Combining durvalumab with radiation for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer

A Phase II Trial of Durvalumab and Ablative Radiation in Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer (DARES)

This study is testing if adding a new drug called durvalumab to radiation and chemotherapy can help people with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer live longer without their cancer getting worse.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 49 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Chicago (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: durvalumab, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, prednisone
• Locations: 2 sites (Chicago, Illinois and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT05068232 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of combining durvalumab, carboplatin, and etoposide with hypofractionated ablative radiation therapy in patients with treatment-naïve extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. The goal is to determine if this combination can improve progression-free survival compared to standard treatments. Participants will be monitored over a period of approximately 48 months to assess the treatment's impact on their cancer and overall health. The study aims to provide insights into a potentially more effective treatment regimen for this aggressive form of lung cancer.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 with a confirmed diagnosis of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer who are suitable for platinum-based chemotherapy.

Not a fit: Patients with symptomatic brain metastases or those who do not meet the eligibility criteria may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve survival rates and quality of life for patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in combining immunotherapy with radiation for various cancers, suggesting potential success for this novel approach in small cell lung cancer.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

For inclusion in the study patients must fulfill all of the following criteria:

1. Capable of giving signed informed consent which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the informed consent form (ICF) and in the study protocol.
2. Age \> 18 years at time of study entry.
3. Have a histologic/clinically confirmed diagnosis of small cell lung cancer with known metastatic disease.
4. Patient is suitable to receive a platinum-based chemotherapy regimen as first line treatment for extensive stage small cell lung cancer.
5. Brain metastases must be asymptomatic or treated and stable off steroids and anti-convulsant for at least 2 weeks prior to study treatment.
6. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0, 1, or 2
7. Life expectancy of at least 12 weeks
8. Body weight \>30 kg
9. Adequate normal organ and marrow function as defined by lab values the study doctor will review.
10. Patient is willing and able to comply with the protocol for the duration of the study including undergoing treatment and scheduled visits and examinations including follow up.
11. Have measurable disease based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor (RECIST 1.1) including at least ONE lesion that meets criteria for ablative radiation, including 0.25 cc to 65 cc of viable tumor (i.e. primary disease or metastases) approximately 5cm in maximal dimension. Tumors larger than 65 cc can be partially treated.
12. Female subject of childbearing potential should have a negative urine or serum pregnancy within 24 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.
13. Female subjects of childbearing potential should be willing to use 2 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. Subjects of childbearing potential are those who have not been surgically sterilized or have not been free from menses for \> 1 year.
14. Male subjects 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.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients should not enter the study if any of the following exclusion criteria are fulfilled:

1. Participation in another clinical study with an investigational product during the last 2 weeks.
2. Concurrent enrollment in another clinical study, unless it is an observational (non-interventional) clinical study or during the follow-up period of an interventional study
3. Any unresolved toxicity NCI CTCAE Grade ≥2 from previous anticancer therapy with the exception of alopecia, vitiligo, and the laboratory values defined in the inclusion criteria:

   1. Patients with Grade ≥2 neuropathy will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis after consultation with the Study Physician.
   2. Patients with irreversible toxicity not reasonably expected to be exacerbated by treatment with durvalumab may be included only after consultation with the Study Physician.
4. Any concurrent chemotherapy, investigational product (IP), biologic, or hormonal therapy for cancer treatment, outside of those specified as part of this clinical trial. Concurrent use of hormonal therapy for non-cancer-related conditions (e.g., hormone replacement therapy) is acceptable.
5. Radiotherapy treatment to more than 30% of the bone marrow or with a wide field of radiation within 4 weeks of the first dose of study drug
6. Major surgical procedure (as defined by the Investigator) within 28 days prior to the first dose of IP. Note: Local surgery of isolated lesions for palliative intent is acceptable.
7. History of allogenic organ transplantation.
8. Active or prior documented autoimmune or inflammatory disorders (including inflammatory bowel disease \[e.g., colitis or Crohn's disease\], diverticulitis \[with the exception of diverticulosis\], systemic lupus erythematosus, Sarcoidosis syndrome, or Wegener syndrome \[granulomatosis with polyangiitis, Graves' disease, rheumatoid arthritis, hypophysitis, uveitis, etc\]). The following are exceptions to this criterion:

