Nivolumab in Children and Adults With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC-Nivo)

May 14, 2024 updated by: Prof. Dr. Udo Kontny, German Society for Pediatric Oncology and Hematology GPOH gGmbH

Nivolumab in Combination With Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil as Induction Therapy in Children and Adults With EBV-positive Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

The purpose of this study is to assess whether the addition of the immune checkpoint inhibitor Nivolumab to induction chemotherapy will increase the percentage of patients with a complete response on MRI and PET after 3 cycles of induction therapy.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

After being informed about the study and potential risks, all patients will undergo a 2-week screening period to determine eligibility for study entry. After informed consent has been obtained, all patients ≤ 25 years and patients > 25 years without metastases will receive Nivolumab (4.5 mg/kg BW (max. 360 mg) q 3 weeks) added to standard induction chemotherapy (3 blocks of cisplatin/5-fluorouracil). In patients not responding to induction chemotherapy, the application of Nivolumab will be extended throughout the period of radiochemotherapy.

Patients > 25 years with metastatic disease will receive Nivolumab (4.5 mg/kg BW (max. 360 mg) q 3 weeks) added to induction chemotherapy with 3 blocks of cisplatin/gemcitabine.

All patients with metastatic disease will continue to receive Nivolumab during radiochemotherapy.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

57

Phase

  • Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

      • Aachen, Germany, 52074
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation
      • Aachen, Germany, 52074
        • Recruiting
        • Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Department of Internal Medicine
        • Contact:
      • Berlin, Germany, 13353
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité University Medicine Berlin
      • Bielefeld, Germany, 33617
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Evangelisches Klinikum Bethel, Children's Hospital
      • Bonn, Germany, 53127
        • Not yet recruiting
        • Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital
        • Contact:
      • Cottbus, Germany, 03048
        • Recruiting
        • Children's Hospital, Carl-Thiem Klinikum Cottbus
        • Contact:
      • Dortmund, Germany, 44145
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Clinic for Children and Adolescent Medicine, Klinikum Dortmund
      • Dortmund, Germany, 44145
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Department of Internal Medicine, Klinikum Dortmund
      • Dresden, Germany, 01307
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Technische Universität Dresden
      • Erlangen, Germany, 91054
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Erlangen
      • Erlangen, Germany, 91054
      • Essen, Germany, 45147
        • Not yet recruiting
        • Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen
        • Contact:
      • Essen, Germany, 45147
        • Not yet recruiting
        • Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Essen
        • Contact:
      • Frankfurt, Germany, 60590
        • Not yet recruiting
        • Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital
        • Contact:
      • Freiburg, Germany, 79106
        • Not yet recruiting
        • Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Freiburg
        • Contact:
      • Giessen, Germany, 35392
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Department of Pediatric Oncology, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen
      • Greifswald, Germany, 17475
        • Not yet recruiting
        • Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University Medicine Greifswald
        • Contact:
      • Göttingen, Germany, 37075
        • Not yet recruiting
        • Department of Pediatric Oncology, University Hospital
        • Contact:
      • Halle, Germany, 06120
        • Recruiting
        • Universitätsklinikum Halle, Klinik für Pädiatrie I
        • Contact:
      • Hamburg, Germany, 20246
        • Recruiting
        • Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf,
        • Contact:
          • Henrike Zech, MD
          • Phone Number: +49-407-410-52364
          • Email: hzech@uke.de
      • Hamburg, Germany
        • Recruiting
        • Department of Pediatric Oncology, University Children's Hospital
        • Contact:
      • Jena, Germany, 07743
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jena University Hospital
      • Kiel, Germany, 24105
        • Recruiting
        • Department of Pediatric Oncology, University Hospital Kiel
        • Contact:
      • Köln, Germany, 50937
        • Recruiting
        • Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cologne
        • Contact:
      • Magdeburg, Germany, 39120
        • Not yet recruiting
        • Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Mageburg
        • Contact:
      • Mainz, Germany, 55131
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University Medicine Mainz
      • Mannheim, Germany, 68167
        • Recruiting
        • Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim,
        • Contact:
      • Münster, Germany, 48149
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital
      • Regensburg, Germany, 93053
        • Not yet recruiting
        • Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital
        • Contact:
      • Tübingen, Germany, 72076
        • Recruiting
        • Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Klinik für Pädiatrie I
        • Contact:
      • Würzburg, Germany, 97080
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Children's Hospital, University of Würzburg

