Pembrolizumab Plus Bevacizumab for Treatment of Brain Metastases in Metastatic Melanoma or Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

A Phase 2 Trial of Pembrolizumab Plus Bevacizumab in Patients With Metastatic Melanoma or Non-small Cell Lung Cancer With Untreated Brain Metastases

The purpose of this phase 2 trial is to study the activity of pembrolizumab in combination with bevacizumab in patients with untreated brain metastases from melanoma or NSCLC to determine activity and safety of the drug combination. Furthermore, in patients who undergo resection of biopsy of a brain metastasis, we will evaluate biomarkers predictive of treatment benefit, and will also conduct correlative biomarker studies on extra-cerebral specimens in all patients in whom a systemic biopsy is feasible or in archival tumor tissue when available.

A total of 53 eligible patients will be enrolled on this trial (40 with melanoma and 13 with NSCLC). Individual cohorts of the study can be stopped if insufficient activity is observed in the first stage of that cohort. The study will accrue for approximately 84 months, and will be open for approximately 12 additional months as patients on study are being followed.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Melanoma; Non-small Cell Lung Cancer; Brain Metastasis
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Pembrolizumab plus Bevacizumab

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 41
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Connecticut
    • New Haven, Connecticut, United States, 06510
      • Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven
  • Florida
    • Tampa, Florida, United States, 33612
      • Moffitt Cancer Center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Major Inclusion Criteria:

1. Biopsy proven metastatic melanoma or non-squamous NSCLC with at least one untreated brain metastasis that is at least 5 mm AND twice the MRI slice thickness, but less than 20 mm, which is asymptomatic and not requiring immediate local therapy or steroids.
2. Patients who have had prior resection or biopsy of a CNS metastasis will be required to provide a paraffin embedded specimen from tumor taken at the time of surgery, if available.
3. Patients will be required to undergo biopsy or submit archival tumor tissue from a systemic site of disease for correlative studies. When not feasible, this requirement can be waived after discussion with the principal investigators.
4. PD-L1 expression in tumor tissue from any site determined by the Dako 22C3 assay is required for patients with NSCLC.
5. Adequate organ function.
6. ECOG performance status < 2.
7. Any number of previous treatments with the exception of previous inhibitors of PD-1 or PD-L1.
8. Life expectancy of at least 3 months.
9. Understanding and willingness to consent.
10. A history of radiotherapy for brain metastases is allowed, but any lesion present at the time of WBRT or included in the stereotactic radiotherapy field will NOT be considered evaluable unless documented to have progressed since treatment.

Overall Inclusion Criteria:

1. Biopsy proven metastatic melanoma or non-squamous NSCLC with at least one untreated cerebral metastasis that is at least 5 mm AND twice the MRI slice thickness, but less than 20 mm, that is asymptomatic and does not require local therapy at the time of enrollment ("clinically evaluable lesion(s)"). An untreated brain metastasis is defined as a lesion not present at the time of whole brain radiation therapy or included in a stereotactic radiotherapy field (or within 2mm of a treated lesion), or any lesion that is new or unequivocally progressing since prior radiation therapy.
2. ECOG performance status < 2
3. Any number of previous treatments with the exception of previous inhibitors of PD-1, PD-L1, or PD-L2. Other prior systemic therapies must have been administered at least 2 weeks before administration of pembrolizumab; the exception to this is ipilimumab which must have been administered at least 4 weeks prior to the start of pembrolizumab. Patients are not required to have had prior systemic therapy.
4. Life expectancy of at least 3 months
5. A history of previously treated brain metastases is allowed, provided that at least 7 days have lapsed between radiation and initiation of pembrolizumab. Any brain metastasis ≥ 20mm or causing symptoms must be treated with local therapy (i.e. radiation or surgical resection, as clinically appropriate) prior to study enrollment. Any lesion present at the time of WBRT or included in the stereotactic radiotherapy field (or within 2mm of the treated lesion) will NOT be considered evaluable unless it is new or documented to have progressed since treatment.
6. PD-L1 expression >1% in tumor tissue from any site is required for patients with NSCLC. Tumor tissue can be archival if no intercurrent systemic therapy was administered, however if no archival tissue is available or if intercurrent systemic therapy was administered, then a biopsy must be obtained for PD-L1 testing. PD-L1 expression must be obtained using the Dako 22C3 assay in a CLIA-certified laboratory. PD-L1 expression is not required for patients with melanoma.
7. All patients are required to submit a tumor specimen for analysis (brain or extra-cerebral). A formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block, or a 4mm punch from an FFPE block must be submitted. If it is not possible to safely obtain a biopsy due to anatomic location of tumors, and no prior tissue is available, this requirement may be waived upon discussion with the study PI or co-PI.
8. Patients must have normal organ and marrow function (as defined in the protocol) at the time of screening.
9. Female subject of childbearing potential should have a negative urine or serum pregnancy within 72 hours prior to receiving the first dose of study medication. If the urine test is positive or cannot be confirmed as negative, a serum pregnancy test will be required.
10. Female subjects 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. Subjects of childbearing potential are those who have not been surgically sterilized or have not been free from menses for > 1 year.
11. Male subjects should agree to use an adequate method of contraception starting with the first dose of study therapy through 120 days after the last dose of study therapy.

