OT-101 (Trabedersen) plus pembrolizumab for newly diagnosed advanced non-small cell lung cancer with PD-L1 positivity

Evaluation of Trabedersen (OT-101) With Pembrolizumab in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Positive PD-L1

Phase1; Phase2 Interventional University of Nebraska · NCT06579196

This trial will test whether adding OT-101 (Trabedersen) to pembrolizumab helps adults with newly diagnosed advanced non-small cell lung cancer whose tumors have PD-L1 ≥1%.

Quick facts

PhasePhase1; Phase2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment45 (estimated)
Ages19 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Nebraska Academic / other
Drugs / interventionspembrolizumab, immunotherapy, radiation, prednisone
Locations1 site (Omaha, Nebraska)
Trial IDNCT06579196 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a Phase 1/2 interventional trial combining the antisense oligonucleotide OT-101 (Trabedersen) with the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab in adults with metastatic or unresectable NSCLC and PD-L1 ≥1%. Phase 1 uses a BOIN dose escalation/de-escalation design to identify dose-limiting toxicities and the recommended Phase 2 dose of OT-101 given with standard pembrolizumab. OT-101 is given intravenously for 4 days every 2 weeks while pembrolizumab is given intravenously every 6 weeks. In Phase 2 subjects receive the recommended dose of OT-101 with pembrolizumab until disease progression by iRECIST, relapse, or death, with safety and efficacy outcomes monitored throughout.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (≥19 years) with histologically proven metastatic or unresectable NSCLC, PD-L1 ≥1%, measurable disease, ECOG ≤2, adequate organ function, and no prior systemic therapy for metastatic disease are the intended candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with PD-L1 <1%, prior immunotherapy for metastatic NSCLC, poor organ function, or other contraindications to study drugs are unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the combination could improve tumor control and clinical outcomes compared with current pembrolizumab-alone approaches for PD-L1–positive advanced NSCLC.

How similar studies have performed: Combining TGF-β–targeting agents with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade is a biologically plausible but still early and relatively unproven approach in NSCLC, with limited positive signals in early-phase studies so far.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥ 19 years
* Histologically/cytologically proven diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a PD-L1 of at least 1%
* Metastatic disease or disease not amenable for curative intent therapy
* No prior treatment for metastatic NSCLC. Early-stage disease therapy acceptable if completed at least six months prior and did not include immunotherapy.
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≤ 2
* Measurable disease by RECIST criteria
* Adequate organ and marrow function as defined below:

  * Absolute neutrophil count ≥1,500/mm3
  * Platelets ≥100,000/mm3
  * Hemoglobin \>9.0 mg/dL
  * Creatinine clearance \> 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 using Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) formula
  * Total serum bilirubin \<1.5 X upper limit of normal (ULN) except if known to have Gilbert's syndrome, then excluded if total bilirubin \>2.5 X ULN
  * Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) ≤ 2.5 x ULN; if participant has liver metastases, ≤5x ULN
* For females of childbearing potential, negative serum or urine pregnancy test ≤7 days of treatment, \& agree to use effective contraceptive during treatment \& 90 days after end of treatment
* Male participants must agree to use effective contraception during the trial \& for 90 days after end of treatment
* Able to give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Received any systemic treatments including investigational agents within the last 28 days
* Known hypersensitivity to any of the excipients of OT101 or pembrolizumab
* Received radiotherapy within 14 days of the study intervention. Palliative radiation is allowed during the study with a 1-week washout
* Pregnant or breast-feeding women
* History of autoimmune diseases that required systemic treatment in the past 2 years with agents such as, but not limited to, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs. Thyroid replacement for hypothyroidism, insulin treatment for type I diabetes or corticosteroids adrenal/pituitary insufficiency are allowed.
* Uncontrolled systemic diseases that in the opinion of the investigator may interfere with the protocol activities
* Known active second malignancy that needs treatment. Exceptions include basal cell or squamous cancers of the skin, bladder or cervical carcinoma in situ, prostate cancer on hormone therapy alone.
* Immunodeficiency diagnosis or receiving chronic steroids that exceed a dose equivalent to prednisone 10 mg daily
* Symptomatic brain metastases. Asymptomatic metastases or having received treatment for brain metastases and are off steroid therapy is acceptable.
* Known psychiatric or substance use that would interfere with the study requirements
* Inability to co-operate with the requirements of the protocol

Where this trial is running

Omaha, Nebraska

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Non-small Cell Lung CancerNewly DiagnosedPD-L1
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.