Combination of pembrolizumab and stereotactic radiotherapy before kidney surgery for renal cancer

NeoAdjuvant Pembrolizumab and STEreotactic Radiotherapy Prior to Nephrectomy for Renal Cell Carcinoma: Investigating Induced Immune Context Changes

This study is testing if combining a cancer drug called pembrolizumab with a specific type of radiation therapy before kidney surgery can help people with localized clear cell kidney cancer.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Australia (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: pembrolizumab, radiation, prednisone
• Locations: 2 sites (Woolloongabba, Queensland and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT05024318 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the effects of neoadjuvant stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) combined with pembrolizumab on tumor-responsive T-cells in patients with localized clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) prior to nephrectomy. It is a phase II, open-label, randomized, non-comparative trial designed to assess the immune response and potential tumor reduction. Participants will receive either the combination treatment or SABR alone before undergoing surgical removal of the kidney. The study aims to improve treatment outcomes for patients with this type of cancer.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with localized clear cell renal cell carcinoma suitable for nephrectomy.

Not a fit: Patients with advanced metastatic renal cell carcinoma or those with significant comorbidities may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance the immune response against renal cancer and improve surgical outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with similar immunotherapy and radiotherapy combinations, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patient has provided written informed consent
2. Male or female aged 18 years or older at written informed consent
3. Histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of RCC with clear cell, rhabdoid or sarcomatoid components
4. Tumour stage T1B-T3, N0 or N1, M0 or low volume M1 planned for nephrectomy
5. Patients must have adequate bone marrow, hepatic and renal function documented within 28 days prior to randomisation:

   * White Blood Cell (WBC) ≥ 3 X 10\^9/L
   * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1.5 X 10\^9/L
   * Platelets ≥ 100 X 10\^9/L
   * Haemoglobin ≥ 100 g/L independent of transfusion
   * Serum Creatinine ≤1.5 X Upper Limit of Normal (ULN) or measured or calculated CrCl calculated as per institutional standard ≥ 30 ml/min. GFR can also be used in place of serum creatinine or CrCl.
   * Total bilirubin ≤1.5 X ULN except for patients with known Gilbert's Syndrome
   * Albumin \> 30 g/L
   * AST and ALT ≤1.5 X ULN
   * INR or PT ≤1.5 X ULN unless patient is receiving anticoagulant therapy
6. ECOG performance status of 0 or 1
7. Women of child birth potential (WOCBP) must have a negative urine or serum pregnancy test within 72 hours prior to randomisation. If the urine test is positive or cannot be confirmed as negative, a serum pregnancy test will be required
8. WOCBP should be willing to use two methods of birth control, or be surgically sterile, or abstain from heterosexual activity for the course of the study through 120 days after the last dose of study medication. Patients of childbearing potential are those who have not been surgically sterilised or have not been free from menses for more than 1 year
9. Male patients should agree to use an adequate method of contraception starting with the first dose of study therapy through 120 days after the last dose of study therapy
10. Patient agrees to the collection and use of their fresh tumour samples and peripheral blood for translational research
11. Patient is willing and able to comply with the protocol for the duration of the study including undergoing biopsies, treatment, and scheduled visits and examination

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Had prior treatment with any anti-PD-1, or anti-PD-L1, or PD-L2 agent or with an antibody targeting any other immune-regulatory receptors or mechanisms. Examples of such antibodies include antibodies against IDO, PD-L1, IL-2R, and GITR
2. Known or active inflammatory bowel disease involving colon and small bowels
3. Previous radiotherapy to the upper abdomen with radiation dose overlap to the involved kidney
4. 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 randomisation
5. Has a diagnosis of immunodeficiency or is receiving chronic systemic steroid therapy exceeding 10 mg daily dose of prednisone or equivalent or any other form of immunosuppressive therapy within 7 days prior to randomisation
6. Has an active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the last 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
7. Has a known additional malignancy that is progressing or has required active treatment in the last 2 years Note: Basal cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, superficial bladder cancer, or carcinoma in situ, such as breast cancer in situ, that has undergone potentially curative therapy are not excluded
8. Has known active CNS metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis. Patients with previously treated brain metastases may participate provided they are radiologically stable, i.e. without evidence of progression for at least 4 weeks by repeat imaging (note that the repeat imaging should be performed during study screening), clinically stable and without requirement of steroid treatment for at least 14 days prior to randomisation
9. Has severe hypersensitivity (≥Grade 3) to pembrolizumab and/or any of its excipients
10. Has a history of (non-infectious) pneumonitis that required steroids or has current pneumonitis
11. Has an active infection requiring systemic therapy
12. Has a known history of HIV infection
13. Has known history of Hepatitis B (defined as Hepatitis B surface antigen \[HBsAg\] reactive)or known active Hepatitis C (defined as HCV RNA \[qualitative\] is detected) infection
14. Has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, or laboratory abnormality that might confound the results of the study, interfere with the patient's participation for the full duration of the study, or is not in the best interest of the patient to participate, in the opinion of the treating investigator
15. Has a known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the trial
16. Has received a live virus vaccine within 30 days prior to randomisation. Examples of live vaccines include, but are not limited to, the following: measles, mumps, rubella, varicella/zoster (chicken pox), yellow fever, rabies, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), and typhoid vaccine. Seasonal influenza vaccines for injection are generally killed virus vaccines and are allowed; however, intranasal influenza vaccines (eg, FluMist®) are live attenuated vaccines and are not allowed
17. Has had a prior solid organ transplant
18. 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 study drug.
19. Any contraindications for surgery

Where this trial is running

Woolloongabba, Queensland and 1 other locations

• Princess Alexandra Hospital — Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia (Recruiting)
• Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre — Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Shankar Siva, A/Prof

Conditions Renal Cell Carcinoma, Clear Cell, Somatic