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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04465643

Neoadjuvant Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab for Newly Diagnosed Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor

The purpose of the study is to evaluate safety and feasibility of neoadjuvant nivolumab plus ipilimumab prior to standard therapy (surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy) in patients with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) and newly diagnosed pre-malignant and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) for whom surgery for resection of tumor is indicated.

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Key information

Conditions

Nerve Sheath Tumors Neoplasms Neoplasms by Histologic Type Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue Nerve Sheath Neoplasms Nervous System Diseases Nervous System Neoplasms Neuromuscular Diseases Peripheral Nervous System Diseases Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms

Age range

12 year–100 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 1

Primary location

Johns Hopkins Medical Institution

Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Histologically confirmed diagnosis of atypical neurofibromatous neoplasms of uncertain biologic potential (ANNUBP), low grade malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) or high grade MPNST in accordance with the Miettinen et al diagnostic criteria via biopsy
  • Plexiform neurofibroma or other tumors such as optic pathway glioma, other low-grade glioma or other neoplasm in addition to the ANNUBP, low grade MPNST or high grade MPNST that is stable (has not required treatment in the last 12 months and is not anticipated to need treatment in the next 12 months)
  • Measureable disease by RECIST criteria in at least one site.
  • Karnofsky Performance Scale ≥ 60%
  • No contraindications for Nivolumab or Ipilimumab
  • Normal organ and marrow function on routine laboratory tests
  • Evidence of post-menopausal status or negative urinary/serum pregnancy test for female pre-menopausal subjects. Women will be considered post-menopausal if they have been amenorrheic for 12 months without an alternative medical cause
  • Ability to understand and willingness of sign consent form
  • Willingness to comply with the protocol for the duration of the study

Exclusion criteria

  • Chemotherapy or other investigational agent for the current episode of newly diagnosed atypical neurofibroma or MPNST
  • Prior therapy with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti-PDL-2 antibody
  • Known allergy to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to Nivolumab or Ipilimumab
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women
  • Known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • Active infection requiring therapy, including known positive tests for Hepatitis B surface antigen or Hepatitis C ribonucleic acid (RNA)
  • Active autoimmune disease, history of autoimmune disease or history of syndrome that required systemic steroids or immunosuppressive medications, e.g. organ, tissue, or allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. Exceptions include those with resolved childhood asthma/atopy. Subjects with asthma who require intermittent use of bronchodilators (such as albuterol) will not be excluded from this study. Subjects are also 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
  • A condition requiring systemic treatment with either corticosteroids (> 10 mg daily prednisone equivalents) or other immunosuppressive medications within 14 days of study drug administration. Inhaled or topical steroids and adrenal replacement doses > 10 mg daily prednisone equivalents are permitted in the absence of active autoimmune disease.
  • Use of any vaccines against infectious diseases (e.g. varicella, influenza, etc.) up to 4 weeks (28 days) before receiving nivolumab and ipilimumab.
  • Prisoners or subjects who are compulsorily detained for treatment of either a psychiatric or physical (e.g. infectious disease) illness
  • Prior radiation doses equivalent to, or greater than, 8000 centigray (cGy) to the target lesions at 200 cGy fractions at any time point
  • Any radiation to the the target lesions within 6 months of enrollment
  • Other concurrent severe and/or uncontrolled medical disease, which could compromise participation in the study (e.g. uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, severe infection, severe malnutrition, chronic liver or renal disease, active upper GI tract ulceration, congestive heart failure, etc.)

Treatment and study plan

Nivolumab

Drug

Nivolumab 4.5 mg/kg Q3W x 2

Ipilimumab

Drug

Ipilimumab 1 mg/kg Q3W x 2

Primary outcomes

  1. Safety of combination nivolumab and ipilimumab as assessed by number of participants who experience adverse events

    Time frame: Up to 2 years

    Number of participants who experience grade 1 or higher adverse events, as defined by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0 (CTCAE v5.0).

  2. Feasibility of combination nivolumab and ipilimumab as assessed by number of participants who experience adverse events

    Time frame: Up to 2 years

    Number of participants who experience grade 1 or higher adverse events, as defined by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0 (CTCAE v5.0).

  3. Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) as determined by number of participants with dose limiting toxicities (DLT)

    Time frame: Up to 2 years

    Maximum tolerated dose will be determined by the maximum dose at which the least number of participants experience dose-limiting toxicity. The dose limiting toxicity is defined using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE).

  4. Feasibility of combination nivolumab and ipilimumab as assessed by number of participants who start standard of care within standard treatment window

    Time frame: Up to 8 weeks

    Number of participants who start standard of care treatment within 8 week

Secondary outcomes

  1. Safety as assessed by number of treatment-emergent adverse events in patients on combination nivolumab and ipilimumab with NF1, standard low, or high grade MPNST therapy

    Time frame: Up to 2 years

    Number of participants who experience grade 1 or higher adverse events, as defined by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0 (CTCAE v5.0)

  2. Objective response rate (ORR)

    Time frame: Up to 2 years.

    Proportion of participants with measurable disease at baseline and have been re-evaluated after at least 1 cycle of therapy with observed reduction in tumor burden as defined by RECIST and iRECIST criteria after 2 doses of nivolumab and ipilimumab.

  3. Change in pain levels in relation to target tumor as assessed by the Numeric Rating Scale

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, 4 months, and 8 months

    Evaluate pain levels in participants related to target tumor via the Numeric Rating Scale. Assessment to be performed at baseline, Week 6, 4 months, and 8 months via numeric grading scale (0 through 10) recorded by participant via survey in order to determine an improvement or worsening of pain throughout treatment. Lower scores indicate no pain or decreased levels of pain while higher score indicate increased levels of pain.

