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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02039674

A Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Combination With Chemotherapy or Immunotherapy in Participants With Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (MK-3475-021/KEYNOTE-021)

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy in participants with unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

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Key information

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Stage IIIb/IV NSCLC
  • Disease progression >1 year after completing adjuvant therapy for Stage I-IIIA disease and no systemic therapy for the recurrent disease
  • Resolution of any toxic effects (excepting alopecia) of the most recent therapy
  • At least one radiographically measurable lesion
  • Performance status of 0 or 1 on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status scale
  • Female participants of reproductive potential must not be pregnant (negative urine or serum human chorionic gonadotropin test within 72 hours of study start)
  • Female and male participants of reproductive potential must agree to use adequate contraception throughout the study period and for up to 120 days after the last dose of study therapy and for up to 180 days after the last dose of chemotherapeutic agents or tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Exclusion criteria

  • Currently participating or has participated in a study of an investigational agent or using an investigational device within 4 weeks of administration of pembrolizumab
  • Expected to require any other form of antineoplastic therapy while on study
  • Is on chronic systemic steroid therapy or on any other form of immunosuppressive medication
  • Has received a live-virus vaccination within 30 days of planned treatment start
  • Clinically active diverticulitis, intra-abdominal abscess, gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction, or abdominal carcinomatosis (known risks factors for bowel perforation)
  • History of a hematologic malignancy, primary brain tumor or sarcoma, or of another primary solid tumor, unless the participant has undergone potentially curative therapy with no evidence of that disease for 5 years
  • Active central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis
  • Severe hypersensitivity reaction to treatment with another monoclonal antibody (mAb)
  • Active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years (replacement therapies for hormone deficiencies are allowed)
  • Prior treatment with any other anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (anti-PD-1), or PD Ligand-1 (PD-L1) or PD Ligand-2 (PD-L2) agent or an antibody targeting other immuno-regulatory receptors or mechanisms
  • Systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy, antineoplastic biologic therapy, or major surgery within 3 weeks of the first dose of study medication
  • Radiation therapy to lung >30 Gy within 6 months of first dose of study medication
  • Prior tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy or palliative radiation within 7 days of first dose of study medication
  • Active infection requiring therapy
  • History of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
  • Active Hepatitis B or C
  • Symptomatic ascites or pleural effusion
  • Interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis requiring oral or IV glucocorticoids
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding, or expecting to conceive or father children within the projected duration of the study
  • Psychiatric disorders and substance (drug/alcohol) abuse

Treatment and study plan

Pembrolizumab

Biological

IV on Day 1 of each 3-week cycle prior to chemo/immunotherapy

Other names: MK-3475, KEYTRUDA®, SCH 900475

paclitaxel

Drug

IV on Day 1 of each 3-week cycle for a maximum of 4 administrations

Other names: ABRAXANE®

carboplatin

Drug

IV on Day 1 of each 3-week cycle for a maximum of 4 administrations

Other names: PARAPLATIN®

Bevacizumab

Biological

IV on Day 1 of each 3-week cycle

Other names: AVASTIN®

Pemetrexed

Drug

IV on Day 1 of each 3-week cycle

Other names: ALIMTA®

Ipilimumab

Biological

IV on Day 1 of each 3-week cycle for a maximum of 4 administrations

Other names: YERVOY®

Erlotinib

Drug

Orally tablet once daily

Other names: TARCEVA®

Gefitinib

Drug

Oral tablet once daily

Other names: IRESSA®

Primary outcomes

  1. Part 2 Cohorts G+ and G-: Objective Response Rate (ORR)

    Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years

    ORR was defined as the percentage of participants in the analysis population who had a Complete Response (CR: Disappearance of all target lesions) or a Partial Response (PR: At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions) per Response Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR).

  2. Part 2 Cohorts D4 and H: Objective Response Rate (ORR)

    Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years

    For participants who demonstrated a confirmed response (Complete Response [CR]: Disappearance of all target lesions or Partial Response [PR]: At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions) per RECIST 1.1. Per RECIST 1.1, DOR was defined as the time from first documented evidence of CR or PR until disease progression or death. DOR was assessed by BICR.

  3. All Cohorts: Number of Participants Who Experienced a Dose-limiting Toxicity (DLT)

    Time frame: Cycle 1 (Up to 21 days)

    DLTs were assessed using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4. A DLT was defined as any of the following events: Grade 4 non-hematologic toxicity (not laboratory); Grade 4 hematologic toxicity lasting ≥7 days; Grade 3 non-hematologic toxicity (not laboratory, specifically nausea, vomiting and diarrhea) lasting >3 days despite optimal supportive care; Any Grade 3 or Grade 4 non-hematologic laboratory value requiring treatment or hospitalization, or persisting for >1 week; Febrile neutropenia Grade 3 or Grade 4; Qualifying thrombocytopenia <25,000/mm^3; Prolonged delay (>2 weeks) in initiating Cycle 2 due to treatment-related toxicity; Missing >10% of erlotinib or gefitinib doses as a result of adverse events (AEs) during the DLT window of observation; or Grade 5 toxicity.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Part 2 Cohorts G+ and G-: Progression-Free Survival (PFS)

    Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years

    PFS was defined as the time from randomization to the first documented disease progression, or death due to any cause, whichever occurred first. Per RECIST 1.1, progressive disease was defined as at least a 20% increase in the sum of diameters of target lesions. In addition to the relative increase of 20%, the sum must also demonstrate an absolute increase of at least 5 mm. The appearance of one or more new lesions was also considered progression. PFS was assessed by BICR.

  2. Part 2 Cohorts G+ and G-: Overall Survival (OS)

    Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years

    OS was defined as the time from randomization to death due to any cause.

  3. Part 2 Cohorts G+ and G-: Duration of Response (DOR)

    Time frame: Up to approximately 2 years

    For participants who demonstrated a confirmed response (Complete Response [CR]: Disappearance of all target lesions or Partial Response [PR]: At least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions) per RECIST 1.1. Per RECIST 1.1, DOR was defined as the time from first documented evidence of CR or PR until disease progression or death. DOR was assessed by BICR.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

A Phase I/II Study of MK-3475 (SCH900475) in Combination With Chemotherapy or Immunotherapy in Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

Important dates

Study start
2014
Primary completion
2016
Study completion
2021
First posted
Jan 17, 2014
Registry last updated
Nov 8, 2022

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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