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Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab and Lenvatinib for Renal Cell Carcinoma

Primary Purpose

Renal Cell Carcinoma

Status
Recruiting
Phase
Early Phase 1
Locations
United States
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Pembrolizumab infusion
Lenvatinib tablet
Sponsored by
Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional treatment trial for Renal Cell Carcinoma

Eligibility Criteria

18 Years - undefined (Adult, Older Adult)All SexesAccepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion Criteria: Male/female participants who are at least 18 years of age on the day of signing informed consent with histologically confirmed diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma will be enrolled in this study. Male participants are eligible to participate if they agree to the following during the intervention period and for at least 7 days after the last dose of lenvatinib: Be abstinent from heterosexual intercourse as their preferred and usual lifestyle (abstinent on a long term and persistent basis) and agree to remain abstinent OR Must agree to use contraception unless confirmed to be azoospermic (vasectomized or secondary to medical cause o Agree to use a male condom plus partner use of an additional contraceptive method when having penile-vaginal intercourse with a woman of child-bearing potential (WOCBP) who is not currently pregnant. Note: Men with a pregnant or breastfeeding partner must agree to remain abstinent from penile-vaginal intercourse or use a male condom during each episode of penile-vaginal penetration. 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 WOCBP OR Is a WOCBP and using a contraceptive method that is highly effective (with a failure rate of <1% per year), with low user dependency, or be abstinent from heterosexual intercourse as their preferred and usual lifestyle (abstinent on a long term and persistent basis) during the intervention period and for at least 120 days post pembrolizumab or 30 days post lenvatinib, whichever occurs last. The participant (or legally acceptable representative if applicable) provides written informed consent for the trial. Histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma based on newly obtained renal mass core biopsy performed during study screening procedures. Renal cell carcinoma with clinical stage cT2 to cT4 based on screening CT or MRI imaging assessment and eligible for surgical resection. Note: Patients with regional nodal involvement (cN+) may be included irrespective of clinical T stage, provided disease is deemed "resectable" per treating urologic surgeon. Have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of ≤ 1. Evaluation of ECOG is to be performed within 7 days prior to the first dose of study intervention. Have adequately controlled BP with or without antihypertensive medications, defined as BP ≤150/90 mm Hg with no change in antihypertensive medications within 1 week prior to randomization. Have adequate organ function. Exclusion Criteria: A WOCBP who has a positive urine pregnancy test within 24 hours prior to first dose of lenvatinib (ARM A only) or within 72 hours prior to first dose of pembrolizumab (ARMS A and B) (see Appendix 3). Has received prior therapy with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti PD L2 agent or with an agent directed to another stimulatory or co-inhibitory T-cell receptor (eg, CTLA-4, OX 40, CD137). Has received prior systemic anti-cancer therapy including investigational agents within 4 weeks prior to randomization. Has had major surgery within 3 weeks prior to first dose of study interventions. Has evidence of distant metastatic disease on CT/MRI scans Note: Regional nodal metastases and/or ipsilateral adrenal metastasis are acceptable, if deemed resectable per primary urologic surgeon. Has a need for urgent surgical resection per treating investigator Has preexisting ≥Grade 3 gastrointestinal or non-gastrointestinal fistula. Has a LVEF ≤40%, as determined by multigated acquisition (MUGA) or echocardiogram (ECHO). Subjects having > 1+ proteinuria on urine dipstick testing, unless a 25-hour urine collection for quantitative assessment indicates that the urine protein is <1 g/24 hours. Prolongation of QTcF interval to >480 ms. Has clinically significant cardiovascular disease within 12 months from first dose of study intervention, including New York Heart Association Class III or IV congestive heart failure, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, cerebral vascular accident, or cardiac arrhythmia associated with hemodynamic instability. Note: Medically controlled arrhythmia would be permitted. Gastrointestinal malabsorption or any other condition that might affect the absorption of lenvatinib per investigator discretion Active hemoptysis (bright red blood of at least 0.5 teaspoon) within 3 weeks prior to the first dose of study drug. Has received a live vaccine or live-attenuated vaccine within 30 days prior to the first dose of study drug. Administration of killed vaccines is allowed. 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 (in dosing exceeding 10 mg daily of prednisone equivalent) or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to the first dose of study drug. Has a known additional malignancy that is progressing or has required active treatment within the past 3 years. Participants with basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, non-invasive urothelial carcinoma, low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer, or carcinoma in situ (eg, breast carcinoma, cervical cancer in situ) that have undergone potentially curative therapy are not excluded. Has severe hypersensitivity (≥Grade 3) to pembrolizumab or lenvatinib and/or any of their excipients. 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 (eg., thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, etc.) is not considered a form of systemic treatment and is allowed. Has a history of (non-infectious) 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. Has a known history of Hepatitis B (defined as Hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] reactive) or known active Hepatitis C virus (defined as HCV RNA [qualitative] is detected) infection. Has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the study, interfere with the participant's participation for the full duration of the study, or is not in the best interest of the participant to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator. Has known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the trial. Is pregnant or breastfeeding or expecting to conceive or father children within the projected duration of the study, starting with the screening visit through 120 days after the last dose of trial treatment. Has had an allogenic tissue/solid organ transplant.

