A Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Versus Paclitaxel, Docetaxel, or Vinflunine for Participants With Advanced Urothelial Cancer (MK-3475-045/KEYNOTE-045)

Urothelial Cancer Clinical Trial

Official title:

A Phase III Randomized Clinical Trial of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Versus Paclitaxel, Docetaxel or Vinflunine in Subjects With Recurrent or Progressive Metastatic Urothelial Cancer

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT02256436
• Other study ID #: 3475-045
• Secondary ID: 2014-002009-4015
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 3
• Start date: October 22, 2014
• Est. completion date: October 1, 2020

Study information

• Verified date: August 2021
• Source: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

Participants with metastatic or locally advanced/unresectable urothelial cancer that has recurred or progressed following platinum-based chemotherapy will be randomly assigned to receive Investigator's choice of paclitaxel, docetaxel, or vinflunine (Control), or pembrolizumab. The primary study hypotheses are that pembrolizumab will prolong Overall Survival (OS) and Progression-free Survival (PFS) compared to paclitaxel, docetaxel, or vinflunine.

Description:

For the purposes of this study, participants with a programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) combined positive score (CPS) ≥10% were considered to have a strongly PD-L1 positive tumor status and participants with PD-L1 CPS ≥1% were considered to have a PD-L1 positive tumor status.

Effective with Amendment 15, eligible participants who are allocated to the Control arm (Investigator's Choice) and experience disease progression will be provided with the opportunity to switch over to receive pembrolizumab 200 mg one time every three weeks (Q3W) for up to two years of treatment.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 542
• Est. completion date: October 1, 2020
• Est. primary completion date: September 7, 2016
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion criteria:

• Histologically- or cytologically-confirmed diagnosis of urothelial cancer of the renal pelvis, ureter, bladder, or urethra, that is transitional cell or mixed transitional/non-transitional (predominantly transitional) cell type

• Progression or recurrence of urothelial cancer following a first-line platinum-containing regimen (e.g cisplatin, carboplatin) for metastatic or inoperable locally advanced disease; or adjuvant platinum-based therapy following cystectomy for localized muscle-invasive urothelial cancer with recurrence/progression <=12 months following completion of therapy; or neoadjuvant platinum-containing therapy prior to cystectomy for localized muscle-invasive urothelial cancer with recurrence <=12 months following completion of therapy

• No more than 2 prior lines of systemic chemotherapy for metastatic urothelial cancer

• Able to provide tissue for biomarker analysis from an archival tissue sample or newly obtained core or excisional biopsy of a tumor lesion not previously irradiated

• Measureable disease

• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0, 1, or 2

• Adequate organ function

• Female participants of childbearing potential have a negative urine or serum pregnancy test; or are surgically sterile, or willing to use 2 acceptable methods of birth control, or abstain from heterosexual activity for the course of the study through 120 days after the last dose of pembrolizumab or 180 days after the last dose of paclitaxel, docetaxel, or vinflunine

• Male participants must be willing to use an adequate method of contraception starting with the first dose of study medication through 120 days after the last dose of pembrolizumab or 180 days after the last dose of paclitaxel, docetaxel, or vinflunine

Exclusion criteria:

• Urothelial cancer that is suitable for local therapy administered with curative intent

• Currently participating in or has participated in a study of an investigational agent or using an investigational device within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of trial medication

• Diagnosis of immunodeficiency or receiving systemic steroid therapy or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to the first dose of study medication

• Anti-cancer monoclonal antibody (mAb) within 4 weeks prior to study Day 1 or not recovered from adverse events due to agents administered more than 4 weeks earlier

• Prior chemotherapy, targeted small molecule therapy, or radiation therapy within 2 weeks of study Day 1 or not recovered from adverse events due to a previously administered agent

• Prior therapy with all choices of active comparator

• Known additional malignancy that is progressing or requires active treatment with the exception of basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin that has undergone potentially curative therapy or in situ cancer; or prostate cancer that was identified incidentally following cystoprostatectomy for bladder cancer that is Stage T2N0M0 or lower, Gleason score<= 6, or prostatic-specific antigen (PSA) undetectable

• Known active central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis

• Active autoimmune disease requiring systemic treatment within the past 3 months or a documented history of clinically severe autoimmune disease, or a syndrome that requires systemic or immunosuppressive agents

• Active cardiac disease

• Evidence of interstitial lung disease or active non-infectious pneumonitis

• Active infection requiring systemic therapy

• History of severe hypersensitivity reaction to paclitaxel, docetaxel, or to other drugs formulated with polysorbate 80 or polyoxyethylated castor oil, or to vinflunine or other vinca alkaloids

• Requires ongoing therapy with a medication that is a strong inhibitor or inducer of the cytochrome 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzymes

• Pregnant, breastfeeding, or expecting to conceive or father children within the projected duration of the trial, starting with the screening visit through 120 days after the last dose of pembrolizumab or 180 days after the last dose of paclitaxel, docetaxel, or vinflunine

• Prior therapy with an anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) or anti-PD-Ligand 1 agent, or with an agent directed to another co-inhibitory T-cell receptor

