Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Subcutaneous (SC) Versus Pembrolizumab Intravenous (IV) Administered With Platinum Doublet Chemotherapy in Participants With Metastatic Squamous or Nonsquamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (MK-3475-A86)
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer focused on measuring Programmed Cell Death 1 (PD1, PD-1), Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 1 (PDL1, PD-L1), Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 2 (PDL2, PD-L2)
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Has pathologically (histologically or cytologically) confirmed diagnosis of squamous or nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
- Has Stage IV (T any, N any, M1a, M1b, or M1c - American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th Edition) squamous or nonsquamous NSCLC
- Has confirmation that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), or ROS Proto-Oncogene 1, Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (ROS1)-directed therapy is not indicated in nonsquamous NSCLC as well as mixed nonsquamous/squamous NSCLC. Participants with purely squamous NSCLC do not require testing
- Has not received prior systemic treatment for their metastatic NSCLC. Participants who received adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy are eligible if the adjuvant/neoadjuvant therapy was completed at least 12 months prior to the development of metastatic disease
- Has an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score (PS) of 0 or 1
- Male participants are eligible to participate if they agree to use contraception as per protocol unless confirmed to be azoospermic
- A female participant is eligible to participate if she is not pregnant or breastfeeding, and at least one of the following conditions applies: is not a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) or is a WOCBP who agrees of using a contraceptive method per protocol
- Has measurable disease per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) as assessed by the local site investigator/radiology
- Submit an archival tumor tissue sample or newly obtained core or incisional biopsy of a tumor lesion not previously irradiated for PD-L1 status determination prior to randomization
- Has adequate organ function
Exclusion Criteria:
- Has a known additional malignancy that is progressing or has required active treatment within the past 3 years
- Has known central nervous system (ie, brain and/or spinal cord) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis. Participants with treated brain metastases may participate only if they satisfy all of the following: a) Have no evidence of new or enlarging brain metastases confirmed by post-treatment repeat brain imaging performed at least 4 weeks after pretreatment brain imaging, and b) Are neurologically stable without the need for steroids for at least 14 days before first dose of trial treatment as per local site assessment
- Has severe hypersensitivity to study intervention and/or any of its excipients
- Has an active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in past 2 years
- Has a history of (noninfectious) pneumonitis/interstitial lung disease that required steroids or has current pneumonitis/interstitial lung disease
- Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy
- Has a known history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and/or Hepatitis B infection or known active Hepatitis C infection
- Has a known psychiatric or substance abuse disorder that would interfere with the participant's ability to cooperate with the requirements of the study
- Has symptomatic ascites or pleural effusion. A participant who is clinically stable after treatment for these conditions is eligible
- Before the first dose of study intervention: a) Has received prior systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy for metastatic NSCLC b) Has received antineoplastic biological therapy for metastatic NSCLC c) Has had major surgery (<3 weeks prior to first dose) d) Has received prior therapy with an anti-programmed cell death 1 (anti-PD-1), anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (anti-PD-L1), or anti-programmed cell death ligand 2 (anti-PD-L2) agent or with an agent directed to another stimulatory or coinhibitory T-cell receptor
- Received radiation therapy to the lung that is >30 Gray within 6 months of the first dose of study intervention
- Is expected to require any other form of antineoplastic therapy while on study
- For participants with nonsquamous histology: Is unable to interrupt aspirin or other Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), other than an aspirin dose ≤1.3 g/day, for a 5-day period
