Study of Pembrolizumab and Cabozantinib in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Clinical Trial

Official title:

Phase I/II Study of Pembrolizumab and Cabozantinib in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Active, not recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT03149822
• Other study ID #: 16-2300.cc
• Secondary ID: NCI-2017-01777
• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Phase: Phase 1/Phase 2
• Start date: September 28, 2017
• Est. completion date: December 31, 2025

Study information

• Verified date: February 2024
• Source: University of Colorado, Denver
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

This is a phase I/II open-label study designed to evaluate the combination of pembrolizumab and cabozantinib in subjects with locally advanced, recurrent, or metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Sequential dose escalation of cabozantinib with standard dose pembrolizumab will occur in the phase I dose escalation part of the study to determine the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). Subsequently, subjects will receive cabozantinib at the RP2D in combination with pembrolizumab in the phase II dose expansion part of the study.

Description:

Primary Objectives

• To determine the efficacy based on objective response rate [ORR = complete response (CR) + partial response (PR)] of pembrolizumab and cabozantinib when administered in combination in subjects with locally advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma..

Secondary Objectives

• To characterize dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), maximum tolerated dose (MTD), and recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) for the combination.

• To assess other measures of anti-tumor activity of the combination of pembrolizumab and cabozantinib in subjects with locally advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Enrollment: 45
• Est. completion date: December 31, 2025
• Est. primary completion date: December 14, 2022
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years to 100 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Subjects must have histological or cytological documentation of renal cell carcinoma

2. Subjects must have locally advanced, recurrent, or metastatic disease.

3. Be willing and able to provide written informed consent/assent for the trial.

4. Stated willingness to complywith all study procedures and be available for the duration of the trial.

5. Be = 18 years of age on day of signing informed consent.

6. Have measurable or evaluable disease based on RECIST 1.1.

7. Recovery to baseline or = Grade 1 CTCAE v.4.0 from toxicities related to any prior treatments, unless AE(s) are clinically non-significant and/or stable on supportive therapy.

8. Confirmed availability of representative archival tumor specimens in paraffin blocks (preferred) or = 10 unstained slides, with an associated pathology report.

• Acceptable samples include core needle biopsies for deep tumor tissue or excisional, incisional, or punch biopsies for cutaneous, subcutaneous, or mucosal lesions.

• Tumor tissue from bone metastases is not evaluable for PD-L1 expression and is therefore not acceptable.

• A subject with insufficient or unavailable archival tissue may be eligible, upon discussion with the Principal Investigator, if the subject is willing to consent to undergo a pretreatment core, punch, or excisional/incisional biopsy sample collection of the tumor.

9. Have a performance status of 0 or 1 on the ECOG Performance Scale.

10. Demonstrate adequate organ function as defined by desired lab values.

11. 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.

12. Female subjects of childbearing potential (Section 5.7.2) must be willing to use an adequate method of contraception as outlined in Section 5.7.2 - Contraception, for the course of the study through 120 days after the last dose of study medication. Note: Abstinence is acceptable if this is the usual lifestyle and preferred contraception for the subject.

13. Male subjects of childbearing potential (Section 5.7.1) must agree to use an adequate method of contraception as outlined in Section 5.7.1- Contraception, starting with the first dose of study therapy through 120 days after the last dose of study therapy. Note: Abstinence is acceptable if this is the usual lifestyle and preferred contraception for the subject.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Is currently participating and receiving study therapy or has participated in a study of an investigational agent and received study therapy or used an investigational device within 4 weeks of the first dose of treatment.

2. Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving systemic steroiderapy equivalent to = 10 mg/day of prednisone, or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to the first dose of trial treatment.

3. Has a known history of active TB (Bacillus Tuberculosis)

4. Has had prior treatment with pembrolizumab.

5. Has had prior treatment with cabozantinib.

6. Has had a prior anti-cancer monoclonal antibody (mAb) within 4 weeks prior to study Day 1 or who has not recovered (i.e., = Grade 1 or at baseline) from adverse events due to agents administered more than 4 weeks earlier.