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Histologically confirmed new diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma according to the current WHO classification in children and adolescents, aged between 3 years and 17 years, OR histologically confirmed new diagnosis of EBV-positive nasopharyngeal carcinoma, WHO stage II or III, in subjects ≥ 18 years
  2. Stage II or higher in patients ≤ 25 years of age, stage III and IV in patients > 25 years of age (AJCC, 8th edition)
  3. Measurable disease by MRI per RECIST 1.1 criteria
  4. Sufficient tumor tissue to be sent for central review, including PD-L1 staining, either as 1 or 2 full blocks (preferred) or a minimum of 25 slides, obtained from core biopsy, punch biopsy, excisional biopsy or surgical specimen
  5. Written informed consent by legal guardians (if patient not ≥ 18 years) and patient prior to study participation

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Newly diagnosed nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Stage I in all patients, Stage II in patients > 25 years of age
  2. Recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma
  3. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma diagnosed as second malignancy and preceding chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy
  4. Prior chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy
  5. Other active malignancy
  6. Prior treatment with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, anti-PD-L2, anti-CTLA-4 antibody, or any other antibody or drug specifically targeting T-cell co-stimulation or checkpoint pathways.
  7. The subject received an investigational drug within 30 days prior to inclusion into this study
  8. Subjects who are enrolled in another clinical trial
  9. Subjects with prior organ allograft or allogenic bone marrow transplantation
  10. Subjects with an active, known or suspected autoimmune disease. Participants with type I diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism only requiring hormone replacement, skin disorders (such as vitiligo, psoriasis, or alopecia) not requiring systemic treatment, or conditions not expected to recur in the absence of an external trigger are permitted to enrol.
  11. Subjects with a condition requiring systemic treatment with either corticosteroids (> 10 mg daily prednisone equivalent) or other immunosuppressive medications within 14 days before start of therapy. Inhaled or topical steroids, and adrenal replacement steroid doses > 10 mg daily prednisone equivalent, are permitted in the absence of active autoimmune disease.
  12. Any positive test for hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus indicating acute or chronic infection
  13. Known history of testing positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or known acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
  14. Inadequate hematologic, renal or hepatic function defined by any of the following screening laboratory values:

    1. WBC < 2 000/µl
    2. Neutrophils < 1 500/µl
    3. Platelets < 100 x 10e3/µL
    4. Hemoglobin < 9.0 g/dL
    5. Creatinine >1.5 x ULN or creatinine clearance < 50 mL/min (using the Cockcroft Gault formula or Schwartz formula in patients < 18 years)
    6. AST/ALT > 3 x ULN (> 5 x ULN if liver metastases)
    7. Total Bilirubin > 1.5 x ULN (except subjects with Gilbert Syndrome who must have a total bilirubin level ≥ 3.0 x ULN)
  15. Hearing loss > 20 dB loss at 3 kHz due to an inner ear disorder and not caused by tumour burden
  16. History of allergy or hypersensitivity to platinum-containing compounds or other study drug components
  17. Clinically significant, uncontrolled heart disease (including history of any cardiac arrhythmias, e.g., ventricular, supraventricular, nodal arrhythmias, or conduction abnormality within 12 months of screening).
  18. Vaccinated with live attenuated vaccines within 4 weeks of the first dose of the study drug.
  19. Adequate performance status (Karnofsky score ≥ 60 for patients (age ≥ 16), Lansky score ≥ 60 (age < 16).
  20. The subject has a history of any other illness, which, in the opinion of the Investigator, might pose an unacceptable risk by administering study medication.
  21. The subject has any current or past medical condition and/or required medication to treat a condition that could affect the evaluation of the study.
  22. Pregnant females as determined by positive [serum or urine] hCG test at Screening or prior to dosing. Participants of child-bearing age should use adequate contraception as defined in the study protocol. (Please refer to section 4.4)
  23. Lactating females
  24. Subjects, who are committed to an institution by virtue of an order issued either by the judicial or the administrative authorities
  25. The subject is unwilling or unable to follow the procedures outlined in the protocol
  26. The subject is mentally or legally incapacitated.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Patients < 26 years with non-metastatic disease with CR or PR after induction therapy

Participants receive Nivolumab (4.5 mg/kg BW (max. 360 mg) every three weeks) during induction chemotherapy for a total of 3 doses, starting on day 1 of cycle 1 of induction standard chemotherapy with cisplatin 100 mg/m2 on day 1, plus 5-fluorouracil 1,000 mg/m2/d from day 1-5.

After induction therapy patients will undergo standard radiochemotherapy. Primary PTV1 including elective irradiated LN-levels, will be 45Gy, with a boost ad 59.4Gy in patients with PR or a reduced boost at 54Gy in patients with CR. Cisplatin will be administered at 3x20mg/m2 in the first and last week of radiotherapy, each.

Radiochemotherapy is followed by maintenance therapy with recombinant interferon-ß1a at 3x6Mio IU/week s.c. for 6 months.