Sites / Locations

  • Abramson Cancer Center at University of PennsylvaniaRecruiting

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm 2

Arm Type

Experimental

Experimental

Arm Label

A: Pembrolizumab + Lenvatinib

B: Pembrolizumab

Arm Description

Subjects will receive Pembrolizumab + Lenvatinib. Pembrolizumab 200 mg or 400 mg will be administered as a 30-minute IV infusion every 3 weeks. Lenvatinib 20 mg daily will be self-administered PO by subject for 28 consecutive days, beginning Day -7.

Subject will receive Pembrolizumab 200 mg or 400 mg will be administered as a 30-minute IV infusion every 3 weeks.

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

Change in frequency of progenitor exhausted CD8 T cells (TEX prog) in peripheral blood during neoadjuvant pembrolizumab +/- lenvatinib and in tumor tissue.
We will apply two 32-parameter spectral flow cytometry panels for phenotypic characterization of paired blood and tumor specimens over the course of multiple timepoints during three distinct treatment periods (Figure 1: Study Schema): 1) before and after neoadjuvant pembrolizumab + lenvatinib (Arm A), and pembrolizumab alone (Arm B); 2) the initial post-operative adjuvant pembrolizumab period; and 3) upon any tumor recurrence.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Change in Ki67 expression
Evaluated as a marker of T cell reinvigoration, in peripheral blood during neoadjuvant pembrolizumab +/- lenvatinib and in tumor tissue.
Percentage Residual Viable Tumor (%irRVT )
Scored as: 0%; 1-10%, 11-20%, 21-30% and increasing 10% increments, per Immune-Related Pathologic Response Criteria (irPRC) after pembrolizumab +/- lenvatinib therapy.
Immune-Related Pathologic Response (irPR)
Defined by %irRVT ≤ 10%.
Brisk TIL
Defined by standard methods.
Toxicities frequency and severity
Score by NCI CTCAE version 5.
Frequency of lenvatinib discontinuation, dose interruption, dose reductions, and dose intensity of lenvatinib during neoadjuvant therapy (observed/expected).
Frequency of surgical delays (>7 days from initially planned operative date), prolonged operative hospitalization (>7 days), or infections (within 30 days of nephrectomy).

Full Information

First Posted
January 30, 2023
Last Updated
May 10, 2023
Sponsor
Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine
Collaborators
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT05733715
Brief Title
Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab and Lenvatinib for Renal Cell Carcinoma
Official Title
Randomized Pilot Clinical Trial of Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab +/- Lenvatinib for High Risk Renal Cell Carcinoma
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
May 2023
Overall Recruitment Status
Recruiting
Study Start Date
May 3, 2023 (Actual)
Primary Completion Date
January 2025 (Anticipated)
Study Completion Date
January 2028 (Anticipated)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Sponsor
Name of the Sponsor
Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine
Collaborators
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

4. Oversight

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product
Yes
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product
No
Product Manufactured in and Exported from the U.S.
Yes

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
This study will evaluate the effect of investigational drugs, pembrolizumab alone or pembrolizumab with lenvatinib, on the immune systems response to kidney cancer when given before and after surgery to remove kidney cancer.
Detailed Description
This is a randomized, single-center, unblinded, pilot treatment study to evaluate pembrolizumab with or without lenvatinib as neoadjuvant therapy for RCC planned for surgical nephrectomy. Study objectives include the assessment of immunologic and histologic response measures following neoadjuvant therapy and their association with post-operative clinical outcomes. This trial will generate preliminary data on immune pharmacodynamic outcomes and tumor response for neoadjuvant pembrolizumab +/- lenvatinib and is not powered for comparison between the arms. Up to 33 participants will be enrolled to ensure 30 evaluable patients. Patients who receive neoadjuvant therapy and undergo nephrectomy are considered evaluable. The study will consist of 5 phases: 1) Study Screening; 2) Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy; 3) Surgical Resection; 4) Adjuvant Systemic Pembrolizumab Therapy; and 5) Post-Treatment Follow-up. The total study participant duration, including participant follow-up across all 4 study phases, will be approximately 60 months.