- For participants with nonsquamous histology: Is unable or unwilling to take folic acid or vitamin B12 supplementation
- Has received prior radiotherapy within 2 weeks of start of study intervention or have had a history of radiation pneumonitis. Participants must have recovered from all radiation-related toxicities and not require corticosteroids. A 1-week washout is permitted for palliative radiation (≤2 weeks of radiotherapy) to non-CNS disease
- Has received a live or live attenuated vaccine within 30 days prior to the first dose of study intervention
- Is currently participating in or has participated in a study of an investigational agent or has used an investigational device within 4 weeks prior to the first dose of study intervention
- Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving chronic systemic steroid therapy or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior the first dose of study intervention
- Has had an allogenic tissue/solid organ transplant
Sites / Locations
- St. Bernards Medical Center ( Site 0103)
- St Joseph Heritage Healthcare-Oncology ( Site 0102)
- Cancer Blood and Specialty Clinic ( Site 0105)
- PIH Health Hematology Medical Oncology ( Site 0106)
- Holy Cross Hospital ( Site 0017)
- Memorial Regional Hospital-Memorial Cancer Institute ( Site 0104)
- Advent Health ( Site 0013)
- Fort Wayne Medical Oncology and Hematology ( Site 0101)
- Baptist Health Lexington ( Site 0099)
- St Luke's Hospital - Kansas City ( Site 0033)
- St. Vincent Frontier Cancer Center ( Site 0058)
- Montefiore Medical Center [Bronx, NY] ( Site 0040)
- The University of Tennessee Medical Center ( Site 0050)
- Tennessee Oncology ( Site 0051)
- Oncology Consultants, PA ( Site 0052)
- Millennium Physicians - Oncology ( Site 0097)
- Oncology & Hematology Assoc. SW Virginia, Inc., DBA Blue Ridge Cancer Care ( Site 0100)
- West Virginia University ( Site 0056)
- HOSPITAL EVANGÉLICO DE CACHOEIRO DE ITAPEMIRIM ( Site 0307)
- Hospital Sao Vicente de Paulo ( Site 0311)
- Instituto Joinvilense de Hematologia e Oncologia ( Site 0308)
- Fundacao Faculdade Regional de Medicina de Sao Jose do Rio Preto ( Site 0305)
- Núcleo de Pesquisa Clínica da Rede São Camilo ( Site 0304)
- Nouvel Hôpital Civil (NHC) ( Site 1018)
- CHU Limoges CHU Dupuytren ( Site 1011)
- Hôpital Foch ( Site 1019)
- Institut Regional du Cancer de Montpellier - ICM ( Site 1003)
- Centre Hospitalier Sud Réunion ( Site 1020)
- Hopital Guillaume & Rene Laennec ( Site 1007)
- Centre Hospitalier de Pau ( Site 1016)
- CHU de Rouen ( Site 1013)
- Hopital Cochin ( Site 1002)
- Centro de Investigaciones Clinicas de Latinoamerica S.A. - CELAN ( Site 0602)
- Clinica Privada Dr. Rixci Ramirez ( Site 0601)
- INTERVASC ( Site 0605)
- Grupo Angeles SA ( Site 0604)
- Centro Regional de Sub Especialidades Médicas SA ( Site 0600)
- Bacs-Kiskun Megyei Korhaz-Onkoradiologiai Kozpont ( Site 1106)
- Petz Aladar Megyei Oktato Korhaz ( Site 1110)
- Jasz Nagykun Szolnok Megyei Hetenyi Geza Korhaz Rendelointezet ( Site 1103)
- Tudogyogyintezet Torokbalint ( Site 1105)
- Veszprem Megyei Tudogyogyintezet ( Site 1108)
- Zala Megyei Szent Rafael Korhaz ( Site 1111)
- Semmelweis University-Pulmonológiai Klinika ( Site 1114)
- Orszagos Koranyi Pulmonologiai Intezet ( Site 1104)
- Fujita Health University Hospital ( Site 3007)
- Ehime University Hospital ( Site 3005)
- Kurume University Hospital ( Site 3006)
- National Hospital Organization Hokkaido Cancer Center ( Site 3014)
- Kanazawa University Hospital ( Site 3004)
- Kanagawa Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center ( Site 3003)
- Miyagi Cancer Center ( Site 3000)
- Sendai Kousei Hospital ( Site 3015)
- Kurashiki Central Hospital ( Site 3013)
- Kansai Medical University Hospital ( Site 3016)
- National Hospital Organization Kinki-chuo Chest Medical Center ( Site 3009)
- Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University Hospital ( Site 3017)
- Chiba University Hospital ( Site 3008)
- National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center ( Site 3001)
- National Hospital Organization Kyushu Cancer Center ( Site 3002)
- Okayama University Hospital ( Site 3012)
- Osaka International Cancer Institute ( Site 3018)
- Tokushima University Hospital ( Site 3019)
- Juntendo University Hospital ( Site 3011)
- Showa University Hospital ( Site 3010)
- Chungnam National University Hospital ( Site 2002)
- Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital-Pulmonology ( Site 2000)
- Korea University Guro Hospital ( Site 2003)
- Hospital Nacional Carlos Alberto Seguin Escobedo ESSALUD ( Site 0704)