  4. Change in pain levels in relation to target tumor as assessed by the Pain Interference Index

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, 4 months, and 8 months

    Evaluate pain in participants related to target tumor via the Pain Interference Index (6-24 years). Assessment to be performed at baseline, Week 6, 4 months, and 8 months via numeric grading scale (0 through 6) recorded by participant via survey In order to determine an improvement or worsening of pain throughout treatment. Lower scores indicate no interference or decreased levels of interference in every day life while higher scores indicate increased interference in ever day life.

  5. Change in pain levels in relation to target tumor as assessed by the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, 4 months, and 8 months

    Evaluate pain in participants related to target tumor via the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS). Assessment to be performed at at baseline, Week 6, 4 months, and 8 months via numeric grading scale (1 through 5) recorded by participant via survey in order to determine an improvement or worsening of pain throughout treatment. Higher scores indicate no to low difficulty in mobility while lower scores indicate increased difficulty or inability in mobility.

Other outcomes

  1. Objective response rate (ORR)

    Time frame: At 4 months post intervention

    Proportion of participants who had measurable disease at baseline and have been re-evaluated after at least 1 cycle of therapy with observed reduction in tumor burden as defined by RECIST and iRECIST criteria at 4 months.

  2. Progression Free Survival

    Time frame: Up to 2 years

    Proportion of participants who achieve progression free survival post treatment

  3. Tumor Response as assessed by immune markers in tumor samples

    Time frame: Up to 2 years

    Analyses may include phosphorylated protines of signaling pathways and phenotypes of infiltrating immune cell populations including but not limited to CD3, CD4, FoxP3, CD25, CD8, CD45, CD11b, CD163, CD206, CD68, CD56, CD20, CD45RO and granzyme B. Pathologists will assign an intratumoral and peritumoral immune cell infiltrate grade of 0 through 3. Immunohistochemical analysis of exploratory markers will focus on areas including but not limited to: B7 family ligands PD-L1 (B7-H1), PD-L2 (B7-DC), B7-H3, B7-H4, as well as inhibitory receptors on lymphocytes, including PD-1, 2B4, LAG-3, BTLA, Tim-3, CTLA-4, and TIGIT.

  4. Pharmacodynamic activity as assessed by markers in blood samples

    Time frame: Up to 2 years

    T cell subsets (including CD4, CD8, and Treg with CD25 and Foxp3) will be analyzed as well as co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory molecule expression and markers for T cell activation state (e.g., CD25, HLADR, CD45RO, LAP, PD-1, PD-L1, LAG-3, ICOS, OX40, 41BB). B cells (CD19, CD20, PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2, ICOSL), dendritic cells and macrophages (CD68, CD83, CD1a, PD-L1, PD-L2, 4-1BB, 4-1BBL, ICOSL, HLA-DR) and natural killer cells (CD56) will be enumerated and characterized. Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) will be enumerated by staining for CD14, CD11b, and HLADR expression.

  5. CD3 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    CD3 cell count in cells/mm^3

  6. CD4 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    CD4 cell count in cells/mm^3

  7. FoxP3 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    FoxP3 cell count in cells/mm^3

  8. CD25 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    CD25 cell count in cells/mm^3

  9. CD8 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    CD8 cell count in cells/mm^3

  10. CD45 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    CD45 cell count in cells/mm^3

  11. CD11b Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    CD11b cell count in cells/mm^3

  12. CD163 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    CD163 cell count in cells/mm^3

  13. CD206 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    CD206 cell count in cells/mm^3

  14. CD68 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    CD68 cell count in cells/mm^3

  15. CD56 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    CD56 cell count in cells/mm^3

  16. CD20 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    CD20 cell count in cells/mm^3

  17. CD45RO Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    CD45RO cell count in cells/mm^3

  18. Granzyme B Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    Granzyme B cell count in cells/mm^3

  19. PD-L1 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    PD-L1 cell count in cells/mm^3

  20. PD-L2 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    PD-L2 cell count in cells/mm^3

  21. B7-H3 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    B7-H3 cell count in cells/mm^3

  22. B7-H4 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    B7-H4 cell count in cells/mm^3

  23. PD-1 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    PD-1 cell count in cells/mm^3

  24. 2B4 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    2B4 cell count in cells/mm^3

  25. LAG-3 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    LAG-3 cell count in cells/mm^3

  26. BTLA Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    BTLA cell count in cells/mm^3

  27. Tim-3 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    Tim-3 cell count in cells/mm^3

  28. CTLA-4 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    CTLA-4 cell count in cells/mm^3

  29. TIGIT Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    TIGIT cell count in cells/mm^3

  30. HLA-DR Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    HLA-DR cell count in cells/mm^3

  31. LAP Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    LAP cell count in cells/mm^3

  32. CD14 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    CD14 cell count in cells/mm^3

  33. ICOS Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    ICOS cell count in cells/mm^3

  34. OX40 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    OX40 cell count in cells/mm^3

  35. 4-1BB Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    4-1BB cell count in cells/mm^3

  36. 4-1BBL Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    4-1BBL cell count in cells/mm^3

  37. ICOSL Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    ICOSL cell count in cells/mm^3

  38. CD19 Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    CD19 cell count in cells/mm^3

  39. CD1a Cell Count

    Time frame: Up to 1 year

    CD1a cell count in cells/mm^3

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins

Other

Collaborators

  • Bristol-Myers Squibb
  • Cancer Research and Biostatistics Clinical Trials Consortium
  • Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jul 10, 2020
Registry last updated
Jul 10, 2026

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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