Neoadjuvant treatment for operable non-small cell lung cancer using low-dose radiation and immunotherapy

BrUOG 397: NEO Rad (LOW): Neoadjuvant Low Dose Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy, Ipilimumab and Nivolumab for Patients With Resectable Stage IB - III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

This study is testing a new treatment combining low-dose radiation and immunotherapy for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer to see if it helps shrink tumors before surgery.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 25 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Brown University (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: ipilimumab, nivolumab, chemotherapy, radiation
• Locations: 1 site (Providence, Rhode Island)
• Trial ID: NCT04933903 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This phase 2 clinical trial aims to treat patients with resectable stage IB - III non-small cell lung cancer using a combination of pre-operative immunotherapy (ipilimumab and nivolumab) and low-dose stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). The study will evaluate the pathologic response of the tumor after treatment, with a focus on achieving major and complete pathologic responses. Only patients who undergo surgery will be assessed for the primary endpoint, and safety and immune response biomarkers will also be explored. The trial employs a two-stage design to ensure efficacy and safety before proceeding with further enrollment.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 with pathologically confirmed resectable stage IB - III non-small cell lung cancer and an ECOG performance status of 0-1.

Not a fit: Patients with non-resectable lung cancer or those with significant comorbidities affecting surgical candidacy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve surgical outcomes and reduce tumor burden in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

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

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Pathologically confirmed NSCLC
2. Age \> 18
3. ECOG Performance Status 0-1.
4. Pulmonary function capacity capable of tolerating the proposed lung resection. FEV1 at least 2 L. If less than 2 L, the predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) must be \> 0.8 L or be \> 35% of the predicted value. Postoperative predicted DLCO ≥ 35% is required.
5. Resectable stage IB-IIIB (T2-3N0, T1-T3N1-2) NSCLC (per the 8th Edition American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) classification) who are candidates for surgery with intent of R0 resection. Invasive T3 disease (eg, phrenic nerve, pericardium, chest wall other than Pancoast superior sulcus) may be included if the surgeon and study team deem it to be resectable.
6. N2 nodes must be discrete (ie, not invading surrounding structures). If patients have N2 disease, as suspected by CT or PET, histologic proof of N2 status is recommended.
7. Patients must be evaluated by a Thoracic Surgeon prior to registration. Operability is defined as having adequate pulmonary, cardiac, renal, nutritional, musculoskeletal, neurologic, and cognitive capacity to undergo major pulmonary resection with acceptable morbidity and mortality. Absence of major associated comorbidities that increase the surgery risk to an unacceptable level.
8. No prior history of thoracic radiation.
9. Adequate Organ and marrow function as defined below