• Note: Subjects with stable, treated hypothyroidism or adrenal insufficiency may qualify for the study

7. Has had prior chemotherapy, targeted small molecule therapy, or radiation therapy within 2 weeks prior to study Day 1 or who has not recovered (i.e., = Grade 1 or at baseline) from adverse events due to a previously administered agent.

• Subjects with = Grade 2 neuropathy are an exception to this criterion and may qualify for the study.

• Subjects with hypertension managed with medication are an exception to this criterion and may qualify for the study.

• Subjects with = Grade 2 endocrinopathy (e.g. hypothyroidism or adrenal insufficiency managed with medication) are an exception to this criterion and may qualify for the study.

8. Has had major surgery within 4 weeks or minor surgery within 2 weeks prior to study Day 1. Subjects must have recovered adequately from the toxicity and/or complications from the intervention prior to starting therapy.

9. Prior treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors is allowed, provided that no treatment-related Grade = 3 adverse events (other than Grade 3 endocrinopathy managed with replacement therapy) were observed and at least a minimum of 28 days have elapsed between the last dose of prior treatment and the proposed Cycle 1 Day 1.

10. Has a known additional malignancy that is progressing or requires active treatment. Exceptions include basal cell carcinoma of the skin or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin that has undergone potentially curative therapy or in situ cervical cancer, carcinoma in situ or superficial bladder cancer, low-grade prostate cancer, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), and other low grade cancers that is suitable for active surveillance in the opinion of the investigator.

11. Has known active central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis. Active CNS metastases will be defined as brain lesions that 1) require intervention with surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), or whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) or 2) require anti-epileptic therapy, systemic steroid treatment, or intrathecal therapy. Subjects with previously treated brain metastases may participate provided they are stable (without evidence of progression by imaging for at least four weeks after completion of focal therapy for brain metastases and any neurologic symptoms have returned to baseline), have no evidence of new or enlarging brain metastases, and are not using steroids for at least 7 days prior to trial treatment. This exception does not include carcinomatous meningitis, which is excluded regardless of clinical stability.

12. 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 (e.g., thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, etc.) is allowed.

13. Has history of solid organ transplantation.

14. Has history of osteonecrosis of the jaw.

15. Has history of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome.

16. Has history of wound dehiscence or complications requiring medical intervention within 6 months of study entry.

17. Has history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis that required steroids or active, non- infectious pneumonitis.

18. Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy with IV antibiotics.

19. Has uncontrolled, significant intercurrent or recent illness including, but not limited to, the following conditions:

1. Cardiovascular disorders:

• Symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, serious cardiac arrhythmias.

• Uncontrolled hypertension defined as sustained BP > 150 mm Hg systolic or > 100 mm Hg diastolic despite optimal antihypertensive treatment.

• Stroke (including TIA), myocardial infarction, or other ischemic event, or thromboembolic event (e.g., deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism) within 3 months before randomization.

2. Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders including those associated with a high risk of perforation or fistula formation:

• Tumors invading the GI-tract, active peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, cholecystitis, symptomatic cholangitis or appendicitis, acute pancreatitis or acute obstruction of the pancreatic or biliary duct, or gastric outlet obstruction.

• Abdominal fistula, gastrointestinal perforation, bowel obstruction, or intra-abdominal abscess within 6 months before randomization. Complete healing of an intra-abdominal abscess must be confirmed before study initiation.

3. Has clinically significant hematuria, hematemesis, or hemoptysis of > 0.5 teaspoon within 3 months before randomization.

4. Known endobronchial disease manifestation. Patients with suspected endobronchial disease on imaging who have no evidence of endobronchial disease on bronchoscopy are allowed. Patients with treated endobronchial disease are also allowed provided they are stable.

5. Lesions invading major pulmonary blood vessels.

20. Has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the trial, interfere with the subject's participation for the full duration of the trial, or is not in the best interest of the subject to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator.