Nivolumab during induction chemotherapy in all groups and during radiochemotherapy in patients with SD or PD after induction or metastases
Other Names:
  • Opdivo
Cisplatin during induction chemotherapy and during radiochemotherapy in all groups
Other Names:
  • Cisplatin Teva
5-Fluoruracil during induction chemotherapy in all groups except of adults > 25 years with metastatic disease at diagnosis
Other Names:
  • Fluorouracil-GRY
After induction therapy in all patients
In patients < 26 years after end of radiochemotherapy for 6 months
Other Names:
  • Rebif
At diagnosis and 17 to 22 days after the beginning of cycle 3 of induction therapy
At diagnosis and 17 to 22 days after the beginning of cycle 3 of induction therapy, either as PET-CT or PET-MRI
For all patients at baseline, before radiochemotherapy, at day 100, and 2 years after enrolment
Experimental: Patients < 26 y with no metastases and SD or PD after induction therapy or patients with metastases

Participants receive Nivolumab (4.5 mg/kg BW (max. 360 mg) every three weeks) during induction chemotherapy for a total of 3 doses, starting on day 1 of cycle 1 of induction standard chemotherapy with cisplatin 100 mg/m2 on day 1, plus 5-fluorouracil 1,000 mg/m2/d from day 1-5. Patients with metastases responding to induction therapy may have a fourth cycle of induction therapy, including a fourth dose of Nivolumab.

After induction therapy patients will undergo standard radiochemotherapy. Primary PTV1 including elective irradiated LN-levels, will be 45Gy, with a boost ad 59.4Gy. Cisplatin will be administered at 3x20mg/m2 in the first and last week of radiotherapy, each. Nivolumab (4.5 mg/kg BW (max. 360 mg) every three weeks) will be continued during radiochemotherapy, adding a total of 3 further doses of Nivolumab.

Radiochemotherapy is followed by maintenance therapy with recombinant interferon-ß1a at 3x6Mio IU/week s.c. for 6 months.

Nivolumab during induction chemotherapy in all groups and during radiochemotherapy in patients with SD or PD after induction or metastases
Other Names:
  • Opdivo
Cisplatin during induction chemotherapy and during radiochemotherapy in all groups
Other Names:
  • Cisplatin Teva
5-Fluoruracil during induction chemotherapy in all groups except of adults > 25 years with metastatic disease at diagnosis
Other Names:
  • Fluorouracil-GRY
After induction therapy in all patients
In patients < 26 years after end of radiochemotherapy for 6 months
Other Names:
  • Rebif
At diagnosis and 17 to 22 days after the beginning of cycle 3 of induction therapy
At diagnosis and 17 to 22 days after the beginning of cycle 3 of induction therapy, either as PET-CT or PET-MRI
For all patients at baseline, before radiochemotherapy, at day 100, and 2 years after enrolment
Experimental: Patients >25 years with non-metastatic disease with CR or PR after induction therapy

Participants receive Nivolumab (4.5 mg/kg BW (max. 360 mg) every three weeks) during induction chemotherapy for a total of 3 doses, starting on day 1 of cycle 1 of induction standard chemotherapy with cisplatin 100 mg/m2 on day 1, plus 5-fluorouracil 1,000 mg/m2/d from day 1-5.

After induction therapy patients will undergo standard radiochemotherapy as outlined in current international guidelines (e.g. NCCN, ESMO).

Nivolumab during induction chemotherapy in all groups and during radiochemotherapy in patients with SD or PD after induction or metastases
Other Names:
  • Opdivo
Cisplatin during induction chemotherapy and during radiochemotherapy in all groups
Other Names:
  • Cisplatin Teva
5-Fluoruracil during induction chemotherapy in all groups except of adults > 25 years with metastatic disease at diagnosis
Other Names:
  • Fluorouracil-GRY
After induction therapy in all patients
At diagnosis and 17 to 22 days after the beginning of cycle 3 of induction therapy
At diagnosis and 17 to 22 days after the beginning of cycle 3 of induction therapy, either as PET-CT or PET-MRI
For all patients at baseline, before radiochemotherapy, at day 100, and 2 years after enrolment
Experimental: Patients > 25 years with non-metastatic disease with SD or PD after induction therapy

Participants receive Nivolumab (4.5 mg/kg BW (max. 360 mg) every three weeks) during induction chemotherapy for a total of 3 doses, starting on day 1 of cycle 1 of induction standard chemotherapy with cisplatin 100 mg/m2 on day 1, plus 5-fluorouracil 1,000 mg/m2/d from day 1-5.

