PR: Applies only to patients with at least one measurable lesion. Greater than or equal to 30% decrease under baseline of the sum of appropriate diameters of all target measurable lesions. No unequivocal progression of non-measurable disease. No new lesions. All target measurable lesions must be assessed using the same techniques as baseline.	Up to 2 years

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute
• Collaborators: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Jhanelle Gray, M.D., H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• Moffitt Cancer Center Clinical Trials website

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 22, 2016
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 21, 2024
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 21, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 18, 2015
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 18, 2015
• First Posted (Estimated): December 22, 2015

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 14, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 12, 2024
• Last Verified: February 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: NSCLC; immunogenicity; pembrolizumab; advanced lung cancer; vorinostat; Stage IV lung cancer; immune therapy naive; immune therapy pre-treated
• 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; Enzyme Inhibitors; Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; Pembrolizumab; Vorinostat
• Other Study ID Numbers: MCC-18494

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

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

Drug and device information, study documents

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