21. Has known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the trial.

22. Is pregnant or breastfeeding, or expecting to conceive or father children within the projected duration of the trial, starting with the pre-screening or screening visit through 120 days after the last dose of trial treatment.

23. Has an inability to swallow tablets or capsules.

24. Has a previously identified allergy or hypersensitivity to components of the study treatment formulations.

25. Has a known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (HIV 1/2 antibodies).

26. Has known active Hepatitis B (e.g., HBsAg reactive) or Hepatitis C (e.g., HCV RNA [qualitative] is detected).

27. Has received a live vaccine within 30 days of planned start of study therapy. Note:

Seasonal influenza vaccines for injection are generally inactivated flu vaccines and are allowed; however intranasal influenza vaccines (e.g., Flu-Mist®) are live attenuated vaccines, and are not allowed.

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Carcinoma
• Carcinoma, Renal Cell
• Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Intervention

Drug:
• Cabozantinib
Pharmaceutical form: tablets Route of administration: oral
• Pembrolizumab
Pharmaceutical form: solution Route of administration: injection

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	University of Colorado Denver	Aurora	Colorado
United States	Memorial Hospital Central	Colorado Springs	Colorado
United States	Poudre Valley Hospital	Fort Collins	Colorado
United States	Highlands Ranch Hospital	Highlands Ranch	Colorado
United States	UCHealth Lone Tree Medical Center	Lone Tree	Colorado

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Colorado, Denver	Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

References & Publications (18)

Carmeliet P, Jain RK. Principles and mechanisms of vessel normalization for cancer and other angiogenic diseases. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2011 Jun;10(6):417-27. doi: 10.1038/nrd3455. — View Citation

Choueiri TK, Halabi S, Sanford BL, Hahn O, Michaelson MD, Walsh MK, Feldman DR, Olencki T, Picus J, Small EJ, Dakhil S, George DJ, Morris MJ. Cabozantinib Versus Sunitinib As Initial Targeted Therapy for Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma of Poor or Intermediate Risk: The Alliance A031203 CABOSUN Trial. J Clin Oncol. 2017 Feb 20;35(6):591-597. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2016.70.7398. Epub 2016 Nov 14. Erratum In: J Clin Oncol. 2017 Nov 10;35(32):3736. J Clin Oncol. 2018 Feb 10;36(5):521. — View Citation

Choueiri TK, Pal SK, McDermott DF, Morrissey S, Ferguson KC, Holland J, Kaelin WG, Dutcher JP. A phase I study of cabozantinib (XL184) in patients with renal cell cancer. Ann Oncol. 2014 Aug;25(8):1603-8. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdu184. Epub 2014 May 14. — View Citation

Gibney GT, Aziz SA, Camp RL, Conrad P, Schwartz BE, Chen CR, Kelly WK, Kluger HM. c-Met is a prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Ann Oncol. 2013 Feb;24(2):343-349. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mds463. Epub 2012 Sep 28. — View Citation

Gunturi A, McDermott DF. Potential of new therapies like anti-PD1 in kidney cancer. Curr Treat Options Oncol. 2014 Mar;15(1):137-46. doi: 10.1007/s11864-013-0268-y. — View Citation

Harshman LC, Choueiri TK. Targeting the hepatocyte growth factor/c-Met signaling pathway in renal cell carcinoma. Cancer J. 2013 Jul-Aug;19(4):316-23. doi: 10.1097/PPO.0b013e31829e3c9a. — View Citation

Hato T, Zhu AX, Duda DG. Rationally combining anti-VEGF therapy with checkpoint inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma. Immunotherapy. 2016;8(3):299-313. doi: 10.2217/imt.15.126. Epub 2016 Feb 11. — View Citation