After induction therapy patients will undergo standard radiochemotherapy as outlined in current international guidelines (e.g. NCCN, ESMO). Nivolumab (4.5 mg/kg BW (max. 360 mg) every three weeks) will be continued during radiochemotherapy, adding a total of 3 further doses of Nivolumab.

Nivolumab during induction chemotherapy in all groups and during radiochemotherapy in patients with SD or PD after induction or metastases
Other Names:
  • Opdivo
Cisplatin during induction chemotherapy and during radiochemotherapy in all groups
Other Names:
  • Cisplatin Teva
5-Fluoruracil during induction chemotherapy in all groups except of adults > 25 years with metastatic disease at diagnosis
Other Names:
  • Fluorouracil-GRY
After induction therapy in all patients
At diagnosis and 17 to 22 days after the beginning of cycle 3 of induction therapy
At diagnosis and 17 to 22 days after the beginning of cycle 3 of induction therapy, either as PET-CT or PET-MRI
For all patients at baseline, before radiochemotherapy, at day 100, and 2 years after enrolment
Experimental: Patients > 25 years with metastatic disease at diagnosis

Participants receive Nivolumab (4.5 mg/kg BW (max. 360 mg) every three weeks) during induction chemotherapy for a total of 3 doses, starting on day 1 of cycle 1 of induction standard chemotherapy with cisplatin 80 mg/m2 on day 1, plus gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2/d on day 1 and day 8, respectively. Patients responding to induction therapy may have a fourth cycle of induction therapy, including a fourth dose of Nivolumab.

After induction therapy patients will undergo standard radiochemotherapy as outlined in current international guidelines (e.g. NCCN, ESMO). Nivolumab (4.5 mg/kg BW (max. 360 mg) every three weeks) will be continued during radiochemotherapy, adding a total of 3 further doses of Nivolumab.

Nivolumab during induction chemotherapy in all groups and during radiochemotherapy in patients with SD or PD after induction or metastases
Other Names:
  • Opdivo
Cisplatin during induction chemotherapy and during radiochemotherapy in all groups
Other Names:
  • Cisplatin Teva
After induction therapy in all patients
At diagnosis and 17 to 22 days after the beginning of cycle 3 of induction therapy
At diagnosis and 17 to 22 days after the beginning of cycle 3 of induction therapy, either as PET-CT or PET-MRI
For all patients at baseline, before radiochemotherapy, at day 100, and 2 years after enrolment
Gemcitabine during induction chemotherapy in patients > 25 years with metastatic disease at diagnosis
Other Names:
  • Gemcitabin-GRY

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Complete remission rate after induction therapy
Time Frame: MRI and PET will be done 17-22 days after start of induction therapy cycle 3 (each cycle is 21 days)
Complete response by MRI and PET will be determined as defined by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 criteria
MRI and PET will be done 17-22 days after start of induction therapy cycle 3 (each cycle is 21 days)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Overall and Event-free Survival
Time Frame: 2 years after study enrolment
Overall and event-free survival rates will be analysed with suitable descriptive methods (Kaplan Meyer estimates with confidence intervals) and compared with historical data using descriptive log-rank tests
2 years after study enrolment
Number of Treatment-Related Adverse Events
Time Frame: At day 0 of chemotherapy cycles 1, 2 and 3, each; at day 20-25 after beginning of chemotherapy cycle 3 (each cycle is 21 days); within 2-3 weeks after the last dose of radiotherapy; 100 days following the last dose of Nivolumab
Adverse events will be classified using the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI-CTCAE) version 5.0 by investigator assessment. Descriptive methods (frequency tables, rates of AE's and SAE's with 95% confidence intervals) will be applied
At day 0 of chemotherapy cycles 1, 2 and 3, each; at day 20-25 after beginning of chemotherapy cycle 3 (each cycle is 21 days); within 2-3 weeks after the last dose of radiotherapy; 100 days following the last dose of Nivolumab
Efficacy based on PD-L1 expression in tumor tissue
Time Frame: Response to induction therapy will be measured 17-22 days after start of induction therapy cycle 3 (each cycle is 21 days), event-free and overall survival will be determined 2 years after study enrolment
PD-L1-stained % of tumor cells at the time of diagnosis will be associated to the rate of response after induction therapy and EFS and OS
Response to induction therapy will be measured 17-22 days after start of induction therapy cycle 3 (each cycle is 21 days), event-free and overall survival will be determined 2 years after study enrolment

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Udo Kontny, MD, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

January 10, 2023

Primary Completion (Estimated)

January 9, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

January 9, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 15, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 24, 2023

First Posted (Actual)

August 31, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 16, 2024

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 14, 2024

Last Verified

May 1, 2024

More Information

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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