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Renal Cell Carcinoma

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Treatment
Study Phase
Early Phase 1
Interventional Study Model
Parallel Assignment
Masking
None (Open Label)
Allocation
Randomized
Enrollment
30 (Anticipated)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
A: Pembrolizumab + Lenvatinib
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Subjects will receive Pembrolizumab + Lenvatinib. Pembrolizumab 200 mg or 400 mg will be administered as a 30-minute IV infusion every 3 weeks. Lenvatinib 20 mg daily will be self-administered PO by subject for 28 consecutive days, beginning Day -7.
Arm Title
B: Pembrolizumab
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Subject will receive Pembrolizumab 200 mg or 400 mg will be administered as a 30-minute IV infusion every 3 weeks.
Intervention Type
Drug
Intervention Name(s)
Pembrolizumab infusion
Other Intervention Name(s)
Keytruda
Intervention Description
100 mg/ 4mL on Day 1 of each 3- or 6- week cycle (one 3 wk cycle; up to eight 6 wk cycles)
Intervention Type
Drug
Intervention Name(s)
Lenvatinib tablet
Other Intervention Name(s)
Lenvima
Intervention Description
10mg and 4mg daily for 21 days
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Change in frequency of progenitor exhausted CD8 T cells (TEX prog) in peripheral blood during neoadjuvant pembrolizumab +/- lenvatinib and in tumor tissue.
Description
We will apply two 32-parameter spectral flow cytometry panels for phenotypic characterization of paired blood and tumor specimens over the course of multiple timepoints during three distinct treatment periods (Figure 1: Study Schema): 1) before and after neoadjuvant pembrolizumab + lenvatinib (Arm A), and pembrolizumab alone (Arm B); 2) the initial post-operative adjuvant pembrolizumab period; and 3) upon any tumor recurrence.
Time Frame
Approximately 18-24 months
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Change in Ki67 expression
Description
Evaluated as a marker of T cell reinvigoration, in peripheral blood during neoadjuvant pembrolizumab +/- lenvatinib and in tumor tissue.
Time Frame
Approximately 18-24 months
Title
Percentage Residual Viable Tumor (%irRVT )
Description
Scored as: 0%; 1-10%, 11-20%, 21-30% and increasing 10% increments, per Immune-Related Pathologic Response Criteria (irPRC) after pembrolizumab +/- lenvatinib therapy.
Time Frame
Approximately 18-24 months
Title
Immune-Related Pathologic Response (irPR)
Description
Defined by %irRVT ≤ 10%.
Time Frame
Approximately 18-24 months
Title
Brisk TIL
Description
Defined by standard methods.
Time Frame
Approximately 18-24 months
Title
Toxicities frequency and severity
Description
Score by NCI CTCAE version 5.
Time Frame
Approximately 18-24 months
Title
Frequency of lenvatinib discontinuation, dose interruption, dose reductions, and dose intensity of lenvatinib during neoadjuvant therapy (observed/expected).
Time Frame
Approximately 18-24 months
Title
Frequency of surgical delays (>7 days from initially planned operative date), prolonged operative hospitalization (>7 days), or infections (within 30 days of nephrectomy).
Time Frame
Approximately 18-24 months
Other Pre-specified Outcome Measures:
Title
Disease-free survival (DFS)
Description
as defined by time from surgery to first documented disease recurrence or death due to any cause, or last date that documents recurrence-free status.
Time Frame
Approximately 60 months