- Clínica Peruano-Americana de Trujillo ( Site 0701)
- Oncosalud ( Site 0706)
- Clinica Internacional Sede San Borja ( Site 0705)
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas ( Site 0703)
- Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia ( Site 0700)
- Centrum Onkologii im prof Franciszka Lukaszczyka ( Site 1201)
- Mazowiecki Szpital Wojewódzki w Siedlcach-Siedleckie Centrum Onkologii ( Site 1206)
- Narodowy Instytut Onkologii im. Marii Sklodowskiej-Curie - Panstwowy Instytut Badawczy w Warszawie (
- Centrum Pulmonologii i Torakochirurgii w Bystrej ( Site 1205)
- Przychodnia Lekarska KOMED ( Site 1202)
- Szpital Wojewodzki im. Mikolaja Kopernika ( Site 1200)
- Cardiomed SRL Cluj-Napoca ( Site 1313)
- Institutul Oncologic Prof.Dr. Ion Chiricuta Cluj-Napoca ( Site 1303)
- SC Radiotherapy Center Cluj SRL ( Site 1307)
- S.C. Centrul de Oncologie Sf. Nectarie SRL ( Site 1304)
- Centrul de Oncologie Oncolab-Medical Oncology ( Site 1312)
- Spitalul Municipal Ploiesti ( Site 1308)
- Policlinica Oncomed SRL ( Site 1302)
- S.C.Focus Lab Plus S.R.L ( Site 1301)
- Spitalul Universitar de Urgenta Bucuresti ( Site 1305)
- SPBU Clinic of Advanced medical technologies n.a. N. I. Pirogov ( Site 1406)
- National Medical Research Center of Oncology N.A. N.N. Petrov ( Site 1407)
- Saint-Petersburg Scientific-Practical Center of Specialized Kinds of Medical Care (o) ( Site 1424)
- Republican Clinical Oncology Dispensary-Chemotherapy #1 ( Site 1425)
- SPb SBHI City Clinical Oncological Dispensary ( Site 1409)
- Wits Clinical Research ( Site 1510)
- Steve Biko Academic Hospital ( Site 1506)
- Marry Potter Oncology Centre ( Site 1502)
- Sandton Oncology Medical Group PTY LTD ( Site 1505)
- Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital-Wits Clinical Research Bara ( Site 1513)
- The Oncology Centre ( Site 1507)
- Cape Town Oncology Trials Pty Ltd ( Site 1500)
- Hospital Insular de Gran Canaria-Oncology ( Site 1604)
- H.U. Vall de Hebron ( Site 1600)
- Hospital Juan Ramon Jimenez ( Site 1602)
- Hospital Universitario Lucus Augusti ( Site 1603)
- Hospital Universitario La Paz ( Site 1601)
- Changhua Christian Hospital ( Site 2104)
- National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch ( Site 2103)
- Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital ( Site 2107)
- National Cheng Kung University Hospital ( Site 2105)
- National Taiwan University Hospital ( Site 2101)
- Taipei Veterans General Hospital ( Site 2106)
- Chang Gung Medical Foundation-Linkou Branch ( Site 2102)
- Gulhane Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi ( Site 1704)
- Ankara Sehir Hastanesi ( Site 1702)
- TC Saglik Bakanligi Goztepe Prof. Dr. Suleyman Yalcin Sehir Hastanesi-oncology ( Site 1701)
- Ege Universitesi Tip Fakultesi Hastanesi ( Site 1703)
- Inonu Universitesi Turgut Ozal Tip Merkezi ( Site 1707)
- Medical Center Mriya Med-Service ( Site 1805)
- Communal non profit enterprise Regional Clinical Oncology Center ( Site 1806)
- Ukrainian Center of Tomotherapy ( Site 1807)
- Medical Center Asklepion LLC ( Site 1804)
- Municipal non-profit enterprise'Odesa Regional Clinical Hosp-Thoracic surgery department. ( Site 181
- Kremenchuk Regional Oncology Center ( Site 1811)
- Kyiv City Clinical Oncology Centre ( Site 1809)
- Medical Center Dobrobut Clinic ( Site 1808)
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
Arm A: Pembrolizumab SC + Platinum Doublet Chemotherapy
Arm B: Pembrolizumab IV + Platinum Doublet Chemotherapy
Participants receive pembrolizumab subcutaneous (SC) administration on Day 1 of each cycle (cycle length = 3 weeks) for up to 35 cycles (up to ~2 years) PLUS paclitaxel IV (on Day 1 of each cycle) OR nab-paclitaxel IV (on Days 1, 8, and 15 of each cycle) and carboplatin IV (on Day 1 of each cycle) for 4 cycles for Squamous NSCLC; PLUS carboplatin IV (on Day 1 of each cycle) Or cisplatin IV (on Day 1 of each cycle) for 4 cycles and pemetrexed IV (on Day 1 of each cycle) until progression, intolerable adverse events, or participant/physician decision for Non-squamous NSCLC.
Participants receive pembrolizumab intravenous (IV) administration on Day 1 of each cycle (cycle length = 3 weeks) for up to 35 cycles (up to ~2 years) PLUS paclitaxel IV (on Day 1 of each cycle) OR nab-paclitaxel IV (on Days 1, 8, and 15 of each cycle) and carboplatin IV (on Day 1 of each cycle) for 4 cycles for Squamous NSCLC; PLUS carboplatin IV (on Day 1 of each cycle) Or cisplatin IV (on Day 1 of each cycle) for 4 cycles and pemetrexed IV (on Day 1 of each cycle) until progression, intolerable adverse events, or participant/physician decision for Non-squamous NSCLC.