Ko JS, Zea AH, Rini BI, Ireland JL, Elson P, Cohen P, Golshayan A, Rayman PA, Wood L, Garcia J, Dreicer R, Bukowski R, Finke JH. Sunitinib mediates reversal of myeloid-derived suppressor cell accumulation in renal cell carcinoma patients. Clin Cancer Res. 2009 Mar 15;15(6):2148-57. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-08-1332. Epub 2009 Mar 10. — View Citation

Massari F, Santoni M, Ciccarese C, Santini D, Alfieri S, Martignoni G, Brunelli M, Piva F, Berardi R, Montironi R, Porta C, Cascinu S, Tortora G. PD-1 blockade therapy in renal cell carcinoma: current studies and future promises. Cancer Treat Rev. 2015 Feb;41(2):114-21. doi: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2014.12.013. Epub 2015 Jan 6. — View Citation

Motzer RJ, Escudier B, McDermott DF, George S, Hammers HJ, Srinivas S, Tykodi SS, Sosman JA, Procopio G, Plimack ER, Castellano D, Choueiri TK, Gurney H, Donskov F, Bono P, Wagstaff J, Gauler TC, Ueda T, Tomita Y, Schutz FA, Kollmannsberger C, Larkin J, Ravaud A, Simon JS, Xu LA, Waxman IM, Sharma P; CheckMate 025 Investigators. Nivolumab versus Everolimus in Advanced Renal-Cell Carcinoma. N Engl J Med. 2015 Nov 5;373(19):1803-13. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1510665. Epub 2015 Sep 25. — View Citation

Mukai S, Yorita K, Kawagoe Y, Katayama Y, Nakahara K, Kamibeppu T, Sugie S, Tukino H, Kamoto T, Kataoka H. Matriptase and MET are prominently expressed at the site of bone metastasis in renal cell carcinoma: immunohistochemical analysis. Hum Cell. 2015 Jan;28(1):44-50. doi: 10.1007/s13577-014-0101-3. Epub 2014 Sep 4. — View Citation

Nickerson ML, Jaeger E, Shi Y, Durocher JA, Mahurkar S, Zaridze D, Matveev V, Janout V, Kollarova H, Bencko V, Navratilova M, Szeszenia-Dabrowska N, Mates D, Mukeria A, Holcatova I, Schmidt LS, Toro JR, Karami S, Hung R, Gerard GF, Linehan WM, Merino M, Zbar B, Boffetta P, Brennan P, Rothman N, Chow WH, Waldman FM, Moore LE. Improved identification of von Hippel-Lindau gene alterations in clear cell renal tumors. Clin Cancer Res. 2008 Aug 1;14(15):4726-34. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-07-4921. — View Citation

Philips GK, Atkins MB. New agents and new targets for renal cell carcinoma. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book. 2014:e222-7. doi: 10.14694/EdBook_AM.2014.34.e222. — View Citation

Schiefer AI, Mesteri I, Berghoff AS, Haitel A, Schmidinger M, Preusser M, Birner P. Evaluation of tyrosine kinase receptors in brain metastases of clear cell renal cell carcinoma reveals cMet as a negative prognostic factor. Histopathology. 2015 Dec;67(6):799-805. doi: 10.1111/his.12709. Epub 2015 Jun 7. — View Citation

Sutherland DE, Morrow CE, Florack G, Kretschmer GJ, Baumgartner D, Matas AJ, Najarian JS. Cold storage preservation of islet and pancreas grafts as assessed by in vivo function after transplantation to diabetic hosts. Cryobiology. 1983 Apr;20(2):138-50. doi: 10.1016/0011-2240(83)90003-2. No abstract available. — View Citation

Tartour E, Pere H, Maillere B, Terme M, Merillon N, Taieb J, Sandoval F, Quintin-Colonna F, Lacerda K, Karadimou A, Badoual C, Tedgui A, Fridman WH, Oudard S. Angiogenesis and immunity: a bidirectional link potentially relevant for the monitoring of antiangiogenic therapy and the development of novel therapeutic combination with immunotherapy. Cancer Metastasis Rev. 2011 Mar;30(1):83-95. doi: 10.1007/s10555-011-9281-4. — View Citation

