A Randomised Open-label Phase III Trial of REduced Frequency Pembrolizumab immuNothErapy for First-line Treatment of Patients With Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Immunotherapy with pembrolizumab targeting the T cell inhibitory PD-1 receptor has significantly improved outcomes in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Approximately 3600 new patients are treated in the 1st line setting per year in England alone and up to 25% remain on 6 weekly pembrolizumab for 2 years. However, pharmacological and clinical trial data suggest current frequent dosing for 2 years result in overtreatment. Indeed, pembrolizumab remains bound to its target receptor for up to 100 days following a single dose and studies in multiple tumour types have found no relationship between dose and patient outcome. Moreover, anti-PD1 treated patients who respond but discontinue therapy either as planned after 2 years, or earlier because of toxicity, can either remain in remission and/or be sensitive to re-challenge with pembrolizumab.

REFINE-lung will test whether reduced pembrolizumab dose frequency (9, 12, 15, 18 weeks) after 6 months of standard treatment is safe and effective.

This UK study represents a unique opportunity to determine whether pembrolizumab dose frequency can be safely reduced in NSCLC, resulting in significant cost benefits to the NHS and globally, in addition to enhanced patient QoL associated with fewer hospital attendances and reduced toxicity.

Inclusion criteria

• Written informed consent prior to initiation of any study procedures and willingness and ability to comply with the study schedule
• Any patient ≥18yrs who has received 6 months of pembrolizumab treatment with or without chemotherapy for advanced Non small cell lung cancer who is planned to continue immunotherapy treatment because of continued benefit.

Exclusion criteria

• Disease progression or not tolerating treatment at 6 months into therapy
• Clinician does not intend to continue immunotherapy
• Any patient with a synchronous primary cancer. This includes any new cancer diagnoses or relapse of previously treated cancer since starting pembrolizumab treatment.
• Any patient currently receiving an investigational agent and/or using an investigational device or has participated in a study of an investigational agent and/or used an investigational device within 28 days of randomisation.