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

• Active hepatitis B or hepatitis C

• Received a live virus vaccine within 30 days of planned start of trial treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Urothelial Cancer

Intervention

Biological:
• pembrolizumab
IV infusion

Drug:
• paclitaxel
IV infusion
• vinflunine
IV infusion
• docetaxel
IV infusion

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
n/a

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Progression-Free Survival (PFS) Per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) - All Participants	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 (PD) 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. Note: The appearance of one or more new lesions was also considered PD. The PFS per RECIST 1.1 was assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) in all participants up through the primary analysis database cut-off date of 07-Sep-2016.	Through primary analysis database cut-off date of 07-Sep-2016 (Up to approximately 20 months)
Primary	Overall Survival (OS) - All Participants	OS was defined as the time from randomization to death due to any cause. The OS was assessed in all participants up through the primary analysis database cut-off date of 07-Sep-2016.	Through primary analysis database cut-off date of 07-Sep-2016 (Up to approximately 20 months)
Primary	PFS Per RECIST 1.1 - Participants With Programmed Cell Death-Ligand (PD-L1) Positive Tumors	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, PD 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. Note: The appearance of one or more new lesions was also considered PD. PFS per RECIST 1.1 was assessed by BICR in all participants who had PD-L1 positive tumors (combined positive score [CPS] =1%) up through the primary analysis database cut-off date of 07-Sep-2016.	Through primary analysis database cut-off date of 07-Sep-2016 (Up to approximately 20 months)
Primary	OS - Participants With PD-L1 Positive Tumors	OS was defined as the time from randomization to death due to any cause. For the purposes of this study, participants with PD-L1 CPS =1% were considered to have a PD-L1 positive tumor status. OS was assessed in all participants who had PD-L1 positive tumors (CPS =1%) up through the primary analysis database cut-off date of 07-Sep-2016.	Through primary analysis database cut-off date of 07-Sep-2016 (Up to approximately 20 months)
Primary	PFS Per RECIST 1.1 - Participants With Strongly PD-L1 Positive Tumors	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, PD 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. Note: The appearance of one or more new lesions was also considered PD. PFS per RECIST 1.1 was assessed by BICR in all participants who had strongly PD-L1 positive tumors (CPS =10%) up through the primary analysis database cut-off date of 07-Sep-2016.	Through primary analysis database cut-off date of 07-Sep-2016 (Up to approximately 20 months)
Primary	OS - Participants With Strongly PD-L1 Positive Tumors	OS was defined as the time from randomization to death due to any cause. For the purposes of this study, participants with a PD-L1 CPS =10% were considered to have a strongly PD-L1 positive tumor status. The OS was assessed in all participants who had strongly PD-L1 positive tumors (CPS =10%) up through the primary analysis database cut-off date of 07-Sep-2016.	Through primary analysis database cut-off date of 07-Sep-2016 (Up to approximately 20 months)
Secondary	Number of Participants Who Experienced an Adverse Event (AE)	An AE was defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered a pharmaceutical product and which did not necessarily have to have a causal relationship with this treatment. Participants were monitored for the occurrence nonserious AEs for up to 30 days after last dose of study treatment and for serious AEs for up to 90 days after last dose of study treatment. The number of participants who experienced an AE was reported for each arm.	Through final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017 (Up to approximately 34 months)
Secondary	Number of Participants Who Discontinued Study Treatment Due to an AE	An AE was defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered a pharmaceutical product and which did not necessarily have to have a causal relationship with this treatment. Participants were monitored for the occurrence nonserious AEs for up to 30 days after last dose of study treatment and for serious AEs for up to 90 days after last dose of study treatment. The number of participants who discontinued study treatment due to an AE was reported for each arm.	Through final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017 (Up to approximately 34 months)
Secondary	Objective Response Rate (ORR) Per RECIST 1.1 - Participants With Strongly PD-L1 Positive Tumors	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 RECIST 1.1. ORR was assessed by BICR in participants with strongly PD-L1 positive tumors (CPS =10%) up through the final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017.	Through final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017 (Up to approximately 34 months)
Secondary	ORR Per RECIST 1.1 - Participants With PD-L1 Positive Tumors	ORR was defined as the percentage of participants in the analysis population who had a CR (disappearance of all target lesions) or a PR (at least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions) per RECIST 1.1. ORR was assessed by BICR in participants with PD-L1 positive tumors (CPS =1%) up through the final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017.	Through final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017 (Up to approximately 34 months)
Secondary	ORR Per RECIST 1.1 - All Participants	ORR was defined as the percentage of participants in the analysis population who had a CR (disappearance of all target lesions) or a PR (at least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions) per RECIST 1.1. ORR was assessed by BICR in all participants up through the final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017.	Through final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017 (Up to approximately 34 months)