10. Eligibility

Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
18 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Male/female participants who are at least 18 years of age on the day of signing informed consent with histologically confirmed diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma will be enrolled in this study. Male participants are eligible to participate if they agree to the following during the intervention period and for at least 7 days after the last dose of lenvatinib: Be abstinent from heterosexual intercourse as their preferred and usual lifestyle (abstinent on a long term and persistent basis) and agree to remain abstinent OR Must agree to use contraception unless confirmed to be azoospermic (vasectomized or secondary to medical cause o Agree to use a male condom plus partner use of an additional contraceptive method when having penile-vaginal intercourse with a woman of child-bearing potential (WOCBP) who is not currently pregnant. Note: Men with a pregnant or breastfeeding partner must agree to remain abstinent from penile-vaginal intercourse or use a male condom during each episode of penile-vaginal penetration. 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 WOCBP OR Is a WOCBP and using a contraceptive method that is highly effective (with a failure rate of <1% per year), with low user dependency, or be abstinent from heterosexual intercourse as their preferred and usual lifestyle (abstinent on a long term and persistent basis) during the intervention period and for at least 120 days post pembrolizumab or 30 days post lenvatinib, whichever occurs last. The participant (or legally acceptable representative if applicable) provides written informed consent for the trial. Histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma based on newly obtained renal mass core biopsy performed during study screening procedures. Renal cell carcinoma with clinical stage cT2 to cT4 based on screening CT or MRI imaging assessment and eligible for surgical resection. Note: Patients with regional nodal involvement (cN+) may be included irrespective of clinical T stage, provided disease is deemed "resectable" per treating urologic surgeon. Have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of ≤ 1. Evaluation of ECOG is to be performed within 7 days prior to the first dose of study intervention. Have adequately controlled BP with or without antihypertensive medications, defined as BP ≤150/90 mm Hg with no change in antihypertensive medications within 1 week prior to randomization. Have adequate organ function. Exclusion Criteria: A WOCBP who has a positive urine pregnancy test within 24 hours prior to first dose of lenvatinib (ARM A only) or within 72 hours prior to first dose of pembrolizumab (ARMS A and B) (see Appendix 3). Has received prior therapy with an anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti PD L2 agent or with an agent directed to another stimulatory or co-inhibitory T-cell receptor (eg, CTLA-4, OX 40, CD137). Has received prior systemic anti-cancer therapy including investigational agents within 4 weeks prior to randomization. Has had major surgery within 3 weeks prior to first dose of study interventions. Has evidence of distant metastatic disease on CT/MRI scans Note: Regional nodal metastases and/or ipsilateral adrenal metastasis are acceptable, if deemed resectable per primary urologic surgeon. Has a need for urgent surgical resection per treating investigator Has preexisting ≥Grade 3 gastrointestinal or non-gastrointestinal fistula. Has a LVEF ≤40%, as determined by multigated acquisition (MUGA) or echocardiogram (ECHO). Subjects having > 1+ proteinuria on urine dipstick testing, unless a 25-hour urine collection for quantitative assessment indicates that the urine protein is <1 g/24 hours. Prolongation of QTcF interval to >480 ms. Has clinically significant cardiovascular disease within 12 months from first dose of study intervention, including New York Heart Association Class III or IV congestive heart failure, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, cerebral vascular accident, or cardiac arrhythmia associated with hemodynamic instability. Note: Medically controlled arrhythmia would be permitted. Gastrointestinal malabsorption or any other condition that might affect the absorption of lenvatinib per investigator discretion Active hemoptysis (bright red blood of at least 0.5 teaspoon) within 3 weeks prior to the first dose of study drug. Has received a live vaccine or live-attenuated vaccine within 30 days prior to the first dose of study drug. Administration of killed vaccines is allowed. 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 (in dosing exceeding 10 mg daily of prednisone equivalent) or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to the first dose of study drug. Has a known additional malignancy that is progressing or has required active treatment within the past 3 years. Participants with basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, non-invasive urothelial carcinoma, low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer, or carcinoma in situ (eg, breast carcinoma, cervical cancer in situ) that have undergone potentially curative therapy are not excluded. Has severe hypersensitivity (≥Grade 3) to pembrolizumab or lenvatinib and/or any of their excipients. 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 (eg., thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, etc.) is not considered a form of systemic treatment and is allowed. Has a history of (non-infectious) 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. Has a known history of Hepatitis B (defined as Hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] reactive) or known active Hepatitis C virus (defined as HCV RNA [qualitative] is detected) infection. Has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the study, interfere with the participant's participation for the full duration of the study, or is not in the best interest of the participant to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator. Has known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the trial. Is pregnant or breastfeeding or expecting to conceive or father children within the projected duration of the study, starting with the screening visit through 120 days after the last dose of trial treatment. Has had an allogenic tissue/solid organ transplant.
Central Contact Person:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name or Official Title & Degree
Matt Doyle
Phone
215-662-7383
Email
Matthew.Doyle@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Vivek Narayan, MD
Organizational Affiliation
Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
Abramson Cancer Center at University of Pennsylvania
City
Philadelphia
State/Province
Pennsylvania
ZIP/Postal Code
19104
Country
United States
Individual Site Status
Recruiting

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Plan to Share IPD
No

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Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab and Lenvatinib for Renal Cell Carcinoma

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