   * leukocytes ≥2,000/mcL,
   * absolute neutrophil count ≥1,000/mcL,
   * platelets ≥100,000/mcL,
   * Hemoglobin \>8.0 g/dL
   * Total bilirubin within normal institutional limits
   * AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT) ≤2.5 × institutional upper limit of normal
   * creatinine within normal institutional limits OR creatinine clearance ≥50 mL/min/1.73 m2 for participants with creatinine levels above institutional normal.
10. Patients are capable of giving informed consent and/or have an acceptable surrogate capable of giving consent on the subject's behalf.
11. Nonpregnant and non-nursing. The effect of ipilimumab and nivolumab on the fetus is unknown.
12. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must 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 5 months after the last dose of study medication. Patients of childbearing potential are those who have not been surgically sterilized or have not been free of menses \>1 year.
13. Evidence of postmenopausal status or negative urinary or serum pregnancy test for female premenopausal patients. Women will be considered postmenopausal if they have been amenorrheic for 12 months without an alternative medical cause. The following age-specific requirements apply:
14. Women \<50 years of age would be considered postmenopausal if they have been amenorrheic for 12 months or more following cessation of exogenous hormonal treatments and if they have luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels in the postmenopausal range for the institution or underwent surgical sterilization (bilateral oophorectomy or hysterectomy).
15. Women ≥50 years of age would be considered postmenopausal if they have been amenorrheic for 12 months or more following cessation of all exogenous hormonal treatments, had radiation-induced menopause with last menses \>1 year ago, had chemotherapy-induced menopause with last menses \>1 year ago, or underwent surgical sterilization (bilateral oophorectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, or hysterectomy).
16. 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.
17. Male patients must agree to use an adequate method of contraception starting with the first dose of study therapy through 7 months after the last dose of study therapy.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pathologically confirmed NSCLC \*
2. Age \> 18 \*
3. ECOG Performance Status 0-1.
4. Pulmonary function capacity capable of tolerating the proposed lung resection. FEV1 at least 2 L. If less than 2 L, the predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) must be \> 0.8 L or be \> 35% of the predicted value. Postoperative predicted DLCO ≥ 35% is required.
5. Resectable stage IB-IIIB (T2-3N0, T1-T3N1-2) NSCLC (per the 8th Edition American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) classification) who are candidates for surgery with intent of R0 resection. Invasive T3 disease (eg, phrenic nerve, pericardium, chest wall other than Pancoast superior sulcus) may be included if the surgeon and study team deem it to be resectable.
6. N2 nodes must be discrete (ie, not invading surrounding structures). If patients have N2 disease, as suspected by CT or PET, histologic proof of N2 status is recommended.
7. Patients must be evaluated by a Thoracic Surgeon prior to registration. Operability is defined as having adequate pulmonary, cardiac, renal, nutritional, musculoskeletal, neurologic, and cognitive capacity to undergo major pulmonary resection with acceptable morbidity and mortality. Absence of major associated comorbidities that increase the surgery risk to an unacceptable level. \*
8. No prior history of thoracic radiation.
9. Adequate Organ and marrow function as defined below

   * leukocytes ≥2,000/mcL,
   * absolute neutrophil count ≥1,000/mcL,
   * platelets ≥100,000/mcL,
   * Hemoglobin \>8.0 g/dL
   * Total bilirubin within normal institutional limits
   * AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT) ≤2.5 × institutional upper limit of normal
   * creatinine within normal institutional limits OR creatinine clearance ≥50 mL/min/1.73 m2 for participants with creatinine levels above institutional normal.
10. Patients are capable of giving informed consent and/or have an acceptable surrogate capable of giving consent on the subject's behalf.
11. Nonpregnant and non-nursing. The effect of ipilimumab and nivolumab on the fetus is unknown.
12. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must 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 5 months after the last dose of study medication. Patients of childbearing potential are those who have not been surgically sterilized or have not been free of menses \>1 year.
13. Evidence of postmenopausal status or negative urinary or serum pregnancy test for female premenopausal patients. Women will be considered postmenopausal if they have been amenorrheic for 12 months without an alternative medical cause. The following age-specific requirements apply:
14. Women \<50 years of age would be considered postmenopausal if they have been amenorrheic for 12 months or more following cessation of exogenous hormonal treatments and if they have luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels in the postmenopausal range for the institution or underwent surgical sterilization (bilateral oophorectomy or hysterectomy).
15. Women ≥50 years of age would be considered postmenopausal if they have been amenorrheic for 12 months or more following cessation of all exogenous hormonal treatments, had radiation-induced menopause with last menses \>1 year ago, had chemotherapy-induced menopause with last menses \>1 year ago, or underwent surgical sterilization (bilateral oophorectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, or hysterectomy).
16. 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.
17. Male patients must agree to use an adequate method of contraception starting with the first dose of study therapy through 7 months after the last dose of study therapy.

Where this trial is running

Providence, Rhode Island

• Rhode Island Hospital — Providence, Rhode Island, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Christopher G Azzoli, MD — Brown University
• Study coordinator: BrUOG

Conditions Non Small Cell Lung Cancer