Combining propranolol with immune checkpoint inhibitors for advanced urothelial carcinoma

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors With or Without Propranolol Hydrochloride In Patients With Urothelial Carcinoma

This study is testing if adding propranolol to immune checkpoint inhibitors can help people with advanced bladder cancer feel better and live longer.

Quick facts

• Phase: PHASE2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 24 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Emory University (other)
• Drugs / interventions: Pembrolizumab, Avelumab, Nivolumab, chemotherapy, immunotherapy
• Locations: 1 site (Atlanta, Georgia)
• Trial ID: NCT04848519 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This open-label study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of combining propranolol hydrochloride with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with locally advanced urothelial carcinoma. The primary objective is to assess the safety of this combination by monitoring adverse events. Secondary objectives include analyzing response rates and survival outcomes, while exploratory objectives focus on measuring changes in immune cell populations and inflammatory markers. Participants will be assigned to one of two cohorts, receiving either ICIs alone or in combination with propranolol.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with histologically confirmed locally advanced urothelial carcinoma who are eligible for treatment with specific immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Not a fit: Patients with non-urothelial carcinoma 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 enhance treatment outcomes for patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma.

How similar studies have performed: While the combination of propranolol with ICIs is a novel approach, previous studies have shown promising results with ICIs in urothelial carcinoma.

Eligibility criteria

INCLUSION CRITERIA

1. Male or Female
2. Age ≥18 years
3. ECOG performance status ≤2 (Karnofsky ≥60%, see Appendix A).
4. Patients must have histologically confirmed urothelial carcinoma planned for treatment with any of the following at the genitourinary oncology clinics of Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute under the list FDA approved indications:

   * Pembrolizumab: first line for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who are not eligible for platinum-based chemotherapy; or second line for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma after progression on platinum-based chemotherapy)
   * Avelumab: maintenance treatment in locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma following no progression on first-line platinum-containing chemotherapy
   * Nivolumab: adjuvant treatment of urothelial carcinoma in high risk of disease recurrence after undergoing radical resection. High risk disease as defined in Checkmate 274: pathological stage of pT3, pT4a, or pN+ and patient not eligible for or declined adjuvant cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy for patients who had not received neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy and pathological stage of ypT2 to ypT4a or ypN+ for patients who received neoadjuvant cisplatin
5. Patients must have adequate organ and marrow function, within 28 days of Cycle 1 Day 1, at the discretion of the investigator.
6. The effects of study drugs on the developing human fetus are unknown. For this reason, female of child-bearing potential (FCBP) must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test prior to starting therapy.
7. FCBP and men treated or enrolled on this protocol must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry, for the duration of study participation, and 3 months after completion of study drug administration. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately.

   - A female of childbearing potential (FCBP) is a sexually mature woman who: 1) has not undergone a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy; or 2) has not been naturally postmenopausal for at least 24 consecutive months (i.e., has had menses at any time in the preceding 24 consecutive months).
8. Completion of all previous therapy (including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or investigational therapy) for the treatment of cancer ≥ 4 weeks before the start of study therapy.
9. Patients with known history or current symptoms of cardiac disease, or history of treatment with cardiotoxic agents, should have a clinical risk assessment of cardiac function using the New York Heart Association Functional Classification (Appendix B). To be eligible for this trial, patients should be class IIB or better.

   * Patients without existing cardiac disease that raise the risk of complications who consent for the trial will proceed with trial participation.
   * Patients with existing cardiac disease that could raise the risk of complications will be referred at the discretion of the investigator to a cardio-oncologist who is a co-investigator on the trial (or general cardiologist) for cardiac optimization prior to starting propranolol.
10. Life expectancy \> 12 weeks as determined by the Investigator.
11. Willingness and ability of the subject to comply with scheduled visits, drug administration plan, protocol-specified laboratory tests, other study procedures, and study restrictions.
12. Evidence of a personally signed informed consent indicating that the subject is aware of the neoplastic nature of the disease and has been informed of the procedures to be followed, the experimental nature of the therapy, alternatives, potential risks and discomforts, potential benefits, and other pertinent aspects of study participation.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:

1. Patients who have had chemotherapy or radiotherapy within 4 weeks prior to entering the study or those who have not recovered from adverse events due to agents administered more than 4 weeks earlier (i.e., have residual toxicities \> Grade 2).
2. Patients who are receiving any other investigational agents or an investigational device within 21 days before administration of first dose of study drugs.
3. History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to the agents used in study.
4. Contraindication to ICI per investigator discretion.
5. Uncontrolled current illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
6. Significant cardiovascular disease (e.g., myocardial infarction, arterial thromboembolism, cerebrovascular thromboembolism) within 3 months prior to start of study therapy; angina requiring therapy; symptomatic peripheral vascular disease; New York Heart Association Class 3 or 4 congestive heart failure; or uncontrolled Grade ≥3 hypertension (diastolic blood pressure ≥100 mmHg or systolic blood pressure ≥160 mmHg) despite antihypertensive therapy.
7. Contraindication to a beta blocker: cardiac conditions that significantly raise the risk of cardiopulmonary complications, including unstable angina, uncontrolled heart failure, symptomatic bradycardia, and severe asthma.
8. Current use of an oral or intravenous beta blocker (e.g. atenolol, bisoprolol, carvedilol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, sotalol, among other beta blockers) with inability to safely switch to a non-beta blocker agent. The washout for current users should be at least 14 days with enough transition period.

Where this trial is running

Atlanta, Georgia

• Emory University Hospital/Winship Cancer Institute — Atlanta, Georgia, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Bassel Nazha, MD, MPH — Emory University Hospital/Winship Cancer Institute
• Study coordinator: Bassel Nazha, MD, MPH

Conditions: Locally Advanced Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma, Locally Advanced Renal Pelvis Urothelial Carcinoma, Locally Advanced Ureter Urothelial Carcinoma, Locally Advanced Urethral Urothelial Carcinoma, Locally Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma, Metastatic Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma, Metastatic Renal Pelvis Urothelial Carcinoma, Metastatic Ureter Urothelial Carcinoma