Secondary	PFS Per Modified RECIST (mRECIST) - Participants With Strongly PD-L1 Positive Tumors	PFS was defined as the time from randomization to the first documented disease progression, or death due to any cause, whichever occurred first. Per mRECIST, PD was defined was defined as at least 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. Note: The appearance of one or more new lesions was also considered PD. Per mRECIST, confirmation by a repeat, consecutive assessment no less than 4 weeks from the date first documented was required for participants remaining on treatment following PD per RECIST 1.1. PFS per mRECIST was assessed by BICR in participants with strongly PD-L1 positive tumors (CPS =10%) up through the final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017.	Through final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017 (Up to approximately 34 months)
Secondary	PFS Per mRECIST - Participants With PD-L1 Positive Tumors	PFS was defined as the time from randomization to the first documented disease progression, or death due to any cause, whichever occurred first. Per mRECIST, PD was defined was defined as at least 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. Note: The appearance of one or more new lesions was also considered PD. Per mRECIST, confirmation by a repeat, consecutive assessment no less than 4 weeks from the date first documented was required for participants remaining on treatment following PD per RECIST 1.1. PFS per mRECIST was assessed by BICR in participants with PD-L1 positive tumors (CPS =1%) up through the final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017.	Through final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017 (Up to approximately 34 months)
Secondary	PFS Per mRECIST - All Participants	PFS was defined as the time from randomization to the first documented disease progression, or death due to any cause, whichever occurred first. Per mRECIST, PD was defined as at least 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. Note: The appearance of one or more new lesions was also considered PD. Per mRECIST, confirmation by a repeat, consecutive assessment no less than 4 weeks from the date first documented was required for participants remaining on treatment following PD per RECIST 1.1. PFS per mRECIST was assessed by BICR in all randomized participants up through the final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017.	Through final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017 (Up to approximately 34 months)
Secondary	ORR Per mRECIST - Participants With Strongly PD-L1 Positive Tumors	ORR per mRECIST was defined as the percentage of participants in the analysis population who had a CR (complete disappearance of all lesions (and no new lesions), with confirmation by a repeat, consecutive assessment no less than 4 weeks from the date first documented) or a PR (decrease in tumor burden =50% relative to baseline confirmed by a consecutive assessment at least 4 weeks after first documentation). ORR per mRECIST was assessed by BICR in participants with strongly PD-L1 positive tumors (CPS =10%) up through the final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017.	Through final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017 (Up to approximately 34 months)
Secondary	ORR Per mRECIST - Participants With PD-L1 Positive Tumors	ORR per mRECIST was defined as the percentage of participants in the analysis population who had a CR (complete disappearance of all lesions (and no new lesions), with confirmation by a repeat, consecutive assessment no less than 4 weeks from the date first documented) or a PR (decrease in tumor burden =50% relative to baseline confirmed by a consecutive assessment at least 4 weeks after first documentation). ORR per mRECIST was assessed by BICR in participants with PD-L1 positive tumors (CPS =1%) up through the final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017.	Through final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017 (Up to approximately 34 months)
Secondary	ORR Per mRECIST - All Participants	ORR per mRECIST was defined as the percentage of participants in the analysis population who had a CR (complete disappearance of all lesions (and no new lesions), with confirmation by a repeat, consecutive assessment no less than 4 weeks from the date first documented) or a PR (decrease in tumor burden =50% relative to baseline confirmed by a consecutive assessment at least 4 weeks after first documentation). ORR per mRECIST was assessed by BICR in all participants up through the final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017.	Through final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017 (Up to approximately 34 months)
Secondary	Duration of Response (DOR) Per RECIST 1.1 - Participants With Strongly PD-L1 Positive Tumors	For participants who demonstrated a confirmed response (CR or PR) per RECIST 1.1, DOR was defined as the time from first documented evidence of CR or PR until disease progression or death. Per protocol, the DOR was to be censored at the date of the last tumor assessment for participants who had progressed or died after 2 or more missed visits, who had started a new anti-cancer treatment, who were lost to follow-up, or who had an ongoing response. DOR was assessed in all participants who had strongly PD-L1 positive tumors (CPS =10%) based on BICR and was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.	Through final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017 (Up to approximately 34 months)
Secondary	DOR Per RECIST 1.1 - Participants With PD-L1 Positive Tumors	For participants who demonstrated a confirmed response (CR or PR) per RECIST 1.1, DOR was defined as the time from first documented evidence of CR or PR until disease progression or death. Per protocol, the DOR was to be censored at the date of the last tumor assessment for participants who had progressed or died after 2 or more missed visits, who had started a new anti-cancer treatment, who were lost to follow-up, or who had an ongoing response. DOR was assessed in all participants who had PD-L1 positive tumors (CPS =1%) based on BICR and was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.	Through final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017 (Up to approximately 34 months)
Secondary	DOR Per RECIST 1.1 - All Participants	For participants who demonstrated a confirmed response (CR or PR) per RECIST 1.1, DOR was defined as the time from first documented evidence of CR or PR until disease progression or death. Per protocol, the DOR was to be censored at the date of the last tumor assessment for participants who had progressed or died after 2 or more missed visits, who had started a new anti-cancer treatment, who were lost to follow-up, or who had an ongoing response. DOR was assessed in all participants based on BICR and was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.	Through final analysis database cut-off date of 26-Oct-2017 (Up to approximately 34 months)

External Links

•   Merck Oncology Clinical trials Information