Combining immunotherapy and targeted therapy before kidney cancer surgery

Cyto-KIK; TRIAL (CYTO Reductive Surgery in Kidney Cancer Plus Immunotherapy (Nivolumab) and Targeted Kinase Inhibition (Cabozantinib)

This study is testing if giving the immunotherapy nivolumab and the targeted therapy cabozantinib before kidney cancer surgery can help more patients be free of visible cancer.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 48 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Columbia University (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: cabozantinib, Radiation, prednisone, nivolumab, immunotherapy
• Locations: 4 sites (New Brunswick, New Jersey and 3 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT04322955 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of combining the immunotherapy nivolumab and the targeted therapy cabozantinib prior to cytoreductive nephrectomy in patients with metastatic kidney cancer. Participants will receive these treatments for approximately three months before undergoing surgery to remove the kidney affected by cancer. The goal is to increase the number of patients who are free of visible kidney cancer during treatment. The study aims to provide insights into the immune effects of these therapies and their potential clinical benefits when combined with surgery.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with newly diagnosed metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma who have not received prior therapy.

Not a fit: Patients with prior treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma or those with non-clear cell types of kidney cancer may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to improved outcomes for patients with metastatic kidney cancer by increasing the chances of being cancer-free after treatment.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with similar combinations of immunotherapy and targeted therapies in kidney cancer, indicating potential for success.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Written informed consent and HIPAA authorization for release of personal health information.
2. Age ≥ 18years at the time of consent.
3. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status of 0-1 within 28 days prior to registration.
4. Radiographically consistent with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (with subsequent pathologic confirmation of renal cell carcinoma with a clear cell component) OR histological/ cytological evidence of metastatic renal cell carcinoma with a clear cell component
5. Measurable tumor in the kidney according to RECIST 1.1
6. No prior therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma
7. Demonstrate adequate organ function as defined in the protocol; all screening labs to be obtained within 14 days prior to registration.
8. Females of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test during screening, within 14 days of Cycle 1 Day 1. NOTE: Females are considered of child bearing potential unless they are surgically sterile (have undergone a hysterectomy, bilateral tubal ligation, or bilateral oophorectomy) or they are naturally postmenopausal for at least 12 consecutive months
9. Females of childbearing potential and males must be willing to abstain from heterosexual activity or to use 2 forms of effective methods of contraception from the time of informed consent until 6 months after treatment discontinuation. The two contraception methods can be comprised of two barrier methods, or a barrier method plus a hormonal method.
10. As determined by the enrolling physician or protocol designee, ability of the subject to understand and comply with study procedures for the entire length of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who had previously undergone nephrectomy for renal cancer are excluded
2. Uncontrolled bleeding, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease.
3. Prior treatment with any therapy on the PD-1/PD-L1 axis or anti- CTLA-4 inhibitors
4. The subject has active brain metastases or epidural disease
5. Radiation therapy for bone metastasis within 2 weeks, any other radiation therapy within 4 weeks before first dose of study treatment.
6. The subject has prothrombin time (PT)/ International Normalized Ratio (INR) or partial thromboplastin time (PTT) test ≥1.3 x the laboratory upper limit of normal (ULN)
7. The subject requires concomitant treatment, in therapeutic doses, with anticoagulants such as warfarin or warfarin-related agents, thrombin or Factor Xa inhibitors. Aspirin (up to 325 mg/day), low-dose warfarin (≤1 mg/day), prophylactic and therapeutic low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) are permitted
8. Clinically-significant gastrointestinal bleeding within 6 months before the first dose of study treatment
9. Hemoptysis of ≥0.5 teaspoon (2.5 mL) of red blood within 3 months before the first dose of study treatment
10. Cavitating pulmonary lesion(s) or known endotracheal or endobronchial disease manifestation.
11. The subject has evidence of tumor invading the GI tract (esophagus, stomach, small or large bowel, rectum or anus), or any evidence of endotracheal or endobronchial tumor within 28 days before the first dose of cabozantinib
12. Patients with active autoimmune disease or history of autoimmune disease that might recur, which may affect vital organ function or require immune suppressive treatment
13. Patients are excluded if they have a condition requiring systemic treatment with either corticosteroids (\>10 mg daily prednisone equivalents) or other immunosuppressive medications within 14 days of study start
14. Cardiovascular disorders including:

    * Congestive heart failure (CHF): New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III (moderate) or Class IV (severe) at the time of screening
    * Concurrent uncontrolled hypertension defined as sustained BP \> 150 mm Hg systolic, or \> 100 mm Hg diastolic despite optimal antihypertensive treatment within 14 days of the first dose of study treatment.
    * The subject has a corrected QT interval calculated by the Fridericia formula (QTcF) \>500 ms within 28 days before registration.
15. Severe active infection requiring systemic treatment within 28 days before the first dose of study treatment
16. Serious non-healing wound/ulcer/bone fracture within 28 days before the first dose of study treatment
17. Major surgery (e.g., GI surgery, removal or biopsy of brain metastasis) within 8 weeks before first dose of study treatment. Complete wound healing from major surgery must have occurred 1 month before first dose and from minor surgery (e.g., simple excision, tooth extraction) at least 10 days before first dose. Subjects with clinically relevant ongoing complications from prior surgery are not eligible.
18. History of organ transplant
19. Concurrent uncompensated hypothyroidism
20. Unable to swallow tablets
21. Active infection requiring systemic therapy
22. Pregnant or breastfeeding (NOTE: breast milk cannot be stored for future use while the mother is being treated on study).
23. Known additional malignancy that is active and/or progressive requiring treatment; exceptions include basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, in situ cervical or bladder cancer, or other cancer for which the subject has been disease-free for at least 2 years.
24. Active central nervous system (CNS) metastases
25. Treatment with any investigational drug within 28 days prior to registration.

Where this trial is running

New Brunswick, New Jersey and 3 other locations

• The Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey — New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States (Recruiting)
• Columbia University Irving Medical Center — New York, New York, United States (Recruiting)
• Cleveland Clinic — Cleveland, Ohio, United States (Recruiting)
• Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center — Columbus, Ohio, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Mark N Stein, MD — Associate Professor of Medicine Division of Hematology/Oncology
• Study coordinator: Research Nurse Navigator

Conditions Kidney Cancer; Renal Cell Carcinoma