Terme M, Colussi O, Marcheteau E, Tanchot C, Tartour E, Taieb J. Modulation of immunity by antiangiogenic molecules in cancer. Clin Dev Immunol. 2012;2012:492920. doi: 10.1155/2012/492920. Epub 2012 Dec 24. — View Citation

Voron T, Colussi O, Marcheteau E, Pernot S, Nizard M, Pointet AL, Latreche S, Bergaya S, Benhamouda N, Tanchot C, Stockmann C, Combe P, Berger A, Zinzindohoue F, Yagita H, Tartour E, Taieb J, Terme M. VEGF-A modulates expression of inhibitory checkpoints on CD8+ T cells in tumors. J Exp Med. 2015 Feb 9;212(2):139-48. doi: 10.1084/jem.20140559. Epub 2015 Jan 19. — View Citation

* Note: There are 18 references in all — Click here to view all references

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Efficacy of Pembrolizumab and Cabozantinib Based on Objective Response Rate	Measured through the complete response (CR) + partial response (PR)] of pembrolizumab and cabozantinib when administered in combination in subjects with locally advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Per Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (RECIST v1.0) for target lesions and assessed by MRI: Complete Response (CR), Disappearance of all target lesions; Partial Response (PR), >=30% decrease in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions; Overall Response (OR) = CR + PR.	Beginning of study to end of study, up to 5 years
Secondary	Maximally Tolerated Dose (MTD) and Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D)	The MTD is defined as the highest dose level with no more than 1 DLT reported in 6 DLT-evaluable subjects.; The Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D) of cabozantinib will be selected based on the clinical data and will not exceed the MTD. If < 2/6 subjects experience a DLT at 60 mg daily during dose escalation, then 60 mg daily will be considered the RP2D. If = 2/6 subjects experience DLTs at 60 mg daily, and = 1/6 subjects experience a DLT at 40 mg daily, then 40 mg daily will be considered the RP2D. The dose of pembrolizumab will be constant at 200 mg IV every 3 weeks.	Throughout Cycle 1, up to 21 days
Secondary	Dose Limiting Toxicities	Assessed through Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v 4.0. Dose Limiting Toxicity (DLT) was defined as any of the following events occurring during the DLT assessment window (21 days) and is assessed by the investigator to be likely related to study treatment (pembrolizumab and/or cabozantinib).; Grade = 3 non-hematologic, non-hepatic adverse events; Grade 3 nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea lasting >72 hours despite maximal medical therapy.; Grade = 4 neutropenia (ANC < 500 cells/µL) lasting > 7 days; Grade = 3 febrile neutropenia; Grade = 4 anemia; Grade = 4 thrombocytopenia, or Grade 3 thrombocytopenia associated with clinically significant bleeding; Grade = 3 elevation of serum hepatic transaminase (ALT or AST).; Grade = 3 elevation of serum total bilirubin.; ALT or AST > 3 × upper limit of normal (ULN) AND total bilirubin >2 × ULN will require permanent treatment discontinuation.	Throughout Cycle 1, up to 21 days
Secondary	Progression-Free Survival	Measured as the time it takes for an occurrence of documented disease progression. Progression is defined using Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (RECIST v1.0), as a 20% increase in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions, or a measurable increase in a non-target lesion, or the appearance of new lesions.	Beginning of study to end of study, or death, whichever comes first, up to 5 years
Secondary	Overall Survival	Measured as the time it takes for an occurrence of death due to any cause	Beginning of study to end of study, or death, whichever comes first, up to 5 years
Secondary	Disease Control Rate (DCR), AKA Clinical Benefit Rate (CBR)	DCR is the sum of the complete response, partial response, and stable disease rates	Beginning of study to end of study, or death, whichever comes first, up to 5 years
Secondary	Duration of Response	Duration of time that patients maintain RECIST response to treatment	Time of first response as measured by RECIST 1.1 to time of progression or death, whichever comes first, up to 5 years