Major Exclusion Criteria:

1. Symptomatic brain metastases at the time of initiation of systemic therapy.
2. Other systemic therapy within 14 days of initiation of study drug.
3. Use of corticosteroids to control CNS symptoms. Low-dose steroid use (≤10 mg of prednisone or equivalent) is allowed.
4. Presence of leptomeningeal disease.
5. Presence of active autoimmune disease. Autoimmune thyroid disease will be allowed if thyroid function is within normal range.

Overall Exclusion Criteria:

1. Symptomatic brain metastases. Any neurologic symptoms present must have resolved with local therapy by the time of administration of study drug.
2. Patients with brain metastases for whom complete surgical resection is clinically appropriate.
3. Patients with lung cancer with squamous histology.

4. Has had prior chemotherapy or targeted small molecule therapy within 2 weeks prior to start of treatment or who has not recovered (i.e., ≤ Grade 1 or at baseline) from adverse events due to a previously administered agent. Previous radiation to extracranial sites may be completed at any time prior to initiation of pembrolizumab.

   1. Note: If subject received major surgery, they must have recovered adequately from the toxicity and/or complications from the intervention prior to starting therapy.
   2. Note: Toxicity that has not recovered to ≤ Grade 1 is allowed if it meets the inclusion requirements for laboratory parameters.
5. Has had prior treatment with any other anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 or PD-L2 agent.
6. The use of corticosteroids to control cerebral edema or treat neurologic symptoms will not be allowed, and patients who previously required corticosteroids for symptom control must be off steroids for at least 1 week prior to treatment on day 1 of cycle 1. Low-dose steroid use (≤10 mg of prednisone or equivalent) as corticosteroid replacement therapy is allowed
7. Has not recovered (i.e., ≤ Grade 1 or at baseline) from adverse events due to agents administered more than 4 weeks earlier.
8. Presence of leptomeningeal disease
9. Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years (i.e. with use of disease modifying agents, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs). Replacement therapy (eg., thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, etc.) is not considered a form of systemic treatment.
10. Pregnancy or breast feeding. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately. Because there is an unknown but potential risk for adverse events in nursing infants secondary to treatment of the mother with pembrolizumab, breastfeeding must be discontinued if the mother is treated with pembrolizumab.
11. Patients may not be receiving any other investigational agents and may not have participated in a study of an investigational agent or using an investigational device within 4 weeks of the first dose of treatment.
12. Either a concurrent condition (including medical illness, such as active infection requiring treatment with intravenous antibiotics or the presence of laboratory abnormalities) or history of a prior condition that places the patient at unacceptable risk if he/she were treated with the study drug or a medical condition that confounds the ability to interpret data from the study.
13. Concurrent, active malignancies in addition to those being studied (other than cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma)
14. Patients with active hemoptysis.
15. Any contraindication to MRI (i.e. patients with pacemakers or other metal implanted medical devices). An MRI safety questionnaire is required prior to MR imaging.
16. Has a history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis that required steroids or current pneumonitis.
17. Has a known Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B (HBV), or Hepatitis C (HCV) infection.
18. Has received a live vaccine within 30 days prior to the first dose of trial treatment.
19. Inadequately controlled hypertension (defined as systolic blood pressure >150 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure > 100 mmHg). Anti-hypertensive therapy to achieve these parameters is allowable.
20. History of myocardial infarction or unstable angina within 3 months prior to Cycle 1, Day 1
21. History of stroke or transient ischemic attack within 3 months prior to Cycle 1, Day 1
22. Significant vascular disease (e.g., aortic aneurysm requiring surgical repair or recent peripheral arterial thrombosis) within 6 months prior to Cycle 1, Day 1
23. Evidence of bleeding diathesis or clinically significant coagulopathy (in the absence of therapeutic anticoagulation). Any history of significant bleeding or thrombosis should be discussed the study PIs.
24. Current or recent (within 10 calendar days prior to Cycle 1, Day 1) use of dipyramidole, ticlopidine, clopidogrel, or cilostazol
25. Warfarin is not permitted. Prophylactic or therapeutic use of low molecular-weight heparin (e.g., enoxaparin) or direct thrombin inhibitors are permitted.
26. History of abdominal or tracheoesophageal fistula or gastrointestinal perforation within 6 months prior to Cycle 1, Day 1
27. Serious, non-healing or dehiscing wound
28. Proteinuria > 2.0 g of protein in a 24-hour urine collection. All patients with 2 protein on dipstick urinalysis at baseline must undergo a 24-hour urine collection for protein.
29. Has a history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis that required steroids, current pneumonitis or evidence of interstitial lung disease.