   1. Patients with vitiligo or alopecia
   2. Patients with hypothyroidism (e.g., following Hashimoto syndrome) stable on hormone replacement
   3. Any chronic skin condition that does not require systemic therapy
   4. Patients without active disease in the last 5 years may be included but only after consultation with the study physician
   5. Patients with celiac disease controlled by diet alone
9. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness, including but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, interstitial lung disease, serious chronic gastrointestinal conditions associated with diarrhea, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirement, substantially increase risk of incurring AEs or compromise the ability of the patient to give written informed consent
10. History of another primary malignancy except for

    1. Malignancy treated with curative intent and with no known active disease ≥5 years before the first dose of IP and of low potential risk for recurrence
    2. Adequately treated non-melanoma skin cancer or lentigo maligna without evidence of disease
    3. Adequately treated carcinoma in situ without evidence of disease
11. History of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis
12. Has a paraneoplastic syndrome (PNS) of autoimmune nature, requiring systemic treatment (systemic steroids or immunosuppressive agents) or has a clinical symptomatology suggesting worsening of PNS.
13. All patients at screening should have an MRI (preferred) or CT each preferably with IV contrast of the brain prior to study entry. Patients whose brain metastases have been treated may participate provided they show radiographic stability (defined as 2 brain images, both of which are obtained after treatment to the brain metastases. These imaging scans should both be obtained at least two weeks apart and show no evidence of intracranial progression). In addition, any neurologic symptoms that developed either as a result of the brain metastases or their treatment must have resolved or be stable either, without the use of steroids, or are stable on a steroid dose of ≤10mg/day of prednisone or its equivalent for at least 14 days prior to the start of treatment. Brain metastases will not be recorded as RECIST Target Lesions at baseline.
14. History of active primary immunodeficiency
15. Active infection including tuberculosis (clinical evaluation that includes clinical history, physical examination and radiographic findings, and tuberculosis (TB) testing in line with local practice), hepatitis B (known positive HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) result), hepatitis C, or HIV. Patients with a past or resolved HBV infection (defined as the presence of hepatitis B core antibody \[anti-HBc\] and absence of HBsAg) are eligible. Patients positive for hepatitis C (HCV) antibody are eligible only if polymerase chain reaction is negative for hepatitis C (HCV) ribonucleic acid (RNA).
16. Current or prior use of immunosuppressive medication within 14 days before the first dose of durvalumab. The following are exceptions to this criterion:

    1. Intranasal, inhaled, topical steroids, or local steroid injections (e.g., intra articular injection)
    2. Systemic corticosteroids at physiologic doses not to exceed 10 mg/day of prednisone or its equivalent
    3. Steroids as premedication for hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., CT scan premedication)
17. Receipt of live attenuated vaccine within 30 days prior to the first dose of IP. Note: Patients, if enrolled, should not receive live vaccine whilst receiving IP and up to 30 days after the last dose of IP.
18. Female patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding or male or female patients of reproductive potential who are not willing to employ effective birth control from screening to 90 days after the last dose of durvalumab monotherapy.
19. Known allergy or hypersensitivity to any of the study drugs or any of the study drug excipients.
20. Prior randomisation or treatment in a previous durvalumab clinical study regardless of treatment arm assignment.
21. Has received prior chemotherapy, immunotherapy or thoracic radiation for small cell lung cancer.
22. Has prior exposure to anti-PD (Programmed death-ligand 1) 1/PD-L1 or anti- cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen (CTLA4) therapy.
23. Has had prior radiation therapy (defined as \>10% of prior prescription dose) to the area planning to be treated with trial RT.

Procedures for withdrawal of incorrectly enrolled patients are presented in Section 4.3

Where this trial is running

Chicago, Illinois and 1 other locations

• University of Chicago Medicine — Chicago, Illinois, United States (Recruiting)
• University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center — Madison, Wisconsin, United States (Active_not_recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Christine Bestvina, MD — University of Chicago - Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Study coordinator: Cancer Clinical Trials Office

Conditions Small-cell Lung Cancer; Extensive-stage Small-cell Lung Cancer; Lung Cancer; small cell lung cancer; extensive small lung cancer; lung cancer