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: Untreated brain metastases from melanoma; pembrolizumab plus bevacizumab	Drug: Pembrolizumab plus Bevacizumab; Pembrolizumab will be administered on day 1 of every cycle until disease progression or withdrawal from study. Bevacizumab will be administered in addition to pembrolizumab on day 1 of cycles 1, 2, 3, and 4 (or alternative cycles if bevacizumab is held during these cycles). Three weeks constitutes one cycle.
Experimental: Untreated brain metastases from NSCLC; pembrolizumab plus bevacizumab	Drug: Pembrolizumab plus Bevacizumab; Pembrolizumab will be administered on day 1 of every cycle until disease progression or withdrawal from study. Bevacizumab will be administered in addition to pembrolizumab on day 1 of cycles 1, 2, 3, and 4 (or alternative cycles if bevacizumab is held during these cycles). Three weeks constitutes one cycle.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Brain Metastasis Response Rate (BMRR)	Brain metastasis response rate (BMRR) using modified RECIST (mRECIST) criteria	up to 2 years from start of treatment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Steroid Use	Number of patients using steroids to control of cerebral edema for greater than 96 hours	up to 2 years from start of treatment
Overall Response Rate (ORR)	best overall response rate (ORR) by mRECIST criteria in the brain or RECIST criteria in the body	up to 2 years from start of treatment
Progression-free Survival (PFS)	Progression-free survival by mRECIST criteria in the brain or RECIST criteria in the body	up to 9 years from start of treatment or to disease progression
Safety and Toxicity of Combination Pembrolizumab and Bevacizumab Assessed Using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v. 4.	Number of participants that experienced at least 1 treatment related adverse event.	up to 2 years from start of treatment

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
PD-L1 Expression and Other Potential Predictive Biomarkers in CNS, Tumors and Blood, Correlated With Response to Treatment	2 years from start of trial

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Yale University
• Collaborators: National Cancer Institute (NCI); Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Harriett Kluger, MD, Yale University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 1, 2016
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 11, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): March 31, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 9, 2016
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 11, 2016
• First Posted (Estimated): February 12, 2016

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 7, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 18, 2025
• Last Verified: July 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Pathologic Processes; Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Lung Diseases; Respiratory Tract Neoplasms; Thoracic Neoplasms; Neoplastic Processes; Skin Diseases; Neuroectodermal Tumors; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal; Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue; Nervous System Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic; Bronchial Neoplasms; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Nevi and Melanomas; Skin Neoplasms; Central Nervous System Neoplasms; Lung Neoplasms; Neoplasm Metastasis; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Melanoma; Brain Neoplasms; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Antineoplastic Agents; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Angiogenesis Modulating Agents; Growth Substances; Growth Inhibitors; Bevacizumab; Pembrolizumab
• Other Study ID Numbers: 1512016953; 1511MEL007 (Other Grant/Funding Number: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC); 1R01CA269286-01A1 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

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